Ding!

As the text message notified that 650 million had arrived, a hint of a smile appeared at the corner of Lin Feng's mouth.

The first-year signing fee from Juxing had already been transferred. It had only been ten minutes since he e-signed with Juxing, and this speed caught him a bit off guard.

Aside from Juxing, out of 29 endorsement contracts, payments from 26 had arrived—three were still pending, but he didn't care anymore.

Those 26 endorsements amounted to 1.68 billion.

Today, he made a total income of 2.38 billion.

This round of fleecing was quite something—a perfect finish!

"This boast? Totally nailed it."

His card balance now exceeded 5 billion.

Lin Feng was very satisfied with this result.

Of that 5 billion, 3.7 billion came from endorsements alone.

The remaining 1.3 billion came thanks to the Purple-winged Spirit Insect.

But it was only because of self-hype and his growing fame that he was able to recruit Dong Yunan as a member and earn that much safely from her dad, Dong Xiuxian.

From Awakening Day to refining Nightmare, sitting alone by the campus lakeshore in the sleepless predawn, plotting his hype and show-off campaign—Lin Feng had never expected he could make 5 billion in just half a year.

If you add up Juxing's annual 650 million moving forward, it's far from over.

"Brother Feng, did you really sign with Juxing?" Yun Kai asked, still dazed.

It was already way past midnight, but no one was asleep—not even Dong Yunan, who squeezed into the third floor training room.

Everyone knew Lin Feng had met with plenty of Glory Clubs, but signing already?

He decided in just one day?

To everyone, it was way too sudden!

"Brother Feng, since you signed, should we sign too?"

Little Sister Dong anxiously asked.

After Demon Blood Pool's baptism today, Lin Feng jumped right into Second Grade Realm, and now he signed with Juxing—without even talking to her or Yun Kai.

Was he planning to ditch them completely?

No, with Yun Kai's talent, he wouldn't be left behind, but herself....

"I signed, but it has nothing to do with you guys."

Looking at the anxious Little Sister Dong, Lin Feng smiled, "Signing doesn't mean I'll be staying with Juxing!"

Stunned!

Dong Yunan was just as confused as Yun Kai—faces full of question marks.

He'd signed a ten-year long contract, meaning for the next decade, Lin Feng's Glory career would be dictated by Juxing.

Even after ten years, when the contract ends, if Lin Feng's still in Glory Alliance, Juxing gets first dibs to renew it.

Yang Fan and the others were all puzzled too, but Lin Feng didn't elaborate, just said lightly, "You'll understand soon enough!"

....

Right after Lin Feng signed with Juxing, rumors started circulating on the Martial Artist forums, but no one paid attention at first.

Everyone thought it was just some bored netizen's gossip.

There were hundreds of such rumors every day—nobody cared.

It was the start of school season—the days when young talents shone, signing with pro clubs was old news.

But whenever a truly genius rookie signed, it was bound to spark buzz.

Lin Feng was naturally in the lineup.

Everyone figured it was fake news, so nobody bothered.

But at exactly 2 AM, the official Juxing Club posted: "The nation's number one rookie joins—guess who?"

Boom!

With Juxing Club's tens of millions of followers, this was instantly forum-exploding news.

As one of Glory's Ten Great Clubs, part of the Glory Aristocratic Family, every rookie signing by Juxing was headline-worthy.

Especially if it was the number one rookie!

Dare claim 'number one'?

Is that a provocation?

Even in the middle of the night, forum lurkers started popping up.

"Number one rookie—who?"

"Has to be Emperor Kai, with Ancestral Demonization!"

"My bet's on Ye Qiu—Thorny Demon Dragon, 17th on Earth Chart, still a First Grade Martial Artist, Soul and Martial Dual Cultivation—nobody beats his talent!"

"I'm betting Lin Feng—first at the Throne Challenge, national college entrance exam topper, the number one man—who else could it be?"

"Juxing's stirring the pot, huh?"

"Lin Feng signed with Fenghuo—no way he'd sign for Juxing."

