GROIKTP Chapter 479

(Author note: Regarding the novel this arc is based on, I can’t mention the name. If I do, the book might get reported and taken down. But it’s an adaptation of a pretty popular novel. That’s all I can say…)

“You already have someone in mind?”

Chen Ye smiled and said, “Master Yan, if I’m not mistaken, as long as the tournament hasn’t officially started, you can still change the recommended participant.”

Hearing this, Yan Zhong frowned.

He began to wonder if this young man in front of him had low emotional intelligence.

Couldn’t he tell that Yan Zhong had already rejected him in a polite manner?

Or was his rejection too subtle, and should he be more direct?

Just as Yan Zhong was about to speak more firmly, Chen Ye suddenly lifted his hand.

“Whoosh!”

A burst of flame ignited in Chen Ye’s right palm, burning intensely and quickly raising the temperature in the office.

“This is…”

Yan Zhong was taken aback. The words of rejection he had prepared got stuck in his throat as he asked in shock, “True Qi projection? You… you’re a Xiantian Grandmaster?”

The ability to project True Qi outward was one of the hallmarks of a Xiantian Grandmaster!

Seeing the flames suddenly appear in Chen Ye’s hand, Yan Zhong mistakenly thought that Chen Ye had so much internal True Qi that he could project it externally.

In reality, this was just one of Chen Ye’s many abilities: *Flame*.

Of course, this world didn’t have the concept of superpowers. Any extraordinary powers or abilities were assumed to come from martial training and cultivation.

“Are you really a Xiantian Grandmaster?”

Yan Zhong repeated the question, staring at Chen Ye in utter disbelief.

It was hard for him to accept that someone so young could already be a Xiantian Grandmaster!

Xiantian Grandmasters had surpassed human limitations and possessed terrifying power. Their mere presence was enough to attract the attention of every major force worldwide.

Even the most powerful organizations would never ignore a Xiantian Grandmaster. If Chen Ye wanted, he could immediately register as an official martial artist and receive extraordinary benefits without even needing to participate in the Martial Arts Tournament.

Seeing that Yan Zhong still harbored some doubt, Chen Ye said nothing and simply raised his index finger, lightly tapping the marble table in front of him.

In the next instant, something shocking happened.

“Crack!”

The marble table shattered into pieces, crumbling into a pile of debris on the floor. However, the four supporting legs of the table remained perfectly intact.

Yan Zhong was shocked. He stood up from his chair, utterly stunned.

What Chen Ye had just demonstrated was nothing short of terrifying to Yan Zhong!

He could shatter marble with his hands, yes, but to shatter it with a light finger tap while leaving the legs untouched? Yan Zhong couldn’t even imagine such precise control of strength and True Qi.

Actually, this was just Chen Ye releasing a tiny fraction of his *Gura Gura no Mi* (Quake-Quake Fruit) power.

“Master Yan, do you still have any doubts?”

Hearing Chen Ye’s question, Yan Zhong swallowed hard and stammered, “M-Master Chen, with your abilities, becoming an official martial artist would be no challenge at all. The Martial Arts Association would never refuse a Xiantian Grandmaster. Why do you still want to participate in the Martial Arts Tournament?”

Now realizing Chen Ye’s true capabilities, Yan Zhong naturally addressed him as a grandmaster.

And he wasn’t wrong.

Typically, the Martial Arts Association only recruited martial artists based on their performance in the Martial Arts Tournament, but exceptions could always be made for extraordinary cases. A Xiantian Grandmaster was more than enough to prompt the association to make special accommodations.

Chen Ye smiled faintly and said, “I prefer to achieve things through proper channels, to earn what I want openly and fairly.”

Yan Zhong was momentarily stunned and couldn’t help but feel confused.

He didn’t understand Chen Ye’s reasoning.

Why take the harder, high-profile route when you could achieve the same goal quietly and easily?

After all, the more attention you draw, the more enemies you make.

This was something that anyone with a bit of life experience would know.

But seeing Chen Ye’s youth, Yan Zhong assumed it was just the arrogance of a young man seeking the spotlight.

“Master Yan, how about now? Have you changed your mind about recommending me?” Chen Ye asked, sensing Yan Zhong’s hesitation.

Yan Zhong was indeed tempted.

If the participant he recommended managed to win the Martial Arts Tournament, the rewards for him would be equally tremendous.

Not to mention the association’s rewards—just the benefits of being associated with Chen Ye, a rising star, were already incalculable.

As the one who recommended Chen Ye for the tournament, others would see them as allies. The greater Chen Ye’s future success, the more Yan Zhong would stand to gain.

Having a Xiantian Grandmaster as an ally…

With such a connection, Yan Zhong wouldn’t even have to lift a finger; nobody would dare trouble him.

But…

Yan Zhong thought of the person he had already promised the spot to, and he smiled bitterly.

“The person I’ve already recommended… I can’t afford to offend them.”

After a moment of thought, Yan Zhong said, “Master Chen, I’ve already promised that slot to someone else, and I don’t have the standing to recommend someone of your caliber. However, if you’re willing to trust me, I can introduce you to my master. He’s a grandmaster, and he could recommend you instead. What do you think?”

“Oh?”

Chen Ye was intrigued.

He knew full well the kind of mutual benefits that came with being a recommender. If a participant performed well in the tournament, the recommender would enjoy substantial rewards as well.

So he was surprised that Yan Zhong, even after seeing a glimpse of his abilities, was still willing to introduce him to someone else.

Noticing Chen Ye’s curiosity, Yan Zhong explained sincerely, “To be honest, the person I want to introduce you to is my mentor. Without him, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’ve always wanted to repay his kindness, and I hope you can help me do that.”

Hearing this, Chen Ye’s opinion of Yan Zhong improved.

At least from this, Yan Zhong seemed to be a man of loyalty and integrity.

“Very well, have your master come find me,” Chen Ye nodded.

All he needed was the recommendation slot, which was why he had come to the dojo and issued a challenge.

He didn’t care who the recommender was.

Chen Ye’s main goal was to make a name for himself in the Martial Arts Tournament and complete his mission.

“Thank you, Master Chen!”

Yan Zhong said excitedly, “I’m sure my mentor will be honored to recommend such a talented young man like you.”

…

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