Lin Feng could clearly feel the change in the girl next to him toward him, but he remained unmoved.
"Wow..."
Just as people were still immersed in their own emotions, a scream rang out, then a blast of explosive music shook the entire venue. The heavy metal instantly made everyone's blood boil.
Instinctively, people turned to look, only to see the surface of Zhongyue Mansion's light curtain projecting exciting scenes from this Awakening Day.
The footage started with 300,000 passionate spectators; amid wild cheers, each student made a dazzling entrance. Then the music shifted, growing solemn, and appeared countless soldiers hunting Demon Spirits, fearless and determined. Next, many big shots contributed Demon Spirits, [Blue Moon] activated, Demon Beasts attacked the city, and of course, the most fascinating were the students' exhilarating Refinement scenes.
This year, over 100,000 student candidates took part in Awakening Day. On a hundred-mu altar, no matter how attentively they watched, many spectators still couldn't see what was happening inside, easily missing out on spectacular moments.
But now, in the light curtain, the process of young people fusing Demon Spirits was shown complete and clear. To qualify for the broadcast, one must have fused at least an Eighth Grade Demon Spirit.
After showing each youth's Refinement, the light curtain would display his or her name.
So, the 300,000 spectators couldn't hold back their excitement, shouting loudly—the cheers made the whole city seem to boil over.
Today, without question, those who appeared in the light curtain were the true superstars.
And among them was Ya Ge.
This surprised many, including Ya Ge herself.
"Ya Ge!"
When the crowd shouted her name, Lin Feng turned to look, clearly seeing the light in the girl's eyes—a kind of pride, and you could say vanity.
Vanity is something no girl can ever resist.
In her previous life, when Ya Ge refined the Seventh Grade Ice Heron, she didn't have the chance to enjoy such glory.
"Ya Ge, look, you look so cool."
Gao Hai seemed more excited than Ya Ge herself, grabbing her arm and yelling out loud, looking really fired up.
"Hmm."
Ya Ge replied softly, her gaze locked on the light curtain, pink pupils shining bright.
"Ambition, huh?"
Lin Feng understood the meaning hidden in that look—he understood the value of Enchanting Butterfly better than anyone.
Give it a few years: the Earth Chart-tier Enchanting Demoness, Juxing Club's packaging, and a naturally stunning appearance—the girl before him will step onto a path that draws everyone's gaze.
Though for now Ya Ge's rank wasn't high, Lin Feng knew—aside from Ye Qiu, probably no one today could compare to her.
Feeling Lin Feng's gaze, Ya Ge's eyes met his—they both responded with silence.
"Lin Feng..."
There was a hint of confusion in Ya Ge's eyes.
Lin Feng's gaze was calm from start to finish—to the point of coldness. He was neither jealous nor disappointed; as if nothing had happened at all.
Like a bystander unconcerned with the outcome.
"Ya Ge, you gotta look after us from now on!"
"Ya Ge, you're in this year's top-ten geniuses, you have to treat us some day!"
The surrounding enthusiastic classmates pulled Ya Ge's attention back; her gaze once again fixed on the light curtain.
If Ya Ge's appearance triggered the cheers, Bai Xingzhi's triggered the screams. But when Ye Qiu appeared last, fusing the Earth Chart's No. 46 Thorny Demon Dragon, the crowd abruptly fell silent.
That silhouette wrapped in thorns was stunning—no one questioned his attacking power.
Earth Chart #46!
This was the highest-level Demon Spirit ever fused on Awakening Day in Jiang City history.
After a brief solemn silence, a tidal wave of cheers erupted; 300,000 spectators and students alike raised their hands and shouted together:
"Ye Qiu."
"Ye Qiu."
"Ye Qiu."
This name was shouted by 300,000 people for a full five minutes before it gradually faded.
Today, this name rang through every street and alley of Jiang City.
Today, perhaps some didn't know the names of Jiang City's nine great guardians, but no one forgot Ye Qiu.
The final image on the light curtain was centered on Ye Qiu, with a backdrop of Demon Beast seas, and the nine Demon Spirit Masters including Ya Ge surrounding him, shrinking to star-like specks encircling the moon.
"Too amazing!"
Gao Hai muttered, eyes shining—like everyone else, he wished he could appear on the light curtain too.
"Jealous?"
Lin Feng smiled, patted Gao Hai's shoulder: "It's nothing, honestly. This is just Jiang City. One day, we'll be on Huaxia's—heck, the world's—stage."
"Brother Feng, you really dare say that?"
Even though Gao Hai really admired Lin Feng, he couldn't quite believe it, and he was also a little embarrassed.
Because he realized there were plenty nearby staring at the two of them with scorn, some even sneered outright: "Talk about nerve, a useless loser who can't fuse a Demon Spirit, another who's only fused a Second Grade Demon Spirit—and you dare say that?"
"You think you're Glory Team material? The world stage—why not shoot for Mars?"
"So embarrassing, can't believe I go to the same school. When you go out, don't tell anyone from Jiangxin Middle."
Every time he spoke, it just made others reply with anger. Lin Feng didn't care much, but it still annoyed him a bit.
"If you're not convinced, let's fight. What's the point of all this talk?"
Lin Feng said blandly.
Even now, with his Qi and Blood depleted and his Spiritual Power spent, his battle sense and Secret Skill easily made him more than a match for these high schoolers.
Even if they refined Demon Spirits—even Advanced Demon Spirits—they'd only just done so. To train them to fighting level would take a long while, even someone gifted like Ye Qiu couldn't really use them in battle for months yet.
Lin Feng's cocky attitude pissed off a lot of people; some feared his strength and didn't dare speak up, some itched to fight, but it was Awakening Day, and fighting on such a day would be stupid.
"You've got guts, punk—let's see who's laughing in the future." The other youths threw out harsh words and let it drop for now.
Ya Ge looked at Lin Feng in surprise—even she wouldn't dare say such things.
Probably only Ye Qiu could, and only he was qualified to say something like that.
About Lin Feng's confidence—or arrogance—she didn't know what to feel; she just felt a little awkward and speechless right now.
She hadn't said any of it herself, but she was Lin Feng's girlfriend!
Lin Feng offered no defense; he knew his performance was kind of idiotic, but so what—this was really his goal.
To join Glory Team, become one of them, and one day stand on the global stage for his country and himself.