Thunder Jade Bamboo, Top Five on the Youth Genius Ranking

Lin Chen and the others exchanged looks. "We're participating, but... what exactly are you planning?"

Ye Xinglan's voice came through the phone. "We have our own way of handling that."

After acknowledging her and ending the call, he looked up at his companions and smiled. "Remember to come cheer me on."

"Go, Captain!"

As night deepened, warm yellow light illuminated the fragrant dishes covering the table in a private room at an upscale restaurant. Lin Chen called out, "Boss, bring us a bluefin tuna. Thirty portions each of every signature dish."

Tang Wulin's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Brother Lin Chen, are you trying to eat this restaurant into bankruptcy?"

"That little won't be enough for that." Lin Chen raised a brow and glanced at Tang Wulin and Xu Lizhi with an amused smile. After all, he knew all too well how terrifying these two bottomless pits were.

Tang Wulin scratched his head sheepishly. Gu Yuena gently nudged Lin Chen's arm and asked in a low voice, "Isn't that too much?"

"It's fine." He turned to Gu Yuena. "You'll see in a moment."

Once the tuna and mountain-like pile of food arrived, Tang Wulin and Xu Lizhi's eyes immediately lit up. They instantly transformed into eating machines, and Ye Xinglan could not help rubbing her forehead as she watched them tear through the dishes.

Lin Chen laughed. "I guess they're kindred spirits meeting at last."

While stuffing grilled meat into his mouth, Xie Xie mumbled, "Back at Eastsea Academy, Wulin alone scared the cafeteria chefs and the dean of students half to death with how much he ate."

Lin Chen leaned back in his chair, occasionally serving Gu Yuena some food as they discussed tomorrow's team competition.

After swallowing a piece of tuna belly, Ye Xinglan looked at Lin Chen, her tone turning serious. "The one you're fighting is Thunder Jade Bamboo, one of the top five on the Youth Genius Ranking. Are you sure you want to fight him?"

Lin Chen was somewhat speechless. "You really have that little faith in me? But before we fight, you and Xu Lizhi should probably persuade him to take off that Shrek uniform."

Ye Xinglan froze, her face full of confusion. "I do believe in you, but why should he take off the Shrek uniform?"

The private room fell silent for a moment. Even Tang Wulin and Xu Lizhi stopped eating and turned to look at Lin Chen.

Lin Chen set down his chopsticks and lightly tapped the table with his fingertips. "So he doesn't embarrass himself later."

He then transmitted his voice to Ye Xinglan. "It'll be fine if he wins, but if he loses, things probably won't end well on your side. Who knows what tricks Dean Cai might pull? The one losing face then would be Shrek Academy."

Ye Xinglan's pupils contracted slightly, and her grip on her chopsticks tightened. Given Lin Chen's identity, if Yuzhu fought in Shrek's name, it truly would be difficult to clean up afterward.

She nodded and transmitted back, "I understand. I'll do my best to persuade him."

Gu Yuena took in the entire exchange. She placed the most beautifully marbled piece of fish into Lin Chen's bowl, then quietly slipped her other hand beneath the table and intertwined her fingers with his.

The moment their fingertips touched, Lin Chen froze slightly. A warm, soft sensation spread through the gaps between his fingers. He turned to look at Gu Yuena beside him, but there was no change in the girl's expression, aside from a faint, barely noticeable smile hidden at the corners of her eyes.

On the other hand, the tips of his ears uncontrollably flushed red, and even the fingers holding his chopsticks felt slightly hot.

Rather than pulling away, he quietly tightened his fingers around her hand, holding it firmly in his palm as his fingertips gently brushed over hers.

Xie Xie's voice suddenly exploded. "Captain, what are you two doing all sneakily?"

Lin Chen raised his eyes as if nothing had happened. "Eat your food. Why are you talking so much?"

Xu Xiaoyan joined in, resting her cheek on her hand with a smile. "Xie Xie only knows how to ruin other people's nice moments."

Lin Chen had intended to pull his hand back, but in the next instant, Gu Yuena lightly tightened her grip and held his hand even more firmly. Her fingertips casually brushed against his palm.

He paused, left with no choice but to remain stiffly where he was. He struggled to maintain a calm expression, but his gaze drifted uncontrollably toward Gu Yuena. The girl had lowered her eyes and quietly scooped dessert into her mouth as if the little movement beneath the table had nothing to do with her.

