Chapter 324: The White Eagle Federation’s Number One Freshman

Chapter 324: Chapter 324: The White Eagle Federation’s Number One Freshman

Once the bracket was released, the next stage of the competition began.

"Why did I get matched against these Awakened geniuses? What are the odds I’d be this unlucky?"

At the same time, some contestants fell into despair because they were matched against Awakened geniuses.

Many knew their journey in the Global Freshmen Tournament was likely coming to an end.

"I’m done for!" Li Zhou shook his head with a bitter smile.

He had been matched against Miyamoto Genichiro, an SS-level genius from Japan.

With his level of strength, there was absolutely no way he could win.

After the bracket was released, the live comments scrolling across the big screen were filled with viewers from every country cheering on their respective contestants.

"The bracket has been set. I declare the second round officially open!" After making his announcement, Xu Wenji vanished into thin air.

At the same time, an automated voice rang out.

Just as in the previous round, matches would be held simultaneously in all eight arenas!

"BOOM!"

Sixteen pillars of crimson light descended, each into its respective arena.

The second round officially began!

Lin Qi could sense that many S-class geniuses had appeared among the contestants in this second round.

They were the top fighters from their respective countries, making the competition all the more fierce. The slightest mistake, a single misstep, could lead to a crushing defeat.

In the arena.

"BANG!"

"Die!"

Clad in a silver Combat Suit, Jiangtao roared like a rampaging Giant Ape as he swung his Battle Saber.

His muscles swelled and veins popped across his skin as terrifying power erupted from his body.

A vast well of Power surged from within him, gathering on his Battle Saber.

He clashed with a burly Caucasian opponent, his Battle Saber colliding violently with a Silver Spear.

"This..."

"CRACK~"

His opponent’s expression changed drastically. He felt a terrifying force transfer through the impact, shattering several of his ribs and sending him flying.

"SQUELCH~"

Jiangtao surged forward, his saber slitting his opponent’s throat.

[Match 6: Jiangtao (Xia Country) wins!]

A smile spread across Jiangtao’s face. ’Right now, in the Sixth Institute, no one is stronger than me except for Brother Qi,’ he thought.

’No, even among all of the Nine Great Academies at Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy, my strength is top-level.’

Ever since absorbing the mysterious Ruby, his body had been constantly evolving.

The changes hadn’t been obvious, but the improvements were constant.

Now, the effects were finally on full display. Even among S-class geniuses, he was in the top echelon.

The next moment, he was teleported back to the spectator stands.

"Taozi, congratulations on advancing!"

Lin Qi said with a smile, pleasantly surprised by Jiangtao’s current strength.

He could tell from the fight that Jiangtao’s physical attributes were now far superior to those of other Martial Artists at the same level.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it Innate Divine Strength.

If he could Awaken a Special Ability in the future and become an SS-level genius, his potential would be truly limitless.

The others from the Sixth Institute looked at Jiangtao; it was like looking at a junior version of Lin Qi.

His strength seemed to skyrocket periodically, and he had now pulled far ahead of the others. He was more than qualified to be the Head of the Institute.

[Contestants for Match 12, please enter the arena!]

As the automated voice spoke, Lin Qi stood up and said,

"I’m up!"

"Go get ’em, Brother Qi! Show that Wims guy who the real genius is!" Jiangtao said with a laugh.

With that, Lin Qi was enveloped in crimson light and descended into the arena.

...

In a section of the stands, invisible to the regular audience, lay a hidden area.

This was the VIP gallery, a section reserved for the top echelons of each country’s academies.

All who sat there were High Realm Martial Artists, and the seating was clearly demarcated by country, with each nation having its own designated section.

In the Xia Country’s section, the leaders of the three top academies, along with those from other famous schools like Sichuan Martial Academy and Xia Imperial Wuda, were chatting idly.

"That Jiangtao is a student from your institute, isn’t he, Dean Liu?"

"You’re so lucky. To think you managed to snag another S-class genius for nothing."

"Lin Qi and now Jiangtao... two geniuses. We’re all so envious of you."

One of the leaders congratulated Dean Liu, and the others looked at him with envy. The leaders from the other institutes at Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy, in particular, were green with envy.

This Jiangtao was shaping up to be on the same level as Ao Feng and Duan Chuchu.

’For the Sixth Institute to land a genius like that... life is so unfair,’ they thought.

"Lin Qi is up, and his opponent is Wims. Interesting. Both of them are top-level geniuses among the freshmen."

Wu Yueze, the vice dean of the First Institute, suddenly spoke up.

"That Wims is quite strong. His physical Talent is first-rate, and he’s at the top even among S-class geniuses. It’s a shame he ran into Lin Qi," the vice dean of the Ninth Institute said with a smile.

Seeing this, the leaders from Xia Country all smiled.

The outcome of this match had been sealed the moment the bracket was released.

「In the White Eagle Federation’s spectator section, not far away.」

A group of burly, middle-aged men and women exuded powerful auras; they were all High Realm Martial Artists.

Among them was a burly, silver-haired man. With his arms crossed, he exuded a terrifying presence, like a majestic lion.

He frowned as he watched Lin Qi and Wims in the arena.

"Wims sure is unlucky, getting matched against Lin Qi from Xia Country."

"He’s an exceptionally powerful genius!"

"Mastering a Little Divine Power while still Unawakened... that’s a rare sight even in our White Eagle Federation."

"It’s a shame for Wims!"

"But hopefully, Lin Qi from Xia Country can teach him a lesson."

A curvaceous blonde woman beside him asked in confusion,

"But Wims looks so confident. Could he have some trump card that would allow him to win?"

The silver-haired man frowned, looking at Wims.

’Wims? He has another card to play?’

Puzzled, he watched as the match began.

... 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

「In the arena.」

"BOOM!"

Two crimson pillars of light dissipated, and two figures emerged from within them.

Wims emerged, clad in a silver Combat Suit and wielding a massive Battle Saber in one hand.

He was a black man with his hair in dreadlocks and a rhinoceros tattoo on his neck.

He stood over 2.2 meters tall, with a burly frame and dark skin. His muscles looked as if they were carved from black stone, rippling with power.

He swaggered forward, the wide, heavy Battle Saber resting on his shoulder.

Opposite him, Lin Qi, dressed all in black, emerged holding a Black Great Spear in one hand.

He could sense the aura emanating from Wims, an aura like that of a bloodthirsty rhinoceros.

"So, you’re Lin Qi? The strongest of Xia Country’s Unawakened geniuses!"

Wims spoke in English, and Lin Qi, whose foreign language skills were perfect, understood him clearly.

"I am!"

"Good. I’ve long admired Xia Country. I wonder just how strong you really are."

He broke into a wide grin, revealing a set of pearly white teeth.

"You can find out for yourself," Lin Qi replied, his expression calm.

[Countdown: 3... 2... 1...]

[The match has begun!]

The automated voice announced emotionlessly from high above the arena.

In the stands, countless spectators from the White Eagle Federation cheered for Wims.

"Wims, smash him to pieces with your Battle Saber!"

"The White Eagle Federation is the strongest!"

"Kill that guy from Xia Country!"

Meanwhile, the spectators from Xia Country were not to be outdone!

"Lin Qi, crush this Black Ghost!"

"Xia Country is the strongest!"

"Since when is a Clown like him worthy of being Lin Qi’s opponent!"

"..."

The two fighters in the arena couldn’t hear the crowd. The air was thick with the intent of Slaughter, and the battle erupted in an instant.

"ROAR~"

Wims’s aura changed in an instant. With a booming roar that echoed like a great bell, he swung his Battle Saber and charged.

...