26: Chapter 26 The Dragon Kingdom in Shackles: The Possibility of Entering the Second District!

Was that item card he used Long Chen's?

Shen Mo was stunned for a moment.

"When Long Chen set foot on the Gods Ladder back then, everyone thought he would definitely pass, or even reach the top and claim his own divine status... But no one expected that Long Chen would actually lose. He was too proud..."

"So, what exactly happened back then?"

Shen Mo couldn't help but feel curious. Long Chen... this guy's record was a bit too exaggerated!

Winning 130 games in a row, yet even he lost on the Gods Ladder. Can anyone actually pass this thing?

Old Man Li sighed, "Actually, strictly speaking, Long Chen did pass the trial of the Gods Ladder. Not only that, he even reached the top of the Gods Ladder and entered that 'Divine Temple'."

"Then why..."

"Because he was given an opportunity!"

Old Man Li's gaze turned solemn and cold. "He was too strong, so strong that he piqued the curiosity of certain 'deities'. Thus, the temple gave him an opportunity... an opportunity to play a game against a god!"

"Play a game against a god!"

Shen Mo's pupils trembled violently!

No wonder!

No wonder Old Man Li said Long Chen was too proud... This guy actually chose to challenge a deity!

This was fucking beyond ridiculous... completely off the charts!

"Naturally... Long Chen lost! He not only lost the key to the Second District, but also lost his divine status, falling from the Gods Ladder. Back then, he was just like you—proud and confident. He wasn't satisfied with just playing a game against a god; he even made a bet with the god!"

"He wagered everything he had, and lost everything he had."

"The only thing left was that 'Gold Duel Card'... Come to think of it, this card's original tier should have been 'Diamond' quality, but because Long Chen used it that time, its tier dropped."

Shen Mo was deeply shaken and remained silent for a long time.

He had heard Old Man Li mention the name Long Chen before, but he hadn't felt much about it back then...

But only at this very moment did he understand what the name Long Chen truly symbolized in the Dragon Country!

"Uncle Li, you just mentioned the Second District?"

"Those who pass the trial of the Gods Ladder will receive incredible benefits and proceed to the Second District to participate in new matches. That is the true arena for the strong. Our current matches... are all in the Third District."

Shen Mo only then recalled that during his match, the referee seemed to have said...

"[Third District, Match 130, let the match begin!]"

"Are the people who make it to the Gods Ladder very strong?"

"Very strong."

Old Man Li sighed, "It's been so many years. Do you know why the Dragon Country has never made it into the top ten again? It's because of what happened with Long Chen back then. It made other countries wary! They became afraid!"

"Ever since the first batch of people entered the Second District, although they are banned from participating in Third District matches, they can act as military strategists, advisors, and even personally train new contestants!"

"Large countries like the USA, Sakura Country, Savage Bear Country, and even Korea have their own Second District experts, but our Dragon Country has none... This is the gap that has accumulated over the years!"

Shen Mo hesitated to speak.

Old Man Li smiled. "I know what you want to ask. You want to ask... those small countries don't have Second District experts either, so why are the Dragon Country's results even worse than theirs? Am I right?"

Shen Mo nodded; this was exactly his doubt.

Back then, even Persia could maintain 0 National Fortune points, but the Dragon Country couldn't?

Why?

"Because of a blockade!" Old Man Li's expression turned grave. "They are afraid. They are afraid that a second Long Chen will appear in the Dragon Country, so they reached a secret agreement. The core of this agreement is only one thing..."

"To block all possibilities of the Dragon Country entering the Second District!"

"Small countries can use resources to invite Second District experts from other nations to analyze lineups, but the Dragon Country cannot! Not a single Second District expert from any country is willing to come to the Dragon Country!"

"That is the reason!"

*Clench!*

Shen Mo's fists clenched tightly!

A blockade!

So that was how it was!

The doubts in his heart were instantly resolved, followed by a surge of rising anger!

Feeling Shen Mo's anger, the hot-tempered Old Man Li actually smiled instead. He patted Shen Mo's shoulder, "So, kid! Do you understand now why the Dragon Country values you so much?"

"It's not just because you are the only contestant left in the Dragon Country now, but more importantly... if we want to break the blockade of other countries and enter that so-called Second District, we can only break through on our own!"

"No help! No backup! Relying on yourself alone to fight against the power of entire nations!"

"They are strong! They will even get stronger and stronger! The further you go, the more you will realize that your opponents are not fighting alone. Behind them... are the experts of past generations who climbed the Gods Ladder, strategizing for them and watching coldly from the sidelines."

"What you need to do is defeat them one by one. Only then... will there be a sliver of hope!"

Shen Mo took a deep breath and fell silent!

After a long time, he slowly spoke, "Uncle Li... one last question! Is Senior Long Chen still alive?"

Old Man Li took a deep look at Shen Mo. "You want to see Long Chen?"

Shen Mo nodded and said earnestly, "Yes."

"Then wait until you get the qualification to enter the Gods Ladder..."

Old Man Li picked up his tea mug and stood up leisurely. "It's just matching games right now; seeing Long Chen is pointless. But if you can lead the Dragon Country into the top ten in points and secure the qualification for the trials, I can apply to the higher-ups to let you meet Long Chen!"

"It's a deal!"

"This old man never goes back on his word."

...

Old Man Li left.

But Shen Mo lay on the bed, his mind flooded with countless thoughts.

What Old Man Li said today had given him too much of a shock!

The descent of the Gods Arena, the Third District, the Second District, the Gods Ladder... Long Chen, and that Divine Temple! Playing a game against a god...

"A secret blockade agreement... No wonder the Dragon Country is so weak. Dancing in shackles, starting matches with absolutely no understanding of lineups, a twelve-game losing streak isn't too surprising."

"Moreover, those who made it to the Second District should have the concept of Synergy. They might not be able to see it, but they have already realized this issue..."

"Kamigawa, whom I met in the first match, started with 5 Frost right off the bat. That was definitely no accident."

Shen Mo's thoughts drifted.

"Old Man Li is right. The upcoming matches will get harder and harder, and opponents will also use Synergies... Although I don't know how strong the Synergies they've researched are, I... can't be careless!"

"The top ten in points... Fine, I'm actually quite curious about what exactly is on that Gods Ladder!"

"I forgot to ask Old Man Li how much time is left before this Gods Arena ends! If the time is too short, it might be a bit troublesome. Oh well, it's not a big deal."

Shen Mo thought about random things...

On the other side.

With the desperate reversal of the Dragon Country's points, the external discussions about Shen Mo had reached a peak!

Of course, the most important thing was still the lineup Shen Mo had brought out!

...

#Press Department Express! Dragon Country's desperate reversal of points, grabbing 148 points in a single game! Is the Dragon Country's foundation starting to show?#

#What exactly is Shen Mo's background?! Two consecutive victories to take first place!#

#Duel lineup exposed! Two-cost Kassadin tops the win rate leaderboard at T0! Outrageous combat power! Get it and secure points!#

#Shen Mo of the Dragon Country has personally opened Pandora's Box...#