Chapter 34 – Elimination

The next morning, all the newly enrolled students gathered in the huge training ground. An estimated 500 students were there, a chaotic mess. Those who knew each other clustered together, chattering incessantly.

This phenomenon was normal, as no Academy teachers were present to maintain order.

Su Hao, Harmony, Little Fatty, and He Qingqing stayed together, curiously observing the chaotic crowd and waiting patiently without speaking.

Soon, a new change occurred. On a high platform at the front of the training ground, eight people in uniform appeared. They looked like eight teachers, five men and three women. They were all spirited and exuded a powerful aura. With their appearance, they quickly captured the attention of all the students present, and the site gradually quieted down.

“Clap clap clap!” At this moment, a round of applause sounded, and everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

A middle-aged man with graying hair, wearing a white robe with cloud patterns, walked to the front of the eight teachers while clapping. Seeing that he had captured everyone’s attention, the middle-aged man said, “Welcome to Lingyun Warrior Academy!”

The middle-aged man’s voice was deep and hoarse, not loud, but miraculously, everyone present clearly heard what he said.

I am Dean Xiao Jixuan of the Cloud Martial Arts Academy.

Boom~

After Xiao Jixuan finished introducing himself, the students present immediately became boisterous.

This is Dean Xiao Jixuan! My goodness, this is the first time I’ve seen him in person, he’s so handsome! As expected of one of the three great powerhouses of Cloud Town, you can tell he’s very powerful just by looking at him! So handsome, he’s my idol!

…

Xiao Jixuan was not annoyed. Instead, after the noise subsided, he slowly said, “You are all promising talents of our Human Clan, the future of our Human Clan. It is my honor to see you all today. Thank you for recognizing the Cloud Martial Arts Academy, and thank you for joining the Cloud Martial Arts Academy.”

Xiao Jixuan paused and continued, “Our Human Clan stands in the world thanks to our wisdom and the inheritance passed down through generations. The Martial Arts Academy is the most important place of inheritance for our Human Clan. Here, you will embark on the Path of the Warrior, gain powerful strength, resist the invasion of alien races, expand the territory for the Human Clan, and fight for the eternal prosperity of the Human Clan in the world.”

The students listened, their blood boiling.

Here, in addition to practicing martial arts, you must also learn various knowledge to enrich your cognition, make your speech virtuous, your actions thorough, your words measured, and your playfulness moderate, making your soul noble.

Practicing martial arts can give you powerful strength and dispel inner cowardice; learning can quietly help you erase ignorance and superficiality from your face.

…

Therefore, I wish you all success in your studies and the achievement of your objectives at the Cloud Martial Arts Academy.

After Xiao Jixuan finished speaking, he left the high platform with a smile. The students below immediately started chattering again, their faces full of excitement.

Su Hao looked at Little Fatty and He Qingqing’s flushed faces, and couldn’t help but sigh helplessly, “This brainwashing attempt gets a 99.”

A moment later, a burly man in a yellow robe with cloud patterns walked up. His face was cold, as if everyone below owed him money. Everyone perceived an inexplicably cold aura and immediately quieted down, cautiously observing the newly appeared teacher.

Soon, the burly man spoke, “Remember, I’m Jin Datong. Behave and listen to me, and you’ll benefit. If you don’t, get out of the Academy.”

Jin Xiaohan in the crowd immediately covered her face and said, “Third brother, eldest brother is too embarrassing.”

A hint of redness appeared on Jin Danyan’s stern face, and he said with embarrassment, “What are you talking about? He’s your eldest brother.”

Instead, Mo Xin looked infatuated and said, “So handsome, so handsome, Brother Datong is so handsome!”

At this moment, Jin Datong continued, “Listen up, brats, you think you’ve successfully enrolled? What a pipe dream. I’m telling you, your chaotic behavior today has displeased me! So, I’ve decided on the spot to eliminate some of you from the Cloud Martial Arts Academy. Go back where you came from!”

Everyone was greatly alarmed. There was such a twist? The crowd immediately became noisy again.

Little Fatty next to Su Hao nervously tugged at Su Hao and said, “Xiang Wu, did you hear that? He’s still eliminating people. We haven’t officially enrolled yet! What should we do? What if I get eliminated?”

He Qingqing also looked at Su Hao nervously, hoping Su Hao could tell her that she would definitely pass.

Su Hao comforted him, “Don’t worry, we’ll just deal with things as they come.”

Jin Datong then sneered, “See these eight teachers behind me? Each teacher will only take 50 students, so, everyone present, there are only 400 spots available right now, and there are 518 of you! That means…”

He said word by word, “We have to eliminate 118 people.”

“Boom~”

The crowd below erupted again.

This time it was even more intense than before. A large number of children with little experience had faces full of worry and helplessness, and they were so anxious they almost started crying.

Little Fatty became anxious and grabbed Su Hao, saying, “Xiang Wu, what do we do? What if we get eliminated?”

Su Hao said helplessly, “If we get eliminated, we go back to the Teamount Outpost!”

“No way, that would be too embarrassing. If I go back like this, I’ll be laughed at.”

“Then you’d better work hard to stay!”

“Xiang Wu, you have to help me!”

Su Hao nodded, “I’ll help if I can.”

Little Fatty Harmony He Qingqing immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Jin Datong spoke again, “Now, everyone listen to me, or you will be eliminated.”

At this moment, someone immediately jumped out and pointed at Jin Datong, yelling, “Why should I listen to you? Why do you get to eliminate people just because you say so? I paid money, I have an Academy Badge!”

Jin Datong nodded, “Very good. Then I congratulate you on becoming the first person to be eliminated. Confiscate your Academy Badge and throw him and all his belongings out.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a man wearing a black robe with Cloud patterns immediately walked in from outside the training ground, grabbed the eliminated person, and left.

It was useless no matter how the little brat struggled and cried.

It was only then that Su Hao noticed that, at some point, more than ten men in black robes had gathered around the training ground.

“They’re really serious about this!” Su Hao muttered to himself. He immediately became serious; if he didn’t get into the academy, his Gold Yuan would be wasted.

Jin Datong sneered, “Is there anyone else who’s not convinced? Come out together, don’t waste everyone’s time.”

After waiting for a moment and seeing no one respond, he said, “Alright, next, everyone will run twenty laps around the training ground. I will randomly eliminate those I don’t like! Similarly, the person who finishes first will receive a reward, the reward depends on my mood. That’s all!”

Everyone looked at each other, and no one started running immediately.

Jin Xiaohan covered her face again, constantly muttering to herself, “So embarrassing, so embarrassing!”

Jin Danyan turned her face away.

“Hurry up and run!” Jin Datong suddenly became furious, roaring at everyone, “I’ll count to three, anyone who doesn’t run is out!”

“Three!”

A large group of children, about ten years old, finally snapped out of their daze and began to run sporadically.

Su Hao, along with Little Fatty Harmony and He Qingqing, mingled with the crowd and started running.

He noticed that Jin Datong said he would eliminate those he disliked during the run, but Su Hao wasn’t sure what Jin Datong’s criteria for dislike were, so he decided to play it safe for now and gather more information.

He believed Jin Datong wouldn’t act arbitrarily and must have a standard for selecting suitable students.

The purpose of the run was actually to identify and eliminate unqualified students.

(End of chapter)