Chapter 58: The Competition Begins, Xiao Xingyu’s Battle to Deification!
Chapter 58: The Competition Begins, Xiao Xingyu's Battle to Deification!
The flight took off.
Flying from Longyin City to Four Spirits City took about two hours. Inside the cabin, Xiao Xingyu sat beside Murong Xinxin, chatting enthusiastically.
"Xinxin, this is my first time in first class, and it's not bad."
"Though the flight attendants aren't as pretty as you."
"And their legs aren't as nice as yours, yours are whiter."
Several flight attendants couldn't help but roll their eyes at Xiao Xingyu, who remained unfazed. Murong Yangshuo, unable to bear it, snapped, "Xiao Xingyu, can you say less and focus on how to win the upcoming matches?"
"Brother Yangshuo, if I remember right, the Supernova Competition is decided by drawing lots, right?"
Murong Yangshuo nodded slightly, crossing his arms as he explained emotionlessly. "Before the competition officially begins, the deans of the four academies hold a draw."
"Today marks the first day of the competition. After the draw, the four academies will face off in pairs."
"After this round, two academies will advance to the next round, and the champion will be decided tomorrow."
Xiao Xingyu looked at the clouds and mountains outside the window, a playful smile on his lips. "I'm already looking forward to today's matchups."
Murong Yangshuo snorted, pouring cold water on his enthusiasm.
"Xiao Xingyu, I admit you're the biggest dark horse among the four academies this year."
"But the contestants in the Supernova Competition have strong backgrounds and impressive talents."
"With just your Hell Nether Wolf, you might not stand a chance against those genius monsters."
Murong Xinxin, who had been silent since boarding, suddenly spoke. "Even if you lose, it doesn't matter. My brother and I will win all the matches and lead Qinglong Academy to victory."
Murong Yangshuo's facial muscles twitched slightly. "Sis, why are you always siding with this guy? Aren't you supposed to be on my side?"
Xiao Xingyu smirked. "Xinxin, do you really think so little of me, assuming I'll lose?"
Murong Xinxin replied sarcastically, "The Supernova Competition is fair and just. Your sneaky tactics won't work here."
Xiao Xingyu laughed, holding his head in his hand. "You sure hold a grudge, don't you?"
Murong Xinxin could never forget how Xiao Xingyu had stolen more than twenty kills from her during the Yin Nanshan trial. Yet, regardless of past grievances, the three of them were now representing Qinglong Academy, united in defending its honor.
At noon.
The plane landed in Four Spirits City.
This city, close to the capital, was prosperous and teeming with talent. It housed the headquarters of the top-ranked Beastmaster Guild in the nation—the Sky-Pillar Guild. This city also boasted the highest number of eight-star beastmasters, even hosting a few venerable nine-star beastmasters.
Four Spirits Stadium.
As the largest stadium in the country, it was used exclusively for beastmaster competitions rather than sports events. The Supernova Competition, organized jointly by the four academies, was held here. Even before the event officially began, the stands were filled with spectators.
Up to 100,000 people watched live, making the contestants nervous about making mistakes and embarrassing themselves in front of such a massive audience.
The announcer shouted, "Next, let's welcome the representatives of the four academies!"
"First to take the stage, the Suzaku Academy team!"
"Next, the Xuanwu Academy team!"
"Stepping onto the arena now, the White Tiger Academy team!"
Each team received cheers and screams from the crowd, as these young contenders were seen as the future pillars of the Dragon Kingdom.
Xiao Xingyu's group was slated to appear last. The announcer's voice remained enthusiastic.
"Now, let's welcome the final team to the stage!"
"Let's give a warm round of applause for the Qinglong Academy team!"
Leading the team, Dean Su Ruyan stepped onto the stage, her red hair flowing like fiery waves, exuding a heroic aura. Following her was Chen Qinian, the third-year class one teacher, acting as coach this time.
Then came Xiao Xingyu, Murong Yangshuo, and Murong Xinxin, standing side by side. The Murong siblings' white hair marked their family's genetic trait, making Xiao Xingyu, standing between them, appear out of place.
The audience's chatter grew louder. "See that handsome guy? He's this year's strongest dark horse, Xiao Xingyu."
"That kid's outrageous. In the trial, he was forced off a cliff by a Lava Lion Tiger Beast and survived!"
"I also heard he soloed a complete-tier beast during his two-star assessment..."
"Really? That's beyond belief!"
Even before the competition started, tales of Xiao Xingyu's miraculous feats spread throughout Four Spirits City.
Xiao Xingyu was the only grassroots contestant this year—no background, no influence, just a poor boy from a remote town. Yet, this ordinary young man had created one miracle after another, drawing everyone's attention.
Murong Yangshuo nudged Xiao Xingyu's side with his elbow. "You sure are popular. There are quite a few fangirls in the audience."
"Brother Yangshuo, keep it low-key. This is me at my weakest."
"Ha, there you go again."
The announcer raised the microphone once more. "Let's invite the four deans to the drawing ceremony."
The deans from the four academies gathered in the arena's center, where an opaque lottery box sat on the table.
"Dean Su, long time no see~" A beautiful woman approached Su Ruyan. She was charming but couldn't hide the traces of time, exuding the allure of a mature woman with a cigarette in her mouth.
"Dean Zhu, it has been a while," Su Ruyan replied.
Zhu Qingyu, dean of White Tiger Academy. Su Ruyan and Zhu Qingyu had been rivals since their student days. As deans of Qinglong and White Tiger Academies, their rivalry only intensified.
The annual Supernova Competition was the perfect stage for their rivalry. Last year, even with the trump card Ye Shuangning, Su Ruyan lost the final match by a narrow margin.
Zhu Qingyu blew smoke rings at Su Ruyan, smiling slyly. "Dean Su, our White Tiger Academy won last year, and we can do it again this year."
"Your Qinglong Academy won't stand a chance~"
Su Ruyan chuckled coldly, retorting, "Don't be overconfident, Zhu. This year, I have a trump card among trump cards!"
"A trump card? Last year, you had the genius monster Ye Shuangning and still lost."
Su Ruyan's gaze drifted to Xiao Xingyu not far away. "This trump card is no less than Ye Shuangning."
In Su Ruyan's eyes, Xiao Xingyu was special. She was confident he would once again achieve the impossible in the arena.