“Zhang Yu, since my younger brother couldn’t deal with you, I will defeat you soundly in this match and make you suffer the consequences of discriminating against demon-kind.”

As Ying Zhoufan finished speaking, the Human Race cultivators present moved in unison, almost rushing to stand before Zhang Yu and Ying Zhoufan.

Ling Pojun was the first to speak, intending to say, “Hold on… I can’t pretend I didn’t hear that!”

Someone else started to say, “How dare you! Ying Zhoufan, this is not your place to make wild claims.”

And another wanted to say, “Zhang Yu, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered in this match! Stay with me, and I guarantee no one will harm you.”

Xue Jiuyou from Youming University also approached Zhang Yu, wanting to say, “Zhang Yu, discriminating against demon-kind is indeed wrong. The greater good of Human-Demon relations is paramount. You should apologize to the demon-kind you’ve hurt.”

Zhang Yu looked at Xue Jiuyou approaching, remembering that he and another student from Baigu University had been defeated by him and Bai Zhenzhen in the previous match.

However, observing the reactions of Ling Pojun, Xue Jiuyou, and the others, Zhang Yu’s mind was clear.

How skilled were these elites from various schools at making money? And how well did they understand the importance of popularity and traffic?

Almost the instant Ying Zhoufan spoke, they realized that the upcoming interaction between Ying Zhoufan and Zhang Yu would undoubtedly generate extraordinary popularity and unleash astonishing immortal opportunities.

Ling Pojun roared inwardly, “As cultivators, how can we not strive for immortal opportunities? How can we not seize them?”

And seeing the students around, some appearing righteous, some with mouths agape, some with contorted faces, some tensed all over, or some with dazzling special effects.

Ling Pojun felt as if he was watching a pack of wild beasts that had smelled blood, madly tearing towards Zhang Yu, and he was one of them.

But just as they all rushed forward, vying to steal traffic, just as various phrases for riding the wave of popularity surged in their minds, just as they were about to open their mouths to speak.

A soft cry came, abruptly cutting off everyone’s intended words.

Then, a golden figure descended from the sky. Countless advertisements emerged from its body, forming waves of immortal light and wondrous music, exuding an aura of luxury and nobility as it arrived.

A voice, accompanied by subtitles, emanated from the golden figure: “Magic power is the core of Dao techniques and the general outline of all methods. Only by preserving all methods can one cast all methods.”

“Everyone, instead of engaging in meaningless arguments before the match, it’s better to prepare your magic power properly, for convenient use during the upcoming match.”

Looking at the three large characters, ‘Fali Bao’ (Magic Power Treasure), in the projection, Zhang Yu immediately understood that the newcomer had secured an advertisement for Fali Bao.

On the other side, Ling Pojun looked at the newcomer and his heart skipped a beat. “Wanfa University’s second-ranked, Jinrong Department’s Jiu Tianliu.”

Ling Pojun’s mind recalled the data of the 11 teams, knowing that Jiu Tianliu also ranked in the top 11 based on the number of captives, and was one of the captains. He had just formed a team with finance students from various schools.

And as Jiu Tianliu’s arrival interrupted everyone’s words, Ling Pojun felt as if something had been snatched from him, leaving an empty feeling in his heart.

Ling Pojun’s heart sank, and he cursed inwardly, “This guy not only snatched the camera time and popularity from that wave just now, but he also took our luck in the process.”

“If I have to compete with him for Zhang Yu’s popularity next… the difficulty will skyrocket.”

Just then, a delicate laugh echoed from the sky again. A tall figure descended from the heavens, landing on the beach.

Zhang Yu turned his head, observing the imposing figure, and his gaze sharpened once more. “Huanhuan University’s first-ranked, Mu Qiansi. What the… is this guy a man or a woman?”

And after a brief glance, Zhang Yu felt a flood of the person’s photos, videos, and tutoring advertisements appear in his mind’s eye.

