abcnovels
Chapter 160 - Is There a Problem With Your Plan?
Chapter 160 - Is There a Problem With Your Plan?
Chapter 160: Is There a Problem With Your Plan?
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
In the principal’s office.
Lu Ming was reading the information before his eyes expressionlessly.
Well...
The record of scores of the college’s previous participation in the competition.
First team, pre-selection: five vs. zero, disqualified.
Second team, pre-selection: four vs. one, disqualified.
Third team, pre-selection: five vs. zero, disqualified.
...
Fiftieth team, pre-selection: five vs. zero, disqualified
The end.
There was a total of fifty times and they did not pass any of the pre-selections!
“Didn’t some four-star cultivators graduate from the school before?”
Lu Ming was shocked. You can’t pass the pre-selection even with four-star cultivators?
“The timing is not right.”
An Mufeng smiled bitterly. “The resources in our school are limited. The four-stars also needed to cultivate very hard before attaining that level. The School Championship Competition is usually held during the end of the year. The timing is not right. They were working hard to attain four-star and thus could not possibly participate in the School Championship Competition. It is not very meaningful to them.”
“What about other three-stars?”
Lu Ming pondered deeply.
Four-star cultivators were rare but there should be some three-star ones.
“We do have some.”
An Mufeng suddenly remembered something. “There were a few times that the team was led by a three-star. However, they were defeated by the two-star in other schools during the competition.”
Lu Ming was speechless.
This was ‘amazing’!
Three-stars would actually be defeated by two-star!
But when he thought about it carefully...
In this world, there was a group of people who could skip a level in combats and was extremely powerful. What about those people whom they were challenging? Yes, such as people from his college.
They were cautious and down-to-earth.
Never stepping beyond the line.
They would silently carry on with their stepping-stone role. They were chill and boring.
“It’s worrisome.”
Lu Ming’s head was hurting a little.
Comrade Old Jiang was such a lousy principal. It had been so many years and the school did not progress the slightest bit. He had the feeling that it was now hopeless...
However, for the sake of successfully breaking through to four-star in the future, he really had to fight!
Wasn’t it just the School Championship Competition?
He would do it!
Lu Ming thought about it.
Although the entire duration of the School Championship Competition was long, the competition itself would not consume much of his time. He could cultivate as usual and would not be impacted.
He could form a team, do his own thing and then disband it after they get into the top hundred in the ranking. This would not waste his time for cultivating and could also prevent the school from shutting down.
It was perfect.
Lu Ming was very satisfied with this plan.
As for the name list...
“I plan to form a team to participate in this competition.”
Lu Ming pondered for a moment. “Teacher An, please help to make the arrangements.”
“Okay.”
An Mufeng nodded. “Who? Do you want me to look for those three-star ones?”
In his impression.
There were only two three-stars in the college this year.
“No need.”
Lu Ming pursed his lips. They were about to graduate but had only attained three-star. What good-for-nothings. They might even be defeated by two-star. Why should he look for them? To become a stepping stone for others?
“Xia Yu.”
“Chang Liang.”
“Zhang Xiaopang.”
Lu Ming read out these few names.
Xia Yu, Sharpshooter, capability unknown. He had a very powerful bow and demon-subduing arrows. He exuded an ‘I am a second generation rich kid’ aura.
Chang Liang. His ability and fighting techniques were very unique. They were beyond one’s grasp and the possibility of victory might be higher!
As for Zhang Xiaopang...
It was better not to elaborate further.
This guy’s survival skills and ability to stir up trouble were very strong. Anyway, he would not die even if he were to throw him in at the deep end. He could influence even Fu Hongming with one-star illusions...
Hell... He did not know what kind of secret technology he used.
Anyway, this guy’s combat ability should not be a problem. With this, he would have three people.
“What about the other two?” An Mufeng asked.
“Me,” Lu Ming said.
“Huh?”
An Mufeng was stunned. “Aren’t you a Card Creator?”
“It doesn’t matter as long as I can fight, right?”
Lu Ming shrugged.
Uh—
An Mufeng scratched his head.
Although Lu Ming performed very well in the mine cave, the Card Creator profession...
How should he say it?
He would definitely be at a disadvantage during the competition!
First, the competition rules specified that every participant could only use auras belonging to his profession, be it a weapon, bow, arrow or cards!
He had to use what he had created!
Even if the Card Creator could stockpile his cards, it would not be in huge quantities.
Second, his body physique was too weak. It was too easy to defeat him with sneak attacks.
You can use the cards that you have prepared earlier to smash other people but how many rounds can you sustain? Regardless of the tactics that you unleash with your cards, you can’t avoid the fundamental problem – a weak physique.
As long as the opponent closes in, you will be done for in one strike.
