Chapter 82: Perish Beneath Blooming Flowers

Jiang Xincheng didn’t answer Yin Er’s question directly. He just smiled and said, “The magnificent Great Tang, its glory will be celebrated forever.”

“The Flourishing Tang Empire!” Yin Er’s expression shifted, her voice filled with shock. Even the driver upfront trembled visibly upon hearing the name, revealing the awe-inspiring reputation of the Flourishing Tang Empire. It was clear both Yin Er and the driver held significant positions within the Zhengyuan Group, as they too had clearly heard of this formidable entity.

Jiang Xincheng nodded in confirmation.

Yin Er gave a bitter smile. “No wonder it’s so incredibly difficult for someone like you, Jiang Xincheng—a genuine Pride of Heaven—to join. So it’s the Flourishing Tang Empire. Your ambitions are certainly grand. However, given your innate talent and potential, with a bit of luck, you should have a very good chance of being accepted.”

“Well, I’ll take that as a blessing from Miss Yin Er,” Jiang Xincheng replied with a chuckle. “If I manage to join the Flourishing Tang Empire, I’ll definitely find time to treat you to a meal.”

Yin Er nodded. “If you truly succeed in joining the Flourishing Tang Empire, I will absolutely shamelessly come for that free meal. Since your ambition lies with the Flourishing Tang Empire, our Zhengyuan Group can only respectfully wish Jiang Xincheng the fulfillment of his wishes. It really is a pity.”

After exiting the motorhome, Jiang Xincheng encountered recruitment offers from several companies and groups. Yet, he politely declined each one. Compared to the Flourishing Tang Empire, these other organizations simply didn’t measure up. Furthermore, Jiang Xincheng had his own ulterior motives for wanting to join the Empire; naturally, he wouldn’t settle for these lesser factions.

He spent the night diligently practicing and cultivating. The next day arrived: the final stage of the All-School Martial Examination, which would decide the top ten rankings for each grade year, including the placement of the Challenge Tournament. This was set to be the grand climax of the entire event.

Around four or five in the morning, large groups of student council members began preparations. Beautiful young women, or “Goddesses,” from the College of Humanities, the School of Foreign Languages, the Finance and Economics College, the College of Dance, the Nursing School, and the Flight Attendance College… had all meticulously prettied themselves up, ready to perform. After all, capturing the heart of a Pride of Heaven during their performance would be the ultimate prize.

Numerous beauties from Tianhai Art University arrived before dawn to secure seats, eagerly awaiting the start of the final matches. By just after six o’clock, a full two hours before the bouts began, the spectator stands were packed shoulder-to-shoulder, with virtually no empty seats left.

If Tianhai University’s All-School Martial Examination was a grand event, then the ultimate finals were its most dazzling highlight. At least a hundred television stations were broadcasting these final matches, and the number of media outlets present had swelled to several hundred.

As for the factions occupying the spectator stands, their count reached into the thousands. The entire Tianhai University campus was swept up in its annual carnival atmosphere.

When Jiang Xincheng arrived at the stadium, he was met by a wave of deafening cheers. Since his astonishing victory the day before—defeating an opponent from a higher tier—his popularity had skyrocketed. He now commanded immense fame across Tianhai University, standing as the undisputed leader of the College of Computer Management and Science. He reigned supreme, standing proudly at the very peak of his college.

Moreover, Jiang Xincheng now had his own cheerleading squad. Dozens of pretty girls from the College of Computer Management and Science stood courtside, dressed in short skirts, performing energetic routines to cheer him on.

“Xincheng, Xincheng, united we’re strong!”

“Our Xincheng, this fight you’ll win! Go! Go! Give it your all!”

“Junior, Junior, I love you, like a mouse loves rice! Give it your best, Junior! If you win, your Senior Sister will give you a kiss!”

Jiang Xincheng felt somewhat embarrassed by these chants. He glanced sideways at the particular Senior Sister promising a kiss. One brief look was all it took for him to swiftly turn his head back around. The girls from the College of Computer Management and Science—well, their attractiveness was simply worlds apart compared to the beauties from the School of Foreign Languages performing the opening dance. He decided it was better to look at the cheerleaders from other colleges instead.

His gaze drifted and inadvertently landed on the formation from the Finance and Economics College. Standing at the front of their contingent were two students. One had a square, characterful face and a strikingly handsome appearance—a truly dashing young man. The other possessed features fair enough to be painted, ethereal like a celestial maiden. It was none other than Xuanyuan Ningshuang, the universally acknowledged School Belle.

He hadn’t expected that even Xuanyuan Ningshuang had fought her way into the finals. She was also the second student, besides Jiang Xincheng himself, to reach the top ten among freshmen while still at the Late Tendon Training Stage.

Seemingly sensing Jiang Xincheng’s gaze, Xuanyuan Ningshuang looked over as well. Her jade-like face flushed slightly, and she gave him a nod. Jiang Xincheng offered a faint smile and nodded back. He then raised his head to scan the spectator stands and immediately spotted Lin An’an, who was practically glaring at him.

The adorable and sweet-faced Lin An’an, dressed in a lovely pink dress that highlighted her charming figure, was staring at Jiang Xincheng wide-eyed. She waved her small fist, pointing first at Jiang Xincheng, then at Xuanyuan Ningshuang. Her meaning was crystal clear: if he faced Xuanyuan Ningshuang, he should take it easy on her.

Jiang Xincheng nodded his understanding. A sweet smile bloomed across Lin An’an’s exquisite, picture-perfect face as she gave him a thumbs-up. Just then, Zhang Feng beside her seemed to notice something and lightly rapped Lin An’an’s head. Lin An’an pursed her lips, turned away, and started chatting with a few other pretty girls.

Under the watchful eyes of thousands, Jiang Xincheng drew his lot: number 3. His opponent would be the holder of number 7. The finals began very soon.

Aside from Jiang Xincheng and Xuanyuan Ningshuang, the other students who managed to break into the top ten among freshmen were all at least at the Bone Forging Initial Stage of Primordial Warrior. Given the early Primordial Force enlightenment era, each one could be considered a powerful figure dominating a county seat, which was a testament to the decent overall strength level among Tianhai University’s students.

Jiang Xincheng’s opponent this time was a Bone Forging Initial Stage Primordial Warrior, whose strength was arguably quite good, even slightly surpassing Zhao Yi’s. Unfortunately, Jiang Xincheng’s current power far more than just surpassed Zhao Yi’s. After several dozen exchanges of a stalemate, Jiang Xincheng defeated this opponent and successfully advanced into the top five.

However, what stunned Jiang Xincheng was that Xuanyuan Ningshuang had also achieved victory in a cross-stage battle! Her opponent, that Bone Forging Initial Stage student, merely chatted briefly with Xuanyuan Ningshuang, his face turning crimson, then walked off the platform without a word. Xuanyuan Ningshuang thus easily secured victory in this bout and also broke into the top five, leaving Jiang Xincheng utterly astonished.

Young men these days! They really seem to have no lower limits! This was the widely anticipated ultimate finals! Weren’t they afraid of being accused of rigged matches? Strangely, though, that male student received no heckling. Instead, countless people cheered and applauded for him.