161: The internet is buzzing! Is Gu Chen about to break through to the Glazed Realm?

The National Martial Artist Competition itself is a tournament that all first-year freshmen across the country participate in. It was held last year as well; it is a completely public competition facing the entire Xia Country, showcasing the elegance of young Martial Artists to Xia Country and allowing ordinary people throughout the nation to participate in the process.

Do not look down on these ordinary people who have not come into contact with the Martial Dao.

In the future, their descendants...

Might turn out to be top-tier Geniuses.

Gu Chen's parents, for instance, were ordinary people.

Therefore, the enthusiasm on Xia Country's internet regarding this matter was at an all-time high. Perhaps it was also because the scenes of Jingan District's fall a while ago made many realize the darkness of the current era, so their desire for the emergence of powerful Martial Artists had reached an unprecedented level.

["I have seen the darkness of the era and witnessed the difficulties currently facing Xia Country, so I know that behind our current prosperity and happy lives, huge hidden dangers still remain! Cultivating Martial Artists is imperative!"]

["I haven't slept well for several nights. Everything that happened in Jingan District makes my heart ache. Those Martial Artists who died in Jingan District—how many young and vibrant lives were they? I have children too, so I can more deeply empathize with that grief."]

["Let us witness the Martial Artists of Xia Country! Let us see what kind of young people they are, sweating and striving to become stronger in this era to hold up this sky."]

All sorts of posts on the internet began to emerge like crazy.

Everyone was discussing it fervently.

And one post instantly climbed to the top the moment it appeared.

["Who do you think will be the champion of this year's National Martial Artist Competition?"]

This single question immediately ignited the passion of the people of Xia Country.

The first answer was highly upvoted: "I believe our entire Xia Country should know this; the well-deserved champion will definitely be the Top Scholar of the Xia Country Martial Arts Examination, Gu Chen!"

"The person above is being a bit too arbitrary. You should know that although the Martial Artist College Entrance Examination does represent the largest duel stage for this generation of young people in Xia Country, there is still the Expedition Academy within Xia Country. Those monsters at the Expedition Academy are the descendants of powerhouses from the Border War Department, including countless sons of Grandmasters. Their Bloodlines and the resources they enjoy are unimaginable. Do you still think this year's champion will be Gu Chen?"

"Gu Chen is invincible."

"I'm freaking... It's not just the Expedition Academy. It's said there are many Gene Warriors who didn't participate in the Martial Arts Examination. They are protected as the most precious resources. Those people are monsters among monsters—Gene Warriors! They will all participate in this competition as well."

"Gu Chen is invincible."

"Aaaah! And those who were recommended for admission to academies—they didn't participate in the Martial Arts Examination either!!!"

"I can only say, my Gu Chen has no rivals."

The person who raised the doubt was nearly about to explode with anger.

He took a look at that person's ID: [Young Master Gu Chen's Whirlwind Simp]

???

"Damn it, are you all Gu Chen's simps!"

"Hmm? I heard someone is insulting my giegie here. Let me see what's going on."

"Little brother, you're getting cocky! I'll leave my words right here: for this year's National Martial Artist Competition, the champion can only be my Gu Chen. Are you all blind? How many times has Gu Chen taken action by now? Can't you see that there's already a tier-gap level of strength difference between him and his peers?"

"Gu Chen giegie, I love you!"

Just after that person posted, he found himself being bombarded.

He had underestimated Gu Chen's current influence. How many times had Gu Chen taken action?

The first time was on the Alien Star. When everyone felt the terror and pressure of a higher civilization and experienced that sense of despair, Gu Chen took action forcefully, breaking the ice of the civilization gap and ushering in the dawn of hope, which was heartening.

The second time was the Jingan District unrest. Gu Chen took action forcefully, slaying a Glazed Realm Exotic Beast and leading the streamer Tian Qingqing to complete her broadcast.

Yes.

Only twice.

But both times were when countless people were at the low point of their moods, in fear and panic, and when they had lost hope. He took action at those moments and brought hope—or rather, Gu Chen was hope.

So when he questioned Gu Chen...

Countless people on the internet condemned him in writing and speech.

Gu Chen was absolutely this year's champion.

Many young Martial Artists couldn't help but sigh and smile bitterly. They admitted their strength was quite good, and they might usually have had the chance to fantasize about the scene of winning the championship, but with Gu Chen there, there was absolutely no possibility for that idea.

However, what no one expected was...

Right in the middle of such a craze of discussion.

The Xia Country officials suddenly released a public statement.

["The top scholar of the Martial Arts Examination, Gu Chen, will not participate in the National Martial Artist Competition. We hope the general public is aware."]

As soon as this news appeared.

It immediately caused the people of Xia Country to explode!

What's the situation?

Not participating in the National Martial Artist Competition?

"I even prepared my cheering gear, and you're telling me he's not participating? Are you lying to us?"

"Holy crap! Why isn't Gu Chen participating? I think he could definitely compete for the championship! Even if there are many hidden geniuses in Xia Country, a land of crouching tigers and hidden dragons, Gu Chen is definitely a very strong contender for the title!"

"Hahahahahaha! Battle-shy Lizard!!! An absolute Battle-shy Lizard!!! Weren't you guys hyping up Gu Chen? Why isn't Gu Chen even participating in the competition? Is he worried about being defeated and having his myth shattered?"

Someone suddenly came out to play devil's advocate, speaking in an extremely annoying manner. However, it left everyone speechless. Regardless of the reason, Gu Chen was indeed not planning to participate in the competition.

What else was there to say?

However, just as the discourse on the internet began to lean one-sidedly...

Xia Country suddenly released a public supplementary statement.

["Student Gu Chen is already preparing to Breakthrough to the Glazed Realm and is currently at a critical moment of the Breakthrough. It is expected that the youngest Glazed Realm Martial Artist in Xia Country will be born in the near future. Let us wait and see together."]

["We wish for the National Martial Artist Competition of Xia Country to proceed to Perfection."]

The sensations today could be said to be too many.

It was like the New Year.

Gu Chen is about to Breakthrough to the Glazed Realm?

"Holy crap! Right now, most first-year freshmen seem to have just entered the Divine Strength Realm. Being able to enter the Third or Fourth Stage of Divine Strength should already make one the elite among elites, and most are still in the Body Tempering Realm, yet Gu Chen is already about to Breakthrough to the Glazed Realm?"

"What kind of monster is this!!!"

"Tier-gap level, this is tier-gap level! Those people who slandered Gu Chen, come out and speak! Damn it, do you know what a historical-level Genius is!!"

Gu Chen's preparation to Breakthrough to the Glazed Realm...

...brought a huge sensation to Xia Country.

The National Martial Artist Competition was also about to proceed.

Countless geniuses breathed a sigh of relief.

"Since he's not there, then I... will have a chance."