In contrast to the bizarre outcome of the first-year competition, the second- and third-year matches were rather tame. A few dark horses emerged, but only to a limited extent—not like Feng Hao, who was the darkest of them all.

Of course, the second- and third-year finals were still a great spectacle. After all, the participants were higher-level, their Secret Techniques and fighting styles were more diverse, and the fight scenes were as flashy as they come!

As expected, Miao Feng didn’t make it to the semifinals. His aptitude was average, and his mind was focused on his Alchemy Techniques.

After a fierce competition, Yang Qingfeng won first place for the second years, living up to everyone’s expectations.

To Feng Hao’s surprise, he actually recognized the student named Yang Qingfeng. It was none other than Brother Gossip, the guy who had shown him around when he first arrived at Rongcheng Academy.

The guy’s gene level was a staggering twenty-three, and just like Li Mufeng, he was a Gun Magic Master.

As for the third-year competition, Xiyue Frost naturally took first place. Her strength and talent were undeniable, and with the level boost from the Experience Pill, it was only natural that she would crush her opponents.

The one thing Feng Hao hadn’t expected was that Xiyue Frost’s opponent in the finals was the captain of the Dance Team!

It was from the referee’s introduction that Feng Hao learned the captain’s name for the first time: Xu Zhenzhen.

What surprised Feng Hao even more was that while Xu Zhenzhen was competing, that kid Miao Feng was cheering her on. The look on his face, the energy he had—it was like he was pumped full of adrenaline.

Seeing this, Feng Hao was completely baffled.

He recalled Miao Feng saying he’d started dating a senior, then thought about Xu Zhenzhen’s sudden, massive jump in level. Even an idiot could put two and two together.

That’s right. The senior Miao Feng was dating was none other than the captain of the Dance Team, Xu Zhenzhen—that ferocious, thug-like leader!

Sometimes, reality was just so damn melodramatic you couldn’t do a thing about it.

Feng Hao pulled Miao Feng over, his expression utterly exasperated. "Xiaomiaozi, are you sure that thug... I mean, that *woman* is the senior you were talking about?"

"Mhm." Miao Feng nodded shyly, looking for all the world like a blushing bride-to-be.

Feng Hao slapped a hand to his face with a groan, then forced a wry smile. "Sigh, it’s not my place to interfere in these things. I’ll just ask you one thing: has that thu—woman... has she been bullying you?"

"Bully me? Not at all." Miao Feng paused, his gaze softening as he looked toward Xu Zhenzhen. "She’s very gentle."

"COUGH, COUGH!" Feng Hao nearly choked. A dark shadow fell over his face. "You’re telling me *she’s* gentle?"

"Of course. She’s a member of the Dance Team, so she’s beautiful and gentle," Miao Feng said, his expression completely blissful.

"..." Feng Hao slapped his forehead, utterly speechless.

’Were my previous encounters with her all a hallucination?’

Just as Feng Hao began to question his own sanity, Xu Zhenzhen stormed over with the entire Dance Team legion. Without a word, she grabbed Miao Feng’s arm, pulled him aside, and shot Feng Hao a cold glare. "Damn you! If you’ve got a problem, take it up with me. Don’t you dare try anything with *my* Fengfeng!"

"That’s right! Don’t think you’re so special just because you won first place. The Dance Team is not to be trifled with," Xiaoyou declared righteously.

’"Fengfeng?"’ The scene playing out before him was so shocking it left him reeling. Goosebumps broke out all over his skin.

Miao Feng was also baffled by this sudden development. He looked awkwardly from Feng Hao to Xu Zhenzhen, then scratched his head. "Um, is there some kind of misunderstanding?"

"There’s no misunderstanding," Xu Zhenzhen snorted. "Fengfeng, stay away from him from now on. This guy is bad news."

"That’s right, he’s a total bastard! Be careful he doesn’t corrupt you, Junior," Xiaoyou added, her tone stern and self-righteous.

Miao Feng was completely lost. He tried to explain awkwardly, "Seniors, please don’t misunderstand. He’s my senior brother."

"Huh?" Xu Zhenzhen’s expression faltered. "He’s your *senior brother*?"

