Chapter 203: Second on the Grand Master Rankings, Bringing Only Su Yu!

Zhao Tianxing's calm voice rang out across the entire training field.

Instantly, the entire training field became utterly silent.

Countless freshmen fell silent; the quiet training field was terrifyingly still.

It was as if a pin dropping could be heard clearly.

A few instructors stood behind Zhao Tianxing, smiling faintly, already accustomed to such a scene.

After a long while, someone couldn't help but stand up and ask.

"Principal, may I know why you set these two trials?"

Zhao Tianxing looked at the speaking freshman and said calmly.

"You also know that Qianlong Academy is located in Qianlong City, but do you know why the academy chose to locate itself in Qianlong City?"

Zhao Tianxing scanned the entire training field, but not a single person spoke.

Zhao Tianxing said calmly.

"The Human Race is weak; facing the invasion of the myriad races, someone must stand at the front. You have all experienced the battle of Hope City, so you naturally understand how helpless it feels when no strong one stands at the forefront during the myriad races' invasion."

"What Qianlong Academy must do is become those who stand at the front: if we lack strong ones, we cultivate them; if we lack resources, we seize them."

"From beginning to end, Qianlong Academy does not seek fame or profit, nor rankings; we have only one thought: to block the myriad races outside the main city, so that the people within Daxia's territory may live happily."

"We have only one goal..."

"One academy guards one city!"

Zhao Tianxing's impassioned voice echoed throughout the training field; behind him, several Great Sun Grand Master instructors wore solemn expressions, staring fixedly at the freshmen below.

Under Zhao Tianxing's voice, each freshman began to be moved, staring at him in shock.

Zhao Tianxing was likewise looking at them.

"Someone once asked me why the opening ceremony has this tradition; I will tell you."

"Qianlong Academy's students, aside from freshmen, must enter the myriad races battlefield once a year, leaving the main city and venturing deep into the myriad races continent."

"Each time spent in the myriad races continent must be no less than one month, otherwise they will be expelled from Qianlong Academy!"

Zhao Tianxing's calm voice sounded.

Instantly, some freshmen's complexions began to change.

Even just within the main city it's this dangerous, let alone venturing deep into the myriad races continent.

That's practically courting death.

Moreover, they must enter the myriad races continent every year.

For a moment, some freshmen began to harbor thoughts of retreat.

Even Su Yu furrowed his brow slightly.

To be honest, venturing deep into the myriad races continent is not too great a difficulty for Su Yu.

The existence of the Thirty-Six Transformations allows Su Yu to infiltrate the myriad races continent freely and without easy detection.

But others do not have such a convenient means.

This undoubtedly amounts to letting Qianlong Academy's students go to their deaths, doesn't it?

Apparently noticing these doubtful gazes, Zhao Tianxing said calmly.

"Qianlong Academy needs those who contribute to the Human Race, those who stand before everyone; if someone cannot bear it, just leave!"

"From now on, you shall not set foot in Qianlong City even half a step!"

Instantly, some freshmen's complexions began to change.

Most freshmen's faces were filled with a conflicted expression.

On one side is withdrawing from the Martial Dao Academy, after which one cannot enter the Martial Dao Academy; on the other side is joining Qianlong Academy, after which life and death are no longer within one's control.

This caused many to develop thoughts of retreat.

Above the void, several Great Sun Grand Master instructors transmitted voices to each other.

"You say, how many freshmen will leave this year?"

The muscular middle-aged man chuckled and said.

"Who knows? In theory, this year's freshmen have far stronger mental fortitude than previous years. Last year, a third of the freshmen left; this year, no matter what, it shouldn't exceed a third!"

The gaunt old man pondered for a moment, then said.

The sole female instructor spoke.

She covered her mouth and laughed.

"I estimate it won't exceed two hundred!"

Everyone was somewhat surprised.

"You know, this year's freshmen number over a thousand; two hundred is less than a third, even less than a sixth."

Li Zhangsheng simply stood silently in the void, saying nothing, gazing down at the training field.

Under Zhao Tianxing's words, some freshmen ultimately could not bear the immense pressure, raising their hands and speaking tremblingly.

"I withdraw!"

Zhao Tianxing's gaze swept over, his brow slightly raised.

"Good, you are the first to withdraw; any others? You have ten minutes—if after ten minutes you still haven't withdrawn, you will have to act according to Qianlong Academy's rules!"

Zhao Tianxing issued the final ultimatum.

Accompanied by the departure of the first person who raised a hand, more and more people also chose to withdraw.

