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— Chapter 144 —

“Dao Exchange begins!”

Ning Fengyuan’s lively voice echoed in the venue. At the same time, the stage moved under everyone’s gaze and split into eight smaller squares, each one bigger than a basketball court.

‘Was that mechanical shift? But I also feel spirit energy beneath the stage just now.’ Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes when she saw the stage changing in real time.

In fact, the others were also amazed by Dao Academy’s resources. After all, it’s not cheap to make such things. Although it’s possible to build such a massive hidden mechanism, hiding so compactly will cost a lot.

Still, they pay attention to the hidden mechanism for a few seconds and focus on the circular main stage again.

“I will explain the rules.” Ning Fengyuan said calmly. “As you can see, there are eight stages now.”

“And if you remember correctly, there would be an attacker and defender in this session.”

“The defender will stay on the stages until someone defeats that person and claims it.”

Then, she smiled, “Of course, you’re probably thinking, what is the point of this, right? If you have kept your hard-earned points and don’t challenge anyone foolishly, you can spend them safely.”

“At the very least, you can keep some of your points for safekeeping…”

“But here is the catch! Anyone who stays on the stage until the Dao Discussion’s end will receive 100 points from Dao Academy!”

“O-One hundred points?!” Everyone was dumbfounded. Dao Academy’s generosity was baffling. After all, they are literally giving away free stuff now.

Most academies (factions) here don’t even have ten points to spend. Their points are low because Han Yuan didn’t give them much in the first event, as their discussion was stupid.

Not surprisingly, major academies, clans, and sects have enough points to purchase things they want tonight. On average, their discussion didn’t just question Han Yuan but also gave information and discoveries about their ancestors, which was part of their years-long inheritance.

Yes, this was the foundation of older and bigger factions.

Yet, the Dao Academy made them feel like peasants!

Ning Fengyuan knew this jab was intentional. Han Yuan purposely made these rules and rich rewards to trap these factions even deeper into his scheme.

Eight stages.

Eight major factions.

Eight black sheep to abuse.

The more Ning Fengyuan thought about it, the more nervous and excited she became. ‘This boy’s political skills are terrifying. I wonder what kind of monstrosity he had in that head of his…’

‘Ah, so thrilling~!’ Ning Fengyuan moaned slightly in her heart.

“With that, the eight defenders will be the factions with the highest points.”

“The First Stage, Spirit Hall.”

“The Second Stage, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.”

“The Third Stage, Star Luo Imperial Academy.”

“The Fourth Stage, Thunderclap Academy (Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan).”

“The Fifth Stage, Star Crown Institution (Star Crown Sect).”

“The Sixth Stage, Wind Sword School (Wind Sword Sect).”

“The Seven Stage, Fire Leopard Academy (Fire Leopard Sect).”

“The Eight and Last Stage, Elephant Armored Academy.”

“Each team, please enter the stage.” Ning Fengyuan finished her words calmly. “Remember, you may not refuse any challenge until the end.”

“A loss means minus one point.”

“A successful defense means getting additional points on top of the one from challengers..”

“So, let’s start the event!”

After Ning Fengyuan finished her words, the venue’s lights focused on the eight chosen academies.

Hu Liena and the Golden Generation were helpless. Even though they knew they had to fight tonight, they didn’t expect Dao Academy to play like this.

Defending the stage won’t be easy!

A prolonged fight will drain their spirit energy, and they will become weaker and weaker as time passes.

They were confident they could win against ten to thirty teams, which was a testament to their confidence.

However, there are over two hundred teams in this venue. While they are not strong, some teams are decent and can give them enough problems for the next fight.

One mistake and one hundred points for defending the stage will be a pipe dream.

‘Damn it! No wonder you are generous!’ Bibi Dong and other experienced seniors realized this issue and couldn’t help but curse Dao Academy for being a dishonest organizer.

At the end of this event, their factions might not get anything.

Targeted! We are ‘definitely’ targeted!

Even then, they couldn’t do anything. Standing on the stage is proof of their ability in the previous event and a shackle for their pride.

Their superior pride won’t allow them to back down.

Soon enough, they will get targeted in the name of exchange.

Well played, Dao Academy! Well, fucking played!

Bibi Dong observed Ning Fengyuan, Liu Erlong, and Han Yuan. She clicked her tongue in annoyance, boldly guessing one of the three must have made this simple yet effective plan.

‘No, it must be him!’ Bibi Dong’s eyes flickered with purple light as she focused on Han Yuan. This young man gave her a sense of danger, and his calm and handsome appearance only made it even worse.

Cultivating talent and theory is another thing.

But politics?

Bibi Dong underestimated Dao Academy and still underestimated them until she realized this academy wasn’t just a gimmick. ‘How could there be such a genius?’

‘Even Xiaogang wasn’t this evil…’

Bibi Dong couldn’t help but imagine what could have happened if her Yu Xiaogang had been this good back then. Her trash teacher wouldn’t have looked down on him and did that “evil” thing to her.

Everything will become beautiful and ideal.

Bibi Dong wondered, ‘Xiaogang… If only you’re slightly more talented, brave, and charming like this boy…’

Unfortunately, the reality is often disappointing.

What happened already happened.

Bibi Dong couldn’t change the past.

She’s already dirty.

Unknown to Bibi Dong, the “perfect” image of Yu Xiaogang in her heart has cracked slightly. Although she hypnotized herself with the idolized version of Yu Xiaogang daily, the more she compared that image to the young and talented Han Yuan, the more it wasn’t as perfect as she imagined.

Of course, this wasn’t enough to break her faith.

Don’t forget that Bibi Dong is the strongest Love Brain in the Douluo Continent!

Still, slowly but surely, Bibi Dong would start questioning herself.

Ah, the comparison is indeed a thief of joy~!

…

…

Ning Fengyuan smiled at the gloomy look of these people. “To ensure the safety of this Dao Exchange, Xiao Yuan will be the referee. You have seen his cultivation, and he can stop mistakes from happening.”

“What, he’s only one person, you said?” She playfully added. “Don’t worry, our Xiao Yuan will send his clones to fight.”

Han Yuan nodded and summoned the Purple Silver Grass again, which soon activated his new spirit skill: Purple Silver Authority!

While it was his sixth spirit ring’s skill, Thousand Eyes allowed it to change its appearance as if he was using his fifth spirit ring’s skill.

Everyone was shocked by the vibrant energy radiating from Han Yuan. Even from their seats, they could sense that he was like the embodiment of the life element itself.

A few moments later, the blue silver grass that decorated the stages grew wildly, becoming taller, sturdier, and even forming human-like forms.

These humanoid grass creatures transformed into armored beings, wielding longswords, spears, heavy shields, and bows and arrows. Remarkably, each of these creatures possessed the aura of a Spirit King, indicating that their strength could overpower 99% of the geniuses present.

“What kind of spirit skill is this?” Everyone had this exact thought upon witnessing this.

“Go!” Han Yuan ordered the “Purple Silver Soldiers” to protect the corners of each stage, assigning them orders to prevent accidents.

Ning Fengyuan tapped her mic, “Are there any challengers?”

The eight teams on stage put on their mean faces. They were still baffled by Han Yuan’s spirit skills and didn’t want to get challenged first. They will win but also become a switch for a wave of motivated challengers.

…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep