Published: February 19, 2025
CHAPTER 36: Accepting Defeat
Chen Chu surveyed the surrounding area, his eyes filled with a sea of heads.
These students were similar to him, gathered in their class groups and divided into over forty factions, with an estimated participation of around five hundred.
This was the first time Chen Chu had seen so many new students cultivating true martial arts; all were unfamiliar faces, as they usually dispersed across two buildings for their training.
In addition to that, many of those who had just completed their foundation establishment a few days ago chose to give up, otherwise, there would be even more participants.
“Silence!!”
As the announcement echoed, the entire venue fell silent.
Following the voice, he spotted over ten teachers seated at the main stage in the distance, including Chen Qi and Pang Long.
In the middle of the teachers, a middle-aged man with a beard held a microphone and said in a deep voice, “I am Lin Xiong, the homeroom teacher of Class One, and along with my fellow teachers present, we will be the judges today.”
“Cultivation is a rather tedious endeavor, especially for you new students; many of you slow down after the initial novelty wears off.”
“Therefore, the official organization has arranged this competition to make you aware of the gap between you and your peers, to instill a sense of shame and drive you to work harder in your cultivation.”
“You have no idea how much the country has invested to train you.”
“Do not take these resources for granted; every bit you use has been hard-won by other warriors on the battlefield.”
“At the same time, every cultivation technique is a creation of its inventor's painstaking efforts, resulting in the division of initial privileges, as those who are useless do not qualify to enjoy these.”
“Of course, this uselessness does not refer to those students with slow foundation establishment, but rather to those who, after receiving the opportunity to cultivate, become lazy, complacent, and lack ambition.”
“Such people will gradually be eliminated by the school over the next three years.”
Lin Xiong continued in a serious tone, “At this point, I want to add a few more words.”
“There is currently a widespread notion online that those who cannot establish their foundation within a month lack cultivation talent, or that those who take a month to establish their foundation have low talent.”
“To me, these are simply nonsense; foundation establishment is merely the starting point. So what if you’re a bit slower?”
“Remember, cultivation is a path of continuous self-evolution and breaking one’s limits; by the later stages, each breakthrough in realms is measured in decades.”
“Every major breakthrough is a sublimation, a transformation of life’s level; how can it be compared to being a month or two late in foundation establishment?”
“Everyone, remember that cultivation is a long and arduous journey; only those with strong willpower and perseverance can reach the end.”
“The initial speed, whether fast or slow, is just a stumbling block encountered along the way, easily shattered with a little effort.”
“If you cannot even withstand this minor challenge, whether in cultivation or any other field, you will lead a life of mediocrity.”
Lin Xiong’s words ignited the passion of many students who had established their foundation within the month.
Even among the audience, some new students who had originally given up felt a renewed belief in their cultivation.
Indeed, they were only half a month or a month behind; why couldn’t they cultivate?
“Alright, time is almost up; let me explain the competition rules.”
“This competition is divided into three rounds. In the first round, everyone will consecutively face six opponents, with each round lasting ten minutes. Winning adds a point, while losing subtracts a point.”
“If there is no winner within ten minutes, the judges will determine the outcome based on combat performance.”
“After the first round, the top two hundred with the highest scores will advance.”