"The dean's meaning is that you captains can choose yourselves, and tactically, with Advisor Jiang here, you can arrange your own affairs. So… you can do as you see fit. Dismissed. We'll gather at the school gate at 7 AM tomorrow." He Feng said awkwardly. The old dean had left me to handle this, how could I arrange anything? These kids might even overwhelm me if they got into a fight.
The students looked at the irresponsible dean and unreliable homeroom teacher, unable to react for a moment.
"Um, so no one's going to manage us?" He Dazhuang was the first to speak.
"Since no one cares, I'll say a few words. Our academy has a reputation in the bandit world. We need to have a leader we can be proud of. Therefore, I recommend Lin Zhan as the leader of our gang."
"Old Xiao will be the chief cannon, I am 'Cruel Liang,' Old Jiang will be the 'White Paper Fan,' Leng Shan will be 'Hanging Thread.' The rest of our brothers and sisters will each fulfill their duties, so that our gang can flourish within the Advanced Martial Arts Academy. That's all I have to say."
After hearing He Dazhuang's speech, everyone was even more bewildered. This was even more unreliable than their homeroom teacher, He Feng.
"Old Jiang, can you analyze what's stimulated Dazhuang? Or did he hit something outside the Great Wall? I heard that place is quite strange." Leng Shan, being from a hunter family, was relatively 'knowledgeable.'
Zhang Cong chimed in, "I think An Ya should take a look. He might have some mental illness. Dazhuang used to be just a bit boisterous, but now he seems to have delusions."
"Dazhuang doesn't have delusions, nor is he sick. Rather than calling it mental illness, it's more like he has something he can't let go of. Don't forget that the He family were originally from the bandit world. When the He family, young and old, went to face the national calamity, out of over 300 He family members, only 67 survived. Dazhuang might be using this method to commemorate those elders and brothers," An Ya analyzed He Dazhuang's condition carefully.
Zhang Lingxiu pulled her cousin aside, "An Ya, do you have a crush on He Dazhuang?" Zhang Lingxiu's mother, An Rongrong, was An Ya's paternal aunt.
Faced with her cousin's question, An Ya remained silent, only nodding with a blush.
He Dazhuang had been eavesdropping with his ears perked up when Zhang Lingxiu asked. Seeing An Ya's reaction, he couldn't help but let out a silly chuckle.
In the context of this era, it was normal for boys and girls aged 16 or 17 to get engaged, especially given the fierce and high casualty rate of the war. If it continued as before, it would not meet the population demand. Families like the third year, ninth class, with high talent and good bloodlines, hoped to have many children. What the human race lacked on the battlefield was experts.
"He Dazhuang, I'm telling you, if you ever treat An Ya poorly, don't blame me for being harsh." Zhang Lingxiu threatened He Dazhuang, crackling with lightning.
"Sister Lingxiu, don't worry. If I ever wrong An Ya in the slightest, just let that turtle of Old Lin crush me to death." He Dazhuang's words were harsh, as being crushed to death by a turtle was hardly something to boast about.
"Sister!" An Ya, her face flushed crimson, pulled at her cousin.
"Alright, alright. Old He is a sincere and honest person. I vouch for him," Lin Zhan said, smoothing things over. "Let's all disperse now and gather tomorrow. Don't feel too much pressure, just go all out. I'll handle the rest." Lin Zhan took on the burden.
The next morning, at the gate of the Capital's Advanced Martial Arts Academy in Huaxia.
A massive, Great Wall-shaped steel gate stood at the entrance of the advanced martial arts school, symbolizing that the students who graduated from the academy feared no danger and would rush to the battlefield, building an iron Great Wall for humanity with their own flesh and blood. Huaxia had four such advanced martial arts academies, and the millions of students who graduated each year were the main force on the battlefields against the myriad races.
Colorful flags and banners adorned the academy gates, creating a festive atmosphere. A huge banner read: 'Welcome to the Exchange Competition from Martial Arts Academies in various Federal Special Zones.' Over a hundred students from the advanced martial arts school, led by teachers and the dean, were at the gate to welcome the participating teams from all over.
When Li Zhenshan led his group out of the car, he saw an old man leading a few middle-aged men in teacher uniforms walking towards them. "Old Li, long time no see. Old Qin and Old Ye are already here; we were just waiting for you." The old man then turned his gaze to Lin Zhan and the others, "Not bad, the children are full of spirit. Keep it up, and be sure to bring honor to our Huaxia."
"Old squad leader, long time no see. You still look as energetic as ever," Li Zhenshan greeted the old man. The old man was Zhou Zhengwen, the dean of Huaxia's Capital Advanced Martial Arts Academy. The Old Qin he mentioned was Qin Hai, the dean of Qin Du First Intermediate Martial Arts Academy, and Old Ye was Ye Changshun, the dean of Magic City First Intermediate Martial Arts Academy. The four of them had served in the military together, with Zhou Zhengwen being their squad leader.
The deans gathered with their respective teams. "I'll tell you youngsters, this competition is just a formality for us. As for outsiders, apart from the Siberia and Africa Special Zones, try not to injure them as much as possible. For the rest, defeat them all. As for the America and Fusang Special Zones, as long as it's not too obvious, kill them if you can." The eyes of the three teams lit up. There were special circumstances! These old guys were truly ruthless.
Once everyone had arrived, Zhou Zhengwen spoke, "Welcome to the participating teams from all special zones. This competition will have a total of 110 participating teams. First, the competition will adopt a round-robin system. Ten seeded teams will each face off against each other, and finally, they will compete against the 10 ordinary intermediate academy contestants who have advanced. Second, the seeded teams will begin their matches in three days. Personnel arrangements are up to you. Each team will select 5 members to participate in each match. Third, the top 30 contestants will be selected to enter the secret realm exploration. Now, please have each team representative introduce themselves."
After the meeting, Li Zhenshan arrived at the living quarters of Lin Zhan's group. All participating teams were arranged at the reception hotel of the Capital Advanced Martial Arts Academy.
"This is a round-robin system. Each team will send 5 members to compete in turns. This doesn't concern us much; just fight directly. Give me an honest assessment of each of your strengths," Li Zhenshan asked the team members.
"Dean, you can rest now. Leave the rest to us. Old Jiang, collect data and analyze it," Lin Zhan said. "For our main combatants, Old Lin, Old He, Old Xiao, and Sister Lingxiu, the four of you introduce your strengths first. Old Leng and Old Zhang will be at a disadvantage due to the terrain. The remaining beautiful ladies are all support roles," Jiang Zheng explained.
"Silver Intermediate. At full strength, I can fight Gold Early stage. Whether I can win is another matter," He Dazhuang stated.
"The day we gathered, I killed a Gold Intermediate, but it was an assassination," Xiao Hanyi said.
"I only have the combat power of Gold Intermediate stage," Zhang Lingxiu added.
"Alright, no need to ask Old Lin Hei. We don't need to treat him like a person," Jiang Zheng concluded. Lin Zhan...