Under Chen Ziyang's notification, Shen Han, along with other classmates, entered the Lightning Element's new student training ground.
Chen Ziyang stood on the high platform, scanning the crowd, and said in a loud voice, "There's less than a month left in the first semester. Starting next semester, Mingzhu Martial Arts University will issue varying amounts of Academic Credits each month to students with potential. This is not just encouragement, but also a test of your potential."
Chen Ziyang's gaze was steady, and he secretly hoped these new students would mature quickly and adapt to the cruel competitive environment outside.
"According to the rankings from the last new student Soul Forging Tower challenge, everyone will receive a number plate. Starting today, you can begin challenging. Anyone dissatisfied with their ranking can challenge those above them. Each person only has 2 challenge opportunities per month. If you win, the challenging parties swap ranks; if you lose, your Rank remains unchanged."
"Starting next semester, the ranking rewards for this year's Lightning Element students will officially take effect. The first place will receive 300 Academic Credits per month, second place 290 Academic Credits, and so on, down to the 30th place, with a minimum of 10 Academic Credits." Chen Ziyang's tone shifted, "I'm sure after this semester, everyone understands the importance of Academic Credits at Mingzhu Martial Arts University."
He added, "The first three days of each month are challenge days. At that time, ranking challenges will be open. Only by proving yourself in terms of strength can you obtain more Cultivation resources!"
[Shen Han No. 1]
[Lu Yanlin No. 2]
[Li Tianhao No. 3]
[Meng Yu No. 4]
...[Liu Yulin No. 703]
All first-year Lightning Element students received their corresponding ranking numbers. Out of 703 students in the entire Lightning Element, only the top 30 would receive free Academic Credits from the university each month.
Everyone discussed animatedly, and many students, while excited, also showed considerable pressure. After all, the competition among 700 people was fierce, and the disparity in resources was so great, with the resource allocation gap between the top ten and those lower in Rank being particularly significant.
Those in the higher Ranks, however, had shining eyes and high Battle Intent. Gaining an advantage in resource allocation was crucial for their future Cultivation, especially for those students eager to stand out in the Lightning Element, who openly showed their determination and Battle Intent.
Shen Han stood at the forefront; his Rank made him the focus of many new students' attention. Many classmates were eager to challenge him for his first-place position. Shen Han looked around, a slight smile on his face, and thought to himself, "I'm afraid many people will challenge me today."
He knew that a higher Rank meant more resource support, and his recent Cultivation had exhausted his current Academic Credits, leaving him almost strapped for cash. This ranking battle was crucial for him.
Chen Ziyang glanced at the stage below and added another rule: "To prevent those with high Ranks from being endlessly challenged, each person can only challenge opponents within 20 Ranks above them. Additionally, no external items are allowed in the competition, but Special Abilities and Martial Skills can be freely used. Intentional injury is prohibited, and violators will be severely punished. Understood?"
"Understood!" Everyone responded in unison, their voices filled with irrepressible excitement and fighting spirit.
Shen Han felt a little relieved. With the restriction rules, his challenges today would not exceed 20 matches at most, which significantly reduced the pressure.
He stood aside, calmly observing the battles on stage, and occasionally secretly noted his opponents' styles and strengths.
As the competition began, new students eagerly stepped onto the stage to challenge. The light of Lightning Element Martial Skills flashed everywhere in the training ground, currents intertwined like swimming snakes, accompanied by deafening thunder. Every battle was visually impactful.
A rugged-faced male student challenged Shen Han.
"It's Ge Batian, ranked 19th. He's a Body Cultivator, with extraordinary physical strength," someone whispered nearby.
Just as Shen Han was observing the battle, a rough voice suddenly came, "Shen Han, I want to challenge you! Don't think you can rest easy just because you got first place. I see your Mental Energy might be stronger, but you might not win against me in actual combat!"
Shen Han turned his head and saw that the person standing before him was indeed Ge Batian, ranked 19th. He had a burly physique and bulging muscles, clearly a Body Cultivator.
The onlookers whispered, "Ge Batian's physical strength is extraordinary, and ordinary Lightning Element Special Abilities will have a hard time hurting him. This match will be interesting."
Shen Han smiled slightly and nodded in acceptance, "Please enlighten me!"
The two stepped onto the arena, and the clamor below gradually subsided as everyone held their breath and watched intently.
"Come on, Shen Han, let's see if your lightning can do anything to me!" No sooner had Ge Batian finished speaking than he charged at Shen Han like a fierce tiger. Lightning flashed under his feet, and his speed was faster than expected. His fist, imbued with the power of lightning, slammed towards Shen Han.
Shen Han's eyes narrowed. He dodged sideways, condensed a lightning blade in his hand, and counter-attacked, slashing at Ge Batian.
Ge Batian sneered, met the blow with his fist, and collided with Shen Han's lightning blade, erupting in dazzling lightning. Shen Han felt a huge force transmit through his hand and quickly retreated, secretly alarmed: Ge Batian's body could actually withstand lightning attacks!
Ge Batian, seizing the advantage, threw punch after punch. The thunderous offensive almost gave Shen Han no room to dodge. However, Shen Han calmly searched for his opponent's weak points, adjusting his rhythm without haste.
After several rounds of grappling, Ge Batian's breathing grew heavy, clearly having expended a lot of physical strength. Shen Han's Mental Energy Rank was higher than Ge Batian's, providing him with continuous combat energy.
Shen Han seized the opportunity, unleashing Thunder Shadow Soul Slash to its fullest. Lightning flashed like an electric current, cutting through the air and directly striking his opponent's shoulder. At the same time, Shen Han unleashed his Dark Element killing move—"Netherworld Pierce," a shadow streaking like a meteor towards Ge Batian's face.
Ge Batian gritted his teeth and used all his strength to block "Thunder Shadow Soul Slash." But the moment he looked up, he found "Netherworld Pierce" already inches away, almost feeling the chilling aura that pierced the air. A fraction of an inch more, and it would have pierced his eyes.
In the end, Ge Batian was unable to fight any longer and admitted defeat with a bitter smile and a shake of his head.
"Shen Han wins!" the referee announced the result.
The observing classmates couldn't help but burst into low murmurs, and many re-evaluated Shen Han's strength. He was not only powerful in Mental Energy, but the skill and endurance he displayed in combat were equally astonishing.
In the first battle, Shen Han successfully maintained his ranking, but he knew this was just the beginning; more challenges awaited him.
Taking advantage of this brief intermission, he immediately sat cross-legged, regulated his breathing, and recovered, hoping to maintain his Peak condition in the upcoming battles.
The surrounding classmates were deeply impressed by his calm and decisive actions, with whispers mixed with a hint of awe and admiration. But this also ignited the fighting spirit of others, many of whom were eager to try their hand.
Every challenger understood that being able to Rank in the top few meant obtaining even more abundant Cultivation resources. This was an excellent opportunity for them to improve their strength and stand out in the school, and no one would easily give up without a challenge.