25: Gu Chen

"Brother Zhengqing."

"Brother Ren."

Outside Venue Seven.

The Magic Martial University group boarded their bus one after another.

Zuo Zhengqing gave a slight nod, turning his head to smile at the crowd outside the window.

At that moment.

"Hmm?"

A surprised voice came from beside him.

"Look."

Gong Ren swiped his wrist device.

Zuo Zhengqing looked over, and his eyes instantly sharpened.

#Youth King Lin Yan Dominates Venue Three, Forcefully Carries Two Schoolmates into Top 200#

Gong Ren opened the information.

Zuo Zhengqing quickly scanned the detailed report, gradually falling silent.

Gong Ren exited the article, swiped his device again, his expression grave.

"Nine out of ten reports about the Freshman Grand Competition are about this."

"This Lin Yan."

"He really reached Tier 2, Fourth Layer in just a few days."

"What's even more terrifying is his combat power."

"Twenty people, including Ning Lingyao and Ye Congshuang, attacked simultaneously, yet they couldn't even step onto the stage."

"Although this might be due to their underestimation and the nature of the preliminaries."

"But it's enough to see that this Lin Yan definitely possesses the strength of Tier 2, Ninth Layer."

The words from over two hours ago still echoed in his ears.

Zuo Zhengqing suddenly felt a burning sting on his face.

He snorted coldly.

"Merely Tier 2, Ninth Layer combat power."

"At best, it'll let him get a decent ranking."

"It still doesn't change anything."

Gong Ren said nothing.

He understood Zuo Zhengqing's strength perfectly well.

However.

This Lin Yan only made one move.

Who knew if that was his full strength... "Lin Yan..."

Inside the Diwu University special bus.

Gu Chen murmured the name.

Reaching Tier 2, Fourth Layer in a few days, combat power surpassing five layers.

Just what kind of talent are you?

He slightly raised his head, his gaze seemingly piercing through the bus roof.

Someone from the Starry Sky?

..."Clap clap clap..."

Duan Tiancheng clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.

"The results of the preliminaries completely exceeded my expectations."

"Three from the newly established First-Class University made it into the top two hundred. You've already made history."

"Yuan Cheng, Yu Jiao, for the upcoming elimination matches, just relax and compete."

The two nodded heavily.

"Yes, Principal."

Duan Tiancheng looked at Lin Yan.

"Lin Yan."

"Your strength is now completely exposed to everyone."

"Just relax your mindset from now on."

"Don't carry too much psychological burden."

"Just perform at your own level."

Lin Yan glanced at him.

"Hmm."

Duan Tiancheng, full of passionate encouragement, froze.

Can't you give a bit more of a reaction!

How am I supposed to follow that?

He sat down sheepishly.

If this kid performs normally with his strength, as long as he doesn't run into that Gu Chen, he should have no problem reaching the top three.

Better make some preparations for the upcoming group draw.

The special bus drove into the main venue, already packed with people.

"We're here."

Best possible draw.

Duan Tiancheng looked up and clenched his fist.

"You all go to the rest area."

"I'll go for the group draw."

"Good luck! Good luck!"

A few people cheered on Yuan Cheng and Yu Jiao.

Lin Yan stepped off the bus.

He followed the directional signs towards the competitors' lounge.

The group stage to decide the top 64... the round of 32... the round of 16... the finals won't be until tomorrow afternoon.

What a hassle.

A few minutes later.

At the entrance of the massive lounge.

"Beep..."

"Identity recognized. Entry permitted."

Whoosh—!

Numerous gazes simultaneously turned towards them, eyes sharpening.

They completely ignored the nervous Yuan Cheng and Yu Jiao, their eyes landing on the black-clothed figure in front.

Lin Yan!

"Gulp..."

Yuan Cheng and Yu Jiao swallowed.

Many people here, they had seen during the college entrance exams.

Even.

They had faced off directly back then.

"Well, well."

"Little Chengzi."

"Lying your way into the top two hundred, pretty lucky, huh."

For example, a sturdy-looking youth with a mocking smile now walking towards them.

"Got a big thigh to—"

Before he could finish, his expression changed.

Everyone in the lounge's pupils contracted.

Thud—!

A muffled sound.

Lin Yan retracted his right hand, looking calmly at the figure lying motionless at his feet.

"What the hell are you babbling about?"

"Cui Meng!"

Two figures immediately stepped forward, helping up the sturdy youth who had fallen asleep on the spot.

"Lin Yan."

"What do you think you're doing?"

Facing the accusation, Lin Yan's expression remained calm.

"If you didn't see the warning sign inside."

"I don't mind helping you remember it more clearly."

Everyone's gaze shifted to a warning sign inside the room, their faces stiffening.

#No Loud Noises#

Who hadn't seen it, but who cared!

Damn it!

He just said two sentences, didn't even finish the third, and got knocked out cold.

Does he have to be this arrogant!

"Tap.."

Lin Yan took a step forward.

The two youths' expressions changed slightly, both retreating several steps.

Lin Yan advanced.

They retreated.

Everyone in the lounge watched with trembling eyes.

What is he going to do?

"Move."

A cold voice sounded.

The two youths shuddered, immediately supporting Cui Meng and stepping aside.

Lin Yan walked straight towards the floor-to-ceiling window ledge.

The two simultaneously let out a sigh of relief.

Then came the overwhelming wave of humiliation.

Damn.

So what if you're strong!

But they only dared to think it.

They didn't dare step forward at all.

The events of Venue Three had already spread everywhere.

Lin Yan's ranking had skyrocketed, officially placed at third, a strong contender for the championship this time.

Right.

Everyone suddenly turned their heads.

At the floor-to-ceiling window ledge.

Two silhouettes.

One red, one black.

Separated by several meters.

The nearby figures silently shifted their positions.

Would these two just start fighting right here?

The few from Diwu University exchanged glances, their expressions serious.

Chief... Lin Yan withdrew his consciousness from the System.

As expected.

This kind of small fry only increased the charge value by 2%, far from meeting the index judgment for an Overbearing Event.

It still needs a relatively challenging opponent.

He slowly turned his head, his gaze shifting to his right.

Hair like burning flames.

A handsome and resolute face.

A pair of deep, dark eyes were quietly gazing at him.

Their gazes met in the air.

An intense suffocating pressure instantly filled the lounge capable of holding hundreds.

Everyone nervously swallowed.

No one knew how much time passed.

The two simultaneously withdrew their gazes.

Not a single word was spoken.

However.

The brows of both, as they looked out the window at the venue scene, slightly furrowed at the same time.

Why is there a sense of familiarity?

Gu Chen's eyes flickered.

He was certain.

This person didn't exist in his previous life.

There was absolutely no intersection.

Most importantly, the small cauldron just vibrated a moment ago.

Lin Yan's eyes held contemplation.

Just like the feeling Xue Cheng and Lian Chuan gave him.

An innate sense of intimacy and familiarity.

As if, in a time long forgotten, they had already known each other.

What's going on?

He didn't ponder it further.

Humans are inherently strange creatures; it's normal for some feeling-based things to happen.

Lin Yan's focus was entirely on Gu Chen's cultivation situation he had just seen with his double pupils.

Tier 2, Ninth Layer.

For the first time since obtaining the System, a look of gravity flashed in his eyes.

Truly worthy of being the top scorer of the college entrance exams who crushed all the Prodigies of Dragon Country under the golden age.