This point...
A Card Creator was much weaker than an Elementalist.
Third, they lacked combat experience.
This was the most deadly.
Combat professions involved a lot of fighting experience. Some of the incumbents were even used to killing!
What about the Card Creator?
They were homebodies.
The only place that they could exercise at was perhaps the bed or in front of the computer. How could they possibly have any combat experience?
There was a Card Creator who participated in the School Championship Competition last year. He had threw out a stack of cards but none of them hit the opponent. Afterward, he was sent flying off the arena immediately after the opponent closed in on him and kicked him. It only took the latter a few steps.
...
Was Lu Ming really going to participate?
An Mufeng wanted to persuade him otherwise.
However, after careful consideration, he felt that since the school had already failed fifty times, what else was there to be afraid of? Since Lu Ming wanted to have fun, it was fine as long as he was happy with it. Anyway, to Lu Ming, this was also a good experience and would benefit him greatly.
At the thought of this, An Mufeng’s mind resumed its calm state.
“What about the remaining one?”
An Mufeng looked at the name list. They were still missing one more headcount.
“Liu Yuan.”
Lu Ming’s voice was low.
“Liu Yuan?”
An Mufeng was a little confused. He did not have any impression of this person. He even specially flipped the documents and instantly cast a strange look at Lu Min. So, he was going to bring a girl...
“I’ve noted them down.”
An Mufeng nodded. “We just need to add one reserve. According to the School Championship Competition regulation, it should be five plus one member team. It’s reasonable for us to have one reserve.”
“Reserve...”
Lu Ming pondered deeply. “Write Jiang Yuebai then.”
“She’s not from our school.”
An Mufeng had a troubled expression. How could they fool around like that?
“The principal’s signet is just by the side. It will be alright after I stamp it later.”
Lu Ming waved his hands. “We’ll submit the names first. Anyway, it won’t affect us much. Furthermore, Xiaobai is already a two-star. It’s quite good for her to come along and gain experience.”
“Alright.”
An Mufeng was calm again.
Anyway, they were just having fun. Let it be then.
Hence...
On the day itself.
The college at the crossroads registered for the School Championship Competition. The participant name list: Lu Ming, Xia Yu, Chang Liang, Liu Yuan, Zhang Xueyao and the reserve member, Jiang Yuebai.
When the news came out, the students were shocked.
“Why are there only three participants from the Four Heavenly Kings?”
“It’s so strange!”
“Why didn’t Zhang Xiaopang participate?”
“That Liu Yuan and Zhang Xueyao... On what basis can they participate? What about Zhang Xiaopang?”
“Exactly!”
Everyone had a look of confusion on their faces.
Obviously...
Numerous people did not know who Zhang Xueyao was...
At this very moment...
In the conference room of the school.
A few members with puzzled expressions had been gathered.
“This is a school honor!”
Lu Ming spoke emotionally, “The school is facing a crisis now. How can you not feel any sense of collective honor?! The higher-ups will only grant us more funds if we can attain better rankings!
Don’t the teachers want their salary?
Can the students do away with their benefits?
At such a time, we need everyone to be united!
The principal has delegated this difficult mission to us because he trusts everyone!”
Lu Ming was full of justice. “Now, it’s time for us to prove ourselves!”
“Okay.”
Xia Yu and the group actually nodded their heads continuously after listening to this.
An Mufeng took a glance and did not utter a word.
That day, Jiang Feng did not put it this way when he spoke to him. Alright, anyway, Principal Jiang was not around. Otherwise, he would definitely chide Lu Ming...
“The School Championship Competition this time is actually very simple.”
Lu Ming reminded, “We just have to take part in a few matches. That will do. For the pre-selection, enter the top three thousand and two hundred in rankings! For the preliminary match, enter the top one thousand and six hundred!
Based on Lu Ming’s estimation, they would get into the top hundred as long as they could win six matches. They would almost reach their limit then. They could retreat afterwards.
Before that, they had to win.
“What if we can’t beat them?”
Zhang Xiaopang was super cowardly.
“Don’t worry. We will definitely win! I have a combat plan!”
Lu Ming smiled faintly, “Our combat strategy is like this — For pre-selection, I will take on the opponent first. Finish. For the preliminary round, I take on the opponent first. Finish...”
Everyone was dumbstruck.
Crap!
Hell... what kind of strategy was this?!
“Is there a problem with your plan?”
An Mufeng was also confused.
Who the hell knew that this would happen.
He had been afraid that these students would disagree. Hence, he specially spent over ten minutes of his time to reassure and motivate them. In the end, you are going to settle this on your own?!
Since you are going to take on all five matches, why did you ask them to join then?
“The rule states that it is compulsory to have five members.”
