The Empire's Blade, Sweeping All Before It
The Sky Network's arena on Yuheng was fully constructed. Today marked the official opening of the league, and all tens of thousands of seats had been sold out, with not a single one left empty.
Although one could still watch from home by plugging into a sensory pod, nothing could replicate the atmosphere of cheering and applauding together with a live crowd. Each year, ticket sales alone allowed the Sky Network to recoup the costs of building the arena.
This year, the Empire division had invited two commentators: the Empire's renowned military expert, Professor Zhuang, and Senior Colonel Ren, a battle-hardened soldier with extensive combat experience.
The two sat in the commentary booth, and Professor Zhuang adjusted his headset. Before the official broadcast, they chatted casually.
"Senior Colonel Ren, which Empire school do you favor this year?"
Senior Colonel Ren, dressed in the Empire's formal military uniform with her hair tied up in a high ponytail, exuded the sharp, decisive aura of a seasoned warrior. She pondered for a moment, then said, "Longyuan."
Professor Zhuang smiled. "I think Dolanston Academy has the best shot this year."
Dolanston had lost to Lianda last year, largely due to weaknesses in their chief commander. But now, with the Sky Network heiress Jia Xiangying at the helm, Professor Zhuang believed Dolanston was in an impeccable position this year.
Senior Colonel Ren shook her head. "I've heard the Federation's Qingjun is terrifyingly strong this year..."
The two exchanged a glance and sighed in unison.
As subjects of the Empire, they both earnestly hoped an Imperial military academy would win—no matter which one. Yet in recent years, the heavily favored Dolanston and Longyuan had failed to achieve any significant victories against the Federation's Lianda and Qingjun. The people of the Empire harbored a pent-up frustration, yearning for an Imperial academy to break through and bring home the championship of the military academy league.
"But this year, all six major academies have attracted many exceptional students," Professor Zhuang said, steering the conversation toward a more optimistic note. "Shen Shouli went to Moye, didn't he? Perhaps Moye could be the dark horse this year."
Senior Colonel Ren chuckled, a note of nostalgia in her voice. "Back when I was competing on the field, Moye was the invincible Moye."
Now times had changed, and the Mohs Warrior had become the Mohs Bottom Feeder. Senior Colonel Ren couldn't help but feel a pang of melancholy.
At that moment, everything was ready. A Sky Network staff member signaled to the two, and they immediately composed themselves.
The military academy league that everyone had been waiting for was officially about to begin.
Inside the venue, Moye's students gathered in their designated lounge. Su Li paced back and forth in a state of agitation, while Instructor Kai Ang and Instructor Chen stood by helplessly. It was Instructor Guan who finally stepped in and physically forced her to stop.
"I'm so nervous I feel like throwing up," Su Li said, clutching her stomach, her face pale. "I wasn't this nervous even when I competed back in the day."
Instructor Kai Ang was just as nervous, but he forced himself to remain calm and patted Su Li on the shoulder. "What are you afraid of? It's no big deal. The students aren't even nervous."
Wang Qihu looked up at Instructor Kai Ang but didn't dare speak up—he was actually scared witless. Guan Zhongli and Lin Xiao, standing nearby, felt the same.
Just as the instructors' and students' anxiety was feeding off one another, Xu Lingqu finally emerged, dressed in her commander's uniform.
The uniform had been custom-made by Su Li. Its overall tone was Moye's signature pale purple, accented with white.
The inner layer consisted of a white shirt and a black bow tie, while the outer pale purple military jacket was tailored in a trench coat style. On both lapels, rivets formed the shape of two crossed swords. On the left chest was the Moye Military Academy emblem, and on the right, a wheat-ear-shaped ornament. Su Li had instructed Xu Lingqu to leave the coat unbuttoned, in the style of a trench coat, which suited her temperament perfectly.
The black military cap pressed down slightly on her already long bangs, while her sharp gaze peeked out from beneath, making her appear even more unfathomable and inscrutable.
As soon as she stepped out, every eye in the room turned to her. Xu Xiqin was practically ready to throw her arms around her sister.
So handsome!
A stream of admiring exclamations rose up, and some of the tension began to dissipate. Having such a charismatic commander leading the charge was quite a boost to morale.
