Mildred Hampri was only half right.
The last factions arrived at Midnight City this morning. The line-up for the 10 Strong Tournant was fully revealed: in addition to the eight teams continued from last year—Giant Tree Academy, Five Great Knight Orders, Noble Council, Fearso Brutal God Clan, Conspiracy Web Deity Sect, Midnight Lady Church, Bloodline Family Alliance, and Old Sewer Front—two new factions were added this year: the Spirit Town United Faction and the God Chosen Secret Group.
The forr was already known to Lu Li, while the latter was composed of the sons chosen by the Divinity of Midnight City’s church.
Senior students soon noticed Lu Li who had returned to the tree trunk level, and the rumors about him participating in the 10 Strong Tournant slowly spread.
Lu Li’s arrival made the academy atmosphere, already heated due to the tournant, even more fervent as they hoped to wash away the sha of the Giant Tree Academy, which, despite being the host, had ranked at the bottom for consecutive years.
"Want to know why the academy failed last ti?" In Lu Li’s dorm, Claire crossed her arms: "Because I wasn’t in the senior year."
"Tell more about the Lower Academy."
Lu Li ignored Claire’s boasting, though she did have the capability.
"Nothing different. The Upper Academy accepts humans like you and , while the Lower Academy accommodates aliens, different species, even anomalies, as long as they accept a human identity. It must be admitted, the students from the Lower Academy are generally stronger than those from the Upper Academy. We didn’t co in last place in previous years because of the Lower Academy’s existence, but don’t trust them too much... It’s not prejudice, they’re deeply polluted and their ntal state is very unstable. You can trust, but never rely on them."
Lu Li remained noncommittal.
When a group doesn’t share a collective consciousness, there will inevitably be individuals who differ. Just like humans can produce lunatics, they too can have sages.
Shortly after Claire left, Lu Li headed to the Swamp, visiting the Swamp Hut for the last ti before the 10 Strong Tournant.
Seven anomalies were gathered in the pen, more than in recent weeks. Because of the tournant, the controllers wanted to "supplent nutrition" for Lu Li.
After dealing with the seven anomalies and pausing to understand the tournant this ti, Lu Li returned to Giant Tree Academy.
After consuming so to rescue Blitz Tailor and replenishing a few tis, Lu Li still retained 34 portions of humanity.
The next day.
Only one day left until the 10 Strong Tournant begins.
The atmosphere in the tree trunk layer beca more intense. It was said that the dueling arena was packed with spectators and contestants, and the cheers when results were announced could even be faintly heard on the surface.
Lu Li ca to the Alchemy Office at Claire’s invitation. Vice-Chancellor Chris still wasn’t here.
"These are prepared by my mother for us."
Alchemy products and alchemical elixirs were stacked on the alchemy stand. As Claire distributed them, she explained to Lu Li how to use them.
A compass unaffected under any circumstances, a potion that reveals a five-mile radius after sprinkled, a high-end version of the revealing potion, a sleeping bag combining the effects of red copper and an alchemy blanket.
The items prepared by Vice-Chancellor Chris subtly hinted at the tournant’s format.
At noon, the Gatekeeper led the students who received invitations to the assembly in the auditorium.
Lu Li sat in the back, but wherever he was, he was the center of attention under the halo of light.
The surrounding students focused on him, and Professor Ernie Hamilton Wayne from the Giant Tree Academy, whom Lu Li had t at the Alchemical Tower, nodded to him as a sign.
This gathering was to decide the leader of the Upper Academy team.
Lu Li was undoubtedly the best choice. However, he declined the role. Professor Ernie Hamilton Wayne did not insist and handed the leadership role to Jorgen Light.
Jorgen Light was already a leader in the senior year, and his slum background and identity recognition as a human earned him trust. Without Lu Li, he would naturally be the leader for this tournant.
However, everyone knew there was another leader in the Upper Academy: Lu Li.
The purpose of assigning a leader was to have students follow their instructions, but Lu Li could achieve this without that title.
"The Uncrowned King..."
Claire mumbled as she leaned against the wall, picking at her nails.
Then Professor Ernie Hamilton Wayne recounted the details and dangers of the tournant that Lu Li already knew.
After it ended, Lu Li followed Claire back to the Alchemy Office, still recalling the number Professor Ernie Hamilton Wayne had ntioned: 582 contestants.
This was just the Upper Academy of Giant Tree Academy.
The number wasn’t unusual; the number of Upper Academy contestants was about the sa each year. What concerned Lu Li was another number—a third or more of students died in the tournant every year.
"I can’t understand why human power is consud in internal competition like this," Lu Li said calmly.
"Uh, Professor Ernie Hamilton Wayne was deceiving you. The death toll isn’t that high. In reality..." Claire hesitated: "The professor just wants us to remain vigilant and cautious."
Claire seed to be hiding sothing, so truths that were concealed and altered?
She did not confess, and Lu Li did not pursue it further. Regardless, the answer would be revealed tomorrow.
Also to be revealed was the lower academy, shrouded in mystery, and the other nine factions.
For many students, tonight would be a sleepless night.
...
The long deep night faded, and the morning woke the sleeping Giant Tree Academy.
After finishing his washing up, Lu Li stepped out of the washroom, returned to his dorm, checked the Doomsday Apocalypse, his stomach, and the Spirit-Calling Gun, and then made his way to the lift platform in the mixed area.
Senior students gradually gathered. Lu Li scanned the group and found Kiluat and Margaret standing at the edge.
"It’s our turn."
Claire whispered beside him, and Lu Li withdrew his gaze, stepping onto the lift.
The continuing descent into darkness ended, and a dim light shone onto the lift.
Overlooking the vast Swamp, the safe zone below was sparsely dotted.
The never-seen Dean was absent, Vice-Chancellor Chris was absent, the leaders of the nine factions were absent, and the competitors from the nine factions were also absent.
Even the Lower Academy wasn’t present here.
The eerie mix of tranquility and crowding descended upon the thoughtful students of the Giant Tree Academy.
Lu Li spotted many familiar faces on the ground. Mysticology lecturer Ernie Hamilton Wayne, Helmut, Divination Study lecturer Undead, Combat Skills Teacher Mangshi Lei, Mont tis cloaked in a veil-like gray robe, Professor Gray demonstrating dignity, and many other professors and teachers he hadn’t t.
"Was it like this before?" Lu Li tilted his head to ask Claire beside him.
"No..."
The lift descended to the safe zone of the Swamp, and Jorgen Light led the team away from the lift.
"Upon entering the mist, you’ll be randomly teleported deep into the vast Swamp. The faster you find the exit to the next stage, the higher your score."
Ernie Hamilton Wayne stepped forward and shouted, pointing at the swirling gray mist near the students.
"Defeating opponents from other factions will earn you extra points..."
Ernie Hamilton Wayne’s voice beca barely audible as Lu Li stepped into the flowing mist.
The students lost themselves in the bewildering fog.
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