Chapter 111: Let's Talk After Securing First Place

Immediately, arrangements were made to retrieve another Beast Ape puppet from the supplies warehouse.

Next up was Class 3-6, which had yet to be tested, so the event could not be halted.

During this brief pause, a dispute erupted on the stage.

The instigator was none other than Su Yuqing.

“Everyone, the matter is quite clear now. Lin Anguo’s plan, which he insisted on so strongly, I believe no longer needs to be carried out. His character is questionable; he surely has selfish motives behind his actions.”

“Su Yuqing, you’ve gone too far. We can’t throw out the baby with the bathwater, nor dismiss policies because of one person’s character. Regardless of Lin Anguo’s virtues or flaws, school policies can’t be made and changed on a whim... It was previously decided that Shao Hua would receive the quota, and now this sudden change is hard to accept.”

Li Yuancheng’s usually rigid expression finally showed some sign of wavering.

He replied to Su Yuqing’s remarks in a calm, unhurried manner. Though their words clashed sharply, it felt more like friends calmly discussing where to dine that evening rather than a heated confrontation.

“Alright, both of you are major stakeholders in the school, and everything is for the school’s benefit—to nurture talent. Here’s what I propose: let’s not finalize the quotas for the Sky Crystal Stone Chamber yet. The Bloodbath Trial is coming up, isn’t it? Why not see who achieves better results and greater merits, and allocate quotas accordingly?”

Sun Zhongli suddenly interjected, as if struck by a sudden inspiration.

Everyone who heard this perked up sharply.

This man was finally revealing his true intentions, no longer trying to smooth things over...

But whose side was he on?

As soon as Sun Zhongli finished speaking, Zhang Yi chuckled, “I think this method is workable.”

Zhang Yi was also a board member. Though his tenure was not long and his influence limited, no one dared to ignore his opinion.

The other two remained silent, uncertain about the unfolding situation.

Both the principal and Su Yuqing had simultaneously attacked — seemingly targeting Li Yuancheng — yet it wasn’t entirely so.

They might simply want to ensure that Li Shaohua could enter the Sky Crystal Stone Chamber legitimately, preventing accusations of favoritism and silencing gossip.

For Yuanjiang No. 1 High School, which was embroiled in scandal today, this approach was truly necessary.

If that was the case, it was wise to support it.

The two exchanged a glance and both gave their assent: “Agreed.”

Hearing unanimous support for Su Yuqing’s proposal, Li Yuancheng was left with no choice.

The Sky Crystal Stone Chamber quota, allocated once every five years, coincidentally arrived at such a critical moment, and to suddenly make the final decision through a trial — was it merely because they didn’t want the Li family to benefit?

Or was there another motive at play?

Li Yuancheng pondered deeply, his gaze darkening as he looked toward the distance where Xiao Nan was receiving cheers.

Perhaps it was that boy’s strength that gave them hope.

This matter could not go awry.

Unfortunately, Lin Anguo had proven useless, unable to defeat a mere youngster—truly a failure.

Because of this, the opportunity was lost, and Li’s grand plan was spoiled.

Though he thought this internally, Li Yuancheng showed no sign of it and only smiled, saying, “Since everyone agrees, then so be it. I trust Shaohua will come out on top... in the Bloodbath Trial, his performance will surely be first.”

“Let’s wait until he actually claims first place,” Su Yuqing retorted without sparing any face, smiling brightly. “Yuanjiang No. 1 is full of talented youths. It’s too early for the Li family head to brag like that. Hmph, if it weren’t for your selfishness, my Frost would have gotten the quota long ago. Why all this fighting?”

This left everyone awkward, and no one objected to the earlier proposal anymore.

Indeed, if merit alone was the criterion, Qin Shuang was naturally the most qualified. The quota for the Sky Crystal Stone Chamber was essentially hers.

But who could blame them for that?

Though she hadn’t graduated yet, a year in advance she had already been recruited by a prestigious school.

Moreover, she had left for the imperial capital to join Qingning Academy’s training program.

