Qin Jin walked at the back of the group.
His gaze turned to this mentor, Meng Ning. He could see the otherâs figure with his naked eye, but in his perception, the other seemed non-existent.
A competition of this level involved many academies within the star system, with the participants being the ten strongest combatants of the academic year, and the team leader was clearly no ordinary individual.
Most likely, a Celestial Being!
A thought flashed through his mind as Qin Jin followed the group and stepped onto the gangway. Just as he was about to enter the starship, Meng Ningâs voice sounded.
"What a pity."
He looked at Qin Jin: "Truly a good seedling, but itâs a pity that when you asked Candle Kite to put your question to me, I wasnât at the academy; otherwise, I would have definitely competed with Gu Huang over you."
"Good luck."
Meng Ningâs tone carried a hint of appreciation: "In the Limit-Breaking Cup, the ones with the highest combat power are often senior students from top academies, but itâs not uncommon for freshmen to shine there."
"Qin Jin."
"I have high hopes for you."
Upon hearing this, Qin Jinâs expression was calm, neither arrogant nor humble: "Thank you, Teacher Meng."
Meng Ning smiled kindly.
He followed Qin Jin inside the starship, his gaze sweeping over the ten students present, speaking out.
"This is our Martial Abyssâ [Wenwu Ship]."
"Inside Wenwu Ship, there are living quarters, entertainment areas, and training zones. During the upcoming journey, you can fully experience them."
"If youâre feeling restless, you can also go to the dueling area for a match. For specifics about the starship, you can use your personal terminal to ask the Candle Kite avatar on Wenwu Ship."
"We will first head to another star domain to pick up the second and third-year participants, and then all set off together to the competition venue."
Meng Ningâs voice fell.
Xie Wuya suddenly raised his hand.
"Letâs speak plainly."
Meng Ning looked at him, his tone kind: "This isnât the academy, no need to follow so many rules."
"Teacher Meng."
Xie Wuya immediately spoke: "Are the second-year and third-year seniors also ten participants each?"
"After they board, can we challenge them?"
"They are not ten people."
Meng Ning shook his head: "If all the participants in the Limit-Breaking Cup were senior students, you freshmen would be too disadvantaged. How else would you progress to the second stage of individual combat?"
"This yearâs Star Dome Limit-Breaking Cup has three participants from the second-year selection, and one from the third year."
"As for challenges..."
Meng Ningâs tone carried a hint of playfulness: "As long as you can get their consent, thereâs nothing stopping you."
"Of course, you should be prepared to take a beating."
A laughter sounded as these words fell.
"Feel free to move about."
Meng Ning snapped his fingers.
In the next instant, he suddenly disappeared on the spot.
Qin Jin had been quietly listening all along.
Seeing Meng Ning vanish, he muttered to himself: "As expected, a Celestial Being."
"Moreover..."
He recalled the otherâs words earlier: "It was before the school started when Candle Kite reached out; this was one of the Celestial Guides interested in me."
"I wonder what the title of this Celestial is, and whether the other teachers accompanying this trip have also not shown up and are also Celestials?"
A thought flashed through his mind.
It is only in a place like Martial Abyss that you can see such a number of Martial Arts powerhouses at once.
At this moment.
Beside him, Chi Wenwuâs voice sounded: "Three from the second year and one from the third year."
"Everyone."
"It seems their selection is more brutal than ours."
"The one from the third year, nearing graduation, might just be the strongest among those currently cultivating at the academy?"
Xie Wuya spoke, with some anticipation in his tone: "To stand out above all others of the same grade, they must be really formidable. Once the Limit-Breaking Cup starts, weâll get to see them in action."
After his voice fell, Chi Wenwu seemed to think of something, his expression grew a bit solemn, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, raising his voice: "Everyone."
All eyes turned to him.
"We cannot control or command those four seniors."
"However, after I returned the day before yesterday, I reviewed the records of past Limit-Breaking Cups. Some team competitions allowed students to communicate and support each other."
"We have some idle time, so why not establish some markers or secret codes; they might be useful during the competition."
"Thatâs true."
Duan Yaobang was the first to agree: "I support this proposal."
Chi Wenwu looked at the others: "What does everyone think?"
"Agree."
"We definitely should prepare in advance."
Voices of agreement arose.
Inside the starship, the students busied themselves, quickly adapting.
...
After a few hours of travel, Wenwu Ship stopped in Star Sea, as a small starship approached and docked the passage.
Four people together, one in the front, the other three followed behind, entering together.
Qin Jin leaned against the bar in the starshipâs lobby, redirecting his gaze toward them.
As his gaze swept over them, his brows slightly raised.
Among the four, there was a somewhat familiar face.
Xu Chen.
A second-year student, a member of the student organization Star-picking Association, who once invited Qin Jin along with others at the start of school.
Among the four, there were three men and one woman, with the latter three being second-year students, and leading in front was the only one who stood out from the third year.
That was a man with a sunny disposition, short hair, and handsome features.
Under the gazes of the present students, his eyes fell directly on Qin Jin.
As their eyes met.
A trace of fluctuation rose in his eyes, along with a hint of regret.
"Everyone, nice to meet you."
The manâs voice rose: "Third-year, Shi Luoshu."
Behind him.
The three second-year students introduced themselves one by one.