Chapter 55: STAGE 2 : THE ASSEMBLY

Chapter 55 – ASSEMBLY AT THE PLAZA

The unease didn’t fade.

If anything, it settled deeper.

Ling Yifan pushed his tray away untouched and stood. Long Hao followed a moment later, neither of them needing to say anything more.

Some conversations didn’t need conclusions—only vigilance.

As they left the cafeteria, the noise behind them swallowed itself whole. Laughter, arguments, clattering trays—all of it felt distant now, like background static to something more pressing.

Outside, the academy grounds were already in motion.

Students streamed in one direction.

Toward the central plaza.

A deep, ancient horn echoed across Dragon Turtle Academy—low and resonant, vibrating through stone, bone, and instinct alike. It wasn’t an invitation.

It was a summons.

“That’ll be the Stage Two announcement,” Ling Yifan said quietly.

Long Hao nodded. “Everyone’s being called.”

They joined the flow.

THE PLAZA

The central plaza of Dragon Turtle Academy was vast—carved directly into the mountain’s heart. Stone platforms ringed the space like the shells of colossal beasts, layered and reinforced with formations that radiated raw, oppressive strength.

Teams from every academy began assembling.

Azure Dragon Academy regrouped near the eastern platform.

Chen Wulian was already there, laughing loudly, arms thrown over Han Duwei’s shoulders as if the world were perfectly normal.

Too normal.

“Morning!” Chen called when he spotted them. “You two look like you’re plotting treason.”

Ling Yifan studied him for a heartbeat longer than usual.

Chen met his gaze easily—grinning, careless, familiar.

Nothing looked wrong.

And yet…

Bai Qianlan arrived moments later with Ouyang Xue’er, Zhao Lanyue, and Jin Roulan.

Ling Yifan straightened instinctively.

“Bai—”

She walked past him.

Didn’t stop.

Didn’t slow.

Didn’t even glance his way.

Ling Yifan froze.

“…Huh?”

Chen noticed immediately.

“Ohhh,” he whispered loudly. “Someone’s in deep trouble.”

Ling Yifan frowned. “What?”

Chen shrugged exaggeratedly. “No idea. But that’s the ’you did something and I’m pretending I don’t care’ walk.”

Ling Yifan looked helplessly at Long Hao.

“…I literally woke up and came here.”

Long Hao’s lips twitched. “Academy politics are more dangerous than monsters.”

At that moment, Bai glanced back—just once.

Her eyes met Ling Yifan’s.

Then she turned away again, expression calm but distant.

Jin Ruolan came in between.

“She said you went on a date with a beautiful girl.”

Qin Shuo Chuckled while trying to hide his mouth.

Ling Yifan exhaled slowly.

“…I did not go on a date.”

Chen grinned wider. “That’s what makes it funny.”

Then,

The plaza quieted abruptly.

Not because of discipline.

Because the ground reacted.

Stone trembled. Runes flared. Pressure descended like an invisible weight.

At the center platform, a massive figure stepped forward.

The Dean of Dragon Turtle Academy.

Built like a fortress. Arms thicker than most people’s torsos. His presence alone silenced thousands.

He crossed his arms and looked down at the assembled students.

“This,” he said flatly, “is Stage Two of the Freshman Grand Prix Championship.”

No introduction.

No ceremony.

“I was informed,” he continued, “that the original plan was to have single representatives from each academy fight.”

A few instructors shifted uneasily.

The dean snorted.

“Boring. Too Boring.”

A ripple ran through the plaza.

“I don’t like boring.”

He took a step forward.

“So I changed it.”

Murmurs exploded.

The dean raised one hand.

Silence returned instantly.

“Originally, each academy would send one fighter.”

He paused.

Then smiled.

“I scrapped that.”

The plaza erupted again.

“All academies will now field their entire ten-member team.”

Shock spread visibly.

Ten members?

No reserves?

No hiding?

“This stage will be a team-based combat trial,” the dean continued. “Multiple rotating zones. Continuous engagements.”

Stone platforms rose around the plaza—each one etched with combat formations.

“Teams will fight other teams,” he said. “Matches will rotate until one side can no longer continue.”

“Injuries are expected.”

A few students swallowed hard.

“Retreat is allowed,” the dean added casually. “If you can manage it.”

A grim smile crossed his face.

“Victory is determined by total engagements won.”

“Not individual glory.”

His gaze swept across the crowd.

“This stage will decide which academies truly function as teams.”

He paused deliberately.

“And which ones fall apart under pressure.”

Ling Yifan felt it.

This wasn’t just about strength.

This was about trust.

About cohesion.

About whether cracks—small ones—could survive being tested.

Across the plaza, the Vermilion Academy captain smiled faintly, eyes sharp and confident.

Chen cracked his knuckles, laughing.

“Finally,” he said. “Something fun.”

Ling Yifan didn’t laugh.

Long Hao didn’t smile.

And inside Long Hao’s chest, Longyu remained unusually quiet.

The Dragon Turtle Dean folded his arms again, clearly pleased with the chaos he had created.

“Now,” he continued, voice booming, “onto match allocation.”

The plaza quieted.

“There are fifteen participating academies remaining,” he said. “An odd number.”

Several instructors exchanged looks.

