"Class Monitor, let's not. I think the Second Year is enough, really."
The students who were just full of passion a moment ago now lowered their heads slightly.
"The Third Year Students are basically all eighteen or older. Some have even completed their full set of one-word battle armor."
"Look at how spineless you are," Na'er snorted coldly. "It's just a bit more Soul Power and a few more pieces of battle armor; is that enough to scare you like this?"
"With my brother Arthur here, what is there to fear!"
At this moment, a few students remembered that Arthur had become famous by defeating a One-Word Battle Armor Master.
And since several years had passed, just how strong must he be now?
Ye Xinglan also recalled the despair she felt when she had faced Arthur directly back then.
"It's fine, trust me." Arthur's voice seemed to possess a magical quality, gradually calming the anxious students.
Indeed, Arthur had added hypnosis to his voice; that's what high Spiritual Power could do.
"Actually, it's no big deal even if we lose; it's just an exchange match."
Everyone began to convince themselves.
"Let's do it!"
"Then I'll be looking forward to your performance, Class Monitor."
... "Oh?" A woman dressed in elegant, clean clothes let out a sound of surprise and doubt after receiving the news.
Ya Li admitted that she was very curious at this moment.
While it was said to be the First Year against the Second and Third Year Students, she understood that in reality, it was Arthur against the entire Third Year.
"Is he that confident? It seems he's made great progress over these past few years," she murmured softly, the scene of Arthur defeating Qian Wu years ago flashing through her mind.
She then issued an order.
"Let the Third Year participate, and allow the First Year to face both the Second and Third Year Students simultaneously."
When the order reached the Shrek Outer Court Academic Affairs Office, the entire office erupted. "The Holy Spirit Douluo agreed? Letting the First Year fight the Second and Third Years at the same time?"
"Is this crazy! This isn't an exchange match; it's a one-sided slaughter!"
"But the Holy Spirit Douluo specifically emphasized preparing a large-scale competition venue, and even said... to let the Second and Third Year Students go all out."
Zhuo Shi also expressed that he would sit and watch; this was far too interesting!
Not only that, the news quickly reached the ears of the elders in the Sea Gods Pavilion.
"How interesting."
One elder spoke up: "Just as well, I want to see exactly what the Holy Spirit Douluo sees in him."
"To indulge him so much."
"Indeed."
An elder complained: "Recently, the Sea Gods Pavilion has actually received many bills for all sorts of things."
"They say the Holy Spirit Douluo gave special approval for Arthur."
"I'll go see just how this kid is for myself."
... The news soon reached the Second and Third Year Students, and the entire Outer Court was in an uproar.
For the Second Year students, it felt like the sky was falling.
They had just finished their internal struggles to select the participants for the exchange match.
And now you're saying they all have to go up?
Doesn't that mean they fought for nothing?
Then came the anger of feeling underestimated.
"Fine, but to have us fight alongside the Third Year at the same time?"
"Arrogant, far too arrogant!"
"When the time comes, we must humiliate them thoroughly!" the Second Year students shouted in indignation. "We must let them know that the dignity of their seniors is not to be trifled with!"
The reaction from the Third Year was somewhat subtle.
They didn't take it seriously at all.
There was a six-year age gap between the Third Year and the First Year.
It was truly the difference between adults and children.
They even had One-Word Battle Armor Masters among them who were preparing to apply for the Inner Court.
Although Shrek's Outer Court had six grades, the true geniuses entered the Inner Court after their Third Year, while those slightly less talented did so in their Fourth Year.
The Fifth and Sixth Years were basically just there to get a graduation certificate; they no longer had any chance of entering the Inner Court.
"First Years? Just a bunch of little brats whose hair hasn't even grown in yet." Zhou Hao, a core student of the Third Year, leaned against a railing, his tone full of disdain. "I don't know why the higher-ups would agree to this. Just because of Arthur?"
This batch of Third Year Students had a deep impression of Arthur because their class monitor was Qian Wu.
Originally, Qian Wu could have entered the Inner Court in his Second Year.
But because he lost to Arthur, his eligibility for the Inner Court was delayed as a punishment.
Someone looked at Qian Wu sitting in the corner and said sarcastically, "Class Monitor, your chance for revenge has come."
"This time, remember to interrupt Arthur."
"Hmph!" Qian Wu no longer wanted to struggle.
How many times had he said it? Arthur's move simply couldn't be interrupted!
When facing it directly, one was completely unable to move.
But no one believed him.
They would ask back: then how did Gu Yue interrupt it?
Good question; Qian Wu also wanted to know how Gu Yue did it!
After much agonizing thought, he could only conclude that there was something going on between them and Arthur was just acting... Time quickly arrived at the day of the competition.
The first to begin were the competitions for the four secondary professions.
However, the highest spectator stands were already filled with the elders of the Sea Gods Pavilion.
Ya Li was dressed in a simple and elegant long dress, a hint of anticipation in her eyes.
Zhuo Shi was rubbing his hands together, wishing he could skip the secondary profession segment and jump straight to the Actual Combat competition.
Several elderly pavilion elders maintained calm expressions, carefully observing every detail below, especially the composed figure in the First Year camp.
Feng Wu Yu, who was there to join the fun, chatted casually: "I don't know about the other secondary professions, but in Forging, the First Year shouldn't be up to par."
"Oh?" Zhuo Shi couldn't hold it in.
What was with this old geezer? Didn't he know that Arthur was known as the Little Divine Craftsman in the blacksmithing world outside?
He couldn't help but ask, "What makes you say that?"
"Because among this year's new students, not a single one has joined my Blacksmith Association."
Feng Wu Yu's tone was puzzled: "It's strange; not only that, but not a single First Year student has come to the association to commission a Forging."
"My people have been complaining to me that their income is much lower than before. They're almost unable to make ends meet."
Zhuo Shi's gaze toward him immediately became somewhat pitying.
Anyone who had attended a Blacksmith gathering in the outside world knew about Arthur.
It seemed Feng Wu Yu was a pitiful soul; no one even invited him to the gatherings.
Ya Li also looked over with some interest and smiled lightly. "This year's First Year is using the resources of the Federation's Blacksmith Association on the outside."
"The Federation's resources on the outside?" Feng Wu Yu raised an eyebrow, his beard bristling. "This is simply putting the cart before the horse! That association in Shrek City is just a small association."
"How can their resources compare to ours?"
Ya Li stopped speaking; this wasn't something she could easily respond to.
You ask how they compare?
She, Ya Li, was footing the bill; that's how they compared.
The bulk of the bills Arthur had sent over recently were for rare metals.
Zhuo Shi was stifling a laugh on the side; this old guy actually didn't know Arthur was a Level 6 Forging Master.
"Let's stop chatting for now. We'll know once we see the whole competition."
He suppressed his laughter, preparing to watch Feng Wu Yu's reaction later. Then he would mock him mercilessly for being isolated by the blacksmithing world. No, no, I can't laugh yet, I have to hold it in... I'll wait until Arthur makes his move and Feng Wu Yu sees it before I laugh out loud... The Sparring Arena became very lively today, as students from all three grades arrived early.
At a glance, from the First Year to the Second Year, and then to the Third Year.
The levels were clearly defined.
There was a three-year gap between each grade.
The youngest were only twelve, while the oldest were already twenty-one.
The First Year newcomers still had an air of youthfulness, their figures slightly thin, standing closely behind Arthur.
The Second Year students were in the midst of puberty, their statures significantly taller, their faces filled with indignation at being underestimated, their fists clenched tight.
The Third Year seniors mostly had upright statures and casual expressions, yawning. Their gazes toward the lower grades were full of disdain.
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