Chapter 105: By One's Own Strength
"Haifeng, help me with my bag," Li Yuan called out, removing his backpack and tossing it to Dong Haifeng. After all, he was most familiar with Gu Qianghan and Dong Haifeng. The others? Even though they called him "senior brother," Li Yuan didn't take it seriously.
"Senior brother, leave it to me. This is what I'm best at," said the tall, thin An Nong, who took Li Yuan's backpack and patted his chest. "I'll take good care of it."
Li Yuan was momentarily stunned and gave An Nong a curious look. This guy knew how to play his cards right!
"Okay, An Nong, thank you." Li Yuan smiled and didn't refuse. During the short time from the terminal to the Xuanwu Building, Li Yuan had already made up his mind. The students admitted to Kunlun Martial University might not be as talented as he was, but they were the cream of the crop in their own right, with the potential to become source warriors in the future.
Most importantly, they were all from Jiangcheng!
In ancient times, this would naturally form a "hometown faction," providing a basis of trust among them.
So, with Gu Qianghan having already laid a good foundation, if Li Yuan could truly gather these people together and create a strong sense of unity, it might prove useful in the future. Connections and networks are built step by step.
His uncle, Li Changzhou, had taught him early on not to focus too narrowly on the present. Learning a few more languages, understanding different industries, earning extra certificates, making more friends—these might seem useless now, but one or two of these could prove invaluable at a critical moment in the future.
In short, it never hurts to accumulate more.
"Senior brother?" "Are we deciding on a senior brother already?" "Isn't the senior brother only chosen after the July practical assessment?" "This Li Yuan, is he really that good?" Many new students around were shocked upon hearing An Nong's address.
The title of "senior brother" is officially designated by the university for each class in each academy, based on strength and willingness, and it is contested every six months. It comes with responsibilities as well as benefits.
"What do you guys know?" An Nong scoffed, holding Li Yuan's bag and loudly declaring, "Everyone says Yang Hong is the senior brother of the Third Academy and Wu Luo is the senior brother of the Seventh Academy... but are they truly acknowledged by everyone in their academies?"
The crowd exchanged glances.
In fact, most of the people present were from the Third and Seventh Academies.
"Do you guys from the Sixth Academy truly acknowledge this Li Yuan?" someone couldn't help but ask.
"Of course, we do." "Our senior brother is much stronger than those two; just wait and see," An Nong shouted to Gu Qianghan and the others, "Brothers and sisters, show them our Sixth Academy's unity, call him senior brother."
"Senior brother!" Over thirty people seemed prepared and shouted in unison towards Li Yuan, their voices echoing throughout the hall.
Li Yuan was taken aback and looked at An Nong again. This guy was a master at this!
He knew how to create hype, set the stage, and build anticipation—perfect for promotional work. If he learned to write cliffhangers, he'd surely do well in serial novels.
"Are they serious?" "Do they all really acknowledge him?" "Is this Li Yuan really that amazing?" The combined shout from dozens of people stunned the hall of over six hundred new students. Many who were initially skeptical now began to wonder.
This Li Yuan, could he truly be that formidable?
In fact, there were quite a few Sixth Academy students from other provinces who didn't know Li Yuan, but faced with such a scene, they dared not speak up.
Everyone has a desire to conform and belong; no one wants to be labeled a "Sixth Academy traitor."
For a moment, everyone in the hall couldn't help but look at Li Yuan, waiting to see his performance. Could he really reverse the deficit of over seven hundred points by himself?
"Senior brother, go for it." "Defeat the Third Academy and take first place." An Nong, with one hand holding the bag and the other waving his fist, appeared incredibly excited.
The atmosphere was just right.
Li Yuan's expression was slightly peculiar as he thought to himself, "If I mess this up, it'll be a disaster, and I'll be ridiculed for years."
To be a leader, you must be able to handle big moments.
"Luckily, it's only a gap of seven hundred points, not seven thousand, or I'd be really in trouble," Li Yuan muttered to himself, stepping into the public virtual network pod.
The pod door closed.
Li Yuan closed his eyes and connected his consciousness, entering the virtual network.
Swish!
Swish! Swish! Everyone instinctively looked up, their eyes fixed on the large leaderboard screens on either side.
