Chapter 173: With Jiang Chen Covering Us, There's Nothing to Fear

The two of them kept chatting, and time slipped away unnoticed; moments together are always brief.

The sun slowly sank below the sea horizon, and darkness gradually enveloped the earth.

Jiang Chen returned to the base and found Lin Caier sitting in front of the house, gazing at the night sky, murmuring to herself.

He approached, only to see that she wasn't counting stars but muttering something.

"Damn Jiang Chen, stinky Jiang Chen, why aren't you back yet? When you come back I'll bite you to death! First bite the hand, then the neck, finally the..."

Lin Caier acted "ferocious," which made Jiang Chen find her extremely cute.

Jiang Chen silently moved to her side and chuckled softly, "What do you bite last?"

Lin Caier let out a sudden gasp, her face flushing red enough to drip water.

She hadn't expected Jiang Chen to hear her mutterings.

Lin Caier's little mind whirred rapidly, trying to change the subject.

She noticed Jiang Chen seemed somehow different today, indescribable, as if he had an extra spark of anger.

So she guessed, "Jiang Chen, did you find your sister?"

Jiang Chen knew Lin Caier was very clever, but hadn't expected her to be this clever: "How did you guess?"

Lin Caier said excitedly, "Did you really find her? You look so happy today!"

Jiang Chen smiled and replied, "Yes, I found her, chatted with my sister for a while, so I came back late."

Lin Caier asked impatiently, "How did you find her? Tell me!"

Jiang Chen told her the whole process.

That night, the Shenlong Empire announced the Solo Competition sea‑selection standards, and everyone fell silent.

The Shenlong Empire's standards were so high that ordinary Professionals could barely pass.

Only the most outstanding Professionals could stand out

and emerge.

These individuals, emerging from over two hundred thousand applicants, already proved its excellence.

But the most eye‑catching was Jiang Chen, who completed the sea‑selection in under a minute, several times faster than the second place in his group.

People were curious how Jiang Chen managed it, but the Shenlong Empire gave no details, leaving everyone to hope to uncover the truth in the upcoming matches.

The next morning, the 100th Professional Competition officially began, the entire arena shrouded by a Light Screen, and a massive arena appeared before the crowd.

The competition area for Below Level 40 Low-Level Professionals was divided into three sections, each corresponding to a different group: Level 10, Level 20, and Level 30.

Each section contained ten arenas, allowing thirty matches to run simultaneously.

Every arena was covered by a protective formation, ensuring no life‑threatening incidents.

A large number of healers stood by, ready to provide immediate treatment even if someone was wounded.

These safety measures let Professionals fight with complete peace of mind.

Moreover, the competition area for High-Level Professionals also featured similar facilities, of even higher specifications.

Many saw top healers above Level 70 ready, ensuring safety during the matches.

People were shocked by the Shenlong Empire's grand scale; the nation truly lived up to being a powerhouse, far surpassing other small countries.

Someone sighed, "This is our great Shenlong Empire; little stick, little Shadow Transformation, and the like must step aside."

"These arenas are built on the sea, moving mountains and filling seas—truly remarkable."

"Yes, yes, and counting that A San Ge who loves to jump around, all of them stay far away."

The Shenlong Empire's grand scale shocked

the world.

No other country besides Shenlong seems capable of achieving this level worldwide.

The competition rules were simple: pairwise duels.

Winners advanced, losers were eliminated.

Points didn't matter; only win or loss counted.

There was only one chance.

The Shenlong Empire was also telling all Professionals that once they step onto the battlefield and enter an Instance, facing demons or monsters, life is only once.

After announcing the rules, every team sent representatives to draw lots.

Jiang Chen's team drew number 512, placed in the Level 20 group.

A total of 1,024 teams passed the sea‑selection, so their first opponent was team number 513.

The competition rules were very simple: pairwise duels, winners advance, losers eliminated.

Scores weren't tallied; only win or loss mattered.

The Professionals acted quickly; in just ten minutes the drawing was finished.

Then the arena opened, and the formation roared.

Team after team stepped onto the arena according to their numbers.

Fang Hongxiu said, "We need to focus on teams 18, 322, 599, 733, and 924."

"Team 18 is from Eagle Nation, 322 from the Sacred Battle Divine Realm, 599 from Shadow Transformation Nation, 733 from the Vantian Sacred Realm, and 924 from the Holy Church."

"The Professionals in these teams are all Level 29 Professionals, and they wield top‑tier Silver Equipment, making them very strong."

Fang Hongxiu hasn't stopped since returning yesterday; she has already gathered clear information on several teams.

She called a few over to discuss tactics.

Jiang Chen was directly ignored.

According to them, they should go first.

They couldn't continue.

, Jiang Chen acts again.

Otherwise it would be boring.

A few Skeletons rushed forward, clack‑clack a few times, and the battle ended.

Jiang Chen also leaves them to their devices; they can wreak havoc however they like.

The professionals' matches proceed very quickly; at the fastest, a match lasts only a few minutes.

The Shenlong Empire dispatched a large number of personnel to maintain order, and each arena has a referee beneath it.

