Chapter 518: The Finals Begin

The next day, Jiang Cheng left home and headed toward the academy. Not long after he entered the gate, two voices sounded behind him.

"Teacher Jiang!"

"Good morning, Teacher Jiang?"

Jiang Cheng stopped, looked back, and saw two unfamiliar-looking people gazing at him with kind expressions.

He quickly realized that these two must have met him through yesterday's competition and recognized him again, so they took the initiative to greet him.

"Morning."

Thus, he also gave them a slight smile.

The two exchanged smiles, walked over, and their attitude became even more enthusiastic.

"Teacher Jiang, you really are silent until you make a stunning move!" the male teacher on the left exclaimed. "Originally, your alchemy technique was already top-notch in our academy; I never expected your combat skills to be beyond ordinary people as well."

"That's right!"

After his companion finished speaking, the male teacher on the right immediately took over: "Teacher Jiang, you probably don't know that after yesterday's incident, all the teachers and students in our academy have been talking about you!"

"Really?"

Jiang Cheng didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

How could he not know? On his way out of the principal's office yesterday, he already heard people talking about him all around.

Of course, most people still couldn't believe it.

"Yes! Teacher Jiang, we truly envy you for achieving so much at a young age."

"That's right, Teacher Jiang, being so young and already having such achievements, your future is limitless."

The two spoke back and forth, their tones full of envy.

This is also why they knew Jiang Cheng had a bad relationship with Sun Bo, yet today they dared to proactively greet him.

Jiang Cheng's potential is too great!

Being only a First-level Grandmaster, he could fight his way into the finals of the Grand Competition.

If his cultivation were a bit higher, making it into the top ten would be a certainty, and even winning first place would not be impossible.

For such a promising prospect, it's naturally better to establish good relations as early as possible.

"You two are being polite; I was just lucky," Jiang Cheng said with a smile. "Gentlemen, I have other matters, so I'll take my leave."

"Fine, fine."

The two nodded.

"Teacher Jiang, go ahead and get busy, but the finals round will start in an hour or two; we wish you swift success and smooth advancement into the second round."

"Not bad, not bad. With Teacher Jiang's abilities, as long as he doesn't draw too strong an opponent next, advancing to the second round shouldn't be difficult."

"Thanks."

Jiang Cheng smiled at the two, turned, and headed toward the Alchemy Workshop.

"Truly impressive for one so young!"

"Yeah, I'm afraid this will soon reach the Chief's ears, and then the Chief will certainly value him highly."

"To attract the Chief's attention, that really..."

The two watched Jiang Cheng's receding back, feeling even more envious.

Jiang Cheng arrived at the Director's Office of the Alchemy Workshop; as soon as he pushed the door open, Ma Ming, who was sitting inside, sprang up from his chair and hurried over excitedly.

"Director Jiang, you brought great glory to our Alchemy Workshop with yesterday's three matches!"

"Really?"

Jiang Cheng didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

He had already mentally prepared for this scene on his way over.

"That's right! Our Alchemy Workshop has existed for so long, and many signed up for the Grand Competition, yet no one could match you in reaching the finals round—most only got to the third round before being eliminated. Director Jiang, you are the pride of our Alchemy Workshop!"

Ma Ming said this and, unable to restrain himself, grabbed Jiang Cheng's hand.

Jiang Cheng silently pulled his hand away.

"Cough, cough."

Ma Ming hurriedly coughed twice, explaining, "Um, Director Jiang, I was just too excited and couldn't control myself; I hope you don't misunderstand."

Saying that, he sighed and said:

"To be honest, I never imagined you could make it to the finals round; I thought just passing the first round would already be a good performance."

"Actually, I didn't expect it either," Jiang Cheng said with a smile. "Maybe it's just better luck."

"Director Jiang, you're too modest."

Ma Ming shook his head like a rattle-drum, saying, "As far as I know, someone entered the finals round just because of luck—weak opponents in the first two rounds, a bye in the third, and direct advancement to the finals. But Director Jiang, your opponents have gotten stronger each round; you fought your way into the finals with real strength, not mere luck."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Cheng also didn't know what to say.

"Hehehe."

Ma Ming laughed and said, "Director Jiang, you don't need to feel embarrassed; what I said is also true. You should be about to participate in the first round of the finals soon, right?"

"Hmm."

Jiang Cheng checked the time; there was still less than half an hour until the Drawing Lots Ceremony.

"Then I'll congratulate Director Jiang in advance on a victorious start."

Ma Ming laughed heartily, "When you actually go on stage, I'll also be there on site to cheer for Director Jiang."

"This..." Jiang Cheng understood his meaning and said, "If you, Director, have things to attend to, there's no need to insist; handling business is more important, and the Alchemy Workshop has other teachers present, which is enough."

"No problem, no problem."

Ma Ming waved his hand, saying, "Compared to this, other matters can be set aside; after all, you are the Vice Director of our Alchemy Workshop."

Seeing this, Jiang Cheng also didn't say anything further.

After sitting in the office for a while, with less than a quarter hour left before the start, he got up, greeted Ma Ming, and headed toward the venue.

Along the way, he naturally attracted the attention of many people around, and some even took the initiative to greet him; compared with the treatment before yesterday, it was as if they were two different people.

Upon arriving at the venue, another commotion arose, with exclamations like "That's Teacher Jiang, Teacher Jiang has come!" rising and falling one after another.

Jiang Cheng felt a sudden headache; just as he was about to walk past the front and enter the backstage lounge, several familiar voices sounded.

"Teacher Jiang!"

"Little Brother Jiang!"

"Brother Jiang."

It turned out to be several members of the Seventh Squad; after calling out to Jiang Cheng, they quickly came up to him.

"Captain, you guys came too?" Jiang Cheng was a bit surprised.

"Hahaha, how could we not come on such an important day?" Yu Yang laughed heartily.

"That's right, Brother Jiang, you're being a bit inconsiderate," Di Yun said, narrowing his eyes.

"Inconsiderate?" Jiang Cheng was taken aback.

After thinking it over carefully, he felt he hadn't done anything to let down his fellow squad members.

Could what Di Yun meant be that he had entered the Finals Round but hadn't told them?

Besides, he didn't want to bother them; moreover, this was only the First Round—even if he passed and entered the Second Round, there wouldn't be any reward anyway.

Compared to empty fame, he still valued Contribution Points more.

(End of chapter)