57: Chapter 57 Lin Yi Threatens, Ning'er Comes to the Door

In the spectator stands, a youth wearing a jacket with delicate features walked up to Zhou Bai with his hands in his pockets, speaking slowly.

"Are you that confident?"

Looking at the youth before him, Zhou Bai raised an eyebrow and said indifferently.

The youth before him was none other than Lin Yi from Tianbing University, also Zhou Bai's opponent for the next day.

In today's match, Lin Yi had defeated the last remaining contender from Xingwu University by relying on a Weapon Formation composed of numerous A-grade weapons.

Although Lin Yi had won, his victory was rather precarious, and he had come close to being counter-killed by the Xingwu prodigy several times.

Therefore, everyone believed that Lin Yi's strength was among the weakest of the top eight.

"This isn't confidence; I'm simply stating a fact!"

Lin Yi continued, speaking slowly, his tone extremely calm.

"Then we'll see the truth in tomorrow's match!"

Naturally, Zhou Bai was not one to be intimidated, and he replied indifferently.

"Good, I hope you'll still be this tough-talking tomorrow and don't surrender too quickly!"

Lin Yi said calmly, his tone brimming with confidence.

After speaking, Lin Yi turned and left.

Zhou Bai didn't pay him any mind either and directly returned to the training room to prepare for the fourth round's top-eight battle.

Zhao Shiyu and Chen Jianghe were also doing their utmost to gather intelligence on Lin Yi, preparing for Zhou Bai's match tomorrow.

Not only would Zhou Bai collect various pieces of intelligence; the other contestants who had entered the top eight would similarly gather information on their opponents, then plan and devise effective countermeasures.

This was also a key test for the prodigies and one of the exciting aspects of the Battle of the Dawn.

No matter how strong one's innate talent and strength were, with careful preparation and finding the right methods, there was always a chance to turn disadvantage into advantage and reverse everything.

...

At the same time, in a luxurious room on the third floor of the Magic Cube Martial Arts Arena.

"Ning'er, remember your status. I do not wish to hear any gossip, online or in reality!"

In the room, an Eighth Grade Yūkong Realm elder of the Shen Family gazed deeply at Shen Ninger in the room and spoke faintly.

"Seventh Elder, what gossip? I don't know what you're talking about!"

At this moment, there was no trace of liveliness or brightness on Shen Ninger's face, only a polite demeanor measured with propriety.

"Hmph, what did you do during the selection tournament? Do I need to spell it out more clearly? Getting all touchy with a Junior College Student—you've completely disgraced our Shen Family!"

Seventh Elder Shen Changkong said coldly, his voice icy.

"That was just a spiritual consciousness in the virtual reality simulation. Do I not even have freedom over my own spiritual consciousness? Moreover, I was also trying to bring glory to our Shen Family!"

Shen Ninger continued, slowly raising her head and staring directly at Shen Changkong.

"You dare talk back? Have you forgotten your status? The achievements you have now are all thanks to our Shen Family. Whether it's your spiritual consciousness or your own body, everything about you must obey the family's arrangements!"

A powerful aura of spiritual pressure erupted from Shen Changkong, bearing down heavily on Shen Ninger, making it somewhat difficult for her to breathe.

"As for bringing glory, does our Shen Family need you to bring glory?"

Shen Ninger still wanted to say something, but seeing the indifference in Shen Changkong's eyes, she ultimately didn't say more. Instead, she lowered her head and said,

"I... I understand..."

Seeing Shen Ninger lower her head, Shen Changkong's expression softened considerably.

"Ning'er, remember what I said. We don't demand any achievements from you. Just obey our Shen Family's arrangements—that is the only thing you can do for our family!"

Shen Changkong continued, speaking faintly.

After speaking, Shen Changkong directly left the room.

After Shen Changkong left, Shen Ninger's body seemed to lose all support as she collapsed limply onto the floor.

