Merging with Demon Spirits

Chapter 372: Chapter 277: Time to Have Some Fun

The arrival of Glory Professional Players made the once protagonists, the most gifted young stars, into mere supporting cast.

Lin Feng, thanks to his own popularity and outstanding records, was still surrounded by a considerable amount of media attention.

Yun Kai, relying on his Ancestral Demonization talent and the nation’s favorite status, had always been the media’s darling, very much in the limelight; as for the rest, almost no one paid them much attention.

Even peerless talents like Zhan Tianyu and Ye Qiu were no exception.

At present, they were just newcomers, their strength not yet at its peak; though their talent was exceptional, they had not yet grown into it.

There’s a clear distinction between a rising star and a celebrity.

For this, players from all the top colleges felt some envy, but had no other strong emotions about it.

Joining the Glory Professional Alliance is the future goal and plan for some; some have already signed with professional clubs.

Soon, they’ll officially join the Glory Professional Alliance and become nationally recognized stars.

Because of tomorrow’s opening ceremony, the appearance of thirty Glory Professional Players, among them eight of the ten All-Star Players, accompanied by fans screaming and a frenzy of media photo-taking, the flashbulbs never stopped.

For the pros, this was standard fare—some posed stylishly, some looked indifferent, some just chatted casually with those beside them.

”Ye Xing, for this national college Glory Tournament, who do you think will take the championship?”

A slightly overweight, seasoned journalist approached Ye Xing, microphone in hand, for an interview.

As tomorrow’s opening guest, such interviews were routine; Ye Xing had experienced this before, so with some experience, he smiled and said:

”There are far too many talents this year—recognized as the most dazzling batch in history. I have high hopes for everyone. As for who will take the championship, that’s clearly an unknown answer.”

Such a crowd-pleasing, bland, noncommittal response obviously couldn’t satisfy the journalist. He pressed on, ”Among the rising stars in all the colleges, who do you think will inherit your place? Or threaten your status?”

”Anyone could surpass me—Yun Kai, Zhan Tianyu, Ye Qiu, Lin Feng—there are simply too many. This round of the Glory Tournament is star-studded. Every student competing has the potential to become an All-Star Player.”

At this, Ye Xing smiled, ”There really are too many super-geniuses. As for threats—not really. By the time they officially join the Professional Alliance, us old-timers will likely be retired already.”

Ye Xing joined the Professional Alliance at 22; now he’s already 27.

Thirty years old and Eighth Grade Grandmaster Realm—that’s the league’s mandatory retirement requirement.

If not for preparing for the Glory Battle in fifteen months, he would’ve already broken through Eighth Grade Realm and retired early.

Barring accident, after this world-watched Glory Battle, he’s going to retire.

No matter how extraordinary Lin Feng and the others’ talents, their paths wouldn’t cross with his.

As an All-Star Player, Ye Xing’s glory career had been comfortable: no worries, plenty of resources, and his professional and Demon Spirit growth perfectly planned out by the club.

But the Alliance was, after all, just one Chapter in his journey.

He had bigger responsibilities.

Sealing a Space Gate was one of his goals too.

So, for the seven including Lin Feng—especially Lin Feng—beside admiration, he also felt a hint of envy.

Maybe knowing that he wouldn’t get much from the always affable Ye Xing, the journalist angled the mic toward Ye Xing’s teammate, Xie Yixiao, and asked, ”Xie Yixiao, do you feel pressured by these dazzling new stars?”

Xie Yixiao answered coolly, ”No denying it, these newcomers have excellent talent, but they’re still young—still a bit lacking in experience.”

These words made Ye Xing glance at Xie Yixiao, brows furrowing, but he said nothing.

The journalist, by contrast, perked up. Compared to Ye Xing’s answers, Xie Yixiao’s words were obviously much more headline-worthy.

He quickly followed up, ”As for Lin Feng, the hottest star among college students, what do you think? Lin Feng actually signed with Juxing once, only for Juxing to drop him. Now he’s made a strong comeback. As a member of Juxing, do you think he could become your future rival?”

This question immediately drew the attention of many nearby.

Xie Yixiao chasing after Ya Ge was no secret; the reporters all knew some backroom rumors. Plus, Lin Feng had scammed a pile of money out of Juxing— the biggest joke in the Alliance these last two years. The journalist was clearly stirring the pot.

Hearing the ill-motivated question, Ye Xing muttered to himself that this could go wrong. He signaled Xie Yixiao with his eyes to be careful with his words, but the latter didn’t seem to notice, laughing as he said, ”He’s still young, talented as a Demon Fiend, but it’s impossible for him to become my rival.”

Though it wasn’t a direct belittling, Xie Yixiao’s expression and tone carried a faint trace of contempt.

Like he didn’t even put Lin Feng in his eyes.

”So you mean Lin Feng isn’t as good as you?”

The journalist deliberately prodded.

”I never said that,” Xie Yixiao replied.

Though he didn’t like Lin Feng, he wasn’t stupid—he knew what could and couldn’t be said.

Lin Feng’s skills and record couldn’t be dismissed by a single sentence.

Lin Feng’s fans weren’t necessarily fewer than his own.

In fact, if you just compare accolades, Lin Feng’s were much more glorious than his.

If he said the wrong thing, even he’d get flamed.

