After Bai Ze's victory over the Lich Clan in the cosmos, two days passed in a flash. During this time, the news of a top-tier genius from Sulin Province single-handedly annihilating the Lich Clan and indirectly destroying their home planet spread like wildfire across the province.
From high-ranking government officials to young children, everyone had heard some version of the story.
"Hey, have you guys heard?"
"There's a new prodigy among the younger generation in our Sulin Province. I heard they're just a college freshman or sophomore."
"They single-handedly defeated the Lich vanguard and main fleet, completing a mission even the authorities couldn't. Talk about making a name for themselves!"
"I heard that too! Can you imagine? If they're a freshman, they must've just started college. What kind of monster can pull that off?"
"I was part of the search team and saw the blurry livestream. That student wiped out the entire Lich fleet by themselves!"
"Incredible. It's hard to believe."
"Just last week, Sulin Province had a new student break all records, and now there's someone even more terrifying. Truly, the younger generation surpasses us all!"
The streets of Sulin Province were abuzz with talk of this earth-shattering event.
The news also quickly reached the teachers involved in the search effort, including Ms. Zhou Qing. She received a recording of the incident—a full account of Bai Ze's confrontation with the Lich Clan.
As she watched, Ms. Zhou felt a mix of awe and shock at the student's prowess. However, a sense of familiarity lingered. Particularly at the end, when a dimensional portal card was used—hadn't she given that to someone?
"This feels strange. I need to look into it further," Zhou mused.
Meanwhile, Sulin Academy, the province's top school for elite talents, was abuzz. The emergence of a new, unknown genius, someone potentially stronger than themselves, set the student body aflame with curiosity and excitement.
Zhao Jinzhu and Wang Tiangang were watching the recording together, their eyes wide with astonishment.
"Incredible. Rumor has it this person is around our age and even from the same province," Wang said in his gruff voice, unable to hide his admiration.
"Exactly. I thought Bai Ze from Tianzhou Academy was already terrifying," Zhao replied, his tone equally awed. "But to think there's someone even more monstrous in our province! I've got a new lifelong goal to chase now."
While they marveled, Tang Qingcheng sat alone in her training room, staring at the playback of the confrontation on her screen. Her violet eyes reflected a mixture of awe and disbelief.
For as long as she could remember, Tang had been the undisputed top freshman in Sulin Province. Then Bai Ze appeared, giving her her first taste of defeat, and she resolved to make him her goal. But now, barely a week later, another dazzling star had risen.
"It seems Sulin Province truly hides dragons and crouching tigers," Tang murmured to herself. "First, a monster like Bai Ze, and now this mysterious figure. I'm still far too weak."
Shaking her head, she sighed with frustration, but soon her expression hardened with resolve. Without wasting another moment, she returned to her training.
Throughout the province, speculation about the mysterious student ran rampant. People debated their identity, their school, and whether they hailed from an influential family or a wealthy clan. Some even wondered about their personality—were they aloof or arrogant?
Inevitably, comparisons with Bai Ze surfaced. Both were of similar age, and the public couldn't help but imagine a showdown between the two to determine who was stronger.
This fervor wasn't limited to Sulin Province. Nationwide, the story spread like wildfire. The annihilation of the Lich Clan was a feat that benefited the entire Federation. Everyone, from powerful deities to ordinary citizens, sang praises of this mysterious hero.
Despite all this, Bai Ze remained oblivious.
A natural homebody, Bai Ze rarely left his house, sometimes going an entire month without stepping outside. Today, however, happened to be the day for new students to register at school.
As Bai Ze walked down the street with Xia Yinyue, he yawned frequently, clearly still groggy from lack of sleep.
"Wow, that was incredible."
"Ambushing the Lich space station and outsmarting the Lich chieftain? What a genius."
"Exactly. They even trapped the Lich main fleet in the storm zone!"
"I caught a glimpse of the explosion from a Monarch-level creature in the recording—it was breathtaking."
Nearby students chatted excitedly as they passed by, and their words jolted Bai Ze awake.
"What the hell...?" he muttered, stopping in his tracks. He stared blankly at the group of students until they disappeared.
Throughout their walk, Bai Ze had overheard similar conversations at least ten times. At first, he thought he might've misheard due to sleepiness. But now, he was certain he hadn't.
"Xiao Bai?"
"Pfft, are you curious about what they're talking about?" Xia Yinyue teased, suddenly appearing in front of him with her hands behind her back.
Startled, Bai Ze nodded. "Yeah, Yinyue, what's the deal? I've been hearing the same thing over and over."
With a playful laugh, Xia Yinyue puffed up her chest proudly. "See what happens when you stay cooped up at home all the time? You don't know anything. Lucky for you, I'll explain!"
"A couple of days ago, a new genius emerged in our Sulin Province. The rumors say he infiltrated the Lich vanguard's space station, outwitted the entire Lich race, and destroyed the station."
"Then, when the Lich main fleet came for revenge, he used a dimensional portal card to lure them into the storm zone. Finally, he sealed them all there, effectively exiling the entire Lich race from the cosmos!"
As Xia Yinyue animatedly recounted the tale, Bai Ze's expression turned blank, and a dark cloud seemed to hang over his head.
Lowering his head slightly, he muttered to himself, beads of sweat forming on his brow. "Oh no..."
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