Chapter 453: The Official Start

When one hour remained before the official start of the Division-Level Competition, under Vice Dean Su Xin's instructions, everyone gathered once more to finalize the last intelligence summary.

The group from the First Star Division huddled together.

Everyone looked at Seeing Yu Lang, since as the intelligence collector, all the information was in his hands, and the intelligence officers from the other divisions had just finished exchanging intel with him.

"Ahem."

Being the focus of such attention for the first time, Seeing Yu Lang felt slightly proud; he cleared his throat, wanting to say something as an opening remark, but Bai Bai Doudou already frowned and looked over, urging, "No nonsense, get straight to the point."

Seeing Yu Lang felt wronged; after working hard for half a year, he was still being ordered around, and Bai Bai Doudou was truly too difficult to serve.

However, in the end, he obediently surrendered, took a stack of paper slips from his robe, and said, "I have collected quite a bit of intelligence, and what everyone cares about most is which top-tier students in the First Star Divisions of the other Sacred Academies require special attention."

"Although the intelligence is a mix of truth and falsehood, there is a consensus on three top contenders for the championship; these three need extra attention."

Lu Qing'er asked curiously, "Is Li Luo among these three?"

Seeing Yu Lang pouted and said, "No Li Luo, so Li Luo, I hope you seriously reflect on your own shortcomings."

Bai Bai Mengmeng smiled and said, "That is just because the captain hides his abilities well."

Seeing these pretty girls all defending Li Luo, Seeing Yu Lang felt a bit exhausted and could only continue, "These three are Jing Jing Taixu from Saint Mingwang Academy, Sun Sun Dasheng from Saint Mountain Academy, and Lu Ming from Tianhuo Sacred Academy. According to speculation, these three may have already reached the third transformation of the Manifestation Phase."

"These three are in a league of their own; if we encounter them individually in the Division-Level Competition, the wisest course of action is to flee immediately and not be picked off one by one."

Hearing this, Li Luo narrowed his eyes slightly.

These three have already reached the third transformation of the Manifestation Phase? Indeed, they are ahead of everyone, including him.

The current Li Luo is in the second transformation of the Manifestation Phase; however, it is worth mentioning that his second manifestation, the "Wood-Earth Manifestation," completed its evolution just one day before entering this space, successfully advancing to the sixth grade.

So now he possesses a seventh-grade "Water-Glow Manifestation" and a sixth-grade "Wood-Earth Manifestation."

The strength of the second transformation of the Manifestation Phase should be at a first-tier level among all First Star Divisions in the Eastern Region of Outer Shenzhou, while Jing Jing Taixu and the other two are a tier higher; obviously, the academies they belong to have tilted immense cultivation resources toward them, and of course, given their talent, they truly deserve such investment.

This made Li Luo sigh involuntarily; indeed, under the stimulus of the Holy Grail War, every academy is willing to spend heavily.

Such massive investment in cultivation resources has resulted in the strength level of this year's students in the Eastern Region of Outer Shenzhou far exceeding that of the previous three years.

"Besides these three, I have organized the intelligence and finally selected the eight most frequently appearing individuals; these eight should also be considered top contenders, of course, this is only the exposed portion; the actual number of people reaching this level will be greater..."

"Saint Treasure Academy, Zang Mei, possesses a high eighth-grade Fire Manifestation; her strength is likely at the second transformation of the Manifestation Phase."

"Green Forest Sacred Academy, Lu Qingmu, possesses a high eighth-grade Wood Manifestation."

"Saint Wolf Academy, Ao Fei, possesses a low eighth-grade Thunder-Wolf Manifestation."

"..."

Seeing Yu Lang read the paper slips one by one, and soon reached the last one; he picked up this slip, and his expression became somewhat complex.

"Saint Profound Star Academy..."

Hearing this familiar beginning, Lu Qing'er, Bai Bai Mengmeng, and others immediately perked up; sure enough, it was here.

Under their smiling gazes, Seeing Yu Lang gritted his teeth and read on: "Saint Profound Star Academy, Seeing Yu Lang."

Pfft.

Everyone's eyes widened, and Bai Bai Doudou even rolled her eyes: "Seeing Yu Lang, don't play around at a time like this!"

Seeing Yu Lang made a crying face: "I am not playing around! The intelligence really says this; which bastard is screwing me over like this?"

