"What's going on? Has the Wu Family bribed any staff? How can they be exempt from two rounds in a row?"

"Yeah, this needs a good investigation. I lost a hundred million this time!"

"Ah, I also lost a hundred million, but I bet ten million that Chu Chen would make it to the top thirteen, and at least recouped thirty million."

"Don't talk nonsense. In such a major event, how could the Wu Family dare to meddle? If the Cyan Dragon Daoist School finds out, the Wu Family would pay a heavy price."

"So you mean this kid just got lucky?"

"Of course, luck is also a part of strength."

At this moment, Zhang Yuyan and Su Lingyan had already arrived on the stage.

Su Lingyan scrutinized Zhang Yuyan carefully without speaking.

Seeing this, Zhang Yuyan angrily shouted, "What are you looking at? Never seen a beauty?"

Su Lingyan, equally infuriated, retorted, "Humph, years have passed, and you're still so short."

"Humph, you're the short one, your whole family is short. My height is perfect, unlike you, looking like a stick."

At this moment, the referee watching the two women bickering could barely hold back his laughter, his face turning red, almost causing internal injuries from restraint.

After composing himself, he solemnly asked, "Will the two of you battle with a single Guardian Beast or with two?"

Su Lingyan replied seriously, "A single one."

Zhang Yuyan responded with a smile, "I forfeit."

Su Lingyan was stunned upon hearing the word "forfeit."

It wasn't until Zhang Yuyan left the stage that she regained her composure, her eyes instantly reddened as she said shakily, "Zhang Yuyan, stop right there. After all these years, you still haven't changed. Do you only know how to hide? Haven't you hidden long enough?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuyan's body trembled violently, but she didn't turn around. She spoke with her back to Su Lingyan, "I'm not hiding. I've been striving in cultivation all these years."

Su Lingyan replied coldly, "You say you're working hard on cultivation, but why don't you use the cultivation resources Grandpa Zhang gave you? Your enemies are those ferocious Star Beasts, not your grandpa. You're a coward."

Zhang Yuyan hung her head as her body shook uncontrollably, the grievances of the years seemingly erupting at this moment.

She choked back her tears, her voice hoarse as she said, "I'm not. I just wanted to walk the path my father walked."

Su Lingyan immediately retorted, "That's just an excuse. You're using it to numb yourself; you're still avoiding."

Su Lingyan's words seemed to strip away her disguise, the wall in her heart crumbling as she slumped to the ground, covering her face and weeping.

Seeing this, Su Lingyan continued, "It wasn't Grandpa Zhang's fault back then. It's more painful for him to bury someone with white hair than for you. You are his only emotional support, yet what did you do? You blamed him for your father's death. He bears double the pain alone. Have you ever thought about how many would have died if Uncle Zhang hadn't intervened back then? How many cities would have been destroyed, how many people left homeless?"

Zhang Yuyan's body shook even more violently, and her sobs gradually grew louder.

After who knows how long, she finally stopped crying, wiped her tears with her sleeve, and asked hoarsely, "Is he okay?"

Su Lingyan, hearing this, was immediately furious. She pointed at Zhang Yuyan and said sternly, "I'm so disappointed in you. Don't you realize how dangerous the front lines are?"

Zhang Yuyan slowly got up and said in a low voice, "I understand. Thank you, Lingyan. After the exchange match, I'll find him on the front lines."

Hearing this, Su Lingyan was overjoyed. She immediately ran off the stage and hugged Zhang Yuyan's arm, saying, "Then it's settled. I'll go with you when the time comes."

"Mm."

The crowd watching fell into silence, seemingly figuring out something.

Their gaze toward Zhang Yuyan seemed to carry a touch of respect.

Chu Chen and the others were utterly confused, but it seemed Zhang Yuyan had resolved a knot in her heart, which was good for him in any case.

Seeing the scene, Long Batian showed a joyful expression, wiped away his unknown tears, and uttered with satisfaction, "Brother Zhang, Yuyan has grown up."

Zhao Qianshan also seemed to understand. He looked at Zhang Yuyan and said gravely, "I didn't expect that battle to have such an impact on this child."

"Alas! She was only ten years old back then, losing both parents. Even adults couldn't bear it, let alone a child. We must thank Su Girl this time. If it weren't for her waking Yuyan up, she might bear this regret all her life."

Su Lingyan accompanied Zhang Yuyan back to the resting area. Everyone looked at the tear-streaked Zhang Yuyan, unsure of how to comfort her, as they didn't know the whole story.

Lu Hongfei, seeming to know the details, approached Zhang Yuyan and gently said, "Child, take it easy. You've done very well. Go and see the old man soon; I think he'd be very pleased."

Hearing this, Zhang Yuyan nodded heavily, the barrier in her heart completely gone. The burden she had carried for eight years was finally laid down at this moment.

Chu Chen also came over, gently patting Zhang Yuyan's shoulder, "I don't know what happened, but I hope you can be strong. We are friends, and if you need anything, I'll always be by your side."

"Yes, we are friends. Whatever difficulties you have, we will do our best to help you."

Wang Lu and the others chimed in one after another.

Hearing this, Zhang Yuyan felt quite moved. She slowly lifted her head, forcing a smile, and said, "Thank you."

Su Lingyan, hearing the group's conversation, showed an expression of surprise.

Although she hadn't seen Zhang Yuyan for years, she always kept tabs on her.

As far as she knew, Zhang Yuyan had no friends, always closing her heart, naturally aloof, not good at socializing. It was rare to see so many friends around her now.

It seemed Zhang Yuyan's breakthrough wasn't solely her achievement.

Thinking this, Su Lingyan cast a grateful look at the group, then confidently introduced herself.

Being young adults, they naturally had plenty to talk about, and after a few words, they became acquainted.

The lively atmosphere alleviated Zhang Yuyan's sadness. She washed her face, wiping away the tear marks.

At this moment, she felt much lighter, and the rock pressing on her heart disappeared. In her mind, the image of a lonely old man appeared again, making her eyes moist and her heart filled with deep guilt.

Meanwhile, the competition for the top seven had concluded, and the list was out.

The Qilin Daoist School's Double S-level genius Leng Ningshuang and S-level genius Hu Shengjie.

The Cyan Dragon Daoist School's Double S-level genius Long Yunxiao and A-level talent Chu Chen.

The Vermilion Bird Daoist School's Double S-level genius Su Lingyan.

The White Tiger Daoist School's Double S-level genius Fu Tiancheng.

The Black Tortoise Daoist School's S-level genius Shan Lei.

It seemed the Black Tortoise Daoist School performed the worst this time, with Zhou Lixing being eliminated early, leaving only Shan Lei in the top seven.

If luck favored him and he faced Chu Chen or Hu Shengjie, he might advance further.

If unlucky against Long Yunxiao or others, he'd likely stop there.

"That Chu Chen is really lucky to make it to the top seven. He might get a bye again this time."

"Shut your crow mouth! I've just placed a heavy bet that he won't make it to the top four. If I lose this time, I'll be ruined."

"Are you stupid? Betting on his loss has low odds. Failing to reach the top four is less than ten percent odds. Even if you win, it won't cover much. But if you lose, it's terrible. I just bet twenty million that he'll get into the top four."

"You're on! But do you believe in miracles?"

"What do you mean? I placed thirty million for him to win the championship, with ten times the odds."

"Are you crazy?"

"Don't mind him, this guy's a total gambler."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.