The next afternoon, students began pouring into Qingdou Hall — today was the Beast Fighting Competition!
The seats inside were already packed, and more people kept streaming in from outside.
Laughter and chatter filled the air, but all the talk was about one person — the new student from the Summoning Department.
"That freshman from the Summoning Department is way too bold. He actually challenged our entire department!"
"I heard there are a few mid-level mages among the freshmen this year. Let's see how he plans to handle that!"
"Handle it? Please. He won't even last against twenty people."
"Twenty? You think too highly of him. Ten at most!"
The group burst into laughter.
In the stands sat Mu Nujiao and Mu Lei, who had arrived early to get the best seats.
Hearing the mocking conversations around her, Mu Nujiao's usual calm expression darkened.
Mu Lei leaned closer and whispered, "Don't worry. Song Jie might actually pull off a miracle this time."
She blinked in surprise. "What do you mean?"
Mu Lei smiled faintly. "His summoned beast has reached the Advanced Stage."
Mu Nujiao's eyes widened slightly.
If that was true — if Song Jie's summoned beast was truly at the advanced level — combined with his powerful Light Element magic, then perhaps…
She already knew Song Jie's strength was extraordinary — she had seen it firsthand when he saved her.
And she'd promised to keep that secret.
The crowd continued to swell, the entire hall now packed with students and teachers.
Everyone came to witness whether Song Jie's so-called "arrogance" would end in humiliation.
In the front row, several professors gathered.
"Professor Deng, I think Song Jie isn't an ordinary student," one teacher said seriously.
Old Deng smirked. "Relax, Old Li. The competition's about to start. It's too late for regrets now."
He crossed his arms and muttered, "That brat tricked us into this setup. I want to see if he can really take my magic tool."
The others chuckled.
Yes, Song Jie was strong — but could one person really take on a hundred others? No way.
Meanwhile, in the waiting room, Song Jie stood beside Jiang Yunming.
"Song Jie, did your summoned beast really advance?" Jiang Yunming asked.
Song Jie nodded calmly. "It did."
"That's great!" Jiang Yunming said, smiling broadly as his worries disappeared.
"When you're up there, give it everything you've got. Let them see the strength of the Summoning Department!"
"No problem." Song Jie flashed an OK sign.
Moments later, Dean Xiao walked up to the podium, addressing the sea of students in Qingdou Hall.
"I believe you've all read the announcement. If Song Jie succeeds, all of your resources will go to him."
The students roared in excitement, their competitive spirit ignited.
"So, if you want to protect your resources," Dean Xiao continued, "show me your strength!"
He raised his hand toward the entrance. "Now, let's welcome our new student from the Summoning Department — Song Jie!"
All eyes turned toward the passage.
Song Jie stepped out calmly, unfazed by the thousands of gazes fixed on him.
He walked toward the center of the arena, standing tall and confident.
"What are we waiting for? I want to go first!"
One student jumped up and rushed toward the lower passage.
Others followed immediately, lining up eagerly for their turn.
They'd been waiting for this moment — to knock that "arrogant summoner" down a peg.
Mu Nujiao bit her lip as she watched them leave their seats.
Even though she believed in Song Jie, she couldn't help feeling anxious.
At the passage entrance, a teacher maintained order. "You four, go first."
The first four challengers grinned and stepped into the arena.
Facing them, Song Jie remained calm.
"Who's going first?" one of them asked.
"All of you," Song Jie replied coolly. "It'll save time."
The crowd erupted in laughter and jeers.
"You heard him! All four at once! Let's see how long he lasts!"
The four exchanged looks, then nodded.
"Fine! Don't blame us for bullying you!"
Song Jie smirked. "If you don't start, I will."
He didn't have time to waste — there were more than two hundred opponents waiting.
He drew a smooth Summoning Star Pattern, and a moment later, Xiaolu emerged from the dimensional space in a flash of light.
"Xiaolu, be gentle," Song Jie said with a teasing tone.
One of the boys laughed loudly. "That tiny thing? What can it possibly do?!"
Xiaolu blinked her big eyes, clearly offended.
Song Jie chuckled. Now you've done it. Making a girl angry is never a good idea.
The next instant, green vines burst from the ground, whipping through the air with terrifying force!
Bang!
The loud-mouthed boy was sent flying, crashing into the wall and collapsing with wide, dazed eyes.
The other three froze in shock.
"Let's go—"
Before he could finish, the vines lashed out again — three strikes, three hits!
In just a few seconds, all four were defeated.
The entire hall fell silent.
Those four didn't even manage to cast a single spell.
Song Jie looked toward the entrance and called out casually,
"Teacher, send in more people. Those four were too weak."
Gasps filled the hall.
More students rushed in — but in less than ten seconds, Xiaolu struck them down again.
The crowd was deathly silent.
Song Jie crossed his arms and said with a faint smile,
"Teacher, they're still too weak. Add two more this time — otherwise, people might say I'm bullying them."