Chapter 76: The Soulless Provincial Top Scorer

Lin Liuli slid her hands into the pockets of her trench coat, the sharp heels of her stilettos clicking crisply against the pavement. She walked along the sidewalk by the road, weaving through the city’s endless stream of cars—a bustling river of traffic.

The lively scene around her seemed utterly disconnected from her; she simply couldn’t blend into this world at all. After a while, her steps gradually slowed and came to a halt. In the distance stood the Jinling City Sports Center. Today was the day of the Dreamwalker Novice Invitational, held at this very venue for the province. Du Fang was inside.

“Heavenly Demon, the Yellow Springs, and the Azure Dragon with its divine core…” Lin Liuli murmured to herself.

What kind of lineup was this? If such forces appeared in a city like Jinling and truly acted together, it would spell catastrophe. Normally, these three could never be expected to join forces. And yet, now they had united for a single purpose: Du Fang.

“Du Fang… or rather, Luo Luo. Can you withstand this?” Lin Liuli’s gaze quivered.

The Azure Dragon had deliberately sent her away, clearly distrustful, and had taken over the mission entirely. As a result, Lin Liuli knew nothing of their plans—she didn’t know when they would act, nor where it would happen. The only thing she was certain of was that they would inevitably make a move against Du Fang.

Taking out her phone, Lin Liuli hesitated for a moment, then dialed Du Fang’s number.

“Hello? Dr. Lin?” Du Fang’s voice came through.

“Yes, it’s me.” Lin Liuli was silent for a moment—she wanted to warn him, but when the words reached her lips, she didn’t know how to say them.

“Is something the matter?” Du Fang asked in confusion.

Lin Liuli remained silent for a long time before she finally spoke softly, “Be careful.”

On the other end, Du Fang paused, then burst into a bright smile. “Thank you. Once I become the provincial champion, I’ll treat Dr. Lin to dinner.”

Lin Liuli froze—he must have misunderstood her. She had meant for him to beware of the joint attack by the Azure Dragon, the Heavenly Demon Dragon King, and other powerful foes. Du Fang, however, thought she was warning him to be careful in the Dreamwalker Novice Invitational.

Their thoughts seemed to spark and diverge, no longer in tune.

Lin Liuli hung up the phone. Around her, the city’s hustle and bustle only made her feel an overwhelming chill and loneliness.

Perhaps, after this, in this lively city, she might lose her last friend.

...

Jinling City Sports Center.

The Dreamwalker Novice Invitational was still in full swing. As the Dream Demon in the fourth cage was crushed once again, the Jinling Dreamwalker Association had no choice but to go back to the Dream Demon prison and dispatch a powerful Dream Demon to fill the vacancy.

This year’s Novice Invitational seemed a bit odd—mostly because it was unusually taxing on the Dream Demons. Even though the Dream Demons called up for the competition were all sentenced to death, the mortality rate was far higher than the Association had anticipated.

Inside the stadium, the crowd’s cheers thundered. Yet, as time passed, the Novice Invitational slowly drew to a close.

The second round of Dream Demon battles this year was more thrilling and stimulating for the audience than any previous year. Each time a powerful Dream Demon burst apart on the LCD screens, every spectator’s adrenaline soared, their excitement reaching its peak!

Perhaps because the death of the female Dream Demon in the fourth cage led to a much stronger replacement, by the end of the second round, no new Dreamwalker novice managed to consecutively defeat five Dream Demons.

Thus, the third round—the contest for the provincial champion—held no suspense.

For only “Explosion Brother” Du Fang had truly advanced to the third round. Naturally, he became the provincial champion with ease, earning the right to represent the province in the finals in the capital.

The cheers erupted, unstoppable, echoing throughout the stadium. Du Fang’s name reverberated in the air above Jinling City Sports Center that day.

To many spectators—and even many Dreamwalkers—it was a name unfamiliar. Before the Novice Invitational began, hardly anyone had heard of Du Fang. Unknown, he stormed through the second round, violently blasting apart one vile Dream Demon after another, indiscriminately slaughtering male and female alike!

He earned the nickname “Explosion Brother,” and coupled with his impeccable looks, instantly captured the hearts of countless young female fans, becoming the brightest star in the arena.

...

The sunset signaled the end of the day. The dying light stained the sky with crimson clouds.