"I withdraw!"

"I withdraw!"

"I'm quitting too!"

"I... am quitting too!"

One after another, the new students turned pale, gritted their teeth, and chose to quit.

Perhaps they would never again have anything to do with the martial dao academy, but it was still better than living through hell every year.

They might have been afraid, but everyone had their own aspirations, and this could not be forced upon them.

Zhao Tianxing simply watched them leave in silence.

In truth, these people leaving was also a good thing for Zhao Tianxing and the others; what they needed was never a large headcount, but people who genuinely wanted to contribute to the Human Race.

Otherwise, if such a person appeared among them, it would affect the morale of the entire group.

Su Yu and the others stood quietly on the training ground, watching more and more people leave.

Soon, in just five or six minutes, over a hundred people had already departed.

Most of those who remained struggled inwardly, wanting to leave yet reluctant to part with the martial dao academy.

Time passed slowly, and ten minutes arrived in the blink of an eye.

All the new students still hesitating panted heavily; the ten minutes were up, and those new students who had not yet left were now destined to be unable to leave.

But for them, this was also a good thing.

Someone had made the choice for them, which was better than remaining perpetually torn.

Zhao Tianxing looked at the new students still remaining on the training ground, and his gaze grew gentler.

"I am glad that among over eighteen hundred people, only a little over a hundred left. You are all outstanding. In you, I seem to see the future of Qianlong Academy!"

Zhao Tianxing smiled faintly and actually bowed directly to the new students below.

This bow completely flustered the many new students, and they hurriedly bowed back to Zhao Tianxing.

Behind him, several Great Sun Grand Master instructors sighed with emotion.

"Only a little over a hundred left — compared to before, it's not even in the same league!"

The muscular middle-aged man shrugged and let out a soft sigh.

"This move by the Martial King is truly an unorthodox one. Though it may seem to have eliminated many candidates, every candidate who survives is exceptional. In their hearts, they care even more deeply about the safety of Daxia!"

"No wonder he's the Martial King and you're just a Grand Master!"

The gaunt old man teased.

The muscular middle-aged man's expression darkened.

"Old Yang, don't think you can do whatever you want just because you're older. Watch out, or I'll go smash your wine jars tonight."

The gaunt old man's expression stiffened, and he gave a dry laugh.

"Cough, cough, cough, I was just talking nonsense, nonsense, hahaha!"

At this moment, Li Zhangsheng, who had not spoken all this time, opened his mouth.

"Count me in. It's been a long time since I tasted Old Yang's wine — I'll drink my fill tonight!"

The gaunt old man's expression grew even stiffer.

"Damn it, how did I forget about this drunkard, fuck!"

Old Yang cursed the muscular middle-aged man's ancestors to the eighteenth generation in his heart.

After this small interlude, Zhao Tianxing slowly looked at the several instructors behind him and smiled faintly.

"Gentlemen, the rest is up to you!"

The several men nodded.

Zhao Tianxing smiled faintly. With a wave of his hand, figures appeared one after another in the sky above the training ground, each radiating a powerful aura.

They were unmistakably existences at the Grand Master realm.

And there were a full eighteen such people!

Adding the five behind Zhao Tianxing, Qianlong Academy had a full twenty-three Grand Master realm experts!

This lineup, even Su Yu upon seeing it, could not help but feel his mind shake.

One must know that even in Hope City, the number of Grand Master experts did not exceed twenty.

Yet in Qianlong Academy alone, there were a full twenty-three Grand Masters.

There was even one who ranked in the top three of the Grand Master Ranking.

One could see how terrifying Qianlong Academy's foundation was.

"Congratulations to everyone for passing Qianlong Academy's trial. These are the twenty-three Grand Master experts of our Qianlong Academy. You may choose one of them to become their disciple, and the person you choose will be your instructor for the next four years."

"Of course, the selection between instructor and student is mutual. It's possible that the instructor you choose may not want you, in which case you'll have to give up and choose another instructor."

"Great Sun Grand Masters may freely choose the number of students they take. Bright Moon Grand Masters must take at least ten students. Star Ancestor Masters must take at least fifty students!"

Zhao Tianxing's voice rang out.

Everyone's hearts stirred slightly.

According to Zhao Tianxing's words, it was obviously better to choose a Great Sun Grand Master; after all, the other Grand Master experts had far too many students to mentor. Perhaps for an entire four years, if you were on the introverted side, you might not even get to speak with that Grand Master at all.

But how could the Great Sun Grand Masters be so easy to choose?

