Glory Festival's Predetermined Champion

The Glory Festival was only halfway through when Lin Yu left the Glory Festival —leaving as the "pre-selected champion."

Jiang Rong seemed worried that such a proposal would be too insulting to this ancient Rakshasa who had just returned to the Black Marsh World from the imprisonment of the Deity, so he added a sentence.

"If you feel that doing this deprives you of the joy of fighting, as a former champion, I can have a good fight with you."

According to his character, Lin Yu should agree.

But he didn't.

The reason is easy to understand.

He simply couldn't win.

Although he ultimately survived the life-or-death struggle with that guy, he still managed to achieve a legitimate victory.

Twenty was forced to disappear from the Player community and become a nightmare, so how could Lin Yu not pay any price?

The corrosive damage caused by the remains of the Goat Demon alone had already significantly reduced Lin Yu's Combat Power.

Although Lin Yu's physical body was not harmed, the reduction in his Combat Power was real.

While Lin Yu's original body certainly possesses a formidable physique, it pales in comparison to the power brought by this "Make It Real" Rakshasa body.

Moreover, although Lin Yu himself was not injured, he had still consumed a considerable amount of energy.

Manipulating the [Water Prayer Necklace] for high-intensity Water Control was extremely taxing on Lin Yu's mental energy.

Hannah, who was the greatest contributor to the operation against the enemy, was now exhausted and confused.

Therefore, Lin Yu had absolutely no confidence in fighting another NPC who looked very capable and might even be among the top-tier fighters in the Black Marsh World.

Even if we could narrowly defeat the Jiang Rong, it would be better not to intervene at all.

As long as he doesn't fight, Lin Yu won't be exposed.

It's not just that he didn't reveal his true strength; in the minds of these guys in the Black Marsh World, his power still doesn't have a clear upper limit.

The more mysterious something is, the more powerful it is.

Lin Yu was well-versed in this.

However, Lin Yu's chosen reason for refusal was not forceful and would not damage his public image.

Although claiming to be "injured" and "in poor condition" seemed like a reasonable excuse, Lin Yu knew all too well that this excuse wouldn't work in the Black Marsh World.

After all, for these brutes of the Black Marsh World, especially the battle maniacs of the Blood Country, as long as they can still move, it's impossible for them to refuse a battle that's offered to them.

As the saying goes, minor injuries don't keep you from the front lines!

Lin Yu has always shaped Rakshasa in this direction.

Therefore, using this seemingly "reasonable" reason will actually arouse people's suspicion.

"We've had a great time today. Every fight like this is one less you can have, and besides, you're probably not at your peak yet..."

"I don't see any room for further progress for now, but you're different... I'll wait until you take another step forward before we have a real battle."

"If you were to fight me now, I'm afraid that even if you improve, you would inevitably be influenced by me and adopt my style."

Lin Yu calmly declined Jiang Rong.

The reasoning sounded almost arrogant, but to Jiang Rong it was perfectly reasonable and entirely without hostility.

In the Black Marsh World, this is actually seen as sincerity, frankness, and friendliness.

Moreover, Lin Yu was absolutely right!

"You have a keen eye indeed. I have recently had some vague insights, which I am still processing and accumulating... I do have a feeling that I am about to break through."

"This is also why I sought you out for a fight—I do indeed have the idea of using the opportunity of fighting the 'mysterious powerhouse from ten thousand years ago' to break through in one fell swoop."

After such a simple exchange, there was naturally no need for them to fight again.

Jiang Rong led Lin Yu to the edge of the venue, used an Item that looked like an iron thorn flower to open the surrounding barrier, and sent him out.

"Alright, Rakshasa, or rather... Moro," Jiang Rong said, "Unless something unexpected happens in the venue, you will be the champion of this year's Glory Festival."

"It's alright. If you can really see someone stronger than me even with the new Rule, I'm willing to give up the championship," Lin Yu said calmly. "I will follow the Rule —after all, the terms you added at the last Rule are already quite favorable to me."

Jiang Rong nodded. "I don't think so, unless someone else collects all the remaining spoils by themselves... only then could they possibly match your performance just now."

The two looked at each other through the thorns.

"In short, although the championship is confirmed to be yours, as you said, in order to ensure the fairness of the Rule and the ranking of the other contestants from second to last place, I will have to double my inspections," Jiang Rong said with a headache. "It looks like I might have to call Feng Qiao in as well."

"After all, there's been no movement from Shuo's side..."

He glanced at Lin Yu.

Lin Yu smiled and said, "It seems you've heard the rumors."

"Yes, there are rumors that you killed the notary in charge of guarding the Healing Place this year, 'Shuo'," Jiang Rong thought for a moment and decided to lay his cards on the table, "But... according to Witchcraft calculations, Shuo is actually still alive."

"What the Ten Great Tribes mean is that since you are a true Rakshasa, while Shuo is a very rare spirit, he is not that important and can be set aside for the time being..."

"But since you brought it up, I'll just ask anyway, just to satisfy my own curiosity..."

"How is Shuo?"

Lin Yu didn't hide anything. "I let it escape; it should be hiding somewhere in the venue."

As for his motives, Lin Yu certainly couldn't say that he intended to use Shuo to set up a scam.

But he had already prepared an excuse.

"Spirits and monsters are beings almost as ancient as us. In the era of the Rakshasa, we coexisted peacefully with them," Lin Yu sighed softly. "Although I know that times have changed and I shouldn't concern myself with these things, since it has asked me for help, I can hardly stand idly by."

"Anyway, my initial plan was to make a name for myself at this Glory Festival and reclaim the glory that belonged to Rakshasa," Lin Yu paused, "So I might as well lend it a hand."

"Of course, if you insist on bringing it back, I won't help it anymore."

"It's hidden right here in this Venue —after all, the Glory Festival isn't over yet, so it shouldn't have left."

As Lin Yu spoke, Jiang Rong nodded again.

"I see, thank you very much!"

"I will try to find Shuo," Jiang Rong paused, "Although it doesn't belong to our tribe either."

"In short, before the Glory Festival officially ends, you can go to that gentle slope over there—there are the tents of the Ten Great Tribes there."

"The representatives from the Ten Great Tribes who came to watch the competition also had the means to keep track of the progress of the Glory Festival in real time."

"They were very welcoming... no, they even invited you to come inside their tent and watch the rest of the Glory Festival with them."