Qin Shi nodded, agreeing with Senior Sister Yu’s reasoning. Despite having a Divine Residence Inner World, breaking through delusions and Prison Barriers, and possessing unparalleled determination in his soul,
he still had a long life ahead of him. There was no need to maintain the ascetic demeanor of a monk day after day. Indulging and enjoying life appropriately was also a way to relax and soothe his body and mind.
The two entered the banquet hall, and a waiter led them to seats in Area One. Many of Central City’s elites had already taken their seats.
Seeing Qin Shi’s unfamiliar face, everyone nodded and greeted him with friendly smiles, exuding a welcoming atmosphere.
"Let’s sit down first. Next, the other contestants in the Top 100 will enter one by one."
Holvren, dressed in his official uniform, stood straight and sat down next to Qin Shi.
The front stage of the entire banquet hall was filled with numerous spore-like tiny floaters. Through the light, clear images intertwined, featuring people like Xia Hong and Xia Ying, Zhou Yuanchen, and those he had met like Yan Ren and fought against like Pei Han - each one shining like a brilliant star, gathered here. The source of thɪs content is novelꞁire.net
It can be said that stars were as numerous as clouds!
Holvren turned his gaze to Qin Shi beside him and thought to himself:
"After tonight, only one Scorching Sun will rise."
"Zhou Yuanchen, how does it feel to lose to someone who has not yet stepped into the Specialized Domain?"
The attention on others after Qin Shi significantly decreased.
Zhou Yuanchen and the other contestants quickly entered. As soon as he crossed the banquet hall’s entrance, he saw a blond young man with a face full of "Arrogant, what can you do about it."
"Not everyone can be like Qi Wuxiang, who has never lost a fight in his life. Even He Lanchan has tasted defeat. What’s the big deal about one small loss."
Zhou Yuanchen frowned. The young man was his old nemesis, his arch-enemy.
After returning to Central City, he was busy with platform fundraising for the Renrentou Project and applying for funding from the Education Department.
He did not expect to be caught and mocked by his rival when he found time to attend the banquet.
"Keep talking tough! Hope you can keep it up!"
The blond youth kept a mocking smile on his face, seemingly born to absorb hatred.
"Zhang Hai, with your mere top ten ranking in Central City, do you dare to be arrogant in front of me?"
Zhou Yuanchen’s face turned cold, devoid of the courteous attitude he had shown Qin Shi. He glanced sideways, exuding the genius aura of an Education Department Supernova.
"Tsk! Letting a high school student from the Tai’an Region take the top spot in the Top 100 competition, and you’re still proud!"
Zhang Hai wiped his gleaming, golden hair, styled upwards by his hairdresser, supposedly imitating a character from an old-era comic.
"Zhou Yuanchen, let me tell you some bad news. I stepped into the Specialized Domain yesterday! I am still your strongest competitor for Central City Supernova!"
Zhou Yuanchen’s heart remained unshaken. In his eyes, Zhang Hai, whose worth was around 1.5 billion yuan and had no potential for appreciation, was not even worthy of being considered an opponent.
Zhang Hai’s steady position as the Civil Affairs Department’s Supernova was entirely due to his father, the Deputy Director of the Civil Affairs Department!
Relying on a massive influx of resources, he barely managed to keep up with Zhou Yuanchen.
He was completely riding on connections, a freeloader!
"Specialized Domain you say? Just a stray dog by the roadside."
Zhou Yuanchen could not be bothered to tangle with Zhang Hai. Tonight’s banquet gathered various elites, including big company bosses or behind-the-scenes controllers of suburban syndicate forces.
They were all prime targets!
Worthy of being pulled into the Renrentou Project!
"Haha, don’t worry, Zhou Yuanchen. I’ve matured and won’t be easily provoked by you. Instead of defeating you, I’d rather surpass the Top 100 competition champion who defeated you.
That will completely crush you!"
Zhang Hai was delighted; his annoying face seemed to be filled with arrogance.
"I advise you to avoid his sharpness. Someone like Qin Shi, who sets the standard for geniuses, is not comparable to a self-entitled, hypocritical spoilt brat like you."
