Chapter 0398: Ticket Match Begins

At the One Star Hall stands, Li Luo filed in with the others to loud cheers.

"Go, brother Luo!"

"Brother Luo, show them you're the One Star in One Star Hall!"

"Brother Luo, sweep me off my feet until they're over my head and-"

"..."

The cheers today were raucously creative, for what was now the undisputed first in their cohort after he had defeated Qin Zhulu formally.

The One Star Hall area got so noisy that even the Two Star Hall crowd started to look over. Although they traditionally held a psychological advantage over their juniors, it had evaporated ever since the Angelwood Hollow incident, when Ye Qiuding's squad had lost out to Li Luo's squad. The message was loud and clear now. The One Star Hall cohort's quality was not the same.

Although Li Luo was only a First Changing for now, but he could probably take on Third Changing cultivators and win.

Which meant that only Zhu Xuan in all of Two Star Hall could give him a fight.

Such a glowing record had not been matched by many in the history of Astral Sage College. And none of them had ever been nobodies.

Look all they wanted - they had no choice but to acknowledge that Li Luo's generation was much stronger than theirs.

Plus, when they were in One Star Hall themselves, the goddess Jiang Qing'e had been in Two Star Hall, crushing them flat into the dust. They themselves had never even dreamed of challenging their seniors. Not even for the likes of Zhu Xuan.

"Leader, Astral Sage College will win this thing, right?" Bai Mengmeng asked Li Luo.

"Hard to say before the outcome is decided," Li Luo said with a rueful smile. "Blue Abyss Sage College might have a weaker background than Astral Sage College, but they haven't been sitting around on their asses doing nothing, that's for sure. And they probably have an ace or two up their sleeve somewhere."

"Of course, we don't need to be overly paranoid either. Our lineup is freaking awesome too. Let the results speak for themselves."

Besides the burden Two Star Hall members, the other Halls all had heavy-duty fighters anchoring the matches. Gong Shenjun in Four Star Hall, Jiang Qing'e in Three Star Hall, and himself, the mighty Li Luo, in One Star Hall.

Li Luo was watching the left platform as he chatted with Bai Mengmeng, watching an unfamiliar group navigate the crowd. They were a few dozen strong, and Li Luo spotted Zhao Huiyin in their midst.

The Blue Abyss contingent.

She seemed to sense his eyes on her, and turned in his direction. Their eyes met, then Zhao Huiyin looked away with a coy smile that was noted by the hungry gazes of the Astral Sage College male students.

Had Li Luo already subdued one major opponent with his charms even before the battle started?

"Leader, are you planning to win the war without fighting? That's impressive." Xin Fu sighed in admiration. His leader was always reaching new heights before he could even dream of them. Li Luo rolled his eyes. It was Bai Mengmeng who had a better read of the situation. "Senior Zhao is a master of emotion. I think perhaps only senior Jiang or First Princess can rival her in that."

Li Luo gave her a solid thumbs up. "Mengmeng's read is spot on. That Zhao Huiyin is no kind soul. Those who underestimate her will be swallowed whole without even a bone left behind."

Bai Mengmeng giggled. "Well, that's if she gets the chance to do the eating. Leader is too smart to not have seen through her tricks."

Li Luo sighed happily. Mengmeng was the best cheerleader.

A sonorous chime rang through the mountains.

As it died away, all eyes turned to the highest platform, where a group of purple-robed figures walked out.

These were the Violet Vibrance mentors of Astral Sage College.

Following them were the VIPs of Xia Kingdom, including Yu Hongxi and the other house lords. Li Luo also spotted the little emperor, with the Regent by his side.

Lastly was the representative of the hosts, vice principal Su Xin. She was escorted by another elder in blue robes, the vice principal of Blue Abyss Sage College. His name was Qiu Jizi. As for principal Pang Qianyuan, he was nowhere to be seen... as usual.

Many students were disappointed, hoping for a glimpse of their greatest leader at one of the most important events for the entire school. No luck here.

The Regent noted the disappointed murmurs of the crowd. "Vice principal Su Xin, is principal Pang still inside?"

The Xia Kingdom elders, including Yu Hongxi, all turned at his question, interested in theh answer. Everyone knew that Pang Qianyuan was considered the strongest in all of Xia Kingdom.

Su Xin shook her head apologetically. "The principal has been shut away for many years, unable to take his leave."

"That's a pity," Regent said. "I've not seen the legend for a good few years now."

"Please be assured that he should be able to get away soon," she assured him.

He smiled and nodded. "That's good. Principal Pang is the only King in all of Xia Kingdom. I have wanted to consult him on the path to King for a while now."

Vice principal Su Xin nodded pleasantly back to him before walking to the central position on the platform. She first addressed their guests, Blue Abyss Sage College, speaking courtesies and words of welcome. And then she got down to business.

"This ticket match will decide whether Astral Sage College is granted a place to compete at the Holy Grail Meet. It goes without saying that we have sent our seven strongest representatives for this fight. I hope that you will do your best. This too is a mark of respect for our guests who have come from afar."

The students cheered.

"It is about time. The time for speeches is over. Let me formally declare the beginning of the Holy Grail Meet ticket match!"

"According to the rules, the battles will be fought from highest to lowest. The first match will be between the Four Star Hall representatives."

The crowd roared its approval.

"Gong Shenjun!"

"Gong Luanyu!"

As the two strongest students of Astral Sage College presently, their reputation among the students was unrivaled. It was a reputation born of experience and proof, solid and dependable. It was much more real than the reputation of someone like Li Luo, built on intangible potential.

The two champions walked out to a stone platform.

Gong Shenjun and the First Princess.

On the other side, their opponents walked out to face them.

Blue Abyss Sage College, Zhong Nan and Liang Kui.

All four nodded in acknowledgment to each other.

Next would be the drawing of lots to decide their opponents.

Both sides were familiar with the process, reaching into a stone box to pull out a pellet that opened to reveal slips of paper within. All four held their slips up.

All eyes strained to read them.

First Princess held the slip with "One" written on it, and the corresponding slip from Blue Abyss Sage College was held by...

Zhong Nan!

The Four Star Hall students were looking concerned now. First Princess was going to have to go against Blue Abyss Sage College's greatest shield...

Did she really have the firepower to take down that defense?

Otherwise, the first match might well end in a draw.