Lu Ming said in a low voice, “Therefore, I really need all of you.”
Hence, they were only spectators that didn’t need to purchase the entry tickets?
“Are you sure it won’t be a problem for you?”
Xia Yu was shocked.
“There shouldn’t be a problem.”
Lu Ming pondered for a moment. “I’ve learned how to use a two-star peak Swordsman Card. After calculating the headcount, I will prepare one card for each of them. I just need five cards to defeat them thoroughly!”
“What if the other party manages to block it?” Chang Liang asked in a weak voice.
“I’ll throw another card then.”
Lu Ming was calm and certain.
At that level, the Swordsman Card was enough to determine the outcome!
Especially that two-star card. It was almost on par with a three-star!
One slash was enough!
Yes.
After Lu Ming’s analysis and deduction, this seemingly mighty competition had become a matter of 6×5=30 Swordsman Cards.
Well...
He could create them in two days if he was diligent.
As for the rest?
He would worry about them later.
Everyone was speechless.
It turns out that one could compete in such a way?
Why the hell did you mobilize everyone and select the people so seriously then?
“I was afraid that all of you will be unhappy.”
Lu Ming coughed.
“Forget it.”
Zhang Xiaopang was speechless. “I’ll take it as a chance to widen my horizons.”
The rest also agreed.
The few of them had just attained a breakthrough to two-star. Before they could celebrate in joy, they saw Lu Ming’s grand plan of an individual defeating thirty people...
Was there such a huge gap in their abilities?
“Senior is so mighty!”
Liu Yuan’s eyes were filled with little stars.
Lu Ming was very satisfied.
Well...
This was a qualified member, indeed.
That was right.
Miss Liu Yuan was that adorable junior. Lu Ming specially brought her along so that she could widen her horizons. This was the same for Xia Yu and the rest.
“All of you don’t belong here. Don’t stay here for too long...” Lu Ming suddenly said.
After choosing them, did he really need to call them ‘Amazing’ salted fishes?
Obviously not.
He just did not want the ‘Li Haoran situation’ to reproduce itself. If a genius like Li Haoran could enter The First Academy, he would most probably be a five-star now!
What about Xia Yu and the rest?
They had already attained two-star during their first-year in college. They could possess that kind of bravery and talent too. If they remained in the mass of one-star cultivators in the college at the crossroad, what would happen to them eventually?
They would become just like everyone else.
Hence, it was good for them to widen their horizons this time.
“Understood.”
Everyone suddenly had a realization and felt somewhat grateful.
“Okay. Go back and prepare. The pre-selection will be in seven days.”
Lu Ming’s voice was low.
...
In the next few days, Lu Ming was creating his cards in a low-key manner.
He had too many things to do. He had to digest the Lunar Shadow legacy, study card combinations, learn the four-star foundation and gradually increase his energy.
Thankfully...
These were not mutually exclusive.
After seven days.
The pre-selection round finally began.
The pre-selection for various places were conducted separately, and Qing Ming City’s pre-selection was located at a huge conference hall in the Workers’ Sports Complex near the city center.
This was the first time that Lu Ming and the group visited this place.
They were very low-profile.
Seriously...
This was because they were well aware that they were only here to have some fun. Hence, they only appeared when the pre-selection was about to start. However, they did not expect a commotion to occur as soon as they entered the venue.
“Huh?”
“That’s the team from the technical college at the crossroad?”
“That amazing legendary team that been defeated fifty times in a row during the pre-selection?”
“Crap!”
“I actually managed to witness them participating in the pre-selection again?”
“This is a never-ending lifetime series!”
“This is the first time that yours truly has witnessed this kind of living legend!”
Everyone was shocked.
Yes.
The team from the college at the crosswords was not as low-key as they imagined.
They were already infamous.
The legend of fifty successive losses was certainly unmatchable.
“They actually dare to come here again?”
“Amazing!”
“This is really the ‘I can do the same series’!”
“Forget it. What are you boasting about? Are you sure you can do the same? Are you kidding me? Don’t you know what it means to suffer fifty successive failures? Go ahead! What if you win?”
“... I actually can’t answer you.”
Everyone was busy discussing this.
Lu Ming and the group glanced at one another. Never did they expect the college at the crossroad to have such a famous reputation?
“Was the school that ‘amazing’ previously?”
Lu Ming looked at An Mufeng.
Cough.
An Mufeng was a little embarrassed.
That happened many years ago. He had almost forgotten it.
“Forget it.”
Lu Ming shook his head and glanced at the time. They had purposely arrived later this time. It should be their turn soon.
Sure enough.
Soon after, their names were called out.
Qing Ming Science and Engineering College vs. Vocational Technical College at the crossroad!
“Amazing. I’m going to strike the lottery.”
