Chapter 607 - 332: Wei Zhenghong: Is This Really A Dream

The man who looked up wasn’t very tall. His clothes weren’t luxurious; in fact, his plain, grayish-white attire was downright simple. He spoke with a thick accent, scratching the back of his head with one hand, looking utterly perplexed.

No one on Han Jingtian’s side said a word, but the man’s appearance immediately drew sidelong glances from the other group.

Someone whispered, "Where did this country bumpkin come from? It’s been a month or two since anyone has questioned Lord Su Chen’s strength."

For a while, whenever a new power arrived at the Peak Star Arena, they would wonder why a Tier Six professional was ranked first. They’d doubt Su Chen’s strength, go in to test him, and come out so shaken they’d question their own existence before finally accepting reality.

It had become a spectacle that never got old.

However, as word had gradually spread recently, newcomers learned about this beforehand, so basically no one raised such doubts anymore.

"Yeah, how can a Tier Six be number one?" someone nearby jeered, a smirk playing on their lips. "Hey, friend, why don’t you go in and test him? See if he’s really qualified to be up there."

"You’re right." Upon hearing this, the man seemed to take it to heart and actually walked into the Peak Star Arena.

"Why does that guy look so familiar?" Han Xingliu frowned. From his angle, he could only see the man’s side profile.

Wei Zhenghong remarked with some feeling, "For a Tier Six to become number one in the preliminaries... that has to be a first. It’s only normal for people to doubt him."

"Strictly speaking, Su Chen isn’t the first," Han Jingtian suddenly interjected from the side.

Chu Ran’s expression soured. He knew what the other man was implying—that Qin Tianlin was, in fact, the first.

But Qin Tianlin was dead now, a scar on the Bronze Sect. For the other party to bring him up so deliberately was clearly malicious.

Wei Zhenghong, however, looked completely baffled. "If Su Chen isn’t the first, then who was?"

"You!" Han Jingtian’s face darkened. He couldn’t tell if this guy genuinely didn’t understand or was just playing dumb. This kind of taunt was meant to be understood implicitly; spelling it out ruined the fun.

"It was Qin Tianlin, of course," he said coldly.

"Qin Tianlin?" Wei Zhenghong started, stunned. "How could he have possibly become number one in the preliminaries?"

Then, he mused, "Was it during the initial period of data chaos? Did he exploit it to steal the top spot? That shouldn’t count, right?"

Nearby, Han Xingliu was deeply impressed. He never would have guessed that this Wei Zhenghong was such a master at playing dumb.

Han Jingtian glared, thoroughly exasperated. ’Does this guy really not know, or is he just pretending?’

’Don’t tell me I have to explain the whole thing from start to finish?’

’Once it’s explained, where’s the mockery in that?’

It felt like punching cotton. His expression was grim.

Listening to Wei Zhenghong’s speculations and seeing the grim look on Han Jingtian’s face, Chu Ran was speechless. He carefully sent out a mental wave:

"He didn’t steal it. Qin Tianlin really did defeat He Muyang and briefly became number one in the preliminaries, even if it was only for a few minutes."

"What?" Wei Zhenghong looked at Chu Ran in astonishment, wondering if he had misheard. He quickly asked mentally, "He could defeat He Muyang, too?"

Then, Wei Zhenghong glanced up at the rankings again. Without waiting for Chu Ran’s reply, he asked in confusion, "If that’s the case, where’s his name? Was it removed for cheating?"

"Uh... he died," Chu Ran responded hesitantly.

"Dead?" Wei Zhenghong’s eyes widened, and he almost lost control of his aura. "For real?"

"It’s true," Chu Ran replied mentally, glancing at Han Xingliu and Han Jingtian. "Everyone knows. It happened a few months ago."

Wei Zhenghong’s expression shifted, and he suddenly burst out laughing. "Haha..."

"Black Tuo did it. He died right where you’re standing," Chu Ran added dryly.

Wei Zhenghong’s face froze. A storm of emotions churned within him, and for a moment, he didn’t know how to react. ’Black Tuo did it himself?’

Han Jingtian watched Wei Zhenghong’s constantly changing expression, his own brow furrowed. He didn’t know what the two were discussing secretly, but he was sure they were up to no good.

Just then, a clamor arose from nearby. "Hey, look! Second place changed!"

"Liu Zhengyang? That name’s unfamiliar. He wasn’t in the top hundred. How have I never heard of him? And he jumped straight to second place."

At these words, everyone instinctively looked up. Sure enough, He Muyang had been pushed down to third.

Han Xingliu, however, had a moment of realization. "So it was him. No wonder he looked familiar."

"Who is it?" Han Jingtian asked impatiently.

"This Liu Zhengyang is Zhou Lingtian’s student. I only saw him once by chance," Han Xingliu explained.

"It’s him." Han Jingtian’s expression changed slightly. Zhou Lingtian was second on the Morning Star Chart, second only to the Rebellious God King. He possessed a Dual Divine Dawn Talent, had no affiliation with any power, and always acted alone.

At that moment, the plainly dressed young man who had just entered the arena walked back out. His aura seemed unstable, and he had a look of utter shock on his face.

"That Su Chen is really something else. I’ve already undergone the Melting Holy Profession, but I still couldn’t guarantee a win against him. I’d have to wait for him to run out of stamina, but winning like that wouldn’t be honorable. He’s only Tier Six, after all. I admit he’s qualified for the top spot."

"My teacher was right. The Dust Star Sea is full of hidden masters. I’ll just take second place for now."

He seemed to be muttering to himself, but everyone around heard him clearly. Many people now recognized him as the guy who had just questioned Su Chen’s strength.

"Melting Holy Profession?" Many people exchanged glances, their expressions complex. They looked at the name that had suddenly jumped to second place, then back at the plain and simple man before them. They just couldn’t connect the two.

"Melting Holy Profession?" Wei Zhenghong still hadn’t processed the news of Qin Tianlin’s death. Hearing this man’s words made his head buzz. He looked over in a daze. "What does he mean? Even after the Melting Holy Profession, he couldn’t guarantee a win against Su Chen?"