Chapter 63: How About Cash Instead?

With the conclusion of the secret realm assessment, there was no longer any reason to remain. Wang Qing glanced at Lin Xiao and Shen Yao.

“This assessment is now over. You can leave the secret realm; the city lord is waiting for you and will present the final rewards.”

Neither of them objected—it was indeed time to depart.

The return journey was much faster. Even without Murong Yu’s intervention, with Wang Qing and the others accompanying them, they reached the entrance in just over an hour.

Outside the secret realm, all the students who had participated in the assessment were gathered. There were also some unfamiliar faces, likely the event organizers.

Now came the exhilarating award ceremony.

Just the thought of being ranked first, and soon receiving two million, filled Lin Xiao with delight. With just a little more, he’d be a millionaire.

Zhou Wei was in charge of presenting the awards. Seeing Lin Xiao emerge, he shot him a fierce glare. Though he acknowledged Lin Xiao's strength, the boy was simply too troublesome, having ruined many of his plans.

Well, at this point, causing Lin Xiao trouble was meaningless.

Lin Xiao noticed Zhou Wei’s gaze. He recognized Zhou Wei; after all, he often appeared on television.

Had he offended the city lord? Why did he look at Lin Xiao so unfavorably?

Aside from that, Lin Xiao felt another hostile gaze and immediately looked over. Who else could it be but Ji Boxiao?

Ji Boxiao was clearly being isolated now. Beside him stood only Liu Ruyan; the others, even his former lackeys, had chosen not to stand by his side this time.

Pathetic trash, Lin Xiao thought. Ji Boxiao didn’t dare confront the city lord—so why fear him?

“Well, isn’t this the young master who heroically attracted the shadow wolves all by himself? It hasn’t been long, yet you seem so disheveled. Honestly, your terrified, scrambling state was truly amusing to watch!”

Lin Xiao’s words were laced with sarcasm, turning Ji Boxiao’s abandonment of his teammates into a supposed act of self-sacrifice.

It struck directly at Ji Boxiao’s pride, and he couldn’t refute it—after all, it was the truth.

Under the mocking stares of those around, Ji Boxiao shot Lin Xiao a venomous look and ignored him. With so many witnesses, anything he said would only make things worse.

A gentleman’s revenge is never too late; sooner or later, that boy would pay.

After his elimination, Ji Boxiao had monitored the live broadcast. Subsequent eliminations all involved the Swift Wolves, and although many were defeated, the point changes were minimal.

That meant his previous score was still enough for the top ten.

As long as he entered the top ten, he would become his family’s heir—then dealing with Lin Xiao wouldn’t require his own effort.

Hmph! Let the boy bask in his glory for now.

Lin Xiao had no idea Ji Boxiao was plotting against him, but even if he did, he wouldn’t care. The Ji family was powerful in Xuncheng, but could they rival the Red Sun Sanatorium?

He had no intention of leaving after returning home. He doubted the Ji family would dare move against Red Sun. If they did, it would be their downfall.

Either Sun Zhiyuan or Murong Yu could annihilate the Ji family in an instant.

That was why Lin Xiao acted so recklessly.

Zhou Wei saw Lin Xiao stirring up trouble again and felt a headache. If not for those powerful elders backing him, Zhou Wei would have liked to teach him a lesson.

He coughed lightly, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Ahem! Everyone, quiet please. Now we’ll commence the final award ceremony. Rewards for those ranked outside the top ten will be sent directly to your schools, and you may collect them after returning. Only the top ten will be awarded here. I now announce tenth place: Zhou Zhi, two hundred and fifty points!”

Zhou Zhi hadn’t expected to be called first—he had actually made the top ten.

He hadn’t done much himself; Lin Xiao had carried him.

Still, the two hundred and fifty points felt like a jab. Was it an insult?

Who cared! He was top ten; it felt great!

Zhou Zhi hurried up to receive his award. Zhou Wei offered some encouragement and looked upon him with kindness.

Zhou Wei was also a member of the Zhou family, and by seniority, he was Zhou Zhi’s uncle. Zhou Zhi’s top ten finish brought him honor.

They kept their exchange brief, mindful of the crowd.

After Zhou Zhi left, Zhou Wei continued.

“Ninth place, Wu Kai, two hundred and sixty-one points.”

…

“Fourth place, Zhang Wei, three hundred and one points.”

Now only the top three remained. Ji Boxiao’s face lit up with surprise. He didn’t know his exact score, but he was certain he was securely in the top ten.

It seemed he’d made it into the top three!

Mission accomplished—though he’d lost face, his family wouldn’t mind.

At last, Zhou Wei spoke.

“Third place, Chu Ran, three hundred and seventy-two points!”

Chu Ran stepped up to receive his award. Ji Boxiao’s expression instantly darkened.

He was stunned—not third place?

He wasn’t arrogant enough to believe he’d outscored Shen Yao and Lin Xiao. Did this mean he hadn’t made the top three? Had he fallen out of the top ten?

Impossible!

Chu Ran finished and stepped down. Zhou Wei continued.

“Second place, Shen Yao, five hundred and three points.”

The announcement drew gasps from the crowd—the difference between second and third was enormous.

Shen Yao went up to accept her award, and Zhou Wei praised her profusely.

Shen Yao, however, wasn’t in high spirits. Her aim had been first; securing second felt like failure.

Finally, it was time to announce first place. There was no suspense—everyone’s gaze fell on Lin Xiao.

“First place, Lin Xiao, eight hundred and eighty-eight points!”

Lin Xiao smiled. He liked the number—eight-eight-eight, an auspicious sign. This journey through the secret realm had indeed brought him fortune.

He went up to receive his award. To his surprise, Zhou Wei handed him only the cash prize, not the spirit orb.

Lin Xiao looked at Zhou Wei in bewilderment.

Zhou Wei was a bit embarrassed.

“We don’t have a spirit orb for enhancing eyesight, so we’ll owe it to you. Once we find one, we’ll deliver it to you.”

Lin Xiao was speechless. Zhou Wei probably hadn’t expected an F-rank ability user to win.

Who knew when they’d find the orb he needed? He couldn’t let them owe him forever.

“City lord, why not convert it to cash?”

Zhou Wei hadn’t expected Lin Xiao to make such a request, but he readily agreed. Such spirit orbs were rare, and delaying would invite criticism.

“All right! I’ll give you an extra two million. Is that acceptable?”

Lin Xiao hadn’t expected Zhou Wei to be so generous. Of course he agreed—two million was enough to buy the finest first-level skill.

“O.K., city lord, you are truly magnanimous!”