While in Battle Through the Heavens, one can pre-appoint oneself as an emperor.

Outside Canaan College, there is a city and a town built right next to the college.

They are Canaan and Peace Town, respectively.

The place where the admissions team landed was Canaan City, which was closer to the college.

After watching a group of griffins take off, Instructor Xiwen distributed contribution points to the senior students who were assisting with recruitment and sent them away before approaching the forty-nine new students who were chattering and discussing excitedly.

She clapped her hands softly, drawing the attention of all the new students.

"Freshmen, as you can see, Canaan Academy is behind us. However, before you enter the academy, there is one more thing to do: we will assign you classes."

"Normally, each mentor is responsible for the new students they recruit. You're lucky, and so am I. I was promoted to a Xuan-rank mentor last year, so congratulations! You'll be students in my Xuan-rank Class 9 from now on. I don't think anyone would give up a Xuan-rank class to be reassigned to a Huang-rank class, right?"

The freshmen laughed and shook their heads.

Although they didn't know the difference between the Xuan-rank class and the Huang-rank class for the time being, they could tell just by hearing it that the Xuan-rank class was definitely better.

Professor Xiwen nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Chen Xiao.

"Special students receive special treatment. Students with A-level potential or above have the right to choose their classes at will. However, in the outer academy, the Xuan-level classes are already the best. There is almost no difference between Class 1 and Class 9. There is still about a month until this year's inner academy selection. Before that, I will assign you to Class 9. What do you think?"

"Okay." Chen Xiao readily agreed.

For him, the outer academy was just a transitional place, and all the instructors only had the strength of a Great Battle Master, so it would be the same no matter which class he went to.

"That's good. Don't worry, I'll take you in later and then go see the vice dean. I'm sure the result won't disappoint you. Thanks to you this year, I'll receive a large reward. You can always come to me if you need anything in the future. I'll do my best both for your own sake and for my own."

Professor Xiwen made a serious promise.

Although she may not be able to help much with her abilities and status, the important thing is her attitude; she shouldn't take advantage of others and then act innocent.

After a few brief words, Instructor Xiwen led the forty-nine people into the academy.

Immediately afterwards, he personally led everyone to see the assigned dormitories and the location of Class 9 of the Xuan Rank.

Along the way, she kept telling the new students about some things they needed to pay attention to in the School of Foreign Languages.

This is a very responsible mentor.

As night fell, Instructor Xiwen announced the class meeting time for the next morning and dismissed the group of boys and girls, who then headed towards their dormitories in small groups.

...

Nothing happened on the first night in Canaan.

The following day, with the end of the tedious entrance ceremony, the new students officially began their training in the outer academy.

At the same time, mentor Xiwen also brought Chen Xiao some good news.

Chen Xiao's desire to participate in the inner court selection was granted by Vice Dean Hu Qian.

"After the vice dean learned about your situation, he smiled slyly and said he wanted to give the inner courtyard's grand elder a surprise. From now on, you can focus on your cultivation. The outer courtyard may not be of much help in improving your strength, but accumulating more knowledge will still be beneficial."

"I understand, thank you, mentor."

Chen Xiao nodded his thanks.

For the next month, Chen Xiao lived an ordinary, unremarkable life.

Cultivating skills, attending classes, and adapting to academy life.

Because of the limited time remaining in the outer courtyard, Chen Xiao had no intention of joining the enforcement team.

As for the alchemy department, there's no need to even look at it.

And just like that, a month flew by.

It is worth mentioning that during this period, after Chen Xiao took continuous medicinal baths, the Earth Core Tempering Milk he had previously obtained in advance was completely consumed.

Chen Xiao's strength has reached the peak of the four-star Dou Ling level, just one step away from the five-star level.

...

a new day.

The Inner Court selection competition, which all the outer court students had been looking forward to, has finally begun.

In the center of the spacious square, a huge arena, one meter high, was erected.

In this way, even if the surrounding area is packed with people, the trainees can still see the full view of the arena from the outside.

At noon, Vice Dean Hu Qian, dressed in a flamboyant red robe, stepped onto the arena. After briefly mentioning restrictions such as not being allowed to use lethal force during battles and not being able to take pills that temporarily enhance strength, he loudly announced...

"The Inner Court Selection Competition for this year shall now begin!"

"roar!"

The students cheered, their shouts reaching the heavens.

Amidst the clamor, Hu Qian leaped away from the ring and went to a higher vantage point to watch. A stern-faced middle-aged referee took his place.

"The rules of the inner court selection competition are optimized and improved by the outer court every year to ensure greater fairness and impartiality, while also being efficient. This year's selection competition, after discussion among the vice dean and other adults, will adopt an elimination system."

"After the initial selection, a total of 401 students are competing for the 51 spots in the inner academy this year. You will go through three rounds of elimination to determine the final 51 people. One person will be left out in each round."

Upon hearing this rule, doubts began to arise from the audience.

Doesn't this mean that if you're lucky enough, it's even possible to qualify for the Inner Court without even having to play a single match?

Although the probability is extremely small, it still exists in theory.

"Don't worry, as I just said, this year's inner court selection competition will only adhere to three things: fairness! fairness! and fairness!"

"After the final fifty-one people are determined, if any participant has any objection to the result, they can issue a challenge. If you can win against the opponent, you can take their spot."

Upon hearing this, many people nodded silently.

There are no absolutely perfect rules, and the addition of a challenge element to this year's selection process is already enough to satisfy them.

If they still can't secure a spot, no one can say anything.

"This wooden box contains the names of all the participants. Now, I will draw lots to determine your opponents in the first round of the elimination round."

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the middle-aged referee took out a wooden box with only a round hole at the top.

He reached inside and quickly pulled out two slips of paper at random.

"The first match is between Tian Zhipeng from Class 5 of the Yellow Class and Qiu Tianyou from Class 9 of the Yellow Class. Please come to the stage."

As the announcement ended, he reached into the box again and took out two slips of paper.

"The second match is between Bai Bin from Class 3 of the Xuan Rank and Hou Nianzhen from Class 4 of the Huang Rank. Please be prepared."

"..."

The first round of the knockout stage can only be described as a mixed bag.

There were a total of two hundred battles, most of which were one-sided crushing victories, and quite a few unlucky ones were killed in one move.

Only in about ten matches were the two sides evenly matched, and the two sides were able to fight for several minutes without a clear winner.

Even with such a fast pace, it was already evening when the two hundred matches were finished.

And the last lucky person who got a bye was revealed at this moment.

"The last one..."

"Class 9 of the Mystic Rank, Chen Xiao, receives a bye!"

Hearing this name, those who are unaware of the situation are filled with envy. Although they will still have to rely on their hard work to get to the second round, it must be very comfortable to have entered the second round so easily.

The people in Class 9 of the Profound Rank, as well as those who had heard rumors during this period, had no objection to this result and felt that it was only natural!