Feng Yining sighed inwardly.

This kind of sigh was hardly her first.

Every time Lin Feng stirred things up in the National College Glory League’s Rookie Challenge and made the headlines, she would sigh.

Because of Ya Ge, her feelings toward news about Lin Feng were much more complicated.

Despite her sighs, she had no intention of comforting Ya Ge. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Ya Ge didn’t need anyone’s comfort anyway.

As her closest friend, she knew Ya Ge wasn’t that fragile.

Her resolve was far stronger than people imagined, and she had never wavered from her own goals.

As for their breakup, that was really normal; at the time, the gap between the two was huge, so splitting up made sense—only the internet made it dramatic.

Over the past month, Ya Ge’s strength had skyrocketed—progress so fast it surprised her. Right now, Ya Ge had stepped into the Fourth Grade, and her Enchanting Butterfly had evolved into an Enchanting Demoness.

Back then, Ya Ge wasn’t her match, but with her current strength and potential, she was hardly inferior.

Even at Great Wall University, where geniuses were everywhere, Ya Ge stood out among them.

She didn’t need anyone’s pity.

And few were qualified to pity her anyway.

It wasn’t that Ya Ge wasn’t exceptional; it was just that Lin Feng was way too monstrous. Among their peers, no one came close—he was so freakish it barely seemed human.

Comparing yourself to him was asking for trouble.

At this moment, on the light curtain, there appeared an interview with the Lin Feng squad; the reporter held the mic, beginning to ask Ye Xing and Yun Tianqi why they’d retired and finally chose to join the Lin Feng squad.

"Because this path brings way more glory than a pro career!"

Ye Xing’s answer was concise, yet it triggered loud cheers.

As the league’s top Berserker, Ye Xing had always been hugely popular, with over ten million fans. Though he retired, his popularity hadn’t fallen; instead, because of his proactive retirement and performance in the Land of Chaos, he was even hotter now.

The league’s current turmoil had many questioning pro players, but it hadn’t affected Yun Tianqi or Ye Xing at all.

The answer perfectly explained why he’d retired at his peak.

"Because it’s worth it!"

Yun Tianqi, with his long flowing hair, gave an even simpler reply, sparking another round of cheers.

After interviewing Ye Xing and Yun Tianqi, the reporter aimed the mic at Lin Feng.

"Lin Feng, hello, the audience is so curious: What was the original reason you formed the Lin Feng squad? And now, why are you sealing off the Seven-Star and Eight-Star Space Gates?"

While the reporter was asking Lin Feng, before Lin Feng could even reply, the cheers on the light curtain erupted in crashing waves.

"The sheer popularity!"

Feng Yining looked around—everyone was cheering; she couldn’t help but sigh.

As rivals, people from the Three Heroic Academies could never cheer for each other. Even All-Star players like Ye Xing and Yun Tianqi struggled to earn true respect.

But Lin Feng was an exception.

Same age, same identity—yet Lin Feng did things no one else could. That’s where his crazy popularity came from.

"You’ll understand later."

Lin Feng didn’t answer directly; he left them hanging.

The reporter clearly didn’t want to give up, but no matter how he pressed, he got no answer. Seemingly aware Lin Feng wasn’t easy to interview, the reporter turned to other members of the Lin Feng squad.

Including He Jun.

Compared to other teammates who’d refined Earth Chart demon spirits and had outstanding talent, He Jun’s light was completely overshadowed.

Two months ago, she’d been the recognized last pick, yet suddenly joined Lin Feng’s squad. Without special abilities, how could she have won Lin Feng’s approval?

Keep in mind—even the "ordinary" member, Yu Qiao, had refined a Ninth Tier demon spirit!

As for He Jun—the demon spirit she’d refined, and its innate skills, were hot topics. Some guessed it was a rare support ability for team battles.

During the interview, He Jun seemed a little flustered. Before she could speak, Yu Qiao snatched the mic from her hands.

"How come you’re not interviewing me? You look down on me?" Yu Qiao glared at the reporter, clearly disgruntled.

Reporter: "..."

"Has Xie Yixiao got in touch with you lately?"

Feng Yining looked at the light curtain, asked offhandedly.

"Not really, we only talked a bit the day before yesterday," Ya Ge said calmly.

"Guess his arm hasn’t healed yet," Feng Yining commented.

Until recently, Xie Yixiao would message Ya Ge daily, but after getting thrashed by Lin Feng in the Rookie Challenge, maybe out of embarrassment, he’d stopped reaching out so often.

Speaking of it, Xie Yixiao was pretty pathetic. In the Rookie Challenge, as a pro, he had it roughest—his fame and popularity crashed, and for a while, he was even a laughingstock.

It wasn’t just a simple failed challenge—victory or defeat was normal—but back then, as a senior, Xie Yixiao had shown zero mercy to Yun Kai.

Yun Kai had already lost the ability to fight, but Xie Yixiao kept attacking relentlessly, totally ruthless. So when Lin Feng put him in his place, many saw it as karma.

