Chapter 33 — "A CELEBRATION FIT FOR HEAVENS"
The Azure Dragon Academy Grand Arena trembled under the sound of cheering crowds.Fireworks — made of spirit flames — soared across the sky like exploding phoenixes.Illusion ribbons twisted around the entire stadium, creating shimmering holograms of dragons, spears, icy flowers, and legendary cultivators.
Azure Dragon Academy had not just opened the ceremony—
They had flexed their entire treasury.
Spirit fountains erupted.Dancers in glowing robes performed in the air.Tens of thousands of spectators filled the stands.Even TV drones hovered overhead broadcasting everything globally.
Chen Wulian stared with his jaw wide open.
"I— I didn’t even know we were THIS rich!?!"
Ouyang Xue’er smiled proudly."Of course we are. This academy is the wealthiest in the continent."
Bai Qianlan nodded softly."The illusions alone cost more than a normal academy’s budget."
Ling Yifan watched calmly."Wasteful... but impressive."
Long Hao, glancing at the fireworks, simply said:"Pretty."
Ouyang beamed."He’s complimenting something... mark this day!"
The Dean rose into the air on a dragon-shaped cloud.
"Welcome, cultivators of the 18 academies!"His voice echoed like a heavenly decree.
"And welcome...to all citizens watching live across the empire!"
Crowds exploded in applause.
Vice-Dean Rui Jin stepped forward with a grin.
"All matches of the Freshman Championship will be broadcast on all major networks, live across the continent.So—" he smirked,"—don’t embarrass yourselves."
Chen Wulian choked on his drink."WE’RE ON TV?!?!"
Ouyang Xue’er’s face lit up."I have to look cute tomorrow!"
Bai Qianlan blinked."...I always look fine."
Ling Yifan nodded, completely unfazed.
[Host needs to look charming]
Long Hao:"...Huh."
Later that evening, Long Hao returned to his luxurious dormitory room, shutting the door behind him.
The room glowed warmly — spirit candles, jade walls, a soft breeze.
He pulled out his communicator talisman and called home.
The crystal rippled—
His mother appeared on the screen, smiling warmly.
"Hao’er! Are you eating well? Sleeping well? You look too thin—"
"Mom," he sighed affectionately."I look the same."
Then his little sister, Long Xiao, popped into the screen screaming:
"BIG BROTHER IS ON TV TOMORROWWWWW!!!"
Long Hao smiled faintly — a real one.
"Yes. Make sure to watch."
"I WILL!! I’LL RECORD EVERYTHING!! ALL MY FRIENDS WILL WATCH TOO!!"
His mother wiped her eyes."My son... competing on such a big stage..."
Long Hao nodded."I’ll do well."
They talked a bit more — warm, loving, simple.Finally, he hung up, exhaling softly.
Ouyang Xue’er, from outside his door, paused.
She had overheard the laughter.
She smiled warmly.
"...He really does smile more now."
A thunderous BOOM echoed in the dormitory hall.
Vice-Dean Rui Jin’s voice roared:
"TOP TEN! GET DOWN HERE!"
Chen Wulian jumped out of his bed.Ling Yifan appeared instantly.Bai Qianlan floated out like a ghost.Ouyang Xue’er dragged Long Hao by the sleeve.
"Come on! Come on! It sounds important!"
Long Hao:"...Stop pulling me."
"No."
The Top 10 stood before Rui Jin inside a training hall.
He paced dramatically.
"For the Freshman Championship, you will form TWO SQUADS."
He pointed at them sharply.
SQUAD 1 -
Ouyang Xue’er (Divine)
Ling Yifan (Divine)
Long Hao (Gold Peak fake)
Bai Qianlan (Mystic)
Chen Wulian (Mystic)
SQUAD 2 -
Wang Junxie
Zhao Lanyue
Han Duwei
Mu Qingxun
Jin Roulan
Reserve squad stiffened with pride and terror.
Wang Junxie whispered:"We’re backing up literal monsters."
Zhao Lanyue:"Just don’t die."
Rui Jin raised his fingers.
"Three stages."
Stage 1 — Squad Battle Royal
All academies fight at once.Teams must hold territories.
Stage 2 — One-on-One Elimination
Each academy selects duelists.
Stage 3 — Total Academy vs Academy War
Full team fight.Last academy standing wins.
The students stiffened.
This was not simple.
Rui Jin suddenly grinned.
"Now... let me introduce the one who will be training you monsters..."
He clapped loudly.
A gust of rose-scented wind blew in.
Heels clicked on the ground.
And then she walked in.
Instructor Lan Meiying
Age: 30s, looking 24Slender hourglass bodyTight battle-outfitHigh bootsLong wavy purple-black hairLips like temptationEyes like a demon queen
~ Yk What, as the author I’m saying - think of a very sexy woman in tight clothes.
Every male student froze.
Ling Yifan turned BRIGHT RED.
Chen Wulian choked on his own spit.
Even Long Hao blinked twice.
Vice-Dean Rui Jin smirked."Meet your instructor."
Lan Meiying smiled — slow, dangerous, beautiful.
"Well hello, little prodigies.I hope you’re ready...because I don’t go easy on children."
Ling Yifan’s soul LEFT his body.
He stared at her top — then quickly looked away, cheeks burning.
Chen whispered:"...Yifan is dying."
Ouyang Xue’er burst out laughing."Hahaha!! Look at his FACE!"
Bai Qianlan glanced at Ling Yifan and her eyebrow twitched.
Then she said softly,"You’re staring too much."
Ling Yifan:"I— I wasn’t— I—!!"He turned so red he looked like a tomato.
Ouyang smirked."Bai is jealous."
Bai Qianlan glared at her."...No."
Long Hao stood between them, expression blank.
Lan Meiying walked up to Ling Yifan, leaned closer—He nearly fainted.
"Relax," she said teasingly."I won’t break you.Yet."
Bai Qianlan’s illusions trembled.
Ouyang Xue’er crossed her arms with a pout.
Chen Wulian whispered to Long Hao:"Bro... she scares me more than the Dean."
Long Hao nodded."Understandable."
Vice-Dean Rui Jin clapped loudly.
"Training begins TOMORROW!Get some sleep —because the continent’s eyes will be on you."
Lan Meiying winked.
"And I hope you don’t disappoint me~"
Ling Yifan fainted on the spot.
Ouyang:"...Pathetic."
Bai:"...Very."
Long Hao:"...Why."
The Freshman Championship is about to begin.
[Chapter ENDS]