Supreme Dragon Lord-Chapter 371: Bye!
"You went to great lengths to prevent me from obtaining the Gold Beads, but in the end, they still fell into my hands!" Zhang Cangsong’s eyes were sharp. "And this proves that I am the Chosen Disciple of the Jinglei Sect, and no one can stop me!" As he spoke, he made several exaggerated gestures toward Long Chen, each movement dripping with provocation. His goal was to show Long Chen that he wouldn’t be so easy to defeat. From now on, he would let his strength do the talking. He would personally make Long Chen pay a painful price for his actions.
Hearing this, Long Chen simply shook his head and smiled, completely ignoring Zhang Cangsong’s taunts.
Seeing Long Xin about to step in on his behalf, Long Chen stopped her, saying calmly, "Xin’er, there’s no need to bother with an ant like him."
"Did you see the state he’s in?" Tang Le scoffed. "I already gave him a good beating. If not for an unexpected interruption, he wouldn’t even have the chance to be standing here talking right now." Then, he put on a look of feigned surprise, staring straight at Zhang Cangsong, his gaze tinged with mockery. He burst into laughter. "Well, if it isn’t the ever-dignified Young Master Zhang! My apologies, I truly didn’t recognize you. Why is your face so swollen? I thought a wild boar had wandered in, but upon closer inspection, it’s actually a person. And to think that person is you, Young Master Zhang. Truly shocking."
His words immediately sparked a wave of discussion among the crowd.
"What’s the deal with this Young Master Zhang?"
"He seemed so imposing when he first showed up. How did he end up looking so pathetic during the first two rounds of the assessment?"
"Now that you mention it, that’s right. Isn’t he a War King Realm expert? He should be a top contender among us, brimming with confidence."
"But look at him now, so down and out. Could it be that he’s all bark and no bite? Maybe his real strength isn’t as amazing as the rumors claim?"
"That makes sense! It really does..."
For a moment, the area buzzed with all sorts of negative gossip about Zhang Cangsong. Hearing this, his mouth twitched, and his face turned ashen. His expression was as foul as if he’d eaten dung. He was the distinguished young master of the Zhang Family, a man of great renown. Yet now, because of Long Chen, his reputation was in tatters, and he had become a laughingstock—a clown in everyone’s eyes.
At this thought, rage consumed him, and he felt as if he might explode. He clenched his fists tightly.
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
His gloomy, murderous gaze swept over the gossiping crowd. Feeling his stare, the onlookers were startled and quickly shut their mouths, not daring to utter another word. The scene instantly became dead silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone knew that despite Zhang Cangsong’s wretched state during the assessment, his family background was not something they could afford to offend. No one wanted to throw away their future, or their life, for a moment of idle chatter. That would be no different from courting death.
Zhang Cangsong snorted coldly, staring daggers at Long Chen’s group. "Don’t get too arrogant," he said in a low voice. "I promise you, you won’t be for long."
Long Chen just smiled faintly. "You should pray that you don’t run into me in the upcoming assessment," he advised. "Otherwise, you won’t be as lucky as you were before."
Zhang Cangsong just chuckled, dismissing Long Chen’s words. He turned back and retorted coldly, "Boy, you just wait! My power is beyond anything you can possibly imagine!"
"Then I shall wait and see," Long Chen replied calmly.
Logically, with such severe injuries, Zhang Cangsong should have had no chance of getting the Gold Beads. Even with his status as the young master of the Zhang Family, the other contestants would be far more desperate to pass the assessment than to curry favor with his family.
Thinking this, Long Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly.
It seems this matter isn’t as simple as it looks on the surface, just as I suspected. I’m certain there’s some kind of underhanded trickery going on in this assessment.
Zhang Cangsong snorted again, walking past Long Chen to place the Gold Beads he held into the designated box.
Thirty minutes later, a weathered voice suddenly echoed from above, "Time is up! The second round of the assessment is over!"
As the voice faded, the virtual scenery slowly dissolved. Long Chen and the others found themselves back at their starting point, and everything returned to normal. Moreover, the battle qi they had consumed and the injuries they had sustained vanished completely.
"Huh? The injury I just had is gone!"
"Mine too! It’s like nothing ever happened. The Jinglei Sect truly lives up to its reputation; their methods are incredible!"
