Chapter 102: The Bet

Lin Moyu strolled forward with a calm demeanor, his presence as steadfast as a mountain. His aura, refined through repeated dungeon trials, set him apart from his peers, signaling a profound transformation.

Feng Xiu, observing Lin's approach, noted with a keen eye, "He's become stronger."

Xia Xue agreed, "Indeed, he seems to have grown more formidable."

Zuo Mei, with a glint of combativeness in her eyes, remarked, "He still carries the aura of battle. He must have just emerged from a dungeon."

The consensus on Lin's heightened strength was clear among his friends. His arrival stirred the crowd, with whispers spreading rapidly.

"It's Lin, the national top scholar."

"There's something different about him."

"He appears even more distinguished than during the grand examination."

A mix of admiration and unease rippled through the spectators, many recalling Lin's pivotal role in their collective survival during a crucial battle space challenge.

Xia Xue called out to him, "Lin, over here!"

Upon seeing Xia Xue, Lin's combat aura vanished, replaced by a more approachable demeanor as he quickened his pace, "You're all here."

Xia Xue playfully retorted to Lin's obvious statement, leading to a light-hearted exchange. The conversation soon shifted to Lin's current level, with his casual revelation of reaching level 22 sending ripples of astonishment through the group.

Feng Xiu and Xia Xue were visibly shocked, unable to fathom Lin's rapid progression. Lin's explanation, attributing his advancement to diligent dungeon clearing, highlighted a stark disparity in resources and determination among the students.

As the opening ceremony commenced, Director Qiu took the stage, offering a warm welcome to the freshmen and setting the tone for the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead at Xia Jing Academy. Amidst the backdrop of this speech, a group of senior students prepared for the traditional challenge session, an event designed to test the mettle of new students against their more experienced counterparts.

This ritual, aimed at tempering the arrogance of the exceptionally talented incoming class, sparked a mix of excitement and strategic calculations among the students. The rules of engagement, designed to level the playing field, ensured safety and fairness, allowing even the most audacious of challenges to proceed without dire consequences.

The challenge session unfolded with a flurry of matches, culminating in a bold challenge directed at Lin by Ling Zhen, a persistent rival. The stakes of this confrontation were dramatically elevated as Lin proposed a high-risk wager of 100,000 points, an unheard-of sum in the academy's history.

Ling Zhen's initial disdain quickly turned to contemplation as Lin's proposition hung in the air, a test not only of skill but of courage. The tension was palpable, with Lin's challenge embodying the spirit of competition and daring that defined the academy's ethos.

As Lin stood firm, the academy's square became the arena for a showdown that would not only determine the victor but also set a precedent for the courage, ambition, and resilience required to thrive in the unforgiving world of Xia Jing Academy.