“Why so many dirty things!” Zhang Yu cursed inwardly, immediately turning his head away, no longer wanting to look at the person.

However, the first-ranked student from Huanhuan University let out a delicate laugh. After scanning the entire scene, their gaze ultimately fixed on Zhang Yu.

Mu Qiansi licked their lips, thinking, “Isn’t this Zhang Yu, whom Kuang Tianqing wanted to devour but couldn’t? If I could devour him whole, wouldn’t it perfectly showcase Huanhuan University’s prowess? And also gain plenty of popularity.”

Thinking this, Mu Qiansi raised their imposing arm, covering their mouth with a gentle smile, and said, “Little brother Zhang Yu, want to relax before the match?”

Ying Zhoufan let out a sharp cry, his dragon might surging as he roared, “Woman, are you trying to snatch my prey?”

Mu Qiansi said faintly, “Hawk demon, when humans are speaking, why do you interrupt?”

Jiu Tianliu said coldly, “Both of you, I cannot stand by and watch you bully our Wan Da people.”

Feeling the aura of the three top academic elites, the other students on the scene looked grim, knowing that the most terrifying opponents in this round of the competition were these three.

And Zhang Yu, standing in the center of the three, felt as if he had become a piece of Tang Sanzang’s flesh. Not just Ying Zhoufan and Mu Qiansi, but others like Ling Pojun, Xue Jiuyou… almost everyone wanted a piece, to devour the popularity and traffic around him.

“Is this how Kuang Tianqing and Dao Ge feel? Everyone covets… No…”

“They have enough strength to prevent people from being so presumptuous.”

“And in their eyes, I’m not strong enough, nor wealthy enough. I relied on others’ help, risking my life, to trap Kuang Tianqing.”

“In their minds, I have popularity but insufficient strength, which is why they are so unbridled.”

Thinking this, a slight smile appeared at the corner of Zhang Yu’s mouth, and he thought, “You want popularity, do you?”

Zhang Yu, who had just devoured a large amount of popularity and traffic from Kuang Tianqing in the last team match, now felt a new ambition and desire rising within him.

“Then let’s hype it up.”

“Let’s see who truly devours whom in the end.”

“I want to defeat Kuang Tianqing, I want to surpass Dao Qiankun, I want to seize first place among the ten schools.”

“If I don’t devour each and every one of you, how can I catch up to them? How can I achieve my ambition?”

Thinking this, Zhang Yu’s lips curled slightly as he looked at Ying Zhoufan and said, “You…”

Hu Yuntao’s voice came from the sword box, “Little beast.”

Zhang Yu: “Do you really think you’re guaranteed to win?”

Ying Zhoufan was slightly stunned, almost thinking he had misheard: “You!”

Hu Yuntao: “Little beast.”

Zhang Yu said, “I’m guaranteed to win this round. Whoever stands in my way dies.”

Mu Qiansi chuckled, “Oh, so domineering, little brother Zhang Yu, let older sister…”

Zhang Yu shouted, “I’m not interested in ugly people, don’t bother me.”

Hearing Zhang Yu’s words, everyone present was stunned.

Ling Pojun thought, “He wants to take first place in this round?! Where does he get such confidence?”

Ying Zhoufan roared inwardly, “Scum! This scum actually dares to display demon-kind discrimination in front of me?!”

Mu Qiansi’s eyes widened in anger, “I… I’m ugly?”

Then, several of them thought at the same time: “This guy is doing it on purpose; he’s using us to reverse-hype himself!”

Jiu Tianliu also showed surprise, thinking, “Actively hyping himself up? Arrogant, a Human Immortal Daoist, and oblivious to beauty and ugliness—these are all good character settings.”

“Of course, the premise is that he doesn’t get stomped too hard in the upcoming match.”

“Can Zhang Yu do it?”

And with Zhang Yu’s words, the gazes of Ying Zhoufan, Mu Qiansi, and others towards him grew even more fervent, only thinking of devouring his popularity in the upcoming match.

