Chapter 278: Chapter 236: Gao Neng, You Can’t Be This Shameless

The surrounding reporters could now see which way the wind was blowing.

Initially, they thought Lin Ying was just making arrogant boasts by taking on five opponents at once—a death wish. But now, it seemed the victory in this battle might very well belong to Lin Ying.

This shocked them.

The number one student of Eastern Capital Military Academy, Lin Ying, was actually this formidable.

"This is huge news!"

"Lin Ying of Eastern Capital Military Academy, taking on five at once!"

"After this battle, Lin Ying’s ranking will probably shoot up!"

Reporters have a keen nose for stories they can hype up. They quickly realized this battle could cause a major sensation.

Gao Neng was also calculating in his head.

’Lin Ying is a classic melee maniac, a true slayer of ranged fighters. Once he gets close, people like Fang Tangtang would be deader than dead.’

’If I’m not mistaken...’

’That Tier Six Mid Stage member of the Barbarian Race he killed on the battlefield was probably a mid-to-long-range type.’

’But it’s not easy to get close to a ranged attacker. Did Lin Ying kill that Tier Six Mid Stage Barbarian by sheer luck, or does he have some special stealth ability? It’s impossible to tell for now.’

...

The battle in the arena didn’t last too long.

「Ten minutes later.」

The battle was over.

The outcome wasn’t much of a surprise. Using his "cage" battle tactic to take on five opponents, Lin Ying successfully defeated the five challengers, winning a round of cheers.

The five elderly men standing outside watched this scene, each of them shaking their heads.

’Their tactics were countered...’

’The five young men didn’t lose unjustly.’

Lin Ying’s strength was truly immense. Compared to Wang Nanlin of Beihai Military Academy, he wasn’t just a little bit stronger. Both were number one at their respective military academies, but the difference was like that between heaven and earth.

What happened next was simple.

Lin Ying’s fame skyrocketed.

Reporters swarmed in, taking pictures and videos. Xiao Keke chased after Lin Ying, trying to get him to say a few words for her livestream, but she was, of course, rejected.

Gao Neng, on the other hand, was thinking, ’With my current strength, if I fought Lin Ying one-on-one, who would win?’

Just as he was thinking...

Fang Tangtang cried out in surprise.

"The Dragon List just updated!"

"Hm? It updated?" Gao Neng looked at the phone in Fang Tangtang’s hand.

Sure enough, he saw a change.

A small change.

Lin Ying’s ranking had risen from 273rd to 226th. Furthermore, his battle record had a new update.

It was the record of his one-on-five victory just now.

"The Dragon List updates that fast?" Gao Neng was stunned by the officials’ efficiency. The fight just ended here, and the Dragon List rankings over there have already changed?

"Of course it’s fast. Didn’t you see all the reporters here? Many of them were livestreaming. The officials naturally got the news in real time, and then Lin Ying’s ranking went up." Fang Tangtang pointed at the reporters who hadn’t all left yet.

"So that’s how it is!" Gao Neng said, looking thoughtful.

...

「At the entrance of Eastern Capital Military Academy.」

The reporters left one after another.

Xiao Keke, however, still lingered at the school gate, unwilling to give up.

"That Lin Ying is so cold and aloof... He’s like a completely different person before and after a fight!" Xiao Keke’s face was slightly flushed; she clearly wasn’t used to being rejected.

As an internet celebrity streamer, she was quite famous. Plus, she was cute and had a pleasant voice. Being rejected on the spot during a live broadcast naturally left her feeling indignant.

Just as Xiao Keke was feeling dejected, a voice sounded from behind her.

"Hey beautiful, friend?"

"Friend? Friend my ass..." Xiao Keke was still fuming, and hearing such a flippant pickup line, she was ready to fire back a retort.

But the moment she turned her head, she quickly swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue.

Because the young man standing behind her...

...was insanely handsome!

His eyebrows, his eyes, his nose, his mouth—everything was simply perfect.

Xiao Keke had seen her fair share of handsome internet celebrities, but she had never seen anyone *this* handsome. She was instantly captivated.

She couldn’t even move her eyes.

"Hey beautiful, friend?" Gao Neng had to ask again. He wasn’t surprised by Xiao Keke’s dazed expression. After all, it was a fact that he was handsome; he was used to it.

"Fr-friend? Of course, let’s be friends!" Xiao Keke snapped back to her senses and immediately whipped a brand-new phone out of her pocket.

It wasn’t the device she used for streaming.

It was her personal phone, and the contacts on it were all Xiao Keke’s real-life friends.

"Holy crap! Keke, don’t fall for a pretty boy’s trick!"

"Keke, you have to hold on!"

"It’s over, it’s over, my goddess has fallen..."

"Who is this guy? How can anyone be that handsome... Keke, stay strong! Don’t be fooled by appearances, you have to look for inner beauty..."

"Wow, what a handsome guy!"

The livestream chat exploded in that instant, with bullet comments frantically scrolling across the screen.

There were men and women among them.

But Xiao Keke acted as if she didn’t see any of it. Right now, her vision was filled with only Gao Neng. He was just too handsome.

