CHAPTER 32 — "REGRETS, RIVALRIES & THE OPENING CEREMONY"
The air outside the Academy Hall was still tense.
Bai Qianlan stood expressionless.Ling Yifan's eyes were narrowed.Chen Wulian was eating quietly but staring very intently.Ouyang Xue'er was practically radiating frost, her pink hairpin trembling.
Long Hao exhaled as Murong Yuer disappeared into the crowd.
"…Let's go," he said quietly.
The five prodigies moved down the grand staircase toward the academy's central courtyard.
But Ouyang Xue'er kept glancing at him every few seconds.
Bai Qianlan noticed everything but said nothing.
Chen whispered to Ling Yifan:"This is awkward."
Ling Yifan replied:"Very."
On the way to the dormitory wing, Long Hao separated from the group for a moment, walking down one of the quieter stone hallways of the academy.
Footsteps echoed behind him.
He stopped.
Slowly, Murong Yuer stepped into view from the opposite side.
Her black hair framed her pale, elegant face. Her expression, usually cold, now trembled with something raw — shock, guilt… and pain.
They stood facing each other for a moment.
She opened her mouth slightly…
But no words came.
Long Hao said nothing and simply waited.
Her fingers curled into fists.
Finally, she spoke —Not loudly.Not directly to him.Almost like whispering to herself.
"I should have known better…" she murmured."I was wrong… I should have waited…"
Her eyes lowered.
"…I didn't know you were suffering… I didn't know your talent test would fail because of something deeper…"
She bit her lip.
"I regret what happened… but regret won't change anything."
Long Hao watched her quietly.
She wasn't asking for forgiveness.She wasn't begging.She wasn't clinging.
She was simply… grieving her past decision.
And that somehow made the moment even heavier.
Finally, she lifted her gaze.
"I am Murong Yuer, Vice Captain of the Frostcloud Imperial Academy team," she declared.
Her eyes hardened.
"And I will compete in this championship. Do not underestimate me."
Long Hao nodded calmly.
"I won't."
Murong Yuer's eyelashes moved.
Then she walked past him — not looking back.
But he heard her whisper as she passed:
"…You've changed… too much…"
Long Hao didn't respond.
He simply continued forward.
For the Freshman Championship, all participating academies would gather in the Azure Dragon Academy Grand Arena — a colosseum large enough to seat 300,000 spectators.
As the five prodigies entered, they saw the massive stone banners lining the walls.
THE THREE GREAT ACADEMIES
Azure Dragon Academy
Vermillion Phoenix Academy
Dragon Turtle Academy
Their banners glowed with powerful spiritual light.
THE 15 OTHER PARTICIPATING ACADEMIES
Each academy had sent its strongest freshmen:
Frostcloud Imperial Academy
Thundercrash Battle Academy
Ironstar Martial Institute
Shadowveil Spirit Academy
Heavenly Orchid Arts Academy
Silvermoon Arrow School
Blazetide Berserker Academy
Golden Serpent Cultivation Hall
Primal Earth Titan Academy
Windstream Lightfoot Academy
Crimson Saber Imperial School
Cloudwhisper Formation Academy
Mystic Plum Blossom Academy
Sapphire Dream Illusion Institute
Ninefold Storm Peak Academy
Each academy marched in with unique formations, clothing, and powerful auras.
"LOOK — that's Azure Dragon's Divine Princess!""Ouyang Xue'er is even more beautiful in person…""Ling Yifan — the Divine Spear Saint!""Who is that boy with the calm eyes? Why is my heart shaking?""Chen Wulian's muscles look illegal.""Bai Qianlan… I can't breathe…"
From other academies:
"Frostcloud Imperial Academy sent Murong Xiuying…""She's ruthless…""They say she rejected her fiancé for being talentless…""Wait… is THAT fiancé Long Hao?!"
People glanced between the two.
Ouyang Xue'er immediately stepped closer to Long Hao.
"…Why are they looking at you like that?" she asked sharply.
"I'm used to it," Long Hao said.
"That's not an answer."
"It's still true."
Xue'er puffed her cheeks angrily.
Bai Qianlan stepped beside them."You should ignore the gossip. It's pointless."
Ling Yifan, watching the other academies, muttered:"…Strong. Very strong."
Chen Wulian cracked his knuckles excitedly."Haha! I'm gonna punch at least 30 people this tournament!"
A blinding light descended over the stadium.
The crowd roared.
A massive dragon soul circled the skies.
The Dean appeared.
"Welcome," the Dean's voice thundered,"to the Freshman Grand Prix Championship!"
The ground vibrated.
"18 academies.Thousands of geniuses.Only one will stand at the top."
He looked directly at Long Hao's group.
"From this moment forth…your paths will determine the future of this continent."
The crowd erupted into cheers.
Long Hao sensed someone staring at him.
He turned slightly.
Across the stadium, Murong Xiuying stood with her team.
Her gaze locked onto him — emotional, conflicted, unreadable.
Ouyang Xue'er noticed immediately.
She leaned closer, eyes narrowed like a jealous snow leopard.
"…Why are you looking at her, Long Hao?"
Long Hao blinked.
"I wasn't."
"You WERE."
Bai Qianlan appeared beside him silently.
"I agree. You were."
Ling Yifan stepped in with a confused expression."Why does it matter?"
Ouyang Xue'er snapped:"SHUT UP!"
Long Hao sighed.
"…Why."
The tension rose.
The crowd roared.
The tournament loomed.
And so began a storm that would shake all 18 academies.
[CHAPTER ENDS]