"Why, why, why is it always like this? Why must you interfere with everything about me..."

Shen Ninger murmured in her heart. Her whole person was like a puppet that had lost its strings, tears glistening in her eyes, a sight that evoked pity.

"Creak!!!"

Not long after, the door was pushed open, and a girl with exquisite features and an exceptionally cool, aloof demeanor entered the room.

"Ning'er, are... are you okay..."

Gu Qingyao looked at the weak and helpless Shen Ninger in the room, speaking with some concern.

She had never seen Shen Ninger in such a state before. In the past, she had always been lively and bright, her face perpetually wearing a smile, like a carefree little sprite.

But the current Shen Ninger made Gu Qingyao's heart ache...

"N-no, I'm fine. Just got some sand in my eyes..."

A moment later, Shen Ninger once again revealed a sweet smile, as if everything that had just happened was merely an illusion.

"I-it's good that you're okay..."

Gu Qingyao helped Shen Ninger up and said softly.

Then, the two left the room.

"Ning'er, where are you going? Aren't we returning to the training room? Instructor Xu is giving Chen Zheng special training right now; we could learn something too..."

After leaving the room, Gu Qingyao saw Shen Ninger heading in another direction and asked, puzzled.

"Qing Yao, you go ahead. I'm hungry and want to get something to eat!"

Shen Ninger waved her hand, smiling as she spoke to Gu Qingyao...

...

In the training room of Azure Bird Academy.

On the large screen in the hall, numerous battles of Lin Yi from the elimination rounds were being played.

On the screen, Lin Yi's many weapons coordinated with each other with exquisite precision, as if they had their own consciousness, continuously attacking his opponent.

Moreover, Lin Yi's body was equipped with quite a few defensive spirit armors capable of blocking various types of damage.

"Junior, the key to fighting this Lin Yi is his Weapon Formation. In all his previous battles, Lin Yi has relied on his Weapon Formation to win, along with the defenses on his body. Tomorrow, he'll probably switch to different defensive spirit armors, specifically reinforced to counter your lightning power..."

After watching the many battles, Zhao Shiyu said to Zhou Bai.

Zhou Bai nodded. However, given that Lin Yi had specifically shown up today to threaten him, Zhou Bai felt that this Lin Yi likely still had quite a few hidden cards up his sleeve.

After all, Tianbing University had intricate connections with the Tianbing Tower, so perhaps there were some unexpected methods.

"Knock, knock, knock!!!"

Just then, a series of knocks sounded at the door.

Zhao Shiyu opened the training room door and saw a pure, bright, and lovely young girl.

The girl was wearing a pure white lace-edged short-sleeved top and a skirt, her long hair tied up with a white ribbon.

A black ribbon was tied into a bow at her chest. Her pure, large eyes were watery and carried a hint of tenderness; a single glance from her could make one lose all resistance.

"Miss Ning'er, it's you..."

Looking at the pure and pretty young girl before her, Zhao Shiyu was full of confusion.

"Mhm, Chu Yun will be facing Lin Yi tomorrow. I have some crucial intelligence here that might be able to help Chu Yun!"

Shen Ninger smiled slightly, a sweet smile spreading across her face.

"Zhou Bai helped me get into the elimination rounds before; I want to thank him!"

Hearing Shen Ninger's words, Zhao Shiyu didn't hesitate at all and directly let Shen Ninger into the training room.

"Brother Zhou Bai!"

After entering the training room, Shen Ninger waved and greeted Zhou Bai.

"Mhm, Ning'er, you're here!"

Seeing the young girl, Zhou Bai didn't think much of it.

"Miss Ning'er, what intelligence do you have?"

After taking a seat, Zhao Shiyu immediately asked the key question.

"Sister Shiyu, could you let me be alone with Brother Zhou Bai for a while? That intelligence is somewhat crucial..."

Shen Ninger looked at Zhao Shiyu beside her and then said softly.