Provocations

【Three Zhu SSS-Level Monsters, abilities unknown...】

【...The fallen area is one of the world's most famous slums...Based on the characteristics of the region, it is highly likely to spread through faith...】

【...The Three Zhu high command's final decision was to evacuate civilians from around the fallen area, establish a blockade line for real-time observation, and relocate the capital...】

【...After the civilians were evacuated, the monsters' expansion into surrounding areas slowed down, leading to a reasonable inference...】

【...Detection instruments are unable to function normally within the fallen area...】

The glowing screen reflected in Qi Yuan's eyes as he skillfully controlled the mouse, searching for information about the detection instruments.

Hong Feiheng was kept occupied by Qi Yuan's illusory realm, currently sitting in the data room researching materials.

By completing the cleanup plan with the Five Great Nations, they could only raise their standing with the higher-ups and delay human extinction.

But as long as Qi Yuan didn't lose access to food delivery, WiFi, and new anime episodes, this was a mission he had to undertake.

Aside from the necessary tasks, he needed to prepare the stage and script for dealing with the SSS-Level Monsters, instead of relying on vague auras of power and his opponents' imaginations each time.

Qi Yuan's current strength was due entirely to his opponents' exceptional talents; he shouldn't keep adding points to the imagination value.

Therefore, Qi Yuan had a hypothesis about his own supernatural ability, but no way to verify it.

Hong Feiheng's ability manifested in his appearance as a few strands of ancient, unchanging red hair. What if Qi Yuan's ability also manifested in his appearance and aura, influencing how others perceived him?

"Bzzzz—Bzzzz—"

The phone on the desk vibrated.

Qi Yuan turned on his phone to see that Lv Cheng had sent him several Wechat messages.

【Bro Yuan, just wait and see me beat them all until they cry for their mamas】

【How come I don't see you here? The match is about to start】

【No way, you're not coming? You didn't tell me yesterday either...】

Qi Yuan clicked back and scrolled to Su Ke's message list, where the schedule clearly indicated no matches today.

Surely no one forgot to tell Lv Cheng there were no matches today, right?

...

Elsewhere, Lv Cheng pocketed his phone after sending the messages and looked towards the stage.

The training hall at Jidu University was packed with people.

Not only was Qi Yuan absent, but the various leaders were also nowhere to be seen, far from the grand spectacle Lv Cheng had envisioned.

In an area he didn't notice, a camera light was on, silently recording the scene.

Smith, Yu Anhe, and others sat in a private box, able to see everything happening in the arena through the one-way glass and on the screens, which displayed the arena's every move.

They still had to observe, even if this was nominally an exchange event, but being too formal would dampen the mood.

Let the young people handle their own affairs.

Yu Anhe set down his tea cup and took a small sip. At his age, he had to pay more attention to health preservation, and a good cup of tea was a delight.

Smith put down his cup and gazed at the screen, saying in a relaxed tone, "How about adding some stakes? If we lose, the Mayan ruins will be open for an extra week for you to study."

It was well known that the Mayan ruins were not in the Dragon Country, but the Dragon Country had somehow gained control over this special territory through a strong-arm tactic.

These small exchange events were claimed to be for national honor, but to people of their level, the students' fights were more amusement than anything.

Yu Anhe readily agreed, with no burdens, "If we lose, we'll open up the tombs for an extra week for you to study."

They turned their eyes back to the stage.

Although disappointed by the lack of high-profile attention, the students' enthusiasm was undampred, even more inflamed by the provocative words of the Dragon Country's student representative after translation.

Though edited for appropriateness, the words still carried an air of arrogance.

"Since this is an exchange event, with so many people here, we'd like to give them a chance."

This statement was like a massive boulder dropped into a calm lake, instantly sending waves crashing outward.

The hot-blooded youth of Jidu University were equally incensed by the urge for victory.

People started standing up and shouting provocations.

"Give him a taste of our power."

"Starting to show off before we've even fought? You won't last a single round."

"Move aside and let your grandpa handle this."

A muscular male student stood up. Not only was he tall, but he was also horizontally developed.

Unlike the soft-bodied obese types, he resembled a martial general - powerfully built with a sturdy frame.

The "exchange students" fidgeting beside Lv Cheng sat back down, observing the situation.

While Lv Cheng and his group could remain calm as members assigned by the Command Center, the Jidu University students who were about to be kicked off the stage could not.

"His level, going up there would just embarrass Jidu University! Have a bit of self-awareness!"

Although the pillar project members hadn't been at the school long - either following their masters or in training camps - as part of the campus community, they knew the strong students.

Oh, this doesn't look good...

The exchange students felt a sense of unease, as trust in Jidu University was ingrained in the Dragon Country people. They hadn't given it much thought earlier.

Soon, their premonition came true.

As soon as the muscular student steadied himself, he was mocked by jeers from the Dragon Country side.

The male student who had questioned the blond female assistant at the meeting stood up and whistled.

"This overconfident fool, I'll teach him a proper lesson."

"Bao'en, go easy on him. Don't make the scene too embarrassing," one of two girls who looked like twins said with a smile.

Bao'en glanced at the girl, confirming she was not to be trifled with, and didn't dare say, "Mind your own business, you b*tch!"

"I'll try," he said nonchalantly, waving dismissively at them.

He turned and leapt onto the stage, lifting his chin and beckoning to the muscular student with a curled finger, sneering contemptuously.

The body language transcended the language barrier, and the muscular student immediately understood his meaning.

The muscular student was equally defiant, extending his right hand to make an imperfect mudra, sending Dragon Country's blessings.

Bao'en received the blessing but showed no gratitude. Instead, anger crept onto his face, his fair skin reddening as he began to spew vulgar insults.

The muscular student pretended not to understand, further enraging Bao'en until his complexion turned swine-liver red.

The moment the referee signaled the start of the match, Bao'en struck.

"Joker!"

He raised his hand, sending a flurry of playing cards swirling through the air.

"BOOM—"

In the blink of an eye, the harmless cards simultaneously exploded, unleashing shockwaves, blasts, and deafening roars across the arena.

Before the muscular student could react, he was engulfed in the explosions.

Despite his taunts being more provocative than Bao'en's, the gulf in ability was evident.

This male student couldn't even last a single round, getting injured by the blasts and rolling off the stage, falling into unconsciousness.

Bao'en shrugged, his face full of regret, "Sorry, I didn't expect him to be so weak."

Yet his expression showed no remorse.