C279 Chu Yi and Reinhardt

No one saw how Chu Yi appeared; his speed was so fast that he was there to catch Lee Zi just as she was about to collapse.

Cradling Lee Zi in his arms, a look of sorrow flickered across Chu Yi's eyes.

"Why go to such lengths?"

The onlookers were puzzled by Chu Yi's words, but Lee Zi understood perfectly.

Despite the blood staining her face, Lee Zi smiled at Chu Yi, her beauty undiminished.

"I wanted to test my own limits," she said.

"You've said it yourself before, haven't you? In martial arts, if it's all about scheming, you'll never reach the pinnacle."

Chu Yi fell silent.

He had discussed this very topic with Lee Zi before, but he hadn't anticipated her unwavering resolve. Chu Yi had hoped Lee Zi would reduce her reliance on cunning strategies, not engage in a battle that pushed her to the brink.

Of course, calling it a matter of life and death was a bit dramatic.

Yet, without her Battle Body as a last resort, it would indeed have been just that.

"Let's skip the upcoming top sixteen matches," Chu Yi finally suggested.

Having secured a spot in the national competition was sufficient. Continuing to fight was merely a question of ranking. While advancing in rank brought significant rewards, to Chu Yi, those prizes were secondary...

Well, he did desire them.

But when weighed against Lee Zi's well-being, they were inconsequential.

Besides, Chu Yi's resources were plentiful, especially after defeating that top-tier demon and claiming its legacy. His wealth was now substantial.

He had no need to provide for many, nor did he have any faction to maintain, so the resources at hand were more than enough for both Chu Yi and Lee Zi.

Lee Zi seemed ready to protest, but one look into Chu Yi's earnest eyes and she acquiesced with a gentle nod.

Somehow, she had grown to trust Chu Yi's judgment implicitly; if he made a decision, she would rarely, if ever, argue.

The battle was over.

Yet the repercussions of this fight were only just beginning to take hold.

To many ordinary people, Lee Zi represented their only beacon of hope, the embodiment of aspirations for their social stratum.

Every step Lee Zi took bolstered the confidence of the common folk.

And today...

Despite the online chatter praising Lee Zi to high heavens, the majority of the populace was well aware that Lee Zi was likely to fail.

The reason was simple: Lee Zi's opponent was a seed player, and Lee Zi was not.

The commoners might not grasp the gap between these warrior elites, but the government officials certainly did.

By designating Young Master Lee as a seed and Lee Zi as non-seed, they had effectively declared the odds.

But who could have predicted the outcome would be as it was?

Even when Young Master Lee tapped into his reserves and achieved a breakthrough to the High Order Gold level, the result remained unchanged.

Was it terrifying?

Was it astonishing?

It was both!

Above all, it was a feeling of immense pride.

At that moment, the entire hall was echoing with chants of Lee Zi's name.

Half a million voices in unison – the impact was staggering. Chu Yi hadn't realized it before, but now it was crystal clear to him.

Nevertheless, Chu Yi didn't allow Lee Zi to linger and bask in the adulation and glory from the crowd.

It wasn't out of jealousy, but because Lee Zi's injuries were gravely severe.

Without deploying powerful immortal arts, expecting Lee Zi to recover in a single day was utterly impossible.

And Chu Yi had no intention of resorting to such measures.

Now that Lee Zi had secured a spot in the top sixteen and earned a place in the national competition, rest was the priority.

The rest would be settled on the battlefield of the national war...

...

"I say, you're Chu Yi, aren't you?"

Chu Yi was ready to depart from the sanatorium.

Per government regulations, loitering was not permitted.

Chu Yi was always one to follow the rules. Besides, with his current spiritual might, he could effortlessly envelop the entire sanatorium with his presence, which was essentially no different from staying by Lee Zi's side.

But as Chu Yi was about to leave, a voice unexpectedly called out to him.

"The records say your name is Chu Yi, the direct heir of the Chu family, the preeminent family of the Terran Federation, correct?"

Facing the two young men before him, Chu Yi's eyes narrowed slightly.

Powerful.

Indeed, they were formidable.

Although they were both young, Chu Yi understood that despite their youthful appearance, they were, in fact, very young. However, their age belied the immense power they wielded. These two were formidable; the strength contained within them rivaled that of High Order Diamond Great Generals.

