After Su Yuan stepped down, most of the top experts from each academy had taken their turn.
The remaining participants were somewhat lacking in strength. Xia Yue, Du Tao, and others didn’t find it interesting enough to join. Instead, He Huanyan and a few others went up for a few more sparring matches, making it worth their while.
However, these sparring matches were not nearly as impressive or exciting as the previous ones involving Su Yuan.
Not long after, most of the students who were simply there to watch started leaving, except for a few who were genuinely interested in sparring.
The next morning, the weather was clear and cloudless.
By almost nine o’clock, students from Demon Capital Academy, East Pole Academy, and other academies had gathered at the small square in front of the Guest House.
At this moment, a student in the square suddenly noticed something: "Look over there, it’s Su Yuan! Su Yuan from Demon Capital Academy!"
From the lobby of the Guest House, Su Yuan and Shang Baiyu walked out together, having shared a room the previous night.
The students gathered in the square couldn’t help but excitedly discuss upon seeing this!
"It’s really Su Yuan. He took on six opponents in a row yesterday. That’s incredible!"
"Yeah, and the scariest part was that Hellfire. One-on-one, even Ling Long and Zheng Chun couldn’t match up to that weaponized Hellfire form!"
...
"Missing out on yesterday’s fights was a huge loss for those who weren’t here, hahaha."
"Indeed, the forums of all the academies were flooded with discussions about it all night!"
...
Over a hundred people had gathered in the square, and many of them focused their attention on Su Yuan.
Shang Baiyu quietly chuckled: "Su Yuan, you’re really famous now. We’re all very envious!
Have you checked the forums? Titles like ’Demon Capital Academy’s Genius Demon,’ ’Southeast Region’s Strongest Freshman’... you’ve earned quite a few titles now."
Su Yuan shook his head and smiled: "It’s only been two months since the semester started. Even if I’m considered the strongest now, it’s just temporary. Without continuous effort, I’ll eventually be surpassed by others."
In Su Yuan’s perspective, having the systematic support, it was natural to be stronger than his peers. However, that was far from sufficient.
From competing with peers to becoming top among all grades, and eventually facing unmatched experts of all ages...
Right now, he was just taking his first step.
Before long, Xiang Dingqian, Xia Yue, Lu Yingying, and others arrived one after another. Luo Bingtong also stood silently by Su Yuan’s side.
After a while longer, He Yanan and several teachers from East Pole, Liu Zhou, and other academies joined them.
"Teacher Li, Teacher Ling Shan, see you later," He Yanan called out.
"Alright."
After parting ways with the other academy teachers, He Yanan approached the Demon Capital Academy’s group.
Glancing at Su Yuan within the crowd, He Yanan turned to ask Xia Yue: "Xia Yue, are all our people here?"@@@@
Xia Yue nodded: "Teacher, all 50 members are present."
"Good. Let’s get on the bus."
With that, He Yanan led the group to board a nearby parked bus.
The Ten Thousand Demon Sleeping Ground belonged to the South Pole Academy but was located in a flat mountainous area on the eastern outskirts, not within the academy itself. All the academies had to take South Pole Academy’s bus to get there.
On the bus, He Yanan walked up to Su Yuan and asked seriously: "I heard you challenged the geniuses of five major academies yesterday?"
Su Yuan nodded slightly: "Following Teacher Xiao He’s three-step guideline—not seriously injuring anyone, not affecting today’s entry into the Secret Realm, and not disgracing Demon Capital Academy... there shouldn’t be any problem, right?"
"Of course not!" He Yanan smiled brightly, "It’s not just okay; you did great! As one of the Three Capitals Academy, our Demon Capital Academy should have this kind of strength and boldness!"
The barrier shimmered like ripples, opening a path leading inside.
The male teacher looked toward Yongzhou Academy: "Yongzhou Academy students, please enter."
The young female teacher from Yongzhou Academy gave a few last-minute reminders, and then 30 Yongzhou students formed a line and walked into the entry path of the Ten Thousand Demon Sleeping Ground, quickly disappearing from sight.
After Yongzhou Academy entered, the students outside started discussing as well.
"The highest grade is the Four-leaf Essence. With 30 people from Yongzhou Academy, how many do you think will get Four-leaf Essences?"
"I think none. The teachers said yesterday that Four-leaf Essences are very rare. It’s normal for an academy not to get any."
"I think someone will get one. After all, Yongzhou Academy has Tang Huamei. Although she lost to Su Yuan yesterday, she’s strong and talented, so she likely has a good chance."
"Right, I agree. Her Melting Furnace Chaotic Fire technique would overpower almost anyone if not for Su Yuan’s Hellfire!"
...
In the Demon Capital Academy group, people were also discussing eagerly.
"Three-leaf Essences have Blue Cards. Regardless, we need to capture at least a Three-leaf Essence. If possible, maybe we’ll have a chance at a Four-leaf Essence too!"
"I agree. If it’s just a Two-leaf Essence, it might only reach green T0 level in strength. It’s usable but not nearly as good as a Blue Star Card from three-leaf or four-leaf essences."
...
"Qingyu, what’s your goal?" Lu Yingying asked.
Mu Qingyu pondered briefly: "If possible, aiming for a Four-leaf Essence would be ideal, though I don’t know if there will be a chance. We’ll see and not force it."
Mu Qingyu then turned to Xia Yue: "Little Yue, you’re aiming for a Four-leaf Essence too, right?"
"I guess...?" Xia Yue was also unsure.
Originally, she thought getting a Four-leaf Essence wouldn’t be a problem, and she even considered pursuing a Five-leaf Essence. But the teacher emphasized the rarity of Four-leaf Essences the day before, advising her to manage expectations.
As for Five-leaf Essences, they were so rare they last appeared over forty years ago...
So Xia Yue planned to wait and see the actual results of other students entering the Secret Realm today before making a decision.
Du Tao approached and asked: "Zhang Tai, what do you think? Going for a Four-leaf Essence?"
Unexpectedly, Zhang Tai laughed: "That’s not my goal. I’ll be happy with a Three-leaf Essence."
Du Tao was shocked: "Really? With your usual temperament, you’re not aiming for a Four-leaf Essence? Are you still Zhang Tai?"
Zhang Tai calmly replied: "According to Teacher Xiao He, Four-leaf Essences are extremely rare. With my spiritual power, I might not even find one.
Even if I do, it might not be compatible. It’s better to find a compatible three-leaf essence of earth or fire attributes.
What suits you best is the best."
Hearing this, Du Tao’s restless mind calmed.
After some thought, Du Tao nodded: "You’re right, indeed, suitability matters most.
Since the Three-leaf Essences are Blue Grade, I’ll settle for a suitable one to avoid ending up empty-handed."
Du Tao then looked at Zhang Tai, smiling: "Who would have thought you, usually so impulsive, could be so calm now."
Zhang Tai laughed: "After all, my talent is ’Mountain Stone Fire.’ Though usually impatient, I can be calmer than most when needed."
A Star Card Master’s soul card is born from the soul, and the soul reflects one’s essence, so the traits of a soul card often mirror those of its Star Card Master.
Shang Baiyu asked Su Yuan: "What do you think, will Yongzhou Academy find a Four-leaf Essence?"
Remembering what Geng Qiuyi said the day before, Su Yuan shook his head slightly: "Four-leaf is uncertain, but there should be Three-leaf Essences."
Shang Baiyu nodded at this, and they waited for the results.