Chapter 29: The Match Begins!

  I and Nian arrived at the rest area of the first grade group, students from all ten colleges had already made their preparations, just by looking at their performance you could tell how good or bad their college was, the gap was huge. The most attractive to me was the group sitting in the corner, all dressed in black, with an air that didn't seem weak at all, although I couldn't see their faces clearly, it seemed this time we really can't be too confident.

  "Alright, all participants from Dou Huang Yin Dian have gathered here." Nian said, while also attracting a lot of attention.

  It seems that everyone is not very familiar with each other, and they walked over in twos and threes. Including me, it's a combination of 8 males and 2 females. I looked at the female student who was similar to me, she was a female ghost, looking very weak and frail, seemingly a bit surprised when looking at me. I nodded slightly and smiled faintly, she hesitated for a moment, then quickly reacted and also smiled back. Although she didn't look very pretty, but her smile was quite beautiful. The remaining eight male students were two demons and six ghosts, their strength is unknown, but they all had an arrogant expression on their faces. Okay, I really don't like it when they're like this, the strong never need to be deliberate.

  "You ten are representatives of the Dou Huang Yin Temple, so in my eyes, you are all the same as other contestants and must unite, forget your own identity, otherwise you will lose miserably." Nian said sternly. It seems that she also saw that pride leads to defeat, how can these few students cooperate? Really don't understand how they were selected, strength is important, but isn't cooperation important too?

  It's clear that arrogant people won't listen to others' advice, and only failure will reveal their own shortcomings. Two of the eight male students seemed to not have taken it in at all. It seems like they'll only understand after failing first. I furrowed my brow and looked at Nian, who also seemed a bit worried.

  The first team battle sent out five male students, three ghosts and two demons. The two most arrogant ones in the group were also selected at the same time. Such a combination seems to be destined for defeat from the very beginning, thoroughly awakening them as long as they understand in time.

  "Everyone, be quiet." A male voice rang out. The entire venue fell silent. I looked towards the central viewing platform, which was higher than the surrounding platforms and designed luxuriously, with several chairs already arranged.

  "Welcome, leaders of each college, to take the stage." As soon as the words fell, 15 figures sat at the highest point of the viewing platform, and applause erupted instantly. I was surprised to find that Grandpa Langda was also up there, along with one of the three elders I had met last time, but I still couldn't tell which elder he was.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the host, the three elders of the Dou Huang Silver Palace, to give their speech." The applause erupted again, and it was that very cold Three Elders. I could already imagine what he would say.

  "Firstly, on behalf of the Dou Huang Silver Palace, I welcome all of you to our academy. I believe that this time, our academy will also bring surprises to all of you, because Dou Huang Silver Palace has always been a place for the strong." The three elders spoke with proud expressions and sat down neatly afterwards.

  I thought the Third Elder wouldn't be too enthusiastic, but I didn't expect his temper to be so stubborn. Isn't this equivalent to saying that the other colleges are weak? It's really true. As expected, the applause wasn't as loud as it was at the beginning, and the expressions of the other leaders on the viewing platform were quite unpleasant. It seems they indeed came prepared this time.

  "I believe your college will bring us surprises, but this time's championship is ours for the taking. The next match will be held at Lianba." Another elderly man, dressed in simple yet majestic attire, spoke up. He should be the principal of Lianba College. It seems that these powerful individuals don't have good tempers, and they're already clashing before the game has even started. The three elders still had their thousand-year-old icy faces, unchanged by this remark.

  "Hmph, I think both of you are speaking too early, the match hasn't even started yet, otherwise wouldn't losing be embarrassing?" said an elderly man with a cunning appearance and a spherical body, seemingly offering advice while already showing his determination to win.

  "Haha, let's warmly thank the speeches of several elders." The male host awkwardly warmed up the scene, stopping the confrontational atmosphere between several leaders.

  "The game begins," declared the three elders.