Outside, the host's announcements introducing the academies one by one were finally nearing Moye. As the hosts, they would be the last to enter. The students formed their ranks and stood behind Xu Lingqu.
The grand doors slowly swung open, and amidst thunderous cheers, Xu Lingqu led the new generation of Moye onto the stage with spirited confidence.
Not only at the venue, but the live stream on the Sky Network was also bursting at the seams with viewers. Moye's entrance typically drew little attention, given their poor track record. But as soon as the viewers caught sight of Xu Lingqu, the renowned figure from the Sky Network, the comment section exploded with rapid-fire posts.
[Damn, you've all been arguing about her for ages, and nobody told me Xu Lingqu looked like THIS?!]
[Oh my god, she's so handsome! I just watched last year's Moye matches yesterday, and they were all so lifeless. How come this year's team looks so spirited?]
[You guys flip-flop way too fast! What can you even tell from her walking? And you're already worshipping her?]
...
Xu Lingqu made her way to the designated platform indicated by the staff. The Sky Network's opening ceremonies had always been grand and spectacular. The commanders of the eight military academies stood on their own dedicated platforms.
Gu Tingzhi of Longyuan led the way. Behind him, a giant dragon suddenly soared into the sky—the Sky Network's holographic effects were so realistic that the dragon's wings seemed to stir the air as it opened its mouth to exhale a burst of blue flame. Gu Tingzhi raised his hand, and the dragon swooped down, wrapping around his arm before transforming into a dragon-patterned scepter.
"A dragon lurks in the abyss," Gu Tingzhi declared solemnly, reciting Longyuan's motto.
Longyuan's fans went wild, screaming and shouting without pause.
As his words faded, it was Cimei Academy's turn in clockwise order. In an instant, a colossal rose burst forth from the ground. Its petals were lush and vibrant, but they withered rapidly. Meanwhile, the thorns on the stem grew at an alarming rate, detaching from the flower and forming a defensive wall of green spikes behind Yun Yao.
She reached out, and a strange, green bladed weapon materialized in her hand.
"The thorns that grow from my flesh shall eventually become a thousand blades."
Lieutenant General Jia Deli, seated in the VIP section, raised her hand and applauded.
Jia Xiangying glanced at the sea of spectators. It was Dolanston's turn.
The entire venue suddenly dimmed, and then streams of golden light shot out from Jia Xiangying's hands, dancing like golden sprites that ignited the darkness and brought illumination. The golden radiance coalesced into a shimmering medal that settled upon Jia Xiangying's chest.
"Born extraordinary, fearless in all things."
The lights came back on, and the audience was still marveling at Dolanston's special effects when a grain of yellow sand appeared above each spectator's head. Before anyone could react, the sand grains gathered together, streaking toward Guan Chuanjun. Tens of thousands of grains swirled behind him, forming a spectacular sandstorm tornado. Guan Chuanjun, calm and collected, exuded strong leadership presence.
He cupped his hands, and a morning star descended into his palms.
"Rolling sands, stars guide the way; where thorns grow, glory shall follow."
Jinfang Taibai was not Du'e's commander, so he watched from below as Li Muyi took the stage.
Unlike the grand effects of the preceding academies, Du'e's effect was a tranquil stream of water. It split into multiple rivulets, slipping through each spectator's fingers before merging again to form a vast water curtain.
A quiet, gentle power, much like Du'e's motto.
"Ferry all beings, pacify all suffering."
Moye Military Academy was still the last to go. Xu Lingqu watched Situke Academy's thunderous display and Xiyue's flourishing growth. Truly, the Sky Network's craft was exquisite—there was no denying that the league's scale and audience size owed much to their efforts.
It was Moye's turn now.
Following the staff's instructions, Xu Lingqu stepped forward and pulled the sword from the stone that had appeared before her.
The Sword in the Stone was a brilliant blue. As she drew it, a cyan sword materialized behind her, then split into countless afterimages that swept across the audience with a cyan radiance. Finally, all the blades converged into one giant sword that planted itself behind Xu Lingqu.
Holding the blue sword in her hand, she crossed it horizontally in front of her and spoke in a calm, even tone, like a cool spring in a mountain stream.
"The Empire's blade, conquers all."