"He’s more than just good; that guy’s a Madman. I heard that in his school’s private domain, he challenges the graduation projections every single day. He’s a total beast."
"That Liu Feixu from Dubhe Martial High School is no slouch either. A friend of mine who goes to Dubhe Martial High School says her sword is incredibly fast."
The chatter rose and fell, and as the biggest ’enigma’ of this year’s league, Qiming First High School naturally became the focus of countless people’s attention and inquiries.
From time to time, students from other schools would find various excuses to sidle up to the Qiming First High School spectator area, trying to fish for some intel.
"Hey, buddy, you from Qi Yi High? Awesome!"
A student in a blue school uniform, who seemed overly friendly, sidled up to Tie Lin and offered him a high-energy nutrition bar. "My name is Li Si, from Celestial Blue Martial High School. I heard your school produced a real monster this year. What’s that guy’s power level really like? C’mon, give us a hint?"
Tie Lin glanced at the nutrition bar, then at the other student’s eyes, which were filled with curiosity. He just gave a simple, honest smile and said, "He’s decent. You’ll find out when the time comes."
"Come on, buddy, just a little tidbit. Is his killing skill at Perfection?"
Li Si pressed on, not giving up.
"More or less."
Tie Lin answered ambiguously.
"Then... what’s his vitality index?"
"Pretty high."
"..."
After asking a string of questions, all Li Si got were completely evasive answers that said nothing at all.
In the end, he could only retreat sullenly with his nutrition bar, having accomplished nothing.
Similar scenes played out continuously in every corner of the Qiming First High School spectator area.
But without exception, everyone who tried to fish for information returned disappointed. The students of Qiming First High School were as tight-lipped as locked safes; not a single one would reveal even a shred of useful information about Qin Feng’s strength.
This was the discipline of the students from Qiming First High School, the top Martial Arts High School.
They might go crazy over Qin Feng’s power in private, but to the outside world, they were an absolute, united front.
Of course, rules are meant to restrain honest people.
For a ’professional’ like Qian Duoduo, non-disclosure agreements were a one-way street.
Just as everyone was growing bored watching the somewhat amateurish fights of the freshmen tournament on their viewers, Qian Duoduo slipped back in like a triumphant general, a mysterious ’everything is under control’ smile on his face.
"Mission accomplished!"
He plopped down next to Qin Feng, lowered his voice, and said excitedly.
"What’s accomplished?"
Shi Potian asked curiously.
"The intel!"
Qian Duoduo smugly opened his wrist-mounted terminal, projecting a small, private light screen in front of the three of them that only they could see.
Displayed on the light screen was an incredibly detailed file containing profiles, complete with pictures and text, on dozens of the top contenders.
"This year’s senior tournament is a real case of crouching tiger, hidden dragon. It’s going to be spectacular!"
Qian Duoduo cleared his throat and began his ’pre-battle analysis.’
"According to the reliable intel I’ve gathered from various channels, there are at least seventeen people among this year’s senior contestants—not counting our school—who have cultivated two of their main killing skills to the Perfection Realm!"
"Seventeen?"
Sun He, who overheard from the side, couldn’t help but lean in, a look of surprise on his face. "That many? In past years, having seven or eight was considered a big year."
"That’s why they’re saying this year is a clash of titans."
Qian Duoduo chuckled slyly and continued, "But those seventeen are just part of the pack. The ones with a real shot at the ’Qiming General Star’ title are these next three. They’re also the three universally acknowledged favorites to win the league!"
His finger swiped across the light screen, and three clear student photos were enlarged in the very center.
"First up, from Golden Dragon Martial High School, we have ’Golden Dragon’ Chen Tian."
The young man in the photo had a burly physique, resolute features, and eyes brimming with dominance and swagger.
"Vitality index: 30.25. Main Killing Skills: *Overlord Spear* at Perfection and *Six Harmonies Fist* at Perfection. On top of that, he’s also cultivated a Body Technique, the *Thunder Shadow Step*, to the Realm of Perfection! That’s his ace in the hole; very few people know about it. In addition, he has mastered two auxiliary killing techniques at the Great Success Realm. With five killing skills at his command, three at Perfection, he’s nothing short of a humanoid beast!"
"Second, the top student of Dubhe Martial High School, the ’Dubhe Sword,’ Liu Feixu."
The girl in the photo had a cold and distant expression, features as fine as a painting. She held an unadorned, ancient-looking longsword, and her aura was both ethereal and sharp.
"Vitality index: 30.18. Specific details are hard to come by; Dubhe Martial High School has done a great job keeping things under wraps. I had to buy this intel from a black market Intelligence Dealer. It shows that she has also mastered three Perfect Killing Skills—a Swordsmanship, a Body Technique, and a palm technique—as well as two Great Success Killing Techniques. Her strength is on par with Chen Tian’s."
"As for this third one..."
A grave and admiring look appeared on Qian Duoduo’s face. "He’s the one we really need to watch out for. A truly dangerous character."
On the light screen appeared a photo of a plain-looking young man with an ordinary air about him. He was wearing the uniform of some unknown, average high school and looked completely unremarkable.
"His name is Zhou Qi, from Chenxi Seventeenth Martial High School. The information is simple: vitality index unknown, but definitely over 30.0. He specializes in fist and palm techniques. This is his fourth time competing in the senior tournament."
"A level-camper?"
Shi Potian’s brows furrowed.