385: Absent Yanhua University

“Chai Yue!”

“Huaqing University’s most outstanding fourth-year student, currently a Six-Turn Rank 179 Earth Warrior.”

“His fighting style is simple and direct, favoring head-on suppression of opponents. His strongest record to date is defeating an Elementary seventh-tier alien in a direct, hard-hitting confrontation!”

“But don’t be fooled by his fighting style; he’s meticulous despite his rough exterior, with a very keen Heart-Nature.”

In the conference room, Yang Zixiong meticulously introduced Chai Yue’s situation, while Wang Chen and the others listened attentively.

However…

Yang Zixiong’s introduction was primarily directed at Wang Chen.

As for Chu Youxiong, Xie Jialiang, and Gu Xinzhi, they had been competing with Chai Yue and other opponents for years, and had long since mastered all intelligence on their rivals.

Following Chai Yue, Yang Zixiong then introduced two other noteworthy students from Huaqing University: Liang Shiqiu and Zhao Xingzhou.

These two students held positions among Huaqing University’s fourth-year students equivalent to Xie Jialiang and Gu Xinzhi, and their Ranks were also similar.

Besides Huaqing University, next were Du Jijun and Lu Tingyi from Southern Saint University, both strong contenders for the final combat roster.

Du Jijun was a Six-Turn Rank 175 Thunder Warrior.

Lu Tingyi was a Six-Turn Rank 178 Bloodthirsty Warrior.

Among the two, despite Du Jijun’s lower Rank, he was Southern Saint University’s strongest fourth-year student, possessing a Thunder Giant Bloodline. When combined with his Thunder Warrior profession, he could unleash combat power greater than the sum of its parts.

After introducing these most threatening competitors, Yang Zixiong stopped.

In his view, given the strength of Chu Youxiong, Wang Chen, and the others, only these individuals could pose a threat to them during the selection; everyone else was merely making up the numbers.

“Ahem.”

“If you have any questions, you can ask me directly.”

Taking a sip of water and clearing his throat, Yang Zixiong asked the group.

“Principal!”

Wang Chen raised his hand, then spoke at Yang Zixiong’s signal:

“Did you perhaps miss one?”

“Why are there no students from Yanhua University among these participants?”

Wang Chen was very puzzled. Yanhua University and Blazing Dragon University were both among the four top-tier universities. Logically, for such an important competition, it was impossible for them not to send a team.

“Yanhua University…”

Hearing Wang Chen’s words, Yang Zixiong’s expression became somewhat complex:

“They opted out of this year’s Global Prodigy Competition selection.”

“This…”

Upon hearing this, Wang Chen couldn’t help but widen his eyes in surprise, finding it somewhat unbelievable.

It was well known that the four top-tier universities in Dragon Country had always been in fierce competition, appearing harmonious on the surface but constantly vying in secret to surpass the other three in all aspects.

A major event like the Global Prodigy Competition, which faced the entire Blue Star, was the biggest stage for boosting reputation. From every perspective, Yanhua University should not have been inactive!

“Yanhua University had an accident four years ago; they were attacked during a training exercise organized for their first-year students, resulting in significant casualties.”

At this moment, before Yang Zixiong could speak, Chu Youxiong suddenly interjected to clarify for Wang Chen:

“Currently, the strength of Yanhua University’s fourth-year students is clearly a level below that of our other three top-tier universities.”

“Among them, their strongest fourth-year student, you should have heard of him when you were at Dawn Fortress.”

“First-Year Field’s top, Xu Kunpeng.”

“Him?”

Wang Chen’s face showed surprise upon hearing this. How had he not realized that Xu Kunpeng, the top of the First-Year Field, would actually be Yanhua University’s strongest fourth-year student now?

This was truly a surprising situation!

“Although Xu Kunpeng’s strength has reached Six-Turn, he is only Rank 162.”

“His direct combat power is only slightly stronger than Takizawa Hideaki, whom you killed half a month ago.”

“Therefore, Yanhua University clearly understood that even if they sent a team to participate in the selection this time, they would merely be making up the numbers, so they directly gave up.”

Chu Youxiong continued.

“Oh!”

Wang Chen nodded, his mood somewhat complex.

“Alright!”

Seeing the atmosphere in the room become somewhat heavy, Yang Zixiong suddenly clapped his hands on the table:

“You all don’t need to be sentimental here. I’ve finished all my instructions. Go back and prepare; you’ll depart for Thousand Mountains Country tomorrow morning.”

“Understood.”

Wang Chen and the other three nodded, then respectfully bowed before leaving the office.

…

Back at the dormitory.

After Wang Chen informed his parents about his impending long journey, he was immediately met with a wave of worry from them.

However, Wang Chen was experienced in handling such situations and easily brushed off his parents’ concerns with a few light words.

After all, he couldn’t be direct about such matters. He couldn’t possibly say, “Your son is now going to Thousand Mountains Country to carry out a clear-out mission, charging into the remnants of the Holy Blood Church and slaughtering them. You two elders just wait to see me make my debut in the Global Prodigy Competition!”

If he were to say that, Wang Chen felt the situation would only get worse.

After dinner, Wang Chen returned to his room alone.

“Phew!”

He threw himself heavily onto the bed, looking at the starlight outside the window, and let out a long sigh.

Nearly half a year after his profession change, his strength, wealth, and status had all undergone earth-shattering changes.

Now, he was not only the top among his peers but also ranked among the first echelon of the younger generation, catching up with those older Geniuses.

This feeling of constantly improving himself made Wang Chen feel particularly at ease and even more motivated.

It was a feeling of gradually taking control of his own destiny. Even with a Heart-Nature far beyond his peers, in the quiet of the night, he couldn’t suppress the excitement in his heart.

“Hehe!”

“Dragon Country Prodigy! Global Prodigy!”

“I, Wang Chen, am coming!”

That night, filled with excitement, Wang Chen slept exceptionally soundly.

…

8:00 AM the next day.

When Wang Chen arrived at the teleportation hall, Yang Zixiong and Lin Feng stood solemnly beside the teleportation array, and Chu Youxiong’s trio was already waiting there.

Seeing Wang Chen approach, Xie Jialiang quickly waved to him.

“Junior, over here.”

“You’re late. Were you too excited to sleep last night?”

As Wang Chen drew closer, Xie Jialiang familiarly put an arm around his shoulder and asked curiously.

“Not really.”

Wang Chen felt somewhat unaccustomed to Xie Jialiang’s enthusiasm.

“This morning, my parents kept giving me instructions, which delayed me a bit.”

He explained with a slight embarrassment.

“Understandable, understandable!”

“I’m the same.”

Xie Jialiang nodded in full agreement.

Like Wang Chen, he came from an ordinary family, and his parents had long since been brought to Blazing Dragon University for protection.

Chu Youxiong and Gu Xinzhi, however, came from Awakener families, with ancestors who were powerful Awakeners.

“Alright!”

“You all will have plenty of time to get acquainted later. Get on the teleportation array; the activation time for the anchor point over there is limited.”

Seeing this scene, Yang Zixiong smiled, then urged them.