Zhou Yuanchen strode forward, ignoring Zhang Hai as if he were air.
The latter had fought him a dozen times or so and had never won.
Each time, he swore bold words before the game, made grand statements on social media.
During the game, he stayed silent, and after the game, he lost his senses, talking nonsense about "forgetting yesterday when the sun rises."
"I, at the Specialized Level, need to avoid him? You’ve been defeated and had your barrier broken because you’re not strong enough!"
Zhang Hai laughed and strode towards the banquet hall.
"My current strength is beyond your imagination!"
Just as Holvren said, the most laid-back, most Buddhism-practicing Governor in the history of Heng Province did not appear, having the Tai Monarch speak in his place.
This active consciousness entity, like a real life, was formed from firefly-like floating spores, resembling a middle-aged man with a high crown and a long robe.
His face was serious and meticulous, and his tone was steady and solemn.
"Today, we gather here together to witness a highlight moment in the growth of Heng Province’s new stars. First, on behalf of the Governor’s Mansion and Central City at all levels, I warmly congratulate the students who achieved excellent rankings in the Top 100 competition..."
"Currently, Heng Province’s new stars are making all-out efforts to promote education, continuously increasing investment in education, and optimizing the innovation environment, building a stage for every student to pursue their dreams..."
"I have three expectations for the students here: First, be strivers with Dongxia in your heart, integrating personal ideals into the revival of the Great Expedition and Great Development;
Second, be pioneers who dare to take the lead, brave the heights in Martial Arts, and explore boldly on the path of progress;
Third, be practitioners who unite knowledge and action..."
Sitting in the front row, Qin Shi felt sleepy. As expected, no matter where you go, the leaders’ speeches are always so dull and tedious.
His thoughts wandered, digging for ore in his Inner Realm, until the thunderous sound of applause woke him up.
Qin Shi used his eyes to ask Senior Sister Yu Weiwei.
There was no "I have a few more words" classic segment!
"Lord Governor didn’t attend, indicating the speech was a formality, not the main event."
Yu Weiwei smiled and said:
"Keeping it simple and quick is normal."
Qin Shi breathed a sigh of relief. Such cumbersome and boring procedures indeed did not excite him.
Fortunately, he did not have to accompany the leaders later to toast each of them.
Otherwise, just the thought would give him a headache.
As Tai Monarch’s form dispersed, the banquet hall resumed its soft brightness, and people began to rise, toasting each other.
Qin Shi, as the focus of the entire event and the main guest of the banquet, naturally attracted all attention like the eye of a storm.
However, no one immediately approached him. Everyone was waiting silently since this successor of the Nanhuang Daoist School was known for being difficult to approach.
Rumored to have a strong killing nature, he was responsible for most of the fatalities in the Top 100 competition.
Soon, the seemingly lively atmosphere of the venue changed.
Like a turbulent undercurrent surfacing, representatives of Central City and other cities participating in the Top 100 competition gradually moved closer to Qin Shi.
The sibling duo Xia Hong and Xia Ying, who were closest, seemed to sense the danger and suddenly stood up.
Xia Ying widened her eyes and looked around, apparently searching for a handy bottle.
Xia Hong clenched her fists, cracking her knuckles, ready to start a fight without a word.
Standing at the long table, Yan Ren put down a plate piled high with various foods, grabbed a knife and fork for cutting meat, and also moved toward Qin Shi.
Holvren, always sharp, was a bit stunned. Wasn’t this supposed to be an upper-class networking banquet?
How did it suddenly turn into a schoolyard brawl?
In a private room on the second floor, Ying Huang leaned forward, watching the scene with great interest.
The pressure from all directions was like a tide. Those who were selected to participate in the Top 100 competition – talented youths from all over – their dense life force converged, resembling pieces of splendid light, rushing toward Qin Shi.
Huge waves crashing ashore, coming in force!
Qin Shi stood his ground, one hand in his pocket, looking relaxed, as if he had no opponent at all.
"Stars like clouds, surrounding me – not a bad feeling."