At Jinling City Sports Center, the Novice Invitational officially concluded. In the stadium, regret, disappointment, and unwillingness swirled in the hearts of every Dreamwalker novice emerging from the gold teams.

Many proud gold team novices had entered the competition brimming with confidence, believing they had a shot at the provincial title. Yet reality delivered a harsh blow—they couldn’t even reach the final round.

The Dreamwalker novices lined up on the field, most with heads bowed.

At the front of the line, Du Fang—clad in a black trench coat, holding Luo Luo’s hand, a gentle smile on his face.

Now provincial champion, a surprise yet somehow expected. Du Fang was not particularly shocked. After all, he differed from the other novices—he wasn’t fighting alone; his whole family had joined him.

Prize money first, friendship second, competition third. In Du Fang’s mind, the prize was paramount. For the prize, he had to give his all, rallying his entire family. Having finally secured the provincial title, what was so strange about that?

President Tang Nai, leaning on a cane and dressed in traditional attire, held an exquisite box containing a badge inscribed with the character “Dream,” radiating a soft violet hue.

This was the provincial champion’s badge—a symbol of status.

“Congratulations! With outstanding performance, you’ve become our province’s rookie champion. You’ll represent us in the capital, competing in the Dreamwalker Novice finals, vying for national glory against champions from other provinces.”

President Tang Nai smiled kindly.

He gazed deeply at Du Fang. In his eyes, Du Fang seemed like an unfathomable abyss—profound and inscrutable.

Tang Nai resisted his urge to probe Du Fang, hesitated for a long time, and finally abandoned the idea. He sensed, faintly, that it might lead to unpleasant consequences. This was the intuition of a city-level Dreamwalker.

“The Novice Invitational is actually a kind of baptism for you new Dreamwalkers. Those who truly qualify for the competition are talented Dreamwalkers who will shine in society.”

“You possess power beyond the reach of ordinary people. In this era plagued by rampant dreams, you are guides, traversing between dream and reality, saving people from disaster.”

“I hope you use your power wisely.”

“Let your strength serve the right purpose.”

President Tang Nai gazed earnestly at Du Fang, speaking with heartfelt sincerity. Du Fang listened attentively. This was an elder Dreamwalker, handing down faith and tradition to the new generation—a passing of the baton.

This world’s stability and harmony depended on the dedication of generations of Dreamwalkers.

Tang Nai watched Du Fang carefully. His reminders were meant to warn Du Fang: don’t let power blind you, don’t be ruled by it. No matter how strong, it is always people who wield power.

Du Fang looked at the violet-gold badge on his chest, at the kindly President Tang Nai, and scratched the back of his head, suddenly feeling a bit embarrassed.

“President, is there any prize money for the provincial champion?”

“I know the national champion gets a million. What about the provincial champ? Is it just the badge?”

Du Fang gathered his courage to ask.

The atmosphere instantly shifted.

Beside him, Wen Ji’s eyes behind his black sunglasses were full of shock; his cold demeanor utterly shattered.

Was that even a human question? “Just a badge”? What do you mean, just? Was this humblebragging? How could you ask that?

A mere cash prize—how could it compare to the honor of the provincial champion, symbolized by the violet-gold badge granting entry to the Dreamwalker Novice finals?

Even the national champion’s million is just a bonus—the real reward is the priceless forbidden artifact!

Tang Nai was stunned for a moment.

Prize money… It seemed there really wasn’t any—because there was no need. Dreamwalkers capable of being provincial champion—who would care about money?

Tang Nai looked at Du Fang and suddenly felt that this Du Fang… genuinely cared. Perhaps his purpose in entering the Novice Invitational was solely to win the prize?

That was… astonishingly straightforward.

For a moment, facing Du Fang’s sincere and expectant gaze, Tang Nai didn’t know how to respond.

To say there wasn’t any? Would that diminish the prestige—provincial champion with no prize?

To say there was… but there really wasn’t any prize money for the provincial title.

Even a city-level powerhouse like Tang Nai found himself in a dilemma.

“So there’s none?”

The spark of hope in Du Fang’s eyes was instantly extinguished.

Regret, disappointment—the provincial champion… with no prize money, lacked a soul!

“Well, looks like I have to go to the capital. Having won the province, if I don’t go, I’ll lose out on a million.”

Du Fang muttered under his breath.

It seemed he now had another reason to head to the capital.

Tang Nai: “…”

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