“It’s over. Looks like they will be defeated for the fifty-first time. Haha.”
“Tsk tsk.”
“It seems that we are going to witness history repeating itself.”
Everyone was happily watching and listening.
Just hearing the name of Qing Ming Science and Engineering College, one knew that this was a top-tier key college and one of the best schools in Qing Ming City. They were extremely powerful. Perhaps they were not considered so in a bigger place but in Qing Ming City, they were akin to big fish. Moreover, the team leader this time was a three-star!
Crossroads...
Perhaps they really had to suffer their fifty-first defeat.
“I suppose they are also under a lot of pressure.”
Someone sympathized with them.
“Shouldn’t the Qing Ming Science and Engineering College feel more pressurized?”
Someone pursed his lips.
“Why?”
“Think about it. Everyone expects Qing Ming Science and Engineering Faculty to win, right? No one will think that this is strange. However, if they lose... I’m afraid that they will have to leave a name in history. They will become the ‘terminator’ of the fifty times’ failure... Tsk tsk.”
“... Oh my goodness. That’s true.”
Everyone regained their senses.
Hence...
They were passing on the gossip and felt even happier watching.
At this very moment...
The players from both sides were already on the stage.
“Hello.”
The Qing Ming Science and Engineering College sent a two-star peak Energy Warrior. He furrowed his brows tightly and glanced at Lu Ming. “You’re actually a Card Creator? Sigh, your school don’t even have enough people in combat professions?”
Hehe.
Lu Ming only smiled faintly.
Shush!
He raised his hand and one card dissipated in his hands.
Swoosh!
Lights flashed.
Before the cultivator opposite him could come to his senses, he sensed a horrifying force blasting towards him. He instinctively placed both his hands in front of him to block the attack.
Bang!
There was a deafening sound.
His entire body was sent flying off the competition ground.
Buzz—
The numbers on the screen were jumping.
From the initial zero vs. zero, it had become one vs. zero.
Shush!
All of a sudden, there was pin-drop silence in the Worker’s Sports Complex.
This...
He won just like that?
That two-star peak was actually defeated by a Card Creator?
“Swordsman Card!”
“Interesting.”
The team leader of the Faculty of Science and Engineering College had a solemn expression. “Be careful.”
“Understood.”
A two-star peak Assassin went on stage.
He liked to deal with this kind of auxiliary vocation that was pretentious and smug. A Card Creator? What a joke. No matter how many stacks of cards you have, your reflexes...
Whoosh!
Lu Ming threw a card towards his face.
Bang!
The Assassin who had just quietly moved to his side was sent flying out of the stage instantly.
Two vs. zero!
“I’ll do it.”
Bam!
A figure flew out.
Three vs. zero!
“Let me try!”
Bam!
Another figure flew out.
Four vs. zero!
There was pin-drop silence in the spacious Sports Complex.
The four cultivators from Qing Ming Science and Faculty College had been defeated in seconds and thrown out of the stage. The Card Creator opposite them was too lazy to even shuffle his feet. He merely threw out four cards!
At this very moment...
One minute had not even passed!
Gulp!
Someone swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
It sounded so crisp and clear in the silent sports complex.
However...
No one would chide him because everyone felt a little lost. W-what was this?
Four defeats in seconds. The team from Qing Ming Science and Engineering College had been thoroughly defeated. Were the people from the vocational technical college at the crosswords that valiant now?
Bam!
Bam!
The crisp and clear sound could be heard.
Everyone glanced over instinctively. They only saw the team leader from Qing Ming Science and Engineering College clapping as he stepped onto the stage.
It was him!
Everyone was a little astonished.
That three-star cultivator from Qing Ming Science and Engineering College!
Interesting...
Everyone felt energized. They were in for a good show.
Fifty one successive defeats?
Or was this the end of the fifty successive defeats?
Everyone was a little excited. Unexpectedly, the fight with the college at the crossroads could make them feel so thrilled? They did not know which of these two would win...
“You’re not bad.”
The team leader from Qing Ming Science and Engineering College had a calm expression. “A mere Card Creator can progress until...”
Shush!
Lu Ming raised his hand.
Bang!
The team leader who had increased his screentime by three seconds was instantly flung out of the stage. He crashed into the wall afar and slipped into a coma.
Shush!
The entire hall turned silent.
Those people who were eager to watch an intense fight had dumbstruck expressions.
E-ended?
Crap!
What was this?!
They looked at the stage. Right from the beginning, that Card Creator did not move a step. He was merely waving his hands casually and threw out only five cards!
Just five cards!
The team from Qing Ming Science and Engineering College had suffered an instant and crushing defeat!
This must be a joke?!
Everyone was silent.
No one made a noise in the entire hall.