Chapter 132: The Beginning of Shock, Who is Truly Number One in the World?
Chapter 132: The Beginning of Shock, Who is Truly Number One in the World?
"Old Zhao, you're finally back!!"
It was noon.
In the cafeteria.
Everyone sat at a table having lunch.
Zhao Zheng arrived at school around 11 a.m., washed his face, and came over.
They hadn't seen each other in nearly two months.
This guy looked much darker and noticeably thinner.
However, his spirits were high, and he had gained the composed demeanor of a soldier. His eyes sparkled with confidence.
Clearly, he had gained a lot from this trip!
The most noticeable feature was Zhao Zheng's temples.
They were bulging, quite prominent.
"Looking at you, this trip must have been worthwhile!" Cao Yu laughed.
Chen Ye also asked, "Junior Brother, how did it go? Did you achieve your goal?"
Zhao Zheng just smiled faintly without saying a word. He placed his hand gently on the table and then pressed down with force.
Silently.
Then.
He lifted his hand.
There was now a distinct handprint on the steel table!
Seeing this, everyone at the table, except for Chen Ye, was stunned!
"Holy crap!!"
Cao Yu exclaimed, "Old Zhao, you're insane!"
Ren Qianqian also exclaimed, "Brother Zheng, is this internal force? That's incredible! This table is made of steel! Even with a weapon, I couldn't leave a mark!"
There was another girl at the table.
Shao Wenhui.
But she just looked at Zhao Zheng with admiration, without saying a word.
"Yes, this is internal force!"
Even Zhao Zheng, usually steady and composed, couldn't help but smile at the praise from his companions.
The truth is, ever since he developed internal force, he had been in a state of excitement.
"However, internal force is quite exhausting. If I go all out now, I can't maintain it for long."
"Well done!" Chen Ye laughed, patting Zhao Zheng on the shoulder. "Junior Brother, you've done a great job. If Chairman Chen knew his prized student was this capable, he'd be overjoyed!"
Zhao Zheng smiled shyly and didn't respond.
"Does it work that well on the battlefield?"
Cao Yu was still in shock, a bit envious too. "Maybe I should train on the front lines for two months?"
Ren Qianqian ruthlessly shot him down, "You're not on the martial arts path, what would you do on the battlefield? Get yourself killed?"
Then she added, "I'm not jealous of Brother Zheng's achievements. He must've risked his life for them."
Hearing this, Zhao Zheng didn't deny it and nodded in agreement, then looked at Cao Yu. "Old Cao, let me show you something."
As he spoke, Zhao Zheng started taking off his clothes.
Cao Yu quickly stopped him. "Hey, hey… Old Zhao, Brother Zhao, let's talk this out. There are girls here! Don't mess around!"
Zhao Zheng rolled his eyes and only took off his jacket, then lifted his shirt to show Cao Yu his back.
There was a massive, gruesome wound on Zhao Zheng's back, nearly slicing him in half...
Even now, the wound hadn't fully scabbed over, with some areas still covered in medical tape.
Cao Yu and the others were stunned.
"Junior Brother, what happened?" Chen Ye asked with a frown.
"About half a month ago, a second-level monster ambushed me from behind, nearly severing my spinal cord," Zhao Zheng explained. "If it had, even if I survived, I would've been a vegetable for life..."
"Old Cao, the front lines are extremely dangerous. Brave soldiers sacrifice their lives every day… I don't recommend you go now. You're not on the martial arts path; there's no need to take that risk."
"Wait until you're stronger, then go support the front lines. It won't be too late."
Hearing this, Cao Yu quickly replied, "Alright, Old Zhao, I get it. Put your clothes back on before you tear the stitches."
Chen Ye frowned and asked, "The national secret realm competition is in ten days, Junior Brother. What about your injury…?"
Zhao Zheng smiled and said, "Don't worry! It's almost fully healed. With ten days left, I'll definitely be ready."
Ren Qianqian added, "I knew it, which is why I said I'm not jealous of Brother Zheng."
Chen Ye curiously asked, "Qianqian, why do you call Junior Brother 'Brother Zheng' but not me?"
Ren Qianqian giggled, "Because the class monitor is younger than me! She should call me 'Sis,' and if you're with her, you should call me 'Sis' too!"
…
Meanwhile.
In a foreign land.
In a dark conference room.
A voice suddenly rang out, filled with excitement:
"Guys, our opportunity has arrived! I got word that Tang, foolishly, intends to participate in this national secret realm competition!"
"This will be our best chance to kill her. After you return, you can share this information with the top experts in your countries and work together to take Tang out!"
As soon as he finished speaking, someone asked, "Is the information reliable?"
"Of course it is!"
Someone else doubted, "Even if Tang participates in the national secret realm, given her importance, won't she be protected by top experts from Xia Country? Maybe even by Qin herself? It won't be easy to kill her under that woman's protection!"
"Mr. Reynolds, you're right. From what I've learned, Qin did extend an invitation to Tang. However, our target is so foolish that she declined Qin's invitation… It's like even God is helping us this time."
"Is that even possible?"
"If Qin isn't protecting her, then this is indeed a rare opportunity!"
"Don't get too excited just yet. We know nothing about the national secret realm, what's inside, or any potential restrictions."