The Vermilion Academy Dean raised an eyebrow.The Azure Dragon Dean sighed faintly, already sensing trouble.

The Dragon Turtle Dean grinned.

“So,” he said cheerfully, “we will do the logical thing.”

He pointed at himself with his thumb.

“Dragon Turtle Academy automatically qualifies.”

Silence.

Then—

“That doesn’t make sense,” the Vermilion Dean said flatly.

The Azure Dragon Dean nodded. “That is… not how brackets work.”

The Dragon Turtle Dean waved them off.

“We’re the hosts,” he said casually. “We built the arena. We maintain the formations. We feed you.”

He leaned forward slightly.

“We have the right.”

The Vermilion Dean pinched the bridge of her nose.

“So you’re skipping Stage Two entirely.”

“Yes.”

“That’s absurd.”

“Correct.”

The plaza erupted in laughter.

Chen Wulian slapped Long Hao’s shoulder. “I like this guy.”

Ling Yifan muttered, “He’s shameless.”

The Dragon Turtle Dean clapped his hands.

“Good. Now that we’ve agreed to disagree—let’s make it fun.”

An instructor rolled forward a massive bronze spirit pot, glowing faintly with formation light. Inside it floated jade spheres, each engraved with an academy name.

“Each academy captain will come forward.” the dean said.

Academy captains stepped forward one by one.

Names were called.

Stormforge Academy vs Ironcrest Academy

Blackriver Institute vs Skyfall Citadel

White Lotus Pavilion vs Ember Wolf Academy

Nine Peaks Hall vs Ashen Dawn College

Murmurs followed each pairing.

Then—

“Vermilion Academy.”

Their captain stepped onto the platform.

Confident. Elegant. Dangerous.

As she reached for the pot, she glanced sideways—

And winked.

Directly.

At Chen Wulian.

The wink was slow.

Deliberate.

Chen froze.

“…Huh.”

Ling Yifan’s head snapped toward him.

Long Hao turned slowly.

“…Why is the Vermilion captain winking at you.”

Chen scratched his cheek. “I have one of those faces?”

Ling Yifan’s eyes narrowed. “Since when.”

The Vermilion captain drew her sphere, smiling.

“Vermilion Academy vs Ashen Dawn College.”

She bowed lightly—then walked off, glancing back once more.

Chen didn’t smile this time.

Ling Yifan didn’t miss that.

AZURE DRAGON’S TURN

“Azure Dragon Academy.”

Chen wulian stepped forward.

The plaza felt heavier as he approached the pot.

He reached in.

Pulled.

The jade sphere rotated slowly.

Then the name burned bright.

FROSTCLOUD IMPERIAL ACADEMY

A ripple ran through the crowd.

Murong Yuer’s academy.

The ex-fiancée’s team.

Chen let out a low whistle. “Ohhhh. That’s awkward.”

Bai Qianlan stiffened slightly.

Ouyang Xue’er crossed her arms, expression cool.

Chen returned to the group, face composed.

Long Hao met his eyes.

“…First match,” Long Hao said quietly.

Ling Yifan nodded. “So be it.”

Across the plaza, Murong Yuer stood with her team, eyes widening briefly when she saw the pairing.

Her expression hardened.

The Dragon Turtle Dean clapped once more.

“These are your Stage Two battles,” he declared.”All ten members fight.””No substitutions.””No excuses.”

“Oh—before you all start thinking this is sudden death,” he added casually, “let me clarify something.”

Several academy captains straightened.

“This stage does not eliminate academies immediately.”

A wave of relief rippled through the crowd.

He continued, pacing slowly.

“Stage Two is a ranking stage.”

“Each academy will fight multiple team battles across rotating platforms.”

“Every win earns points. Every loss costs you nothing but pride.”

He grinned.

“At the end of Stage Two—”

He raised seven fingers.

“The top seven academies advance.”

The plaza erupted.

Seven.

Not three.Not five.Enough room for strategy.Enough room for mistakes.

The Azure Dragon Dean nodded slightly.

“That makes more sense,” he said calmly.

The Vermilion Academy Dean smirked.

“At least now it’s a competition.”

The Dragon Turtle Dean laughed.

“Of course it is! I’m not here to slaughter promising students.”

He paused.

“…That’s just a bonus sometimes.”

A few students swallowed.

“Each academy will fight multiple opponents,” the dean continued.”Matchups will rotate.””No rematches.””By the end, your total team performance determines your rank.”

He looked directly at the gathered captains.

“So don’t cry if you lose once.”

“Win consistently.”

Chen Wulian cracked his neck.

“I like these odds.”

Ling Yifan’s expression sharpened.

“This rewards real teamwork.”

Long Hao said nothing—but he was already calculating.

Seven slots meant politics.

Seven slots meant alliances.

Seven slots meant betrayal mattered.

The Dragon Turtle Dean clapped once.

“Now,” he said cheerfully, “let’s see who actually deserves them.”

He grinned broadly.

“Try not to disappoint me.”

The plaza buzzed with tension.

Rivalries ignited.

Old grudges resurfaced.

And somewhere beneath the stone—

Something watched.

Unblinking.

Whatever Stage Two was meant to reveal—

It wouldn’t just expose weakness.

It would force it into the open.

[Chapter ENDS]

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