The crowd chattered with excitement. Even Long Chen was somewhat surprised by this development.
Just then, Lei Yiqun appeared before them. Upon seeing him, everyone cupped their fists in a respectful salute. "Greetings, Deacon!"
Lei Yiqun nodded slightly and waved his hand, signaling for them to be at ease. A Jinglei Sect disciple approached and handed him a list. "Deacon, this is the list of contestants who passed the second round. Please take a look."
At these words, everyone’s gaze grew intense. They stared at the list, and the faces of those who knew they had passed lit up with smiles. They were thrilled; passing the assessment was now within their grasp.
After glancing at the list, Lei Yiqun nodded and announced the names of those who had passed the second round, which naturally included Long Chen and his two companions. When he finished, Lei Yiqun continued, "For those contestants who did not pass, please make your way down the mountain. We encourage you to try again in the future."
The failed contestants looked crestfallen. With heavy sighs, they departed, their faces filled with regret and disappointment.
Lei Yiqun stroked his beard, his eyes scanning the remaining participants. "Congratulations on successfully passing the first two rounds," he said calmly. "What awaits you now is the third and final round of the assessment.
"Originally, we planned for thirty contestants to enter the third round. However, due to certain circumstances during the second round, many failed to obtain the Gold Beads in time. There are now nineteen of you left. Of these nineteen, the final ten who remain will be considered to have passed our assessment. Once you have done so, you will officially become members of our Jinglei Sect!"
Hearing this, the contestants’ faces lit up with excitement, each one filled with renewed motivation. Their gazes were firm, determined to pass this final round and become official disciples of the Jinglei Sect.
After a moment, Lei Yiqun addressed the crowd once more. "And now, I will announce the final round of the Jinglei Sect’s assessment."
His words instantly recaptured everyone’s attention. They glanced at one another, their eyes now filled with hostility. In this round, they were all rivals. A brief silence fell over the area. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Lei Yiqun’s declaration. They were all intensely curious about what the final test would entail.
"The first two rounds tested your reaction speed and your ability to handle a crisis," Lei Yiqun announced. "Many factors could influence those results. This third round, however, will test your true strength: arena battles!"
Arena battles?! The news sent a ripple of discussion through the crowd.
"Arena battles! That’s exactly what I was hoping for!"
"I’m not afraid of anyone! Let’s fight!"
"I will make it into the top ten!"
The contestants voiced their determination. Long Chen and his companions, however, remained calm, showing no particular reaction to the final test. Off to the side, Zhang Cangsong’s narrowed eyes were fixed on Long Chen, his gaze bloodshot. He hated him with a passion, wishing he could flay him alive and drink his blood.
Just you wait. You’re going to get what’s coming to you. he thought venomously.
"Silence," Lei Yiqun said coolly, and the clamor quickly died down. "Now, I will announce the rules for the third round’s arena battles. As there are nineteen contestants, the odd number means one of you will receive a bye."
At the mention of a bye, everyone’s eyes lit up. They all hoped that stroke of luck would fall on them. It would save a great deal of trouble and might even offer an easy path into the top ten, securing their spot as an official disciple.
Seeing their eagerness, Lei Yiqun cleared his throat, and the crowd fell silent again, awaiting his next words.
"The bye," Lei Yiqun stated, "will be awarded to the contestant with the highest point ranking." His gaze then fell directly on Long Chen. "Long Chen, this bye falls to you as a reward. You will not need to compete in the first round of matches."
Instantly, envious glares from all around focused on Long Chen.
"You’ve got to be kidding me! Such a great reward fell to him?!"
"Why couldn’t that be me?!"
"What a waste!"
The contestants couldn’t help but grumble. Zhang Cangsong’s expression grew uglier, though it was mixed with disdain. His face a mask of defiance, he muttered, "Hmph. Kid, you’re just delaying the inevitable. You’d better pray you don’t meet me in the arena. Otherwise, I’ll make you pay a painful price!"
For his part, Long Chen remained impassive. To him, getting a bye made no difference. He was confident he could pass the assessment on his own strength.
Seeing the murmuring in the crowd, Lei Yiqun swept his cold gaze over them. "Does anyone object to my decision?"