"It doesn't matter. We'll just notify the top experts. We have nothing to lose. If there's an opportunity, we must kill Tang."
"Absolutely!"
Hearing these discussions, the person who had spoken earlier immediately said, "So, are you all interested in my proposal?"
"If the information you provided is accurate, then I'm in."
"I agree."
"Count me in!"
In the blink of an eye, everyone in the meeting room raised their hands in agreement.
"Good! Then let's unite as the strongest! Maybe we'll even have a chance to kill that woman Qin!!"
---
Nine days later.
Today is the last day of April.
Tomorrow marks the opening of the National Secret Realm.
Many top-tier sixth-level experts are eager to showcase their skills in the Secret Realm and compete for the championship.
Even the ordinary fifth-level experts are determined to secure a good ranking.
Countless netizens are closely following this event.
"Will this year's champion be one of ours?"
"It won't be easy. I've heard there's a powerful expert from Australia who's already reached the seventh level."
"Seventh level? Isn't the highest standard only sixth level? Where did the seventh level come from?"
"Yeah! Why haven't we heard of it before? And I haven't heard of any such expert from Australia."
"Maybe this person is just low-key? Last year's champion team was led by him."
Netizens are buzzing online, speculating about which team will win the championship this year.
Even many media outlets are rushing to report on the teams with the best chances of winning the championship.
For example, the team from the Ability Users Association.
Led by President Ba Liming himself, the team consists of the association's advisors (sixth level), branch presidents, and key members.
There are two sixth-level experts, and the rest are fifth-level masters.
Then there is the Law Enforcement Team.
Led by the country's top expert, Qin Muyin, the team includes Vice Captain Monk Shiwu, members from other departments, and elite members of the Law Enforcement Team.
The lowest ranking among them is still a fifth-level master!
By the way, Monk Shiwu hasn't fully recovered yet, and his arm is still in a cast. But his physical strength is still intact, making him a barely qualified fifth-level tank.
Originally, Qin Muyin wanted Monk Shiwu to rest and recover, but this guy was determined to participate in this year's National Secret Realm.
Perhaps out of a sense of compensation, Qin Muyin agreed.
These two teams are the most luxurious teams in the country and also the star teams, praised by countless media.
Besides these two teams, there are also many other teams in the country, all with sixth-level experts among them…
At Wuhan University, there is also a "luxurious" team.
It includes Principal Lu, Mr. Cai, Teacher Liu, Chen Ye, Tang Zichen, Zhao Zheng, Ren Qianqian, Cao Yu, Shao Wenhui… and a top expert sent by the authorities specifically to protect Tang Zichen.
This expert is named Gao Ye, a middle-aged woman with large wavy hair, dressed in a small suit, exuding the aura of a triad matriarch.
Although Gao Ye is only at the fifth level, her hero talent is S13 (Flashing Flash), which grants her high agility and speed.
While she's supposed to protect, in reality, her role is to ensure Tang Zichen's escape in a critical moment.
It's not that the authorities don't want to send a sixth-level expert.
But once someone reaches the sixth level, they are essentially in a cooperative relationship with the authorities, rather than being subordinates who follow orders.
Every sixth-level expert has their own pride and dignity.
If they don't want to participate, the authorities can't force them and can only try their best to persuade them.
---
Wuhan University's team doesn't match up to those top luxury teams, but it's still decent.
Including Principal Lu, there are three fifth-level experts.
Two fourth-level experts: Teacher Liu and Tang Zichen.
Three third-level experts: Fire Fist Chen Ye, Dog-type girl Ren Qianqian, and Dark Strength master Zhao Zheng!
Of course, this is just their apparent strength.
In reality, the team hides a sixth-level expert!!
As for Cao Yu and Shao Wenhui, they are still at the second level (mainly because Chen Ye killed monsters too quickly in Secret Realm No. 4, hindering their progress).
Principal Lu originally didn't want to bring so many students, but couldn't resist the strong requests from Chen Ye and Tang Zichen, so he reluctantly agreed.
Fire Fist Chen Ye isn't much, just a small third-level guy relying on his father.
The main reason Principal Lu couldn't refuse was Tang Zichen!!
To be honest, assembling this team was not easy.
Initially, the higher-ups insisted on placing Tang Zichen in a team with a sixth-level expert.
If there was no sixth-level expert to protect her, they would rather have Tang Zichen not participate at all.
It was only after Tang Zichen argued her case and stood firm in her decision that we have the current situation…
---
The next day.
May 1st.
At 10:49 a.m.
The ten-person team was ready, holding hands.
The hand-holding order was Principal Lu, Teacher Liu, Cao Yu, Zhao Zheng, Mr. Cai, Chen Ye, Tang Zichen, Ren Qianqian, Shao Wenhui, and Gao Ye.
In a multi-person team, not everyone needs to press the plum blossom mark.
As long as one person does it, it's enough.
The next moment.
At exactly 10:50 a.m., the plum blossom marks on their arms heated up.
Principal Lu pressed his mark.
Then, the ten people disappeared together, entering the Secret Realm.
---
When Chen Ye regained his sight.
He had already arrived in the National Secret Realm.
The first thing he saw was a giant archway with a plaque hanging above it.
On the plaque, in flamboyant calligraphy, were four large characters:
"The World's Number One!!"
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