The yellow-clad elder raised his hand, and many people could feel a slight tremor in the air.

Amidst a crowd of astonished gazes, seats formed from earth magic rose from the ground, appearing in front of the 100,000 spectators and freshmen.

These chairs were completely constructed from earth and stone, with the only distinctions being their varying shades and sizes.

There were exactly one hundred seats, not one more, not one less, arranged in a fan shape, each two meters apart, with the most attention-grabbing being the seat in the middle.

This seat, noticeably twice as large, stood out distinctly.

It had a diameter of two meters and a height of three meters, resembling a giant's chair, entirely golden as if cast from gold, reflecting a golden radiance in the sunlight.

"The First Throne!"

The freshmen gazed at this chair, their fists clenched, their eyes shining with a radiant light.

In just a few days since enrollment, 'The First Throne' was the most frequently mentioned term on everyone's lips.

Among the one hundred seats in the throne challenge, those who occupied them were undoubtedly the cream of the crop among the freshmen, but there was only one throne, just like there was only one emperor in ancient times.

To the freshmen, being able to sit on it would undoubtedly make them the center of attention for everyone and earn them the academy's focused training.

After the appearance of the hundred seats, the yellow-clad elder did not introduce himself, nor did he waste words. He merely nodded slightly towards a middle-aged man in the central position on a high platform, and then sat back down.

The middle-aged man stood up, dressed in a military uniform devoid of rank or medals, yet when he rose, both freshmen and upperclassmen felt a weight pressing on their hearts, as if something heavy was suffocating them.

"Hello everyone, this is our first meeting. Let me introduce myself. I am Red Cloud Vice Principal Bu Zheng, and also the Dean of the Martial Arts Academy."

The middle-aged man seemed to be in his forties, with ordinary appearance and physique, yet he possessed a uniquely military aura, with sharp, authoritative eyes. He looked at the freshmen below the stage and began, "Red Cloud University has been established for less than a century. In terms of historical heritage or overall strength, we are not comparable to the Great Wall and Demon Star, though we do have certain unique advantages. However, for many of you, this may not have been your first choice."

Bu Zheng!

A rare surname, but in recent days, Lin Feng had heard this name many times.

The greatest authority in Red Cloud belonged to the principal.

However, according to the upperclassmen's accounts, the principal didn't manage affairs or teach, and many had never seen him throughout their four years from enrollment to graduation. In reality, the three vice principals were the ones who managed Red Cloud.

Red Cloud is divided into two academies.

The Martial Arts Academy and the Demon Spirit Academy.

As the Dean of the Martial Arts Academy, Bu Zheng possesses the strength of a Ninth Grade Martial Artist. Though he hasn't refined a demon spirit, he relies on his self-created special secret skill to overpower even a same-tier Demon Spirit Master who has refined high-level demon spirits.

Bu Zheng has a nickname, "Ironblood Giant."

It's rumored that after performing his martial arts secret skill, he transforms into a giant, blood-red all over, standing three meters tall and covered in bulging muscles. Many students unable to become Demon Spirit Masters strive to learn his secret skill, but for some reason, Bu Zheng has never imparted it.

This secret skill is something Lin Feng is determined to acquire.

Transforming into a giant has a similar effect to refining the sixtieth-eighth-ranked Frenzied Giant Beast on the Earth Chart.

To be able to resist a Demon Spirit Master with a martial artist's body, even overpower most Demon Spirit Masters, clearly demonstrates the value of this secret skill.

Due to his soul cultivation talent, Lin Feng is destined to be unable to refine high-level demon spirits.

Initially, compared to students refining Ninth Grade demon spirits or even those on the Earth Chart, Lin Feng, despite his rich martial arts experience, is at a disadvantage. If he possessed this secret skill, he wouldn't fear any Demon Spirit Master.

This secret skill is also a significant reason why Lin Feng chose to join Red Cloud.

Lin Feng knows that although Dean Bu seems middle-aged, he is actually eighty-three years old. Perhaps due to the secret skill, he maintains a youthful appearance.

As one of the three vice principals, his status is second only to the principal and Huang Yong, the dean of the Demon Spirit Academy.

Glancing around at the freshmen, Bu Zheng continued, "I don't care why you've chosen to enroll in Red Cloud, whether it's due to family relationships or other reasons. I just want to tell you that of the three Hero Academies, Red Cloud graduates might not be the strongest, but no one dares to provoke them!"

"Except for some students admitted through connections and sponsorship fees, all those who earn their way into Red Cloud through their efforts are geniuses, but in my eyes, there's not much difference between you geniuses and ordinary people."

Many freshmen exchanged glances at this, some frowning slightly.

