Zombie Bodyguard

Xiao Manxue looked at the two people seated next to her and introduced them: "It is said they are Wizards, but since they rarely appear in public places and nobody has seen them use witchcraft, this identity remains questionable. People are more familiar with their other profession, Alchemists."

"Alchemists? What do they do?" Lin Tian asked curiously.

"Alchemists are skilled at crafting things, but the things they craft are quite varied, such as potions to restrain vampires or quick healing medicines. If explained with modern science, they are more like chemists who stay in laboratories all day researching various formulas," Xiao Manxue explained.

Lin Tian thought for a moment, recalling a very ancient profession from ancient Huaxia: "Miss, they remind me of a very mysterious profession in ancient Huaxia, Fangshi."

In ancient times, there were different names for these people known as Fangshi, such as Fang Shu Shi or different people, and like Western Alchemists, they had a broad range of interests.

Breathing and exhalation, consuming Immortal Elixirs, ancestral altar alchemy, Summoning Gods and Demons—these involve medicine, Taoism, alchemy, medicine refinement, and other major fields, the most well-known being the Longevity Technique. These famous Fangshi also left many legends and mysteries in history.

"Fangshi, who persuade monarchs with the technique of eternal life, are a class of ancient Immortals. Xu Fu of Qin, Xin Yuanping of Han, and Li Shaohun were all among them," Xiao Manxue recited.

"You're right. These figures are also famous Fangshi in history. By the way, who is that elderly person in the middle?" Lin Tian looked at the elderly man in the main seat and asked again.

Xiao Manxue's expression turned respectful as she introduced, "He is called Dean Lukins. He was previously the Dean of Knight Academy. After retiring, he was conferred the title of lifetime honorary dean, and he also has another identity as the mentor of Reina Sword Saint and Mark."

"No wonder, regardless of his own strength, being able to teach a Sword Saint disciple is a great honor," Lin Tian praised.

With a "clang," the bell rang once more, and a display board was carried outside the venue, showing the names of the contestants and the grouping list in large fonts.

Each match is between two persons; the losing one gets eliminated, while the winning one advances. However, Lin Tian noticed that next to Xiao Manxue's name there was an empty spot, meaning she didn't have an opponent arranged for the first round.

"Miss, in the first round you have a bye, which means you automatically advance," Lin Tian smiled and congratulated.

Xiao Manxue didn't show any sign of relief; instead, she calmly said, "It's not just me; all the seed players have a bye in the first round. This is meant to prevent strong contestants from meeting too early and having such large strength discrepancies later that it defeats the purpose of the selection match."

Lin Tian glanced around and noticed many names had byes, including Li Wenfeng. Li Wenfeng was a seed player, which didn't surprise Lin Tian at all because his leading the Frostwind Team had made him quite influential, and as team captain, he naturally couldn't be lacking.

However, one name surprised Lin Tian; the deputy captain of the "Lady Killer Team," Carter, also had a bye. Many others noticed this as well, causing a buzzing of discussions in the previously quiet training field.

"Damn, Carter got a bye, but he's not a seed player, why!"

"Carter has some strength, but compared to seed players, he's lacking a lot."

...

"Silence!" Reina Sword Saint suddenly said, her voice covering the entire venue and suppressing everyone's discussions. Some students near the referee's platform even covered their ears as their eardrums hurt from Reina's voice.

This is the strength of a Sword Saint; with just two words, she subdued everyone. Reina coldly gazed down at the crowd and said, "Excluding seed players, since the number of contestants is odd, there will inevitably be one who gets a bye. Whoever draws it gets it; do you have any objections!"

"Those of you who have objections are just harboring a wishful mindset, hoping that by getting a bye, you can advance without having to compete. Anyone with such thoughts does not deserve to participate in this selection tournament."

"I tell you, in this competition, any slack mentality will become a stumbling block to your advancement, a fuse for your defeat. The only thing you can rely on is the weapon in your hands!"

"Now tell me, are you ready?" Reina shouted one last time, her tone serious, her gaze sharp, and a natural aura enveloping the entire venue.

"Always ready!" All the students punched their chests as if taking an oath, shouting loudly.

"Very well, let me tell you some good news in advance. The top three in this selection tournament will have a chance to be taught martial skills by Dean Lukins. I hope you show your true skills," Reina's tone shifted as she revealed the selection tournament's rewards.

"Wow..."

A commotion surged on the training grounds. Dean Lukins teaching martial skills is the biggest temptation for the contestants. Other students who hadn't enrolled were deeply regretful, even though signing up wouldn't give them a chance at the top three.

While honor is certainly tempting, martial skills are the real benefit. The students all know Lukins' abilities; just looking at his teaching of Reina Sword Saint makes that apparent.

There's a chance that what they'll be taught is Sword Saint martial skills. Such rewards have lethal attraction for every student, and Reina's words completely ignited the atmosphere of the selection tournament, even making Xiao Manxue somewhat tempted.

Among the young people present, if there's one person who can maintain a nonchalant attitude, it's Lin Tian. Not only because he's not a student of either academy, let alone a participant, but also because with his current strength, not just any martial skills can pique his interest.

After the scene calmed down, Reina Sword Saint said again: "Our selection tournament has only one field. The aim is to respect each participating student. As long as someone steps onto the field, he becomes the main character of the arena and should bask in the eyes of all. This is the glory every contestant deserves!"

Reina further fueled the atmosphere of the arena and finally announced loudly: "I announce that the selection tournament begins now!"

After the tournament began, the hosting responsibility transferred to a teacher available within the training field. Seeing the heated scene outside, the teacher knew there was no need for further words and directly announced: "First match, Ai Si from the Silverlight Team of the Female College against Holt from Knight Academy, please step forward!"

The special feature of this selection tournament is that there are no separate male and female groups because what it seeks are students capable of real combat. During missions, no one can choose the gender of their opponent.

A young man and woman walked to the middle of the training field. In the center of the training field, a circle was drawn. The rules of defeat were thus: one party is knocked down within the circle until they admit defeat or are pushed out of the circle.