Xiaoyou cried out in alarm, "How could *he* be your senior brother?"

"He really is my senior brother," Miao Feng said, his expression serious. "There must be some kind of misunderstanding between you all. My senior brother is a great guy."

Hearing Miao Feng’s repeated confirmations, the members of the Dance Team finally believed him. The atmosphere instantly turned bizarre.

Xu Zhenzhen, living up to her title as captain, was quick to adapt. She hurriedly changed her tone. "We had a small disagreement before, but since we’re all friends here, there’s no need to dwell on it, right, Feng Hao?"

"Right, all friends here, all friends!" Feng Hao nodded without the slightest hesitation.

’Are you kidding me? A shameful incident like being kidnapped was best kept under wraps. As for the hooligans, they clearly didn’t want the story about their group dance session getting out, either.’

Only Xiaoyou and Li Ting were left seething, but there was nothing they could say.

Just then, Dean Zhao Hao suddenly stood up and announced loudly, "This concludes this year’s trial assessment! Will our three outstanding students please come to the stage to receive your awards! And let’s have the honor of the Old City Lord presenting them!"

The moment he finished speaking, the entire venue erupted in cheers, and all eyes focused on the main platform.

Just as everyone was eagerly awaiting the award ceremony, Feng Hao abruptly ditched Miao Feng and the Dance Team and charged onto the platform.

"Wait, I object!" Feng Hao declared, leaping onto the platform with a grand wave of his arm.

In the next moment, every eye in the venue was on Feng Hao, nobody having a clue what he was trying to pull.

Zhao Hao faltered for a second before looking at Feng Hao with an amiable smile. His tone was as gentle as could be. "Is there a problem, Student Feng Hao?"

"Ahem..." Feng Hao cleared his throat with a dramatic flourish and announced, "I believe the rewards for the second and third years should be mine. Therefore, I’ve decided to challenge their champions!"

The moment he spoke, the entire crowd erupted. Some gasped in amazement, while others cursed Feng Hao for his arrogance.

The second- and third-year students were especially vocal, breaking into a cacophony of sneers and sarcastic remarks, wishing they could be the ones to go up and teach him a lesson:

"Damn it, does he really think he’s invincible? How dare he challenge the upper years!"

"An auditing student has the nerve to be this arrogant? He clearly has a death wish."

"Does he really think he can challenge the likes of Yang Qingfeng and Xiyue Frost?"

"Freshmen these days just don’t know their place. It’s ridiculous!"

"I bet he’s just gone crazy for the prize money. The fool doesn’t even know how to spell ’death’."

The two upper-year champions were also baffled by Feng Hao’s declaration. Xiyue Frost, ever the stoic, simply frowned without saying a word.

Yang Qingfeng was another story. As the top master of the second years and the academy’s number one gossip, he could only shake his head with a wry smile in the face of Feng Hao’s provocation. "I knew this was coming. Too bad my [Magic Soul] is gone before I’ve even touched it."

"Brother Yang, why are you sounding so defeated?" a student next to him asked in surprise.

"Defeated my ass," Yang Qingfeng retorted with a sneer. "If you’re so tough, you go fight him. I, for one, can’t win."

...

On the platform, the Old City Lord looked at Feng Hao with a benevolent smile. "Young man, are you certain you wish to challenge the upper-year champions?"

"Of course!" Feng Hao replied with a confident smile. "To the victor go the spoils. I want all three Magic Souls, so this is the only way."

"Well said. My three Magic Souls are here for the taking," the Old City Lord said, his eyes filled with appreciation.

"Please wait a moment, Old City Lord. I’ll be right back." Having received the Old City Lord’s approval, Feng Hao cast aside all restraint. Tossing out that incredibly cocky line, he leaped arrogantly into the center of the arena.

He looked up toward Yang Qingfeng and Xiyue Frost and boomed with laughter, "Do the two of you dare to come up here and fight?"

Hearing such a blatant challenge, the upper-year students in the audience were instantly enraged. They glared at him, gnashing their teeth and shouting denunciations. This was a direct assault on the dignity of the second and third years—how could they possibly tolerate it?