Concern

The fragments fell lightly to the ground, yet each one sounded like a thunderclap in everyone's heart.

Lin Xia had actually torn up the certificate issued by the Spiritual Energy Testing and Research Institute!?

Wasn't that basically a slap in Qin Tianyu's face?

"You're asking to die!!"

Qin Tianyu's face twisted with rage. He clenched his fists, itching to make a move.

"Stupid! Immature! Ridiculous!"

Principal Tao stepped forward, blocking Qin Tianyu. He looked at Principal Yan and sneered. "So these are the students at your school? What exemplary character!"

Only then did Principal Yan recover from the shock of Lin Xia's astonishing actions. But before he could speak up for Lin Xia, Lin Xia spoke first.

"It's just a piece of waste paper. So what if I tore it up? Is this guy's whatever-wave so dependent on that certificate?"

His words were practically an open taunt, implying that Qin Tianyu's skill was all flash and no substance: it looked intimidating on paper, but was useless in practice!

"Heh..."

Qin Tianyu's face showed a mixture of anger and contempt. With an air of superiority, he walked around Principal Tao and stopped right in front of Lin Xia, so close they could feel each other's breath. "I really hope you enter the Challenge Tournament... Just make sure you're qualified!"

"Don't worry."

Lin Xia could naturally tell that Qin Tianyu was worried his level wouldn't meet the requirements.

So, the next moment, Lin Xia displayed his status panel.

[Level: LV7!]

The crowd erupted once more!

The upperclassmen rubbed their eyes in disbelief, then gaped at each other.

It had only been two days since the start of term. How was Lin Xia already Level 7!?

Weren't new students supposed to be Level 1?!

Although Zhu Tingyu, Xu Jian, and the others weren't surprised by Lin Xia's level, they were worried about what he was doing.

Lin Xia had torn up an official certificate in front of everyone...

And he was provoking Qin Tianyu to his face...

Everyone knew Qin Tianyu was a bastard, and petty to boot.

If he saw an opportunity during the competition, he'd definitely try to kill Lin Xia!!

"I knew it!!"

At that moment, Director Xie Feng slapped his thigh, his eyes shining. "I knew you'd leveled up, kid!!"

It wasn't just Xie Feng. The leaders, including Principal Yan, all wore knowing smiles.

Of course! Anyone who came out of a secret realm must have cleared it!

"Now you're completely dead!"

Qin Tianyu leaned close to Lin Xia's ear and whispered in a voice only he could hear, sounding both triumphant and threatening. "You'll be the third person to die to my Nether Prison Black Annihilation Wave!"

Then he patted Lin Xia on the shoulder and sneered. "I don't want people accusing me of winning unfairly. To keep things fair, I suggest changing the five-on-five format to one-on-one—you and me. What do you say?"

"Just what I wanted!"

Lin Xia pushed Qin Tianyu's hand away and replied coldly.

Of course, he knew Qin Tianyu wasn't genuinely worried about being accused of outnumbering his opponent.

He was worried Imperial University wouldn't be able to field five competitors, which would get the Challenge Tournament canceled and cost him his chance to fight Lin Xia.

"Let's go."

Having achieved his goal, Qin Tianyu turned and left with Principal Tao.

On the way, Principal Tao continued to complain about Lin Xia tearing up the certificate.

But Qin Tianyu waved him off, saying, "Why should I bother arguing with a dead man?"

As the two of them gradually disappeared from view, a crowd immediately closed in around Lin Xia.

Some of the upperclassmen praised him, while others urged him to stay calm.

Principal Yan also came over, ready to say something.

But Lin Xia said he had something important to do, then resolutely pushed through the crowd and headed off campus.

Xu Jian and the others tried to follow, but Principal Yan stopped them. "He said he has something important to take care of. We'd better not disturb him."

And so, Lin Xia walked farther and farther away until he finally disappeared from everyone's sight.

What had he gone to do?

Had he changed his mind about competing?

What would happen in tomorrow's Challenge Tournament?

Did he have a chance of winning?

Would Lin Xia become Imperial University's savior—or its undertaker?

Questions filled everyone's minds...

Meanwhile.

Lin Xia first stopped at a restaurant for a meal.

As he ate, he checked where the nearest secret realm was.

His next goal was to level up as quickly as possible and see if he could get a new skill... or maybe a new Card?

After all, one more skill or one more Card meant one more chance of winning.

He did the math. Based on the cooldown between entering secret realms and the experience he could gain, Lin Xia could definitely reach Level 8 before the competition began!

"Check, please!"

After paying, Lin Xia left the restaurant and headed straight for the Bronze secret realm.

"Hey!"

Just then, a familiar voice rang out.

Lin Xia turned around and saw Zhu Tingyu standing there with her hands tucked into the pockets of her hoodie. Her expression showed both approval and concern.

"Oh, are you following me?"

Lin Xia gave her a mischievous smile. "In movies, when a scene like this happens... are you about to confess your feelings for me?"

"Hmph! As if I'd confess to you!"

Lin Xia's words caught Zhu Tingyu completely off guard. Her cheeks instantly flushed, her gaze darted away, and she swallowed nervously, twisting the hem of her hoodie in her pocket. "With everything going on, can't you be serious for once?!"

"I got someone to send me detailed information on Qin Tianyu, along with footage of his fights in the last two Challenge Tournaments..."

As she spoke, Zhu Tingyu opened her panel. "Let's add each other as friends. I'll send you the files!"

Lin Xia was genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected Zhu Tingyu to take such an interest in his upcoming match.

He immediately added Zhu Tingyu as a friend.

The next moment, he received a link.

Lin Xia opened it, and neatly organized text and videos waiting to be played appeared before him.

Just then, a delicate fragrance wafted into his nose.

Zhu Tingyu walked over.

She reached out with her slender, fair hand and swiped across the virtual screen, explaining everything to Lin Xia one item at a time.

"Qin Tianyu's starting stats are a little lower than yours, but he's still a well-rounded martial-type Awakener with almost no obvious weaknesses.

"His combat experience is very extensive, though. I heard that apart from eating and sleeping, all he does is train his fighting skills...

"Other than his newly learned Nether Prison Black Annihilation Wave, which hasn't been documented in detail, his other powerful skill is Nightmare Entanglement.

"Nightmare Entanglement is a control-type skill. Once it hits you, you'll be trapped in a terrifying illusion..."

"I see..."

Lin Xia's mind wasn't on Qin Tianyu at all. The whole time, he was admiring Zhu Tingyu's breathtaking beauty.

"Hey! Why do you keep staring at me?"

When Zhu Tingyu met Lin Xia's earnest gaze, her ears instantly turned red. "Y-you need to listen. What I'm about to tell you is important!

"Qin Tianyu has five Cards, including a Transformation Card!"