Mildred Hampri was only half right.

The last factions arrived at Midnight City this morning. The line-up for the 10 Strong Tournament was fully revealed: in addition to the eight teams continued from last year—Giant Tree Academy, Five Great Knight Orders, Noble Council, Fearsome Brutal God Clan, Conspiracy Web Deity Sect, Midnight Lady Church, Bloodline Family Alliance, and Old Sewer Front—two new factions were added this year: the Spirit Town United Faction and the God Chosen Secret Group.

The former was already known to Lu Li, while the latter was composed of the sons chosen by the Divinity of Midnight City's church.

Senior students soon noticed Lu Li who had returned to the tree trunk level, and the rumors about him participating in the 10 Strong Tournament slowly spread.

Lu Li's arrival made the academy atmosphere, already heated due to the tournament, even more fervent as they hoped to wash away the shame of the Giant Tree Academy, which, despite being the host, had ranked at the bottom for consecutive years.

"Want to know why the academy failed last time?" In Lu Li's dorm, Claire crossed her arms: "Because I wasn't in the senior year."

"Tell me more about the Lower Academy."

Lu Li ignored Claire's boasting, though she did have the capability.

"Nothing different. The Upper Academy accepts humans like you and me, while the Lower Academy accommodates aliens, different species, even anomalies, as long as they accept a human identity. It must be admitted, the students from the Lower Academy are generally stronger than those from the Upper Academy. We didn't come in last place in previous years because of the Lower Academy's existence, but don't trust them too much... It's not prejudice, they're deeply polluted and their mental state is very unstable. You can trust, but never rely on them."

Lu Li remained noncommittal.

When a group doesn't share a collective consciousness, there will inevitably be individuals who differ. Just like humans can produce lunatics, they too can have sages.

Shortly after Claire left, Lu Li headed to the Swamp, visiting the Swamp Hut for the last time before the 10 Strong Tournament.

Seven anomalies were gathered in the pen, more than in recent weeks. Because of the tournament, the controllers wanted to "supplement nutrition" for Lu Li.

After dealing with the seven anomalies and pausing to understand the tournament this time, Lu Li returned to Giant Tree Academy.

After consuming some to rescue Blitz Tailor and replenishing a few times, Lu Li still retained 34 portions of humanity.

The next day.

Only one day left until the 10 Strong Tournament begins.

The atmosphere in the tree trunk layer became more intense. It was said that the dueling arena was packed with spectators and contestants, and the cheers when results were announced could even be faintly heard on the surface.

Lu Li came to the Alchemy Office at Claire's invitation. Vice-Chancellor Chris still wasn't here.

"These are prepared by my mother for us."

Alchemy products and alchemical elixirs were stacked on the alchemy stand. As Claire distributed them, she explained to Lu Li how to use them.

A compass unaffected under any circumstances, a potion that reveals a five-mile radius after sprinkled, a high-end version of the revealing potion, a sleeping bag combining the effects of red copper and an alchemy blanket.

The items prepared by Vice-Chancellor Chris subtly hinted at the tournament's format.

At noon, the Gatekeeper led the students who received invitations to the assembly in the auditorium.

Lu Li sat in the back, but wherever he was, he was the center of attention under the halo of light.

The surrounding students focused on him, and Professor Ernie Hamilton Wayne from the Giant Tree Academy, whom Lu Li had met at the Alchemical Tower, nodded to him as a sign.

This gathering was to decide the leader of the Upper Academy team.

Lu Li was undoubtedly the best choice. However, he declined the role. Professor Ernie Hamilton Wayne did not insist and handed the leadership role to Jorgen Light.

Jorgen Light was already a leader in the senior year, and his slum background and identity recognition as a human earned him trust. Without Lu Li, he would naturally be the leader for this tournament.

However, everyone knew there was another leader in the Upper Academy: Lu Li.

The purpose of assigning a leader was to have students follow their instructions, but Lu Li could achieve this without that title.

"The Uncrowned King..."

Claire mumbled as she leaned against the wall, picking at her nails.

Then Professor Ernie Hamilton Wayne recounted the details and dangers of the tournament that Lu Li already knew.

After it ended, Lu Li followed Claire back to the Alchemy Office, still recalling the number Professor Ernie Hamilton Wayne had mentioned: 582 contestants.

This was just the Upper Academy of Giant Tree Academy.

The number wasn't unusual; the number of Upper Academy contestants was about the same each year. What concerned Lu Li was another number—a third or more of students died in the tournament every year.

"I can't understand why human power is consumed in internal competition like this," Lu Li said calmly.

"Uh, Professor Ernie Hamilton Wayne was deceiving you. The death toll isn't that high. In reality..." Claire hesitated: "The professor just wants us to remain vigilant and cautious."

Claire seemed to be hiding something, some truths that were concealed and altered?

She did not confess, and Lu Li did not pursue it further. Regardless, the answer would be revealed tomorrow.

Also to be revealed was the lower academy, shrouded in mystery, and the other nine factions.

For many students, tonight would be a sleepless night.

...

The long deep night faded, and the morning woke the sleeping Giant Tree Academy.

After finishing his washing up, Lu Li stepped out of the washroom, returned to his dorm, checked the Doomsday Apocalypse, his stomach, and the Spirit-Calling Gun, and then made his way to the lift platform in the mixed area.

Senior students gradually gathered. Lu Li scanned the group and found Kiluat and Margaret standing at the edge.

"It's our turn."

Claire whispered beside him, and Lu Li withdrew his gaze, stepping onto the lift.

The continuing descent into darkness ended, and a dim light shone onto the lift.

Overlooking the vast Swamp, the safe zone below was sparsely dotted.

The never-seen Dean was absent, Vice-Chancellor Chris was absent, the leaders of the nine factions were absent, and the competitors from the nine factions were also absent.

Even the Lower Academy wasn't present here.

The eerie mix of tranquility and crowding descended upon the thoughtful students of the Giant Tree Academy.

Lu Li spotted many familiar faces on the ground. Mysticology lecturer Ernie Hamilton Wayne, Helmut, Divination Study lecturer Undead, Combat Skills Teacher Mangshi Lei, Mont Metis cloaked in a veil-like gray robe, Professor Gray demonstrating dignity, and many other professors and teachers he hadn't met.

"Was it like this before?" Lu Li tilted his head to ask Claire beside him.

"No..."

The lift descended to the safe zone of the Swamp, and Jorgen Light led the team away from the lift.

"Upon entering the mist, you'll be randomly teleported deep into the vast Swamp. The faster you find the exit to the next stage, the higher your score."

Ernie Hamilton Wayne stepped forward and shouted, pointing at the swirling gray mist near the students.

"Defeating opponents from other factions will earn you extra points..."

Ernie Hamilton Wayne's voice became barely audible as Lu Li stepped into the flowing mist.

The students lost themselves in the bewildering fog.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.