Chapter 49: Evenly Matched
Since Su Hao had promised Fatty and He Qingqing to watch their matches, he wouldn't go back on his word.
Early the next morning, Su Hao arrived at the training fields.
The Training fields were already bustling with people, far busier than usual.
With around 1,200 students at the academy, the annual competition did not divide participants by grade level; instead, everyone was randomly shuffled and competed against one another.
The annual competition would last for two days. The first day was the preliminary round, with 1,200 students divided into 12 groups—9 groups for male students and 3 for female students, with 100 people per group. Seven students from each group would advance to the finals on the second day. Each group had two class teachers serving as referees and safety officers.
This annual competition tested not just the students' strength but also their endurance. To claim first place, excluding any byes, one would need to go through ten matches from start to finish.
Not everyone could achieve that.
However, none of this concerned Su Hao. He had no interest in the competition, which he saw as nothing more than a level-up game for youngsters.
After Fatty and He Qingqing finished their matches, he still planned to return to his dormitory and continue his research on blood Qi.
Using his [Minimap], Su Hao quickly located Fatty and He Qingqing in the crowd. Since it wasn't their turn to compete yet, Su Hao showed up in front of them briefly before wandering around the arena.
As he strolled, he recorded blood Qi informations around him, inputting it into his [Minimap] database.
He focused first on the class teachers, whose blood Qi shone like the sun.
'This class teacher's blood Qi is strong! Must be Teacher Mo from Class Four! Logging data: Blood Qi attribute, soft. Mo Fenghua, advanced Master warrior. Tsk tsk∼, his blood Qi level is almost on par with mine...'
As he pondered, Su Hao paused.
He noticed something off and frowned in thought: "As the class teacher of Class Four, Teacher Mo Fenghua is certainly an High-level Master warrior. But why does his blood Qi feel weaker than mine?"
Su Hao first suspected that his own perception might be flawed. Perhaps his current strength wasn't enough to accurately sense the blood Qi of High-level Masters? Or could it be that High-level Masters had a way to shield their blood Qi?
To verify, Su Hao observed other class teachers using his [Radar] to sense carefully. He found significant variations in their blood Qi levels, with clear fluctuations, unlike any deliberate shielding.
'My perception isn't wrong. My blood Qi intensity does indeed surpass that of the class teachers! This means, by blood Qi strength alone, I should already be considered an High-level Master, not just a beginner.'
Su Hao roughly understood that the distinction between beginner, intermediate, and High levels in this world wasn't clear-cut. The real distinction was between common and elite, and between elite and Master.
Unable to make sense of it, Su Hao decided not to overthink and continued logging everyone's data into his [Minimap] database.
….
Soon, it was Fatty's turn. Su Hao moved to the arena's edge to watch.
Fatty appeared extremely nervous, holding a training blunt blade and a small round shield, his whole body tense. As he stepped onto the field, he took deep breaths to adjust his state.
His opponent was a short, curly-haired student, wielding the same training blade and shield.
Fatty's height of 1.7 meters (5.57 Feet) put invisible pressure on his opponent, who looked even more nervous than Fatty.
Both were competing for the first time and didn't want to be eliminated right away. As they stepped onto the stage, their focus improved, eyes locked on each other, fully committed to the duel.
"Dong∼!"
The sound of a gong signaled the start of the match.
Fatty and Curly Hair moved simultaneously—one delivering a powerful chop, the other raising the shield to block and deflect, waiting for a chance to counterattack.
They exchanged about twenty rounds, but neither could gain the upper hand.
It was truly a match of equals, where skill met skill.
Before long, both were panting heavily.
Unable to win through sheer force, they resorted to strategy and trickery.
Fatty swung his blade down, and Curly Hair raised his shield instinctively to block, but it was a feint. The real attack came from Fatty's foot.
«Leg Sweep»
Curly Hair was startled and reflexively threw down his shield to block with his hand.
But this was yet another feint. Seeing Curly Hair's shield drop, leaving him open, Fatty seized the opportunity. He thrust his round shield forward, smashing it into Curly Hair's face.
The outcome was decided.
Su Hao immediately shouted from the side, "Fatty! Well done!"
Everyone turned to look, and upon seeing Su Hao, their expressions tightened: it was the notorious Violent Sky, Wu Xiangwu.
People around Su Hao instantly backed away, clearing a three-meter radius around him.
"I'm going to check on Qingqing. Keep it up," Su Hao said to Fatty, ignoring the onlookers, and then walked away.
Su Hao arrived at the eleventh group's arena and watched for a while until it was He Qingqing's turn.
The girls' matches were more graceful. He Qingqing wielded her blunt training blade and round shield with impressive skill, exuding a heroic air.
After exchanging blows for four rounds, He Qingqing suddenly lunged forward, thrusting her blade into the gap between her opponent's shield and blade. With a twist, she disarmed her opponent, then kicked her down, securing the victory.
Learning from Fatty's experience, Su Hao didn't cheer loudly but waved at He Qingqing from the front.
The moment He Qingqing saw Su Hao, her stern and somewhat fierce expression softened into a smile.
In the second round, Fatty's opponent hooked his foot, causing him to fall, leading to an unfortunate elimination.
However, He Qingqing won her first three rounds but lost in the fourth against a third-year student due to fatigue and was struck down by two heavy blows.
With that, Su Hao's spectating duties ended.
The three found a shady spot under a tree and sat down casually.
Su Hao first showered them with praise, complimenting Fatty on his clever tactics and how he defeated his opponent with such a brilliant move. He praised He Qingqing for cutting through her opponents like a hot knife through butter, unbeatable until she encountered the third-year student. Had it not been for that, she would surely have advanced to the finals.
Their disappointment from losing was quickly washed away by Su Hao's encouragement, and their spirits lifted.
Fatty said, "Xiangwu, we have a two-month break ahead. I'm going back to Chashan Outpost to train with my dad. What are your plans?"
Su Hao replied, "I plan to buy some things for my father, visit home briefly, and then return to the academy."
Fatty was surprised. "I heard that all the teachers are on vacation for the next two months, and there won't be many students staying at the academy. Why are you staying?"
Su Hao answered, "It'll be quiet here, perfect for my training."
He Qingqing then said, "I'm also going back to Chashan Outpost to train with my dad. Xiangwu, why don't you come back too? There'll be someone to help you train."
"I'd rather stay in town and visit the library," Su Hao shook his head. They wouldn't believe he had already surpassed his father and could no longer improve through such training.
Staying in Lingyun Town would be more beneficial, allowing him to explore the town library, which might hold some valuable insights.
Su Hao was particularly interested in [Runes] now. He wanted to gather more "Beast Veins" to compare and study them. He was curious about why these runes could produce such magical effects and whether they could be further developed.
However, according to Old Liu, the market price for a single Beast Vein was at least twenty gold crowns.
Su Hao was short on money. He currently only had two gold crowns, not even enough for a single Beast Vein, so he needed to find a way to earn money first. Staying in town offered more opportunities for that.