C252 Draw Lots Preparation
This was a contest not only between the offspring of commoners and those of noble families but also a struggle between the government and the noble houses.
With only 256 spots available, it meant that each participant had a mere 50% chance of advancing to the national examination.
The noble scions were well aware of the military elite's formidable strength.
To emerge from a sea of geniuses and even freaks of nature and secure a place among the final 256 was a testament to the fierce competition. Those who made it to the reserve list were undoubtedly the crème de la crème.
This was common knowledge among the aristocratic youth.
Naturally, they enjoyed a distinct edge over the government's prodigies.
Their advantage lay in the secret techniques!
The government possessed numerous secret techniques, but to prevent their dissemination, only a select few prodigies were deemed worthy to learn them, requiring contribution points for access.
Unlike secret techniques, resources were plentiful. The government would provide them in abundance to anyone demonstrating sufficient talent.
But these secret techniques were not so freely shared.
Thus, even the government's most exceptional prodigies, who might have mastered numerous Combat and Cultivation Techniques, fell short when it came to secret techniques, unable to match the aristocratic disciples.
This was perhaps the sole upper hand the noble children held.
Inside the vast Martial Arts Stadium, aside from the 512 candidates, only the leaders from various districts remained.
In a venue that could hold over half a million, the presence of fewer than a thousand people rendered it eerily quiet.
However...
Everyone present knew the quiet would soon give way to a flurry of activity.
Chu Yi, like his peers, was scrutinizing the government's elite.
In stark contrast to the noble offspring, these 256 government elites stood with a solemnity that was almost statuesque, their military bearing beyond reproach, and not a word had been spoken among them since the beginning.
Without close observation, one might have mistaken them for wax figures, so orderly and serious were they.
Chu Yi held a deep respect for these soldiers. During his time of indecision, when he was invited to the Warrior Association's headquarters, he even contemplated joining the ranks of this elite governmental force.
Chu Yi ultimately decided to let go. He was never one to enjoy being constrained.
Reflecting on it now, he couldn't have been more correct!
It wasn't that the government was inherently bad; it's just that the lifestyle it offered wasn't what Chu Yi was after.
In his past life, he had grown accustomed to a laid-back existence. His five-thousand-year tenure in the Immortal Demon Temple felt like an eternity of suffering.
Having been granted a second chance at life, Chu Yi had no intention of squandering his time on military discipline or allowing his life to be governed by others.
Freedom, after all, was far more appealing...
Indeed, just as the scions of noble families were assessing their rivals, so too were the government's elite evaluating theirs.
Everyone was acutely aware that half of the participants in this assessment would fall before their adversaries, forfeiting the chance to advance.
It was unthinkable for them not to be anxious or to take the competition lightly.
The atmosphere was one of utter silence, with even the noble heirs growing earnest after witnessing the caliber of the government's elite.
...
Tomorrow marks the beginning of the national exams, while today hosts the final qualifying round for those coveted spots.
This assessment is deceptively straightforward – simply defeat your opponent to proceed to the main event.
Yet, the challenge is substantial.
To have come this far means facing the most exceptional talents – the weakest among them boasting peak Gold Level strength, with the majority on par with Diamond.
These are, of course, your standard Great Generals of Diamond, not the prodigious kind.
Such a clash is bound to be fiercely intense.
Moreover, the most crucial aspect is how to stay in peak condition after securing a spot in the assessments!
This is of utmost significance!
Considering the official National Examinations commence tomorrow, there's only a day left to recuperate.
Suffering severe injuries in battle could severely impact performance in the exams.
This is the dilemma faced by hopeful candidates aiming to progress.
Hence, the luck of the draw becomes exceptionally pivotal.
Drawing an opponent of equal strength could make for a most intriguing match...
If you're not willing to give up, then rest assured, the government's geniuses won't either. This means an inevitable clash of titans is on the horizon. When the contenders are mismatched, one might gain the upper hand, employing various strategies to keep their losses to a minimum. But when two equally matched opponents face off, using the same tactics can be fatal if the other seizes an opportunity—you could end up dead without even knowing what hit you!
In the event that you encounter someone of equal strength, a brutal fight is certain. In the struggle for that one spot, it's going to be a battle to the death. So, even if you emerge victorious and secure a place in the main competition, what then? If you're left severely wounded and your next opponent is in prime condition, well, the outcome speaks for itself.
