When I first entered high school, the system insisted that I was destined to be an emperor in my lat

As the competition ended, the tension in the venue only intensified.

The match continues.

"Next match—Jiang Feng vs. Zhou Ming!"

Secretary Kim's voice faded.

A young man holding a sword slowly walked onto the stage.

At the peak of the third rank, it would have been enough to compete for a top position in previous exchange meetings.

But at this moment, Zhou Ming's palms were covered in sweat.

He watched Jiang Feng's match.

With one punch, Huang Zixiu's chest caved in, and he was carried away like a dead dog.

You only have one life.

Even the best Breakthrough Pill is useless if you're still alive to get it.

Zhou Ming took a deep breath. Before going on stage, he had already set a strategy for himself: launch three all-out attacks to test the waters, and if it didn't work, surrender immediately.

"The competition begins!"

Zhou Ming roared, drew his sword, its blade flashing like snow, and charged forward with both himself and his sword. He launched three consecutive attacks, each strike aimed at Jiang Feng's vital points!

This is his trump card, a sharp blade that ordinary third-grade soldiers cannot withstand even a single blow from!

However, Jiang Feng merely moved his feet lightly, his figure like a willow catkin in the wind, and flicked his finger lightly on the back of the knife.

"Ding! Ding! Ding 1"

With three soft sounds, Zhou Ming's sword momentum crumbled inch by inch, his tiger's mouth went numb, and he was shaken back three steps.

The gap between the two is as deep as the ocean.

Zhou Ming acted decisively, sheathing his sword and leaping back, clasping his hands in a fist salute, and said crisply, "I concede!"

The audience was stunned at first, then began to discuss among themselves.

"You're giving up already? You were defeated in just three moves?"

"Nonsense, if you don't admit defeat, are you just waiting to be carried off? The last one, Huang Zixiu, was already carried away sideways!"

"A wise man knows when to yield; this kid is a smart one!"

Jiang Feng nodded slightly, returned the greeting with a cupped hand, and turned to leave the stage.

Below the stage, Liu Yuyan slowly loosened her tightly clenched hand.

Although Zhou Ming didn't manage to secure a spot in the next round, he made it through safely, and that's enough.

She looked at the indifferent-looking boy with a complex expression.

This kid... isn't one to resort to ruthless violence indiscriminately.

One hour later.

The second round of competition has concluded, and the top 15 have been officially selected.

Secretary Kim stood in the center of the ring, holding a list, and read it aloud:

"Publicly-run Martial Arts High School: Jiang Feng, Shen Weilan, Song Haoze, Mo Nianchu, Tie Qingshan, and Xiao Wanning, a total of six students!"

"Private Martial Arts High School: Tie Zheng, Jin Muyang, Gu Yuanchao... a total of nine people!"

After the list was read out, a murmur arose from the audience.

"Two members of the Tie family from this generation actually made it into the top 15?"

"One is in a public school, and the other is in a private school...tsk, the Tie family has bet on both sides this time."

On the platform, Lu Chenshan looked at the list, smiled with satisfaction, nodded, and then stood up to announce loudly: "According to the rules, each of you fifteen will receive one Breakthrough Pill!"

"boom!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, with countless envious gazes turning to the fifteen figures.

A Breakthrough Pill!

They now have cultivation resources that many third-rank martial artists cannot obtain even after ten years of arduous training!

In the stands.

Huo Yuejun picked up his teacup, took a sip, and laughed heartily, "Old Lu, you've really gone all out this time!"

"Fifteen Breakthrough Pills, taken so easily? Aren't you worried about what will happen back in the provincial capital?"

Lu Chenshan remained unfazed and said calmly, "Hmph! The Alchemist Association, huh?!"

"These pills of mine were made by a master from the Hai family in the provincial capital. They are registered with the Alchemist Association, so no one can find fault with the procedure."

At this point, he clenched his fist slightly, and his voice turned cold.

"I really don't know what the higher-ups are thinking; in recent years, their control over cultivation resources has become increasingly tighter!"

Even ordinary alchemists must register their concoctions with the Alchemist Association!

The Alchemists' Association is an official organization.

Any organization capable of refining pills of grade four or higher must join this organization. The pills sold each month must be strictly recorded, and any discrepancy is a serious crime.

Long Yuan frowned and said in a deep voice, "Old Lu, your idea is very dangerous."

"Pills of grade four and above are strategic resources."

"If it falls into the hands of a cult, what harm would it cause!"

"It's understandable that the Alchemist Association has this rule."

"No!"

Huo Yuejun put down his teacup, shook his head, and said, "I support Lao Lu!"