Moreover, they were prodigies, among the most elite in the Terran Federation. Chu Yi even sensed a subtle, almost imperceptible threat emanating from them. This was noteworthy because even when facing the so-called Four Young Masters of Fairmoor and the Three Young Masters of Grassvale, who had sealed their formidable powers, Chu Yi had never felt threatened.

In a flash, Chu Yi had surmised their identities. "From Yeidia, or perhaps Oleini?" he pondered.

Reinhard's expression remained utterly serene, showing no hint of surprise that Chu Yi had guessed his identity. Indeed, they had never underestimated Chu Yi, so his accurate guess was within their expectations.

"Allow me to introduce myself," Cage began. "I am Douglas Cage from the Oleini District."

"And this is our top scholar from Oleini—Reinhard."

After his introduction, Cage observed Chu Yi quietly, hoping to glean something from his expression. But he was soon disappointed. Chu Yi's face remained impassive, betraying no emotion.

Reinhard, standing beside him, raised an eyebrow slightly—a gesture Cage, who knew him well, recognized as a precursor to annoyance. Cage understood Reinhard's mindset. Accustomed to adulation from a young age, Reinhard was used to being revered, his name alone commanding respect and veneration. Yet now, Chu Yi's lack of reaction was clearly unsettling for Reinhard, who placed great importance on respect.

At the height of Cage's anxiety, the feared confrontation did not materialize. Reinhard's brow twitched but soon settled back into calmness.

"Let me formally introduce myself: I am Dale Reinhard," he said, extending his hand first—a gesture that took Cage by surprise. It was the first time he had seen Reinhard take the initiative to offer a handshake.

Not long ago, Reinhardt had offered his thoughts on Chu Yi.

Reinhardt believed Chu Yi's talent was absolutely terrifying—a prodigy who could rival even him. Yet, he was convinced that Chu Yi's future accomplishments would fall short of his own.

But now, Reinhardt's attitude had shifted...

Cage knew better than to gauge his companion by conventional standards.

Of course, he never attempted to outthink Reinhardt, even though outsiders saw him, Cage, as Reinhardt's go-to strategist.

But the truth was, Cage knew the reality better than anyone.

Many saw Reinhardt as impulsive, arrogant, and overconfident.

Indeed, even having grown up alongside Reinhardt, Cage shared this perspective.

However, to consider Reinhardt foolish would be a colossal mistake.

Reinhardt simply preferred not to overthink things, believing it unnecessary.

Relying on his innate talent and background, his strength and resolve, Reinhardt would bulldoze through any adversary, sparing no time for pondering the trivial.

Yet, when faced with a peer of equal caliber or an elite opponent, Reinhardt's approach would shift from his usual brashness.

Clearly, Chu Yi's prowess had earned Reinhardt's respect, prompting him to engage intellectually with Chu Yi.

Watching Reinhardt extend his hand, Chu Yi remained composed.

As Cage braced for a significant moment, Chu Yi finally extended his own hand in response. "Chu Yi..."

His introduction was as straightforward as Reinhardt's—just his name.

Cage realized this might just be the self-assurance shared among the most exceptional talents.

For other geniuses, the first order of business would be to tout their lineage and the might behind them, with their own identity coming last.

For Reinhardt and Chu Yi, this was seen as a sign of insecurity.

Their intent was clear: they wanted to be recognized for who they were, not for the families or forces backing them.

Such was the confidence of a supreme genius.

No further introduction was necessary; their names alone sufficed.

"Before, I thought you were merely a gifted individual, nothing special."

"Now, I retract my earlier judgment."

"Chu Yi, you are an exceptional opponent, one who truly deserves my full attention," Reinhard said with heartfelt sincerity, his voice tinged with an unmistakable pride.

Who was he?

He was Reinhard, none other than the Lionheart King himself! He stood among the top three prodigies in the entire history of Oleini. Destined to become a War God, he was a Heaven's Pride Level Genius who had ascended to the pinnacle of martial prowess.

His pride was well-earned.

Chu Yi watched Reinhard, his eyes glinting with a trace of amusement.

"Then, I eagerly anticipate our genuine clash on the grand stage of the national war."