When Gu Xing's figure disappeared at the end of the square, the other participants were gradually transported back.
When Chen Ziming appeared in the center of the square holding the Enchanting Demon, he was immediately surrounded by a group of flattering students.
"Young Master Chen, surely you're the first in this trial, right? An Epic Level Guardian Beast is truly unparalleled."
"I bet Young Master Chen scored at least 3000 points! Such a score would easily rank first in past years!"
"3000 points? Wouldn't that mean the potential evaluation is close to S-Class? We're witnessing history here!"
Listening to these compliments, Chen Ziming's smile almost reached his ear.
He tightened his embrace of the Enchanting Demon, his fingers restlessly caressing her waist.
Originally, he was always known as a playboy in Lin Yuan City.
But ever since he contracted this Epic Level Guardian Beast...
He not only shook off the label of "idle wastrel" but also received praises wherever he went.
Thinking of this, he felt even more satisfied with the Enchanting Demon in his arms.
"Mei'Er," he whispered in her ear, "I'll reward you well tonight; tomorrow, I'll take you to Alternate Space to level up."
Upon hearing this, the Enchanting Demon immediately blushed, her long eyelashes quivering as they lowered:
"I-I'll do whatever Brother Ziming says..."
This coquettish appearance made Chen Ziming feel hot all over, wishing he could take her home right away.
But looking at the yet-to-be-announced score list, he suppressed his urge.
After all, this was the moment of glory he couldn't miss, with every eye on him reaching the top.
It's worth noting, Chen Ziming worked painstakingly for this trial.
He not only relied on the power of the Enchanting Demon but also secretly spent a fortune to hire a five-man team.
This team specifically handled severely injuring the Magic Beasts to near-death, leaving him to deliver the final blow.
At this moment, feeling the Awakening Tier Four power within, Chen Ziming smirked triumphantly.
This cunning method may be despised by some, but its effect was indeed remarkable—
Not only did his level soar, but his points also increased significantly.
"Look! The rankings are being announced!"
With an exclamation, the entire square erupted in excitement.
All eyes instantly focused on the large screen in the center of the square.
The ranking slowly appeared, starting from the last place.
[Rank 187: Zhang Wei, Points 85, Potential Evaluation D]
[Rank 163: Li Na, Points 112, Potential Evaluation D]
...
The crowd occasionally erupted in cheers or sighs.
As the list scrolled to the top ten, the square's atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
The announcement of the top ten was clearly different, with each name lingering, accompanied by special sound effects.
[Rank 10: Wang Hao, Points 890, Potential Evaluation B]
[Rank 9: Liu Fang, Points 902, Potential Evaluation B]
...
In the center of the square, Chen Ziming confidently embraced the Enchanting Demon, his smile radiating assurance of victory.
Flattering compliments rang from all around:
"Young Master Chen will surely be in first place this time!"
"No kidding, who other than Young Master Chen has the capability to take first place?"
Chen Ziming enjoyed the adulation, playfully twirling the Enchanting Demon's hair with his fingers, already envisioning the scene of receiving the City Lord's commendation.
However—
"Did I see wrong? Why is Young Master Chen's name second?"
This voice, like a clap of thunder, shattered Chen Ziming's dreams.
He turned abruptly, staring at the glaring data on the screen:
[Rank 2: Chen Ziming, Points 4100, Potential Evaluation A]
"This is impossible!"
Chen Ziming's features twisted in shock, his voice altered.
Second!
How could he be second?
4100 points; such a score already set a historical record in Lin Yuan City, how could he still be second?
Chen Ziming's eyes turned red, staring fiercely at the large screen in the center of the square.
Who?
Who took his first place?!
The Enchanting Demon in Chen Ziming's arms was equally rigid.
She had been watching the list with a purpose—to find her former master's rank, whom she had abandoned.
Yet, from the last to the second, she never found that familiar name.
This situation sank her heart to rock bottom.
In the next moment, a terrible guess chilled her to the bone!
Could Gu Xing be first?!
The Enchanting Demon immediately shook her head, trying to dismiss the absurd possibility from her mind.
No way!
Absolutely no way!
The person contracted a crippled Angel...
She couldn't possibly lose to such "defective goods"!
But often, the more one fears something, the more likely things turn that way.
Under everyone's attention, the first place slowly unveiled.
[Rank 1: Gu Xing, Points 44300, Potential Evaluation SSS]
The moment this ranking was revealed, the whole square seemed to explode like a bomb.
"Oh my god! Gu Xing's score is... forty-four thousand three?! "
"One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand... it's truly a five-digit number!"
"SSS-Class potential? Is this a human cheat code!"
Amidst the rising astonished cries, Chen Ziming stood frozen as if struck by lightning.
He stared at those two numbers:
44300 vs 4100!
A whole tenfold difference!
How could this be!
With bloodshot eyes, veins bulging on his fingers, Chen Ziming gripped a staff member's shoulder:
"Cheating! This must be cheating!"
His voice rasped like sandpaper, "Forty thousand points? What a joke!"
The staff member calmly brushed off his hand, their voice dangerously steady:
"This score has been personally verified by the City Lord. Are you questioning the City Lord's judgment, Young Master Chen?"
This statement was like a bucket of ice water poured over him.
Chen Ziming staggered back two steps, his ears buzzing.
The surrounding gazes felt like countless sharp knives, piercing him all over.
"Heh... ha ha..."
He suddenly smirked manically, his nails digging into his palms.
"I get it! That poor wretch must have used the twenty million my father gave to hire people and rig the scores!"
By now, Chen Ziming had completely lost his rationality, his handsome face twisted into a nearly sinister expression, the veins on his forehead pulsing with his rapid breaths.
Just thinking of the impoverished boy he once stepped on, now using the Chen Family's donation of twenty million to humiliate him, made the fury in his chest burn him to nearly ashes.
"Gu Xing! Do you think using my family's money will let you beat me?!"
He fiercely grabbed the Enchanting Demon's wrist, nearly crushing the slender bone.
The Enchanting Demon gasped in pain but dared not resist, stumbling as she was dragged along.
"Now! Immediately!"
Chen Ziming, eyes bloodshot, was like a rabid beast.
"I want to hire the top-notch Demon Hunting Team, ten squads aren't enough, then twenty!"
"In ten days at the academy assessment, I will make that waste kneel before me and beg!"
His voice echoed across the square, drawing countless astonished looks.
But Chen Ziming no longer cared about his image, his mind filled only with a single thought—
At all costs, to crush Gu Xing completely.
The Enchanting Demon trotted along with him, but as she turned, caught sight of that shining name on the square screen—
Gu Xing, SSS-Class!
A thought suddenly swept through her mind...
Looking back, was her choice really the right one?
...
...