Li Zixuan and Zhou Haoyu thanked Zhao Mu for his kindness, but they also stated that the reason they originally teamed up with Zhao Mu was because Zhao Mu was only Rank E, and they felt they were qualified to join him.
Now, however, they felt awkward, afraid that they might drag Zhao Mu down.
"If it's convenient, we hope you can lend us a hand when the time comes. But rest assured, we won't hold you back."
The two spoke with great sincerity.
Zhao Mu smiled and nodded, "Alright, then let's work hard together."
In the square, the Trial Participants who came to register gradually arrived, and the huge plaza was bustling with people.
A streak of gold entered Zhao Mu's eyes; the person's voice was exceptionally loud, and his enthusiastic laughter could be heard from afar.
"Hello, I am Golden Elephant City, a candidate in this session, from the Jin Family of Lujiang City. Please guide me! I hope that in the upcoming trial, we can work together, improve together, and pass the test!"
Zhao Mu propped his chin with one hand and looked over curiously.
He saw a tall, thin youth with a full head of golden-yellow hair smiling broadly among the crowd, shaking hands and greeting the surrounding Trial Participants one by one.
"Ah, may I add your contact information?"
After chatting with someone, he enthusiastically raised his electronic wristband. The other party usually wouldn't refuse his enthusiasm, and they would add each other's contact information.
Gradually, the number of people around him increased.
"Someone from the Jin Family..."
Li Zixuan, standing next to Zhao Mu, spoke in a serious tone, "He's not simple!"
Li Zixuan's Family had a bit of background; his father was a Squad Leader in the Wubei Army, managing over a dozen people.
Although his background wasn't too deep, it definitely surpassed that of an average person's Family, and he had access to some internal intelligence.
Seeing the curious expressions of Zhao Mu and Zhou Haoyu, Li Zixuan explained, "The Jin Family is a Family in the upper circles of Lujiang City; they are very powerful."
He pointed his chin toward the golden-haired youth who was busy networking everywhere.
"However, it's quite rare to see someone like him openly using the Jin Family banner to conduct business everywhere."
Just as he was speaking, the golden-haired youth walked toward them.
Upon seeing Zhao Mu, his gaze became subtle, filled with scrutiny.
Although he didn't recognize Zhao Mu, he could immediately sense Zhao Mu's extraordinary nature just by looking at him.
Years of training had already made Zhao Mu's physique different from that of ordinary people.
His height of 1.87 meters, the extremely deep, concealed killing intent cultivated from years of combat, and the calm, composed expression on his face—
—anyone observant could tell he was extraordinary.
There were thousands of Trial Participants today, most of whom were nervous, afraid of dying or being crippled during the trial. Their inner worries were clearly visible and always showed on their faces.
But Zhao Mu was remarkably calm. It would be impossible to be this composed without absolute confidence.
Golden Elephant City walked over with a smile. Not far behind him, a large group of people was already following.
"Hello, everyone! My name is Golden Elephant City, from the Jin Family in Lujiang City, graduating from No. 149 Middle School in Fengyun District. I wonder if I have the honor of making friends with you all?"
Li Zixuan and Zhou Haoyu subconsciously glanced at Zhao Mu.
This made Golden Elephant City realize even more that Zhao Mu was no ordinary person; he must be a formidable Awakener from a certain Yuwu Middle School.
Zhao Mu smiled faintly, "Zhao Mu, from Yuwu No. 2 Middle School in Changxing District. Please guide me."
He reached out and shook hands with Golden Elephant City. Upon hearing the name, Golden Elephant City immediately recognized it.
After all, he couldn't possibly forget the person who repeatedly ranked first in the Lujiang City Joint Examination.
However, how did he hear that Zhao Mu's Awakening talent Rank was E?
Golden Elephant City felt a strange sensation in his heart, but he didn't show it, maintaining his vibrant, enthusiastic smile.
"Oh!! So it's Student Zhao Mu! I've heard so much about you! You were always first in the Joint Examination, that's incredible! Truly!"
As he spoke, he turned to the others behind him and said, "I often used to say, 'Who exactly is this Zhao Mu? Holy crap, he's amazing! Why can he always take first place in the exams?'"
"I never thought I'd see him in person today. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
Golden Elephant City exaggeratedly boasted about Zhao Mu to the others.
A playful smile flashed in Zhao Mu's eyes.
This Golden Elephant City is certainly not simple!
If it were an ordinary youth being praised like this, they would either become so arrogant their tails would fly to the sky, or they would blush deeply out of embarrassment.
But flattery works on everyone, and anyone would develop a good impression of Golden Elephant City.
But who was Zhao Mu? He wouldn't be affected by such simple flattery.
"They are just empty honors."
Zhao Mu's indifferent expression, seen by Golden Elephant City, made him feel even more that Zhao Mu was extraordinary.
"Student Zhao Mu, are you three teaming up?"
He glanced at Li Zixuan and Zhou Haoyu beside him.
The two scratched their heads, "Actually, we aren't exactly a team."
Zhao Mu had only said that if the opportunity arose, he could pull them along, but he hadn't agreed to act together with them.
After all, Zhao Mu's priority was winning first place in this trial!
He couldn't have any burdens by his side.
Golden Elephant City took a deep breath, and his expression immediately turned serious, adopting a guiding demeanor.
"The Entrance Trial for Qingfeng Camp is no joke! The number of people who die in the trial every year reaches double digits! The number of injured and crippled is even harder to imagine."
"If you try to go solo, even with great strength and high talent, you can easily be eliminated."
"Therefore, in order to allow more like-minded people to successfully pass the trial, I have established a team!"
He spread his arms, showing the dozen or so people he had already recruited behind him to Zhao Mu and the other two.
"There is strength in numbers! Even during the trial, you will have people to rely on. Isn't that much better than acting alone?"
"Everyone, I, Golden Elephant City, can see that none of you are ordinary people; you possess excellent talent and ambition! If you want to enter Qingfeng Camp, join my team! Let us succeed in entering the camp together!"
After hearing these words, Li Zixuan and Zhou Haoyu both showed signs of being moved.
Their talent, strength, and background were all very average. With fewer than one in ten Trial Participants passing, they had little confidence.
But if they could huddle together for warmth, the success rate would indeed be higher.
"Zhao Mu, what do you think?"
Li Zixuan was relatively rational and asked for Zhao Mu's opinion.
Zhao Mu's prestige as a Squad Leader for twelve years was still present; in the eyes of his classmates, he was always the smart and rational one.
Zhao Mu smiled slightly and said to Golden Elephant City, "I appreciate Your Excellency's kind intentions, but I am used to acting alone, so I will proceed by myself!"
A look of surprise appeared on Golden Elephant City's face. He hadn't expected the other party to be completely unmoved by his speech.
If it were anyone else, even a refusal wouldn't be stated so readily.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)