"Look, look! That’s Jiang Huoer!"
On the tree-lined path, students passing by all fixed their eyes on him. He seemed ordinary, yet his power was unfathomably deep.
He’d given them too many surprises. Yesterday, he’d even defeated Zhao Meng, the top student of Second Year Fire A Class.
Zhao Meng’s strength didn’t match the Four Kings, but he was still among the highest-ranked at GCD Divine Mechanism Academy.
That’s why so many gazes, so much Mass Attention, now focused on Huor. For the first time in his life—since birth—the meaning was obvious.
His fame now rivaled the Four Kings’ ranking. If that didn’t speak volumes, nothing else needed explaining.
"Sigh…"
Huor let out a long sigh. He really wasn’t used to this.
Before, walking this path, hardly anyone glanced his way.
But now, it was different. Everyone within his sight clearly stared at him.
This feeling of Mass Attention truly wasn’t pleasant.
Yet it depended on the person. He disliked it, but others might enjoy it.
After all, whether good or bad, beauty was in the eye of the beholder. What felt unpleasant to one could be delightful to another.
It wasn’t about excessive attention; it was all mindset. How could he question what his mindset dictated?
"Cough! Cough! Cough!"
Behind him, an intentional cough sounded. Huor recognized it instantly. Whose voice could it be but Pang Dun’s? Only he’d greet him like this—a slightly childish way.
"So, after yesterday’s battle, you’ve become super popular, huh?" Pang Dun smiled. It wasn’t malicious; if you listened closely, you could tell a kind laugh from a mean one.
"Don’t tease me here," Huor shrugged. "This is already more than I can handle."
"You should get used to it. Once you do, it’ll be fine. Don’t you think?"
"Not at all. Why don’t you enjoy this feeling for me instead?" Of course, it was a joke. No one would want this right now. Right? Of course.
Fame invites trouble, like the old saying goes. Whether past or present, it held true. His current situation proved it—confirmed his lingering thoughts.
"Have you figured out how to handle Shu Xingfeng?" Pang Dun asked.
There was no "good" or "bad" way to think about this; it was all personal perspective. Limits shifted over time. The past hadn’t changed, the present hadn’t changed—only their hearts did. What might exist or not in their hearts now became possible or impossible. That gave meaning to their actions. Yet what would these actions become in the end? Probably something unknown. Didn’t this happen often?
"What can I do? I didn’t even expect to beat Zhao Meng yesterday. Now, other things? Forget it."
"You freak, stop talking. Advancing one rank per month is unprecedented. You’re probably already in the school’s history books."
"Already in the history books? That exaggerated?"
"You’re making me want to spit blood. Is it really that exaggerated? Do you think anyone can do that?" Pang Dun laughed. "Anyway, I’m really looking forward to your duel with Shu Xingfeng today. Do your best; don’t let Class D down."
Just being chosen to challenge a Four King from Class A was a huge honor for Class D. Today’s battle would only bring more glory to their class. That was the reason for it.
Of course, Pang Dun didn’t think Huor would definitely lose. Like his sudden thought yesterday, maybe Huor would win. Nothing was set in stone. Saying it for sure would only lead to eating your words later.
"Vice-class rep, do you know the saying ‘The higher the expectation, the greater the disappointment’?" Huor added immediately.
"I know, of course I know. But right now, everyone believes you have no chance. Even a tiny bit of good performance will be blown out of proportion. That’s what Class D wants to see. Go for it, my Huor!"
"..."
Huor didn’t know what to say. Pang Dun’s words made him feel a bit sick.
"What are you two whispering about?"
Zhu XiuRong’s voice sounded. Huor and Pang Dun turned simultaneously. They saw the girl with a flower-like smile.
Zhu XiuRong was like a goddess at GCD Divine Mechanism Academy. With Xie Tianai gone from the Four Kings, she was considered one of them.
"Looks like everyone’s excited today, arriving so early."
Her words made Huor realize it. Indeed, compared to usual, far too many people crowded the path at this hour. Normally, only a few scattered students walked this long avenue. Today, most of it was packed.
"Really! Everyone’s hyped up because of our Huor~" Pang Dun chimed in.
"Vice-class rep, please stop calling me that—" Cold sweat beaded on Huor’s forehead. He’d never experienced this before; it was his first time.
"Look!!! It’s Jiang Huoer! The one challenged by one of the Four Kings!"
At the path’s end, near the school gate, cameras and microphones crowded the area. Where they existed, naturally, reporters held them.
Today was a massive event that could shake the War God Mark Cultivation Realm. Yesterday counted too—a Second Stage Initial fighter defeating someone nearly in the Third Stage. But today was far more explosive. Who was it? One of the Four Kings.
