The bustling square grew suddenly quiet as the figures in blood robes appeared. When the scent of blood began to spread, though the sun was shining brightly, several less experienced students still felt a coldness ripple through their bodies. "He must have just returned from a mission," the red-robed girl murmured, her brows furrowed as she gazed at the figure in the blood robes. "The vitality here is even more intense than that of the others in Blackhorn Domain." Indeed, he had come back—so he had. White Mountain's previously gentle expression had grown slightly somber upon seeing the man in the blood-tinged aura. Among the outer academies of Caelum, the person he most feared wasn't the young, formidable spirit girl who sent shivers down people's spines, nor was it the composed, quietly powerful薰. It was this man, radiating such strong, vivid blood energy, standing right before him! Over the course of two years, Bai Shan and Wu Hao have clashed—both openly and secretly—no fewer than ten times. Yet each time, Bai Shan has failed to secure victory. Wu Hao’s almost relentless drive to kill, seemingly killing for the sake of killing, is truly formidable. Bai Shan can foresee that should Wu Hao be given sufficient time to grow, his future accomplishments will be exceptionally impressive. Throughout these years, amid countless conflicts between the Gan-Can Academy and the Hei-Jiao Region, this man in the crimson robe has fought through blood and bone, advancing steadily by maximizing his potential in the brutal, life-or-death battles—rising from a mere ordinary member of the Enforcement Squad to his current stature. Within the Enforcement Squad, he holds a revered yet intimidating title: the Blood Avenger—the name forged through blood and the countless bodies he has laid down. "Such a strong, pervasive scent of blood," Bai Shan murmured. "Ah, Wu Tianlang—that madman—truly intends to mold Wu Hao into someone who survives solely through relentless killing, doesn't he?" "At the central seat, an elderly man dressed in pale yellow robes furrowed his brows, saying, 'If this continues, Wu Hao will eventually lose his composure due to the overwhelming intensity of his aura.' 'I don't think so. Although Wu Tianlang is reserved and sharp, he has always treated Wu Hao as his own. By inviting him to participate in the internal academy's selection competition, he must have intended for Wu Hao to temporarily step away from the enforcement team. With the internal academy being filled with such exceptional talents, someone should be able to temper Wu Hao's detached, life-considering indifference.' The vice-rector paused slightly before speaking. 'I hope so... Such a promising student—should he be lost, it would indeed be a significant blow to the academy.' The elder sighed. 'Indeed, even the dean himself once remarked that, given ten years, if Wu Hao could maintain his rationality uncorrupted by bloodlust, his strength would reach an exceptionally high level.' The elder known as the 'Fire Old Man' nodded slightly, adding. "Hehe, it seems this year's selection tournament has quite a few exceptionally outstanding seed players." The deputy director smiled warmly. "White Mountain, Wu Hao, Xun'er, and the one who suddenly emerged—Xiao Yan. Compared to last year's contestants, their demonstrated abilities are clearly at a much higher level." "Didn't you even think of your own troublesome little fairy girl? How many people in the outer academy dare to stand up to her?" the elderly man beside him rolled his eyes. Upon hearing this, the deputy director sighed, his gaze shifting to the viewing area where a red-robed young woman leaned against the railing. After a moment of thoughtful contemplation, he suddenly grew visibly agitated. "I'm absolutely delighted by her talent, but her temperament is simply unbearable. I've been waiting for her to find a good husband, someone with a strong lineage, so she can produce a son to carry on the family name. Yet, she's completely indifferent to men!" Hearing this, the three elders nearby could no longer help but chuckle. "The Bai Shan, Wu Hao, Lu Mu, and Xiao Yan—all were rare talents, truly outstanding among their peers. After the selection finals and upon entering the Inner Courtyard, the top five would undergo special evaluations. With time spent together, Hu Jia would surely find herself drawn to them, wouldn’t she?" The elder beside the Vice Dean smiled warmly, offering reassurance. "Hu Jia—must be the name of that red-robed girl." Exhaling in frustration, the deputy director pushed the troublesome issue out of his mind and turned his gaze toward the competition arena. As the blood-draped Wu Hao entered the field, the referee at the podium waited a moment before calling out the starting signal. Immediately upon the referee's announcement, Wu Hao's opponent hurried back several steps, his internal qi surging rapidly and forming a shimmering aura of qi that enveloped his body. He clutched his weapon tightly, fixing his eyes on the motionless Wu Hao across from him, not daring to blink once. The students seated in the stands watched this display and remained silent—over the years, Wu Hao's reputation outside the Gan-Can Academy's outer campus had never fallen behind