The Martial Arts Arena—Grade War.

  The number of participants for each grade: thirty.

  This was a formal competition sanctioned by the high-level officials of Radiant Academy, designed as a tool to promote healthy competition among students.

  "Exactly. We'll use this method to settle things between us," Chi Yongqiu said as the realization dawned on him. He stood up abruptly and looked at Ying Feng at the doorway.

  "Whatever you say. Let’s just get to the Martial Arts Arena Square quickly," Ying Feng replied dismissively, clearly not caring about the personal rivalry as much as the upcoming battle.

  "Then let's go," Ke Minglang nodded.

  Declining the challenge was not an option. The rules of the Grade War at Radiant Academy dictated that the stakes were 30% of the total academy points held by the entire student body of the participating grade. The losing side would be exempt from forced challenges for one year, but the winning side was obligated to accept any challenge thereafter.

  For this year's freshmen, since they had technically won a previous private skirmish, they were forced into this official confrontation.

  Martial Arts Arena Square.

  Ghost Face had long since arrived, leading thirty of the most skilled martial artists from the sophomore class.

  "Ghost Face, was this part of your calculation as well?" Mo Bai asked softly, walking beside him.

  "I’m just turning their own momentum against them," Ghost Face sneered, his expression hidden behind an iron mask. "Initially, I just wanted to collect a little 'tuition fee' from them, but since they dared to resist, they have only themselves to blame."

  "It's just thirty percent of their points. Let's give these freshmen a proper lesson. Let them know that even in the Academy, life isn't meant to be easy."

  The sophomore students were brimming with high morale. In Radiant Academy, points were more valuable than Spirit Crystals. The Treasure Pavilion held countless Trial Crystals and Skill Crystals that could only be purchased with points.

  Before long, the freshmen entered the square, following their four leaders. Unlike the high-spirited sophomores, the freshmen's morale was rock bottom. Aside from the four leaders, everyone looked drained and defeated.

  They didn't believe for a second that they could win a Grade War against the second-years.

  With thirty participants per side, this was a test of a grade’s overall collective strength. Most students came to the Academy for resources and mentorship; the sophomores had a massive lead in both. Their mastery of martial techniques far exceeded that of the freshmen.

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  "I didn't think you'd actually show up. I guess last time’s lesson wasn't enough," Mo Hei said, cracking his knuckles with a cruel grin.

  Bai Fengyun’s face paled, but he held his ground. "Hmph, that was last time. This time, the outcome is yet to be decided."

  Ying Feng raised a hand, his voice thick with excitement. "Wasting breath here is meaningless. Let's settle this on the stage."

  Ghost Face spared a glance at Ying Feng and sneered. "I don't recall seeing you last time. Truly, a newborn calf fears no tiger. But if you're in such a hurry to die, we’re happy to oblige."

  "Instructor Zhong, if you please."

  Only then did the crowd notice a beautiful, elegant woman standing to the side. She wore the official instructor's uniform of Radiant Academy and held a book in her hands.

  Zhong Lingyun was one of the few instructors at Radiant Academy authorized to oversee all grade levels. Grade Wars were serious affairs precisely because they required an instructor to preside over them.

  "It’s no trouble," Zhong Lingyun said. Though she was an instructor, she wasn't overly stern with the students. However, cross-grade wars were rare, and she was genuinely curious about the outcome.

  "This Grade War will be divided across four stages. Each side will hold two stages, with a total of sixty participants. A side loses when all their participants are eliminated."

  "The Martial Arts Arena will suppress all your power levels to Level 10. Skills are prohibited. If you require weapons, they are provided beneath the stages."

  "The stakes: thirty percent of all academy points currently held by the freshman and sophomore classes. Representatives, please step forward to confirm."

  Zhong Lingyun read out the standard regulations and offered a final chance to back out.

  "Sophomore representative, Ghost Face, confirms the match." "Freshman representative, Ke Minglang, confirms the match."

  Bai Fengyun stood in the back, simmering with resentment. His defeat at the hands of Mo Hei in their previous encounter had cost him the support of the freshman class.

  "The contract is established. Defenders, take your positions," Zhong Lingyun commanded.

  "Mo Hei, Mo Bai—go," Ghost Face ordered. The two leaped onto the two stages designated for the sophomores.

  "Then we shall—" Chi Yongqiu started to speak, but when he turned, Ying Feng was already standing on one of the freshman stages.

  Ke Minglang patted Chi Yongqiu’s shoulder. "Try to take out as many as you can."

  "Don't worry, I won't lose to that guy," Chi Yongqiu said confidently as he leaped onto the remaining stage.

  On his stage, Ying Feng pulled a Knight’s Sword from the rack. He stood tall, spread his arms, and took a deep breath. "What a familiar feeling."

  After being tortured to the brink of death by the "monsters" in Kael’s training room, he finally felt like he could breathe.

  "The Grade War begins," Zhong Lingyun announced, falling silent.

  "Do your best! Wear down their stamina as much as possible!" Ke Minglang whispered to the freshmen. Given the low morale, he couldn't ask for much more.

  "Go. End this boring match quickly," Ghost Face said, completely ignoring the two freshman defenders. He had brooded over his previous defeat for a long time. While he couldn't explain how they had won back then, he was certain they had used some sort of trickery. This time, the Arena rules stripped away all possibilities of cheating.

  The defenders were naturally the strongest of the group. Though the freshmen were demoralized, they didn't lack the courage to step up.

  However, Mo Hei and Mo Bai’s martial prowess was formidable. Many freshmen were knocked off the stage within a few moves, despite their best efforts. In just fifteen minutes, the freshmen had already lost ten people.

  "Damn it... at this rate, there's simply no way to win," Ke Minglang muttered, wringing his hands in anxiety. He couldn't see a way out. If this continued, Mo Hei and Mo Bai alone might eliminate the remaining eighteen freshmen.