Chapter 129: Chapter 116 Opening Ceremony

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“Ah, Old Kuang, you really have no sense for romance. There’s just no dealing with you.”

Tong Xuhua shook his head helplessly and let out a soft sigh.

“Enough, enough. Stop dawdling; the car is already waiting outside for us.” Old Kuang urged.

Everyone picked up their luggage and filed onto the school bus waiting outside the door.

After a journey, they arrived at Jincheng Airport.

The airport authorities attached great importance to this event and specially arranged an exclusive flight for everyone.

To enhance the spectacle and competitive level of the competition, the organizing committee set a high barrier to entry—each team must have at least four Beast Tamings that had evolved once.

At the same time, there were restrictions on team composition; a team could consist of at most four official members and one alternate.

This regulation was just perfect, allowing a single airplane to accommodate all the competitors.

If such a threshold hadn’t been set, it would probably take two or three airplanes to barely fit so many people.

In the spacious waiting room, the students found places to sit or gathered in groups of three or five to chat.

Chen Xing had just walked into the waiting room when he hesitated, his gaze falling on a figure not far away.

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, someone still looks pretty aloof on the outside, eh?

Chen Lingya was sitting there, looking aloof, radiating an aura that said, ‘keep your distance.’

Even her teammates seemed to regard her with some caution, maintaining a certain distance.

A smile appeared on Chen Xing’s face as he said to his teammates, “I see someone I know. I won’t be sitting with you guys.”

The other teammates leaned in curiously, following Chen Xing’s gaze.

Chen Xing took long strides directly toward the Wanhai High School team located inwards.

Sure enough, they saw Chen Xing heading toward the Wanhai High School team sitting inside.

“That seems to be the team from Wanhai High School!” Tian Xuechuan recognized the well-known team.

“Yeah, they’re this year’s champions; their strength is extraordinary,” Tong Xuhua chimed in.

While everyone was discussing fervently, Chen Xing had already reached Chen Lingya’s side,

and, without any politeness, plopped down next to her. Then he reached into the bag of chips in her arms, took out a few, and started crunching away.

This scene left everyone around them stupefied.

Damn! This guy’s got some serious guts!

Everyone knows about the temper of the team captain from Wanhai High School. Is he asking for trouble?

Just now, a guy tried to approach her and got scared off by a single icy look from Chen Lingya.

But now, not only is Chen Xing sitting so close to her, but he’s also daring to eat her chips—that’s like pushing the limits!

“What show are you watching?” Chen Xing noticed Chen Lingya was watching a drama and, curious, leaned his head in close, almost touching her shoulder.

“Crime show,” Chen Lingya replied indifferently, then took off one wireless earbud and handed it to him, “Want to watch?”

This move was even more shocking to the people around them.

Tian Xuechuan’s eyes widened: “Damn, Old Chen is trespassing on dangerous territory!”

“She just handed him her earbud?!” Tong Xuhua was incredulous, “That’s one unique way to hit on someone.”

Kuang Shiyi, who had some prior information about the students, knew about the relationship between Chen Xing and Chen Lingya.

He glanced over briefly and didn’t pay it much mind. “Stop gawking, everyone. Find a place to sit for yourselves.”

Wu Ju had also noticed this scene and looked disdainfully at the two guys next to her who were acting like idiots in shock.

Even she could tell that Chen Xing and Chen Lingya looked somewhat alike and were probably related.

Are these two guys seriously making such a fuss over it?

“So you’re participating in the College Cup too.” Ruan Jun, sitting next to Chen Lingya, noticed Chen Xing and his group and sparked up a conversation.

Pei Lingmin responded with a smile, “Why not consider transferring schools? Come to ours, and you could be an alternate.

Our school’s ranking is definitely going to be higher than yours this time.”

After all, they were this year’s champions of the Shu State Cup, so they had the confidence to say this.

The coach of the Wanhai High School team, Fu Chang, was also present; his expression shifted slightly.

He had seen Chen Xing’s matches and knew that this young man was a rare talent as well.

If Chen Xing could take Chen Lingya’s place after her graduation, then perhaps in two years, Wanhai High School could win another championship.

The reserve player from Wanhai High School sitting nearby felt a shiver down his spine. Am I going to lose my job?

You guys are saying all this without even trying to avoid me?

The young man wanted to cry but had no tears.

“Sister, you can’t be too sure your team’s ranking will be higher than mine,” Chen Xing said with a teasing smile.

Pei Lingmin smiled faintly. It’s normal for a little brother to be defiant.

Soon, it was time to board the plane.

Under the guidance of the flight attendants, everyone boarded the plane one by one.

On the plane, Tian Xuechuan asked in a low voice, “Do you know the team captain from Wanhai High School?”

“I know her, very well.”

“How well?”

“Like family.”

Sheesh…

Tian Xuechuan was shocked.

They’re that close?

“Is it possible what the junior said means they’re siblings?” Wu Ju couldn’t stand it any longer, Tian Xuechuan was such an idiot!

Tian Xuechuan then realized.

“Ah!”

Others seated in the rows ahead, who had been eavesdropping, also thought to themselves, damn.

Both siblings are participating in the College Cup?

Now that’s thrilling.

This scene made them recall the famous Golden Iron Beast twins from Shu State that had made a name for themselves years ago.

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The pair of siblings participated in the competition and completely dominated that year’s event.

Unfortunately, the brother and sister were not on the same team.

Moreover, the sister was very impressive, while the brother was not so well-known.

…

As the plane soared over Longdu’s airspace, the young passengers on board peered out of the small windows, only to see a city of dazzling lights unfolding beneath them.

It was like a wonder of human architecture on the horizon, shimmering with endless prosperity and vitality.

