7:00 PM, Central Main Arena.
All floating battle zones had been shut down, and the energy shields retracted. Only the Central Main Arena remained lit.
The surrounding spectator stands were packed, not just with audience members, but also contestants and coaches from various schools. All 1,770 contestants from 118 schools were gathered in this massive circular venue.
Highlights from the four weeks of Phase One matches continuously played on the large screen. Scene after scene flashed by, each thrilling moment drawing waves of cheers from the audience.
The members of the Tianqi School Team sat in their designated area.
Liu Yi sat near the edge, her hands resting on her knees, her gaze fixed on the large screen.
The host walked onto the central stage, microphone in hand, his voice amplified throughout the entire venue.
“Contestants, coaches, everyone! Welcome to the mini-closing ceremony of the National High School League's First Stage, Monte Competition Zone!”
Thunderous applause erupted.
“After four weeks of fierce competition, the First Stage of the Monte Competition Zone has concluded. 118 schools and 1,770 contestants have presented us with one spectacular match after another!”
The screen switched, displaying various statistics for the Monte Competition Zone's First Stage.
Participating Schools: 118, Participating Contestants: 1,770, Total Matches: 21,240.
“Now, the final rankings for the Monte Competition Zone's First Stage will be announced.”
The entire venue fell silent.
The host took a card from an envelope, his gaze sweeping across the venue before he spoke.
“Tenth place... Total points: 2547.”
“Ninth place... Total points: 2603.”
“Eighth place... Total points: 2648.”
Each name announced was met with cheers from the respective school's area.
“Seventh place — Golden Scale Academy, with a total of 2681 points.”
“Sixth place — Blazing Sun High School, with a total of 2689 points.”
“Fifth place — Jinnan Yunyong Beast Taming High School, with a total of 2703 points.”
“Fourth place — Fugang Beast Taming High School, with a total of 2721 points.”
The host paused.
“Next, we will announce the top three for the Monte Competition Zone!”
“Third place — Skywing High School, with a total of 2756 points.”
The Skywing area erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers. Contestants stood up, some high-fiving in celebration, others embracing.
Qiuyu Fei sat in the front row, her expression still cool, but a faint smile played on her lips. Lu Mingxiao, meanwhile, stood up directly and waved to the audience.
“Second place — Monte Beast Taming Academy, with a total of 2772 points.”
The Monte Beast Taming Academy area also resounded with enthusiastic applause, though clearly tinged with regret. Playing on home turf and only securing second place was clearly not the outcome they had hoped for.
Ji Hongyuan sat in the middle of the team, his expression calm, merely clapping softly. Yun Wangqing sat in the very front row, arms crossed, her gaze on the large screen, lost in thought.
“First place —”
The host deliberately drew out his words.
Li Chengying's nails were already digging into the armrest of her seat.
“Tianqi Beast Taming High School! Total points: 2791!”
The Tianqi School Team area instantly erupted.
Li Chengying was the first to leap up, her Cloud Howler Sparrow flying and circling above her head. Gao Xue followed, standing to applaud, a rare smile gracing her face.
Ouyang Qin rose, pulled her hands from her pockets, and clapped softly. Wei Tan'an and several second-year team members hugged and cheered, while Chu Qian and Xie Jing high-fived in celebration.
Liu Yi stood up and joined the applause.
The large screen displayed Tianqi Beast Taming High School's emblem and points data — 2791 points, first place in the Monte Competition Zone.
Thunderous applause filled the spectator stands. Contestants from other schools also clapped, congratulating the team that had traveled all the way from the Longwu Region.
The host waited for the applause to gradually subside before continuing.
“The ten schools above will advance to the National High School League's Second Stage. Congratulations!”
The large screen showed the emblems and point rankings of the ten schools, listed from top to bottom. Tianqi Beast Taming High School was in first place, the number 2791 beneath its emblem particularly striking under the lights.
“Will representatives from each school please come to the stage to receive their advancement certificates.”
Wei Xiuyu rose from her seat, adjusted her collar, and walked towards the stage.
She ascended the stage, accepted the gold-stamped advancement certificate from the host, and turned to face the audience.
Flashbulbs flared everywhere.
Liu Yi stood in the Tianqi School Team's area, watching Wei Xiuyu on stage, a slight smile playing on her lips.
After the closing ceremony, the members of the Tianqi School Team did not leave immediately.
Wei Xiuyu stood at the front of the team, still holding the gold-stamped advancement certificate.
Most of the stage lights had dimmed, and the crowd in the spectator stands began to surge towards the exits. Contestants from various schools left in twos and threes; some laughed, some were silent, and some glanced back at the large screen displaying the final rankings of Phase One before disappearing into the passage.
“Gather,” Wei Xiuyu's voice was soft, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.
The team members converged from all directions. Li Chengying was still chatting with Gao Xue, unable to suppress her smile. Wei Tan'an stood with several second-year team members, and Chu Qian and Xie Jing also approached.
Liu Yi stood with a few of her first-year teammates.
“Phase One has concluded,” Wei Xiuyu said, looking around, her gaze lingering on each team member's face for a moment. “You all performed exceptionally well, exceeding the coaching staff's expectations.”
She paused, her tone calm but with a hint of subtle satisfaction.
“Before we departed for the Monte Region, I told you that our goal for Phase One was to make it into the top ten and secure advancement. Now, we've not only secured advancement but also finished Phase One in first place.”
“This achievement was earned by each and every one of you.”
Scattered applause broke out among the team, quickly becoming synchronized.
Wei Xiuyu raised her hand, and the applause gradually subsided.
“However, don't celebrate too soon. The specific arrangements for Phase Two haven't been announced yet; the organizing committee merely stated ‘to be announced separately.’ According to past practice, Phase Two usually takes place in another group region, and the competition format will also be adjusted.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping over everyone present.
“But all that is for later. Rest well tonight. Tomorrow morning, pack your luggage, and in the afternoon, we'll all take a plane back to Longwu.”
“Understood!” everyone responded in unison.
“Dismissed.”
Wei Xiuyu turned and left, and the team members dispersed in twos and threes, heading towards the exit.
Li Chengying was the first to approach Liu Yi, still holding her phone, which displayed a screenshot of the final rankings for Phase One.
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