The training ground quieted. Ouyang Qin, a Third-year student, volunteered to answer, “Previous National High School Leagues were generally divided into three phases. First was the regional qualifiers, where all schools within each region competed to select the top eight contestants.”
“Then came the sub-regional competition phase,” she continued. “The organizing committee would randomly divide the twelve group regions into four groups, with three group regions per group. For example, last year, the Huaining Group Region, Qingming Group Region, and Kongyue Group Region were designated as one sub-regional competition zone.”
As she explained, the holographic projection displayed a more detailed map, with the Longwu Region marked under the Huaining Group Region.
“Each sub-regional competition zone would gather the top eight contestants from twenty-seven regions across three group regions, totaling two hundred and sixteen people.” Ouyang Qin pointed to the numbers on the projection. “Through a points-based round-robin tournament, the top thirty-two contestants from each sub-regional competition zone would advance to the National Finals.”
Wei Xiuyu nodded, taking over. “Ouyang Qin is right. And as you should know, although previous years’ competitions were divided into first-year, second-year, and third-year segments.”
“However, when people talked about the National High School League, they only ever remembered the third-year competitions. Those were also the most watched, and in terms of reward generosity, the third-year competitions were leagues ahead.”
“This year, the competition format has abolished the grade divisions, and naturally, the rules have also been modified.”
Wei Xiuyu looked around, her gaze sweeping over each team member’s face, then brought up the detailed competition format explanation on the holographic projection.
“First, the initial phase will no longer be internal regional selections.” She pointed to the flashing Huaining Group Region map on the projection. “The organizing committee will first randomly divide all registered schools within each group region equally among the nine regions belonging to that group region. Each region will then host a points-based competition as an independent competition zone.”
“Furthermore, the matches will be held in specialized arenas unique to each region, which are very likely not the usual indoor battle arenas.”
“At the same time, under the organizing committee’s random assignment, some schools might be assigned to other regions, while others might remain in their original regions.”
“Wait,” a male student wearing glasses from the First-year team raised his hand, his voice trembling slightly. “Teacher Wei, does this mean we might face strong schools from other regions in the first phase? And still compete against Second-year and Third-year contestants?”
Wei Xiuyu nodded slightly. “That’s right, Lin Jiayang. This is precisely the feature of the new format: breaking regional and grade boundaries.” She paused. “However, the points calculation method will fully account for grade differences.”
The holographic projection switched to a points table:
【National High School League Phase One Battle Points Rules】
Third-year vs. Third-year: Win, +10 points
Third-year vs. Second-year: Win, +5 points
Third-year vs. First-year: Win, +3 points
...
Second-year vs. Third-year: Win, +15 points
Second-year vs. Second-year: Win, +10 points
Second-year vs. First-year: Win, +5 points
...
First-year vs. Third-year: Win, +20 points
First-year vs. Second-year: Win, +15 points
First-year vs. First-year: Win, +10 points
The training ground immediately erupted in discussion.
Liu Yi noticed that the Second-years’ expressions had improved slightly, while the First-years behind her still seemed somewhat unconfident.
At that moment, she recalled what Teacher Wei had said earlier.
‘I don’t know if that change is good or bad for other first-years, second-years, and third-years. But I believe for you, it might be a good challenge and opportunity.’
Now Liu Yi realized Teacher Wei was right.
Unlike the other First-years, she didn’t find anything negative about all the National High School League format reforms Teacher Wei had described so far.
“This points system design is quite clever,” Ouyang Qin analyzed, stroking her chin. “It gives the lower grades a chance to turn the tables, but also prevents the higher grades from completely losing their advantage.”
Wei Xiuyu nodded in agreement. “Precisely. Each school’s final score is the sum of all its contestants’ points, and the top ten schools in each competition zone advance.”
“Teacher!” Li Chengying suddenly raised her hand, almost hitting Gao Xue next to her. “How exactly are opponents matched? Will there be situations where Third-years specifically target First-years?”
Wei Xiuyu brought up the holographic projection of the matching rules diagram. “The format uses a dynamic points matching mechanism. Each contestant will initially be randomly matched with opponents from the same region, and then the system will automatically adjust the matching range based on real-time points.”
“Specifically,” she pointed to the flashing algorithm model, “the first week’s matches will prioritize matching opponents of the same grade.”
The First-years behind Liu Yi instantly breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
Wei Xiuyu continued, “But from the second week onwards, the system will perform cross-grade matching based on points. For example, a First-year who has accumulated 100 points might also be matched with a Second-year or Third-year contestant with 100 points.”
Gasps of surprise rippled through the training ground.
Liu Yi noticed the match schedule displayed in the bottom right corner of the projection; the first phase of the points-based competition would last for four full weeks.
“Four weeks?” a Second-year team member exclaimed. “How many matches will we have to play?”
“Within the four weeks of the first phase, each contestant will have one battle per day, with one rest day every weekend,” Wei Xiuyu stated. “Each person will have to participate in at least 24 matches.”
“24 matches?!” a First-year student’s eyes widened. “That’s too many!”
“Too many?” Wei Xiuyu raised an eyebrow. “The National High School League has never been an easy event. Otherwise, why are there so many other high school competitions, yet only the National High School League receives the most attention?”
“Remember, this is a stage to showcase your strength, and the best opportunity to test the results of your training.”
She operated the terminal, and the holographic projection switched to a nine-panel grid, displaying concept art of the specialized arenas from various regions.
“Our Longwu Region might utilize a natural dragon-shaped landform created by basalt mountains as a competition arena,” Wei Xiuyu said, pointing to the image in the top left corner, which showed a winding, dragon-like rock formation. “The Zell Region might use a swamp environment, and the Monte Region—”
The screen switched to the bottom right, displaying a cluster of floating islands in the sky, connected by light bridges.
“The Monte Region has many floating islands, and residents usually travel between them on maglev skateboards or with flying pets. According to intelligence, the Monte Region’s competition arena will likely utilize the Sky Colosseum.”
The training ground immediately buzzed with discussion.
“I heard the floating islands there move randomly, and the arenas change every few months!”
“The Sky Colosseum? Wouldn’t that be especially advantageous for flying pets?”
“I also heard that contestants from the Monte Region are accustomed to high-altitude combat from a young age…”
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