C7 You Said You Were Going to be a Salted Fish, but You Actually Took Off!

Zhuo Yunhang, Bai Le's best friend, didn't last three minutes before meeting his end in the secret realm. His head splitting with pain, the proctor escorted him to the medical room for a much-needed rest.

"Ugh, how embarrassing... I couldn't even take down a vicious beast."

Disheartened, Zhuo Yunhang trudged out of the exam hall, head hanging low. He wasn't alone; many other candidates shuffled out, faces etched with defeat, clearly knocked out of the running early on.

Reaching the hall's exit, he encountered a throng of people waiting. Principal Du stood at the forefront, respectfully craning his neck for a glimpse inside.

What on earth is going on? Such a grand reception...

"They can't possibly be here for me, can they?" Zhuo Yunhang mused with a hint of mischief.

"Here they come!"

"Senior, you rock!"

"Ah, so cool, I want to marry you, Senior!"

Cheering erupted from the crowd, loud enough to prompt invigilators and teachers to call for silence. The college entrance exam wasn't over yet!

Principal Xue, Teacher Hou Chunhua, and several other educators watched with tears brimming in their eyes.

"What the..." Zhuo Yunhang was taken aback by the unexpected adulation.

Had his fearless spirit in the secret realm's simplest difficulty truly touched everyone's hearts? But a closer look revealed they weren't gazing at him...

Zhuo Yunhang turned to see the familiar figure of Bai Le behind him.

"Bai, why are you just getting out now? Did you take a break?" he asked, puzzled.

"Yunhang, I've awakened my combat talent and conquered the secret realm!" Bai Le excitedly shared the news with his best friend, unsure of how to explain the Intent Blade, so he framed it as a newfound talent.

What the... Weren't we supposed to be slackers together? And you've just secretly soared?

"Nice one! You've really outdone yourself! Passing the simple level of the secret realm, you're likely to rank in the city's top 100!" Zhuo Yunhang playfully punched Bai Le in the chest, a mix of envy and pride for his friend.

"Well... I didn't clear the simple level. It was the abyss level," Bai Le clarified, scratching his head.

Abyss level?!

Zhuo Yunhang's head spun more fiercely than when he'd perished in the realm, nearly causing him to stumble.

I've been in the presence of a legend!

Bai Le led him away from the exam hall, planning to explain everything once they were home. But as they crossed the threshold...

"Hello, Bai Le, I am..."

The sound of thunderous applause filled the air, and reporters aimed their cameras at him.

"Excuse me, reporter, our student needs to rest and won't be taking interviews," Du Mei intervened, blocking Lan Yuran, the eager journalist.

Bai Le was the school's treasure; they couldn't let just anyone interview him.

"Principal Du, I'm from the Lanteglos Television Station, and I mean no harm! Our coverage is fair and transparent, and Bai Le's story will bring fame to Huthwaite High School!" Lan Yuran pleaded.

To be denied an interview with the illustrious Bai Le was more agonizing for her than anything else.

"No, that won't be possible," Du Mei insisted, cutting the conversation short.

Overwhelmed with excitement, she reached out and grasped Bai Le's hand.

"Bai Le, you've brought honor to our school, to Huthwaite, and to your parents!"

"Everyone is proud of you!"

She could proudly declare that a student from her school had made history!

A 13-minute and 21-second sprint through the abyss-level secret realm;

Awakening his talent mid-battle and slaying a vicious beast with a single strike;

Even before awakening, he managed to defeat ten beast soldiers.

These were unprecedented feats in the martial examination!

Who could possibly deny it?

"Principal Du, do you know my parents?"

Bai Le was curious when Du Mei mentioned his parents.

By the time he had arrived in this world, his parents were no longer alive.

He didn't even know how they had died.

There wasn't a single photo of them in his home.

"Cough, cough, I didn't know them. I just think they would certainly be proud of you."

"Bai Le, I've arranged for a car to take you home to rest."

"Teacher Hou and I will come by to check on you later."

Du Mei deftly steered the conversation elsewhere.

"Okay, thank you, Principal, and thank you for the school's nurturing."

Bai Le held Du Mei in high regard.

Whenever he encountered her at school, she had always shown him warmth and concern.

She never looked down on him like some others did.

That alone earned Bai Le's respect.

"Bai Le, I'm a reporter from Lanteglos Station, and I'd like to interview you!"

"Please give me the opportunity!"

Lan Yuran was persistent.

Even blocked by a group of towering teachers, she continued to call out to Bai Le.

"Principal Du, I'm open to the interview. There's no issue."

Bai Le paused upon hearing her call.

Refusing now would only lead to more reporters in the future.

Better to face them head-on.

"Alright, but keep it concise. Just hit the key points."

With Bai Le on board, Du Mei chose not to intervene.

Lan Yuran and the cameraman hurried over.

"Huff... Huff..."

"Thank you, Bai Le."

Lan Yuran greeted him with a smile.

"First question, what's the name of the 'talent' you awakened during the fight?"

"To our knowledge, no one has summoned a blade like this in over 40 years."

She cut straight to the chase, foregoing any pleasantries.

"I'm not sure. It probably doesn't have a name yet."

Bai Le's response was straightforward.

"Could you name this new 'talent'?"

Lan Yuran asked with a smile.

"A name?"

Bai Le pondered briefly.

Just call it Intent Blade?

That seemed a bit lackluster.

"How about 'Countdown'?"

He chose the name to commemorate the countdown of the past three years.

"Countdown? Alright... And the move you used to draw your sword, does it have a name?"

Lan Yuran asked, intrigued.

She found this high school student quite fascinating.

Who else would choose such a unique name as 'Countdown'?

"Soul Devouring Slash."

Bai Le was economical with his words.

"That's a great name!"

"One last question, how are you feeling right now?"

After jotting down the name, Lan Yuran inquired further.

"Very good."

Bai Le had never felt more invigorated.