Seeing Xie Yixiao didn’t take the bait, the reporter looked a bit disappointed, but didn’t give up:

”How about this time, Lin Feng and his six crew sealing the Jade Seal Spatial Gate—what’s your take on that achievement?”

For this one, Ye Xing didn’t let Xie Yixiao answer, worried he’d slip up. He threw an arm around Xie Yixiao’s shoulder and, with emotion in his eyes, said:

”Sealing a Space Gate—that kind of glory makes us all feel reverence and envy. Lin Feng, Yun Kai, Ye Qiu, Zhan Tianyu, Yu Qiao, Yang Ningbing, Huang Tianze—I know each of their names. Though they aren’t very old, every one of them is an admirable person.”

”And what do you think about the revenge to come from the Alien Race?”

The journalist pressed on. At this, the smile instantly disappeared from Ye Xing’s face, his gaze chilling as his expression turned deadly serious:

”Did you grow up eating shit? How can you ask such a stupid fucking question? Are you from Jiangdong News Agency? Why don’t you ask your station chief what they think about this?”

Ye Xing directly let him have it with four straight-fire questions.

Ye Xing was tall and built strong, but didn’t come off as intimidating—the ever-present slight smile made him look humble and affable. But after he refined his way to No.48 on the Earth Chart with a Frenzied Giant Beast, as a Berserker, his battle style was wild and violent; no way he’d really be mild-mannered at heart.

As a team captain, if he didn’t have some backbone, how could he manage his crew?

Ye Xing had a good temper, but make no mistake—don’t provoke him, or the consequences will be heavy. This was common knowledge throughout the Alliance.

Seeing Ye Xing lose his temper, the reporter looked awkward and dared not push further.

Other professional players wouldn’t recklessly offend journalists, but as one of the ten All-Star Players, Ye Xing was utterly fearless—not someone a low-ranked reporter could possibly mess with.

And if he pissed off the wrong person, he’d be out of a job.

”Useless piece of shit! Don’t let me see you again, garbage.”

Though the reporter had already left, Ye Xing still couldn’t resist cursing after him.

This, anyone with half a brain would know right from wrong—the journalist’s question was clearly malicious.

Sealing a Space Gate—Ye Xing knew better than anyone how dangerous that was. It was such a glorious achievement, a feat he himself hadn’t accomplished; calling it an epic achievement wouldn’t be exaggerating.

More importantly, this time, the seven led by Lin Feng had killed off more than half the Alien Race’s Sixth Grade super-geniuses. In the future, there would be fewer powerful aliens, and fewer human deaths—maybe even more glorious than the Space Gate sealing itself.

Just for alien retaliation, making Lin Feng and his squad take such immense pressure was flat out unfair.

And yet, there were reporters asking such idiotic questions—if it weren’t for so many people in public, Ye Xing would’ve taught him a serious lesson.

The journalist obviously heard Ye Xing’s cursing, his face flashing with anger, but he could only pretend not to hear, dropping his head as he left.

Meanwhile, many nearby were looking at him with contempt—some straight-up mocking, refusing to mingle with that kind of person.

”No need to get mad at trash like that.”

Seeing the reporter leave, Yun Tianqi walked up, patted Ye Xing’s shoulder in comfort.

Except for a few people who can’t tell right from wrong, pretty much everyone felt the same way about this.

”You done with interviews?”

Ye Xing looked at Yun Tianqi and asked.

Yun Tianqi was captain of Thunder Team; Ye Xing, captain of Juxing Team. Both captains, both one of the ten All-Star Players. Though competitors, they always had a good private rapport.

”Yeah, same as always, nothing creative—just a bunch of boring questions.”

Yun Tianqi glanced at Xie Yixiao, ”Xie Yixiao, you’re scrapping with my hometown kid over a woman now?”

He was from Jiang City, same as Lin Feng. Fellow locals, although they hadn’t met before, Yun Tianqi had a good impression of Lin Feng.

”What, you want to stick up for him?”

Hearing this, Xie Yixiao asked back, his tone faintly provocative.

Xie Yixiao’s attitude annoyed Yun Tianqi.

As All-Star Players, their strengths and status were close; he wasn’t afraid of Xie Yixiao at all. ”No need for me to back him up—he’s more than capable himself. Just a little advice: don’t make trouble for yourself.”

”If it’s not enough, the two of you come at me together.”

Xie Yixiao sneered, attitude bordering on arrogant.

”You’re not Ye Xing, not enough for me to need more than one person.”

Yun Tianqi said indifferently.

In the Glory Alliance, Xie Yixiao was nicknamed Little Thunder God, his Thunder Control Technique honed to supernatural levels.

Only 26, recognized as the strongest Thunder Series Mage in the Alliance. As for Yun Tianqi, his class was Gale Swordsman; very different professions. Though they’d sparred, they’d never had a true duel—so neither was convinced by the other.

”Yi Xiao.”

Just as Xie Yixiao was about to retort, Ye Xing spoke up, tone faintly admonishing.

Seeing the captain speak, Xie Yixiao shot Yun Tianqi a cold grin and clammed up.

Originally, because of Ya Ge, though he disliked Lin Feng, he wasn’t planning to give Lin Feng a hard time. But with Yun Tianqi’s comment, Xie Yixiao made up his mind—tomorrow at the opening ceremony, he was going to have some fun.