Chapter 170: 158, Brother Lu, please come on stage (please subscribe to monthly tickets)_3
Wang Chunyu spoke several times in a row before the audience gradually quieted down.
"Dear guests and media friends, welcome to the annual Challenge Match at Iron Blood University..."
"This year, we have strictly controlled the number of participants to ensure we present a spectacular challenge competition..."
"The rules of this competition are..."
"Now, please welcome the fifty outstanding freshmen of Iron Blood University who will be accepting challenges."
"Let’s give them a round of applause."
Wang Chunyu introduced the competition rules. They seemed lengthy but were actually quite simple: fight freely, just don’t deliberately cause any deaths.
Previously, during an Iron Blood University Challenge Match, a pair of students fought too intensely. This resulted in the challenged student being severely injured and subsequently dying after being taken to the hospital.
Since then, Iron Blood University has required that during the Challenge Match, there must be a master above Level Seven on standby, along with at least three Level Four or above healers outside the arena, to ensure the students’ safety during fights.
As Wang Chunyu finished speaking, the fifty-member team from Iron Blood University stepped onto the arena.
Below the stage, countless flashes went off nonstop. The gazes of at least ten thousand people were focused on... Hang Jianshe, who was standing in the foremost position.
Lu Lin also turned his head to look.
Compared to Wang Chunyu, who was so stunningly handsome he could make even immortals descend from the heavens, Hang Jianshe’s appearance wasn’t striking. In fact, it was rather ordinary.
He was about 1.75 meters tall, with slightly dark skin, and a thin build. He wasn’t frail, but he certainly wasn’t robust either.
Yet, it was this ordinary-looking boy who had managed to overpower thousands of freshmen at Iron Blood College this year and rank first, demonstrating just how formidable his Talent was.
Lu Lin had also heard that Hang Jianshe was the scion of a large family from an alien planet.
However, standing on the stage, Hang Jianshe seemed very modest, even more low-key than some ordinary geniuses.
To liven up the atmosphere, Wang Chunyu asked Hang Jianshe several questions on stage.
Hang Jianshe answered concisely, neither fawning nor abrasive.
Many people who knew his name felt somewhat disappointed.
Their beloved genius is a bit too low-key, isn’t he?
Seeing that the atmosphere wasn’t very lively, Wang Chunyu became a little anxious.
For this Challenge Match, Iron Blood College had sold broadcasting rights for a hefty 50 billion Federal Coins.
For a one-day Challenge Match, he had to ensure there was enough buzz and excitement generated even before it began.
With this in mind, Wang Chunyu suddenly said, "This time, not only does our Iron Blood College boast numerous talents, but I’ve also heard that Luse Alliance College has an incredible Challenger."
"When I received information about the opponents this morning, I was truly startled by this junior’s strength."
"It is said that this Challenger has already reached the rank of Third Level Star-Core Fighter, possessing not only strong Talent but also exceptional actual combat ability."
"He reportedly once fought a hundred people single-handedly and emerged unscathed."
"I wonder if our Hang Jianshe can defeat such an opponent."
Hang Jianshe: "..."
He looked at Wang Chunyu, inwardly cursing, MMP!
Why didn’t I know about this? A Level Three fighter? Why would they even bother participating in the Challenge Match?
Could it be because the broadcast rights sold for so much this year that Iron Blood College, fearing the event wouldn’t live up to the hype, specially found a Third-level Martial Artist to pose as a challenger?
A First Level fighting a Third Level?
Hang Jianshe had never tried it.
But he was confident in his abilities. As long as the opponent wasn’t some freakishly strong anomaly, he believed his newly attained Level 2 Early Stage strength would still allow him to put up a good fight.
He pondered this extensively, but what Hang Jianshe actually said caused an uproar among the audience:
"I have no confidence."
"A Level 3 Star Core Martial Artist is too strong. Their Star Power might not be endless, but I would at least be at a significant disadvantage in terms of energy reserves when facing them."
"Besides, a Third-level Martial Artist must have comprehended at least four or more Star Skills after several advancements, so I am also at a complete disadvantage in that respect."
"Lastly..."
Hang Jianshe glanced leisurely at Wang Chunyu. "I don’t believe there’s a Level 3 Star Core Martial Artist in Luse Alliance College."
"If their cultivation speed is that fast, their aptitude definitely wouldn’t be poor. They wouldn’t be reduced to attending Luse Alliance College."
"So, Principal Wang, please don’t joke around. The elite Talents of Humans are gathered at our Iron Blood College every year."
This was the longest speech Hang Jianshe had given since stepping on stage.
At first, his words seemed jarring, but upon further reflection, everyone had to admit he had a point.
The second of the Three Major Laws of Star Core Warriors: Human Star Veins cannot initially exceed a 1% refinement level.
This is a fundamental rule of the universe, the innate nature of the Star Core within the Human body. It is a principle, a law—an unbreakable rule.
No one can break this law.
In the thousand-year history of Human cultivation, there have been some outstanding geniuses, but even their highest initial refinement levels were only 0.99%.
No one is an exception.
So, it was understandable that Hang Jianshe thought Principal Wang was joking.
Iron Blood College is the number one academy in the Human Federation.
Geniuses have their pride.
They won’t accept being considered inferior to others.
Wherever there is competition, geniuses will inevitably rise to the occasion.
The idea of a Third Level genius in the Luse Alliance was either Luse Academy hyping themselves up or Iron Blood College deliberately fabricating a topic for viewership ratings.
No one in the audience, nor the billions of Federal Citizens watching the live broadcast, would take it seriously.
"Alright, perhaps my intelligence was somewhat flawed."
Wang Chunyu laughed awkwardly, then composed himself and said, "Now, let us welcome the Challengers: ten elite young individuals from Luse Alliance College."
"Let’s give them a round of applause."
「Backstage.」
Lei Ming signaled for everyone to go out.
But at this moment, though no one quite understood why, they all turned their heads to look at Lu Lin, who was standing at the back of the line.
"Mr. Lu, please."
"Mr. Lu, the stage is yours to show off! We’ll be on the sidelines shouting ’Nice one!’ and ’Awesome!’ for you!"
"Mr. Lu, you go first. Even if Teacher Lei were to go first, I wouldn’t stand for it!"
Lu Lin smiled.
When he was in Blue Star Tongyuan, after helping Zuo Zhenyu rescue the hostages and confront the robbers, the Governor’s Mansion had said something.
To prevent him from being targeted by the Black Shark Society prematurely, they had decided to keep his honors and awards confidential, providing only material rewards.
At that time, Lu Lin was just a recently Awakened, naïve youngster who knew nothing.
But now, merely one month later, Lu Lin was no longer just facing the small Tongyuan City.
The Black Shark Society might be powerful and secretive, but surely they wouldn’t dare to act recklessly on Iron Blood College’s territory, would they?
It seems that this time, I, Lu Lin, am destined to take the spotlight.
With that thought, Lu Lin didn’t decline.
He nodded to the students on either side who made way for him, then walked out from backstage, taking the lead.
Outside, the camera flashes were dazzling.
Yet, Lu Lin felt no discomfort at all.