Could she still be considered a student of Yuanjiang No. 1?

Only in name.

In reality, she no longer counted. Even if resources were allocated to her now, it would be a waste.

It was better to keep the quota and cultivate another student from Yuanjiang No. 1 into a prestigious scholar.

Producing one prestigious graduate was respectable and brought honor to the school; producing two would make its reputation soar.

In previous years, even high schools in the provincial capital could not guarantee producing two such students.

Hence, before this, none supported Qin Shuang entering the Sky Crystal Stone Chamber for training, as it would waste the hard-earned legacy accumulated by Yuanjiang No. 1 over five years.

This selfishness could also be seen as public-spirited, as it was ultimately for the school’s admission rate...

At this point, it was no longer necessary to argue.

There was some guilt beneath it all.

...

“Xiao Nan, congratulations,” Zhang Xiaorou’s eyes sparkled brightly. Perhaps from cheering too loudly earlier, her voice carried a faint hoarseness.

Xiao Nan smiled, “Thank you all, especially you. Organizing everyone to cheer for me must have taken a lot of effort.”

“It’s nothing. They joined on their own—if I hadn’t let them help, they’d have been unhappy about it.

Especially those classmates who learned swordsmanship at the Four Seasons Sword Pavilion; they were practically insane.”

Recalling the scene, Zhang Xiaorou giggled, then quickly said a few words before turning toward the stage. “Dad is glaring at me... The Bloodbath Trial is next. You have to do your best!”

She clenched her fist tightly with great determination, then lowered her head, avoiding anyone’s gaze before rushing off.

As expected, a scream came from the nearby cheering squad.

Xiao Nan looked up to see the girls laughing and swaying joyfully, their faces full of delight, unaware of what they were thinking.

Hmm, Zhang Xiaorou’s courage seemed to have grown considerably.

He recalled when they first met in the Blood Sacrifice Chamber; the girl was tearful and timid.

Now, in front of so many people, she dared to speak up and even ignore Zhang Yi’s stern gaze. He wondered how much courage she must have mustered.

...

“Xiao Nan, your strength is actually this formidable? You hid it so well,” Wei Yunying said in disbelief, eyes wide as she carefully examined Xiao Nan.

He still looked like the refined, slender, almost ethereal beauty who might be swept away by the wind.

Yet inside this unassuming frame lay immense power.

A single sword strike of thunderbolt light severed the Beast Ape puppet’s arms; another strike sent the two-meter-high metal creature flying five or six meters, metal fragments scattering across its chest.

The scene was truly breathtaking.

Xiao Nan smiled silently—any words now would only seem boastful...

Better to remain low-key and not intimidate his classmates.

Xiong Bing’s expression showed a knowing look as he said, “I suspected you were hiding your strength during the martial skills test. Our school now only has you and Li Shaohua who can be compared.”

Was this flattery or genuine admiration?

Before Xiao Nan could process the mixed message, homeroom teacher Yang Yankun approached with a beaming smile.

The scar on his forehead twisted grotesquely with his grin, sprouting countless tiny legs like a centipede, making him look even more displeasing than usual.

“You’re excellent, truly the best student I’ve ever had,” he said.

“It’s all thanks to your dedicated teaching,” Xiao Nan replied modestly.

“As for Vice Principal Lin... well, I didn’t expect him to do such a thing. Thankfully... but never mind that. For the upcoming Bloodbath Trial, be careful, alright?”

Yang Yankun glanced sideways at the stage, his expression faintly hesitant.

Some things were better left unsaid; it was only suspicion, maybe it would happen, maybe not.

“I will,” Xiao Nan assured him.

Knowing what Yang Yankun meant, Xiao Nan understood that for an ordinary teacher, he had done well enough.

After Yang Yankun’s congratulations, Nie Donglin and several other students who had passed approached with complex expressions to speak.

Dong Cheng stood nearby, lowering his head, wanting to cozy up but reluctant.

He knew Xiao Nan looked down on him; at the Four Seasons Sword Pavilion last time, he had been somewhat dismissed...