"What do we do now?" Hu Xian'er frowned. "With so many experts here, if we try to force our way through, it will likely lead to another bloody battle."
"It seems that to enter Zhongzhou Academy, we must go through all this!" Lu Fan said with a wry smile. "No wonder everyone who can enter Zhongzhou Academy is a top-tier genius. This much is true. Anyone who emerges from a sea of blood will be no ordinary person!"
As he spoke, the others nodded in agreement, but felt a sense of apprehension. Dealing with so many peerless prodigies would not be easy.
"We must leave the ancient battlefield as quickly as possible to avoid being slaughtered!"
Lu Fan declared, his aura becoming magnificent. In that instant, his figure transformed into a stream of light, charging towards the peerless prodigies, exuding a terrifying presence.
Meanwhile, upon witnessing this scene, the others in the vicinity felt a surge of panic. They clearly hadn't anticipated Lu Fan's formidable strength, charging towards them single-handedly.
"Brothers, it's time to seize the Spirit Pearls!"
With a loud shout, a peerless prodigy instantly rushed forward, appearing exceptionally fearsome, as if no one could easily stop him.
A melee immediately erupted, with everyone rushing forward. However, facing these peerless prodigies, Lu Fan remained remarkably calm, not taking them too seriously. While they might be peerless prodigies, their strength was far from his own. If he used his full power, he could naturally handle them with ease.
After a period of intense struggle, the ancient battlefield was awash with blood. Those who survived were the true elites, each possessing a powerful aura. However, they dared not make any rash moves, as the strength of those who had obtained Spirit Pearls was even more terrifying, making them truly deserving.
"If you continue to obstruct us, you will end up like them, dead in this ancient battlefield!"
Ouyang Qingqing spoke, her gaze sweeping over everyone present, her eyes becoming sharp. This was no ordinary time, and she knew all too well that failing to control these individuals would not bode well for them.
The others also understood and did not make any further moves, feeling a sense of helplessness.
Not long after, Lu Fan and his group left the ancient battlefield and arrived in Liuli City, where Elder Wuming had been waiting for a considerable time.
Upon seeing the ten blood-covered individuals, each holding a Spirit Pearl, he nodded with great satisfaction. "Your ability to obtain Spirit Pearls is sufficient proof that you are qualified to join Zhongzhou Academy!"
"Elder Wuming, the cost to obtain these Spirit Pearls was immense, with peerless prodigies almost entirely wiped out!" Lu Fan stated frankly. "Is Zhongzhou Academy's selection process perhaps a bit too cruel?"
Many present looked at Lu Fan, feeling a sense of shock. This was exactly what they had wanted to say, but they hadn't expected Lu Fan to voice it so boldly, without any hesitation.
"You are correct; the situation is indeed as you describe."
Elder Wuming nodded. "This is also the rule of our Zhongzhou Academy. To enter Zhongzhou Academy, one must undergo multiple layers of tempering to become qualified. After all, Zhongzhou Academy is not a place one can simply enter and leave at will!"
"For the sake of the highest quality resources, they do not hesitate to sacrifice the lives of numerous disciples!"
The Young Master of the Tao Family said with a smile, "Zhongzhou Academy's approach is somewhat questionable!"
The people present were astonished once again. To utter such words in the presence of Elder Wuming was no small feat, even leading some to question if they were acting with impunity.
"You two little troublemakers, you certainly impress me!" Elder Wuming chuckled. "Even if those peerless prodigies do not perish in the ancient battlefield, they will eventually die on the path of imperial contention. This is their destiny!"
"Imperial contention?"
Lu Fan trembled slightly, feeling a sense of apprehension towards this new term. For some reason, hearing the words "imperial path" filled him with an inexplicable sense of dread, even fear.
"Since you have obtained the Spirit Pearls, follow me into the academy!"
Elder Wuming said directly to everyone present without further ado. He seemed entirely unconcerned, as no matter how cruel the competition, these were the rules set by Zhongzhou Academy, which even he could not change.
"Where is Zhongzhou Academy located?"
Ouyang Qingqing asked with some surprise, her heart filled with anticipation. If she could enter Zhongzhou Academy, she would be able to gain insight into its various resources, something she had always desired.
"Zhongzhou Academy is located within Liuli City. In other words, Liuli City *is* Zhongzhou Academy!" Elder Wuming said with a slight smile.
"What do you mean by that?" Hu Xian'er was somewhat bewildered, her mind filled with confusion. Elder Wuming's words were too enigmatic, leaving her feeling utterly perplexed.
"Within the entirety of Liuli City, there is a barrier. This barrier is the gateway to Zhongzhou Academy!" Elder Wuming stated directly. "Stepping through the gate means entering Zhongzhou Academy. Those who can enter Zhongzhou Academy are all heavenly prodigies. I hope you can grow and protect every inch of Zhongzhou's land!"
After speaking, Elder Wuming led the group towards Zhongzhou Academy, directly entering through the barrier gate and disappearing within Liuli City.
Upon entering the barrier, Lu Fan and the others discovered that the spiritual energy surrounding them was more than ten times stronger than outside, even containing the power of the Dao, which induced a sense of trance.
Gazing at the majestic gate, a sense of peace filled everyone's hearts, inspiring profound admiration. This place was like a paradise, evoking deep emotions.
"Within Zhongzhou Academy, there are countless blessed lands and spiritual peaks. You can go there to cultivate first, or claim them as your own, as long as you have sufficient strength!"
Elder Wuming smiled. "Here, you can only rely on yourselves, not your families. I hope you can survive and successfully emerge from Zhongzhou Academy!"
"Elder Wuming, your words sound rather unsettling to me," Hu Xian'er frowned. "Why do you say that? Are there some unwritten rules within Zhongzhou Academy?"
"Within Zhongzhou Academy, those who can leave alive are all supreme mighty figures!" Elder Wuming stated directly. "Within Zhongzhou Academy, you can act as you please, and no one will trouble you. You can do anything you wish, as long as you desire it!"
The people present looked at each other with suspicion. "Elder, do you mean that within Zhongzhou Academy, there is no form of regulation? Even if disciples kill each other, you elders will not intervene?"
"That's right. Within Zhongzhou Academy, all resources must be contended for. As long as you have sufficient strength, you can dominate Zhongzhou Academy, thereby obtaining endless resources. This is the system of Zhongzhou Academy!"
Upon hearing this, the eyes of everyone present became moved. Clearly, they had not expected Zhongzhou Academy to be like this, catching them completely off guard.