that of the young fox-maiden Huo Jia or Xun'er, and in some ways, Wu Hao had even surpassed both of them. The blood robe shifted slightly, and a pair of eyes brimming with lethal intent gleamed—like a pack of bloodthirsty wolves across the grasslands. Merely the presence of that emotionless gaze sent a chill through the opponent’s spine, his palms slick with sweat. "Are you not ready to yield?" a hoarse voice emerged from beneath the robe, rising slowly. Upon hearing this, the contestant named Yan Cheng frowned, his expression slightly strained. He clenched his teeth and replied with quiet resolve, "Go ahead—let’s see just how strong the Blood Shogun truly is!" Fearing that if they continued to stand in this tense standoff, he would eventually lose his courage under the weight of the crowd’s gaze, Yan Cheng suddenly stepped forward, his foot pressing firmly into the ground. With a sudden surge of momentum, his body launched toward Wu Hao, the sharp weapon in his hands slicing through the air with the force of his aura, tearing the very atmosphere asunder. Faced with Rock Cheng's furious strike, the blood-robed figure remained motionless. Yet, as the attack was about to meet his body, his figure suddenly wavered, and then, inexplicably, vanished. The strike missed. Rock Cheng's eyes narrowed slightly, with no hesitation, and immediately drove his weapon again toward his back. "Clang!" As the steel-bladed sword swept toward the rear, a massive crimson greatsword materialized out of nowhere, effortlessly deflecting it. The greatsword was broad—nearly three inches in width—its surface almost on par with Xiao Yan's Xuanzhong Chi. The sound of the wind generated by its movement conveyed a substantial weight. When the two swords met, the greatsword merely lightly swept, and the force it carried knocked Rock Cheng's long sword completely out of his hands. Though he strained to hold on, he failed—not only did he lose the sword, but the tremendous force transmitted through the blade shattered his grip, causing his palms to bleed profusely. In the first encounter, the weapon was knocked down—a scene that even Xiao Yan on the stands found somewhat surprising. After all, Rock Cheng was a Five-Star-level Battle Master. As the weapon fell, Rock Cheng's face registered a moment of shock. He stepped back urgently, only to suddenly feel a surge of coldness behind him mere steps later. Before he could react, a heavy sword streaked with blood was already pressed against his neck. The sharp, biting chill radiating from the blade instantly stiffened Rock Cheng's body. Just in two rounds, Rock Cheng, a Five-Star Battle Master, had been defeated—such a result sent waves of astonishment rippling across the entire plaza. Though few had held high hopes that Rock Cheng would defeat Wu Hao, no one had expected that, after only two rounds, Wu Hao would have his sword pressed firmly against Rock Cheng's neck. "Xun softly shared some details about Wu Hao, also a bit concerned that should Xiao Yan and Wu Hao face off, they might fall short due to insufficient information. "Speed and strength—both are quite strong... so he's about on par with me?" Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, glancing at the heavy sword in Yan Cheng's hands, then at the imposing Xuan Zhong Chi behind him. Both weapons were equally heavy and imposing. Should they fight, it would likely become an exhilarating, intense duel of speed against speed and strength against strength. "This guy seems even more tenacious than Bai Shan. I'll have to be more cautious around him going forward." "Indeed, the Gan Nan Academy produces such a steady stream of young prodigies. Without my two years of relentless training, I'd truly struggle to keep up with these extraordinary talents." Xiao Yan exclaimed in amazement. During his training in the Jamah Empire, aside from Nalan Yanran, who benefited from her sect's support, he had rarely encountered peers on par with himself. Yet now, just a few days into his time at the Ganlan Academy, he was constantly meeting opponents of equal caliber—this indeed made him deeply impressed. The Ganlan Academy truly was a gathering place for prodigies! On the competition field, when Wu Hao raised his heavy sword against his opponent's neck, a referee immediately called the match concluded. In the selection rounds, while injuries were tolerated, the academy strictly avoided fatalities. Therefore, there were established rules: one could not deliver a fatal blow unless the opponent was actively resisting, otherwise, severe penalties would be imposed. While others might adhere to these regulations, Wu Hao—accustomed to killing—found it merely a matter of course. Thus, the referees dared not hesitate, fearing that even a single delayed call might see the already blood-soaked sword add another crimson streak. Hearing the referee's call, Wu Hao's blood-red heavy sword trembled slightly before slowly retracting. As the sword withdrew, Rock Cheng slumped, his body growing weak, gasping for breath. Ignoring Rock Cheng at his feet, Wu Hao's blood-dyed robe gently trembled. His calm, detached gaze moved slowly across the stands, finally settling on Xiao Yan, who stood beside Xun'er—specifically, on Xiao Yan himself.