The two quickly exchanged contact information.

Gao Neng spoke again, "In a couple of days, I’m going to issue a challenge too. If possible, I’d love it if you could come and stream it, Keke."

"You’re going to issue a challenge too? O-Okay!" Xiao Keke was stunned for a moment, then nodded immediately.

"Thanks," Gao Neng nodded and turned to leave.

’Fang Tangtang’s words had given him an idea.’

’A challenge. He definitely had to issue a challenge!’

’But not a challenge made in obscurity.’

’Why did those five young men bring a horde of reporters with them to challenge Eastern Capital Military Academy today? In truth, it was to attract the attention of the officials.’

’To get on the Dragon List, you need to build your reputation. And the most direct way is to let the Alliance know, to let the officials know.’

’However, my current reputation is still too low.’

’I’m not even in the top five hundred.’

’Even if I tried to chat up these reporters now, probably none of them would pay me any mind.’

’But an internet celebrity streamer is different.’

’They’re freelancers.’

’Unlike reporters who have fixed assignments, streamers can broadcast from wherever they want. Plus, they have a substantial number of fans. It was the perfect choice for me right now.’

"Wow, even the way he turns around is so handsome. How... how can he be so handsome?" Xiao Keke was lost in Gao Neng’s good looks, unable to pull herself away.

But seeing that Gao Neng was about to leave, she suddenly snapped out of it again.

"Mister, you still haven’t told me your name!"

"Gao Neng. The ’Gao’ from ’master,’ the ’Neng’ from ’capable’!" Gao Neng replied without turning his head, then strode away and disappeared from Xiao Keke’s sight.

"’Capable’...? He’s so naughty!" Xiao Keke’s face turned red. She immediately ended her stream and then took out her phone to look.

’His profile picture is a cat.’

’So cute!’

’Ah... This is what it feels like to have a crush. I can’t, I can’t take it. I really can’t wait. I wonder when he’s going to issue his challenge?’

...

「Eastern Capital Military Academy, Dormitory Area.」

When Gao Neng and Fang Tangtang walked back to his dorm room, they were surprised to find Bald Shark, Gui Zian, waiting at his door.

"Teacher Gui, is something wrong?" Gao Neng asked, puzzled.

"Did today’s events affect you?" Gui Zian was naturally waiting here specifically for Gao Neng, so he got straight to the point.

"Are you referring to the challenges, Teacher?"

"Mhm. Although you’ve only just reached Tier Four, you shouldn’t have a problem facing an average Tier Five. This one month, in fact, can also be a form of training for you," Gui Zian nodded.

"Do you have any suggestions, Teacher?" Gao Neng was very open to advice. After all, Gui Zian was definitely more familiar with the people on the Dragon List than he was.

"My suggestion is to start with the weaker ones first. It’s best to be cautious with your first battle. Fight a battle you’re sure you can win to build up your own momentum. Once a person has momentum, they can be invincible. However, who you ultimately challenge is up to you. Of course, you can also ask Tangtang for her opinion. She knows a bit more about this stuff," Gui Zian said after some thought.

"So you mean for my first fight, I should pick someone I’m one hundred percent sure I can beat?" Gao Neng seemed to understand Gui Zian’s meaning.

"Mhm, that’s right!" Gui Zian said seriously.

"Understood. I know who to challenge for my first fight," Gao Neng nodded, having quickly made up his mind.

"You’ve decided already?" Gui Zian was a bit surprised to see the determination in Gao Neng’s eyes. To be on the Dragon List, even ranked last at 500th, meant you weren’t weak.

For Gao Neng to decide so quickly...

...naturally surprised him a little.

"Yes," Gao Neng affirmed.

"Let’s hear it. Who are you planning to challenge?" Gui Zian was clearly expectant.

"Wang Nanlin of Beihai Military Academy," Gao Neng said without hesitation.

Gui Zian’s foot slipped.

He almost fell over.

’Can you be any more shameless? Wang Nanlin from Beihai Military Academy just had his leg broken three days ago, and you’re actually choosing him as your first challenge?’

’Besides, Beihai Military Academy is still one of the four great military academies, just like Eastern Capital Military Academy.’

’This is infighting!’

’Are you trying to start a war between the two academies?!’

It wasn’t just Gui Zian. Even Fang Tangtang’s jaw dropped when she heard the name "Wang Nanlin." Clearly, she never thought this was an option.

"Is there a problem? Didn’t Teacher just say I should pick a weak one? Wang Nanlin’s leg is broken right now, so he’s at his weakest. Besides, he used to be ranked in the top 300, and even though his rank has dropped a bit, he’s still at 312th. Isn’t he the perfect target for a challenge?" Gao Neng blinked.

He was just following Gui Zian’s advice.

’Weak!’

’There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!’

"Huh? That makes sense. Now is the perfect opportunity to fight Wang Nanlin. If he beats him, Gao Neng can take the 312th spot!" After hearing Gao Neng’s explanation, Fang Tangtang’s surprised expression changed in an instant. Her eyes were sparkling; it was clear she wanted to go fight him herself.