329 From the Top 16 to the Top 8! The First Team Match!

It was the day the judges would select the top 8 of the 16 for the national first- and second-year student exchange competition.

The Shenlu Martial Arts Arena, which could accommodate 100,000 people, was already full of people early in the morning. The top 8 from the top 16 also began the team battle competition.

A single ten-on-ten match would decide the victor, making the competition even more exciting and enjoyable. It was 9 am when the top 16 teams appeared at the arena’s center.

On the only remaining ring, a loud drum sounded. When the drum beats ended, Aurora’s magnetic voice echoed, “Good Morning, dear audience and friends! Firstly, let us give warm applause to the top 16 teams in this competition!”

!!
“Woo!”

With extended thunderous applause, the names of the top 16 universities appeared on the big screen one after another:

TZ University, Shanghai University, Changjiang University, George University, Ocean University, TH University, Shuimu University, Deya University, Shennong University, Eastern University, Lingwu University, Shenzhen University, Kyoto Institute, Aerospace University, Military University, and Jingwu University.

When the names of each university appeared, the team members of the corresponding teams would wave to the audience around them to express their gratitude.

Of course, the atmosphere was the most heated when Aurora announced the competition host’s name.

However, Lingwu University, who appeared after them, also received a round of applause that was not inferior to Eastern University, the competition host. The cheers resounded throughout the entire arena.

It was not hard to understand in this competition, where strength was the most vital aspect. One would move the audience as long as one showed one’s strength.

Lingwu University achieved this by just becoming one of the top 20 universities in the country this year and entering the competition’s top 16 for the first time in history.

A moment later, Kyoto’s name also appeared on the big screen. Within the arena, thunderous applause once again echoed.

It was evident that Kyoto had attracted many fans after the previous match against Donghu University. The audience also recognized Moss’s strength.

Even though six of their eleven team members were first-year students who had to face Aerospace University in the next match, their odds of winning the match had risen from 17% to 20%.

However, as they appeared as a brand new team, the topic of Kyoto’s team uniform far exceeded that of other topics about Kyoto itself. It even surpassed whether Kyoto Institute or Aerospace University would advance to the next round.

“Kyoto’s team battle uniforms this year are so cool! One look and I can tell they’ve put a lot of thought into it!”

“According to my old classmates in Kyoto, their battle uniforms have adopted a brand new image technology. The patterns on it will change according to the execution and change of one’s skill!”

“Cool!”

“Just take the zero advertisements on the battle uniforms as an example. They’re impressive enough!”

“How much money will it cost? You must know that advertising fees for each of the top 16 to top 8 matches are at least seven figures!”

“Do you think a number one university like Kyoto would lack money?!”

“Do they sell their battle uniforms? It’ll be a hit this year if it’s on sale!”

…

Concerning Kyoto Institute’s battle uniforms, the school thoroughly listened to every member’s opinions. Moss suggested displaying the number he wanted on the battle uniform using his spiritual power.

He wanted to achieve this effect not just to show off but, more importantly, to communicate through this so that he could better carry out his tactics. Some fragments of the Hacker Empire had also inspired Moss in his previous life.

The last name on the screen, Jingwu University, had also become the audience’s discussion topic, meaning the matches were about to begin.

“Next, let’s start the first match between Eastern University and Shennong University for a spot in the top 8!”

“Woo-hoo!”

“All right!”

“Eastern University will win!”

The arena instantly boiled over with cheers and chants.

When Eastern University’s ten armor-wearing team members descended from the sky via drones and landed in the ring, they gave everyone the impression that they were Gods descending from the heavens. It instantly pushed the atmosphere in the arena to a new height.

“F*ck! As expected of the competition host! Even their appearance is so explosive!”

“I’ll give them full marks for their entrance!”

“Today, Eastern University is aiming to win the competition. From their entrance, their pursuit of details has reached an extreme!”

…

Amid everyone’s heated discussion, the referee blew his whistle, signaling the start of the match. The first team battle of the national first- and second-year student exchange competition had officially begun.

…

Meanwhile, the team members in Kyoto’s resting area were still discussing Eastern University’s entrance.

Bishop stood in the middle of the room, clapping his hands as he reminded everyone, “Pay attention, you guys! Although Shennong University is weaker, this is the first team match. Eastern University will still show some of its true strength. Therefore, we must take this seriously!”

“Yes, Captain Bishop!”

“Roger that!”

Kyoto’s team members responded one after another. Then they focused on the match between Eastern University and Shennong University.

Of course, in the team members’ hearts, they attached great importance to every team that could become their potential opponent.

Furthermore, they dared not be negligent with Moss, the Notes King, who had a deep understanding of the other 15 teams and was still very serious about studying the surrounding competition.

As the match began, Moss constantly recorded the performance of Dongfang University’s team members in his comparison notebook, especially the skills they had never used before.

He simultaneously analyzed these new skills and jotted his thoughts and countermeasures.

“Moss has started to create a treasured book of opponents again!” Nat, next to Moss, could not help but exclaim in admiration when he saw his notes.

When the other team members saw Moss’s notes, they could deal with their opponents’ skills efficiently. The team members felt their opponents’ were playing poker with their cards exposed.

Nat was in deep thought when the initially silent and focused Moss suddenly asked, “Nat, is it me, or does something seem amiss about Eastern University’s captain and co-captain?”

Moss’s sudden question almost stunned Nat before she replied, “Huh? Indeed, something does seem amiss. I don’t know if I’m hallucinating, but the twins seem like they can use a combined skill.”

Fortunately, she had done her homework and reacted quickly.

“I feel the same. Although the captain and co-captain had deliberately hidden their strength, one could see the effects of their joint skill! If that’s the case, it’ll be cumbersome if we meet them in the semi-finals!”