Divine King of Honour

At dawn, the entire Tianhen Academy became thoroughly bustling.

Apart from the students of Tianhen Academy, a large number of the citizens of Tianfeng City also poured into the Giant Sword Square of Tianhen Academy.

Giant Sword Square is the largest square in Tianhen Academy and can accommodate up to one hundred thousand people; thus, the next four days of the Academy competition would all be held here.

Since the Academy competition was open to the public, the square was already full of people early in the morning.

"So many people? The draw of this Academy competition is too strong, isn't it?" Xu Nian, standing in the Qinglin Academy's preparation area, couldn't help but exclaim as he looked around at the crowded scene.

"That's right, the Academy competition is a rare grand spectacle in the whole of East Field County, gathering the top talents from the Ten Great Colleges. It's naturally very popular, and many people have even come from other places," Chen Xifeng remarked.

Xu Nian nodded. The Tianhen Empire had always revered martial arts.

Although many people could not cultivate, their admiration for the strong and talented was exceptionally intense, which could be seen from the enthusiasm of the people in the square today.

Xu Nian didn't say much more, nor did he look around, but closed his eyes and focused his mind.

There was still some time before the start of the competition, and the Prefectural Governor, who was hosting this grand event, had not yet arrived.

As for the other contestants, Chen Xifeng had analyzed them for him yesterday. Looking again would be pointless, and there were only a few he needed to pay serious attention to.

The square was noisy, with all the spectators discussing the prodigies they knew.

Ji Yun, Zhao Yan, Feng Rain, and Dugu Jingcheng's names were naturally mentioned many times. As for Xu Nian, the spectators probably hadn't even heard of him, let alone mentioned him.

"Haha, this year's Academy competition is even more exciting than previous years!"

Just then, an incredibly loud voice resounded across the sky, followed by a figure appearing in the air.

"Look, Lord Governor, Lord Governor is here!"

As soon as this figure appeared, the audience immediately exclaimed, their eyes filled with immense reverence as they looked at the figure.

Not only them, but the deans of the Ten Great Colleges who were sitting on the high platform also stood up, respectfully looking towards the figure and said in unison, "Greetings to Lord Governor!"
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"Is that Lord Governor? A Nine-star Peak Marquis Level powerhouse?"

Xu Nian also opened his eyes at this moment, looking towards the figure in the sky, his eyes showing a look of surprise.

The Prefectural Governor in front of him was nothing like what he had imagined. In his imagination, Lord Governor should be a very stern and cold middle-aged man. However, the figure floating in the air was extremely overweight, roughly five feet six inches tall, but likely weighed over 660 pounds.

Despite wearing a purple python robe, his face bore no hint of authority, instead wearing a warm smile. When he smiled, the flesh on his face squeezed together, giving him the appearance of a Maitreya Buddha.

However, the audience did not take him lightly because of his smiling face; the peak Marquis-level aura that naturally emitted from him still made everyone's heart tremble involuntarily.

Moreover, Xu Nian was somewhat puzzled. He always felt that the Governor looked somewhat familiar. However, he was very certain he had never met this Governor before, which made him puzzled about where this sense of familiarity came from.

"No need for much courtesy. Let us begin quickly. I've heard that this year's Ten Great Colleges have produced quite a few prodigies. I am very much looking forward to it!" the Governor flashed and appeared on the main seat above the high platform.

The deans of the Ten Great Colleges saw this and also took their seats; the dean of Tianhen Academy shot a look at an elder behind him.

The elder quickly turned into a streak of light and swept out, hovering in the middle of the square. He addressed the audience, "Everyone, quiet down!"

His voice was powerful, instantly drowning out all the noise in the noisy square, and the whole square fell silent in a moment.

"A Marquis Level powerhouse! Tianhen Academy truly has formidable strength. Aside from the dean, there is actually a second Marquis Level," Xu Nian thought in surprise.

Marquis Level powerhouses were rare. Only a few academy deans among the Ten Great Colleges had reached Marquis Level.

For example, the dean of Chengfeng Academy was only a Seven Stars Profound Sky Battle General.

That Tianhen Academy had a second Marquis Level powerhouse aside from the dean showed just how formidable the academy's strength was.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Elder Song Heng from Tianhen Academy. I will be fully in charge of this academy competition, so I hope everyone can quietly enjoy a visual feast. Now, without further ado, let me discuss the rules and rewards of this competition," Elder Song Heng began.

Excitement secretly surged in the hearts of the audience members. Each year, the rules of the academy competition were different, and the rewards were extremely lavish. What could it be this year?

Xu Nian and others pricked up their ears too, very curious about what the rules and rewards of this academy competition would be.

"First, let us discuss the rules of the competition. There are ten colleges, thirty contestants, and the competition will be divided into the preliminary, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals, held over four days. Today is the preliminary round, where we will have a thirty-person melee elimination, narrowing it down to sixteen," Elder Song Heng said.

"A thirty-person melee?" the audience exclaimed in surprise.

Xu Nian and others were also somewhat astonished. A thirty-person melee?

This was unexpected; in previous years, it was either a small group duel or combat against Demon Beasts, but this year it was a thirty-person melee.

"A thirty-person melee, interesting!" the Prefectural Governor on the high platform laughed heartily.

Beside him, the dean of Tianhen Academy smiled ceaselessly; naturally, this method was his idea.

This method emphasized team strength and was especially advantageous for strong academies like theirs. Conversely, it was very disadvantageous for the slightly weaker academies, as could be seen from the unhappy expressions on the faces of several deans from weaker academies.

"Alright, I'll stop here about the rules, and now let me talk about the rewards," Elder Song Heng said.

The audience immediately perked up, their eyes filled with excitement.

The rewards each year were especially generous, and this year would likely be no exception.

"First, let me talk about the rewards for the top eight. The students who place in the top eight will directly qualify to enter the Battle Mansion, an old rule, which I assume needs no explanation," continued Elder Song Heng.

The audience all nodded; the reward for the top eight was always the same in each competition.

"Next, let me talk about the rewards for the top three. The third place, apart from having the qualification to enter the Battle Mansion, will also receive a Heavenly Rank Low Grade Battle Technique," Elder Song Heng announced.

"Good heavens, a Heavenly Rank Technique! The third place gets a Heavenly Rank Low Grade Battle Technique; isn't that reward a bit too lavish?" the audience suddenly exclaimed.

Xu Nian was also somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected such a huge reward for the third place.

Although these four grades of battle techniques were only useful below the Saint Realm and saints afterward would have their own created combat skills, a Heavenly Rank Technique was something many Marquis Level powerhouses might not even obtain.