One of the five Great Sun Grand Master experts — the muscular middle-aged man — slowly stepped forward and gave a sinister grin.

"Let me make this clear first: new students who are not at the Golden Body Realm, don't come choose me. Even if you do, I won't acknowledge you!"

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Wang Shi, Great Sun Grand Master realm, ranked forty-second on the Grand Master Ranking!"

Having said that, a terrifying aura surged forth from Wang Shi's body.

Next was the gaunt old man.

The old man gave an odd laugh.

"My requirements are the same as Wang Shi's. I am called Yang He, Great Sun Grand Master realm, ranked forty-first on the Grand Master Ranking — above Wang Shi!"

Beside, Wang Shi's face darkened, somewhat displeased.

Among the five Great Sun Grand Masters, the sole female slowly stepped forward.

She covered her mouth, twisting her alluring figure; between her figure there seemed to be no excess flesh, her body extremely slender.

She gave a light smile, attracting the gazes of countless newcomers.

"My requirement is the same: only those with a golden body may enter my side; besides, I have a few more demands—I only take female disciples!"

"I am Liu Mei, Great Sun Grand Master realm, ranked thirty-third on the Grand Master Ranking."

Having said that, her fervent gaze fell upon Tang Nian Bing and Wu Ling'er.

"You two little girls, come over; your teacher should have told you about this!"

As soon as these words were spoken, countless envious gazes fell upon Wu Ling'er and Tang Nian Bing.

Although their teacher is a King-Conferred Strong One, having a dedicated Great Sun Grand Master as an instructor in the academy still brings many benefits.

Especially this Liu Mei, who is ranked thirty-third on the Grand Master Ranking; you should know that those who can make it onto this ranking have a good chance of advancing to Marquis level in the future.

By then, they'd stand to gain even more.

But it is obvious that Liu Mei's target is Wu Ling'er and Tang Nian Bing.

The two of them had no hesitation and directly chose Liu Mei.

Liu Mei covered her mouth and smiled, obviously extremely pleased.

Afterward, Lao Song, wearing glasses, slowly stepped out; his face always bore a gentle smile.

Lao Song called out loudly, "My requirement is the same; I am Song Xing, Great Sun Grand Master realm, twentieth on the Grand Master Ranking!"

Twentieth on the Grand Master Ranking!

Even Su Yu looked at Song Xing in astonishment.

Being twentieth on the Grand Master Ranking is not something just anyone can achieve.

Back when we were in Hengcheng, even someone as strong as Li Hongtian was only ninth on the Grand Master Ranking, and you should know that Li Hongtian was the top Grand Master expert in the entire southern region.

Even when facing a Marquis-level expert, he could still protect himself.

Although Song Xing is still more than ten ranks away from that level, he is extraordinarily terrifying.

Song Xing's appearance attracted the attention of many newcomers.

Even Zhang Xiaobei, Beichen, and others all turned their gazes toward Song Xing.

Ye Chen stared at Song Xing dead‑on, his eyes burning with fervor.

Song Xing gave a slight smile; unlike Liu Mei, he did not directly pick a student but waited quietly.

The next moment, Li Zhangsheng took a slow step forward.

At the instant Li Zhangsheng stepped forward, a sword energy surging to the heavens instantly crisscrossed the heavens and earth; the terrifying, sharp sword energy seemed as if it would tear the whole world apart.

Even some newcomers wearing swords felt their own swords constantly trembling, as if they had seen the sovereign of swords and wanted to submit.

"What terrifying power!"

A newcomer trembled as he spoke.

Li Zhangsheng's sharp gaze swept over all the newcomers, then lingered on Su Yu.

"I am Li Zhangsheng, Great Sun Grand Master realm, second on the Grand Master Ranking!"

As soon as these words were spoken, waves of shock rippled across the entire plaza.

They stared in disbelief at Li Zhangsheng before them.

Second on the Grand Master Ranking!

What does this mean?

It means this person is an invincible Grand Master, possessing the strength to battle a Marquis‑level expert!

They were utterly shocked, never having imagined...

A Qianlong Academy actually hides such a terrifying existence.

This is practically equivalent to having two Marquis‑level experts guarding the Qianlong Academy!

For a moment, many fervent gazes fell upon Li Zhangsheng.

Especially Ye Chen; at this moment he was fervent, his gaze toward Li Zhangsheng full of excitement.

However, Li Zhangsheng's next words caused the hearts of all the newcomers to sink to the bottom of the valley.

"I... will take only Su Yu!"