He handed the slip over; everyone took a look and were immediately confused; it indeed said "Saint Profound Star Academy, Seeing Yu Lang."

But Seeing Yu Lang is the absolute bottom of their First Star Division; what qualification does he have to be ranked alongside these fierce men above?

Everyone exchanged glances, feeling extremely speechless.

If it weren't that this intelligence was finally compiled by four division-level intelligence officers, they would have suspected Seeing Yu Lang was deliberately making a joke, but what is the point of such a joke? After all, if they can get this intelligence, other academies can surely collect it too; when they enter the Division-Level Competition, these people will inevitably be targeted.

It would be one thing to be targeted due to strength, but with Seeing Yu Lang's level of strength, if he is targeted even slightly, wouldn't he just collapse?

They could even imagine Seeing Yu Lang being chased by a group of people on the Division-Level Competition stage, crying for his mother and father.

Amidst everyone's confusion, Li Luo looked at his nose, his nose at his heart, and at the same time thoughtfully patted Seeing Yu Lang's shoulder, saying sincerely, "Good brother, rest assured, I will protect you."

At his sincere tone, Seeing Yu Lang was momentarily moved.

A good brother is indeed someone you can rely on.

Boom!

Just then, a clear bell sound suddenly rang out across heaven and earth, directly entering everyone's ears.

All discussion stopped.

Vice Dean Su Xin stood up, her face solemn: "This is the bell for the start of the competition; all students, prepare immediately."

Five minutes later, outside the energy vortex pool before the tower, Li Luo and the others had already gathered.

The four division-level teams lined up in order.

Vice Dean Su Xin stood before everyone and said, "Classmates, I have basically explained the information regarding this 'Division-Level Competition' to you clearly; please remember again that the first half of the Division-Level Competition requires relying on collective strength; a single person fighting alone will only be surrounded and annihilated by other academies. I think, even Jing Jing Taixu of Saint Mingwang Academy, once trapped in a siege by two or three Purple-Glow Squads, his result can only be elimination."

"So, put away all individual heroism and reserve that heart for 'Dragon Bone Island'; there will be a stage for you to perform."

Vice Dean Su Xin's voice was somewhat severe, showing Ci De Shen Zhong regarding this matter.

"Additionally, each of the four division-level teams must establish one overall commander to direct the entire situation; the remaining teams must all obey the overall commander's orders."

"Li Luo, Senior Zhu Zhu Xuan, Jiang Jiang Qinge, Gong Gong Shenjun."

"You four are each responsible for your respective division-level teams."

The four people standing at the very front of the four teams all nodded and agreed.

Vice Dean Su Xin raised her palm, and streams of light flew out from her sleeves, then floated toward everyone.

Li Luo curiously looked at the two light orbs before him; inside one orb was a white gourd, with peculiar patterns engraved upon it, emitting a faint glow, while the other was a round crystal compass.

"The Spirit Gourd's function is to collect Heavenly Spirit Dew, while the Crystal Compass is a sensor; teammates from the same division will form a light point upon it, allowing you to determine each other's location and quickly regroup."

After waiting for everyone to put away the items completely, Vice Dean Su Xin looked at the youthful, vigorous faces before her, and a gentle smile appeared on her face.

"I will not say any more unnecessary words; classmates..."

"I look forward to your performance."

Boom! Boom!

As Vice Dean Su Xin's words fell, two more resounding bell chimes rang out simultaneously within this space.

These were the bells announcing the official start of the competition.

"All students, form groups by your respective squads and enter the arena in batches from the energy vortex. Remember, for all teams, the primary objective after entering is to regroup."

"Move out!"

Following Vice Dean Su Xin's soft command, the four academy-level squad leaders all stepped forward at once. Li Luo turned his head, his gaze passing Senior Zhu Zhu Xuan to meet Jiang Jiang Qinge's eyes; both saw an encouraging smile in the other's gaze.

Then Li Luo leaped forward, diving straight into the surging energy vortex.

Behind him, Student Xin Fu and Bai Bai Mengmeng, his teammates, immediately followed.

At the same time, before the towers, countless students leaped into the energy vortex; beams of light shot skyward, illuminating the entire space with brilliant radiance.

The Holy Grail Battle had, at last, truly begun.