Chapter 103: Yao Yang Has Social Anxiety?

"I really regret it—if I'd known Dragon Nation would become this powerful, I'd have moved to Dragon Nation even if it meant going bankrupt!"

The audience of Daxiong Nation wore terrible expressions, voices of regret rising one after another.

But,

were they truly regretful because they had recognized their mistakes?

Of course not.

They were simply afraid!

"Aiyo wei!"

"That damn Goddess of Fate always drops the ball at the crucial moment!"

Steve gnashed his teeth in hatred and slammed a fist onto the railing.

This was a great battle that concerned the survival of the nation.

And yet their Triumphant Alliance was sent to the front lines!

The early worm gets pecked by the bird—he understood that principle.

And on top of that.

Fighting in the first match, setting everything else aside, they had less preparation time than other nations.

He wanted to protest, but the Mysterious Judge replied coldly and mercilessly: Protest denied!

Defense battle.

Seventy-two hours later.

Officially launched!

……

Dragon Nation.

Inside the parliament hall.

"Soon, it's almost soon—once the defense battle ends, Dragon Nation's great cause of unification will be accomplished!"

"All of this is thanks to Zhang Cheng."

"If not for Zhang Cheng, our Dragon Nation would probably have been eliminated on the Divine Ghost Killing Arena long ago, suffering the punishment of a terrifying descent."

Qin Meng looked at Zhang Cheng, his eyes full of gratitude.

The other squad leaders also expressed their thanks to Zhang Cheng one after another.

"I'm a Dragon Nation citizen too—this is all what I ought to do."

"There's no need for thanks."

Zhang Cheng waved his hand, and seeing the atmosphere getting a bit sentimental, he immediately changed the subject:

"By the way, Chief Captain Qin, about the new location for the Divine Ghost Summoner Alliance……"

"Mm, it's built—not just the headquarters, but branches have been established in other cities as well."

Qin Meng handed the tablet recording the data to Zhang Cheng,

"I've already ordered that within five days, every city in Dragon Nation should have a Divine Ghost Summoner Alliance branch."

Within five days……

This speed of infrastructure construction was truly astonishing!

Even though Zhang Cheng knew Dragon Nation's technological level was advanced, he was still quite surprised by this result.

"By the way, the protective shield disappears in 24 hours—how are those defensive fortifications coming along?" Zhang Cheng asked.

Qin Meng waved his hand, "Don't worry, they were built long ago."

"They've even been reinforced."

"Not only that, I've stationed two SSS-Rank Summoners at every location."

"Of course, for some dangerous zones, I've even deployed those above SSS-Rank."

"It's safe to say that no country in the world can break through our defenses now."

Zhang Cheng breathed a sigh of relief, "That's great then."

Those who hunt year-round all know.

A beast that suddenly fights back is the most dangerous.

Let alone a nation on a massive scale.

A nation's counterattack would inevitably cause heavy casualties.

People, once they no longer need to consider consequences, can act quite madly.

After the meeting ended, Zhang Cheng stood up, planning to go back and catch up on sleep.

At this time, Qin Meng said, "Zhang Cheng, if you're free, could you classify the levels of Summoned Creatures?"

"As you know, now that Summoned Creatures above SSS-Rank have appeared, the current ranking system is obviously no longer sufficient."

Zhang Cheng rubbed his chin.

Indeed.

In the current classification of Summoned Creatures, above SSS was already the top tier.

As for what comes above super-SSS……

They couldn't very well call it SSSS-Rank.

Not only would it sound awful, it would also seem messy.

"As for naming…… how about calling the level above super-SSS 'X-Rank'?"

Zhang Cheng's naming ability was limited—X sounded a bit less imposing, but it was still better than SSSS-Rank.

Qin Meng nodded, "Then what about above X-Rank?"

"Chief Captain Qin, you're making things difficult for me."

Zhang Cheng waved his hand. "Figuring out X Rank was already hard enough for me. As for what's above X Rank, you'd better ask someone else."

"Alright."

Before leaving, Qin Meng handed the file to Zhang Cheng.

"This contains information about that super SSS-Rank summoner from before."

"Just as we guessed, this guy is socially anxious. He never steps out his front door, and he's an orphan too."

"After his last rank-up, his Summoned Creature should have also reached X Rank."

"The staff tried contacting him several times, but were all turned away at the door."

"He's not easy to get along with. You can go check on him when you have time."

An X Rank summoner?

Zhang Cheng's eyes lit up.

This should be the only X Rank in Dragon Nation!

Of course, Jiang Wenjing didn't count.

After several rank-ups, that girl had already surpassed the X Rank category.

"I'll go check tomorrow!" Zhang Cheng set the time.

……

The next day.

Ping'an Residential Community.

"You're really going to see him?"

"We've gone many times, but rarely see him."

"Even when we do see him, he doesn't talk to us."

Yu Haili sat beside Zhang Cheng, her pretty face full of displeasure.

Just thinking about how that boy kept everyone at arm's length annoyed her.

Zhang Cheng focused his attention on the file.

Name: Yao Yang.

Age: 11 years old.

Rank: X Rank.

Summoned Creature: Unknown.

Special information: According to neighbors, this boy named Yao Yang has no parents by his side and lives alone.

But every month, different strangers visit his home.

He himself rarely goes out, and there was even a record of him not leaving home for half a year.

At that time, the neighbors thought he had been murdered and died at home, until security personnel came to the door and found Yao Yang alive and well.

"Half a year without going out…"

"And in a residential building, too."

Zhang Cheng tossed the file aside, frowning in thought.

Residents of residential buildings almost always go out every day to buy things.

Even if they have supplies at home, they'd still need to go out for some fresh air once a month.

Even with online shopping, there would be purchase records.

But the file showed that Yao Yang had no purchase records for several years now.

The most recent was a case of instant noodles bought three years ago.

"Also, he doesn't like going out himself, yet people frequently visit his home."

"If he's socially anxious, most of his friends would be people he met online."

"Meeting in person this frequently doesn't support the social anxiety theory."

"There must be something strange going on here."

"But what?"

Zhang Cheng thought hard but couldn't figure it out, so he finally gave up.

Beside him, Yu Haili was still complaining.

"Zhang Cheng, you don't know—that kid named Yao Yang is really hard to deal with."

"If you ask him questions, he won't answer."

"At first I thought it was just his personality, but later every one of us was shut out, and then I understood."

"He simply doesn't want to see us!"

"Probably just a naturally arrogant ice-cold kid. Never mind, you wouldn't believe me even if I told you. You'll find out when the time comes."

Soon.

The two arrived at Yao Yang's residence.

Knock knock knock!

Knocking on the door.

"Hello, I'm Zhang Cheng from the Divine Ghost Summoner Alliance. I'd like to ask you about a few things." Zhang Cheng introduced himself directly, without beating around the bush.

Yu Haili sighed. "This won't work. He's already resistant toward the Divine Ghost Summoner Alliance."

"If you put it that way, he won't open…"

Creak—

The door opened.

Soon, an enthusiastic voice came from inside,

"Zhang Cheng? Are you the Zhang Cheng from the livestream?"

"Wow wow wow, I finally get to see you in person, come sit, come sit."

"I just knew that someday you would come looking for me!"

"At last, I've got you here!"

Speaking, Yao Yang, wearing a white T-shirt and black shorts, excitedly welcomed Zhang Cheng into the house.

Yu Haili beside them almost stared her eyes out.

No way……you?

You're treating us differently, right!

Walking into the room.

Zhang Cheng and Yao Yang sat facing each other.

Zhang Cheng carefully examined the boy before him; indeed, from his appearance there was nothing out of the ordinary.

It matched quite well with the 11 years old written in the data.

"Are you really Zhang Cheng?"

"In person you're much more handsome than on the livestream; can you give me an autograph?"

"I love watching your show; I watch it every meal, it's especially good with rice!"

Yao Yang's dark, sparkling eyes shone as he picked up the notebook and pen on the table and handed them to Zhang Cheng, eagerly hoping to get an autograph.

Zhang Cheng: "……"

He really hadn't expected,

that he too would have a day to sign autographs for someone.

But,

"The Divine Ghost Killing Arena is no joke; every battle is tied to the nation's future and destiny."

"So I hope you take it seriously, and don't treat it as mere entertainment." Zhang Cheng reminded him seriously.

Yao Yang froze for a moment upon hearing that, "But you've won every time."

Zhang Cheng nodded, "Even so, we must take it seriously; past victories and present ones don't guarantee future ones."

"I still hope you don't view it as an entertainment item."

Yao Yang seemed to understand, nodding repeatedly,

"Okay, I understand."

"Actually, I usually watch replays during meals; when it's live I'm fully focused, and I silently cheer for you in my heart."

That's right.

Zhang Cheng nodded satisfactorily, then handed the signed notebook to Yao Yang.

"Alright, may I ask you a few questions now?"

Yao Yang agreed, "Sure."

"First, you just said I would definitely come find you—how can you be so sure?"

Zhang Cheng asked, "Although your skill is not bad, that's about it."

Yao Yang sat up straight, laughing innocently.