Lu Hu paused briefly before continuing, "Afterward, the academy will faithfully record the merits you accumulate for the academy, the Federation, and the Human Alliance. Combined with the biannual Battle for the Seed Sequence, we will periodically reassess your rankings.

"Let me be blunt! If your performance is truly abysmal, it's entirely possible to be eliminated from the Seed Student sequence. So, you must not slack off!"

All the Seed Students held their breath, their gazes fixed on Lu Hu with solemn expressions.

With talent as extraordinary as theirs, none of them believed they would be the one to be eliminated. This wasn't arrogance; it was confidence!

Nodding in satisfaction at the Seed Students' vigor, Lu Hu continued, "There's one more thing.

"Over the next period, with the full support of the academy's resources, your strength is certain to see explosive growth. Regardless of your current ranking, I expect all of you to do your utmost to break through your bottlenecks and advance to Middle Rank Apprentice within the next month. At that time, the academy will select a team of elite combatants from among all the Middle Rank Apprentices. After intensive training to hone your teamwork, you will form Sea City Military Academy's representative team and participate in the 'New Recruit Competition,' jointly organized by the ten major military academies of the Longxia Federation.

"Of course, if our Sea City Military Academy's internal selection alone can offer such great rewards, you can only imagine what's at stake in the New Recruit Competition. Led by the Military Department and jointly hosted by the ten major academies, the rewards will be beyond your wildest dreams.

"Contribution Points.

"Rare Skills.

"Exclusive Equipment.

"Battle Pets.

"Military Ranks.

"Heavenly and Earthly Treasures.

"Our Longxia Federation will never shortchange its soldiers, especially not the elite geniuses among them."

Lu Hu's gaze swept across the students as he continued with a rousing cadence, "Dominating within our own academy means nothing. Only when you can defeat the geniuses from the other nine academies, grinding them under your heel, can you be considered truly peerless! Only then can you laugh proudly at the world! Furthermore, the New Recruit Competition determines the rankings of the ten major academies for the year, which in turn dictates the resource allocation they receive from the Federation's Military Department. This isn't just about a weighty honor; it's about tangible Contribution Points and resource benefits.

"Are you struggling to acquire Heavenly and Earthly Treasures because you lack the required allocation? Do you want to forge exclusive Profession Equipment, but can never seem to find a reliable Blacksmith? Do you wish to take Attribute Secret Medicine, but can't afford the exorbitant Contribution Points?

"As long as you take first place in the New Recruit Competition, the Military Department will designate our Sea City Military Academy's resource library as the highest priority, leading to a massive expansion. When that happens, all the problems I just mentioned will be effortlessly resolved! You're all intelligent individuals; you can certainly grasp the significance of this.

"For Sea City Military Academy!

"For yourselves!

"For every student present here!

"You must pour every ounce of your being into this year's New Recruit Competition!"

At this, Lu Hu roared, "Do you understand?!"

The sudden shout made all the Seed Students on the stage jolt, and they responded in unison, "Understood!"

Meanwhile, this was the first time the nearly ten thousand spectators in the stands had heard about the New Recruit Competition. A wave of whispers immediately swept through the crowd as students discussed the immense implications.

Just as Instructor Lu Hu had said, every student wanted their academy to rank as high as possible. A higher rank meant richer resources, and richer resources meant their own rate of growth would far surpass that of students from other academies. It was a virtuous cycle.

Most students turned their fervent gazes toward the stage in the center of the training field, their eyes fixed on Fang Zhou, who stood at the very front of the Seed Students.

Upon enrolling, they were all aware that while Sea City Military Academy was one of the Longxia Federation's ten major military academies, its ranking was not particularly high, placing it in the middle tier. What they hadn't expected was that this year's ranking would be fought for and determined entirely by them, the first-year recruits.

A higher academy ranking meant better privileges, more resource reserves, and more powerful instructors. For the new students, this would directly translate into faster Cultivation and greater increases in strength. This was a matter that concerned the vital interests of every single student; they couldn't afford not to care.

Being watched by tens of thousands of eyes filled with ardent expectation, even someone as mentally tough as Fang Zhou felt the weight of their hopes settling upon his shoulders.

With a little help from my attribute panel and my Skeleton Clone, my personal strength is definitely top-tier among my peers. I might not be the best in the world, but I'm practically invincible. However, when it comes to a team battle between the elites of all ten major academies… I'm not a hundred percent confident I can lead the other students from Sea City Military Academy through the gauntlet to seize the championship.

Lu Hu had chosen to announce the news of the New Recruit Competition at this specific moment to give these smug and arrogant Seed Students a pressing new goal, preventing them from becoming complacent and slacking off.

However, a healthy amount of pressure could accelerate their Cultivation speed, but excessive anxiety would be counterproductive.

So, seeing that he had achieved the desired effect, Lu Hu gave a broad wave of his hand. "Alright, don't overthink it. For now, just focus on cultivating as hard as you can. For all Seed Students, the academy's Logistics Department has already prepared your rewards. After you're dismissed, you may proceed there in an orderly fashion to claim them. Furthermore, I want you all to assemble at the Academy History Museum at 2 PM this afternoon. I will be conducting the Rite of the Fated Rival and explaining the upcoming training schedule."

Upon hearing Lu Hu's words, the Seed Students exchanged puzzled looks. The Academy History Museum chronicled Sea City Military Academy's history, one forged in blood and fire over decades, as well as the human heroes who had emerged from among its alumni. As new recruits, they had visited the museum many times already. However, none of them had ever heard of this "Rite of the Fated Rival" that Instructor Lu Hu spoke of.

Fang Zhou was also confused. He glanced at the faces of the students around him. Seeing their shared bewilderment confirmed it wasn't just him being ignorant. He calmed himself and waited for the instructor's arrangements. In any case, everything will become clear at 2 PM.

Just as the Seed Students were anxiously waiting for their dismissal, ready to sprint to the Logistics Department for their rewards, Instructor Lu Hu, still on the platform, pulled a crimson letter from within his uniform.

His gaze fell upon Fang Zhou, and his expression turned solemn. "Settle down, everyone. There is one final matter for this morning. On behalf of the Federation's Military Department, I will now present a special promotion certificate to Junior Sergeant Fang Zhou!"

As Lu Hu's powerful, ringing words echoed across Training Field No. 1, every instructor and student turned to look at Fang Zhou, who stood proudly on the stage. The instructors, having been briefed beforehand, remained relatively calm, though their eyes held a hint of anticipation. The students in the stands, however, erupted in an uproar.

A female student next to the fangirl with the almond-shaped face touched her ear, asking in confusion, "A special promotion? What's a special promotion?"

The fangirl with the almond-shaped face quickly searched her personal terminal before replying with some uncertainty, "Generally, a Human Alliance Warrior can only be promoted one rank at a time. However, in special cases involving particularly outstanding performance and monumental achievements, it's possible to be promoted by two ranks at once."

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.