In the resting lounge.
Lu Ran looked at Su Ting with curiosity.
He had initially thought that Yu Qingcang had simply arranged for a kind-hearted young woman to look after him.
He never expected Su Ting to have such a renowned reputation!
In fact, back in the Imperial Capital, Su Ting’s fame back then was in no way inferior to Cong Shuang’s today!
“Ting Ting Jie, what kind of place is the Tianfu Association?” Lu Ran asked curiously.
“You can think of it as an academy, but it’s different from one. After graduating from an academy, you leave it behind. But once you join the Tianfu Association, unless you’re expelled, you can’t voluntarily withdraw. Of course, no one would want to leave anyway, because the Tianfu Association offers excellent benefits and a respectable status,” Su Ting explained.
However, joining the Tianfu Association is extremely difficult.
Quite a few members come from the Imperial Capital.
People from other major cities can also join, but as mentioned earlier, even having a hidden class doesn’t guarantee admission.
The Tianfu Association makes a comprehensive assessment of your professional abilities and combat prowess, extending invitations on a strict selection basis.
Cong Shuang was invited to join.
To get in, you must stand out as uniquely exceptional even among hidden classes. You can imagine just how challenging that is.
“The reason you don’t stand a chance isn’t because of your combat ability, but because the Necromancer class itself isn’t within their consideration. Of course, if your performance in this Hundred Cities Tournament catches their attention—say, if you win the championship—there’s still a chance to join. Tianfu Association members enjoy great perks and treatment, but they also bear significant responsibilities, and that involves many other things. You’ll understand in time. For now, focus on the competition,” Su Ting said to Lu Ran.
Then, she looked at him with curiosity and asked, “What do you think your chances are of winning this tournament?”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Lu Ran replied, “One hundred percent. I’m going after the champion’s prize. Xin Xin Jie said the reward for winning the Hundred Cities Tournament is incredibly generous.”
Su Ting was taken aback.
She had been through the Hundred Cities Tournament herself. It was a gathering of hidden talents.
Everyone there had hidden classes and had been carefully selected as top contenders from their respective cities.
They were all newcomers who had been in the game for just over twenty days, so the gaps in strength weren’t enormous.
Even back when Su Ting won the championship, it hadn’t been a smooth ride.
And even Cong Shuang, who was full of confidence this year, couldn’t guarantee she would definitely take the crown.
Yet Lu Ran had this kind of self-assurance.
A one hundred percent chance of winning!
Out on the main field.
Half of the arenas had already been removed, leaving only twenty-five.
After all, only fifty contestants remained.
The crowd of onlookers had also tightened their circle around the remaining stages.
During the draw, Lu Ran couldn’t care less which arena, which corner, who his opponent was, what class they had, or where they came from.
As far as he was concerned, everyone in front of him would be taken down in one hit. No need for any worries.
“Arena Number Twelve,” Lu Ran said, glancing at his draw result.
Then, his opponent was matched.
Also drawing Arena Twelve was a girl named Cen Yinuo, whose class was Summoner.
The Summoner class itself is a hidden class, but the differences between summoners can be huge.
That’s because the types of summoned beasts they contract vary widely.
Similar to the Onmyoji class in Sakura, the different shikigami result in vastly different combat abilities and tactical roles.
When Su Ting saw the matched opponent, she immediately said:
“A Summoner’s combat power comes from their summoned beasts.”
“Summoned beasts can be melee attackers, ranged attackers, healers, support types, tanks, magic-based, physical-based, and so on.”
“But since she made it to the Hundred Cities Tournament, it’s highly likely she leans toward an offensive type.”
“Remember this: don’t get tangled up in a prolonged fight with the summoned beast. Capture the leader first.”
“As long as you bring down the Summoner’s own health bar, she loses.”
“If you get stuck fighting her summoned beast, she’ll wear you down in a vicious cycle, snowballing the advantage.”
“Your class is magic-based, and you’re not very durable, so you must be careful.”
…
Su Ting had no idea that inside Lu Ran’s “Sleeve Universe,” he had an undead army ready to take hits for him.
Even if he just stood there and let his opponent wail on him, she’d exhaust herself to death before ever killing Lu Ran!
“I understand. Don’t worry, Ting Ting Jie. I’ll end this fight quickly,” Lu Ran nodded.
“Just stay alert,” Su Ting added.
But inwardly, she found the whole thing a bit ridiculous.
This guy might be more special than other Necromancers, but this level of confidence was just over the top!
She’d never seen anything like it!
If Lu Ran hadn’t put on such an eye-catching performance in the first round, Su Ting would have written him off as a talentless braggart.
On the other side.
Inside Cong Shuang’s private room.
Her arena was Number Ten, and her opponent was also a magic-based class.
She didn’t take her opponent seriously at all.
She just felt a little disappointed that she hadn’t been matched against Lu Ran.
She was genuinely curious about just how capable Lu Ran really was—to the point that four major guilds had already listed him as a provisional member.
And even Ye Hongyi had personally changed the rules of Red Garment Pavilion, making Lu Ran the only male member!
“Whatever. I just hope Lu Ran doesn’t get eliminated too early. As long as he stays in, we’ll meet eventually. But if he gets knocked out quickly, then there’s no point in paying him any more attention,” Cong Shuang murmured to herself.
She steadied her mind, and seeing that time was almost up, the contestants were getting ready to enter the arena!
Since the second round was in the afternoon, the square was even more packed with spectators, though many couldn’t even squeeze their way to the front.
When Lu Ran came out, Cong Shuang was already on Arena Ten.
Lu Ran walked past the base of her stage.
Cong Shuang had been watching him the whole time, and when Lu Ran noticed her gaze, he looked back.
Their eyes met, and Lu Ran’s expression was perfectly calm.
In fact, he even gave her a polite, toothy grin.
After all, she was Cong Yu’s sister. But speaking of which, Cong Shuang and Cong Yu really did look strikingly alike!
No wonder they were twins.
But aside from looking almost identical, their personalities and classes were worlds apart.
Cong Yu was spirited and quirky, while Cong Shuang was much more composed, almost aloof.
When she saw Lu Ran flash that grin at her, Cong Shuang was momentarily stunned, then politely nodded in return as a gesture of acknowledgment.
Then, she watched as Lu Ran made his way to Arena Twelve, with one other arena in between.
Being so close, she’d get a good view of how Lu Ran fought.
Su Ting was standing right next to Lu Ran’s arena.
“Focus on the match. Adapt based on what type of summoned beast your opponent uses. And remember—don’t get bogged down. Defeating her is your primary goal, not defeating her summoned beast,” Su Ting reminded Lu Ran.
Lu Ran nodded.
He turned to face his opponent.
She was a petite girl with a cute appearance—twin tails, a puffy dress, a real little loli.
“My name is Cen Yinuo,” she said politely.
“Lu Ran,” he replied.
But really, the introductions weren’t necessary.
When both sides were matched, they already knew each other’s names and classes.
“A Necromancer, but with such a high level—and still able to compete in the Hundred Cities Tournament. You’re an interesting one. Your first-round performance stirred up quite a bit of debate. In this second match, don’t you dare hold back against me, okay? Let’s have a fair duel—friendship first, competition second,” Cen Yinuo said with a cheerful laugh.
It was rare for someone to say something like that to an opponent—telling them not to hold back.
Lu Ran nodded. “Alright. I’ll give it my all.”
