Chapter 430: Sinking Anchor (Seeking Monthly Votes)

A constant stream of people poured into the east gate of Wu University.

Usually, Wu University is not open to the public, so opening it to everyone today naturally attracted a massive crowd.

Many people, even if they were not interested in the "academic exchange" between the two universities, were very interested in the interior of Wu University and wanted to go in and see what the legendary university was really like.

Of course, Wu University had made preparations in advance, arranging guards in many places to prohibit unauthorized persons from entering.

Luxury car after luxury car drove into the campus, following the signs along the way toward the arena.

Today's "academic exchange" event between Wu University and Hongyi University was scheduled to be held inside the arena.

The Wu University arena was like an "inner city"; inside the separate walls was a whole different world.

Many people who had come here for the first time were wide-eyed, and quite a few reporters were busy filming at the city gate with cameras.

Although Wu University said that anyone could enter the school today, not everyone could enter the arena.

Even the largest arena could only hold a little over three thousand people, and at least tens of thousands of people had flooded into Wu University today, so there was naturally a screening process:

One part were students and lecturers of Wu University.

One part were reporters from major newspaper offices.

One part were the students' family members.

The rest were the dignitaries of Datong Prefecture.

The Garrison Commander Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru, the Chief Inspector of the Inspection General Office, the Chief Supervisor of the Supervision General Office, and the Head of the Stop-Conflict General Office—these top-tier big shots all came today!

At 11:00 AM, the largest arena in the Wu University arena complex was already packed.

The "professor delegation" from Hongyi University sat next to the seats of Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru and the others.

A total of seven professors and one vice-chancellor from Wu University arrived today.

The chancellor, Shi Caiming, did not attend today.

Seeing that the time had arrived, the vice-chancellor of Wu University, who was also the person in charge of the Stop-Conflict Department, Fang Professor Guan, stood up from his seat.

He was a Martial Arts Master!

Besides the Grandmaster Shi Caiming, Wu University also had two Martial Arts Masters: Xu Jing and Fang Professor Guan.

Now that Xu Jing had left and Shi Caiming basically did not manage affairs on a daily basis, Fang Professor Guan had become the "person in charge" of Wu University.

"Everyone."

Fang Professor Guan's voice rang out in the arena; it was not grand, but it could clearly reach everyone's ears.

"Today is an academic exchange event between the newly established Hongyi University and our Wu'an University. Because Hongyi University only has the Stop-Conflict Department as a discipline, today's academic exchange is limited to sparring between martial artists. Please, everyone, bear witness together."

Fang Professor Guan gave a simple opening statement.

His opening statement specifically emphasized one point—Hongyi University only had the Stop-Conflict Department as a discipline.

This sentence caused many people present to show looks of surprise.

Regarding the newly established thirteenth university, related news was overwhelming, but most of this news came from the Feng Province Official Gazette, and the Feng Province Official Gazette did not specifically emphasize that Hongyi University only had the Stop-Conflict Department, leading many to mistakenly believe that Hongyi University was no different from the previous twelve universities.

Today, Fang Professor Guan took advantage of this highly anticipated "academic exchange" to publicly bring this point up.

In his seat, Nalan Zhi smiled slightly, unconcerned.

Hongyi University only having the Stop-Conflict Department was something that definitely could not be hidden, so he did not mind it being specifically mentioned.

In fact, regarding this "academic exchange," he originally did not approve, because he felt that with the current foundation of the Qingshan Sword Sect and the provincial capital, it was too difficult to defeat Wu University.

What was the point of an "exchange" where one loses more than one wins?

But Lu Lu Wenzheng persuaded him.

First, by coming to Datong Prefecture in the name of an "academic exchange," the safety of Nalan Zhi, Gu Yuefeng, and the others could be guaranteed.

Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru could not let anything happen to them at this time; that would be provoking the central government.

Second, Hongyi University had just been established, and the way it made its first appearance before the world was very important.

The positioning of Hongyi University in the hearts of the world in the future would largely depend on this first appearance.

Therefore, Lu Lu Wenzheng wanted to have this "academic exchange" with Wu University; he wanted the world's first impression of Hongyi University to be: this is a university that can compete with Wu'an University!

There was no such term as the "anchoring effect" in this world yet, but Lu Lu Wenzheng's grasp of the human heart involved in this theory was clearly pure and masterful.

Therefore, for today's "academic exchange," the outcome was not that important to Hongyi University.

Winning was a pleasant surprise; losing did not matter either.

The important thing was to firmly bind the positioning of Hongyi University in the hearts of the world to Wu University!

The only thing Nalan Zhi needed to worry about were the two peerless geniuses of Wu University.

One was Wang Wang Fengqing, the other was Li Fei.

