Chapter 97: The Challenge with Lingyin City’s representatives (Part-12)

The competition continued in the mean time.

After Ryan secured the fourth victory, Lingyin City was left with only one candidate. This final match would decide everything.

The entire Fengyue City roared with cheers, voices overlapping and rising like a storm, all calling Ryan’s name. The pressure on the remaining Lingyin City candidate was immense. Gone was their earlier arrogance. The disdain in their eyes had vanished, replaced by silence and restraint.

On the high platform, Wang Zongyao smiled broadly. “Brother Tang, how about it? I told you, if one game can be won, then so can the second, third, fourth, and fifth. Li Wei has already taken four. In my view, this final match holds no suspense either.”

“Heh.” Tang Wuying laughed instead.

Strangely enough, despite losing four consecutive matches, his expression had calmed. The anger and frustration from earlier had faded, replaced by an unsettling composure. He even praised Ryan leisurely. “Brother Wang, you played this well. This Li Wei… should be your hidden trump card, right? His strength is indeed impressive.”

Wang Zongyao froze for a moment, genuinely puzzled. Just moments ago, Tang Wuying had looked ready to explode. Now he seemed relaxed, even confident.

How could he still be so calm?

The Black Silk Treasure Armor was an Earth-grade item. No one would give it away lightly. Wang Zongyao didn’t believe Tang Wuying could accept defeat this easily.

As if sensing his confusion, Tang Wuying smiled faintly. “Li Wei is strong, no doubt. But he’s still a little short. If our side only had five-star Elite candidates, then yes, he might truly turn the tables. Unfortunately for you, Lingyin City has produced a truly extraordinary genius this time.”

“An extraordinary genius?” Wang Zongyao’s heart skipped.

Stronger than Ryan?

That sounded absurd. Ryan’s strength was already comparable to that of an Upper Exalt. Even Wang Zongyao himself wasn’t sure he could defeat Ryan. Now, Tang Wuying was saying Lingyin City had someone even better?

“Yes,” Tang Wuying nodded, pride clear in his eyes. “The fifth and final candidate. His name is Bai Ye.”

“He has reached the level of a nine-star Upper Elite. One step away from becoming an Exalt.”

“How about that? Isn’t that genius enough?”

Tang Wuying turned to Wang Zongyao, clearly expecting shock.

And for a brief moment, Wang Zongyao was indeed stunned. A nine-star Elite at such a young age was rare, even shocking.

Then he laughed.

*Pfft*

“Hahahaa…”

He laughed out loud.

Not a polite smile. Not a restrained chuckle. A genuine, unguarded laugh, as if he had just heard an excellent joke.

Tang Wuying’s expression darkened immediately at the scene. “Brother Wang, what are you laughing at?”

“Ah… nothing,” Wang Zongyao replied, quickly regaining his composure. “I just remembered something amusing. It wasn’t meant to laugh at Bai Ye. Truly, his talent is remarkable. His future is limitless.”

The words were praise, but the tone was flat, almost perfunctory.

Tang Wuying snorted coldly. “Hmph. Regardless, Bai Ye’s talent is unquestionable. In my opinion, Li Wei cannot be his opponent. Brother Wang, prepare yourself. That Bloodthirsty Dagger of yours is about to change owners.”

“Maybe,” Wang Zongyao replied calmly, neither agreeing nor refuting.

To him, the idea that Ryan might lose to Bai Ye was almost laughable.

A nine-star Upper Elite was indeed impressive. Without Ryan, such a level would be enough to dominate Fengyue City and even intimidate most surrounding regions. But compared to Ryan, the gap was like heaven and earth.

Ryan’s strength was already on par with an Upper Exalt.

What was a nine-star Upper Elite in comparison?

In Wang Zongyao’s eyes, Ryan could crush countless nine-star warriors with one hand, like stepping on ants.

That was why, when Tang Wuying spoke so proudly of Bai Ye’s realm and called him a peerless genius, Wang Zongyao nearly laughed out loud.

If Bai Ye counted as a genius, then what was Ryan?

A monster. A devil. The kind that made geniuses cry.