Ensuring absolute fairness of the competition.

No items may be used during the match, but participants may wear their own equipment.

Zhang Yang darts over: "I've heard something, I've heard something."

"Team 513, from Southwest University, the captain is Yang Danni, like Sister Fang Hongxiu, a female Knight, Level 27."

Fang Hongxiu asks, "Anything else?"

"Also there's dual support, an archer‑mage combo."

Fang Hongxiu presses, "Levels, specific professions."

Support and support still have great differences.

Prophet is support, Elder is support, Bishop is also support.

Even among Elders, there are Elf Elders, Elemental Elders, Xilin Elder, and other distinctions.

They're just collectively called Elder.

Knights are the same; Fang Hongxiu is an Elf Knight, others include Sword Shield Knights, Swamp Knights, Shadow Knights, and so on.

There are so many professions, slight differences can lead to misjudgment.

Let alone what kind of archer an archer is, or what kind of mage a mage is.

There's also level info, equipment info…

Know yourself and the enemy to fight without fatigue.

With Jiang Chen not acting, they have only four members, and their average level isn't high.

Being outnumbered, another tactical mistake would mean they don't even need to fight.

Facing Fang Hongxiu's probing, Zhang Yang instantly wore a sour expression and meekly said, "I didn't hear anything."

Liu Cui asks, "That female Knight named Yang Danni, she's pretty, right?"

Zhang Yang, without thinking, blurts out, "Not bad…ah!"

In a wail, Liu Cui grabs Zhang Yang's ear hard: "No wonder you heard nothing, you were mesmerized."

In the wailing cries, one of Zhang Yang's ears was violently yanked by Liu Cui: "No wonder we couldn't get any information—so you were mesmerized, huh."

"Not as pretty as you, not as pretty as you!"

Zhang Yang lets out continuous cries.

Fang Hongxiu says in a deep voice, "Xiao Cui, let go; this kind of information is indeed hard to obtain."

"Those entering the competition surely wear Shielding Badges; our levels are similar, and Detection Technique is useless."

"Zhang Yang managing to get this info is already good; let's devise a plan based on it."

Liu Cui finally releases Zhang Yang: "Hmph, considering Sister Fang Hongxiu's favor, I'll spare you this time."

Lin Caier giggles, "We'll watch and fight as best we can; if we truly can't win, Jiang Chen is still there."

To be frank, if we can't win, Jiang Chen will cover us at the end.

They can play and act freely.

Huge Light Screens appear in the air, allowing a 360‑degree, dead‑angle‑free view of the information above.

The Light Screen displays each arena's participants' profession information.

By understanding the data and observing others' matches, one can learn a lot.

Matches run continuously, each team either advances or is eliminated, at a very rapid pace.

Some teams decide the outcome within a minute, showing the skill gap is huge.

Near noon, it's finally Jiang Chen Squad's turn.

A few members step onto the arena, and their opponents, Team 513, also arrive.

A few people stepped onto the arena, and at the same time their opponents, Team No. 513, arrived.

dual support, an archer and a mage.

A very standard combo.

It's also the combo most teams use.

As they take the stage, the team info appears on the big Light Screen.

Sharp‑eyed observers instantly spot Jiang Chen's name.

"Jiang Chen, Level 27, Necromancer Summoner…"

"I've never heard of this profession, is it newly introduced?"

"Necromancer Summoner looks like a mage‑type profession, and it's strong."

"Definitely strong; his prior performance shows it."

Jiang Chen's name draws particular attention.

His earlier performance was overly eye‑catching.

The Solo Competition's prominence also brings to mind the earlier team matches.

Many think the team Jiang Chen belongs to could suddenly take first place, thanks to Jiang Chen's contribution.

Many people think that the team Jiang Chen belongs to suddenly taking first place is also Jiang Chen's merit.

On the arena, the two teams stand on opposite sides, twenty meters apart.

Fang Hongxiu and the opposing Knight named Yang Danni both assume combat stances.

The two Knights lock eyes, staring intently at each other.

Both are brimming with fighting spirit.

Yang Danni is Level 27, three levels higher than Fang Hongxiu.

However, below Level 30, a three‑level gap does not create an overwhelming difference.

Fang Hongxiu is not afraid of her.

The opponent also knows that a higher Level 4 cannot determine victory, and likewise remains in strict formation.

Everyone except Jiang Chen is also ready.

Only Jiang Chen steps back a few paces, stands casually, showing no intention to fight at all.

This was agreed upon by the few; he does not need to act at the start.

If he truly can't win, he can join later without delay.

With a light sound, the match officially begins.

Zhang Yang immediately releases a Skill, first granting a buff to Fang Hongxiu.

Fang Hongxiu Jiao lets out a shout and activates the Charge Skill, dashing forward at speed.

The opposing Yang Danni does likewise, her whole body glowing, activating the Charge Skill.

The Charge Skill is among the most commonly used skills of Knights.

With the Charge Skill, a twenty‑meter distance is traversed instantly.

Just as the two activate the Charge Skill, Liu Cui also triggers a Skill simultaneously.

Skill: Wind Bind!

This is a great battle between two women.