At the same time, every War God received the news that Chen Tian had broken through the third floor of the War God Trial Tower with Battle King-level strength!
Everyone's communicators displayed the news of Chen Tian's challenge at the top, and discussions about him suddenly multiplied across the martial artists' forums.
This was the result of strength. Even if Chen Tian did not want to attract attention and bring unnecessary trouble upon himself, reality and the outcome were entirely the opposite. Once you reached a place others could not, you would become the center of discussion.
Xiao Ren sent his congratulations by phone. Since he was at the War God Technology Institute, he could also directly access news about martial artists.
There were many other messages as well. Chief Instructor Chu, Chief Steward Xing Tian, Chief Steward Yue Tao, and the others all sent their congratulations.
Chen Tian gave those messages simple replies. He did not care much for fame or gain.
The night was deep and mellow, the dark canopy of the sky studded with countless stars. Meteors occasionally streaked across the night sky, adding a touch of vitality to the silent night.
Chen Tian had changed out of his previous casual outfit of shorts and a T-shirt, and, seemingly intentionally or otherwise, gone out in a striking black ensemble.
Hua Xia District was dimly lit. Chen Tian walked out of Peak District and headed down the road. Not far away stood a residential complex. Lights shone from every floor, and from the sky, it looked like a golden dragon stretching across the earth.
After dinner, people came out in twos and threes for walks, some heading to parks and others toward plazas. The city center at night belonged to the young—those getting off work, on vacation, out of school, or skipping class.
They discussed going to the movies, experiencing AI, or buying the newest clothes, shoes, and bags. The hubbub seemed to inject the city center with a dose of preservative.
"I didn't expect the city center of Hua Xia District to be even more crowded at night than during the day." Chen Tian strolled along the road. Peak District was only ten minutes from the city center.
"Come take a look! These wreaths are absolutely beautiful!"
"Come on, beauties! Come see the latest bags! Exclusive supply, guaranteed authentic! If they're fake, I'll pay you ten times the price!"
"Boss, how much is this?"
"Five million Stars Coins!"
"Five hundred?! Are you trying to rip off your own father?!"
The shouts of vendors and customers rang in his ears. Hearing this, Chen Tian snorted with laughter, while the boss awkwardly scratched his head.
Squeezing into the crowd, Chen Tian walked along while looking around. There were shopping malls in towering buildings, as well as vendors setting up street stalls. The scene was somewhat reminiscent of Earth.
Long threads of longing tugged at him, and seeing familiar things made him gaze toward the distant horizon.
Chen Tian recalled the house he had lived in on Earth. There had been a small path beside it that led to a long, deep street. Every night, it would be packed with crowds.
He remembered it was called Night Market Street, a place beloved by countless people. It had everything to eat, drink, and wear, and he often wandered there whenever he had nothing else to do.
Entering the city center, Chen Tian crossed the bustling streets and arrived at Three Caves Bridge.
On the other side of the bridge was Hua Xia University, the top-ranked university in the entire Ten Thousand Stars. The famous Laji University ranked second. Xiao Ren's younger sister studied at the number-one Hua Xia University. Xiao Lingling had originally attended Tian Zhou University, but after moving into Peak District, Chen Tian had asked someone to secure her a place at Hua Xia University. That was more convenient and saved her from traveling back and forth between Tian Zhou District and Hua Xia District.
Today was the weekend, so the university had no classes, and many students had come out to stroll through the streets.
"Hu Ya, that guy from the class next door is so handsome! Did you see him?"
"Yeah, yeah! From far away, just look at his profile! He's so handsome he could kill!"
Chen Tian walked across the bridge. The female students passing by were discussing the handsome boy from the neighboring class. Judging by their uniforms, the badges on their left chests bore the insignia of Hua Xia University.
"I wonder if Ling Ling came out."
Xiao Lingling had been at Hua Xia University for some time, yet Chen Tian had not visited her. He had initially worried that her sudden transfer would affect her considerably. Later, there had simply been too many things to deal with, leaving him no free time. Once everything was settled, he had forgotten.
A winding river flowed beneath the bridge, its surface shimmering beneath the moonlight. He had heard that the river's end led to the great ocean.
Chen Tian crossed the bridge and wandered along until he reached the gates of Hua Xia University.
He had planned to leave directly, but after hesitating at the entrance and staring for a while, he finally took out his phone and dialed Xiao Lingling's number.
"Beep—"
"Beep—"
The phone rang for a while, but no one answered.
"She didn't pick up?" Chen Tian scratched his head in confusion.