Luck plays a crucial role! Despite the grumblings of many, there's not much they can say about it. They've been taught one clear lesson: Luck is a component of strength. So if luck isn't on your side, there's no one else to blame.
"The duels in this round will be determined by an open and fair lottery. Should anyone have any objections, feel free to voice them," announced a high-ranking official from Fairmoor City, gesturing towards a box before him. The reputation of Fairmoor's government was still held in high regard. There was no need for them to resort to underhanded tactics, especially since it was common knowledge that only thirty to forty percent of the family disciples would likely remain after this.
Scanning the crowd and seeing no objections, the Fairmoor official proceeded, "Let's get started. When I call your name, come up and draw your lot. The number you pick will be your next opponent."
He casually flipped through a list and called out, "Wang Shu..." The named individual promptly approached the official, bowed respectfully, and drew his number.
"Number 57..." The official nodded in acknowledgment. Behind him, a virtual panel materialized, displaying Wang Shu's name, which then swiftly moved to the 57th position. Simultaneously, a figure detached from the group of elite government prodigies, the very one who corresponded to number 57.
After everything was in place, the big boss of Fairmoor City once again spoke up, calling the next name on the list.
Chu Yi had figured it out; those selected for the draw were members of the aristocratic families or candidates who had passed the third stage of the examination. This approach was taken to ensure absolute fairness.
The government bigwigs believed that the elites and prodigies emerging from their ranks were far superior to those from the aristocratic families. By doing this, they aimed to eliminate any excuses the aristocrats might have in the event of their defeat.
After a considerable wait, it was finally Chu Yi's turn. His number was 144, towards the end of the list. Lee Zi, on the other hand, was number 39 and would likely be called up before long.
Chu Yi had no concerns about Lee Zi. Following her recent breakthrough, she had achieved Perfection in the Silver state and was on the verge of ascending to Gold Level. Yet, her capabilities were beyond what any Gold could match.
In a previous encounter, Lee Zi had faced off against three Diamond High Order Generals and Adams, overpowering them with sheer dominance. That was possible because she had unleashed her most potent combat power—the Five Elements Combat Body.
Now, it wasn't the time to reveal her full potential, but even her ordinary strength placed her on par with some of the regular mid-tier Diamonds.
Chu Yi and Lee Zi had discussed that if she faced a formidable opponent this time, she should unleash one of her combat bodies. While only using one combat body would still be incredibly impressive, it paled in comparison to the Five Elements Combat Body.
Moreover, Chu Yi had his own strategy in mind. Lee Zi's chances of gaining entry into the Milky Way Academy based solely on her displayed abilities were slim. Despite her exceptional talents, there were other prodigies on Earth whose abilities eclipsed hers.
Otherwise, Lee Zi's previous achievements wouldn't have landed her a ranking near the hundredth mark. To join Chu Yi at the Milky Way Academy, Lee Zi would need to demonstrate something truly exceptional.
Clearly, the combat body was the perfect key to that door. Chu Yi was confident that if the Milky Way Academy knew about Lee Zi's combat body, they would likely extend her a direct invitation.
Inevitably, Lee Zi would have to reveal herself sooner or later. If it's impossible to avoid, then let her be exposed!
Though it's merely one of the Five Elements Battle Bodies, the might of a single Battle Body is beyond imagination, undoubtedly ranking among the universe's most formidable.
Relying on the strength of just one Battle Body, Lee Zi's power is inconceivably fearsome. At the very least, she is a match for none but the highest echelons of the Diamond Level.
To overcome Lee Zi, only a formidable force from the pinnacle of Diamond could hope to succeed!
Naturally, I'm referring to the standard Diamonds, not those of Genius Level.
Yet now, these so-called geniuses, who claim to rival the Great Generals of Diamond, are only on par with the ordinary Diamonds.
Time has swiftly passed, and the draw is complete.
Two hundred and fifty-six victors from the third stage of the provincial exams across thirty-six districts will now confront their adversaries here—two hundred and fifty-six Genius Level elites from within the government.
The venue was quickly emptied.
Moments later, numerous individuals arrived and began arranging the space.
In less than twenty minutes, fifteen stages had materialized.
Today's agenda necessitates completing the assessment, making it impractical to proceed with one match at a time.
Indeed, even conducting ten matches simultaneously would likely be a race against the clock.
Thus, they will proceed with twenty matches at once.
