107: Chapter 18: Is any of you going to Star Dou Academy?

This group of young geniuses from all over the world gathered together.

Yet, they could not comprehend everything they had seen today.

"...Did you see how he blocked every attack without even moving his body?"

One person whispered.

The voice was ethereal.

"I... I thought it was just an illusion. Or a dream."

Another person said.

"Even though Gu Tianyang used an origin energy weapon and erupted with the Battle Saint Body, he couldn't touch him in the slightest."

"He didn't even draw his weapon..."

One of them swallowed hard.

"If the Lu family heir is such a person... no one will ever be able to challenge them again."

In the center of the hall.

Lu Chen's expression was as calm as ever.

He gave a faint glance at Gu Tianyang.

By now, the latter had completely collapsed on the floor.

His fingernails were embedded deep into his flesh.

Blood dripped from his palms.

Seeing the defeated heir of the Gu family lying on the ground, his body trembling in humiliation,

The crowd fell silent once again.

At this moment, Xiao Wanlong could no longer hold back.

He stepped forward.

His voice was low,

But every syllable seemed to carry an unshakable weight.

"...Lu Chen,"

Xiao Wanlong spoke.

He sized up the young man's face before him, as if to confirm if he was real.

"May I ask, exactly what Realm have you reached?"

As the words fell,

The entire hall became so quiet that a dropped needle could be heard.

Everyone pricked up their ears,

Anxiously wanting to hear the answer.

Lu Chen's gaze met Xiao Wanlong's.

There was no arrogance.

There was no lack of confidence.

There was only a decisive answer.

"E-rank Tenth Layer."

He spoke simply.

A collective gasp erupted.

But Xiao Wanlong and Lu Daohong did not gasp.

On the contrary,

At this moment,

The two of them threw their heads back simultaneously,

And burst into hearty laughter.

The laughter echoed throughout the hall,

Clear and fierce.

Xiao Wanlong laughed until tears blurred his eyes.

He couldn't remember the last time he had laughed like this.

He only felt an unprecedented sense of relief,

As if he had been liberated from the heavy pressure of despair.

Three days...

It only took him three days to Breakthrough to the E-rank Tenth Layer...

The Wasteland is saved...

We humans are saved...

Lu Daohong's laughter was different.

It was unrestrained, exhilarating, and savage.

Hahahaha—this is the true Dragon hatched from my Bloodline!

Heaven bless the Lu family!

Gu Tianyang felt that the piercing laughter shattered the last remaining pride in his heart.

His vision became blurred.

The shame of defeat even overshadowed the pain in his body.

His vision went black,

And he lost consciousness.

As Gu Tianyang's servants ran over,

The entire hall fell into silence once again.

One of the middle-aged men, whose cultivation was at C-rank, bowed deeply to Lu Chen and Elder Lu.

"...Young Master Lu,"

He spoke,

His voice nervous,

His expression fearful yet respectful.

"Forgive our Gu family heir's offense. We will take him away now to treat his injuries."

Then, the two servants gently lifted Gu Tianyang's broken body,

And carried him out of the hall.

No one tried to stop them.

No one said a single word of mockery.

There was no need.

Humiliation of this magnitude was more thorough than any punishment.

As the atmosphere in the hall slowly regained some calm,

Lu Chen quietly exhaled.

He felt a bit excited inside.

This result was truly satisfying.

Not too light, not too heavy,

And certainly not too flamboyant.

It seemed he should think about showing more power,

To establish his persona as a peerless Genius.

That way, when he displayed his true strength in the future, it would seem more realistic.

The banquet continued,

But that eerie silence lingered.

People tried to approach Lu Chen,

But they were hesitant,

Feeling nervous in their hearts.

His almost arrogant declaration still buzzed in their minds.

However,

When they finally mustered the courage to walk toward him,

They found it hard to believe.

This incomparable Genius was actually so approachable.

He didn't show a trace of his previous contempt.

It was as if he were two completely different people.

A few geniuses walked up to him,

Speaking in respectful tones.

"Hello, Young Master Lu Chen. I am Yuan Jiuyan of the Yuan Family from A-8 Base City. It is an honor to meet you."

Lu Chen smiled faintly.

"Oh, so you are Yuan Jiuyan. I am also glad to meet you."

Of course,

He had no idea who the other person was.

It was just a courtesy.

Yuan Jiuyan knew this as well,

But it still made him incredibly excited.

More young talents rushed over to introduce themselves.

Lu Chen thought for a moment,

And asked casually:

"Will any of you be going to Star Dou Academy?"

Hearing these words,

Many people pricked up their ears.

Not just the younger generation,

But even the older generation was constantly paying attention to this side.

The Vice Dean of Star Dou Academy was also attending the banquet.

He was a powerful expert at the B-rank Sixth Layer.

He had been silently sighing earlier,

Thinking how wonderful it would be if a Genius like Lu Chen could join their academy.

But hearing the legend of Lu Chen's ten-day Breakthrough,

He had already given up on such fantasies.

He hadn't expected Lu Chen to bring it up himself now.

Yuan Jiuyan's eyes lit up and he said,

"My younger sister is going to take the entrance exam for Star Dou Academy this time. Young Master Lu Chen, do you have any instructions?"

Lu Chen nodded calmly.

"I have a friend who will be joining Star Dou Academy. I hope she can make some friends."