C2 Facing

As dusk settled in, Lin Feng and his close friends Chiang Yu and Liu Fei shared laughs as they left the classroom and headed home after school. They were oblivious to the distance their classmates kept from them, a distance born of fear, for Gu Chen's icy stare followed Lin Feng's every move from behind.

Lin Feng's words in the classroom had been full of vigor, but Gu Chen was not a man to be taken lightly. No one dared cross him.

"Find a chance within the next three days to take him out. I can't wait for the Warzone Exam," Gu Chen commanded with an icy glare, addressing Zhang Zhao and Zhang Jun, the brothers at his side.

The brothers exchanged uneasy glances. "Mr. Gu..."

In the city, murder was a serious crime. If the law enforcement team caught them, it would mean either death or being sent to the Warzone to battle monsters. Fear gnawed at Zhang Jun and Zhang Zhao.

"Scared?" Gu Chen taunted with a sneer. "Fine, don't do it. But then, don't bother following me anymore."

Their expressions shifted once more. For three years, they had been the subject of scorn, labeled as lackeys by their peers. But they didn't care. Being in Gu Chen's shadow had its perks. The son of the Otherworld often dropped enough crumbs to keep them well-fed and satisfied. Without Gu Chen, they would never have achieved the status of Eighth Level Trainee Warriors.

And there was more at stake. In just over two years, Apus Calesius would fully integrate with the Taiyi world. Chaos would reign, and ordinary people could be slaughtered as easily as pulling weeds. By Gu Chen's side, they had a security that others lacked.

So, they were content to be Gu Chen's dogs. But the thought of crossing him sent a shiver down their spines.

Gu Chen watched their faces, a smirk playing on his lips. He relished the control he had over them, the way he toyed with their emotions. It made him feel untouchable, godlike.

"If you're in," he offered, "each of you will receive a set of B1 Level equipment and two Blood Essence Pills."

On one hand was the threat of force, on the other, the promise of reward.

Zhang Zhao and Zhang Jun's expressions shifted once more as they wrestled with their decision.

Quickly, they reached a conclusion.

"Mr. Gu, we're in!"

"Excellent!"

Gu Chen commended, his gaze filled with approval as he regarded Zhang Zhao and Zhang Jun like a master appraising his loyal hounds.

The brothers hastily offered ingratiating smiles.

...

Exiting the school grounds.

Zhang Zhao and Zhang Jun blended into the crowd, their gazes fixed icily on Lin Feng's retreating figure.

Suddenly, a black shadow flickered through the air, hurtling toward the mass of students dispersing from school.

The atmosphere was pierced by sonic booms.

"A Shadow Cat?!" Zhang Zhao and Zhang Jun's eyes bulged in disbelief.

The dark silhouette was the size of a young calf, yet this was no creature of Apus Calesius, but one from the realm of Taiyi.

This Shadow Cat, a C1 Level monster, possessed the might of a First Level Warrior and was notoriously savage and bloodthirsty.

Gasps of alarm rippled through the crowd.

The average high schooler, aged sixteen or seventeen, had the strength of a mere Third Level Trainee Warrior, no match for the Shadow Cat.

But then, a glint of triumph flashed in Zhang Zhao and Zhang Jun's eyes as they exchanged a look.

"Mr. Gu, the Shadow Cat is heading straight for Lin Feng!"

Gu Chen's eyes sparkled with anticipation, a smile spreading across his face. "Good, very good…"

Yet his smile froze in an instant.

He witnessed.

Lin Feng, amidst the crowd, drew his battle blade with lightning speed, the blade emitting a crimson glow.

Puff!

The Shadow Cat, mid-leap, emitted a piercing scream as it was bisected at the waist!

The sound of blood and entrails splattering the ground was gruesome.

Stunned silence.

Gu Chen stood rooted in shock.

"This…" His expression darkened.

He was forced to recall Lin Feng's earlier words.

He had dismissed them at the time, but now, the reality was a harsh slap in the face.

A Third Level Trainee Warrior slaying a C1 Level Shadow Cat?

Impossible!

Yet, the blood-red Vital Energy coating Lin Feng's blade spoke volumes—it was the hallmark of a warrior who had mastered the integration of Vital Energy into his being.

Moreover, Lin Feng's single-stroke defeat of the Shadow Cat proved he was a formidable First Level Warrior. Clearly, he was no novice.

"I recall Lin Feng was merely a Third Level Trainee Warrior during the exam a month ago, wasn't he?" Gu Chen's face darkened as he turned to Zhang Zhao and Zhang Jun.

A month to leap from Third Level to First Level Trainee Warrior?

Impossible!

Not even as a son of the Otherworld could his cultivation progress so rapidly.

Zhang Zhao and Zhang Jun exchanged glances, their eyes a mix of shock, anger, and relief.

It was a stroke of luck they hadn't attempted to kill Lin Feng. Would they not have been signing their own death warrants?

Being mere Eighth Level Trainee Warriors, they stood no chance against him.

In response to Gu Chen's probing, Zhang Zhao spat out angrily, "The scoundrel's been concealing his true power!"

Zhang Jun chimed in, "Lin Feng's cunning runs deep!"

Neither brother believed Lin Feng could have advanced so much in just one month; he must have been hiding his abilities.

Upon hearing this, a hint of satisfaction crossed Gu Chen's face.

Should Lin Feng's cultivation have truly soared at such a rate, he would overshadow him, a son of the Otherworld.

His pride wouldn't allow such a scenario.

Zhang Zhao and Zhang Jun exchanged a wary look, "Mr. Gu, should we still pursue Lin Feng?"

Gu Chen's icy gaze sent a shiver down their spines, prompting them to bow their heads, silently praying for their lives.

"There's no need. I'll handle Lin Feng myself," Gu Chen declared, his eyes gleaming with resolve.

What many didn't realize was that as sons of the Otherworld, they bore a mission—to eliminate the native prodigies of Apus Calesius.

The motive was clear.

Once Blue Star fully integrated into the Taiyi realm, the Heavenly Great Way of Taiyi would bestow blessings upon the Human Race of Blue Star.

At that time, the younger and more powerful the cultivator, with a stronger bloodline, the greater the rewards.

Naturally, the sons of the Otherworld had no desire to witness the rise of Apus Calesius' natives.

Therefore...

Kill!

In the Warzone, whenever an Otherworlder encounters a Blue Star prodigy, they won't hesitate to strike them down.

"Three days from now will be your end. Cherish these final moments of your life!" Gu Chen's voice was icy as he glared at Lin Feng's retreating figure.

In the midst of the crowd, Lin Feng seemed to sense the hostility and glanced back.

With murderous intent in his eyes, Gu Chen made a throat-slashing motion with his hand.

Lin Feng just smiled and responded with a defiant middle finger.