If Lin Ran's Earth Burst Reincarnation had been a slap in the face to Han Zixi,
then this was akin to defecating on his head.
Who in Xiangchu didn't know that he and Lin Ran were mortal enemies?
The more powerful and outstanding Lin Ran appeared, the more it would highlight his own ignorance and shallowness.
Even now, many people were already dissatisfied with how he treated Lin Ran.
If Lin Ran were allowed to continue acting with impunity and unleashing his full potential,
the pressure of public opinion would eventually crush him.
At that point, even if the principal of Xiangchu or the highest council intervened, they might not be able to protect him!
While Wang Yuanqing's mind was in a daze, Han Zixi approached him.
"Teacher Wang, I remember someone just said..."
"Said what? Don't rush, Teacher Han, Lin Ran hasn't won yet!"
"The members of the non-elite alliance have already broken through forty thousand. What's the point of him defeating two thousand people now? It's just a drop in the ocean."
"In my opinion, Lin Ran will eventually be annihilated by Tang Jiu! Clinging to individual heroism will never get you far."
"Not to mention, Lin Ran only managed to defeat two thousand people simultaneously by using the building's collapse."
"Without the building's assistance, he would have been exhausted to death."
"In my view, compared to Lin Ran, who excels in solo combat, Tang Jiu, as a commander, has a more promising future."
"After all, in wars against fierce beasts and alien races, no matter how strong you are alone, you're just a grunt."
"An outstanding commander who can mobilize people is the key to victory!"
"So, who was that person? Hmm?"
"My memory is poor, so I hope Teacher Wang can remind me."
Only then did Wang Yuanqing snap out of his despair, his face immediately filling with a deathly gray pallor.
Even if he wanted to retort stubbornly, he couldn't find any justification.
With the emergence of this monstrous, black-hole-like skill, the competition for Lin Ran among various forces would inevitably escalate.
After all, he was only at the third stage and could already cause such earth-shattering effects.
What would happen if he reached the sixth, seventh, or even eighth or ninth stages?
Especially on the battlefield against alien races or fierce beasts, how much advantage would this move bring to humanity's army!
Lin Ran's future ascent was almost a foregone conclusion.
And he, at this crucial moment when a dragon was lurking in the abyss, had offended Lin Ran to death.
If it wasn't digging his own grave, it was drinking the soup of oblivion.
What to do? What to do? What to do?
Wang Yuanqing had completely lost his mind and fled the observation hall in a panic.
Han Zixi, watching Wang Yuanqing flee, couldn't help but burst into laughter.
The unpleasantness of being teased by Lü Qiufeng earlier had completely disappeared.
...
Inside the arena.
After dealing with those annoying flies, Lin Ran finally obtained the long-awaited airdrop.
As expected, it contained not only a large number of score-accumulation items but also a wave of single-use items that could be used here.
Normally, these items weren't of much use to Lin Ran, but due to the consumption from Earth Burst Reincarnation and Heart Meridian Shock, Lin Ran's health and mana were almost depleted.
Using them now was just right.
Lin Ran first stuffed himself with consumables until most of them were gone, and then began his next step.
At this moment, Lin Ran's points, due to defeating five thousand participants and then enjoying an airdrop all by himself, had reached nearly fifty thousand.
This had left Tang Jiu, who was in second place, more than a hundred thousand miles behind.
However, the scoreboard hadn't been updated yet, so Tang Jiu didn't know this good news.
There was no need for him to remind Tang Jiu; his priority was to rush to the next airdrop location!
Lin Ran, after his condition was restored, began his actions once again.
...
Outside the arena.
Numerous teachers were incessantly discussing Lin Ran's potential.
"This guy will be at least an eighth-stage awakened being in the future!"
"An eighth-stage awakened being? Not only that. With his performance today, it's hard to accept if he doesn't reach tenth stage."
"Tenth stage? Are you just talking? Do you even know what the tenth stage means?"
"Exactly. Anyone who reaches the tenth stage was already outstanding and sharp in their youth. Does Lin Ran deserve that?"
"Yes, considering everything, ninth stage is probably about right!"
"What nonsense are you spouting? Are the legendary battles at Black Dragon Abyss and Fu Long Mountain Range just gone in your eyes?"
"Exactly! These people have let their jealousy poison their minds, and they're spewing baseless hate!"
"Indeed! Not to mention, the terrifying power of instantly killing five thousand students with one skill just now is still fresh in our minds. Are you choosing to forget it now?"
"Even Ye Yun wasn't this monstrous in his youth, was he?"
"Alas! These people have too small a vision; they just can't stand seeing others succeed!"
"In my opinion, Lin Ran's rise is a great thing for our Dragon Country."
"But these people are all sour, like pickled cucumbers, it's too embarrassing! They're still fixated on a mere freshman exchange competition!"
At this moment, the teachers from ordinary schools had divided into two factions.
One group continued to spew relentless acid at Lin Ran, while the other group had awakened and begun to excessively praise Lin Ran, trying to salvage some of their image.
Even though their inner thoughts were unknown, such actions were necessary.
Watching the arguing group, Lü Qiufeng felt a sense of contentment.
Well! The students on the field were cooperating, but the teachers outside were already frictioning, truly a self-inflicted trouble!
Just as Lü Qiufeng was about to turn back and continue his idle chat with Lin Miao to pass the boring time, he suddenly noticed that the large screen broadcasting the competition's progress had gone black.
???
Lü Qiufeng was stunned.
What was Xiangchu up to? How could such a blunder occur during the freshman challenge?
Lü Qiufeng couldn't remember how many years it had been since the freshman challenge had last had an incident.
And this was a competition with observers from the highest council, yet something had gone wrong.
Although Lü Qiufeng didn't see anyone from the highest council at the scene, they were definitely watching the competition.
They might be watching through other devices in a secluded room, or they might be hidden among the crowd in an inconspicuous form.
Lü Qiufeng had no interest in analyzing these things.
It was best not to get involved with matters of the highest council.
Sometimes, knowing too much wasn't necessarily a good thing.
But now... the fun seemed to have escalated considerably.
Looking at the chaotic organizing staff, Lü Qiufeng rubbed his aching forehead.