As Bu Zheng said, those admitted to Red Cloud are geniuses, who have always faced the admiration and respect of their peers and praise from teachers. Being overlooked right upon entering the school naturally doesn't sit well with them.

Bu Zheng, being both the Dean of the Martial Arts Academy and a vice principal, is someone no one in their right mind would dare directly contradict, even if they feel uneasy. However, Bu Zheng pays no mind to this, ignoring it as he says, "There's a difference between a genius and talent. Only talent is worth nurturing."

"This year, Red Cloud has a total of 17,564 new students. Among so many people, if you want to prove you're talented and want the school's attention and resources, you must stand out from those around you."

"As for how to stand out, it's quite simple. There's a practical assessment twice each semester. Those with higher rankings will naturally receive more resources, while the ordinary ones won't qualify for them. As for today, it revolves around these..."

Bu Zheng pointed to the hundred seats: "One hundred seats, numbered one through one hundred. If you believe you have that strength, then go ahead and sit on one. Those lacking ability should keep quiet and stand obediently. The largest seat is Seat Number One, the First Throne, and sitting on it proves you are the foremost among the freshmen!"

"On each of these seats, there's a package containing resources awarded by the academy, along with some privileges that others cannot enjoy, which I won't elaborate on here. I believe you already understand!"

"Alright, although society advocates equality for all, in the world of martial artists, might makes right. I don't like to waste words, so the Throne Challenge starts now!"

As Bu Zheng stopped speaking, the new students began to talk amongst themselves, with no one taking action first.

Many looked at the resources on the seats with longing. Even though Bu Zheng didn't specify what the resources were, they already knew well enough.

It was hard not to know, with everyone discussing it these days.

The new students' challenge, although the rewards vary each year, the basic ones remain unchanged.

The first is a cash reward.

The hundredth place receives a hundred thousand, with each advance increasing it by a hundred thousand. The first throne grants ten million.

Ten million isn't much; for some from major conglomerates, it's just the price of an advanced sports car.

Apart from money, there are pills.

Similarly, the hundredth place receives ten Middle Grade Body Tempering Pills, with each rank advancement adding one more. The first throne has a hundred Body Tempering Pills. Besides resources, these seats also represent an independent villa.

Though Red Cloud is vast, land resources remain limited.

Generally speaking, students share a dormitory with five people.

If outstanding, they enter the top five thousand in their grade and can choose a three-person dorm. For the top thousand, it's a single apartment, and for the top hundred, it's an independent villa.

The new students' challenge is their first assessment.

With a hundred seats, those who can sit on them can move into a villa.

And for the top ten, apart from resource rewards, there are special treatments that make all students envious.

One of these privileges is unlimited access to the Otherworld.

This year's cohort numbers 17,564, but there are only a hundred seats, meaning only one in 175 has a seat. Most freshmen are aware of their limitations, treating it as a spectacle, though not without complaints.

But the older students are indifferent, having long been accustomed to it.

The Martial Arts University is quite different from high school.

In high school, geniuses at the top might receive a teacher's favor, but it wouldn't be excessive.

Most ordinary high schools also pay attention to students with lesser talents, and there isn't much resource bias. The treatment isn't starkly different, but university is another matter.

Grades determine resources and treatment!

Without grades, even teachers or fellow students won't pay attention.

In a class of hundreds, by the end of four years, many won't remember each other's names.

University is very realistic and cruel, and Red Cloud showcases this vividly.

The strong receive attention, while the weak can hardly earn a glance.

Many feel discontent and anger, but what can be done!

Many gradually become accustomed and numb, while others refuse to accept it and move against the current, becoming part of the privileged few.

Even those with the strength to compete for these seats are observing. They must choose their ranking according to their abilities; overestimating themselves and picking a top seat might lead to losses.

On the spectators' stand.

"There's going to be a good show!"

Many older students watched with great interest, chatting occasionally.

As former participants, they know more than the freshmen, aware that the Throne Challenge isn't that simple.

Competing for a seat isn't just about strength; it also requires wise choices and compromises.

Anyone can sit, but holding onto the seat is the real skill.

If you're confident, you can take the central first throne directly, no problem.

But competition for the first throne is fiercest; sitting too early may make you a target, possibly exiting the Throne Challenge prematurely.

The new students' challenge can be said to be a gathering of geniuses, brilliantly shining.

Martial arts families with heritage, the unique Demon Spirit race, various talents, and Demon Spirit Skills are emerging one after another. No one has absolute confidence to stand above all. Until the last moment, no one knows who will ascend to the first throne!

And this is what makes the Throne Challenge so captivating!

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