97: Chapter 98 I said... get your filthy hands off me!

Shen Mo was carried away.

For the next few days, he finally got a good rest. Ever since he transmigrated, the high-intensity matches had kept Shen Mo's nerves on edge, so he took this opportunity to rest.

However.

Shen Mo was resting, but the online public opinion had turned upside down.

With the Dragon Country breaking into the Gods Ladder for the first time in eleven years, many countries began analyzing the probability of Shen Mo entering the Second District. Some even released self-made combat power charts, expressing concern about Shen Mo's prospects of entering the Second District.

# Dragon Country breaks the blockade for the first time! Can Shen Mo create glory again? #

# USA's Lena high-profile announcement: She will challenge Shen Mo in the arena match! #

# Just how strong is the 11th champion, Lena? #

# Korea's Bae Soo-hyun: Dragon Country might need foreign aid; Korea shows a friendly attitude! #

Public opinion exploded.

Viewers from Western Countries began to clamor: "So what if Shen Mo won the match-making tournament? The opponents he is about to face are champions from previous Gods Arena tournaments. Without joking, any one of them could crush Shen Mo!"

This sentiment dominated the mainstream.

Many countries watching from the sidelines leaned towards this view. Come to think of it, these are champions from past Gods Arena tournaments taking action!

This has never happened before!

In the past, the top ten would enter the Gods Ladder trial, but these guys couldn't be bothered to even glance at it, let alone participate. Now, these people are like bees smelling pollen, swarming in with a buzz. Whether Shen Mo can handle it... that is a real question!

...

Beiyuan, secret base.

"What? You plan to just fight casually?"

Old Man Li looked at the indifferent Shen Mo in astonishment, forgetting to drink from the tea mug in his hand.

Shen Mo was quite calm, curling his lip: "Yeah, the arena match is completely meaningless to me. They want to intercept me just to make me choose the final hell-difficulty challenge, but I was planning to do that anyway."

"So... what does winning or losing matter?"

Old Man Li was stunned.

Hey!

Come to think of it, that actually makes sense!

"But don't mess around, kid. Having the right to choose and being forced to choose are two different things. Don't forget the ring on your hand; who knows what might happen? It's better to be cautious!"

Old Man Li nagged incessantly.

It was unclear if Shen Mo was listening, but he was just sitting there grinning foolishly.

He felt helpless immediately.

"By the way, Old Man, where is Long Chen? Why haven't I seen Brother Chen these past few days?" Shen Mo suddenly asked, turning his head.

Old Man Li glanced at him: "He went back. Long Chen said your mindset is fine, and you just need to rest well for these few days and prepare for the battle. He still has to go back to his little courtyard to guard the 'fragment of the gods arena'."

I think he's just afraid I'll come to settle scores with him!

Shen Mo muttered to himself.

What's there to watch with a fragment of the gods arena? Anyway, the ownership belongs to the Dragon Country; even if you stole it, you couldn't use it, and you'd have to worry about violating the rules set by the deities. This guy is clearly afraid because of the snitching... he greased his feet and ran!

Forget it~

Shen Mo couldn't be bothered to care.

Old Man Li added: "In the last two days, diplomatic ambassadors from Persia and Oil Country came by, saying their contestants wanted to meet you, but I turned them all away, saying you needed to rest during this time."

Hakin and Karin, huh...

Shen Mo smiled: "Turning them away is fine. These two probably came to thank me. You know I'm not good at these social niceties. How about this, have the Ministry of Foreign Affairs convey a message for me: tell them to prepare well and just perform actively in the arena match."

Old Man Li had no objections, grunted, and nodded.

...

Time passed day by day.

Finally, ten days later!

[Contestants from all countries in the top ten of the match-making tournament, please proceed to the Gods Arena immediately!]

[Please note, contestants who fail to arrive within the time limit will be considered to have forfeited this trial match!]

[Countdown: 24:00]

It's finally here!

Shen Mo's spirit was greatly lifted!

At Beiyuan Base, countless helicopters took off again, the booming sound shaking the sky. At this moment, a light blue light curtain covered the sky again, and a giant screen covering the sky appeared before everyone's eyes!

This giant screen was directly divided into ten, each corresponding to the contestants from each country!

The world was shaken!

The second stage of the competition was about to begin!

[Contestants, please arrive immediately!]

The Gods Arena urged again.

One hour later!

Countless streams of light streaked across the sky as contestants from various countries dropped directly from their planes, landing in the plaza of the Gods Arena.

The plaza, full of technological aesthetics, was overflowing with flowing light.

By the time Shen Mo arrived, the main group had already mostly gathered.

The massive plaza was divided into several camps. The one with the most people was undoubtedly the USA, with the elegant Bernini in a suit sitting at the head, behind him were members of the 'Genius Club'. They looked at Shen Mo, their eyes revealing disdain.

Next was Sakura Country, where Hashimoto Rika's smile deepened, and she nodded slightly towards Shen Mo.

However, Shen Mo glanced at her and ignored her.

This made the smile on Hashimoto Rika's face slightly darken...

France... Germany... Korea...

Looking across the camps, these people were either excited, pleasantly surprised, or expectant, all waiting for the arrival of the Gods Ladder.

Shen Mo walked all the way to the location of the Dragon Country camp.

This was a huge empty area. Looking up, at the spot symbolizing the national contestant emblem for this competition, a bright red flag fluttered in the wind—it was the national flag of the Dragon Country!

And on the other side of the flag, there stood a button and a hole. Contestants needed to insert the flag into the hole, then press the button at hand, indicating they were ready to ascend the Gods Ladder!

Everyone's eyes turned towards this side!

According to the rules of the Gods Arena, contestants who were not eliminated during the point-matching stage were eligible to participate in the Gods Ladder competition, which resulted in many other countries having large quotas of contestants!

Only the Dragon Country...

There was only Shen Mo here!

At this moment.

Their eyes were mocking as they looked in Shen Mo's direction!

"Haha! The Dragon Country people are truly pathetic, actually only able to send one person to participate in the Gods Arena. Hilarious."

"It really forms a sharp contrast with our powerful Sakura Country!"

"I heard the Dragon Country has been celebrating these past two days. I hope they don't just go on a one-day trip and come back; that would truly be a total embarrassment for the Dragon Country!"

Harsh words rang out among the crowds.

Oil Country camp.

Hakin spoke angrily: "You people, what right do you have to mock Brother Shen?! You are all defeated opponents of his!"

However, these words didn't stir up any waves at all.

Instead, it aroused even more disdain from everyone.

Defeated opponents?

That's a struggle between you newcomers; what does it have to do with us veterans?

Shen Mo ignored these people.

He lowered his head and walked step by step towards the bright red flag.

The flag was very heavy. Shen Mo grasped the flagpole with one hand and arduously pulled the flag out bit by bit.

"Kid, need some help?"

Bae Soo-hyun stepped forward with a smile, wanting to reach out and touch the Dragon Country flag.

"Get lost!"

Suddenly!

Shen Mo raised his head abruptly, his cold voice almost filled with killing intent!

Bae Soo-hyun's expression stiffened: "Kid... you... what did you say?"

"I said, take your filthy hands... off!"

Clang!

A metallic sound rang out sharply!

Shen Mo pulled out the blood-red Dragon Country flag and slammed it into the ground with a 'clang'!

A gentle smile appeared on his face.

"Everyone! Nice to meet you. You might not know me, but that's okay..."

"Next, I announce, the second round game..."

"Officially, begins!"