Chapter 453: One of the Top Ten, King Kong University

Chapter 453: The Diamond University of the Top Ten

The competition grounds of Jinhe University were a simulated mountain range.

Surveying the undulating terrain, lush with greenery and dense forests, Zhang Yu remarked, "I don't know much else about Jinhe University, but they certainly have plenty of space."

Mo Shangjin stood nearby and replied, "If you calculate the total area of the Ten Thousand Laws University City by multiplying the floor space by the number of levels, it is actually larger than Jinhe University."

"It is just that Jinhe University lacks spiritual veins, so their land value is far lower than ours. Once they spread out their construction without height restrictions, the overall space feels much more expansive."

"That is simply the way of things; where land is expensive, buildings are dense, and where land is cheap, urban development tends to be sparse."

As they spoke, Zhang Yu and his team arrived at the entrance to the arena.

There were no spectators, no cheerleaders, and apart from their opponents, not even a referee in sight.

After all, with the job fair currently underway, the students of Jinhe University had little spare time to physically attend the match.

Even if they wished to watch, the existence of the Spirit Realm Network allowed the audience to project their presence from great distances.

Zhang Yu looked toward their opponents—the civil engineering competition team of Jinhe University—and noticed they were observing him as well. However, the moment they caught Zhang Yu’s gaze, they hurriedly looked away.

Zhang Yu thought to himself, "Visible nervousness, indeed."

Just then, Mo Shangjin spoke up from the side: "Everyone, prepare yourselves. We will follow the battle plan as previously arranged..."

...

While both teams were warming up and preparing to enter the arena, a spiritual projection descended silently into the empty spectator stands above.

A young man whose body appeared to be coated in gold paint stood with his arms crossed, his gaze cold as he looked down at the two teams below.

His name was Chan Rong, a top student from Diamond University, one of the Top Ten.

Chan Rong’s spiritual projection was nearly indistinguishable from his physical form. On the flesh where he had not yet installed Dharma-bones, dashed lines outlined the structure of his muscles and organs, each marked with a price tag.

Many students at Diamond University favored this practice; by appraising the value of their own body parts and displaying the high prices on their skin, they flaunted their strength and assets while simultaneously advertising themselves.

Once a body part was sold at a high price, they could consider upgrading to even more powerful Dharma-bones.

A moment later, another spiritual projection landed beside the golden man and said with a smile, "Chan Rong, you really did come to watch the Ten Thousand Laws match. After all, your next opponent at Diamond University is Ten Thousand Laws, isn't it?"

After saying this, he scanned Chan Rong’s projection, looked at the price tags on his limbs, and remarked, "Oh? Your body’s value has risen quite a bit. It seems you’ve made great progress this past year."

Chan Rong turned his head to look at the fellow whose spiritual avatar took the form of a barrel, his eyes narrowing: "Wan Gouxuan?"

Chan Rong knew that Wan Gouxuan was the top student of the Civil Engineering Department at Immortal Soldier University. Their team had placed third in last year’s inter-school competition, trailing only Heaven Demon University and Ten Thousand Laws University.

Chan Rong stared at him and asked, "Are you also curious about what your own body is worth?"

Wan Gouxuan: "Hmm?"

Chan Rong: "If you want to know what price your body can fetch, you can visit the second-hand flesh platform, 'Shedding Pavilion.' Thanks to selling my right hand there, I earned an extra thirty spirit coins..."

Wan Gouxuan: "No, I didn't ask."

Chan Rong: "Any old Dharma-bones or old flesh you no longer use can be recycled at the Shedding Pavilion. They offer on-site appraisal, on-site verification, and immediate payment..."

Wan Gouxuan: "Are you finished?"

Chan Rong: "It’s a new daily assignment from the school this semester—we must promote it to one person outside the university every day. Thank you for your understanding."

Wan Gouxuan: "You Diamond University students really do love forcing your peers to act as walking advertisements."

Chan Rong asked, "Did you come to watch the Ten Thousand Laws match?"

The barrel-shaped avatar of Wan Gouxuan replied, "I lost to Mo Shangjin last year; how could I not come to watch their first match this year? Especially with the rumors about Mo Shangjin’s injury—you’ve heard them, haven't you?"

The golden-painted Chan Rong turned back to look at Zhang Yu and the others below. "A pity... Mo Shangjin didn't come. Perhaps his wounds haven't healed, or perhaps he simply couldn't be bothered to act. Aside from that Li Zhen, the other five are new faces I’ve never seen before."

Chan Rong analyzed, "It seems that between the influence of the Nectar Coin incident and Mo Shangjin’s situation, the strength of the Ten Thousand Laws team may have severely declined."

Wan Gouxuan nodded in agreement. "I had hoped to see Mo Shangjin’s condition, but it seems I won't get the chance."

"I hope he recovers soon."

"I have spent this year in bitter cultivation specifically to defeat him with my own hands."

"If he cannot represent Ten Thousand Laws, the prestige of this year’s rankings will be diminished."

As the two conversed, the competition below officially began.