Legend has it that, after the arrival of the Exotic Region six hundred years ago, the Emperor of Great Xia decided to express the imperial family’s determination to resist the Exotic Region by moving the capital northward, choosing to settle it there.

This decision not only altered the historical trajectory of Great Xia but also transformed the city into the heart and soul of the kingdom.

Throughout history, the Exotic Region had attempted to attack Longdu several times, but each time they were driven back.

Today, Longdu has grown into a modernized metropolis, still retaining that ancient and unwavering spirit.

As the plane gradually descended, a clear track came into view for everyone on board.

After a slight tremble, the plane began to slow down and finally came to a steady stop at the designated position.

The cabin door opened, and the passengers disembarked in turn.

Next to the plane, many buses had already arrived, along with a host of professional staff from the University Cup waiting for them.

These staff members wore uniform attire, appearing both professional and orderly.

Chen Xing and his group were picked up by three separate buses and quickly reached their destination—Dragon Pavilion Residence.

Dragon Pavilion Residence was a magnificent piece of classic architecture, its antique design style exuding a sense of solemnity and elegance.

Beside Dragon Pavilion Residence stood the highest-level sports arena in the Great Xia Kingdom—Peak Arena.

This arena was famous throughout the Great Xia Kingdom, with many important competitions held here.

Its architectural style was modern and grandiose, forming a striking contrast with the nearby Dragon Pavilion Residence.

Dragon Pavilion Residence, though named “residence,” was actually a vast complex of buildings.

This architectural complex was centered around courtyards, scattered harmoniously, possessing a classically elegant aesthetic.

Chen Xing and his colleagues were assigned to one of these courtyards.

The courtyard was furnished with delicate care, featuring a pond rippling with clear waves at its heart.

In the pond, colorful ornamental fish swam freely, occasionally leaping from the water and creating sparkling droplets.

The surrounding buildings were full of ancient charm, each constructed from rare timber unique to the Exotic Region.

The wood was hard yet smooth, and skilled artisans had meticulously carved exquisite patterns onto the beams and pillars.

In short, it looked very expensive!

“It seems our accommodation for the upcoming period is quite nice,” Kuang Shiyi looked around with satisfaction, nodding approvingly,

“However, how long we can stay here depends on our performance in the competition.”

He said it half-jokingly, but it made everyone burst into laughter.

“We must definitely make it to the top hundred! Otherwise, wouldn’t this trip be in vain?” Tong Xuhua clenched his fists.

“Rest well today, because tomorrow is the opening ceremony. Has Wu Ju told you about the rules for the opening ceremony?” Kuang Shiyi asked everyone.

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Chen Xing nodded. “Senior sister gave me the rundown; I’ve got it all memorized.”

Wu Ju recently talked about the opening ceremony during the training camp he attended.

Both college and high school divisions make their entrance during the opening ceremony, with the college division entering first.

After all the college division teams have entered, the high school teams proceed based on last year’s college cup rankings.

The spot assigned to Chen Xing’s team was at the very end of the line.

That was because last year, the school had been quickly eliminated in their first match, making their competition run a mere day trip.

“Right, don’t wander off when it’s time, and don’t summon your beasts. The college division will summon their beasts, we just need to follow and make our entrance,” Wu Ju advised.

“There will be a lot of cameras on both sides of the road, and even though they may not necessarily shoot you… You should still try to manage your public image as much as possible, absolutely do not do anything inappropriate like picking your nose in front of the large crowd!” Kuang Shiyi repeatedly warned.

Chen Xing’s team nodded in earnest agreement.

Behind every rule emphatically reiterated lay the blood, sweat, and lessons of their predecessors.

They remembered that once, a senior had thought that with so many people at the event, and their team not being well-known, he wouldn’t get filmed.

In the end, he unexpectedly became a hot search topic.

This incident even briefly brought some fame to their school.

In the end, it was the officials who had to step in to quell the publicity.

As the competition drew nearer, and even though it wasn’t his first time participating, Chen Xing still couldn’t help feeling a little excited.

Back in his room, Chen Xing video-called his parents and talked with them for quite a while.

After hanging up, he tossed and turned in bed, finally drifting off into a restless sleep around one in the morning.

Woken up at seven o’clock the next morning, he got out of bed, washed up, and had breakfast.

Then, under the arrangement of the staff, they went to Peak Arena.

Peak Arena is the largest competitive venue in the country.

At its peak, it can accommodate up to a hundred thousand spectators. It’s not that they couldn’t build a venue for more people, but considering the watchability of the competition and the size of the space, this number is already the most suitable.

Plus, in the venue, viewers mainly rely on projectors to watch because from a distance… except for Advanced Beast Tamers, it’s hard for the average person to observe with the naked eye.

When they were still far from the arena, Chen Xing could already hear the thunderous cheers and lively music from inside the venue.

The sound was like surging waves, stirring Chen Xing’s emotions.

“Hello, we are reporters from Shu State Radio. May we interview you?”

Several reporters with microphones and cameras approached, pointing the microphones at the team in front.

The reporter quickly finished interviewing the previous contestants, with the camera operator following her, before finally reaching Chen Xing’s team.

“Hello, is there anything you would like to say to your friends back home?”

The female reporter pointed the microphone at Chen Xing, primarily because he had the highest appearance rating.

Such interviews definitely feature the most photogenic individuals – audiences love that.

Chen Xing looked into the camera, momentarily lost in thought as faces flashed through his mind.

Parents, school principal, mentor, coach…

He didn’t know if they would see it, but he couldn’t help but speak his heartfelt truth, “This year’s champion, I’ve got it in the bag!”