  "The first match, Dou Huang Silver Palace vs Lian Ba Academy, Cang Long Academy vs Song Qi Academy, Xing Hui Academy vs Wu Xing Academy, Po Xiao Academy vs Zi Teng Academy, Feng Huang Academy vs An Ye Academy." The host finished speaking, and the audience erupted in cheers. The rivalry between these two academies was already an open secret, and as soon as they took to the stage, it was clear that their encounter was no coincidence.

  Two academies' disciples appeared in the center of the venue, five on each side. The other academies were competing on both sides. Our academy's disciples couldn't hide their proud expressions, while the opposing academy's disciples were filled with disgust.

  After the barrier was formed, both sides began to release their soul energy. On our side, three of the five students were high-level dead soldiers and two were mid-level. The other side had three mid-level dead soldiers and two high-level ones. In terms of age, it was indeed possible. After signing up, the competition began. At first, all five of our students launched a strong attack together, with overwhelming power that caused significant trouble for the opponent. However, the three larger-bodied high-level dead soldiers on the opposing side defended in front, blocking the two students behind them and coordinating very smoothly. In an instant, the two behind jumped onto the shoulders of the three in front - were they twins? Only seeing the brothers glance at each other, performing the same action, a scorching hot light burst out, and our school's students hurriedly activated their defenses, apparently each busy with their own, without choosing to dispel the attack.

  Seeing this, I closed my eyes, the ending doesn't even need to be looked at. I admit they have the qualifications to be proud, but they lack the most necessary coordination, if it were in actual combat, they would have been dead long ago. Their individual pride has ruined themselves. It's still more meaningful for me to cultivate myself.

  I don't know how long it took, but I was interrupted by a voice, what round is this? It's still our college, but the opponent has changed, all of them are high-level dead warriors. However, we've also replaced two people on our side, and that girl somehow got switched in without me noticing. I watched for a bit, she's a mid-level dead warrior with auxiliary skills that can replenish soul power. She mainly focuses on this skill, but her attack and defense are clearly not keeping up. The opponent lands a strong hit, it looks like she definitely won't be able to block it. But at this time, the male student who was being arrogant earlier actually helped her block it. Moreover, the remaining three people seem to have some coordination, it seems they've figured something out. I let out a sigh of relief.

  "It's not too late to understand now." I said in a low voice, looking at the figure on stage and couldn't help but smile.

  "If it weren't for you, it would be too late." Nian suddenly said.

  I looked at Nian with some confusion, what happened? Not all colleges are as strong as Lianba College, and based on our strength here, even if we're not the first in team battles, we won't be eliminated, right?

  "Qinglong Academy wins." The host announced the outcome. What? Our academy lost again? How is this possible?

  "What's wrong, teacher?"

  "Hmph, those old guys joined forces to take down our academy. As soon as they compete with us, they switch to their strong players. The match only prohibits killing the opponent, but those old guys found a loophole and severely injured one of our students in the first round. Even with rest time, they can't fully recover and had to be replaced by substitute team members. Now there are already three severe injuries, and this round is going to have to replace again. This is the ninth match, and we're currently ranked fifth. It seems their intention was to eliminate us in the first round of group battles. How despicable!"

  "We lost again, sorry coach," a male student said.

  "Do you now know where you are inferior?" Nian said.

  "It's all because we're too arrogant, having strong abilities is useless if we don't work together in team battles, it's like fighting one against five. It seems that the reputation of our academy will be ruined by us this time." Another male student said.

  "It's not too late, as long as you understand." Nian said with a smile.

  "Never mind, instructor. We have six people who can fight here, four of whom are lightly injured and will be somewhat affected in combat, while the other colleges only have one or two injuries, it's simply no match." The girl said.

  "Where is your pride from before? I hope you can see your shortcomings, but don't lose confidence. As long as you can still fight, cheer up for me. The Silver Palace has never lost a battle." Nian said with determination. And once again, I saw that hint of pride in the eyes of the disciples.

  "Alright, Xi Meng, you're up next." Nian said with a smile.

  I nodded and exchanged a smile with Nian, I will win.