novelraw Chapter 421: The Storm Has Arrived
Chapter 421: The Storm Has Arrived
Time passed swiftly, and some days had gone by since the conclusion of the Five Great Academies' Grand Competition.
Su Zhan's reputation continued to soar under the official's deliberate guidance and the legendary aura surrounding him.
He had almost become an irreplaceable idol in the hearts of the younger generation of Awakened individuals, a symbol of creating miracles against all odds.
Just as the situation seemed overwhelmingly favorable.
A hidden undercurrent began to surge quietly in the shadowy corners of the online world.
At first, it was just some anonymous speculation.
"Rational discussion, Su Zhan disappeared for five years, yet his strength skyrocketed to the Ocean Realm. Is this really reasonable? There has never been such a precedent in human history!"
"Internal information, it's said the Supreme Council once held an emergency meeting regarding Su Zhan's identity. Things are probably not as simple as they seem."
...
These posts were vague, but they planted seeds of doubt.Soon, more specific and explosive information began to appear.
And spread like a virus across major online platforms.
"Shocking Secret! The Grand Competition champion, the people's idol Su Zhan, his true identity is actually a high-level Aberrant! Attached are fragments of an internal test report (blurred)."
"Su Zhan's miraculous encounter, analyzing the source of his power and its hidden connection to the Mist World!"
...
The emergence of this information detonated the entire online world of Daxia.
A wave of various emotions swept across all social media and news portal websites.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! How could Su Zhan be an Aberrant? This is slander!"
"Those videos and reports look so real... have we really been deceived?"
"What about the authorities? Come out and give an explanation! Is Su Zhan an Aberrant or not?"
"If this is true, then what was the Grand Competition all about? We've been worshipping a monster?"
"It must be the Transcendence Society's doing, right? They're definitely spreading rumors!"
"We demand Su Zhan himself come forward to clarify! We demand the authorities disclose all information!"
A more logically coherent analysis post began circulating through certain information channels and was rapidly forwarded and discussed in large numbers. Its title was exceptionally eye-catching:
【In-depth Correlation Analysis: Su Zhan, Black City, Mo Yuan, and Chen Qing — The Concealed Truth and the Spine-Chilling Coincidences】
The post's content was meticulously dissected, connecting seemingly unrelated events:
The location of Su Zhan's first public appearance after his "return from the dead" was not in the region of his alma mater, the Vermilion Bird Academy, nor in the heartland of Daxia, but in Black City.
This in itself was extremely unusual.
The post heavily emphasized the unreasonable and forceful stance of Black City's Lord, Mo Yuan, during the Five Great Academies' Grand Competition.
"As everyone knows, City Lord Mo Yuan, as a senior elder, while guarding Daxia, has always remained aloof, rarely directly interfering in internal affairs, especially specific matters like Grand Competition rules.
Why would he, at that time, for a young genius who had been dead for five years, not hesitate to clash head-on with several high-ranking Council members and personally step forward to vouch for him?
The relationship behind this cannot be explained simply by the word 'appreciation'!
Does everyone remember that shortly before Su Zhan's stunning appearance at the Grand Competition, a young powerhouse named Chen Qing rose to fame in Black City?
This person's origins were mysterious, his talent was outstanding, and he deeply earned City Lord Mo Yuan's appreciation, even reportedly receiving personal guidance from him.
However, just as Su Zhan returned to the public eye, this Chen Qing vanished into thin air, with no further news about him!
Is there really such a coincidence in the world?
One mysterious genius, Chen Qing, disappears, and another, even more dazzling genius, Su Zhan, returns immediately?
And both just happen to have close ties with City Lord Mo Yuan?
Considering all the above suspicious points, we cannot help but make a reasonable speculation.
Su Zhan is Chen Qing!
He did not truly die back then. Instead, he infiltrated Black City through some means, using the alias Chen Qing to grow secretly under Mo Yuan's protection, accumulating strength!
This also perfectly explains why Mo Yuan would go to great lengths to protect him — because they already shared a deep, established bond.
And Su Zhan's bizarrely powerful strength might not entirely come from so-called miraculous encounters. It likely includes resources and legacies obtained in Black City, under Mo Yuan's command."
This post seemed logically tight, cleverly weaving together geographical locations, interpersonal relationships, and timelines.
Although it lacked direct evidence, its hypothesis that "Su Zhan is Chen Qing" undoubtedly sparked even broader speculation.
"Oh my god, if this is true... then hasn't Su Zhan been deceiving everyone all along?"
"Did City Lord Mo Yuan know his identity? And protected him? This... the implications are huge!"
"Could it be that the high-ranking officials knew about all this from the start? Have we been kept in the dark all along?"
"We demand a thorough investigation! We demand Su Zhan and City Lord Mo Yuan give an explanation!"
The emergence of this viewpoint dragged not only Mo Yuan but the entire Black City into the center of the whirlpool, making the situation even more complex.
Supporters and skeptics engaged in fierce debates.
The online world became a chaotic mess, with various conspiracy theories running rampant.
The claim that Su Zhan was an Aberrant spread like wildfire, rapidly forming a massive public opinion storm.
The shockwaves it caused even surpassed the heat generated when he won the championship.
Countless eyes once again focused on Su Zhan and the Daxia authorities.
This meticulously planned public opinion offensive, orchestrated by the Transcendence Society or other hostile forces, had a clear purpose.
It aimed to completely destroy Su Zhan, the newly established spiritual symbol, and tear apart the public morale and unity that had just begun to coalesce within Daxia.
The storm had arrived.
The encrypted communicator on Su Zhan's wrist vibrated. It was Li Su's dedicated line.
"Mr. Su."
Li Su's speech was slightly faster than usual. "The public opinion storm online has been traced. It's the Transcendence Society systematically guiding it from behind the scenes. They've used some deeply embedded sleeper agents and paid posters to try to create chaos and dismantle your public image."
Su Zhan stood by the window, his tone calm. "Expected. They wouldn't just sit back and watch me grow peacefully."
"Yes."
Li Su affirmed. "Based on our previous contingency plans and the current degree of public opinion fermentation, the active disclosure of your identity needs to be put on the agenda immediately.
Passively waiting for rumors to spread will only make things worse.
We plan to launch the highest-level official press conference within twenty-four hours, with you personally attending to provide an explanation. What do you think?"
Su Zhan didn't hesitate in the slightest. "Understood. I will attend on time."
"Good. The specific time and arrangements will be sent to your communicator shortly. Please be prepared."
Li Su ended the call decisively.
Just as the call with the authorities ended, another call came through. It was Teacher Wang Mingyuan.
"Su Zhan."
Wang Mingyuan's voice was full of concern. "Those statements online... don't let them pressure you too much."
A warmth spread in Su Zhan's heart. "Teacher, I'm fine. Don't worry. All of this was anticipated. The authorities already have arrangements. I will handle it."
"That's good, that's good..."
Wang Mingyuan urged, "No matter what, protect yourself. If you need me to do anything, just say the word anytime!"
"I will. Thank you, Teacher."