The academy's grand arena buzzed with excitement. Rows of students filled the stands, a sea of eager faces and murmured whispers. The open sky above was clear, sunlight pouring down over the lush green forest in the distance—Deep Spirit Forest, the first battleground of the competition.
Beneath the towering stone arches of the arena, a wide betting table had been set up. Young masters and common students alike crowded around it, placing their bets on which team would dominate. Most names were whispered in anticipation, but one name echoed louder than others.
"Chen Fan's team will win. He just broke through to Low Fifth-Level Warrior!"
"No one else in his age group even comes close."
"I'm betting all my spirit stones on him!"
In the center of the bustling crowd, Chen Fan stood tall, his aura stable and confident. Beside him, Chu Ming clung to his arm, her face full of pride. Their two other teammates stood behind them, looking just as confident.
Chu Ming raised her chin proudly. "This time, our team will take first place. Chen Fan is a Low Fifth-Level Warrior! No one in the entire academy can compete with him!"
Hearing this, several students nodded in agreement.
"No one can match Chen Fan's cultivation at his age."
Suddenly, a subtle hush spread across the crowd. Heads turned, and whispers rose again.
"They're here… it's Lu Chen."
Striding through the arena gates, Lu Chen appeared, his dark robe flowing like shadow, his expression calm and unreadable. Behind him walked three figures—Yun Li, Yun Mu, and Chu Su. The three girls, each radiating a sharp and determined aura, moved with quiet confidence.
Chu Ming's eyes instantly caught sight of them, and her expression shifted. Shock, followed by anger. Her gaze landed on Chu Su, who was walking at Lu Chen's side, head held high.
"What are you doing here, Lu Chen?" Chu Ming's voice rang out, sharp and biting. "And you, Chu Su! This has nothing to do with you! It's my choice what I do!"
Chu Su met her gaze calmly. "My choice was to follow Lu Chen. I don't regret it."
Hearing this, Chu Ming's face twisted with anger.
"I know you! You seduced Lu Chen to support your father's ambition of becoming patriarch of the Chu family! But that won't happen. Chen Fan is on my side, and with his strength—Low Fifth-Level Warrior at his age—no one can stop us!"
Beside her, Chen Fan smiled slightly, his eyes full of quiet confidence. He stepped forward, his voice steady.
"Lu Chen, I don't know what tricks you used to gather your team, but in this competition, strength is what matters. And in terms of strength—"
But before he could finish, a faint pressure rippled out from Lu Chen's body. Like a breeze at first, but quickly growing into a fierce wind. The air trembled slightly, and several weaker students in the crowd felt their knees weaken.
A quiet, confident smile played at Lu Chen's lips.
"Oh? Low Fifth-Level Warrior?" he said calmly, his sharp gaze locking onto Chen Fan. "That's quite impressive… but not enough."
His voice was neither loud nor boastful, but each word carried a chilling certainty.
Chen Fan's confident expression faltered slightly, his instincts screaming a warning. He couldn't sense Lu Chen's true strength—but the oppressive feeling in the air was undeniable.
"Not enough?" Chu Ming snapped. "Don't act so arrogant, Lu Chen! You're just—"
"Silence." Lu Chen's voice was calm but absolute. "I have no interest in your petty arguments. Today, only strength matters."
He turned slightly, his cold gaze sweeping over Chen Fan's team.
"Those who stand in my way… will be crushed."
A hush fell over the crowd.
Some whispered nervously.
"Could Lu Chen be stronger than Chen Fan?"
"Impossible… Chen Fan's been the strongest genius in our academy for years."
But others felt a strange chill—an unshakable feeling that Lu Chen was not the same as before.
At that moment, the academy's grand elder stepped forward, raising his hand.
"Attention, all teams!" his voice boomed, silencing the crowd. "The academy competition begins now! All teams, prepare yourselves. Your first trial—Deep Spirit Forest!"
Lu Chen smiled faintly.
"Let's go," he said, turning away without another glance at Chen Fan. Yun Li, Yun Mu, and Chu Su followed him without hesitation, their gazes fierce and determined.
As they walked away, Chu Ming clenched her fists, her teeth grinding.
"Lu Chen… I will make you regret it!"
But Chen Fan stood silent, his eyes narrowing. Beneath his calm facade, a faint unease stirred.
For the first time, he felt that this tournament would not be as simple as he thought.