Boom!
Lu Jun clenched his fist sharply. The area instantly shifted from absolute calm to extreme motion. The previously still lake curved into a massive arc, the arena shook with a deafening roar, and an endless surge of black radiance rose, carrying tremendous impact, sweeping across the sky.
A vast, deep water curtain surged like a mighty flood over the open plains, streams washing over the jade arena. The scene was magnificent, violently colliding with the azure titanic waves of the opponent.
Bang! The two massive sky-covering curtains each occupied half the firmament. Black and blue intertwined, and as they collided, time seemed to freeze for a moment. Each "water-colored high wall" shattered inch by inch, splashes flying everywhere, torrential rain pouring down.
From the stands, spectators saw only a white water curtain draping down, unable to make out the battlefield. Their ears buzzed under the force of the colossal waves.
The arena's protective barrier had long been torn under the confrontation of these two half-Super-tier spells. Tens of millions of erosive water droplets splashed toward the audience.
Fortunately, ten high-tier Water Element mages representing the organizers stepped forward in time. With serious expressions, they formed a circular formation surrounding the arena, linking their auras and using Water Element control to transform all soul water into ordinary rain.
Thus, tens of thousands of spectators were drenched, standing amid the storm. Yet, they were thrilled beyond measure—finally witnessing an unparalleled magical battle in so many elimination matches.
The two opposing National Academy members were like sea gods unleashing a Catastrophic Water Tsunami.
The four Spaniards were soaked, disheveled. Seeing Pinol's natural talent fail and Lu Jun standing imposingly atop the Dragon Fang pillar, despair filled them.
This had been their strongest trump card. With this move, they had a real chance to challenge the top eight. Unfortunately, Lu Jun could unleash similar techniques ten or more times, each stronger than the last, whereas Pinol only had one move, now drained of magical energy.
Mu Ningxue, Ai Jiangtu, and Jiang Shaoxu were also stunned, unable to recover for a long moment. Once they reacted, they struck in unison: frost cascading like waterfalls, ghostly assaults, soul-control magic unleashed, eliminating the four magic-depleted Spanish players.
Finally, the referee stepped in to announce the Huaxia Team's victory.
The Spanish Team members displayed bitter expressions. Their attempt to secure the first seed failed; they could only face the Japanese Team in a decisive match for the second seed.
Next, Lu Jun led the Huaxia Team through the second round. The three opposing teams avoided confrontation, surrendering to conserve strength. Six consecutive victories established an unstoppable momentum, securing the first seed for the round of sixteen and surpassing previous National Academy best performances.
When the elimination stage ended, countless media outlets in Huaxia reported the results. Netizens celebrated wildly, greatly elevating national prestige.
A commentator declared confidently: "Six wins is the limit of the format, not the limit of the Huaxia Team. Anyone who watched these matches would be captivated by the champion aura exuded from Lu Jun's team."
"The strongest is already in the formation; Huaxia Team is seizing the moment."
"Matching historical bests, every step is a creation of history."
Occasionally, Lu Jun checked the news and felt gratified. Beyond fame and benefits, participating in the National Academy Team meant striving for national glory.
However, he did not take such praise too seriously. Winning a magical battle brought accolades, losing brought criticism—it was normal. Whoever took it to heart was unlucky.
Meanwhile, Mo Fan returned with Xin Xia after resolving the Croatia situation. His expression was grave, having learned the truth about the little Red Devil. He truly did not want to get involved with these dark affairs. The only benefit was that the Corruption Bead had fully charged, allowing him to transform into a demon once.
Xin Xia also gained some merit; her candidate status earned her some prestige.
With Huaxia Team's advancement confirmed, they took seats to observe while continuing to train, preparing for the second phase: the Treasure Hunt Competition.
Lu Jun's display of Water Element magic had far-reaching impact. Traditional strong nations like the United States, Greece, and Britain were forced to strategize, their expressions grave. None were confident of victory.
Thus, National Academy instructors warned their members: in the Treasure Hunt stage, facing Lu Jun, one person surrenders, two escape quickly, three consider defense; only five or more could truly resist.
Time passed. Days went by, and the eight major groups' fierce competitions neared conclusion. Sixteen teams for the round of sixteen were gradually selected.
During this period, Mo Fan accompanied Chief Court Mage Pang Lai to the black market, seemingly lucky enough to find a treasure. For three hundred million, he acquired a complete Commander Spirit Core. On the surface, it seemed inconspicuous, but in fact, it belonged to the battle spirit of the Antarctic Glacier Kai Tribe.
Mo Fan upgraded his old wolf to Commander rank, naming it Flying River White Wolf, giving him dual summoning commanders. His summoning strength increased dramatically, and he couldn't help but feel smug.
Yet, on second thought, this was an achievement Lu Jun had reached a year ago, making it suddenly dull.
Especially after Mo Fan learned from Pang Lai that Lu Jun was seeking the Starsea Celestial Vein, he was shocked. Damn, he would probably have to linger in the high-tier ranks for another two or three years while Lu Jun was about to ascend to Super-tier.
However, the Starsea Celestial Vein was a precious treasure, not something easily obtained. Collecting it would take time.
Just as the National Academy Team steadily increased in strength, the long-anticipated Treasure Hunt Competition finally arrived!
As the name implies, the Treasure Hunt Competition involved competing for treasures, ranking each National Academy Team according to the total value of the celestial and terrestrial treasures they collected. The top eight advanced to the next stage—the ultimate battle of the elite eight.
The best part was that the treasures obtained by each team member could be kept for personal cultivation.
Thus, this stage was the perfect opportunity for each country to overtake others, to consolidate and unleash power. In past Venice tournaments, many dark horses were born in the Treasure Hunt Competition.
Sixteen teams were transported to a single independent space, where countless treasures had already been buried by the organizers. The methods didn't matter—only results counted.
Lu Jun silently complained: "Isn't this just a real-life Battle Royale?"
He didn't have high expectations for the Treasure Hunt Competition. Most of the celestial and terrestrial treasures were high-tier and of little use to him, serving mostly as resale value.
Others were different. Some members from less ambitious nations might rely on this opportunity for improvement, while the ambitious ones valued the chance to surpass Lu Jun immensely.
On the day the Treasure Hunt Competition began, Zhao Manyan, beaming with joy, announced to everyone: "Good news! The final rewards for this year's National Academy rankings have been released."
"The top three National Academy teams receive the most rewards. Members of the champion team will obtain the Divine Seal Benifaction of the Parthenon Temple. The runner-up members may train at the Void Altar of the Saint Kai Magical Association in Australia. The third place will have a master craftsman appointed by the organizers to forge a complete set of magical artifacts for each person."
After the announcement, everyone's breathing quickened, eyes burning red.
The first-place reward required no explanation: the Divine Seal was akin to granting a mage an innate talent, something that could alter postnatal power. Even if most could only retain 1.3 or 1.4 times their basic power accumulation, it was still immensely strong.
As for second place, the Void Altar was the best nirvana for high-tier mages ascending to Super-tier anywhere in the world, greatly increasing the probability of promotion.
Third place was a blessing for the likes of Mo Fan and other underdogs, receiving a full set of magical artifacts, doubling their combat power.
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
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