"Congratulations, Host, for advancing to the fourth round. You are rewarded with 10,000 experience points and 600 skill points."

As the judge announced Wang Lan's victory, the system reward prompt sounded in his mind. Almost all the spectators in the venue stood up, giving Wang Lan a warm round of applause.

This battle had thrilled them to the core and earned their wholehearted approval. It even made them forget that Wang Lan was a Star Shine Stage Star Martial Warrior.

Previously, Wang Lan's victories could have been explained away by various reasons, such as the element of surprise or the Star Palace Artifact. But this battle showcased Wang Lan's solid fighting ability. Ask anyone present, whether eliminated or still in the competition, who felt confident enough to face Lei Tianxu in battle?

None! This included several from Jin City, who probably lacked the confidence either.

Although the Lian City representative team wasn't particularly strong, typically ranking even below Suzhou City, Lei Tianxu was undoubtedly a top-tier captain. Possessing the Berserker Bloodline, he hardly managed to exhibit its power against Wang Lan.

Meanwhile, online, netizens were completely abuzz. Wang Lan's fans were no longer just from Suzhou City; netizens from other cities also highly recognized him.

Netizens from Lian City, in particular, were thoroughly convinced. Wang Lan had defeated Lei Tianxu—the captain they called the strongest in their history—with righteous strength.

As the competition reached the third round, the battles entered their most exciting phase. Naturally, inevitable accidents also occurred one after another during the matches.

Today, 16 matches took place, with 2 ending in almost mutual destruction. Even those who won were severely injured, to a degree that the stationed Medical Star Martial Warriors might not be able to heal them completely.

"The draw is about to start. I wonder how many will forfeit this time?" Xu Xiangwen said, leaning against the sofa and staring at the television.

"Even if there are forfeits, there will be two at most."

"Two is still good, right? With two strong competitors gone, you'll be one step closer to the championship, won't you?"

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK—The sound of knocking suddenly rang out. Xu Xiangwen stood up to open the door. "Excuse me, Professor... may I ask who you are looking for?"

"Is Wang Lan here?"

Wang Lan looked up. A dignified and beautiful middle-aged female teacher was walking into the room with a girl. Recognizing the girl, Wang Lan's eyes narrowed slightly; he understood the purpose of their visit.

"You're all here. Hello, Wang Lan. I am the team leader for the Jin City representative team and a tactical professor at Jin City Star Warrior Academy. My name is Ni Yushu."

The mention of her identity made everyone who was sitting stand up. The team leader from Jin City was one thing, but Jin City Star Warrior Academy was quite another matter.

Besides the top-tier Star Martial Academies, Jin City Star Warrior Academy was undoubtedly one of the best of the second tier. For many outstanding students, if they could not get into one of the top academies, Jin City Star Warrior Academy was definitely their preferred choice.

Jin City Star Warrior Academy, ranked high among numerous Star Martial Academies, had its unique advantages. Among those present—Xu Xiangwen, Gong Feiyu, Xie Sisi—who wouldn't wish to enter Jin City Star Warrior Academy?

"Hello, Professor Ni... Why would a professor from Jin City Star Warrior Academy... take on the role of team leader for the Jin City representative team?" Xu Xiangwen asked, his eyes filled with a puzzled light as he looked at Xu Ruo beside Ni Yushu.

"I am the honorary principal of the high school affiliated with Jin City Star Warrior Academy, so it's natural for me to lead the Jin City representative team," she said, glancing at Wang Lan with a slight smile. "Wang Lan, I would like to request your help to treat my daughter's injuries."

"Xu Ruo is your daughter?" Wang Lan was surprised, looking at the somewhat pale-faced Xu Ruo. Moved by the noble commitment of a healer to act for the welfare of others, Wang Lan should have agreed without a second thought. But at that moment, Wang Lan shook his head. "The provincial martial arts competition has Medical Star Martial Warriors; you should let them treat Xu Ruo."

"Xu Ruo's injuries cannot be fully healed by the Medical Star Martial Warriors provided. Tomorrow is the tournament for the top 17 to advance to the top 9, which will affect her match. Wang Lan, your strength in today's battle was thoroughly demonstrated. In the entire Jiang Province, there hasn't been a Star Martial Warrior as outstanding as you in nearly a decade, even at the Star Shine Stage."

"But I know that, by comparison, your Medical Star Martial Technique is even more unparalleled. That's why I've come to earnestly request your help."

"You flatter me, Professor Ni. Under different circumstances, I would feel obliged, but as you know, we are currently participating in the provincial martial arts competition. We are competitors, so it's difficult for me to agree to your request."

"If you agree to treat Xu Ruo, I can offer you a guaranteed spot at Jin City Star Warrior Academy and, moreover, provide you with Jin City's best teachers. You know I have the capability to do that."

Looking at Ni Yushu, Wang Lan smiled faintly. "If I agreed, wouldn't it leave the impression in your heart that I'm a person who forgets justice at the sight of small advantages?"

"Is saving lives and helping the injured considered forgetting justice for small advantages? Or is the offer from Jin City Star Warrior Academy not enough? Could it be that you aim for the Four Great Star Martial Academies?"

"Having come this far, it seems the Four Great Star Martial Academies are not so out of reach if I put in a bit more effort." Wang Lan's words were modest, but his eyes brimmed with unwavering confidence. The Four Great Star Martial Academies—I, Wang Lan, am set on them!

