When the bell rang, it meant the elimination round was over. Out of over ninety million people, only ten thousand made it to the finals—almost every one in ten thousand.
The bell rang, and some cheered, but most remained silent, because so many had been eliminated that they really couldn't feel happy.
Everyone has their own dreams. Before coming, everyone dreamed of achieving good results and bringing honor to the sect and family. But reality is harsh—honor belongs to only a very few.
Some people even couldn't accept failure and cried loudly on the ground. Maybe they were just a little short of being shortlisted, but in the end, they still failed.
"How embarrassing!" Bai Xiaole looked at the man crying loudly and couldn't help but mutter.
Long Chen shook his head and sighed, "We have no right to laugh at someone who works so hard. Reality is harsh. Everyone has moments when things don't go their way. Crying is just an instinctive way to vent; it doesn't mean he'll give up...
As Long Chen spoke, the man who had been sobbing loudly stood up and left amid countless mocking gazes.
After being hurt, pained, and crying, you must wipe away your tears and keep moving forward. A true man must shoulder his own burdens, not complain about fate's unfairness, and not criticize others' indifference.
Even after being hurt by this world ninety-nine times, by the hundredth time, he still dared to reach out and embrace it, firmly believing it was beautiful and still loving it. A man like this is a true warrior. Long Chen watched the departing figure, as if seeing his own humiliation on the Tianwu Continent.
At that time, he also suffered pain, cried, and cried alone, weeping alone in a dark corner, growing up amid endless humiliation and ridicule. Back then, he couldn't see the light, but he still believed the world was full of sunshine.
The darkness before him was because someone blocked the sunlight. As long as he defeated the enemy and parted the clouds, he would feel its warmth—provided he had to work hard himself.
Long Chen's words moved Bai Shishi and the others. His words were full of wisdom and gave them a whole new perspective to view the world.
The women looked at Long Chen, noticing his deep gaze and gazing into the distance. His face was calm, like a wise man, appearing so extraordinary and otherworldly. Dressed in a tattered black robe, his noble aura could not be concealed.
At this moment, Long Chen was completely different from before, his anger surging like a demon king descending to earth. It was as if Long Chen were the contradiction between good and evil. This visual impact stirred their hearts, an indescribable feeling—both dangerous and novel, making them want to explore further.
After spending so much time with Long Chen, he was never afraid of the strong or bullied the weak. Sometimes he was humble and polite, sometimes arrogant and domineering. When humble, he was like a humble scholar; when arrogant, like a thug, making it hard to tell who the real him was.
"Wow, truly worthy of being the champion of the Dao Debate Conference. His words are so long." Lu Mingxuan clapped her hands in admiration, her pretty face full of admiration.
"It's depth," Bai Shishi couldn't help but correct.
"He's a man—where does he get any depth?" Lu Mingxuan said dismissively.
Bai Shishi was stunned, then suddenly her pretty face flushed red, both embarrassed and annoyed. She knew that talking to this filthy cousin would definitely get her into a ditch, and she was so angry she wanted to hit her.
Long Chen was speechless. As expected, this guy had a trap in his words—one careless moment and he'd fall right in. He had almost corrected himself earlier, but in the end, he held back, and Bai Shishi fell in.
But Bai Shishi's expression was both embarrassed and annoyed, yet there was another kind of beauty—like a crabapple after the rain, mature yet tinged with a hazy shyness. This beautiful girl was always so beautiful, no matter the time.
Bai Shishi reached out to grab Lu Mingxuan, but Lu Mingxuan laughed and ran behind Long Chen, sticking out his tongue at Bai Shishi. Bai Shishi immediately stopped chasing.
After the playful banter, everyone was in a great mood. Although making the shortlist was only the first step to success, it was still worth celebrating—after all, this was a one-in-a-million battle.
The elimination round ended, and everyone was teleported out. Once they exited the portal, they squeezed out from the crowd and returned to their residences.
Along the way, many powerful figures cast murderous glances at them, and some even deliberately made insulting gestures, enraging everyone.
Long Chen couldn't be bothered to waste words with them today. He shook his head and said, "Some people want to die, and you can't stop them. If you get the chance, just send them on their way." "
"Third Master, I have quite a bit of information here. I'm sending you a copy of the finalists' information. Thank you for bringing honor to my young people at the Dao Debate Conference and for helping us secure a fair opportunity." A man suddenly ran over, speaking excitedly.
He held several jade slips in his hands, and as he spoke, handed them to Long Chen. Bai Shishi and the others were stunned—he didn't sell them for money, but gave them directly to Long Chen.
You have to know, tomorrow is the Martial Arts Tournament, the day to break into the top 500. Any information about the finalists can basically sell at a good price.
The man looked at Long Chen with a face full of reverence. Long Chen did not take the jade slip, but instead patted him on the shoulder and said:
"Brother, thanks, but I don't need these things. A true strong person needs absolute confidence in themselves. A real showdown relies on force. If you rely on strategy, you've already gone astray."
The man was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "Third Master, you are a hero of your time, a peerless prodigy. You have no interest in collecting information about your opponents. You are a true hero." "
Long Chen smiled faintly. He disdained being a hero, but asking him to collect information on enemies—he really couldn't do that.
After all, this wasn't a marching battle; it required calculating both sides' strengths to devise tactics. In one-on-one situations, he feared no one.
Although he hadn't accepted the person's information, Long Chen was still very grateful to him. He casually handed him a pill, and the man was instantly overjoyed, thanked Long Chen profusely, and left.
Long Chen and the others returned to their residence, began to focus and calm their minds, resting peacefully. The disciples of the War God Hall started protecting them, since the great battle would begin tomorrow, so everyone had to keep their bodies at their peak.
Especially Luo Ning, who was injured and only had one night to recover. However, with Long Chen's pills, she fully recovered in an hour. After that, she recuperated and recharged.
Long Chen returned to his room to continue studying the World-Destroying Lightning. However, since this was Silvermoon City, he dared not unleash the power of thunder, so he could only mentally process the steps and deduce the spell.
While Long Chen was studying, someone suddenly knocked on the door: "Senior Brother Long Chen, someone outside requests an audience, claiming to be an old acquaintance of your Tianwu." "
Hearing the man's words, Long Chen's heart raced wildly. He immediately rushed outside, where a burly man carrying a long knife slung over his back. When he saw Long Chen, tears immediately streamed down his face:
"Boss, it really is you."