Although these two were still students, they already possessed the realm of the Dao Foundation stage. If Wu University sent these two to "exchange" with Hongyi University's professors today, it would not look good for Hongyi University regardless of the win or loss.

Regarding this, Nalan Zhi had already prepared a response, but what surprised him was that he did not see those two peerless geniuses at the scene today.

He wondered if Wu University intentionally hid them first to send them out later.

Or did Wu University not intend to let these two students participate in today's "exchange" at all?

"Vice-Chancellor Fang, can we begin?"

Nalan Zhi asked with a smile.

Fang Professor Guan sat back down and nodded at him:

"We can begin. The host follows the guest's lead; how do you want to conduct the exchange?"

His words displayed a powerful composure.

Even if Xu Jing had left and taken two professors with him, Wu University still did not fear any challenge!

Nalan Zhi turned his head to look at a man sitting to the side.

The other party stood up, first bowed to Fang Professor Guan, and then looked at one of the many professors of Wu University:

"I am Meng Tao of the Qingshan Sword Sect, currently serving as a professor at Hongyi University. I have long heard that Professor Fan Fan Mingyu's fast sword of Wu University is a unique skill in Datong Prefecture, and today I would like to ask Professor Fan for instruction."

The Professor Fan Fan Mingyu named by Meng Tao was a one-armed man.

His right sleeve was empty, leaving only his left arm.

Fan Fan Mingyu had practiced right-handed swordsmanship since he was a child, but not long after he entered the Dao Foundation stage, he encountered a fierce battle, and his right arm that used the sword was eventually severed.

Even for a Dao Foundation stage powerhouse, such an encounter was equivalent to being half-crippled.

But Fan Fan Mingyu did not give up; instead, he switched to practicing left-handed swordsmanship, starting from scratch.

More than twenty years later, his left-handed sword became the number one fast sword in Datong Prefecture!

It was just a pity that his right arm was broken and his body was incomplete, which would seriously affect the integration of implants and the body, causing him to have difficulty practicing to the Qi Transformation stage after installing new implants.

In the end, his realm stayed at the level of installing two types of implants, plus one core-level extraordinary ability; he was originally just a 2.5-tier Dao Foundation stage, but by relying on his fast sword, he forcibly raised his combat power by one tier, which could be counted as a 3.5-tier Dao Foundation stage.

This Professor Fan had a high reputation at Wu University and was deeply admired by many students.

A sentence that everyone often said when mentioning Professor Fan was:

"Professor Fan didn't give up back then, so what reason do we have to give up?"

Fan Fan Mingyu stood up, looking somewhat wooden, as if he was not used to this kind of occasion.

"Good."

He nodded to Meng Tao who challenged him, then took the lead in leaping off the stands and landing in the competition field below.

Seeing this, Meng Tao followed closely behind and jumped down as well.

Seeing two people enter the field, the scene was suddenly in an uproar.

"Professor Fan Fan Mingyu of Wu'an University and Professor Meng Tao of Hongyi University will conduct a swordsmanship exchange."

A lecturer at the scene introduced loudly.

"Please."

"Please."

Neither of the two on the field had any nonsense; after greeting each other, they almost simultaneously drew their swords and rushed toward their opponent.

Clang—

Two high-pitched sword-drawing sounds almost merged together, and then two brilliant sword lights collided.

Boom!!!

Sword Qi exploded, and air waves surged.

Around the stands, special-grade lecturers arranged by Wu University acted as guards to ensure that the audience in the stands would not be accidentally injured by the aftermath of the battle.

Next, only sword light remained on the field, with no figures to be seen.

The two Dao Foundation stage powerhouses were moving at an extremely fast speed, and the speed of their sword strikes was even faster!

Ordinary people and martial artists whose eyesight was not enough could not see the exchange between the two at all; they could only watch the excitement and listen to the noise.

On the field, sword light surged like a tidal wave, then collided wave after wave, and finally dissipated into the sky full of sword Qi.

Meng Tao was also good at fast swords, and he had only installed two types of implants and had two core-level extraordinary abilities; he was a 3rd-tier Dao Foundation stage powerhouse.

He had broken through to the Dao Foundation stage for less than a year and was much younger than Fan Fan Mingyu.

The strong have the dignity and pursuits of the strong. Without needing to deliberately seek victory, the targets that Hongyi University prepared to challenge in today's exchange were actually all people with the same realm as themselves, or higher!

Moreover, the "professor delegation" sent by Hongyi University this time had a characteristic: all the professors were very young.

Lu Lu Wenzheng wanted to use this to show the pattern and brilliant future of Hongyi University!

After the sword light tidal wave bombarded each other for a full ten minutes, it finally stopped.

The figures of the two Dao Foundation stage powerhouses reappeared on the field.