"Although both the Alchemist Association and the Martial Arts Association are official organizations, the Martial Arts Association doesn't have strong control over martial artists. On the other hand, what about the Alchemist Association?"

"In the past, it could be said that this was to prevent the outflow of elixirs, that's right."

"But in recent years, the Alchemist Association's reach has become increasingly excessive!"

"The Breakthrough Pill helps martial artists break through to the fourth rank. This kind of pill should benefit the vast majority of martial artists, but our Linchuan City's annual quota is less than sixty pills!"

"The success rate of taking this pill is not 100%; very few will ultimately be able to break through to the fourth rank!"

Huo Yuejun became more and more agitated as he spoke, and slammed his hand on the table.

"This is clearly a deliberate attempt to suppress the rise of local power!"

"What rubbish about preventing the outflow of elixirs?"

"Those gangs manage to obtain a lot of pills beyond the quota through various smuggling methods, and in the end, we're the ones who are restricted!"

"There's no such logic in the world!"

Upon hearing this, both Lu Chenshan and Long Yuan remained silent.

no way.

The important figures at the top have their own considerations.

In their eyes, small places can't produce true dragons.

Sixty Breakthrough Pills a year is considered a blessing.

Moreover, now, the abyss has descended, black fog is everywhere, and the passages between prefecture-level cities and the provincial capital have been cut off.

It's understandable that the higher authorities are concerned about the rapid rise of local powers.

I understand, but I'm still unwilling to accept it, and I really am unwilling to accept it!

After a long pause, Lu Chenshan sighed deeply and said slowly, "Fifteen Breakthrough Pills are the annual quota for the Linchuan Municipal Government."

"I just hope these little guys can successfully break through to the fourth rank."

"Once we perform well in the three-city league, the provincial capital will know..."

Looking at the vibrant figures below the field, he said, word by word, "Even in our small place, true talents can emerge!"

Soon, the break ended.

Secretary Kim returned to the ring, her voice echoing throughout the arena:

"The third round of competition, the top 15 to 8—officially begins!"

"In this round of the draw, one of the fifteen players will receive a bye and directly advance to the quarterfinals!"

The drawing of lots begins.

One by one, the slips of paper were drawn, and the names on the big screen were paired up.

When it was Xiao Wan Ning's turn, she reached into the box, took out a slip of paper, and slowly unfolded it.

blank.

"A bye! Xiao Wanning from the public Wuhan High School receives a bye this round, guaranteeing her a spot in the quarterfinals!"

"Whoosh!"

A murmur of envy arose from the audience.

"This luck... is just too good!"

"They've secured a spot in the top eight!"

Xiao Wanning herself was stunned.

She stood there, clutching the blank slip of paper, stunned for a long time.

However, her little bit of joy didn't even last three seconds.

On the big screen, the final match list slowly came to a close.

Jiang Feng VS Tie Zheng

Dead silence.

After a brief silence, the entire venue erupted in chaos!

"Jiang Feng versus Tie Zheng?! I'm not seeing things, am I?!"

"The two of them really met?!"

"One can defeat Huang Zixiu with a single punch, while the other can stand still and be attacked without breaking his defenses—it's a clash of titans!"

"This battle is likely to be bloody!!"

Tie Zheng looked up at the big screen and twisted his neck, making a cracking sound.

Then, he turned to look at Jiang Feng, grinned, and revealed a set of gleaming white teeth.

There was no fear in that smile, only the excitement of a hunter seeing his prey.

Jiang Feng remained expressionless, his eyes as calm as still water.

"River Breeze".

Ma Baoguo strode over, his face unusually grave. He lowered his voice and warned, "That kid's external martial arts are incredibly strange. He's possessed by black gold, making him impervious to swords and spears."

"You've seen Xiao Xingye's gun before. A full-force shot can't even break the skin."

"Remember, do not be careless!"

"Um."

Jiang Feng nodded.

He won't hold back in this battle!

……

PS: Thank you to the following big shots for their generous donations: Xinyueyu~, Xingye✐, Chunfengjieguoke, Xie Changsi of Kato Cut Angle, Zhu Xingyu, Shanliangde Chen Wukong, ԅ(¯ㅂ¯ԅ), Mingzhiyue, Huanchenxinghe, Zhang Manyue of Yunzhaoguo, Guaiguai Gaozhuazi, Aoxiangshiwofulaipo, Xiangqidongyi, Lingshizhongdebailei, Wolaizhao2296nian, 8buxianxian8, Chushisaotuode Dingdian, Yitianyidainainui, Wanjietianjigezhu and other big shots!