"So that's the fellow named Ye Yunfei? He looks unremarkable, only at the Early Stage True Manifestation Realm. Is someone like him really capable of twice storming the Xiao Sect headquarters?"
"Actually, I heard this Ye Yunfei's real combat strength lies in his physical power. So we shouldn't look down on him too much."
"Bah, so he relies on brute strength, no wonder. Cultivating physical power can indeed boost combat strength quickly. But focusing on the body is ultimately a lesser path. Many Body Refiners are like a flash in the pan, they never last."
...
On the training ground, the older students were also pointing fingers and offering their comments about Ye Yunfei.
At this moment, a platform had been set up on the eastern side of the training ground, with neat rows of tables and chairs already placed upon it. This platform was specially prepared for the academy's higher-ups.
In the center of the training ground stood more than a dozen dueling rings. These rings were to be used for the competition.
Suddenly...
*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!...*
Sharp figures flew in from the distant sky, landing on the platform to the east. Every figure radiated an imposing aura, giving everyone a sense of majestic, vast pressure.
All the students perked up.
The academy's higher-ups had arrived!
Moments later, several dozen academy higher-ups were all present: three vice deans, eight elders, over a dozen deacons, and many martial instructors.
"All new students," Dean Shangguan stood up and spoke slowly, his voice gentle yet grand, clearly reaching every ear. "This New Student Ranking Tournament is taken very seriously by the academy. We hope every new student will go all out, showcase your own strength, and display your finest qualities in the competition."
"Yes!" all the new students chorused in response.
"For this tournament," Dean Shangguan continued, "the students who can enter the top five will receive significant rewards. Moreover, they will be allowed to cultivate within the Heavenly Dragon Pool for three days."
*Hiss!*
Upon hearing Dean Shangguan's words, all the old students, and those new students who were in the know, couldn't help but draw in sharp breaths of cold air. This was because the Heavenly Dragon Pool was a treasured cultivation site within Hudao Academy. It was said that only the academy's Seed Students were regularly qualified to enter the Heavenly Dragon Pool for cultivation. Other students rarely had the chance. Although most new students didn't yet know what the Heavenly Dragon Pool was, seeing the stunned expressions on the old students' faces told them it must be an absolutely extraordinary boon.
"Also," Dean Shangguan went on, "those who achieve a ranking within the top three will earn the qualification to become Seed Students."
*Hiss!*
Another chorus of sharp inhalations rose within the training ground.
It must be known, there were over ten thousand students in Hudao Academy, but only around a hundred held the title of Seed Student. It was clear just how rare and precious a Seed Student was! One could say that once you became a Seed Student, the academy would pour its resources into cultivating you. Your future would be boundless! Most new students had heard of what a Seed Student entailed. Therefore, after hearing Dean Shangguan's words, every new student grew extremely excited. Those who believed they could achieve good results were particularly fired up with fighting spirit.
"Oh yes, there's one more matter to inform everyone about," Dean Shangguan said. "Among this year's batch of new students, the academy has already selected and confirmed three individuals as Seed Students in advance. These three Seed Students do not need to undergo any competition or assessment; they directly become Seed Students. I shall have them step out now so everyone can meet them. Rest assured, these three Seed Students will not participate in the tournament. The purpose of their presence here is simply for everyone to become acquainted."
"What?!"
"Three Seed Students have already been chosen internally?"
"To become Seed Students without any assessment at all... that feels a bit like cheating."
...
Hearing Dean Shangguan's announcement, most students on the training ground began exclaiming and discussing in surprise.
*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*
Just as Dean Shangguan finished speaking, three young figures descended from the sky, landing beside Dean Shangguan.
Two males and one female!
All possessed an outstanding, peerless demeanor.
The two males were graceful, refined, and handsome, the picture of classic gentlemen.
The female was even more breathtaking, a beauty fit to topple kingdoms, with peerless grace!
Moreover, what was even more shocking was the cultivation level of these three youngsters — all at the Yuan Foundation Realm Late Stage!
Sensing the spiritual energy fluctuations radiating from these three, the expressions of all students on the training ground underwent a complete change.
"Heavens! Are they really just new students who just enrolled? Such strength is simply terrifying!"
Be they new or old students, every single one was astonished.
"Qingluo!"
When those three youngsters appeared beside Dean Shangguan, Ye Yunfei's gaze immediately fixed on the female. He was somewhat surprised.
Because this peerless beauty was none other than Su Qingluo!
"No wonder I haven't seen Qingluo at all since entering Hudao Academy," Ye Yunfei thought inwardly. "So she's already been internally selected as a Seed Student. She's probably been in secluded cultivation this whole time."
As Ye Yunfei's gaze rested on Su Qingluo, her own gaze was also searching through the crowd for Ye Yunfei's figure.
Finally, she saw him.
Instantly, a joyful smile bloomed on her delicate face.
Their eyes met, understanding passed between them, and they shared a knowing smile.
In this reincarnated life, Ye Yunfei wasn't actually very interested in romantic entanglements. No matter how beautiful the women he encountered, he wouldn't pay them much heed.
But Su Qingluo was different.
Su Qingluo was a regret from his previous life!
In his past life, when Ye Yunfei was undergoing his Apotheosis Tribulation, his heart was suddenly troubled, recalling all the regrets of his lifetime.
One of those regrets was Su Qingluo!
Therefore, in this life, Ye Yunfei intended to make up for the regrets of his previous life, to cherish Su Qingluo properly!
"Qingluo, who are you looking at?"
Just then, a tall, handsome youth standing beside Su Qingluo suddenly frowned and spoke up.
As he spoke, he followed Su Qingluo's gaze and saw Ye Yunfei.
Immediately, the youth's face darkened, a flash of jealousy deep within his eyes.
This youth's name was Lu Tianyi. Like Su Qingluo, he had been preemptively selected as a Seed Student by Hudao Academy's higher-ups.
The three Seed Students had already met each other before.
The first time Lu Tianyi laid eyes on Su Qingluo, he had been deeply captivated by her beauty and grace!
Then, he had marked Su Qingluo as his future woman!
In his eyes, only a woman like Su Qingluo was qualified to be his.
But now, right in front of him, Su Qingluo was smiling at another man, and smiling so happily, as if filled with wholehearted delight!
How could this not make him jealous?!
"An acquaintance," Su Qingluo replied indifferently.
In Su Qingluo's heart, there was only room for Ye Yunfei. She had always treated Lu Tianyi with marked coldness.