Shi Huaiyu and Su Yanyang joined forces, whipping up a sky-high storm of sand and mud that surged toward the Jinhe University team like a tsunami.

With a thunderous roar, the massive volume of earth completely submerged the opponent’s construction site. ...

Wan Gouxuan commented, "The Seven Absolutes of Civil Engineering from Ten Thousand Laws—these two have a solid foundation. Beyond the 'Small Triad,' they are integrating other techniques into their offensive, constantly shifting the form of their attacks."

"The Dharma-bones they wear are also decent brands and models."

"Their overall strength is respectable, but they are still far behind Mo Shangjin."

Chan Rong of Diamond University watched the match intently, recording the details as he replied, "The Jinhe team retreated the moment the match started. It seems they know they can't win in a head-on collision and intend to play a guerrilla war."

"They are likely trying to complete their construction in a hidden location and will only move back before the match ends."

"The Ten Thousand Laws team is searching like headless flies; it seems this year’s squad lacks anyone skilled in insight-based techniques."

Just then, the Jinhe University team burst forth from the ground, launching a sneak attack on Shi Huaiyu and Su Yanyang.

Watching the two sides clash and immediately break apart, with the Jinhe team retreating far away after sustaining injuries, Chan Rong noted, "Such speed."

Wan Gouxuan said, "The people from Jinhe University favor enhancing their speed. After all, high speed means higher efficiency, better evasion of damage, and the ability to avoid pursuit while minimizing costs—it is the most suitable strategy for the poor."

In the time that followed, Jinhe University launched raid after raid from underground, retreating immediately after a single exchange.

Although each attack resulted in them being wounded by the Ten Thousand Laws counter-attacks, by the time they launched their next ambush, their injuries had often healed by more than half.

Wan Gouxuan remarked, "Someone on the Jinhe team must understand Yin-Yang First Aid."

"Given that their university specializes in both civil engineering and dual-cultivation, they are likely using Yin-Yang First Aid methods to treat their wounds during the match."

"Building, fighting, and administering first aid simultaneously... that is their tactic."

Watching Xiao Yunjie casually repel an incoming upperclassman, Wan Gouxuan added, "This Xiao Yunjie is not weak, but the coordination between his Dharma-bones is flawed. The synchronization rate is likely low; his weaknesses are obvious and easy to exploit."

His gaze then swept over Xiao Qingxuan. "A full set of 'Polar Tiger' brand Dharma-bones... how did someone like this get on a competition team? Hmm? A debt of over ten thousand spirit coins?"

Wan Gouxuan frowned, marking Xiao Qingxuan for later; he couldn't quite figure out the boy's background.

He then looked toward Zhang Yu, who was busy working on the construction site.

"This Zhang Yu seems to be the one responsible for the actual construction work."

"His efficiency is high, but he is using pure physical labor? No Dharma-bones at all? His adaptability must be limited; he won't be able to handle high-intensity competition."

"He must be a substitute. If Mo Shangjin were to take the field, he would surely be swapped out."

After analyzing each member on the field, Wan Gouxuan of Immortal Soldier University finally looked at Li Zhen. "As expected, compared to these newcomers, the most formidable member of the Ten Thousand Laws team remains this veteran."

Li Zhen opened his mouth, and streams of Earth-Evil Qi gushed out.

The opponents tainted by the Earth-Evil Qi were tracked by him, and he quickly located the spot where the Jinhe University contestants were hiding to perform their dual-cultivation first aid.

...

As Li Zhen exhaled streams of fluorescent green Earth-Evil Qi, the Jinhe University contestants watched as various warnings flashed incessantly across their ocular implants.

"The pollution levels of this terrestrial miasma are off the charts!"

"I can't take it anymore; if we keep fighting, I'm going to end up with cancer."

"The school barely offers enough prize money to cover the medical bills for a tumor."

"Let's just surrender."

As the sweeping tide of miasma surged across the arena, the team from Jinhe University quickly signaled their defeat one after another.

...

Watching the scene unfold, Wan Gouxuan remarked, "It seems that aside from Mo Shangjin, the one most worthy of our attention is Li Zhen, followed by that mysterious fellow, Xiao Qingxuan."

Having said this, he turned his gaze toward Chan Rong and asked, "What do you think, Chan Rong? Your match against Wanfa is next. Are you confident?"

Chan Rong replied indifferently, "The new faces at Wanfa are no slouches, and that veteran Li Zhen has even mastered the power to command the terrestrial miasma."

"If I had faced them a year ago, I doubt I could have claimed a certain victory."

"But as things stand now... unless Mo Shangjin takes the stage, Wanfa might as well prepare for defeat."

Elsewhere, Zhang Yu stared at the notification of the match's conclusion, gazing with a sense of boredom at the results of his construction work. He mused, "The gap between the top ten schools and the military academy is simply too vast. Even without me participating, this was an effortless win."

As they departed the arena, Shi Huaiyu asked Mo Shangjin, "Why leave Zhang Yu behind to handle the construction? Against opponents with such a disparity in strength, we could have ended the match much faster if he had joined us."

(End of chapter)