Regarding the matter of the participant spots that everyone had been discussing, Haicheng University quickly issued a response, posting:
【We have already penalized Ling Chen with a three-month suspension and have removed him from the list of participants.】
This headline immediately drew a flood of comments:
"He deserves it! He should be struck by lightning every single day!"
"Having said that, I actually wish he would participate. It would at least provide some entertainment for us."
"Right, Haicheng University shouldn't be allowed to do this. How can one just decide to sign up or withdraw whenever they feel like it?"
"He must be forced to compete. I want to see the people from Shaohua University crush him."
Public opinion began to ferment.
A petition signed in blood by thousands appeared.
Unable to withstand the pressure, Haicheng University eventually reinstated Ling Chen’s spot.
They posted:【We understand everyone’s feelings, but we cannot guarantee that Ling Chen will definitely participate.】
"That won't do. If he doesn't compete, how are we supposed to watch the show?"
"Find him! We must find that bastard Ling Chen!"
Everyone was incredibly anxious.
If Ling Chen hid and refused to compete, it would feel worse than swallowing filth to them!
【Rest assured, everyone, I will definitely make Ling Chen scream if he dares to show up,】 a top talent from Shaohua University posted.
However, the replies below that post were:
"Don't do that, buddy. The more you say things like that, the less he’ll dare to participate."
"I think we need to stop harassing him first. Getting him to come out is the most important thing."
Consequently, the contestants from Shaohua University hurriedly deleted their posts and posted new ones instead:
【Sweet junior Chenchen, please come. Big sister promises not to hit you.】
【Ling Chen is the bravest person I’ve ever met. He will definitely appear.】
【Junior, hurry and join the competition. I’ll challenge you to a battle of wits; I promise not to use any physical force.】
Everyone followed suit, chiming in one after another.
They boosted Ling Chen's ego, even claiming they had let bygones be bygones.
...
Another ten days or so passed in a flash.
"Awakening Realm Peak..."
Ling Chen slowly opened his eyes, ending his breathing exercise.
The speed of this improvement was so rapid that it left even him stunned.
He felt that, on one hand, it was due to his SR-rank talent and the Desolate Ancient Body, and on the other, the result of long-term accumulation finally bursting forth.
Because he had been so trashy before, the sudden acquisition of a legendary talent was like long-awaited rain after a drought, causing him to grow by leaps and bounds.
"Time to go out. That wretched dwarf should be gone by now, right?"
Ling Chen clenched his fists, feeling the abundant power surging within his body.
He leapt down from the cave.
When he landed on the grass, the immense force of his physical body left two deep footprints in the ground.
...
At the entrance of the rental house where Ling Chen used to live, a young man was napping on a rattan chair.
Suddenly, a hand gently patted his shoulder.
He opened his eyes and shuddered instantly.
"Holy crap! Where did this savage come from? You scared the hell out of me!"
"Buddy, what are you doing here?" Ling Chen asked.
He was currently covered in grime and dirt, his hair long and disheveled; he truly looked like a savage.
"Waiting for Ling Chen," the young man said, then closed his eyes again, appearing as if he didn't want to bother with him.
"What are you waiting for him for?" Ling Chen asked.
"Go away, go away. It’s got nothing to do with you. Be careful, or the city inspectors might come and drag you off for ruining the city’s appearance," the young man waved him off.
"Why don't you take a good look at who your 'grandfather' is?" Ling Chen leaned down, glaring at him fiercely.
【Anger level +1】
"Holy crap!"
After the young man opened his eyes and looked him up and down, he jumped off the rattan chair in fright.
"So it’s Young Master Ling Chen."
"What did you call me?!"
"Young Master Ling Chen, everyone is waiting for your appearance."
Hearing this form of address, Ling Chen was a bit confused.
After confirming several times that he hadn't misheard, he asked, "Who is this 'everyone' you're talking about?"
The young man gave a flirtatious wink and replied, "Netizens from all over the country, of course. They all miss you very much."
Ling Chen: ???
What kind of game was this?
Just a while ago, they were calling for his head, and today they were as close as family?
Suddenly, he grabbed the young man by the collar, spun him 360 degrees in the air, and held him upside down.
He demanded, "Tell me, what is their motive?"
The young man was stunned. He was a "master" at the Awakening Realm Seventh Stage, yet he was being lifted like a little chick?
He couldn't believe it. Wasn't it said that Ling Chen was a newbie at the Awakening Realm Third Stage?
It seemed he had been swindled by those bastards online!
Damn it, there wasn't a single decent person on the internet. He felt bitter inside.
"Are you going to talk or not!"
Ling Chen was enraged, making as if to smash his head against the concrete ground.
"As... as far as I know!"
The young man spoke up in a panic, afraid to stall any longer.
"I know nothing..."
"Dammit!" Ling Chen slapped him on the back of the head. "Playing these semantic games with me?"
"I... I really don't know... I accepted a task online to wait for you here. They pay five hundred Blue Star Coins a day, daily settlement!"
"Boom!"
Ling Chen kicked him several meters away, leaving him howling in pain on the ground.
"Daily settlement, huh?"
He was furious.
Just as he was preparing to interrogate him properly, his phone suddenly rang.
Seeing it was that jerk Sun Shuaishuai calling, Ling Chen answered and immediately began "greeting" his family tree.
"Brother Chen, Brother Chen, calm down, listen to me first!"
"Hurry up and talk!" Ling Chen barked.
Sun Shuaishuai’s tone was filled with pleasant surprise. "Brother Chen, come back quickly. The netizens have forgiven you."
Ling Chen laughed sarcastically. "Oh, is that so?"
He wasn't a three-year-old child; how could he believe that?
"It's true! If you don't believe me, go online and see for yourself!" Sun Shuaishuai said.
"Fine." Ling Chen hung up the phone and opened the Hongbo Forum.
It was just as Sun Shuaishuai had said.
The posts online were now flooded with content about him, using the most affectionate language imaginable.
The corners of Ling Chen’s mouth curled up slightly; he had already guessed what was going on.
They definitely wanted to lure him into the competition so they could deal with him cruelly.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but post: 【Family, your dear junior is back.】
As soon as this post went up, it was immediately pinned by the Hongbo administrators.
They certainly knew how to drive traffic.
Everyone was gnashing their teeth in hatred. Having disappeared for nearly a month, this accursed bastard had finally decided to show his face.
But they didn't dare to provoke Ling Chen now; they could only coddle him, fearing he might run off again.
"Oh, junior is back! It must have been very hard for you to be out wandering all this time, right?"
"Come find your senior sister; I’ll treat you to some milk tea. Original flavor, just for you."
"Brother here has an Earth-rank martial skill he wants to gift you. When would you be free?"
"..."
The series of flattering comments, seemingly coordinated, left Ling Chen feeling amused.
He knew these people were like weasels paying respects to chickens, and he prepared to have some fun with them.