novelraw Chapter 391: Someone Stop Him
Chapter 391: Someone Stop Him
The awards ceremony drew to a close amid thunderous applause.
The ten prodigies held their medals and certificates, basking in their supreme glory.
The bigwigs at the judges' table also rose, the atmosphere loosening a bit.
The Dean of Azure Dragon Academy stroked his beard and laughed, “Not bad, not bad! This batch of seedlings is even better than previous years, the future looks promising!”
The Dean of White Tiger Academy nodded, “Bai Pojun’s murderous aura is a good foundation. With some honing, he’ll be a battlefield blade. And that kid Xue Wuhen, his domain control is excellent, suitable for special operations.”
The elderly matron from Black Tortoise Academy wore a kindly expression and said slowly, “Wuhen’s temperament is a bit cold, but his foundation is solid and his character is resilient.”
The Dean of Kirin Academy smiled faintly, his gaze resting on his academy’s Chu Zhou, his tone even but meaningful:
“The heavens produce ninefold brilliance, yet one hides among them. Chu Zhou finding his path within myriad phenomena is no small feat.
This Grand Competition is studded with stars, truly Daxia’s good fortune.”
The deans and senior representatives chatted happily, the mood congenial.When their gazes inadvertently fell on the usually silent Dean Ye Hongyu, the warm atmosphere inevitably shifted subtly.
The Dean of Azure Dragon looked toward Dean Ye and slowed his voice, “Dean Ye, although those three kids from Vermilion Bird Academy didn’t make the top ten, their performance was notable. That kind of tenacity shows signs of how you used to be.”
Dean Ye lifted her eyes, “Dean Long, you flatter me. My young students’ skills are lacking; they still need much cultivation. I dare not compare them to the Kirin disciples.”
Results are the only hard truth.
The Dean of White Tiger glanced at Dean Ye but said nothing more, only giving a slight nod as a greeting.
The Black Tortoise matron also did not comment further.
The senior representatives, with tacit understanding, avoided steering the topic toward Vermilion Bird Academy.
They turned instead to discuss upcoming resource allocation and talent development plans.
Dean Ye stood quietly to one side.
The outcome of this Grand Competition would make things much tougher for Vermilion Bird Academy for years to come.
At that moment!
A figure rose abruptly from the general audience without warning.
He stepped on empty air, as if climbing steps.
Step by step, he walked toward the huge central arena.
The spiritual energy rippling from Su Zhan’s body was plainly at Abyss Realm, third tier.
Of course, that was only the aura he deliberately emitted.
“Walking on air, an Abyss Realm powerhouse!”
“Who is that? How did he get up from the audience?”
“I’ve never seen him before! Which academy elder is he? Or what genius is he?”
“Don’t know him. What does he want?”
“Abyss Realm third tier… that power, even among the top ten he’d be mid-to-upper tier!”
The stadium erupted instantly.
All eyes.
Both the hundreds of thousands present in the arena.
And the billions watching the livestream.
Stared in stunned focus at this suddenly appearing man.
Walking on air is the mark of an Abyss Realm elite.
A stranger of Abyss Realm third tier appearing in this manner immediately drew countless gazes.
On the high platform of honor.
The ten finalists who had just received awards all turned their eyes in unison.
Chu Zhou frowned slightly.
He was certain he had never seen this person, nor sensed such an aura before.
Bai Pojun crossed his arms, his gaze appraising.
None of them recognized him.
At the judges’ table.
The deans and senior representatives exchanged glances.
Dean Ye’s phoenix-like eyes tightened as she stared hard at the figure.
For some reason, an inexplicable tremor fluttered within her heart.
“Stop right there!”
The chief referee reacted quickly, flashing forward and appearing at the edge of the arena, blocking Su Zhan’s path.
“Sir, the awards ceremony has ended. You have disrupted the competition order. Please return to the audience immediately, or I will notify the Capital Guard to arrest you for endangering public safety!”
The whole stadium’s attention tightened onto this sudden confrontation.
What on earth did this man intend?
As every gaze locked onto the unfamiliar face with Abyss Realm third tier strength,
Under the watchful eyes of hundreds of thousands and billions online,
Su Zhan’s previously ordinary face began to ripple like water.
In the span of mere heartbeats, his features shifted.
Contours sharpened, lines smoothed into beauty.
Within seconds, a remarkably delicate and handsome face replaced his former plain one, clearly revealed to everyone!
“Whoa—!”
“My god! This is… too handsome!”
“Who is this? Is he from the entertainment world? Impossible, this aura is definitely an Awakened individual!”
“Wait… this face… I feel like I’ve seen it before…”
“So familiar… looks especially like… like that one…”
“Who? Say it!”
After a brief silence came an even louder uproar.
Everyone was shocked by the sudden face change and the breathtaking appearance.
Finally, a scream ignited the crowd’s memories:
“Su… Su Zhan? He’s Su Zhan! Su Zhan from Vermilion Bird Academy! The one who owned the SSS-grade Life Soul Time Abyss Pupil! Didn’t he die in the Mist!?”
That shout struck like thunder, exploding in everyone’s ears!
“Su Zhan?”
“Which Su Zhan? …Could it be that Su Zhan?”
“Yes, it’s him. I’ve seen his photos and battle footage! Exactly the same! He really… looks like him!”
“Oh my god… wasn’t he already… declared dead? How can he appear here?”
“Impossible! It must just be someone who looks alike!”
“But he changed his face just now! He was disguised before!”
Shouts swept across the entire Celestial Arena.
All cameras.
All gazes.
Locked tightly onto that handsome face hanging in midair.
That name, that genius who once symbolized Vermilion Bird Academy’s glory and then fell like a meteor, had reappeared before the world in such an unfathomable way!
At the judges’ table.
Dean Ye sprang to her feet, phoenix eyes wide, staring at the floating face, her red lips slightly parted, her body trembling from extreme shock.
Feng Jue, Xu Hao, and Liu Ziming stared blankly in that direction, their minds a complete void.
All of Daxia.
At this moment.
Boiled over completely because of Su Zhan’s “resurrection”!
In the stands, people whispered and debated:
“Su Zhan didn’t die? He’s actually alive! Where has he been these past years?”
“Why show up now? Of all times during the awards ceremony?”
“Look at him, he’s not here for friendly reasons! Could he be here to… challenge?”
“Challenge? Don’t be ridiculous! He disappeared for more than five years, didn’t he? Even if he’s not dead, can his strength keep up? Chu Zhou and the others are Abyss Realm elites.”
“But earlier he revealed Abyss Realm third tier. His growth rate is terrifying!”
“Could he be trying to return to Vermilion Bird Academy? This entrance is way too dramatic.”
On the platform of honor.
The top ten contestants wore varied expressions and spoke quietly.
Bai Pojun snorted coldly, brimming with fighting spirit: “Su Zhan? Hmph, the name carries weight. No matter why he’s back, if he wants to challenge, I, Bai Pojun, will be the first to accept! Perfect chance to weigh this man’s true strength!”