379: Chapter 379 Strength or Lack of Strength?

Lin Yao was no stranger to grand occasions.

But this direct air-drop into the semi-finals caught her off guard.

This was no longer in the realm of "just for fun."

"Just for fun? You call this just for fun?"

Lin Yao pointed outside.

"Eight into four, four into two, two into one—isn't this just going straight to the final battle?"

"With so many people watching, how embarrassing would it be to lose!"

She felt a bit nervous inside.

She had originally thought it would just be a couple of casual matches, giving Lin Yu and Wen Yan space to talk.

And she could also stretch her muscles a bit.

Who knew Zhao Tianyang would bring her directly to this place?

Straight into the semi-finals.

It wasn't that she was afraid of losing; she just found this sudden pressure a bit unsettling.

Zhao Tianyang was also a bit helpless. The main reason for this was his special status; he had already made a name for himself at the Organization, so he could directly enter the semi-finals.

Lin Yao was Lin Yu's younger sister, and Lin Yu was the person he respected most in his life, so she couldn't possibly be worse than him!

That's why he arranged for her to start from the semi-finals, just like himself...

He had even threatened the referee's stand quite a bit for this...

However, Zhao Tianyang had interacted with Lin Yao before and roughly knew her Achilles' heel.

After figuring this out, he cleared his throat, put on a mysterious look, and leaned in closer.

"Miss Lin Yao, don't be so quick to refuse. Do you know how much the grand prize for this Bounty League is?"

Lin Yao was still fuming. Hearing this, she shot him an annoyed glance.

"How much? How much could it be? A few hundred thousand? That's probably the most!"

She didn't have much concept of money, mainly because Lin Yu gave her too much, so much that she was numb to it.

In her opinion, the prize money for such a competition was just an extra bonus.

Zhao Tianyang extended a finger and wagged it.

"Too small-minded."

He paused, lowering his voice as if sharing a shocking secret.

"This time, the Organization officially organized it themselves. To build momentum, the prize pool is terrifyingly high."

"First place, after tax, seven million three hundred and twenty thousand."

The air instantly quieted.

Lin Yao's puffed-up little face froze.

She blinked, then blinked again, as if confirming whether she had misheard.

"You... could you say that again?"

Zhao Tianyang repeated it, word by word, with utmost clarity.

"Sev-en, mil-lion, three, hun-dred, and, twen-ty, thou-sand."

Boom!

This string of numbers exploded in Lin Yao's mind like a clap of thunder.

Seven million?!

Holy crap, what did you say? Seven million?

Lin Yu had money, but that was Lin Yu's money!

She could spend it with a clear conscience, but that feeling was completely different from money she earned herself!

It felt different to spend!

This was her own money!

In an instant, all the pressure and embarrassment were thrown to the winds.

Damn, seven million, I'm going to try it!

Losing isn't a loss, winning is a huge profit!

At least the probability is higher than winning the lottery, right?

Flames instantly ignited in the Little Girl's big eyes; it wasn't fighting spirit, but the green, dazzling light of money.

She slapped Zhao Tianyang's shoulder fiercely, with such force that even Zhao Tianyang, with his Asura Body, winced.

"Say no more!"

Lin Yao waved her hand grandly, her chin slightly raised, exuding an air of invincibility.

"No matter what monsters or demons are on the other side, even if my brother comes, I'll take him down!"

No sooner had she spoken.

A burly man in a camouflage tank top happened to pass by, muttering in a low voice.

"Big talk for someone with little ability."

His voice wasn't loud, but it seemed to be perfectly controlled so that both Lin Yao and Zhao Tianyang could hear it.

Lin Yao frowned slightly. She didn't intend to pay attention.

But Zhao Tianyang directly pressed down on the big man's shoulder.

"What did you just say?" Zhao Tianyang's tone was very calm.

The big man was held by Zhao Tianyang but didn't flinch. He turned around and looked directly at Zhao Tianyang.

"I said, you guys are cutting in so righteously?" The big man's voice rose a few notches.

Many passing spectators stopped their steps, curiously looking in their direction.

The big man seemed to have found an audience. He pointed to the arena outside.

"How many people worked hard to get here from the qualifiers, eight into four, four into two, one step at a time."

"And you two, you just parachute directly into the semi-finals. Do you really think this place is your own backyard?"

Zhao Tianyang's eyes darkened.

"We entered the semi-finals based on our strength." His words were understated.

The big man sneered.

"Strength? Zhao Tianyang, you do have strength."

"But what about this lady? What strength does she have?"

He looked at Lin Yao, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt.

Lin Yao was about to speak.

But Zhao Tianyang's hand pressed down on the big man's shoulder first. His fingers tightened slightly.

The big man felt a heavy pressure. His body stiffened, but he still tried to hold his ground.

"Zhao Tianyang, don't cause trouble." Lin Yao stopped Zhao Tianyang.

She didn't want to get into a conflict here.

The big man took the opportunity to struggle free. Zhao Tianyang's grip loosened a bit.

He didn't dare provoke Zhao Tianyang. Zhao Tianyang's reputation as an Asura indeed held some deterrent power at the Organization.

But looking at Lin Yao, he felt a surge of anger.

"Yes, you rely on your strength, I concede!" The big man's voice rose.

"But some people might not!"

As he left, he spat out sarcastically.

"Some people just rely on their background to bully others, but are actually useless good-for-nothings!"

"Coming in and trying to cut the line to snatch a Top Eight spot, it's truly disgusting!"

This instantly infuriated Lin Yao.

The Little Girl's competitive spirit was very strong. She hated it most when others said she was incompetent!

"Who are you calling a good-for-nothing?" Lin Yao's volume instantly increased.

Her cheeks flushed red.

The big man stopped, turned around. He crossed his arms, looking disdainful.

"Whoever answers, that's who it is."

He looked at Lin Yao provocatively.

Lin Yao trembled with anger.

Zhao Tianyang stopped her, positioning his body in front of Lin Yao.

"Sir, please be responsible for your words and actions." Zhao Tianyang's tone carried a hint of warning.

The big man, however, didn't care. He even laughed.

"Responsible? What I said is all true, what's there not to be responsible for?"

"If you've got guts, don't cut in!"

He pointed to the arena outside.

"If you truly have guts, fight your way up from the beginning!"

Every word the big man spoke hit Lin Yao's sore spots.

"Who's cutting in!" Lin Yao's voice echoed through the entire corridor.

"Fine, today I'll show you whether I have the ability or not!"

She glared fiercely at the big man.

"You just wait!"

The big man, however, merely shrugged.

"Wait then. I'm not optimistic about you anyway."

"What real ability could a good-for-nothing who parachuted in with a background have?"

With every additional word the big man spoke, Lin Yao's breathing became more rapid.

By the time the big man finished, she felt like her lungs were about to explode from anger.