In the League, but with the Taiwan Server System

The Tencent Server System required him to keep fighting [Heroes] just to earn meager rewards—such as the only skill he had mastered, Three Talon Strike.

Of course, over the past two years of sparring, he had gained more than just skills. Fighting someone as strong as Irelia every day meant that even a complete beginner could pick up some combat techniques.

Not to mention the improvement in his physical abilities.

If not for those improvements, he could never have survived two whole years of war with nothing but that damn scammy Tencent Server System. Those Noxus soldiers were far stronger than any ordinary modern adult.

In short, if anyone said that Chen Ce sparred with Irelia every day because he was wasting her time, he would admit it. But if they claimed he was doing it to show off or curry favor with her, then all he could say was that they were blind as bats.

Like right now. He had no intention of putting up with that blind-as-a-bat Third Legion Commander any longer.

Even if the other man's rank was several levels above his.

"If anyone thinks my sparring with the leader is merely an attempt to show off, then they are welcome to come fight me."

Chen Ce did not name anyone directly.

But no one present failed to understand what he meant.

The Third Legion Commander narrowed his eyes. Being openly challenged by a subordinate left him deeply displeased.

The hall was thick with the smell of gunpowder.

Just as the Third Legion Commander was about to challenge Chen Ce to a fight to the death, an unexpected voice interrupted them.

"Everyone, please rise."

A slender figure walked slowly down the aisle with firm, steady steps.

Irelia had arrived.

Karma, known as the "Beacon of the Spirit Realm," stood at her side.

A friendly smile rested on Irelia's face, but a trace of barely perceptible anger hid in her eyes.

Because...

She had heard the conversation in the hall before she even entered the aisle.

Why Was Shaco in Ionia Too?

Irelia had long known about the dirty things the Third Legion Commander did in private, and she had long had a grudge against him.

But she could not lash out now.

In the short term, this meeting concerned Karma's attitude toward the Placidium Resistance Army. She could not expose internal conflicts within the Resistance Army in front of Karma.

In the long term... although she hated to admit it, the Placidium Resistance Army—and even all of Ionia—still needed the Navori Brotherhood's help.

Their methods were both radical and brutal. Many times, they even acted without regard for the consequences, causing immense losses to the Resistance Army. But she had to admit that they had also dealt many effective blows to the Noxus invaders.

Therefore, for the greater good, she could not fall out with the Third Legion Commander just yet—at least not now.

Suppressing the displeasure in her heart, she smiled as she recounted the deeds of the Placidium Resistance Army to Karma during the meeting.

The first half of the meeting consisted of rather unimportant reports.

It was not until the second half that everyone discussed the true issue—the Seventh Squad of the Second Legion being surrounded and wiped out by the Noxus army.

There was likely a traitor within the Resistance Army.

"This matter must be thoroughly investigated!" Irelia rose to her feet, fury written all over her face. "The Seventh Squad was not carrying out a secret mission, but they were clearly surrounded because Noxus received advance information!"

Several legion commanders exchanged glances but said nothing.

None of them dared guarantee that the traitor was not among their own ranks.

Then Irelia turned her gaze toward Chen Ce.

"Chen Ce is the Seventh Squad's sole survivor, as well as the hero who brought the intelligence back. He was severely wounded for it and nearly lost his life."

"However, today I heard some unpleasant rumors. Someone has been slandering Chen Ce in private, calling him a deserter and saying he betrayed his comrades... I am extremely angry about this!"

"From this day onward, anyone who slanders Chen Ce is equivalent to insulting me and insulting the entire Placidium Resistance Army!"

"I do not want this to happen again!"

After saying that, Irelia gave the Third Legion Commander a casual glance.

Everyone understood what she meant, but no one spoke it aloud—they were secretly enjoying themselves.

"Tch..." The Third Legion Commander's expression darkened, but he did not dare openly argue with Irelia in such a setting.

Having helped Chen Ce vent his frustration, Irelia immediately felt much better. Even the look she gave Chen Ce carried a hint of seeking credit.

Chen Ce smiled in response, his gratitude obvious without words.

Karma watched the little episode, then curiously examined Chen Ce—the young man Irelia had been willing to offend a legion commander to defend.

He looked to be in his early twenties, with a well-proportioned build, black hair, brown eyes, and decent features... He seemed like a very capable young warrior.

But... that appeared to be all.

For the moment, Karma could not see anything particularly unique about him, so she habitually closed her eyes. She kept them closed most of the time; only then could she draw closer to the Spirit of Ionia.

Yet the instant she closed her eyes, she suddenly noticed something unusual about Chen Ce...

She "saw" a trace of...

Green radiance.

It was on Chen Ce's body.

She was intimately familiar with that glow—it was the strange energy left behind after entering the Spirit Realm.

If this young man named Chen Ce carried such energy...

There was no doubt that he had entered the Spirit Realm before.

A warrior barely in his early twenties had entered the Spirit Realm?

That was the dream of countless seekers of the path. Most people could spend their entire lives without ever taking a single step into the Spirit Realm... Yet he had accomplished it at such a young age?

Karma opened her eyes again, and deep appreciation appeared in those emerald eyes.

She suddenly understood Irelia's actions just now.

He was undoubtedly a rare genius.

The Spirit of Ionia was guiding him...