"What's wrong with Fenghuo? Explain!"

Netizens spammed hot takes, wild guesses flying everywhere.

Juxing's hype and trouble-stirring acts did earn criticism, but it didn't dampen anyone's enthusiasm.

.....

2 AM, Shangjing.

Great Wall University, Training Gym #11.

It was already past 2 AM, but for Martial Artists, 3-4 hours of sleep is plenty, so no issues with staying up.

The gym was packed, wild cheers and shouts from boys and girls echoing all around.

Right then, two battling silhouettes attracted a crowd—including most of the guys, who couldn't look away.

"Feng Yining's so strong—second among freshman this year. Only Ye Qiu can top her. Her Spiritual Power's legit freakish."

"Yeah, but Ya Ge's better looking!"

"Feng Yining's got her own charm, okay!"

In the crowd's eyes, a girl in a black Martial Artist's Uniform flapped her wings and dove from midair.

Her pure looks held a trace of sly allure, with three violet-red markings climbing her neck and part of her face like wild violets—making her look even more seductive.

Under the lights, her colorful wings flashed dazzling halos, like a Butterfly Fairy straight out of a dream.

"Feng Yining, get serious."

Ya Ge shouted sharply, her pink eyes glittering with anger, radiating intense light. An overwhelming wave of mental energy surged out like a tide.

"She's gorgeous, even when she's mad!"

The boys in the crowd sighed in awe.

Even pissed off, her enchanting vibe couldn't be hidden.

"I AM being serious."

As the other girl dove at her, Feng Yining's face grew solemn under the pressure of that fierce spiritual storm; in her dark eyes, a silver crescent appeared, spinning and glowing faintly.

"Mmm...."

Ya Ge groaned in midair, her mind stabbed with pain. Her eyes glazed for a moment, wings stilled, her descent spiraling out of control.

Just before she smashed into the ground, the hard floor cracked open—a huge mushroom sprang up. The gray mushroom was three meters wide, two high, dotted with black spots.

Ya Ge landed on the mushroom like a spring mattress; bouncing up, she twisted in midair and landed safely.

Ya Ge glanced at a boy at the edge of the arena and gave a slight nod in thanks.

The boy grinned, waved off the thanks—no big deal.

"Bro, you got to help her out!" his buddy next to him said enviously.

If his reaction had been quicker, maybe the goddess would've thanked him.

Ya Ge walked over to Feng Yining; facing her roommate and chief rival, her look carried a tinge of helplessness.

"I know I'm not on your level, but didn't think—even before you go Demon Transformation—the gap's still this huge!"

"We're both Spirit Series Demon Spirit Masters, but my Demon Spirit's two realms above yours, so obviously I'm a cut above." Feng Yining replied matter-of-factly.

"Your Enchanting Butterfly's evolution path is out—it'll be nuts once you evolve."

As they were chatting, another girl walked up, curious:

"Ya Ge, who's the number one rookie?"

"Number one rookie?" Ya Ge frowned, confused.

"On the Martial Artist forum—Juxing Club's post: 'Number one rookie joins.' You haven't seen it?"

Ya Ge's face shifted.

She had a bad feeling!

"Number one rookie?" Feng Yining was intrigued.

Who's got guts like that?

She opened the forum herself, spotted a certain name—which instantly made her glance at Ya Ge.

"Don't tell me... it's him?"

Feng Yining asked, curious.

Being dorm buddies and besties, she naturally knew all about her BFF's childhood sweetheart ex.

First place at the Throne Challenge.

National college entrance exam top scorer!

Very much fits Juxing's 'number one rookie' label!

Ya Ge didn't answer. She pulled out her phone and called her assistant.

As Juxing Team's soon-to-be favorite, Ya Ge had both a driver and an assistant.

Since she was still studying at Red Cloud University, the assistant mainly kept her updated on club training and schedules.

"Who's the number one rookie?"

Ya Ge cut straight to the point. A few seconds later, she hung up, expression complicated.

He knows I'm at Juxing—so why'd he choose to join?

Pure coincidence?

Or... because of me?

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