Chapter 52: STAGE 2: THE BATTLE

Chapter 52 — “STAGE 2 : WELCOME TO DRAGON TURTLE ACADEMY”

The first thing Long Hao felt was pressure.

Not the kind that crushed the chest.

Not the kind that suffocated.

But the kind that watched.

The academy gates loomed ahead—massive stone doors carved with ancient beast motifs, each scale etched so deeply it felt like the creatures might crawl free at any moment. Above them rose layered terraces of training grounds, stone arenas stacked like fortresses, each scarred by old battles.

This place didn’t radiate elegance.

It radiated impact.

“…” Chen Wulian let out a slow whistle.”This place screams muscles.”

He wasn’t wrong.

Even the air felt heavier, denser—like every breath here demanded justification.

Buses from the remaining academies lined the outer grounds.

Teams stepped down one after another.

Some looked confident.Some looked nervous.Some tried very hard to hide both.

The Azure Dragon Academy team drew attention immediately—not because they were loud, but because of who they were.

Whispers followed them.

“That’s them…””The ones from Blackfang…””The Dragon-tier kill team…”

Ling Yifan stepped forward first, posture straight, spear resting across his shoulder. Bai Qianlan followed close beside him, fingers brushing his sleeve before settling naturally at his side.

It was subtle.

But it was noticed.

Long Hao stepped down next, eyes scanning the surroundings without obvious interest. Ouyang Xue’er followed him, gaze cool, observant. Chen brought up the rear, stretching like he was about to start a workout rather than enter a rival academy.

“Remember,” Chen muttered, “if someone punches you, punch back harder.”

“That is not the rule,” Ling Yifan said.

“It is here,” Chen replied confidently.

Before they could move further, a boom echoed across the grounds.

A massive stone bell rang once.

Then again.

The sound wasn’t ceremonial.

It was a summons.

All participants were herded toward a colossal circular plaza—an arena carved directly into the mountain’s base. The stone floor was scarred, cracked, and uneven, stained dark in places that hadn’t been cleaned in years.

A student from another academy whispered nervously,”…This is where they train?”

A Dragon Turtle senior overheard and laughed.

“Train? No.”He cracked his knuckles.”This is where we weed out the weak.”

Chen’s eyes sparkled.

“…I think I’m going to like this place.”

Just as the last team arrived—

The ground shook.

Not metaphorically.

Literally.

A figure dropped from above and landed at the center of the plaza with a thunderous CRASH, stone exploding outward in a ring.

Dust billowed.

Students screamed.

When it cleared—

A giant of a man stood there.

Seven feet tall.Bare arms thicker than most students’ torsos.Chest bare beneath an open battle robe, muscles layered like sculpted stone.

The Dragon Turtle Academy Dean.

He laughed loudly, hands on his hips.

“HAHAHA!””LOOK AT THEM!”

He swept his gaze across the assembled students like a general inspecting troops.

“FRESH BLOOD!””NEW BONES!””EXCELLENT!”

The crowd froze.

Some cheered.Some panicked.

Chen leaned toward Long Hao.”…Is he always like this?”

“Who knows,” Long Hao replied calmly.

The Dragon Turtle Dean cracked his neck.

“Alright!” he boomed.”WHO WANTS TO FIGHT ME FIRST?”

Dead silence.

He grinned wider.

“COME ON! ONE HIT! I PROMISE I WON’T KILL YOU!”

Several students fainted on the spot.

Ling Yifan’s grip tightened.

Ouyang Xue’er muttered,”…This academy is insane.”

Just as the dean stepped forward—

A golden chain snapped into existence midair.

It wrapped around his waist.

YANK.

“HEY—!”

The Dragon Turtle Dean was dragged bodily backward.

The Vermilion Academy Dean stood at the edge of the plaza, golden-orange hair glowing softly, one hand raised as the manifested golden leash tightened.

“Enough,” she said sweetly.”You are embarrassing us again.”

The Dragon Turtle Dean struggled.

“LET GO! I WAS JUST SAYING HELLO!”

The Azure Dragon Academy Dean stepped forward, hands behind his back, sighing deeply.

“…You are a dean,” he said calmly.”Not a wild beast.”

The Dragon Turtle Dean pouted.

“…Semantics.”

The crowd burst into laughter.

As order returned, Dragon Turtle seniors stepped forward.

Their gazes were sharp.

Predatory.

One of them pointed at Ling Yifan.

“Divine talent,” he said.”Show us.”

Another looked at Long Hao.

“…Gold?”He smirked.”Interesting.”

A third cracked his knuckles at Chen.

“You look loud.”

Chen grinned.”You have no idea.”

The atmosphere shifted.

This wasn’t a friendly visit.

This was a trial within a trial.

Inside Long Hao’s mind—

The Eclipse System stirred.

Not loudly.

Cautiously.

[NOTICE: ENVIRONMENTAL PRESSURE DETECTED.]

[ACADEMY STRUCTURE ANALYSIS: HIGH-POTENTIAL GROWTH ZONE.]

Long Hao frowned slightly.

“…What kind of pressure?”

The system paused.

[UNDEFINED][RECOMMENDATION: MAINTAIN OBSERVATION MODE]

That was new.

The system didn’t like unknowns.

Long Hao lifted his gaze toward the upper terraces.

Something was watching.

Not hostile.

But… measuring.

Bai Qianlan felt it too.

The looks.

Not admiration.

Not envy.

Scrutiny.

She shifted closer to Ling Yifan unconsciously.

He noticed.

And held her hand.

Didn’t comment.

Just adjusted his stance slightly—enough to place himself between her and the sharper gazes.

A Dragon Turtle senior scoffed.

“Couples don’t last here.”

Ling Yifan met his eyes.

“Then don’t blink,” he said calmly.

The senior frowned.

Chen clapped.

“OHHH—SMOOTH.”

Bai’s ears turned red.

The three deans stepped forward together at last.

The Azure Dragon Dean spoke first.

“Stage Two will be held under Dragon Turtle Academy supervision.”

The Vermilion Dean smiled faintly.

“Performance here will determine resource distribution and final rankings.”

The Dragon Turtle Dean flexed.

“And if you break—”He grinned.”—you break.”

The crowd swallowed hard.

As the teams were escorted deeper into the academy grounds, the noise slowly faded.

Stone corridors replaced open air.

Training roars echoed from afar.

Long Hao walked quietly.

This place wasn’t like Azure Dragon.

It didn’t care about talent.

It cared about endurance.

He glanced at his team.

Ling Yifan—focused, calm, eyes burning.Bai Qianlan—steady, illusions held tight.

Chen—excited, fearless.

Ouyang Xue’er—silent, calculating.

They weren’t tourists.

They were challengers.

And Dragon Turtle Academy—

Was going to test everything.

[Chapter ENDS]

~AUTHOR – So guys, I would really appreciate some engagement in comments and reviews, it gives me your POV and gives me a clear idea to where I should lean the story to suit your taste. Either way, always appreciate your support.

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