Chapter 337 - Strong Opponents
After the match, their teacher stared at Meng Qi, disbelief etched across his face. “My goodness, Meng Qi! I had no idea you concealed your strength so well. You should have told me—you're that powerful! I would have staked my reputation to persuade the principal to secure you a spot in a top-ranking college.”
Meng Qi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “That sounds familiar. Teacher, didn't you say yesterday that gaining admission to a top-ranking college is nearly impossible?”
“Haiya,” the teacher replied, shaking his head with a smile. “A top-ranking college would jump at the chance to accept outstanding students like you and Leng Ning.”
He radiated confidence, convinced the principal would move heaven and earth to secure two spots if he witnessed their performance. “Good luck in your upcoming matches. I'll go find the principal and request your reward.”
The teacher turned to leave but paused, eyeing Han Wu with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. After seeing Meng Qi and Leng Ning, he suspected that Han Wu was stronger than he appeared.
“Han Wu... by any chance, are you holding back as well?” he asked.
Han Wu nodded. “A little.”
“That's excellent! I admired how well you controlled your Fireball in the last competition. Don't hold back this time. Use your Fireball and show them your strength. Let everyone know that Azure Sea Academy is rising!”
With a final cheer, the teacher skipped away, light on his feet like a child heading to buy candy.
Han Wu watched him go and nodded. “I will show them.”
On the third day, their match was scheduled for the afternoon. A victory today would push Azure Sea into the top thirty-two. It was a milestone that seemed modest on the surface but carried immense prestige. The academies in the top thirty-two had long dominated the rankings, each boasting a history of excellence. Securing a spot would also bring substantial resources for the next year, which explained why the teacher pinned so much hope on the trio.
Their opponents, however, were far from easy. They faced the Holy Blue Academy, the team that had claimed fourth place in the previous competition. All three representatives were Superior Elites, each just one step away from becoming Inferior Masters.
The Holy Blue trio sneered at Han Wu and his companions.
“It's impressive that the weak Azure Sea has made it this far,” one of them said with arrogant amusement. “But your luck ends here.”
Meng Qi growled, “Don't get cocky. The winner hasn't been decided yet.”
“You must be the tank. Your Skills are strong, but not strong enough. Da Shan, show them what you've got.”
Da Shan stepped forward and activated his Level 47 Skill, Iron Tower Shield. A massive shield of pure energy formed in his hands. He followed with his Level 43 Skill, Hard Qigong, and his muscles tightened with unmatched force. Finally, layers of chainmail, iron mail, and plate armor materialized across his body, enclosing him completely. Each of these armor Skills was above Level 40.
Da Shan's specialization in defense made him nearly untouchable. Even those at the Master rank would struggle to bring him down.
Meng Qi, a fellow tank, watched with admiration. As a specialist in defensive Skills, he understood exactly how formidable Da Shan had become. Not even Meng Qi's mutated Skills or Dragon Armor could rival that level of protection.
“As for you, Leng Ning,” the leader said, “I admit your ice attribute attacks are the strongest among our peers, but they aren't invincible. Their power drops drastically when facing a countering attribute.”
At his signal, the representative beside him stepped forward and unleashed his Level 53 Fire's Blessing. Instantly, flames engulfed all three representatives, imbuing every strike with fire damage while shielding them from being frozen.
With that Skill, they could resist freezing, which made Leng Ning's ice attacks far less effective. She glanced at the flames wrapping their bodies and realized they were right.
Their preparations weren't over. The Holy Blue leader turned his gaze to Han Wu. “Han Wu, I've studied your record. You have remarkable mental strength, able to shape your Fireball with precision. But it does nothing to strengthen your power. Against us, it's useless.”
After reciting their countermeasures, he revealed his true aim. “The three of you can't possibly defeat us. Stop wasting time and surrender.”
The announcer's gaze fell on Han Wu, waiting for his response. Even he saw the futility in resisting such overwhelming power. Surrender would spare them needless injury, and no one could fault them for losing to the academy ranked fourth in the nation.
Meng Qi and Leng Ning stayed silent, their eyes fixed on Han Wu, waiting for his call.
Han Wu let out a low chuckle. “You've been running your mouth for so long. I thought you'd dug up something worthwhile, but this is all you know? Enough chatter. I'll take the three of you on alone.”
“Arrogant bastard,” the leader snapped. “Not even Violet Demon, the strongest academy, spoke with such conceit.”
Han Wu chuckled again. “Then watch as I show you my true strength.”
He pressed a hand against his chest and unleashed Silver Strength. A vast dragon shadow loomed behind him, then sank into his body. In that instant, his potential doubled, and his vitality rose to an unprecedented degree.
At that moment, the announcer signaled the start of the match.