In reality, every student could participate in the "Kunlun Nine Mountains" virtual challenge from their own villa and see the rankings in real-time.
But no matter how realistic the network is, it can't compare to the excitement of being there in person.
Therefore, as the Eight Academy Entrance Competition neared its deadline, so many people had gathered in the East Hall of the Xuanwu Building.
Primarily students from the Third and Seventh Academies, they were here to celebrate.
...
Each academy's freshmen have various V-chat groups.
So, within a very short time, many freshmen in the hall had spread the news in their respective groups.
"Who is Li Yuan?" "Who knows?" "The Sixth Academy is boasting that Li Yuan alone can score eight hundred points, how arrogant." "Never heard of him." "Eight hundred points? Those idiots from the Sixth Academy say Li Yuan can score a thousand points?" "A thousand points? Bullshit! I don't believe it!" "Wait till I get there, I want to see them eat their words." Messages quickly spread across all academy groups.
Many freshmen began heading from their villas to watch the excitement.
Some who didn't want to leave their homes instinctively paid attention to the rankings and group messages.
...
In a villa belonging to a Seventh Academy student.
In the underground martial arts room.
A handsome young man holding a sword and shield was quietly training.
Wu Luo!
At the Jiangbei Martial University's invitation event, he was defeated by Li Yuan in the cage battle, but performed well in the practical assessment, making it to the top ten.
In the end, Kunlun Martial University signed him with another S-class special training contract.
Wu Luo didn't disappoint. In the college entrance examination, he ranked eighth in the Jiangbei Province martial arts division.
This score barely qualified him for the top three global martial arts universities.
"If I went to Starry Sky University, I'd just be one of the least noticeable students, at the bottom, with no one paying attention to me." Wu Luo silently practiced his swordsmanship. "But at Kunlun Martial University, I am a top genius and can get the most training resources."
"The probability of achieving great success is higher!"
"Moreover, after the college entrance exam, I successfully broke through and achieved body-mind unity, and my swordsmanship has just crossed into the fourth grade." Wu Luo thought, "Among the two thousand freshmen, except for Yang Hong, no one is my match."
Wu Luo had his considerations.
He knew clearly that compared to geniuses like Tian Dazhuang and Wu Dongdong, he was slightly inferior. Going to Starry Sky University would make it difficult for him to rise quickly.
"Yang Hong." "Wait and see." Wu Luo's eyes were determined. "In terms of physical quality, you're no match for me. By the time of the practical assessment at the end of July, I will definitely be stronger than you."
Suddenly.
"Beep~" The auxiliary intelligence sounded. "Master, an important figure is transmitting a message. The remark is 'freshman Yang Hong.'"
"Yang Hong?" Wu Luo was slightly surprised. "Connect."
Light beams shot out, forming a light screen. On it appeared a burly young man holding a large axe, seemingly also training.
"Yang Hong, what's the matter?" Wu Luo asked calmly.
"Have you checked the entrance competition rankings?" the burly youth asked.
"No." Wu Luo frowned.
He didn't answer general communications while training. Besides, it had only been a few days since school started. Only a few Seventh Academy freshmen knew his V-chat number.
So, no one had been able to reach him for the past ten minutes.
"Your and my scores have already been surpassed," the burly youth said.
"What, surpassed?" Wu Luo's eyes flashed with shock. "Is there another fourth-grade skill master among the freshmen? Who?"
"I heard from other classmates that you should be familiar with this person." The burly youth's face showed a hint of an inexplicable expression.
"I'm familiar?" Wu Luo was even more confused.
"Li Yuan!" The burly youth said with a faint smile.
Boom!
These two words were like a thunderclap, causing Wu Luo's eyes to widen in disbelief.
That monster, he came to Kunlun Martial University?
...
After hanging up with Yang Hong, Wu Luo immediately picked up his smart wristband, quickly clicking on the 'Kunlun Martial University' app to check the rankings.
Kunlun Nine Mountains Individual Ranking (Freshmen):
1-Li Yuan (586 points)
2-Yang Hong (399 points)
3-Wu Luo (329 points)
4-Han Hongjun (288 points) ...
"588, 591." Wu Luo watched the numbers next to Li Yuan's name rise rapidly.
In an instant, they surpassed 600 points.
What did this mean?
It meant Li Yuan faced no significant obstacles and was sweeping through all opponents.
