C48 The Choice of the Team Leader

Onstage, Wen Shanmei cast a glance at Lu Lixing, clearly pleased with the expression that crossed his face.

"Sha Xiufen, you're off to East Shores School. As for you, Lu Lixing, you'll be attending Aristocratic Academy. Save any objections you might have; they're unnecessary. This is an order, and I won't entertain any dissent."

Wen Shanmei's words hung in the air, and the atmosphere in the square grew tense. Whether from Aristocratic Academy or East Shores School, all eyes were fixed on Lu Lixing, their looks filled with a peculiar intensity.

Lu Lixing at Aristocratic Academy? Without the chance to object? It seemed Lu Lixing's fate was sealed.

Lu Lixing himself was at a loss for words. From the moment Wen Shanmei spoke, he'd had an unsettling hunch, which now had unfortunately proven accurate. He was certain Wen Shanmei had orchestrated his assignment to Aristocratic Academy behind closed doors.

"She's picking on me because I'm weaker," he thought bitterly.

Lu Lixing shot Wen Shanmei a searing look, vowing to remember this slight. Once he gained the strength, he'd have his revenge.

Unfazed by Lu Lixing's resentful stare, Wen Shanmei casually brushed a strand of hair from her face and addressed the crowd with a nonchalant air. "The rules dictate that each group selects a leader. This leader will oversee member management during the special training period and serve as the liaison with the mentors. Traditionally, leaders are chosen for their capabilities, and this year will be no different. However, this time, the mentors have decided to sweeten the deal with an additional reward for the leader."

Curiosity rippled through the crowd at Wen Shanmei's announcement. What could the reward for the leader be?

With a meaningful look at Lu Lixing, Wen Shanmei's voice took on a teasing edge. "This year's leader will be granted significant power: the responsibility of distributing training resources among the members. We'll hand over these resources daily to the leader, who will then allocate them as they see fit. If any member feels the leader is being unfair, they're welcome to challenge them. Should the member best the leader, they'll take over the role. If not, they'll have to swallow their grievances—complaints will get them nowhere!"

When Wen Shanmei spoke, a wave of shock swept through the square. No one had anticipated that the leader, once relegated to menial tasks, would suddenly wield such significant power this year!

Moreover, the crowd's perception of Lu Lixing and the Aristocratic Academy shifted yet again as they considered Wen Shanmei's deliberate decision to place him there. It was clear that her intention was to push Lu Lixing to vie for the training resources traditionally reserved for the Aristocratic Academy!

Initially indifferent to Lu Lixing joining their ranks, the Aristocratic Academy students were now taken aback. They hadn't seen Lu Lixing as a real threat, but Wen Shanmei's actions seemed to show a lack of respect for them.

What made her so sure that Lu Lixing could surpass them and take over as team leader?

Amidst the disbelief surrounding Wen Shanmei's decision, Lu Lixing stepped forward and declared loudly, "As a model student, I wholeheartedly endorse Instructor Wen's decisions!"

The sight of a jubilant Lu Lixing left many speechless. Did he really believe he could outmatch the Aristocratic Academy's finest? His confidence bordered on arrogance.

The Aristocratic Academy's anger intensified. They had dismissed Lu Lixing as inconsequential after witnessing his deference to Zhongli Yilan, but they hadn't expected his bold defiance now. He seemed to dismiss everyone around him.

Zhongli Yilan was pleased. If allocating cultivation resources could indeed ignite Lu Lixing's competitive spirit, she was more than willing to give him all the resources at her disposal!

At that moment, Lu Lixing didn't concern himself with others' opinions. He was genuinely elated, having feared his senior sister's affections had waned, only to discover she still held him in the highest regard!

Wen Shanmei had clearly recognized his need for more cultivation resources and had purposefully crafted this opportunity for him to acquire them.

Lu Lixing vowed that from then on, anyone who spoke ill of Wen Shanmei would be making an enemy of him!

Those on the stage observed Lu Lixing's excitement with bemused expressions. Wen Shanmei had previously noted that only the promise of advanced cultivation resources could spur Lu Lixing into action. Given the chance to secure more, there was no danger he wouldn't face.

Initially, they were skeptical, but after witnessing Lu Lixing's performance, they couldn't help but believe.

Wen Shanmei surveyed the assembly with a composed gaze and announced, "Unless there are any objections, we'll commence the selection of the team leader now, starting with East Shores School."

The students from East Shores School remained nonchalant, as they were all familiar with one another's strengths. They knew who was fit to lead without any need for contention, confident that the chosen leader wouldn't covet their training resources.

Sha Xiufen had made her stance clear from the start—she wasn't interested in vying for the team leader role.

Thus, the decision for East Shores School's team leader was swiftly made: Yu Hongzhuo.

With East Shores School's election concluded, Zhongli Yilan and Qin Jia led the Aristocratic Academy, while Lu Lixing stood apart, outnumbered and seemingly outmatched. Yet, he remained unfazed by the disparity.

Confronting the irate Aristocratic Academy crowd, Lu Lixing declared with anticipation, "If I'm elected leader, each of you just needs to provide me with half your cultivation resources. That's not asking too much, is it?" His expression twisted with feigned distress, as if he regretted asking for so little.

East Shores School's students watched Lu Lixing with resignation, certain the Aristocratic Academy would never consent.

From the Aristocratic Academy, a burly figure stepped forward in anger, confronting Lu Lixing and jabbing a finger at his nose. "I'm Ou Luhuan. Beat me, and all my cultivation resources are yours!"

Lu Lixing's eyes sparkled at the challenge. He applauded, "Ou Luhuan, you're a lifesaver. What a brilliant solution! Here's the deal: anyone who doubts me can step up and challenge me. But if you lose, you owe me all your cultivation resources for the day. And if you want to win them back, come at me again tomorrow!"