“I announce that Lin Qianye is the top performer of this training session and will receive a bonus of one hundred thousand dollars.”
Su Mo immediately revealed the expression of a money lover.
“One more thing. We currently have one slot for the Heavenly Pride Camp. Based on everyone’s performance during this training session, it will be awarded to Lin Qianye.”
As soon as Nie Yun finished the announcement, some below voiced their discontent, trying to argue with her: “Why wasn’t this slot mentioned earlier? If I had known, I would have pushed myself even harder. I’m sure I could have gotten it. Now, it’s too late, and I’ve missed my chance.”
“Yeah, exactly. It wasn’t pre-determined, was it?”
Everyone turned their eyes to the two, thinking they were incredibly bold to say such things so casually.
Nie Yun glared at them. “During the training, you two were the least dedicated. Now you’re the quickest to shift blame after the fact.”
Naturally, the outcome couldn’t be changed by their few words. Su Mo was taken to collect the relevant materials and his bonus.
That very afternoon, he boarded a flight to Haicheng, then transferred to a special flight bound for Starfall Island.
This most mysterious flight would take him to the place with the highest concentration of human superhumans—Starfall Island.
It was a mysterious island located deep in the Pacific Ocean. It didn’t appear on world maps, and ordinary people couldn’t find any information about it. It was one of the most enigmatic places on Earth.
This was Su Mo’s first time abroad and his first time seeing the ocean with his own eyes. As the plane gradually descended and the scenery outside the window came into view, he couldn’t contain his excitement.
Numerous skyscrapers pierced the clouds, and there was incredibly futuristic 3D holographic technology. The image of a beautiful news anchor appeared in the city center, standing a hundred meters tall. She was broadcasting a message:
“Since its establishment, the Heavenly Pride Camp has already produced a large number of young geniuses. The match between Su Mo, the genius from Xia Kingdom, and Nishimura Nozaru, the genius from the Island Nation, will begin in half an hour. The outcome is still unknown. You are welcome to watch the battle at the Martial Arena.”
Su Mo’s eyes lit up.
Although he hadn’t been in contact with anyone he knew since the training began, he had learned about the Heavenly Pride Camp from Ye Qingyi before all this.
He remembered Ye Qingyi saying that the Heavenly Pride Camp was very open. It didn’t restrict what trainees could do; even laziness went unpunished. However, there were regular assessments.
The assessments used a ranking system. The distribution of resources and training opportunities were all tied to one’s ranking.
Simply put, if you wanted to obtain more resources here, you had to push yourself hard, even harder than others, because that was the only way to stand out among the crowd of geniuses.
The duel just announced was one way to improve one’s ranking.
Su Mo wanted to go watch, but he had just arrived and still needed to complete various procedures; otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to get far.
The guide was a handsome young man. His eyes lit up when he saw Su Mo’s quite pretty appearance. “Welcome to Starfall Island, the holy land for superhumans worldwide. Please present your identification and letter of recommendation.”
Su Mo took out the relevant documents and handed them over, simultaneously sizing up the guide.
He was of Asian descent, but likely from Southeast Asia.
“Lin Qianye, from Xia Kingdom. There are quite a few geniuses from Xia Kingdom in the Heavenly Pride Camp. I didn’t expect another one,” the guide said with a smile.
“Mm,” Su Mo responded softly and said no more.
Fortunately, the guide was very sociable. On the way to the Heavenly Pride Camp, he continuously explained various precautions and rules, even more detailed than what Ye Qingyi had told him before.
Suddenly, Su Mo thought of something and asked, “Can I go to the Martial Arena to watch the match now?”
They both stopped walking. The guide slapped his forehead. “Look at me, how could I forget today is the duel between Su Mo and Nishimura Nozaru?”
As he spoke, he took out two tickets and handed one to Su Mo. “Normally, it’s not allowed; you need to book in advance. But luckily, I have two tickets. We can go together.”
Su Mo thought about it. Since he had no other options, he accepted one. “Thank you!”
The guide half-joked, “Next time, it’s your treat.”
Su Mo didn’t agree directly. Instead, he glanced at the ticket and asked, “How do you book these?”
The guide patiently explained, “Members of the Heavenly Pride Camp can go for free, provided you can snag a ticket.”
“Thank you. Next time, I’ll book one for you too.”
He only mentioned booking a ticket, not agreeing to go with him.
The guide, Siward, hadn’t spelled it out either, because each person could only book one ticket for their own use. He had obtained two through special means.
His goal was simple: to make Su Mo ask him for help, or be unable to find a solution for a while, thus owing him a favor.
“Sounds good, we’ll go together then.” He smiled, then suddenly remembered something. “Oh, you don’t know my name yet. I’m Siward.”
“Hello, Siward.” Su Mo was maintaining a somewhat introverted persona, so he kept his words brief.
Just then, the giant woman’s voice sounded again: “The duelists have begun preparing. Please proceed to the arena as soon as possible if you have reserved tickets.”
Siward looked towards the Martial Arena, a flicker of excitement in his eyes. “Let’s go, Qianye.”
Su Mo followed him towards the Martial Arena but deliberately maintained a distance the whole way, which made Siward somewhat awkward.
He thought his charm was boundless, but this girl clearly wanted nothing to do with him.
Upon arriving at the Martial Arena, Su Mo was immediately stunned by the scene before him. The audience stands, capable of holding over a thousand people, were completely full.
No, two seats were empty.
Because the seats were fixed, he ended up sitting next to Siward.
The other men nearby immediately cast envious looks.
Although the appearance of ‘Lin Qianye’, simulated by Su Mo using the Bagua Mirror, was far less stunning than his original looks, she was still quite pretty.
The key was her excellent figure. Even after adjustments, it remained like a sharp hook, fiercely tugging at every man’s heart.
Siward quite enjoyed this feeling. To create the illusion that they were familiar, he proactively started explaining to Su Mo: “Within our Heavenly Pride Camp, there’s a Heavenly Pride Ranking. Both Su Mo and Nishimura Nozaru are famous names on the list, ranked sixth and seventh respectively. Last time, Su Mo won and took Nishimura’s rank. This time, Nishimura is coming on strong, and might just take it back.”
As Su Mo listened to his explanation, he suddenly asked, “Who do you think will win?”
Siward’s intention wasn’t really to explain, but to pique Su Mo’s interest. Seeing his goal achieved, he felt inwardly pleased.
“I’m more optimistic about Su Mo. Do you know why?”
“Why?”
“Because he won last time,” Siward said with a grin. “Besides, these duels are only about winning or losing, not life and death. That inherently puts Nishimura at a disadvantage. You have to understand, people from the Island Nation are best at fighting to the death.”
Su Mo found this reasoning amusing.
That depends on who they’re up against, he thought. If it’s Ye Qingyi, even a fight to the death might not guarantee victory against her.
Would you dare say someone who wouldn’t hesitate to drag their opponent off a cliff isn’t capable of a desperate fight?
Just then, the two duelists entered the arena. Su Mo gazed from afar at Ye Qingyi, a trace of unconscious fondness flashing deep in his eyes. It was gone in an instant, noticed by no one.
Hmph, my Qingyi is the best!
(^ω^)