As the match began, Bai Mulan found herself puzzled by Chen Fan's actions. He stood still in front of Jiang Haoran, adopting a fighting stance, but instead of engaging immediately, he remained motionless for a full minute. What are they doing? A staring contest? she thought, frowning. Aren't protagonists usually hot-blooded, trash-talking their opponents while mocking and looking down on them?
What followed left her slightly stunned. She watched as Chen Fan effortlessly dominated Jiang Haoran, tossing him around the arena as though the other man had no chance to counterattack. The final move, in particular, caught Bai Mulan's attention—it was a complex and powerful technique that even she would find challenging to deal with for the first time without prior knowledge. Yet, Chen Fan survived it without so much as a scratch.
But then, she reasoned, it was to be expected. Which protagonist doesn't have a hidden arsenal of powerful techniques? she thought with a faint sigh.
What surprised her more was Chen Fan's demeanor after the match. There was no trace of arrogance or contempt in his expression as he regarded Jiang Haoran. Instead, she thought she glimpsed a flicker of respect in his eyes.
Intrigued, she decided to observe his subsequent matches closely. Over time, her evaluation of him began to shift. He's just… a normal guy, she realized. There was no sign of the overbearing pride or self-centered confidence she had come to associate with the protagonists in the novels she'd read. Chen Fan didn't act as though he believed he was the "chosen one." Meanwhile, the voice in her head, which she had hoped would provide some clarity, seemed entirely absorbed in the fights, like an excited child watching a cartoon for the first time. It offered no meaningful information about the supposed "plot" or what might happen in the future.
Was I wrong about him? Bai Mulan began to question her assumptions.
Maybe this voice calls us 'protagonist' and 'heroine' simply because we're the most attractive people around? she speculated.
Or maybe he's just a delusional man? Another possibility came to her mind. What if he can see the future and only refers to us this way because he's seen us become powerful figures later on?
Her thoughts spiraled into endless speculation, fueled by the frustrating lack of concrete information. She couldn't arrive at any definitive answer. Eventually, she sighed and decided to return to her original plan. I'll just play along for now to gather more information, she resolved. I need to know the truth behind this voice and my supposed 'role' in the story.
With that decision, Bai Mulan steeled herself. She would act as if she were following the so-called "plot" to see where it led. Of course, I won't fall for him like the plot suggests, she thought firmly, a spark of defiance flickering in her eyes.
Arriving at the end of the match, only four participants remained for the final rounds tomorrow. For the first time, Bai Mulan saw the so-called protagonist up close. As she observed him, she noted that he only smiled while glancing at her and the other two contenders. There was no hint of lust or obsession in his expression. Instead, she detected a spark of eagerness in his eyes, as if he couldn't wait to face them in battle. Whether this was his true nature or a masterful act of concealment, she couldn't tell.
As she watched his departing figure, she noticed him conversing with a young man around his age and a middle-aged man—not with any beautiful girl as she had half-expected. This unexpected detail caused her to view him with mixed feelings. The disgust and mild hatred she initially felt toward him had diminished slightly after this first impression. However, there was still no trace of likability, merely the neutrality one might feel toward a stranger.
[Oh? What's this? Has the heroine already fallen for the protagonist?]
[She keeps staring at him.]
The voice in her head chimed in with its usual taunts, and Bai Mulan felt a wave of irritation. Damn it. Just because I looked at this man, does that mean falling for him is the only possibility in your mind?
Still, this moment reassured her of one thing—her feelings remained her own. When she looked at Chen Fan, there was no inexplicable attraction or manipulation of her actions. With that thought, Bai Mulan immediately turned away and left the scene, determined to return to her room and reflect on the events of the day.
----
Back at the hotel, Chen Fan reflected on the day's events.
"That was fun," he murmured, a smile tugging at his lips, mirroring the good mood bubbling inside him. He was already looking forward to tomorrow's matches. Of course, he intended to rely on strategy and wit first. He didn't want to use his unique skills, like Annihilation or his other trump cards, right from the start. Just as in today's fights, he planned to stick to body enhancements and basic elemental control if possible.
Ding.
His phone buzzed, and he immediately glanced at the screen. Sun Xi was calling.
"Brother Chen! Brother Chen! Hurry and check the chat!" Sun Xi's eager and impatient voice came through the line, piquing Chen Fan's curiosity. Without delay, he opened the group chat Sun Xi had mentioned.
As he scrolled through the messages, his eyes lit up.
After the competition, the chief elder of the Blacksmith Hall had announced plans to test participants to select his successor, offering his newest creation as a prize. The mention of the chief elder's weapon instantly captivated Chen Fan.
Previously, he had searched for details about the weapon but found nothing of significance. The weapon, rumored to be centuries old, came from an era far removed from the modern internet age. The owner had deliberately kept its existence out of the public eye, leaving behind only vague rumors. While those rumors were tantalizing, they failed to satisfy his growing curiosity about the so-called godlike weapon.
Now, the chance to see this legendary creation in person made his blood boil with excitement.
As for the matter of becoming the elder's successor, Chen Fan's emotions turned complicated. He already had a master and had no intention of betraying that trust for the sake of a weapon, no matter how extraordinary.
Thinking about his master, Chen Fan realized it had been some time since he'd last seen him. He let out a quiet laugh. "It's only been ten days, and I already miss that old man. He's probably bored out of his mind living alone right now."
Perhaps, once he wrapped up his business at the sect, it would be the perfect time to visit.
"How is it, Brother Chen? Don't you want to see the weapon in person? If it's you, I think you have a real chance to become the successor, Brother Chen!" Sun Xi's voice buzzed with excitement.
"I already have a master," Chen Fan replied calmly, before adding, "But I'd love to see the weapon for myself."
Hearing that Chen Fan already had a master, Sun Xi grew curious about the teacher behind someone of Chen Fan's caliber. "Who is your master, Brother Chen?"
"Just an ordinary cultivator," Chen Fan said with a faint smile.
"He must be a hidden master, Brother Chen. That's the only way he could have recognized your talent," Sun Xi remarked, but seeing Chen Fan's reluctance to provide more details, he chose not to pry further.
Chen Fan simply smiled in response. He recalled his master's quiet life, living alone on a remote mountain without visitors for over a decade. His master must have his reasons for staying secluded, and Chen Fan respected that, choosing to keep his identity a secret.
"What about the weapon? Do you know any details?" Chen Fan asked, steering the conversation to a new topic.
"Unfortunately, no, Brother Chen. I only heard rumors from the sect. Even most of the blacksmith elders don't know much about it. They say the chief elder always crafts his weapons in private," Sun Xi explained.
"Well, we won't have to wait long to see it," Chen Fan remarked, deciding to be satisfied with the limited information. Yet once again, he couldn't help but acknowledge Sun Xi's vast network of connections.
"That's true, Brother Chen. I won't take up more of your time—you've got a fight tomorrow. I hope you win, Brother Chen. All my money's on you!" Sun Xi added with a laugh before ending the call.
Chen Fan smiled faintly at his friend's parting words. His thoughts drifted to his opponent for the next match—the saintess of the Ethereal Frost Sect. Her name was the same as the one Wu Zhilan had mentioned as the previous tenant.
"Maybe I'll ask her about it tomorrow," Chen Fan murmured before refocusing on cultivating. He aimed to restore his energy and perhaps gain a slight boost in power.
When he opened his eyes, dawn had already arrived. A smile spread across his face as his anticipation for the upcoming battle grew. After a quick preparation, he headed straight for the competition arena.