The meeting lasted nearly two full hours.

It took a long time, but the result was good. Karma promised to remain in Placidium until she helped Irelia uncover the traitor hidden within the Resistance Army. During that time, she would teach the Resistance Army members her insights and understanding of the Spirit of Nature.

When the meeting ended, Karma followed several Resistance Army members to the Enlightenment Arena Irelia had prepared for her, where she could meditate and rest. Everyone else began to leave as well.

Just before they parted, Irelia, in a good mood and with some free time, suddenly called out to Chen Ce as he was about to leave.

"Chen Ce, would you like to spar with me again today?"

"Spar?" Chen Ce was somewhat surprised. In the past, he had always been the one to seek her out for sparring. This was the first time Irelia had initiated it. "Do you have time now?"

"Mhm, I have half an hour free today." Irelia smiled. "You look like you have recovered quite well today. I want to see whether your 'Meditation' is really as miraculous as you claim."

"Then please instruct me." Chen Ce smiled in reply. Although he no longer needed to fight Irelia to obtain skills or equipment, such sparring was still very helpful in improving his martial ability.

Opportunities to spar with Irelia were rare. Refusing would be far too wasteful.

The two immediately agreed and headed toward the Training Grounds.

But just as they were about to walk down the hall's steps, a sarcastic voice sounded behind them.

"Our great leader is personally drilling soldiers again? Oh, how touching... But isn't this a bit too wasteful of our leader's precious time?"

Irelia halted, and her delicate brows immediately furrowed.

She did not need to turn around to know who was speaking so sarcastically.

"My affairs are none of your concern."

"No, no, I think you misunderstand me... I mean, why leave such a trivial matter to yourself when someone else could do it?" The Third Legion Commander smiled mockingly. "For example... me?"

At those words, Irelia became even more displeased. She knew exactly what the man was planning—he simply wanted to vent his anger on Chen Ce in the Training Grounds.

But she still held herself back. She merely tugged gently at Chen Ce's hand, signaling for him to leave quickly.

But... there was only so much one could endure.

Irelia was not the only one who was fed up.

Chen Ce had tolerated this shameless bastard for a long time too.

He turned around directly and gave the Third Legion Commander a military salute. "I think you make a very good point. I truly should not keep wasting the leader's time. I will leave the drilling to you."

"Oh?" The Third Legion Commander was somewhat surprised, but even more delighted. "It seems you know your place after all... Good. Then today, I shall reluctantly teach you a few moves."

"I'll have to trouble you, then." Chen Ce's tone was equally mocking.

The tension between the two grew stronger, while Irelia, standing beside them, worriedly tugged at Chen Ce's sleeve.

She knew Chen Ce was fairly capable, but... the reason the Third Legion Commander was the Third Legion Commander was because of his exceptional strength.

She had sparred with Chen Ce, and she had sparred with several Resistance Army legion commanders. She knew very well that Chen Ce was no match for them.

"Don't act on impulse..." she urged softly.

But Chen Ce had already made up his mind.

Of course, he was no reckless brute.

Since he dared accept, he knew what he was doing.

"Please, Legion Commander."

Irelia: Come Inside With Me

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Chen Ce and the Third Legion Commander slowly entered the Training Grounds.

Although this so-called spar had not been announced to anyone, the reputations of these two alone were enough to attract most Resistance Army members who happened to be free to come watch the show.

On one side was a young squad captain who often sparred with Resistance Army leader Irelia. On the other was the former Brotherhood leader and current commander of the Resistance Army's Third Legion. No matter how one looked at it, the matchup was full of spectacle.

What was more... word had it that the two had a minor conflict today, a little grudge between them.

That made it even more interesting.

Unfortunately... there was spectacle, but no suspense. No one believed that an unknown young warrior barely in his early twenties could defeat the Third Legion Commander.

If he truly had that kind of ability, would he still only be a squad captain at this point?

Perhaps some people wanted him to win the match, but no one believed he could.

Everyone had already decided the outcome of this spar in their hearts.

"Chen Ce, be careful..." Before the spar began, Irelia once again reminded Chen Ce in a low voice. Since she could not stop him, she could only keep warning him.

But she did not know that this would only draw more hostility toward Chen Ce—hostility of every kind.

Seeing their revered leader care so much about Chen Ce, everyone was filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment. Some young men who harbored affection for Irelia were so furious that they beat their chests and stamped their feet.

Their fantasies had been completely shattered.

Now, not even anyone hoping for Chen Ce to win remained.

Feeling the hostile stares around him, Chen Ce felt awkward, helpless, and just a tiny bit pleased.

He gently patted the back of Irelia's hand to show her there was no need to worry, then strode straight toward the center of the Training Grounds.

Glick, commander of the Resistance Army's Third Legion, had already been waiting there for some time.

He held an unsharpened longsword in his hand, wearing a mocking expression.

"I hope that after today, you can still stand up and flirt with our respected leader."

He spoke very softly, so only the two people in the Training Grounds could hear him. As he spoke, he cast Irelia a disrespectful glance.

In his eyes, Chen Ce must have become Irelia's "male favorite," or else why would she take such special care of him?

He looked down on Chen Ce for living off a woman, and he looked down on Irelia for secretly keeping a male favorite.