Of course, Wang Zongyao kept those thoughts to himself. He said nothing, only waiting with anticipation for the moment Ryan defeated Bai Ye. He was genuinely curious what kind of expression Tang Wuying would wear then. After boasting so loudly, wouldn’t the slap sting?

In the arena, Bai Ye had already taken his place opposite Ryan.

“Li Wei…” Bai Ye spoke slowly, his tone calm yet brimming with arrogance. “You’re not bad. You defeated several of our Lingyin City candidates, even Hua Xiang, a five-star Elite. That alone proves you’re extraordinary. Unfortunately for you, meeting me today is your greatest misfortune.”

Bai Ye was undeniably handsome, with sword-like brows, bright eyes, and refined features. Draped in white robes, his bearing was almost immortal. Yet his chin was slightly raised, his gaze forever looking down at others from an angle, as if everyone beneath him were ordinary mortals unworthy of equal footing.

That posture alone made him hard to like.

“Oh?” Ryan sneered. “Yeah, it’s a real pity I met you. Otherwise, I might never have known there were people who could brag harder than me.”

On the topic of being extraordinary, who could surpass Ryan, a transmigrator armed with a God of War System?

No one.

“I’m not bragging,” Bai Ye replied flatly. “I’m stating facts. I am the greatest genius born in the surrounding thirty-six cities in the last hundred years. I dare call myself second, and no one dares call themselves first. The people you defeated earlier? I could deal with them effortlessly, with one hand.”

Ryan nearly choked.

I kneel when it comes to bragging, he cursed inwardly.

Ryan had always thought he was good at playing the role of a master, acting low-key and mysterious. Yet compared to Bai Ye, his own act felt modest. First genius in thirty-six cities in a century? Second to none?

Did this guy even ask permission before declaring himself unrivaled?

“Okay, okay,” Ryan waved impatiently. “Everything you say is true. Now stop talking and hurry up.”

If Bai Ye kept going, Ryan felt he might need three days and three nights just to listen to the boasting.

With Sky Eye active, Ryan had already seen through Bai Ye’s strength. Nine-star Upper Elite. That was it.

Just that, and he dared shout so loudly?

“Very well,” Bai Ye said calmly. “Then I’ll show you my strength and let you understand how vast the gap is between ordinary people and true geniuses.”

“Yeah, thrilling stuff… whatever,” Ryan muttered, rolling his eyes.

He genuinely wondered how Bai Ye had grown up with such an inflated sense of self. Had no one ever taught him that there were always stronger people and higher heavens?

At the edge of the arena, the Lingyin City candidates erupted again.

“Here comes Bai Ye, the strongest of Lingyin City! Your Fengyue City hopes end here!”

“Your Li Wei won four games, sure, but against Bai Ye, he has no chance!”

“The difference between Bai Ye and Li Wei is like heaven and earth!”

“Bai Ye is a nine-star Upper Elite! Fang Tian, Liu Yu, Qian Du, and Hua Xiang combined aren’t his match! Ryan stands no chance!”

“Go, Bai Ye! Let these Fengyue City rookies witness true strength!”

The shouting was loud and confident, echoing across the square.

Fengyue City’s crowd, though displeased, couldn’t help feeling nervous. A nine-star Upper Elite was no joke.

“Our strongest before Li Wei was Fan Wei, only a three-star Upper Elite. This gap is too big.”

“A nine-star Upper Elite… that’s even higher than some Clan heads.”

“Can Li Wei really handle this?”

“This talent is terrifying.”

“Looks like Li Wei might lose this time.”

“Li Wei, don’t give up! Even if you lose, you’ve already done enough!”

“If Li Wei wins this last match, our wine shop is free for three days!”

“My inn too, free rooms!”

“No matter the result, Li Wei, we support you!”

“Yeah, winning or losing doesn’t matter. Li Wei, you’ve already proven yourself that you are the pride of Fengyue City!”

“I don’t care about winning, I just want to watch Li Wei being handsome!”

“Li Wei, I like you!”

The cheers were chaotic, emotional, full of worry and hope intertwined.

At that moment, Bai Ye finally moved.

Standing in the arena, he took a step forward, his aura spreading outward as he launched his attack toward Ryan, marking the beginning of the final and decisive battle.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep