Chapter 14: What if Ye Lin is the Ling Ye you are looking for?

With just a single sentence, Zhuge Ni turned Ye Lin from someone surrounded by admiration into the target of the crowd's mockery.

"Student Ye Lin, why must you put yourself through this?"

Principal Su of Yucai High School sighed faintly, speaking with a pained expression.

"If I'm not mistaken, it was your principal, Gao Zhentian, who told you to power-level as soon as you entered the Novice Secret Realm, right? You've been deceived by him, Ye Lin! He is trading your life for the school's glory!"

Principal Gao's expression changed instantly; having his inner thoughts exposed, he shouted with a show of false bravado.

"Su, stop spouting nonsense here! As a teacher, how could I possibly treat my own student's life as a joke?"

"Heh, true or false—why don't we just ask Student Ye Lin? If no one had induced him, I don't believe a youth with a bright future ahead of him would treat his own life as a joke!"

Once Principal Su said this, a sharp glint flashed in the eyes of many, and they began to eye Principal Gao suspiciously, making cold sweat seep out from behind his back.

"Slander! This is slander! He is slandering me!"

Principal Gao hurriedly argued, but Principal Su ignored him, his gaze burning as he looked at Ye Lin.

"Student Ye Lin, come, tell us the truth. Don't worry, I guarantee no one will dare to retaliate against you! Did your principal induce you to power-level inside the Novice Secret Realm or not?"

He had been annoyed with that old fellow Gao Zhentian for a long time; if Ye Lin told the truth in front of everyone today, it would be the moment Gao Zhentian's reputation was ruined.

Principal Gao became nervous instantly, because he had indeed let Ye Lin and the others power-level, and he had even given Ye Lin and Zhuge Ni each a ring-type equipment. If Ye Lin were to spill this in public... Principal Gao looked at Ye Lin with a faint trace of murderous intent.

The moment Ye Lin raised his head, Principal Gao felt his heart stop beating, and the others also refocused their gazes on Ye Lin, urgently wanting to know the truth.

"Principal Su, no one forced me. The act of power-leveling inside the Novice Secret Realm was entirely my own choice."

As soon as Ye Lin finished speaking, Principal Gao finally let his heart, which had been hanging in his throat, drop back into his stomach. He had been scared to death.

Principal Gao was satisfied, but Principal Su was not.

"Student Ye Lin! Do you even believe what you're saying?"

"Principal Su!" Ye Lin raised his head and stared into Principal Su's eyes as he asked, "If you were the one who changed classes into a Forbidden Spellcaster, what would you choose?"

"Would you choose to be a timid coward who fears death for the rest of your life, or would you choose to let go of all restraints, go all out, and wither away at your most brilliant moment?"

"I choose the latter." Ye Lin clenched his fists tightly. "I, Ye Lin, would rather be a hero for one minute than a coward for a lifetime!"

Ye Lin's words were deafening, leaving everyone in the audience in silence.

Among those who had just mocked him, many now showed a trace of admiration in their eyes; they hadn't expected Ye Lin to have such aspirations.

Yet, more people remained cynical—dead is dead; isn't a grand death still just death?

Principal Su opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but he didn't know how to begin.

Clap, clap, clap.

A sound of applause rang out, and Zhuge Qianxing looked at Ye Lin with interest.

"Young Friend Ye Lin truly has grand aspirations. Regardless, Young Friend Ye Lin's level is as high as 16, making him the highest-level student in this Novice Secret Realm. This point is beyond doubt, isn't it? He is number one."

Seeing that even Zhuge Qianxing had stepped out to speak for Ye Lin, the others didn't dare to say anything more. It was one thing to not take Ye Lin seriously, but they couldn't exactly disregard Mr. Zhuge, could they?

However, seeing her father speaking up for Ye Lin, Zhuge Ni was immediately unhappy.

"Dad! Who told you he was number one? When Ling Ye comes out, his level definitely won't be lower than this guy Ye Lin's!"

"Oh? Is that so? Which young talent is Ling Ye?" Zhuge Qianxing looked toward the various principals.

The principals all shook their heads in confusion; none of them had heard the name Ling Ye.

"Aiya, never mind that! Anyway, you'll know when he comes out! He is the true heaven's pride!" Zhuge Ni said with a firm expression.

"If he is someone you praise so highly, then I am indeed interested in meeting him."

A gentle smile hung on Zhuge Qianxing's face, and then he took out a business card and handed it to Ye Lin.

"Student Ye Lin, let me introduce myself. My name is Zhuge Qianxing, and I am Zhuge Ni's father. If you have any matters in the future, you can contact me."

The moment he met Zhuge Qianxing's gaze, Ye Lin's heart tightened. He felt as if those deep eyes behind Zhuge Qianxing's lenses could see through all his secrets.

"Thank you, Mr. Zhuge. Then I will be leaving first."

Ye Lin took the business card, not daring to meet Zhuge Qianxing's eyes again.

"Good, go home and get some rest. We should... be seeing each other again very soon," Zhuge Qianxing said with a smile.

Ye Lin didn't dare to reply and walked away quickly. For some reason, he always felt as if this mysterious Mr. Zhuge knew everything.

"Ye Lin, don't forget to come back to school in three days for the college entrance exam!" Principal Gao called out from behind Ye Lin to remind him.

Three days after the Novice Secret Realm ends is the day of the college entrance exam trial, which is far more important than the Novice Secret Realm.

After Ye Lin left, the others originally wanted to leave as well, but upon remembering the genius Zhuge Ni mentioned who was even more impressive than Ye Lin, they couldn't help but stay.

After all, if nothing else, Ye Lin's level of 16 was enough to make everyone else feel outmatched; the current second place, Zhuge Ni, was a full 4 levels behind Ye Lin.

A genius even more impressive than Ye Lin—just how terrifying would that be? Could it be that they had already reached level 20?

The crowd waited quietly, and Zhuge Ni also stared intently at the exit of the Novice Secret Realm.

The sky gradually darkened, and the sun cast its final rays as it set in the east.

The gate to the Novice Secret Realm slowly closed, which meant that all the freshmen inside had already been teleported out.

Having waited for so long, the crowd couldn't help but look at Zhuge Ni. Didn't you say there was a genius more impressive than Ye Lin? Where is he?

Zhuge Ni's face was deathly pale. That's impossible! She had clearly guarded it from start to finish, and she had watched every single person. Where is Ling Ye?

Could it be... Zhuge Ni realized it in an instant!

When Ye Lin came out, there was a period of time when her mood was affected because of him, and she hadn't paid attention to the movement at the exit. Could it be that Ling Ye had snuck out during that time?

That annoying Ye Lin! It was his fault again!

Having figured this out, Zhuge Ni was furious.

Seeing the indignant expression on Zhuge Ni's face, no one dared to go up and question her. After all, this was Mr. Zhuge's own daughter. Feeling deceived, the crowd could only disperse in dejection.

"What's wrong, Ni Ni? Where is that genius you mentioned?" On the way back, Zhuge Qianxing patted Zhuge Ni's head and asked.

"Dad! Even you don't believe me! That genius named Ling Ye really exists! He even saved your daughter's life!"

Zhuge Ni was very agitated and told Zhuge Qianxing the whole story. Zhuge Qianxing didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"So, you came out of the Novice Secret Realm early just to identify him?"

"Mm..." Zhuge Ni's voice was as soft as a mosquito's. She carefully raised her eyes to look at Zhuge Qianxing; after all, although Zhuge Qianxing doted on her, he still had very strong principles.

Zhuge Qianxing pushed up his glasses, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes, and he smiled faintly.

"Ni Ni, have you ever considered a possibility: that Ye Lin is the very Ling Ye you have been looking for?"