There were no wounds on Fan Fan Mingyu's body, while a clear wound was cut on Meng Tao's left shoulder, with blood constantly flowing out.

Today's exchange certainly had to stop at the appropriate point; it was impossible to really distinguish life and death, so sparring to this extent was enough.

"I concede."

Fan Fan Mingyu gripped the sword hilt with one hand, holding the blade inverted before his chest, and saluted Meng Tao.

"Impressive, I admire you."

Meng Tao also straightforwardly cupped his hands in a salute, his words filled with genuine admiration.

Reporters on the sidelines saw this scene and were all writing furiously, recording the results of the first exchange match between Wu University and Hongyi University.

Over a dozen cameras were flashing with bright lights.

Next was the second exchange match.

On the Hongyi University side, a powerhouse at the Foundation Establishment realm from the Qingshan Sword Sect still took the initiative to step forward and challenge another professor from Wu University.

Both were at the 3rd tier of the Foundation Establishment realm and had already cultivated high-level force, making the fight even more spectacular.

In the end, the Wu University professor still held a slight advantage.

Next was the third exchange match; this time, an older powerhouse at the Foundation Establishment realm from the Qingshan Sword Sect challenged a professor from Wu University.

Both were at the 4th tier of the Foundation Establishment realm.

In the end, the Wu University professor won again.

In today's exchange matches, Wu University has won three consecutive games!

Even if the realms are the same and the theoretical combat power tiers are identical, the martial arts techniques practiced by the Wu University professors are clearly a cut above those of the Qingshan Sword Sect.

The only ones comparable to the twelve universities are the top-tier sects in the pugilistic world.

The Qingshan Sword Sect still lacks the foundation.

This is also the reason why Nalan Zhi wants to be the vice-principal of Hongyi University; he wants to use the resources provided by the imperial court to take the Qingshan Sword Sect to the next level.

The fourth match that followed saw a young powerhouse at the Foundation Establishment realm from the provincial capital challenge a young professor from Wu University.

One was at the 2.5 tier and the other at the 3rd tier; neither had been in the Foundation Establishment realm for long.

This time, the young powerhouse from the provincial capital was clearly well-prepared, ultimately winning this sparring match and clawing back a victory for Hongyi University.

In the stands, Nalan Zhi smiled slightly.

That Inspector General's preparations were truly thorough; losing three matches and winning one won't look too bad.

Just then, someone came to the side of Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru in the stands, leaned down, and whispered something in their ear.

Upon hearing this, Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru's expression immediately sank.

"Go mobilize the Imperial Camp Army!"

Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru decisively issued the order, then handed a tiger tally carried on their person to a trusted aide, telling them to use the tally to mobilize the troops.

"My lord?"

Du Changhe, the Chief Inspector of the General Inspectorate, looked at Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru with a face full of surprise.

He did not understand what matter could possibly cause Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru to directly mobilize the Imperial Camp Army.

"The Green-Faced Ghost has come."

Senior Bian Senior Bian Jingru explained with a gloomy expression.

"Ah?"

Du Changhe widened his eyes.

At the same time, a person wearing a black robe and a green evil ghost mask walked into the gate of Wu University.

Since Wu University was open to the public today, no one stopped them.

Inside the arena, Gu Yuefeng, who had been sitting quietly in his seat with his eyes closed to rest, finally opened his eyes.

He slowly stood up and looked at the figure among the Wu University professors that was as steady as a mountain:

"Professor Qin, I have come this time specifically to challenge you. I request a battle."

Hearing this, the surroundings suddenly went quiet, and everyone turned their gazes toward this side.

Gu Yuefeng challenges Qin Zhen—the second place on the Wind and Cloud Ranking versus the first place!

This is the highlight of today's exchange matches and the battle everyone was looking forward to most.

People didn't really care much that a Wu University professor lost a match earlier.

But everyone, whether from Datong Prefecture or Wu University, cared deeply about this match!

If Qin Zhen, who is ranked first, were to lose, then Hongyi University would truly have stepped on Wu University to make a name for itself!

Qin Zhen also slowly stood up upon hearing this.

He actually wasn't interested in this "academic exchange" today; he only came specifically because Gu Yuefeng was coming.

Sensing the sword intent on the other person that felt like a bright moon in the sky, he felt the other person would not disappoint him.

Just as Qin Zhen intended to open his mouth to accept Gu Yuefeng's challenge, a voice like a thunderclap "boomed" into the arena from afar:

"GU! YUE! FENG!!!"

"I have arrived—"

Seeking monthly votes; the early morning update counted as yesterday's, one update is still owed for today, will return it tomorrow.

PS: Regarding the anchoring effect, interested friends can look it up.

In real-world business wars, this tactic is often used~

(End of chapter)