Having scored over three hundred points himself, Wu Luo knew how formidable Li Yuan's opponents were.
"Li Yuan?" Wu Luo muttered, his eyes filled with unwillingness. "Have the past few months passed with me finally breaking through to the fourth grade, only for the gap between us to widen instead of closing?"
He stared intently at the screen.
"One thousand points." "You can't possibly break a thousand points and enter the fifth mountain." Wu Luo thought.
...
In the virtual network space of Kunlun Martial University.
In a particularly mystical area shrouded in mist and vastness, nine towering mountains stood.
Kunlun Nine Mountains, each higher than the last, with the highest peak reaching into the clouds.
On the broad mountain path of the fourth mountain.
Blood flowed like rivers, with numerous wolf-like, silver star beasts lying in pools of blood.
A handsome youth wielding a long spear walked steadily along the mountain path.
His spear flickered like lightning.
Each thrust resulted in the death of a star beast.
Li Yuan's score kept increasing.
"The difficulty of Kunlun Nine Mountains is lower than I expected. I've easily reached the fourth mountain," Li Yuan observed the surroundings leisurely.
In Kunlun Nine Mountains, one could choose their body's strength level. Defeating all opponents on each mountain would clear that level.
Li Yuan selected a body strength of 10.0. So far, his opponents had all been at 9.0, comprising various astral beasts.
The further he progressed, the higher the skill level of his opponents.
"Roar~" A deep growl sounded suddenly, and a massive silver wolf king appeared, pouncing towards Li Yuan with speed and power far beyond the previous beasts.
"Finally." "This is the boss after clearing out the minions? Defeat the boss, and this level should be cleared?" Li Yuan smiled, charging forward to meet it.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
The spear flickered, and Li Yuan instantly executed a "twelve-hit combo," trying to kill the silver wolf king directly.
"Clang!" "Whoosh! Whoosh!" The wolf's claws, like steel, easily blocked Li Yuan's spear attacks.
"Fast!" "No wonder it's the boss." Li Yuan's eyes lit up. After nearly twenty minutes of clearing Kunlun Nine Mountains, he finally encountered a worthy opponent.
This silver wolf king's physical quality was slightly inferior to the moon demon wolf king he had faced in the past.
But its skills were far superior.
"It must have achieved body-mind unity, reaching the fourth segment skill threshold." Li Yuan quickly assessed, "Its physical quality should be around level 11."
In terms of skills, Li Yuan was stronger! In terms of physical quality, the silver wolf king was stronger. Who would come out on top?
"Kill!" Li Yuan no longer held back. His spear flickered, instantly sweeping away the last three ordinary silver wolves and charging towards the silver wolf king.
...
In the Xuanwu Building hall, the number of students gathered exceeded nine hundred.
Not just freshmen, but also many sophomores and juniors came to watch the excitement.
The hall was quiet.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the large leaderboard screens on both sides: Kunlun Nine Mountains Individual Ranking (Freshmen):
1-Li Yuan (700 points)
2-Yang Hong (399 points)
3-Wu Luo (329 points)
4-Han Hongjun (288 points) ...
Eight Academy Entrance Competition (Academy):
1-Third Academy (6563 points)
2-Sixth Academy (6467 points)
3-Seventh Academy (6043 points)
4-Fifth Academy (5956 points) ...
"Seven hundred points." "The Sixth Academy has already reached second place." "This Li Yuan is incredibly powerful. His martial skills are far superior to Yang Hong and Wu Luo's." Freshmen from other academies were shocked.
Almost every freshman had tried the Kunlun Nine Mountains, but most couldn't even pass the first mountain. Scoring over 30 points and reaching the second mountain was considered good.
Li Yuan? He alone scored 700 points!!
And he hadn't stopped, still advancing.
"Senior brother is still formidable." "Senior brother is clearly much stronger than during the Jiangbei invitation event." "Amazing, our Sixth Academy has already reached second place." An Nong, Dong Haifeng, and other students from Jiangbei Province were both awed and proud.
Many freshmen from Jiangbei at Kunlun Martial University had seen Li Yuan's battles.
They only felt that Li Yuan had become even more formidable.
At this moment, most in the hall had only one thought.
Could Li Yuan really lead the Sixth Academy to first place?