213: You're leaving early.

Chapter 213: You're Leaving Early

Lunchtime.

The square was deserted.

At the same time, staff would clean, repair, and inspect the protective barrier around the arena.

However, many of the surrounding spectators didn't even go for a meal, staying right there.

They were afraid that if they left, their good spots would be taken by others, and it wouldn't be so easy to squeeze into the front row again.

Someone was also specially waiting at the seats of the major powers and families.

Now.

It had reached the semi-finals and the final championship stage of the entire Hundred Cities League.

Out of the hundred contestants, only four remained.

Among them.

The most popular and highly anticipated were naturally Lu Ran and Zhang Zheng.

Lu Ran, needless to say, now had countless female fans, cutting through thorns and thistles all the way. As an Undead Mage, he hadn't even thrown out a single Undead Summon.

Moreover, from beginning to end, he had relied on a single Blood Spear to pacify the world and kill everything!

No one could stop Lu Ran's attacks!

Under Lu Ran's Blood Spear, Mystic Armor Berserker Wang Yan, Summoner Cen Yuno, Qimen Celestial Master Zhao Xuan, Space Walker Su Xiaoyue, and Earth Knight Zhou Fu all fell.

Furthermore, these professions could basically completely counter the Undead Mage profession.

But Lu Ran had still defeated them one by one!

And.

Besides the few Lu Ran instantly killed and Su Xiaoyue who voluntarily conceded, Zhao Xuan was an exception.

Ten seconds of full-power burst didn't even make Lu Ran lose a single drop of blood!

Lu Ran was the biggest favorite for the championship!

Previously.

Many people had speculated that the battle between Cong Shuang and Lu Ran would be very exciting.

Unexpectedly, an unexpected challenger, Earth Immortal Zhang Zheng, emerged halfway through, suppressing Cong Shuang with absolute dominance and winning the match.

Now, he also had a certain level of popularity, but compared to Lu Ran, he was still far behind.

As for the other two, their presence was very low.

Although they had also defeated opponents all the way to this point, their professions were average, their abilities were average, and the opponents they defeated were also average, with nothing particularly outstanding.

They would likely be eliminated in this round.

Of course, the premise was that Lu Ran was matched with Zhang Zheng, and the other two then competed against each other.

The square was abuzz with discussions.

“So excited, the two matches this afternoon are peak duels!”

“Peak my ass, with Lu Ran this year, there’s nothing to see, it’s just like slicing melons and dicing vegetables.”

“Yeah, if only he used some other skills, these battles are too fast!”

“This year is also considered the most bizarre in recent years.”

“Exactly, an Undead Mage made it to the end, and even Cong Shuang was defeated by a profession no one had heard of.”

“I hope Zhang Zheng puts up a good fight and doesn’t get wiped out by Lu Ran as soon as he goes up, that would be boring.”

“I also heard that this year’s championship prize is very generous, I wonder what it is?”

“Are you kidding? That’s confidential, how could it be announced in advance? What you heard is probably hearsay and can’t be trusted.”

...

Amidst the discussions.

Time quickly reached the afternoon match time.

The spectators had re-gathered, discussing animatedly.

All the major families and forces were also standing by, hoping that Zhang Zheng could achieve good results and become their next target for approach.

Because although Lu Ran was very strong, it was too difficult to get close to him.

They might not be able to handle the Four Great Guilds' joint reserve members!

And currently.

Zhang Zheng had no background yet.

If Zhang Zheng's performance was outstanding enough, he would be a good target for recruitment.

Of course.

To date, the spectators still did not know which family's reserve member Lu Ran was.

Although there were rumors that he was a reserve member of the Tiandao Alliance, it had not been confirmed.

At the same time.

Yu Qingcang had already reported and recommended Lu Ran to the Tianfu Association, and this was the first time the Tianfu Association had comprehensively assessed and decided whether an Undead Mage could join.

Cong Family.

Cong Shuang had already left due to her elimination from the competition.

She now sat beside her sister Cong Yu, gazing at the two empty arenas, her eyes revealing complex unwillingness.

“Sister, do you think Lu Ran can win the championship?” Cong Yu suddenly asked.

“Should be… no big problem,” Cong Shuang mused.

“Should be? Lu Ran is so powerful, there must be no problem, right?” Cong Yu continued to ask.

“It looks like there’s no problem, but no one can say for sure, just like I never thought I would stop before the semi-finals, defeated by an Earth Immortal from a third-level main city,” Cong Shuang said with a shrug.

“Is that Earth Immortal very powerful? He seems just average, just his magic-sealing skill is a bit troublesome, otherwise, your burst should have been able to defeat him,” Cong Yu analyzed.

“There is no 'otherwise', losing is losing, and he came for Lu Ran. He didn't even put me in his eyes. He might have other means to deal with Lu Ran. I hope Lu Ran can win,” Cong Shuang mused.

“I, for one, believe Lu Ran won't lose, and at least you two didn't have to face each other, otherwise I wouldn't know who to hope would win,” Cong Yu said with a chuckle.

This made Cong Shuang somewhat speechless.

“You girl, you’ve already put your sister on the same level as Lu Ran so quickly. You seem quite happy that I’ve been eliminated,” Cong Shuang asked with a wry smile.

“Hehe… that’s not it, Sister, you’re overthinking,” Cong Yu chuckled.

Cong Jixian, surprisingly, did not interject.

Instead, he listened from the side, especially when Cong Yu mentioned Lu Ran, his ears perked up.

But he remained silent, not knowing what he was thinking.

At this moment.

Lu Ran arrived.

As he entered through the contestant's passage, he passed Zhang Zheng.

Lu Ran hadn't intended to pay him any mind.

However.

Zhang Zheng looked at Lu Ran with a smile and said, “The championship battle will be between you and me. If I’m lucky enough to be matched with you in this round, then you’ll be leaving early.”

Although his face still held a friendly expression, his words were full of hostility.

Lu Ran frowned slightly as he looked at Zhang Zheng.

He said indifferently, “You’re that confident?”

Zhang Zheng stopped pretending and continued to say with a smile, “The Hundred Cities League relies on strength. Your strength is enough to make me take you seriously. I just didn’t expect you to be so lucky. If you had been matched with me in the previous rounds, you would have been eliminated long ago.”

To be honest, this provocation was a bit idiotic, and Lu Ran couldn't even determine Zhang Zheng's purpose or intention.

But Zhang Zheng seemed unwilling to say more.

He just left a remark: “I hope you’re lucky in this match and don’t run into me, then we can play a bit more. Defeating you in the championship battle should have a better effect.”

After speaking.

Without giving Lu Ran a chance to respond, he quickened his steps and walked away.

Lu Ran looked at Zhang Zheng’s retreating back in astonishment.

Su Ting couldn't stand it anymore.

She gritted her teeth and said, “Lu Ran, if you’re matched with him, beat him hard, don’t give him any chance! He’s too arrogant!”

Lu Ran shrugged and said, “Don’t worry, I will.”