Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return-Chapter 1185: What an Arrogant Boast

And behind the competition platform, several high platforms were also set up. Not only were all the mentors from the academy present to watch, but the heads of the various aristocratic families in Anyun were also present, and naturally, the Eight Great Families of the Capital were among them.

With the sound of a bell, the entire square fell silent as Long Congyuan slowly walked onto the competition platform.

"Today marks the Long Yan Academy’s freshman grand tournament. Over tens of thousands of years, countless strong individuals from Anyun have made their names in this battle, embarking on their path of strength, some even becoming legendary figures known throughout history.

I hope that in this competition, you all can continue the glory of your predecessors, and like them, become generation-defining strong individuals looked up to by thousands!" Long Congyuan raised his voice, his powerful voice echoed in everyone’s heart, stirring their blood.

A thunderous cheer erupted from the square.

"Also, many of you may have already heard the rumors. To encourage the winners, this time, the academy will award a strange treasure passed down since ancient times as a reward. I hope you all will give it your all, sparing no effort!" Long Congyuan’s subsequent words pushed the square’s atmosphere to the peak.

Although it had long been rumored that the academy placed extraordinary importance on this freshman grand tournament, and the rewards presented far exceeded those of previous tournaments, rumors were, after all, just rumors. Hearing Long Congyuan’s personal confirmation was mesmerizing.

"Now, I announce the start of the competition." Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Long Congyuan shouted and then stepped down from the competition platform.

Nine horn blasts sounded consecutively, and the square gradually returned to calm.

Taking this opportunity, Han Yan and the other fifteen disciples participating in the competition were also invited behind the platform to draw lots and determine their respective opponents.

The rules of the freshman grand tournament were simple: sixteen people were divided into eight groups to duel one by one. The winners advance to the next round, draw lots again to duel, until only two remain, to fight one final battle to select the strongest among them.

"First match, Guan Shanhe vs. Qi Kaiyun!" As the nine horn blasts ended and Han Yan and the others had completed their draw, a mentor stepped onto the high platform and announced loudly.

"Guan Shanhe, victory must be yours!"

"Qi Kaiyun, victory must be yours!" From below the platform, came the excited shouts of the academy disciples.

After all, they were renowned elite strong individuals among the younger generation of Anyun. Not long after joining the academy, they already had many followers.

Han Yan was also somewhat excited. In her previous life, she had long heard of the famous names of Guan Shanhe and Qi Kaiyun; that the first match would be such a powerful encounter, she could see just how formidable these two’s true strength was.

"Senior Brother Guan, please!"

"Junior Brother Qi, please!" It seemed the two were acquainted and without saying much, greeted each other before drawing their swords.

In an instant, two powerful sword powers enveloped the entire scene, and the originally noisy and chaotic square became much quieter.

"Sixth-level Sword Master!" Amidst the exclamations, everyone was full of excitement and anticipation.

Han Yan was no exception. Even she did not expect these two to have such strength. Such a clash of the titans was a rare eye-opening opportunity even for someone of her similar strength, enabling her to gain a lot of insights from their duel.

As Sword Lights unfolded, Guan Shanhe and Qi Kaiyun fiercely battled in one place.

As the powerful matchless Sword Light swept across, windstorms ravaged the competition platform, full of sand and stones, accompanied by the sounds of wind and thunder, shaking the hearts of the spectators.

With a muffled sound, the storm dispersed, and Qi Kaiyun’s tall figure was already flying off the competition platform, spitting large mouthfuls of fresh blood, staining his chest with blood, evidently severely injured.

Indeed, the battle between experts was extremely dangerous!

"Guan Shanhe, wins." As the mentor announced the result, cheers erupted again from below the platform, but there was a slight loss of the previous jubilation, filled with a more solemn and murderous vibe!

Guan Shanhe quickly stepped down, and the competition continued.

Like the first match, in every subsequent match, one person ended up severely injured. After all, the rewards for this freshman grand tournament were too generous; no one was willing to give up easily, and it was hard to determine a winner without life-and-death struggles.

The competition continued, the cheers continued, yet the atmosphere on and off the platform grew increasingly solemn, with an added sense of cruelty.

Actually, it’s not the competition that is cruel. The path of the strong has always been this cruel!

"The fourth match, Han Yan vs. Chang Lie!" The mentor’s voice sounded again.

Below the platform, the cheers paused slightly, and everyone looked towards Han Yan behind the competition platform.

Compared to others’ matches, they were more eager for Han Yan’s match. After all, she was the first playboy of Long Yan, who famously disabled two mentors shortly after joining the academy; it was impossible not to be eager for this.

However, who on earth is Chang Lie? Never heard of such a person before.

It wasn’t just others; Han Yan herself didn’t know who this person was, only seeing him for the first time during the draw moments ago.

"Han Yan, come up and face your death!" As everyone was guessing in secret, a sturdy young man had already leaped onto the stage, letting out a loud roar as he raised his head.

"Han Yan, come up and face your death." His voice echoed across the square, and everyone was dumbfounded; even Han Yan frowned.

Who on earth is this person with such arrogance? Han Yan observed him but found no impression of him, nor had she likely offended him, yet she didn’t know why he spoke so rudely.

There are too many senseless people in the world; Han Yan couldn’t be bothered to think much about it. She leapt onto the competition platform.

"So you’re Han Yan, Gong Hongru’s disciple, just so so!" Chang Lie looked at Han Yan for several moments, speaking disdainfully.

"Insolence, how dare you disrespect my Master." Although Han Yan was speechless at Gong Hongru’s habit of going into "seclusion for a few days" and then disappearing, it was still a disciple’s affection, and she couldn’t tolerate anyone insulting her master like that, so she retorted sternly.

"Hmph, back then I knelt for three days, begging him to take me as a disciple, but he was blind, turning me away. Today, I will show him how wrong he was not to take me in, to let him see how weak his chosen disciple is." Chang Lie spoke with deep resentment.

"I remember now, twelve years ago, a member of Beiqi’s royal family came to apprentice under Lord Gong, kneeling in the snow for three days and nights. Yet Lord Gong turned him away, stating that his narrow-mindedness wouldn’t allow him to achieve greatness. That person left in humiliation; it turns out it was him." Someone below suddenly recalled and exclaimed.

"I also heard this person later apprenticed under Beiqi’s Great Sword Master, Qi Fengchen. Back when Qi Fengchen and Lord Gong crossed swords in their youth, they battled for three days and nights, with Qi Fengchen narrowly losing in one move. From then on, he regarded Lord Gong as a nemesis." Another person beside said thoughtfully.