Chapter 51: Is Zhao Yu Planning Something Big?

Outside the Trial Tower, the massive teleportation pillar slowly faded away.

Lin Mo’s figure appeared in the center of the square.

He still looked listless, even covering his mouth to yawn.

“He’s out! Young Master Lin is out!”

“Is this the guy who cleared thirty floors? Why does he look… half-asleep?”

“You don’t understand! This is the calmness of a true expert! Didn’t you see how battered all the other candidates looked when they came out?”

“I think you’re talking about Young Master Zhao.”

“Shh…”

Among the crowd, many girls’ eyes began to sparkle.

“Wah… so handsome, he’s so hot I can’t even close my legs…”

“I want to be that boss, I want Young Master Lin to pin me down and unleash his full power…”

“Young Master Lin is rich, handsome, and strong—he totally gets me! I want to give him monkeys, no, a whole litter!”

“Please, with your tiny frame, when Young Master Lin goes all out, how many seconds do you think you can last? One hit and you’d be on your knees begging for mercy.”

“Hmph, I still want to! Better to die beneath the peony than live without passion!”

Amid the increasingly bizarre and explicit chatter, Zhao Yu stood in the shadows of the crowd, his gaze icy.

He stared fixedly at Lin Mo, the center of attention.

Listening to the praise and admiration that should have been his now flooding toward that hateful Lin Mo.

Jealousy festered in his heart.

Meanwhile, the hangers-on who usually flocked around Zhao Yu had vanished without a trace.

“Quiet!”

“This is chaos! Are you treating this place like a marketplace?!”

At that moment, a commanding voice like thunder drowned out all the noise.

On the podium, Chief Examiner Zhang Tiejun stood with his hands behind his back, scanning the crowd.

He looked coldly down at the tens of thousands of candidates:

“Look at yourselves now! The overall quality of this year’s cohort is a disappointment!”

“The first five floors of the Trial Tower are just Level 5 monsters…”

“Yet over sixty percent of you still fell before the fifth floor! Some even pissed themselves from fear when they faced goblins on the first floor!”

Zhang Tiejun scolded with frustration:

“With your mental resilience, how will you ever face abyssal demons? How will you defend your homeland? Do you expect demons to spare you because you cry?”

Many candidates lowered their heads in shame.

Zhang Tiejun shifted tone, his gaze sweeping over Lin Mo and the others in the front row, his expression softening slightly:

“Of course, a very few have demonstrated exceptional talent and combat Suyang far beyond their peers.”

“Especially the candidate who shattered the long-standing record of the Trial Tower—his tactical choices and skill usage are textbook-perfect, worthy of everyone’s study!”

Though he didn’t name anyone, everyone knew who he meant.

Zhang Tiejun took a deep breath and raised his voice again:

“The first phase of the exam is officially over!”

“The rankings have been updated—check them yourselves!”

“Congratulations to the top 200 candidates—you have qualified for the second phase.”

“As for those below rank 200… unfortunately, your exam ends here. Leave the testing area immediately and do not linger on the square!”

“Now, all candidates rest! In two hours, those who advanced will gather before the teleportation array to begin the second phase: the Misty Wasteland!”

As his words ended, the square split instantly into joy and despair.

Some cheered wildly, others were hollow-eyed—but Lin Mo’s mood remained untouched.

His only thought right now was… hunger.

Lin Mo walked straight through the crowd toward the commercial zones on either side of the square.

The facilities here were extremely complete, with rows of shops lining both sides.

On the left stood dazzling equipment shops, skill book stores, and even low-tier pet dealers, their entrances adorned with flashy signs.

On the right, every shop was a food establishment.

From street stalls to high-end restaurants, all were emitting mouthwatering aromas.

Lin Mo glanced around.

His gaze quickly locked onto the restaurant with the most opulent decor.

The two coiled dragon pillars at its entrance silently declared: I am expensive, beggars stay out.

“This one.”

Lin Mo stepped inside.

…

Soon, a server led Lin Mo to a window-side private seat on the second floor.

【‘Fireball Spell’ slammed the table wildly: I’m starving! This lord demands a feast! Bring meat! Fire-element meat! Vegetables are heresy!】

【‘Earth Shield Spell’ timidly raised its hand: Master… I want to replenish too, I’m hungry too…】

“Stop whining, can’t you see I’m ordering?”

Lin Mo replied casually in his mind, then flipped through the menu.

“This one—‘Flame Feather Chicken’—how much?”

The server enthusiastically explained:

“It’s our signature dish—tender meat, rich in fire element.”

“It’s sold by plate: each plate has three slices of breast, arranged like a phoenix dancing through the nine heavens, symbolizing great fortune. One plate costs 8,888 Dragon Nation coins.”

“Fine, bring three whole chickens, and three portions of ‘Earth Rock Beef Steak’ too.”

Lin Mo waved his hand with grandeur.

“Ah…?”

The server froze, stunned.

Normally, people ordered one plate—three slices. Why is this kid ordering three whole chickens?

Does he have a mine?

“What’s the problem?”

Lin Mo raised an eyebrow.

At that moment,

A woman in a supervisor’s uniform rushed over and yanked the clueless server behind her.

“Oh my, isn’t this Young Master Lin?!”

“Young Master Lin’s arrival is an honor we failed to prepare for! We’re truly unworthy!”

The supervisor whispered to the still-dazed server:

“This is the son of Commander Lin Tianhao. He doesn’t just eat one chicken—he could buy out this entire restaurant with a single word!”

“Go, arrange it immediately!”

“Ah…”

The server turned pale with fear, bowing deeply in apology:

“I’m so sorry, Young Master Lin! I… I didn’t recognize you!”

“Enough with the flattery.”

Lin Mo waved him off, uninterested in their antics: “Hurry up and arrange it. I’m in a hurry—I’m starving.”

“Yes yes yes! Right away! I’ll tell the kitchen to stop all other orders and serve only your table!”

The supervisor bowed and retreated.

…

Undeniably, under Lin Mo’s influence, the restaurant’s efficiency was unmatched.

Less than twenty minutes later, the private room door opened.

Three sizzling golden-red roasted chickens and a variety of delicacies instantly filled the table.

“Please enjoy, Young Master Lin.”

The server bowed politely and withdrew.

As soon as the door closed, Lin Mo grabbed a chicken leg and took a huge bite.

“Perfect!”

Lin Mo, grease dripping from his mouth, sighed: “This is life.”

【‘Fireball Spell’ greedily absorbed fire elements, moaning in satisfaction: So fragrant… so delicious…】

【‘Earth Shield Spell’ drooling: Master, eat the rock beef steak! Quick!】

At that moment,

A graceful figure approached.

Lin Mo glanced over and recognized Xia Qingyue.

Xia Qingyue stared at the extravagant feast on the table, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

"Young Master Lin, your appetite... isn't bad."

"Huh? Isn't this Xia, the campus beauty? What do you want?"

Lin Mo asked casually.

Xia Qingyue paused, her expression turning grave:

"Young Master Lin, there's something I feel I must tell you right now."

"Zhao Yu has contacted many candidates who passed into the second-stage exam—they're planning something big, and their target... is you."