"It’s already the sixth one..."
Director Zhang pondered for a moment before asking, "What about Gu Feng’s side? He and his team have been searching for so long; have they discovered anything?"
"Nothing." The director of the provincial gymnasium shook his head. "Not a single trace has been found," he continued. "It’s as if they vanished into thin air."
Director Zhang felt a headache coming on. "What about the venue’s surveillance? Did checking it turn up nothing?"
The director shook his head. "We’ve checked the surveillance in every corner. Nothing. Each missing examinee’s last known location is different, with no discernible pattern. Some went into a restroom and never came out; others vanished abruptly while passing through an indoor corridor. In short, it’s very strange."
Hearing this, Director Zhang couldn’t help but sigh deeply, feeling rather helpless. He then instructed the gym director, "Have Gu Feng continue leading the search. Also, arrange for more instructors to patrol inside the venue to prevent the situation from worsening."
"Yes, I understand, Director Zhang. I’ll make the arrangements immediately and do my best to keep the situation under control."
With that, the gym director hurriedly left. Watching his retreating figure, Director Zhang fell into deep thought.
It didn’t seem like the work of a mythical beast. Neither did it resemble the doing of a Demonic Plant. Could it be a case of Demons and Monsters?
Director Zhang was baffled. He had an ominous premonition but couldn’t pinpoint what might happen.
In the square, at 4:55 p.m., only about five minutes remained before the start of the fourth round of the competition.
By now, the eight prodigies slated for the fourth round had all arrived and were seated in the waiting area beside the Martial Arts Platform.
Unlike previous matches, contests from the quarterfinals onward would be held on the Great Central Martial Platform in the square. This was because the Great Central Martial Platform was larger, could withstand more force, and had better spotlight focus. Also, the referees appointed were chief examiners of Legendary Creature Level. This setup was complemented by 360-degree, no-blind-spot high-definition camera lenses and nearly a hundred professional commentators from various stations. As a result, both the prestige of the competitors and the professionalism of the event were significantly elevated.
Hmm, not bad. Su Yan thought, looking at the Great Central Martial Platform ahead. He felt quite satisfied sitting in the waiting area. Only a stage this prestigious is worthy of me, Su Something, to display my saintly presence!
With this in mind, Su Yan’s gaze gradually drifted from the Great Central Martial Platform to An Shihua, who was standing quietly against a nearby wall.
She was a pretty figure, standing quietly by the wall. Her slim-fit sportswear swayed gently with the breeze, giving her an air of purity. Her pretty face, however, was cool, and her deep eyes were fixed on her own slender, beautiful legs, seemingly lost in thought. Although she might give off a cold, unapproachable vibe, it was undeniably a beautiful sight.
Even Su Yan, who had been a ’steel straight man’ for eighteen years, found himself looking at her with appreciation. It even reminded him of an old saying: Emerging from mud, yet unstained; bathed in clear ripples, yet not coquettish. This scene perfectly embodied those words.
However, Su Yan’s train of thought was truly erratic, perhaps even a bit abnormal. As he mused, his thoughts soon went astray.
I wonder, if I punched a girl as cold and stunning as An Shihua, would she cry? Hmm, probably not. She’d just look at me with moist eyes and a resentful gaze...
Shaking off these ridiculous notions, Su Yan refocused on the serious matter he wanted to understand: the disappearance of the examinees he’d heard about from two staff members. He currently suspected An Shihua might be connected to their disappearances, but he had no proof.
Looks like I need to find a chance to get in touch with An Shihua and sound her out.
Just as Su Yan was pondering this, Qin Hansheng, who had been scanning the area for pretty girls—or ’Fairies’ as he called them—suddenly sidled up to Su Yan with a cheerful grin.
"Hey, future brother-in-law! In our match later, I can give you a two-move head start, but on one condition."
"You have to give me your adorable younger sister’s chat contact. What do you say?"
Su Yan glanced up at Qin Hansheng but didn’t respond. He quickly lowered his head again, his mind still on the previous matter, effectively ignoring him.
Seeing Su Yan ignore him, Qin Hansheng wasn’t bothered and continued his one-sided chatter.
Anyway, I’m just sitting here, full and with nothing better to do. Might as well chat with my future brother-in-law. Maybe I can even get him to scold me. Who knows, it might even bring us closer. Killing two birds with one stone!
However, as time dragged on and Su Yan continued to ignore him, treating him like thin air, even the thick-skinned and patient Qin Hansheng found his composure wearing thin. He couldn’t help but become exasperated.
A surge of inexplicable anger welled up inside him.
Damn it! I, Qin Hansheng, am calling you ’future brother-in-law’ out of respect! It’s one thing if you don’t appreciate it, but do you have to be so damn condescending? Just you wait! I’ll beat you into the hospital during the match!