The true purpose behind them instigating a one-on-one fight between the two was actually to analyze Lin Ran's bloodline abilities and study the dark energy within Luo Qingyan. The reasons he just mentioned were of secondary importance.
Upon hearing this, Lin Ran and Luo Qingyan exchanged glances, then smiled and nodded in unison.
"What difficulty is there in that?"
"Even without copyright fees, it's only right for us to contribute something to Yan University."
Gao Xian laughed heartily.
"Alright! Then let's go grab something to eat together first, and then head to the arena!"
...
After they had eaten their fill, the group swaggered towards the arena.
It had to be said that Yan University's catering was quite good, offering a variety of cuisines that would surely not displease anyone's palate. Furthermore, the dishes possessed the ability to subtly enhance physical constitution and promote talent evolution. The cost in credits was minimal; a single meal, costing barely 0.01 credits, was usually enough to fill a burly man's stomach. As the top university in the country, these amenities were indeed exceptional.
It was also during this meal that Lin Ran got to see Gao Xian's true face beneath his mask. He was handsome, fair-skinned, and in no way inferior to Lin Ran himself. The only slight imperfection was a touch of effeminacy, lacking the robust heroic aura that Lin Ran possessed. This was perhaps why Gao Xian always wore a mask.
Concurrently, as Lin Ran's Natural Spirit Body talent developed and awakened, his own temperament had also greatly improved. He was gradually beginning to exude an ethereal, refined, and naturally gentle aura. Combined with his already outstanding appearance, he was, from any angle, quite flawless.
Adding Luo Qingyan, whose beauty could make the moon and flowers feel ashamed, and the five department heads with their decent looks and temperaments, their entourage attracted frequent glances from passersby as they walked.
Before long, led by Gao Xian, they arrived at one of Yan University's four major arenas. This modern arena was shaped like a massive cylinder, nearly a hundred meters high and a full kilometer in diameter. The central part featured a hollow design, providing an open-air platform for students.
Under normal circumstances, it was not common for students to find themselves supervised by department heads as they had been in the conference room. Therefore, if they wished to engage in sparring, gambling matches, or settle scores, they had to proceed to one of the four arenas.
Currently, the arena was filled with a clamor of voices, with shouts and the sounds of combat echoing everywhere.
Observing these vibrant students, Lu Qiufeng couldn't help but sigh.
"This is youth!"
"When I was young, I also enjoyed a good fight."
"Now that I'm older, I find myself fighting less and less... I'm even getting a bit flabby."
Lin Miao snorted.
"Over thirty and you're already old? You're quite shameless."
"When we were students together, you were always so glib-tongued."
"As you've aged, your disposition hasn't improved much; you're still like a child."
"The boss hasn't even complained about being old."
"Stop making excuses for your laziness."
Galled by Lin Miao's retort, Lu Qiufeng could only offer an awkward laugh and begin to talk about something else, trying to change the subject. Lin Ran, however, caught the important point in their conversation. He hadn't expected that the five department heads of Yan Yun University were actually classmates and were quite young. At just over thirty, they were already Eighth-tier awakeners, a level of talent that would be considered prodigious anywhere.
Gao Xian, with fewer ulterior motives than the others, quickly led them to an empty platform with practiced ease.
"Let's use this one!"
"Our platform material is sufficiently durable, reinforced with defensive formations and virtual technology, so you can rest assured about safety."
"Moreover, on this platform, we won't need to act as referees; the platform will automatically judge the loser and provide protection."
"You have nothing to worry about, just go for it!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Ran and Luo Qingyan nodded seriously and stepped onto the fifty-meter radius platform, one on each side.
Little did they know, a commotion was rapidly spreading throughout the entire arena.
"Holy cow! Did I see that right?"
"What is it? What is it?"
"Were those the five department heads of Yan University who just passed by? Why are they here at the arena?"
"Huh? Could it be that they're going to spar amongst themselves?"
"Perhaps something even more exciting, like a gambling match."
"Wow! We absolutely have to watch this! A clash of experts is a rare sight."
"Exactly! I saw them heading towards platform 117. Let's hurry and see who's going to fight whom!"
"Let's go, let's go!"
"..."
Thus, before Lin Ran and Luo Qingyan could even finish their warm-up preparations, a large crowd of onlookers rushed over, filling the spectator seats around the platform three layers deep. Those who couldn't squeeze in quickly connected to the arena's network via their bio-chips to watch the live broadcast of platform 117.
To their surprise, everyone was astonished. The two individuals on the platform were not any of the five department heads, but two unfamiliar students. The five department heads, who had caused such a stir throughout the arena, were actually observing from their seats. Even more bizarre was that, according to the information displayed for the two individuals, their student IDs began with 3077... This indicated that they were freshmen from the current academic year.
A fight between two freshmen drawing the attention of all five department heads?! This only piqued the curiosity of the onlookers.
"The freshmen who are enrolling now should all be special admits, so their fights should be quite intense."
"The guy is handsome, and the girl is beautiful, and they're special admits... Sigh, sometimes you just have to admit that the gap between people can be wider than the gap between you and them!"
"What nonsense are you spouting! You dog, barking at what! Isn't the gap between people wider than the gap between you and them?"
"To attract the attention of the five department heads, they must be extremely strong among the special admits."
"That's for sure... Holy cow! I remember now, this young man is the top scorer who significantly broke the record this year! SS-grade Natural Spirit Body talent + mysterious bloodline possession!"
"And the girl?"
"The girl is this year's second-highest scorer! SSS-grade Holy Angel talent!"
"My goodness, it's an all-star lineup... No wonder the department heads are paying such close attention..."
Xu Lei glanced left and right at the crowded spectator stands, a wry smile playing on his lips.
"It seems we should be more low-key next time we come."
Gao Xian, however, waved his hand grandly.
"It doesn't matter. In any case, the video of this duel will ultimately become classic teaching material for future freshmen."
"It's not a bad thing to let these people witness it in advance."