Xie Xie continued heckling, "Still not letting go?"

"Eat your meat. Can't food even shut your mouth?" Lin Chen glared fiercely at him. The red at the roots of his ears not only failed to fade, but also quietly spread down his neck in a faint blush.

Early the next morning, the individual matches of the Skysea Alliance Tournament officially began.

The Soul Guidance barrier around the plaza lit up, and the spectator stands were already packed to capacity. To Lin Chen's surprise, his very first match was against the so-called top-five Youth Genius Ranking contender, Thunder Jade Bamboo.

In the designated resting area for competitors, Gu Yuena, Lin Chen, and the others were all somewhat surprised as they watched Ye Xinglan approach from afar. It appeared she had successfully persuaded him.

The host's impassioned voice rang out over the broadcast. "Please welcome Yun Linchen of Eastsea Academy, facing Yuzhu, one of the top five on the Youth Genius Ranking!!!"

Lin Chen adjusted his clothes and slowly walked onto the arena. Across from him, Yuzhu wore casual clothes. His appearance was even a notch below Xie Xie's, and his gaze carried the pride and sharpness unique to a young genius.

"Yun Linchen." Yuzhu looked at him with a hint of arrogance in his voice. "I heard you're very strong. Today, let me see just how strong you really are."

Lin Chen raised a brow. His azure-glazed eyes remained calm as he said lightly, "You're nearly five years older than me, right? Winning wouldn't be glorious, and losing wouldn't end well either. Don't regret it later."

Yuzhu's face darkened, and the arrogance in his eyes intensified. "You certainly talk big. Let's see what you can do with your hands!"

Cheers instantly erupted from Zero Class at the edge of the arena. "Captain, Lin Chen, go!!!"

Xie Xie shouted the loudest of them all.

Lin Chen turned to look at them, a smile rippling through his azure-glazed eyes. He gave a gentle nod.

The referee raised both hands and shouted, "Both sides prepare! Begin!"

As the referee's words fell, Soul Power instantly exploded around Yuzhu. Deep-blue lightning continuously danced around his body, while two yellow, one purple, and one black Soul Ring rose beneath his feet. Soul Power Level: 42.

Lin Chen chuckled. "Six levels higher? That's not all that impressive." An Azure Dragon phantom slowly emerged behind him, green lightning continuously flickering around his body. As though provoked by an inferior being, it grew incomparably violent.

When the Azure Dragon phantom behind Lin Chen fully condensed, an overwhelming dragon's might from a superior being surged directly toward Yuzhu, nearly causing him to lose control of his Martial Soul.

Fine beads of cold sweat formed on his forehead as he muttered inwardly, What kind of Martial Soul is this? Why is my Martial Soul afraid? It feels like it's submitting to him...

Yuzhu gritted his teeth, forcibly suppressing the submissive sensation coming from his Martial Soul. His fourth Soul Ring suddenly lit up, and lightning condensed in his palm.

Blinding deep-blue lightning tore through the air, its thunderous roar echoing throughout the entire arena.

Lin Chen remained standing where he was without moving a single step. His azure-glazed eyes showed no ripples as he spoke calmly, his words clearly reaching Yuzhu's ears. "Before my Extreme Lightning, ordinary lightning is no more than a tiny spark. It is utterly beneath notice."

As his words fell, his eyes abruptly transformed into vertical pupils. Azure-glazed radiance flowed from the corners of his eyes, green light flared around his body, and his third Soul Skill, Myriad Thunder Cangming, activated.

Green lightning poured down from above Yuzhu like a starving dragon, engulfing the entire arena.

Yuzhu's fourth Soul Skill shattered the instant it came into contact with the lightning released from Lin Chen's palm, like an egg striking a stone. It vanished without a trace.

His prized Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul let out mournful cries beneath the green lightning carrying dragon's might, while crushing agony swept through his entire body.

When the green light faded, Yuzhu lay on the ground in tattered condition. He raised his head and looked at Lin Chen's glazed eyes, which had returned to normal yet still carried the pressure of a superior being. His face was filled with unwillingness and despair.

The referee stood stunned for several seconds before finally reacting and loudly announcing, "The match is over! Lin Chen wins!!!"