Chapter 519: Special Sphere

Look, that's Teacher Jiang. Among all the teachers competing this time, he's the biggest dark horse!

I wonder if he can advance today?

If he advances, that would pretty much mean making it into the top ten, right? I heard Teacher Jiang is participating for the first time, and making it into the top ten on his first try— that's insane!

What's more, Teacher Jiang is only a First-level Grandmaster, the lowest rank among the teachers. Even some of our senior students are First-level Grandmasters, yet to reach the finals with that rank is rare, even after so many Grand Competitions.

Yeah, I really hope the match starts soon!

The surrounding discussion was transmitted word for word into the ears of several people.

Yu Yang looked around, then said to Jiang Cheng, "Jiang Xiaoxiong, this isn't the place to talk. The match starts in ten minutes; let's find a spot to chat. Don't worry, it won't take too long."

"Yeah, yeah." Di Yun and the others nodded eagerly.

Sure.

Since Yu Yang said that, he certainly couldn't refuse.

Several people came to a secluded spot.

"Jiang Xiaoxiong, tell me the truth: is the anonymous person from headquarters who defeated two Supremes you?" Yu Yang glanced around again, lowering his voice.

Xie Jianfeng and the others also stared fixedly at Jiang Cheng's face, ears perked up.

Well...

Jiang Cheng looked at them and had to nod.

Since they could ask that question, they were probably already sure.

Everyone fell silent at once, though their eyes widened; even though they had guessed the truth, when Jiang Cheng actually admitted it, their hearts were still shaken.

"Jiang Xiaoxiong, you've hidden yourself really well." Soon Yu Yang gave a wry laugh, "If it weren't for this Grand Competition, we'd still be in the dark."

"Yeah, Jiang Brother, I was hoping to give you some pointers during our sparring, but it looks like you should be the one advising me!" Di Yun likewise gave a wry smile.

"You guys are not too bad, but if I faced you and Jianfeng one-on-one, I definitely wouldn't be your match," Jiang Ping said, her eyes flashing.

"You're overestimating me; I'm just at the Ten-level Force Warrior rank, a bit stronger. I only recently broke through to Grandmaster, so if we fought using true Grandmaster strength, I might not necessarily beat you." Jiang Cheng shook his head.

"Really? I still think it's unlikely," Xie Jianfeng said after serious thought.

"Hehehe, Jiang Brother, after this competition ends we'll definitely have a good spar, and then we'll see who was right."

"That's right," Jiang Ping agreed.

"Alright, let's wait until after this competition," Jiang Cheng had to agree.

"Alright, Jiang Xiaoxiong, time's not early; go make some preparations. We'll be cheering for you in the stands." Yu Yang lightly patted Jiang Cheng's shoulder.

"That's right, Jiang Xiaoxiong, I hope you keep advancing like before and take first place! Shock the whole academy!"

"What's more! If Teacher Jiang takes first place, not just the academy, the whole Hope City will be shaken!" Xie Jianfeng emphasized.

"I'll do my best."

Jiang Cheng laughed helplessly, waved at them, and headed toward the resting room.

Only after he had gone far enough to disappear did they begin to discuss.

"You say, can Jiang Xiaoxiong really win first place?"

Hearing Yu Yang's question, Di Yun pondered and said, "I think it's possible, though not big; if he passes the first round, there should be no problem, of course. The precondition is not running into someone especially strong."

"Hahaha, Captain, I feel you're just spouting nonsense," Xie Jianfeng said, looking at Di Yun.

Di Yun blinked, then laughed as well.

"Guessing here is pointless; we'll know the answer soon."

In the resting room, over a dozen people had already gathered, forming small groups and chatting quietly.

Seeing Jiang Cheng arrive, the people in the resting room grew more solemn in their eyes.

If it had been the previous two days, seeing Jiang Cheng come in would have caused no pressure, and even glancing at him would feel like a waste of time.

But after personally witnessing Jiang Cheng's performance yesterday, especially after he defeated Sun Tong, they felt a little afraid of facing him.

Fortunately, today's and the next few days' matches are best-of-three, so even if one loses early, there's still a chance to turn things around, unlike the previous three matches where everyone had only one shot—lose and you're out.

Jiang Cheng found a spot to sit and quietly waited for the drawing lots ceremony to begin.

That's right; after reaching the finals round, the drawing lots procedure also changed.

Unlike the previous three rounds, where Xu Juan pressed the pause button, this time everyone's names were written on slips of paper and placed into a palm-sized special sphere.

The sphere's surface, made of special material, can block a person's spiritual power; even Xu Juan cannot, through spiritual power, check the names on the slips inside the sphere.

Moreover, the person who takes the sphere out of the box is not Xu Juan, but someone randomly chosen from the crowd.

Thus, cheating is basically eliminated; who you meet depends purely on luck.

Time passed bit by bit; the noisy environment suddenly fell silent as the school leaders entered, with Xu Juan naturally at the front.

The difference was that someone behind her was holding a half‑person‑tall box.

"I wonder whose luck is good enough to be picked to go on stage and draw lots," the students present, already familiar with this scene, wore looks of anticipation.

For them, being able to go up and draw lots is also an honorable thing; talking about it would make those nearby envious.

Xu Juan came onto the stage, gave a brief speech, and then, amid the audience's applause, the people resting in the resting room walked onto the stage and lined up.

"Next, I will select one person from the crowd to conduct the drawing lots," Xu Juan said with a smile; instantly, the people in the audience held their breath.

As for the teachers on stage, they were somewhat nervous, even the few widely recognized as the strongest exchanged glances.

If they were matched against each other in this round, it would be certain that one of them could not advance, losing even the chance to earn 100,000 contribution points.

Of course, if they happened to meet early, there would be no alternative.

(End of chapter)