"Only by ranking in the top 3 is there a chance to be noticed by the Four Great Star Martial Academies. Wang Lan, are you that confident?"

"I can try."

The atmosphere suddenly became oppressive. Ni Yushu's face also grew serious. Xu Ruo gently tugged on Ni Yushu's sleeve. "Mom, let's go."

Ni Yushu glanced at Wang Lan and then at Jiang Xinyu beside him. "You're doing this for Jiang Xinyu, aren't you? With the strength you've displayed today, you might have a chance of winning against Xu Ruo. Her Flame Attribute counters Jiang Xinyu's Ice Attribute."

"Professor, you're mistaken. In my view, Xu Ruo's strength definitely ranks her among the top five contenders in this competition. To be honest, I don't have the slightest confidence. As a contestant, I am under no obligation to treat my opponents."

"Professor, you might not believe this, but I was chosen for the Suzhou City team merely to make up the numbers. I've stumbled along to get this far, and it hasn't been easy. My primary task is to ensure the Suzhou City team enters each match ready to achieve a complete victory. I hope you can understand."

"Of course, I can understand. However, Wang Lan, have you noticed the flaws in your fighting style?"

"I would like to hear more!"

"Setting aside your Star Martial Warrior level for now, you have mastered 4 Star Martial Skills: Star Cloud Sword Dance, Flame Sword, Crescent Arrow, and Thunder Snake. What's more impressive is that you have perfected these 4 A-grade Star Martial Skills and have already completed training for a composite Star Martial Skill."

"In a head-on battle, your skills and damage output are already first-class; even many university students from Jin City may not be as powerful as you. However, your versatility is lacking. You don't have long-range crowd control capabilities, nor do you have emergency response abilities."

"Take Mu Shaoyun from the Suzhou City team, for example. His Earth Movement Skill is unrivaled, and he is incredibly elusive, seemingly even more useful than your Star Cloud Lightning Phantom..." As she said this, Ni Yushu's voice trailed off.

Wang Lan furrowed his eyebrows and sighed inwardly. It's no surprise she's a professor at the Jin City Star Warrior Academy—such a keen eye. Sometimes, the fusion of two A-grade Star Martial Skills isn't as practical as a single B-grade Star Martial Skill.

"For example, if you face the Water Attribute captain from Chang City, how would you deal with his flood tactic and Nai Luo Rain Technique? You don't have earth-burrowing abilities, nor any evasion techniques, so all your moves would be firmly countered. And what about Zhang Jing from Tong City with his Mirror Talent? How would you overcome his ability? Not to mention, from my own Jin City, one has absolute speed, and the other, absolute Star Power."

Ni Yushu had listed several examples, all of whom were opponents Wang Lan currently had no way of defeating. Frankly, when facing them, Wang Lan could only adapt as the situation unfolded, looking for weaknesses in battle to secure victory.

"Does Professor Ni have any advice?"

"You lack an escape-type Star Martial Skill, but unfortunately, your attributes are Fire and Thunder. Moreover, while your Thunder Activity might seem very fast to the average Star Martial Warrior, it doesn't give you an edge in the provincial martial arts competition, which is crowded with geniuses."

"I have an A-grade escape Star Martial Skill here, Phantom Tracer! What do you think about a trade?"

Phantom Tracer, the signature Star Martial Skill of Jin City's third-ranked expert, was a teleportation technique. It allowed instant movement to an enemy's side for an attack or to instantly dodge an incoming attack.

That Zhang Yu utilized Phantom Tracer along with his superb neural reflexes to almost instantaneously take down his opponents in the first 2 rounds. In the third round, although he met a worthy opponent, he still managed to defeat them with the teleportation from Phantom Tracer. He was the one known for 'Absolute Speed'.

To Wang Lan, this Star Martial Skill was reminiscent of Flying Thor, leaving him practically drooling for quite a while. The difference, however, was that Phantom Tracer didn't require placing a marker, couldn't be used for indefinite teleportation, and had a range limit.

"Wang Lan, agree to it," Jiang Xinyu suddenly said softly from behind him.

Wang Lan turned his head to look back, giving Jiang Xinyu a serious glance.

"I know you're reluctant because you're worried about me. My abilities are completely countered by hers. But don't underestimate me; I, Jiang Xinyu, will not take advantage of someone's misfortune. Even if I end up facing Xu Ruo, I will fight with honor, win or lose. Besides, even if my attribute is countered, it doesn't necessarily mean I'll lose."

Seeing Wang Lan still hesitant, Jiang Xinyu smiled. "And I would very much like to have a fair fight with Xu Ruo. Go ahead and treat her."

"Xinyu, you say to treat her just like that? Have you even considered where Xu Ruo is injured?" Wang Lan sighed with a wry smile.

"The injury is a little below her abdomen," Ni Yushu said, puzzled. "Is that so crucial? Do you have to look at it?"

"Professor Ni, my healing Star Martial Skill requires direct contact. I need to touch the injured part to heal, unlike traditional Medical Star Martial Techniques that can heal from a distance."

At these words, Xu Ruo's cheeks instantly flushed red, and it seemed as if steam were faintly gathering.

"Then, I'll have to trouble Wang Lan. May I watch from the side?"

"That's no problem."

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