Card Duels: Start by deducing the Blue Eyes White Dragon!

"The later the group's order, the higher the chance of securing a spot," Su Chengyang remarked, glancing at his two companions.

True Versailles behavior.

Zhang Mingyun suddenly realized, "No wonder you're in the ninth group, Old Su, and Deng Qilang is in the eighth. So you're saying... you're stronger than Deng Qilang!"

"So that's how it is!" He Nuonuo clapped her hands in sudden enlightenment.

Su Chengyang remained expressionless, already accustomed to the antics of his two mischievous friends.

If they didn't stir the pot, would they even be themselves?

"Ahem, Old Su, don't worry, you won't run into each other."

"Even if we do, it doesn't matter."

Their voices were not loud, but the heightened senses of card masters made it easy for Deng Qilang, sitting in the back row, to hear every word clearly.

He clenched his fists, the sound of his teeth grinding faintly audible.

He was seething with anger.

Zhang Mingyun and He Nuonuo had the strength to back up their words, so their disregard was understandable.

But Su Chengyang? How dare he look down on him!

At that moment, Zhou Hua, the chief judge among the three judges, spoke up.

"Second Year, Class Three, Group Eight, Deng Qilang, step forward for the test."

"Hmph!"

Deng Qilang took a deep breath, steadying his emotions.

With a stern face, he stood up under the gaze of the crowd and walked toward the testing device.

The so-called testing device was essentially a duel platform for competitors.

After each match, the duel platform would automatically descend along the suspension arm's track, settling at the edge of the arena.

Deng Qilang approached the duel platform.

The platform was elliptical in shape, with a curved front and a waist-high control panel at the front.

The panel had six card slots—three on top and three on the bottom—where the magic cards needed to be placed for summoning.

The test itself involved placing all his magic cards into the slots, and the device would evaluate the strength of the cards, delivering a verdict: pass or fail.

Neither the judges nor anyone else in the arena could influence the final decision.

The only authority that determined the outcome was the Supreme Rule!

In fact, the entire selection process for elite class members, both nationally and globally, was conducted under the supervision of the Supreme Rule.

This was why the three card masters presiding over the duels were referred to as judges, not referees.

The only entity with the true power to make judgments was the Supreme Rule—an impartial, emotionless force that could not be swayed.

"What's the point of this process for me?" Deng Qilang muttered under his breath.

He placed all his magic cards into the slots.

After five seconds, the white crystal embedded in the front of the duel platform flashed green.

Simultaneously, a message appeared on both the large screen above and the duel platform's display.

[Student: Deng Qilang (Third Tier - Advanced) — Passed!]

"Step onto the duel platform," Zhou Hua instructed, his tone devoid of emotion, simply following procedure.

Deng Qilang nodded.

He pressed the green button on the duel platform.

At that moment, the curved suspension arm's track began to rotate, and the heavy metal platform slowly rose.

As the track advanced, the platform eventually came to a halt 15 meters above the ground, offering a commanding view of the vast arena below.

"Second Year, Class Three, Group Eight, Wang Luyao, step forward for the test!"

Zhou Hua adjusted his glasses.

He watched as Wang Luyao stepped forward and boarded the only available duel platform.

Once the magic cards were placed, the test began.

Five seconds later, the crystal flashed red.

"What? How can this be? I'm at the advanced stage of the third tier!" Wang Luyao exclaimed in disbelief.

"Eliminated. Next."

"Second Year, Class Three, Group Eight, Tong Jinyuan," Zhou Hua announced, his tone still emotionless. "Wang Luyao, for exceeding the time limit and disrupting the order of the arena, you will receive a minor demerit."

"Tong Jinyuan, eliminated. Next."

"Second Year, Class Three, Group Eight, Zhan Chengfu, step forward for the test."

With two consecutive failures, Zhan Chengfu was visibly nervous. His hands trembled slightly as he placed his magic cards into the slots.

Deng Qilang, already in position, let out a disdainful snort. What was the point of facing such an opponent?

However, under normal circumstances, each group would have two students who passed the test. His opponent should have been Zhan Chengfu.

Five seconds later.

The crystal at the front of the duel platform flashed red.

The crowd of thousands surrounding the arena buzzed with surprise. Murmurs of astonishment could be heard.

Group Eight had failed to produce two students who passed the test.

"Zhan Chengfu, eliminated," Zhou Hua declared.

Deng Qilang looked up at Zhou Hua and asked, "Headmaster, in this situation, can I be declared the winner by default?"

The suggestion was reasonable.

Zhou Hua's gaze turned to Deng Qilang, and the sheer pressure from the headmaster's stare made Deng Qilang feel uneasy.

She replied, "We will temporarily transfer one person from Group Nine to Group Eight. You will wait for your opponent."

"Yes," Deng Qilang replied, lowering his head.

The situation had changed!

All three members of Group Eight had failed the test.

Now, someone from Group Nine would have to be selected to join Group Eight!

Group Nine also had four members: Su Chengyang, Duan Ying, Bai Qi, and Tu Qingzhi.

At the front of Class Three, Zhang Mingyun and He Nuonuo both looked surprised. This was the first time something like this had happened.

"Su Chengyang, they're definitely going to pick you. You're the strongest in Group Nine!" He Nuonuo whispered, tugging at Su Chengyang's sleeve.

As soon as she finished speaking, Su Wu, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

"Group Nine, select someone who is absolutely reliable. We cannot afford another failure."

"Su Chengyang is a student I am quite familiar with. His strength is not in question," Zhou Hua said, her gaze shifting to Su Chengyang. "Su Chengyang, this is a special, temporary situation. You may choose to decline, and we will randomly select someone from the four members of Group Nine. Think carefully, and do not feel pressured in any way."

Su Wu observed Su Chengyang discreetly. There was something familiar about his aura...

The eyes of the entire class turned toward Su Chengyang.

First-year and third-year students didn't know him, but following the gazes of the second-year students, they quickly identified who he was.

Faced with so many eyes on him, Su Chengyang realized that he wasn't as introverted or shy as he had thought.

Under the scrutiny of so many people, he remained unfazed, even feeling a slight thrill.

"Su Chengyang, don't worry about face. Securing a spot in Group Nine is the priority. The Evolution Fruit... the benefits are what matter most," He Nuonuo said, pinching Su Chengyang's arm to keep him grounded.

"Play it safe, don't be impulsive," Zhang Mingyun added, also trying to dissuade him.

Looking at his two friends who were genuinely concerned for him, Su Chengyang felt a warmth in his heart.

They could be ruthless when teasing him, but when it came down to it, they truly cared.

The Evolution Fruit was an extremely rare item, available only in specific circumstances, with fixed uses and limited spots.

Even divine-tier experts couldn't produce a single one, not even for the most basic advancement from third-tier advanced to third-tier peak!

Their homeroom teacher, Jiang Qingmiao, also looked at Su Chengyang.

"You have the right to make your own decision. If there's any issue, I can support you," she said.

"Mm."

Su Chengyang took a deep breath.

It was clear that his expression was becoming pained.

"Su Chengyang... you look so conflicted, so tormented..." He Nuonuo said.

Su Chengyang turned to look at the worried He Nuonuo.

"Could it be... that you're pinching me too hard... ouch..."

"Ah! Sorry!" She quickly let go, her face red with embarrassment.

At that moment, Su Chengyang suddenly stood up, his posture straight and confident.

He looked directly at Headmaster Zhou Hua, Judge Su Wu, and Judge Bai Gu.

Raising his voice, he declared, "I choose to step forward!"

...

(End of Chapter)