Yun Kai was as popular as Lin Feng—tons of fans, appealing across all ages and genders. Bullying him, naturally, triggered big backlash from fans.

Feng Yining mused curiously, "I’ve seen on his socials he’s gotten close to Zhang Junhao lately. Is he planning to follow Zhao Junhao?"

The hottest topic lately, no doubt, was the King Becoming Plan.

This plan drew worldwide attention and endless discussion—with daily coverage on TV. The actual rules weren’t finalized yet, still undisclosed.

The rules for competing for spots were also the hottest talking point.

Those rules still came down to two methods: strength first, or fan votes.

Recently, word had it that for each spot-holder—i.e. trainee—they could bring along one or two apprentices for the King Becoming Plan.

Apprentices didn’t get full trainee-level resources but had similar benefits otherwise. If a trainee was eliminated, the apprentice could take their place.

The specific details were still under discussion, but tons were already preparing.

Xie Yixiao was clearly one of them.

As an All-Star, even though he got beaten embarrassingly by Lin Feng in the Rookie Challenge and his reputation took a hit, Xie Yixiao still had strength—as the league’s top Thunder Technique user, it wasn’t just talk.

But compared with previous All-Stars, he was still a bit green.

He’d just reached Eighth Grade demon spirit master; strength, popularity—becoming a trainee was nearly impossible, so his goal was to become an apprentice.

Being an apprentice didn’t mean he had no hope of becoming a King.

Even if he couldn’t win it all, just taking part in the King Becoming Plan brought tons of benefits.

Zhang Junhao, as last year’s All-Star, the league’s top Berserker—strength, fame, both off the charts—getting a spot should be a sure thing.

Xie Yixiao sticking close to him recently, clearly aiming to become his apprentice.

Both are signed Juxing Club pros, and Thunder Technique support fits well with a Berserker—Xie Yixiao definitely had a shot.

"If Xie Yixiao has a chance to be an apprentice, doesn’t that mean Lin Feng does too?"

Feng Yining asked curiously.

No one truly knew Lin Feng’s actual strength.

Based on the records, Lin Feng was currently at Sixth Grade Divine Fist Realm, with Five-Star demon spirit master status.

In the Rookie Challenge, Lin Feng beat Xie Yixiao largely because the latter underestimated him, letting Lin Feng get close and pull off a suicide explosion.

If he’d been more cautious, Lin Feng wouldn’t have succeeded.

That battle didn’t prove Lin Feng was stronger than Xie Yixiao—just that his real strength was far from simple.

And now, with the Lin Feng squad bold enough to seal off the Eight-Star Space Gate—saying Lin Feng only had Sixth Grade might not be accurate.

Speaking about Lin Feng, Ya Ge didn’t dodge—she nodded slightly: "Possible, but not likely. He probably has Seventh Grade strength, but not enough for Eighth Grade, and he hasn’t signed to a club."

Feng Yining countered: "Hongyun’s Bu Zheng is Peak of Ninth Grade. If he’s competing for a spot, there’s no problem—Lin Feng becoming his apprentice is very likely."

Ya Ge still shook her head: "Not strong enough. Joining too early is pointless—he could just get eliminated."

"True enough."

Feng Yining nodded, then asked, "Any idea when the Lin Feng squad will come to Shangjing? If possible, I’d like to sign up for a spot myself."

Right now, only Red Cloud University students could register.

But that didn’t mean others couldn’t in the future.

Nowadays, a good soul skill easily costs over a hundred million—and even then, you can’t always challenge for it, and there’s huge risk of failure.

One hundred million to attempt absorbing an Advanced soul skill—Feng Yining felt that was a solid deal.

Ya Ge was silent—a hundred million, she couldn’t afford. The league turmoil meant Juxing hadn’t contacted her in a while, so they wouldn’t give her soul skills.

Dawn had just taken her in and already provided plenty of resources. There’s no way she’d ask for more.

Even if she could pay, she wouldn’t sign up.

"If you’re short on cash right now, I can lend it to you. You know I don’t care about that kind of money—just pay me back later!" Feng Yining offered.

"No need." Ya Ge refused flatly.

Feng Yining gave her a look, but didn’t press it.

"Now that the Lin Feng squad has sealed off the Seven-Star and Eight-Star Space Gates, they’re set for explosive growth. I wonder how much money they’ll earn in a year?"

Feng Yining marveled, awe in her voice.

"I bet it won’t take long before they become a brand-new powerhouse!"

Anyone who could pay a hundred million to register surely had great strength and talent, with family or faction backing.

The Lin Feng squad could help them absorb soul skills, and their own strength and achievements brought respect—naturally, they could consolidate those resources. The gains could be massive.

Ya Ge looked calm, but wasn’t so calm inside.

Feng Yining could see it—and so could she.

No faction could consolidate the nation’s college elite, not even the Three Heroic Academies.

Once you graduated, everyone scattered.

But the Lin Feng squad actually had that power now.

The profit potential of that was perhaps unimaginable.

Just as Feng Yining said, it wouldn’t be long before the Lin Feng squad became a new force!