Perhaps Xiao Lingling was playing around and had not heard the ringtone. That was normal.
Chen Tian thought he should not disturb Xiao Lingling and turned to leave.
After taking two steps, he paused and dialed the number once more.
As expected, no one answered. Weekends were students' free time, and Chen Tian did not want to disturb Xiao Lingling too much and cause her trouble.
Tian Ge KTV, Room 001 on the first floor.
"Haha! Get hyped!"
"Yeah!!!"
Many people in the private room were singing wildly, wantonly venting their excitement.
From their clothing, it was clear that they all wore badges on the left chest and were students from Hua Xia. There were also several young working people in formal attire, who seemed to be friends of one of the students.
"Ling Ling! Why aren't you joining in?" a girl asked.
The singing, blasted at enormous volume, filled the entire private room and shook the ears.
The girl sitting silently in the corner of the sofa, eating, was Xiao Lingling. No wonder Chen Tian's call had gone unanswered—the noise here was simply too loud. She had originally been dragged out shopping by several roommates, and happened to encounter students from another class on the street. The girls invited them to sing together.
Xiao Lingling's brows were slightly furrowed. She had not really wanted to come, but after her roommates persuaded her, she went along with them.
"No, you guys have fun." Xiao Lingling shook her head.
She wanted to go back as soon as possible. This place made her extremely uncomfortable. Unfamiliar people danced and sang in front of her, and in her ears, the singing was nothing but noisy static.
She had already called for her roommates to leave several times, but they were having too much fun and refused to go. She could only grit her teeth and stay behind to wait for them.
At the other end of the sofa, a young man in a gray suit had been staring toward Xiao Lingling, the corners of his mouth lifting from time to time.
The young man suddenly stood up, took two drinks, pushed through the crowd, and sat beside Xiao Lingling.
"Hello."
The young man's sudden approach made Xiao Lingling somewhat nervous.
"Hello."
Seeing Xiao Lingling's nervousness, the young man smiled calmly and said, "You don't need to be nervous. I'm not some kind of delinquent. I'm a second-year student at Laji University. My name is Lao Shebi."
Xiao Lingling was startled. Laji University?! That was the university ranked above Hua Xia University, publicly recognized as the number-one prestigious university! Xiao Lingling's small mouth parted slightly. The young man's identity shocked her, and what surprised her even more was that the famous star student of Laji University—Lao Shebi—was actually sitting beside her.
"So you're that Lao Shebi from Laji University!"
Lao Shebi was quite pleased by Xiao Lingling's astonishment. He then put on a cocky expression and said, "Those are all just superficial titles. To me, ability comes first."
How humble! Xiao Lingling's first impression of Lao Shebi improved considerably.
"When you have time, you can come visit Laji University. That way, you can also help promote the friendship between our two schools!"
Faced with Lao Shebi's invitation, Xiao Lingling was somewhat overwhelmed. She finally understood why this person was so famous at the number-one Laji University. After only a few simple exchanges, he had already made her feel a sense of trust!
"Thank you. If I have time, I'll go take a look." Xiao Lingling replied awkwardly.
From the moment Lao Shebi sat down, he had been staring at her. That gaze made her both bashful and uneasy.
Lao Shebi smiled and pushed one of the drinks in front of Xiao Lingling. "This is our first meeting. Shall we clink glasses?"
"Ah! All right, then."
Xiao Lingling had wanted to refuse, but then she thought that he was a student from Laji University. If she rejected him and word got out, it might become a case of Hua Xia University looking down on others.
"Clink—"
The two clinked glasses. Lao Shebi drank first in salute and emptied his glass in one go. Seeing this, Xiao Lingling also finished her drink in several gulps.
"Hahaha, want to go sing?" Lao Shebi invited her.
"No, I'm not very good at singing. You guys go ahead." Xiao Lingling refused his invitation.
Lao Shebi then joined the frenzied crowd singing in front. The voices of seven or eight people were extremely loud, so loud that they could be heard clearly even outside the room.
Xiao Lingling remained sitting there quietly.
Several minutes passed. Xiao Lingling wanted to go back by herself, so she took out her phone to check the time.
Just then!
Her movement froze. Xiao Lingling suddenly felt dizzy and light-headed, and her limbs instantly went limp! She wanted to call for her roommates, but she no longer had the strength to make a sound. Her eyelids fell uncontrollably, and she finally slumped into a deep sleep on the sofa.
In the final moment before her consciousness vanished, she saw several people walking toward her.
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