Chapter 41: The Test is Over, But the Slander Isn't
Chen Chen's pupils constricted. His throat felt blocked, choking back his scream.
The lightning light covered him like a silver net, the burnt smell invading his nostrils.
Chen Yu is going to kill me!!
The hairs on Chen Chen's body stood up like needles. The fear of being dominated by Divine Departure surged again.
His legs felt like all strength had been drained from them. Thud. He collapsed stiffly onto the ground.
Zzzzt——
Endless thunder exploded in his ears.
Before he could crawl up, the Iron-Backed Wolf slammed heavily into the protective railing at the edge of the viewing platform.
The alloy railing let out a screeching sound as it twisted. Flying debris grazed Chen Chen's cheek.
He trembled in terror, hands clawing at the ground trying to retreat.
Even more humiliating was the familiar warm sensation returning.
A dark stain spread across his light-colored trousers.
Fortunately, everyone's eyes were on Chen Yu, so no one noticed his embarrassing state.
The entire arena had fallen into dead silence.
The people who were clamoring earlier now had their mouths open wide enough to fit a fist.
The mockery and gloating on their faces had turned into stunned disbelief.
__________
In the arena.
Chen Yu had already retracted the wooden stick. Although he didn't use Advanced Conqueror's Coating or Ryou (Advanced Armament), preventing him from performing Kaido's true signature move, Thunder Bagua.
However, simply usi beng strength and lightning, he could still unleash a formidable "Thunder Ga-Ba."
There was also "Wind Ga-Ba," "Fire Ga-Ba," and other moves fused with his own elements.
These moves didn't consume much energy and could be used as regular attacks.
Combined with the Six Styles (Rokushiki) and sword skills, Chen Yu at Beginner (Peak) had no fear of those Awakening natural elements at the Trainee (Low) level.
Chen Yu looked teasingly at Chen Chen, who was curled up in a ball on the platform.
He made a specific insulting hand gesture from a certain peninsula nation, his tone playful. "Tsk tsk tsk, what a pity. Just a little bit off."
Chen Chen froze, feeling as if he had been slapped hard across the face.
His face went from red to white, then white to green. His hands clenched into fists so tight his nails dug into his flesh, his eyes full of unwillingness and panic.
He never expected that even a Second Order Iron-Backed Wolf wasn't Chen Yu's match!
The "composure" on Feng Kai's face had long vanished. He stumbled back a step, face pale, eyes shifting.
The previous malice and calculation were replaced by panic.
He stared at Chen Yu in the arena, one thought in his mind: How is this possible? How can he control the lightning element?!
This is called an F-Rank talent?! Which bastard graded him?!
At this moment.
Someone in the crowd whispered, "Just now... who said Chen Yu cheated?"
"He just used lightning, right?! Which bastard said he was F-Rank?"
"Sent a Second Order Iron-Backed Wolf flying with one stick... so he really wasn't trying when he beat the Lord of the Coast."
"I realized it! I realized it! That kid Chen Yu is electric! No wonder Goddess Ling said he was uniquely gifted!"
"Enough! Shut up! Don't bring that up again, it hurts my heart."
Discussion gradually rose, the wind changing direction completely.
Those who mocked Chen Yu earlier either lowered their heads, afraid to speak, or quickly tried to backtrack, looking embarrassed.
As for Chen Chen?
He went to change his pants
.
Chen Yu dusted off his clothes and looked up at Feng Kai, speaking with a faint smile.
"Secretary Feng, does this count as passing?"
Feng Kai snapped back to reality, forcing a smile uglier than crying, his voice trembling.
"P-Passed!"
"Student Chen Yu has outstanding strength, truly well-deserved!" He didn't want to say another word and turned to leave.
"Secretary Feng, wait!"
Chen Yu loudly called out to stop Feng Kai.
Feng Kai froze and looked back in confusion.
Everyone else turned to look at Chen Yu, puzzled.
Chen Yu actually dares to stop Secretary Feng? What is he doing?
Feng Kai took a deep breath, turned around slowly, and kept a forced smile.
"Student... Chen Yu, is there something else?"
Chen Yu slowly walked to the edge of the viewing platform, his gaze sharp as a knife. "Secretary Feng, I passed the additional test."
"But the matter of accusing me of cheating isn't over."
He paused, raising his voice so everyone present could hear clearly.
" earlier, you forced an additional test on the grounds of suspected cheating. Your words targeted me at every turn, implying my abilities were illegitimate. Now, shouldn't you give me an explanation?"
"You!" Feng Kai's expression changed drastically. He avoided eye contact with Chen Yu. "I was just following the rules. Where is this 'targeting' coming from?"
"Student Chen Yu, don't push your luck!"
"Rules?" Chen Yu scoffed, stepping closer. He didn't activate Conqueror's Haki, yet his powerful aura made Feng Kai's breath hitch.
"Are the rules there for you to label people indiscriminately? or for you to deny someone's strength based on subjective assumptions?"
He pointed at the lifeless Iron-Backed Wolf in the arena. "My strength is right here. Regarding your earlier doubts, shouldn't you apologize?"
The surroundings exploded instantly. People gasped.
"He wants Secretary Feng to apologize? The Secretary of the Alliance's Eastern Awakener Association?"
"Doesn't he know the Awakener Association controls almost all resources?"
"He's offended the Association completely. His future promotions will be troublesome."
"Gets a little strength and thinks he's sky-high. You need political backing to survive out here!"
Feng Kai's mind raced, but he maintained his 'public servant' tone. "I am responsible for supervising this assessment. Maintaining fairness is my duty."
"I have no need to apologize to a student! Don't be unreasonable!"
Saying that, he tried to turn and leave, but heard Chen Yu speak again.
"Unreasonable? Ling Yue, help me contact Uncle Ling. Ask him to come and inspect my simulation pod."
Chen Yu's faint voice drifted into Feng Kai's ears. "I also suspect that Secretary Feng manipulated the machine for his own selfish desires..."
Feng Kai froze.
Ling Yue. Her father is Ling Wenhe, Chief Professor of Zero Heavy Industries. Any tampering Feng Kai did to the pod wouldn't escape his eyes.
And her mother, Ling Xiao... she was even more significant.
She could execute him on the spot.
With Chen Yu's relationship with the Ling family, summoning Ling Wenhe wouldn't be hard...
Gulp.
Feng Kai swallowed, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
He knew that if this blew up, it would expose Zhang Li's plan.
(To be Continued)