Cheer Up

Lin Feng and his two companions were spotted outside the martial arts hall not long after their arrival.

"Is that the high school student?"

"Yeah, the one who's supposed to beat up a martial artist."

"He actually came. I thought he'd avoid the fight. I heard many First-Rank Martial Artists are here today, intending to teach him a lesson."

"For a Body Cultivation Seventh Stage to directly challenge a martial artist, I've never heard of such a thing. At least Body Cultivation Ninth Stage would make more sense."

"Even Body Cultivation Ninth Stage wouldn't be enough. Martial artists can cultivate techniques, and their strength is several times that of Body Cultivation stages. How can someone easily challenge across two different levels?"

As everyone discussed, Gao Hai and Yang Fan exchanged glances, seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.

Yang Fan asked Lin Feng, puzzled, "Brother Feng, are they all here to watch your match?"

"Brother Feng, your popularity is already comparable to the members of Thunder Team's second squad," Gao Hai exclaimed with emotion, then subtly adjusted his collar and hairstyle.

He noticed that quite a few reporters had appeared and were pointing their cameras in their direction.

Stay calm, must stay calm. Smile, Gao Hai told himself.

Being watched by so many people for the first time, Gao Hai and Yang Fan were clearly unaccustomed to it, even if they weren't the main focus of the attention.

"They're mainly here for the spectacle," Lin Feng said calmly.

After all, the Martial Artist Forum was the largest registered forum globally. Especially the post about him had already ranked first on Jiang City's daily board. Even ordinary people who didn't follow the forum had heard the news from others.

Nine out of ten of these spectators were here to see him get humiliated. The remaining one was probably just bored and looking for some entertainment.

There were likely very few genuine fans.

This was also why, despite the large crowd, no one stepped forward to cheer for him.

Lin Feng knew that on the Martial Artist Forum, there was a saying: "Ye Qiu in the South, Lin Feng in the North."

This title was created by Yang Fan.

But Lin Feng was self-aware. If anyone truly believed that, they would be overestimating themselves and would be severely embarrassed.

His popularity was all hype. It might not even be called popularity, but rather news fervor.

After this fervor passed, he would soon be forgotten, and no one would pay attention to him anymore.

In terms of popularity, he wasn't even one ten-thousandth of Ye Qiu's.

If Ye Qiu were standing at the entrance of the martial arts hall right now, the crowd would have already gone wild. Security would have to be deployed in large numbers to maintain order, fearing an accident. This was the difference between them.

"Student Lin Feng, do you have confidence in this match?"

At this moment, a female reporter approached Lin Feng for an interview.

Seeing the reporter appear, Yang Fan and Gao Hai took a step back in unison, avoiding the interview frame and leaving Lin Feng alone.

"If I didn't have confidence, why would I come?" Lin Feng replied.

His expression was natural, his tone calm, and his attitude confident, though to outsiders, it seemed a bit arrogant.

"Then, Student Lin Feng, regarding the rumors on the forum that you've been hiding your talent? Is that true?" the female reporter asked again.

"What do you think?"

Lin Feng glanced at the female reporter indifferently and retorted.

Even the experienced female reporter was somewhat flustered by such uncooperative interview responses. She took a deep breath, composed herself, and asked again, "What are your thoughts on what netizens are saying about 'Ye Qiu in the South, Lin Feng in the North'?"

"How do I see it? With my eyes," Lin Feng said.

He waved his hand, and Gao Hai and Yang Fan quickly followed suit. The three entered the martial arts hall, leaving the female reporter bewildered in the wind.

Entering the lobby, they took the elevator to the third floor, moving with practiced ease.

"Lin Feng."

Chen Xiaoke recognized him immediately. Because of Lin Feng, she had earned an extra ten thousand yuan.

Lin Feng didn't understand why the girl in front of him was so surprised. He handed over a combat card and said, "Cross-level challenge against a First-Rank Martial Artist, betting ten thousand yuan!"

"Certainly, sir. Please proceed to the strength test first." Chen Xiaoke replied.

The strength test for Body Cultivation stages was simple. One would stand inside a hemispherical instrument. As the instrument scanned cyclically, the strengthened meridians would be revealed.

"81 meridians turned red? Body Cultivation Eighth Stage?"

The meridian map displayed on the computer made Chen Xiaoke a little surprised. He had broken through to Body Cultivation Eighth Stage overnight?

"What's wrong?"

Lin Feng asked, feeling that the cute counter girl in front of him was acting a bit mysterious.

"Nothing," Chen Xiaoke shook her head, glanced around, and whispered, "Many First-Rank Martial Artists with excellent records have registered today. You should be careful."

"Thank you!" Lin Feng nodded in appreciation.

"Good luck! I'm rooting for you!" Chen Xiaoke clenched her small fists and encouraged him.

"Mm!"

Lin Feng nodded. After he left, Chen Xiaoke quickly took out her phone, logged into her Martial Artist Forum account, and posted a message: "According to reliable sources, the strongest high school student in history has broken through to Body Cultivation Eighth Stage."

"Here it comes, here it comes!"

Inside the Martial Arts Hall, as the name "High School Student Beats Up Martial Artist" appeared on the big screen, the impatient audience suddenly became excited.

"The most arrogant high school student in history has arrived, where is your applause?"

Just then, a magnificent and stirring voice suddenly echoed through the Martial Arts Hall, instantly igniting the audience's enthusiasm.

"Holy crap, Thunder Martial Arts Hall is going all out? They even hired a commentator!"

"Hiring a commentator for a high school student, this Lin Feng is probably the first."

The audience discussed loudly.

It was no wonder they were so surprised. The Thunder Martial Arts Hall usually didn't have commentators for their regular challenge matches, unless it was an important event or a team battle.

They hadn't expected Lin Feng to receive such treatment.

At the same time, a huge screen above the central ring captured the figure of a teenager.

Under the gaze of over 200,000 people, Lin Feng had already changed his clothes and was slowly walking over. His expression was cold. He was dressed in a simple white T-shirt and black pants, but everyone was familiar with that white combat uniform.

At this moment, the camera zoomed in for a close-up, and the four large characters "Recruiting Sponsor Slot" caused a burst of laughter.

Even though they had seen pictures on the forum, watching it live still made them chuckle.

They had never seen such a clear and unconventional way of seeking sponsors.

"Heh heh, this is hilarious, this kid is truly a talent."

"Just attention-seeking. I'm really curious how he'll handle it if he loses."

Nearly all of the 200,000 spectators looked at him with amusement, as if watching a clown, their words filled with mockery and disdain.

However, the laughter soon subsided significantly.

Because even when faced with their mockery, the teenager remained calm and composed, not even changing the rhythm of his steps.

That air of effortless indifference didn't seem like an act!

How could a high school student possess the ability to remain unfazed even under immense pressure?

Many people began to restrain their laughter. Regardless of their lack of optimism, they had to admit that, at this moment, this kid was indeed quite cool!

"Go Lin Feng!!!"

Suddenly, a cheer erupted from the crowd, and the camera instantly captured the direction of the sound.

It was a group of boys and girls, around thirteen or fourteen years old, clearly looking like middle school students. They were shouting excitedly. Seeing that the camera had focused on them, they quickly raised their hands high, holding up a poster.

On the poster, a handsome teenager stood quietly on the stage, his expression cold yet exuding a hint of dominance.