A moment later, as the competition officially began, a light screen was projected before everyone, showing the scene of the first stage.

One by one, the contestants broke through the encirclement of eighteen great divine demons.

One could see Yan Qianji taking the lead in this stage. Under his modification, Tianri Huangshen transformed into hundreds of fiery puppets that went out to besiege.

Yan Qianji thought, “Hmm, after splitting this way, even junior college soul cultivators can operate them. The operating cost has plummeted.”

Yan Qianji lamented, “Is this the joy of getting expensive things done cheaply after spending less money, the so-called inferior pleasure?”

Next came the second stage, ‘Moving Mountains,’ where team members had to transport mountains to a target location.

One could see Tiansheng Gong inserting live piles into the mountains, then manipulating giant puppets to unleash Earth Fiend Gravity, pulling up entire mountains in a blink of an eye.

He roared in his heart, “Go, Tiansheng Gong, you are a born genius at refining artifacts. For you, plagiarism is as natural as breathing, and stitching together is as simple as getting dressed and eating. You are destined to shine in the artifact refining world, making everyone use Jihu brand and become Jihu people.”

Then came the third stage, ‘Stealth,’ where participants had to avoid attacks and move stealthily under the detection of countless flying swords.

The people on the beach watched the progress of the competition while waiting for their teammates to arrive.

Until a soaring surge of vital energy grew closer, a black afterimage, like a black line, streaked across the sky, rushing directly before everyone.

It was Kuang Tianqing, who, with speed that dwarfed all others, was the first to complete the third stage.

She casually handed the relay ball to Xue Jiuyou, who then, in a blur of blood-colored shadows, plunged into the water.

Kuang Tianqing’s gaze swept across the scene, finally settling on Zhang Yu, and she sent a private message: “Immortal scum, you are mine to eat. Don’t get swallowed alive in this round.”

Zhang Yu: “Don’t worry, I’ll devour them first, then come find you.”

Kuang Tianqing smiled: “Very good, I hope you keep your word.”

And a full few minutes after Kuang Tianqing arrived, Bai Zhenzhen’s figure suddenly appeared before everyone. Using the power of the divine root, she was the second to arrive.

Bai Zhenzhen handed the relay ball to her teammate, Tianjian University’s fourth-ranked Yu Yunzhan, watching as he merged with his sword, transforming into a ray of sword light that shot into the water.

Then Bai Zhenzhen turned to look at Zhang Yu, who was still waiting for his teammate, and said, “Yuzi, I heard what Yu Yunzhan said.”

Bai Zhenzhen’s gaze swept across the entire scene, especially glaring fiercely at Ying Zhoufan and Mu Qiansi, who were waiting for the relay, and said with murderous intent, “You two, if you dare to harm Zhang Yu, I will not let you off.”

She looked at Zhang Yu and said, “Yuzi, if they dare to insult you, just record it and send it to me. However they treat you, I’ll make them pay back tenfold.”

“Remember, you must record it.”

After warning Ying Zhoufan and Mu Qiansi and repeatedly reminding Zhang Yu, Bai Zhenzhen finally departed reluctantly.

Soon after, with a flash of light and shadow, Ye Xingli, equipped with a stealth dharma skeleton, also arrived on the beach and handed the relay ball to Ling Pojun.

Ye Xingli waved at Zhang Yu. Under the live broadcast camera, she watched the ‘Poor Person Simulator’ and said, “Go, junior brother, you can do it.”

After speaking, she made a heart gesture towards Zhang Yu.

Another minute later, Zhang Yu finally waited for his team’s Wen Rongjue.

Taking the relay ball from him, Zhang Yu immediately activated the Tiankunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power without a word, rolled up his sword box, and rushed underwater.

Watching Zhang Yu leave, Mu Qiansi chuckled, “Little brother Zhang Yu, you run first. I’ll come after you in a bit.”

Ying Zhoufan sneered, his dragon eyes quietly watching the figure gradually disappear into the depths of the water.