Chapter 487 - 315: An Opportunity to Speak at His Alma Mater; A Glorious Homecoming? Or Hidden Glory?

Chapter 487: Chapter 315: An Opportunity to Speak at His Alma Mater; A Glorious Homecoming? Or Hidden Glory?

Zhang Yi strode into the Starfire Training Ground, looking refreshed and energetic. It was just 7:20 AM. Inside, twenty to thirty students had already gathered. Some were clustered in small groups, chatting in low voices. Others stood alone, checking to make sure they hadn’t forgotten any of their belongings. Still others were discussing what they might encounter in the third round of the University Alliance Training Camp’s exchange competition. In short, the air was filled with a mix of reluctance before their departure and apprehension about the upcoming competition.

The moment Zhang Yi walked in, he immediately attracted the gazes of many students. After all, he now held the title of Chief Captain. Just a few days prior, he had defeated the second-ranked Gu Yun and the third-ranked Tuoba Yu with his own raw strength. As a result, Zhang Yi’s prestige had reached its absolute peak. Not to mention, after two days of joint training, his status as Chief Captain had become deeply ingrained in everyone’s minds.

Therefore, when Zhang Yi stepped into the Starfire Training Ground, the other students looked at him with awe, curiosity, and admiration. Gone were the looks of disdain, hostility, and fear he once received. Imperceptibly, Zhang Yi had become the focus and standard-bearer in the minds of all the students from the Yanhuang Federal Region at the University Alliance Training Camp.

Perhaps it was because of his title, or maybe it was the invincible aura he had cultivated from his "Hundred Battles, Hundred Victories" record, but many students subconsciously nodded, offered a sign of respect, or moved out of his way upon seeing him. Even students who had once competed with him for the Golden Throne in the first round, like Lan Miao from the Ocean Academy, Ye Ling’Er from the Ten Thousand Gods Academy, and Shi Potian from the War Academy, all greeted him proactively.

The stark contrast between then and now couldn’t help but make Zhang Yi feel a surge of emotion. On the surface, however, he simply responded with a smile or a gesture, perfectly composed and carrying himself with an extraordinary air.

Walking further into the Starfire Training Ground, Zhang Yi began to look for the members of his Tianya Academy team.

"Chief Captain, over here!"

Hearing a familiar voice, Zhang Yi turned his head. He saw Zhou Zongcheng waving at him from a corner of the training ground. The voice had come from Zhao Wenjie, who was standing beside him. Nearby, Lu Mei and Hong Tianyi were leaning against a wall, seemingly in conversation.

Zhang Yi strode over. Seeing their Chief Captain approach, Zhao Wenjie and Zhou Zongcheng came forward to greet him with smiles on their faces. After the assessments of the first and second rounds of the University Alliance Training Camp in the Yanhuang Federal Region, they had been completely won over by their Chief Captain, who was not only exceptionally powerful but also kind and approachable.

After exchanging a few words with them, Zhang Yi walked past them toward Lu Mei and Hong Tianyi.

Lu Mei still had her usual cold and distant appearance, but the emotion in her eyes as she looked at Zhang Yi was no longer concealed. Upon seeing him walk over, she visibly brightened.

Hong Tianyi, on the other hand, leaned in with an excited expression, as if he had a huge secret to share.

"Brother Zhang, you’re finally here!" Hong Tianyi said with a grin. "We’ve been waiting for you for almost half an hour!"

"That long?" Zhang Yi asked, puzzled. "Why did you guys get here so early?"

"Well, Chief Instructor Yang sent out the notice so early, didn’t he? After we got the message from him, we started packing our things. Once we were done and had nothing else to do, we came to the Starfire Training Ground ahead of time."

Zhang Yi nodded, understanding. It’s because they’re so nervous. Actually, I’m a little nervous too, but not much. I can control it.

After a chuckle, Zhang Yi sensed that Hong Tianyi’s excitement today wasn’t just due to heading to the third round of the competition. There seemed to be another reason. So, he asked Hong Tianyi if he’d made any progress recently.

"Of course, I have! Thanks to you, Brother Zhang, and Chief Instructor Yang, I successfully broke through to become an Eighth Transformation Demigod before the start of the University Alliance Training Camp’s third round! It was just a few days ago!" Hong Tianyi puffed out his chest, a smug look on his face. "For the final round of the University Alliance Training Camp, I really trained my butt off, and I also pushed my Clan in the Divine Realm to work hard. Now that I’ve broken through to Eighth Transformation Demigod, I finally feel a bit more confident!"

Hearing this, Zhang Yi nodded in approval. "Not bad. The strength of an Eighth Transformation Demigod is certainly not weak. Even in the third round of the exchange competition, I believe there aren’t many students from the other regions who possess that kind of strength."

Zhang Yi didn’t look down on Eighth Transformation Demigods just because he himself was a Ninth Transformation Demigod. On the contrary, he knew very well that at this stage of the University Alliance Training Camp, a student with the strength of an Eighth Transformation Demigod was already considered top-tier. After all, in terms of his regular school schedule, it was currently only approaching the end of his second year of high school. If Zhang Yi had followed the conventional path and trained at Golden City No.1 Middle School, he would be considered quite impressive to have reached the strength of a Sixth Transformation Demigod by now.

But Zhang Yi already possessed the strength of a Ninth Transformation Demigod, which was a testament to the resources invested by the University Alliance Training Camp. Of course, a large part of it was also due to his own efforts.

I’ve made it this far all by myself! Golden Finger, add points! A rather famous line from a novel he had read in his past life unconsciously came to his mind.