Chapter 104: The Team Competition, A Leisurely and Effortless Victory

After learning his new skill, Song Qi returned straight to the hotel. Although the soul burn from the Abyssal Flame Demon hadn’t caused him much harm, it had left him mentally exhausted. Back in his room, Song Qi quickly washed up and collapsed into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Song Qi got up, had breakfast, and retreated back into bed, spending the entire morning scrolling through short videos. It wasn’t until nearly eleven that he finally emerged from his room.

What he hadn’t expected was Chu Shaojiang, drenched in sweat, walking in at that moment. His clothes were soaked through, and white steam rose from his head—it was clear he’d been training outside.

“You were... out practicing?” Song Qi asked. “Are you always this diligent?”

Chu Shaojiang looked up in confusion, then quickly changed his demeanor upon seeing Song Qi. “Oh, it’s you, Brother Song. No, I just got up early today. Didn’t want to embarrass you, so I practiced my skills a bit more, leveled up, so I wouldn’t hold you back.”

Song Qi thought for a moment and asked, “How many bottles of the Demon Elixir did you use today?”

“Just two. Do you need some now?” Chu Shaojiang responded, pulling out a handful of elixirs without hesitation.

Song Qi was surprised. Two bottles of Demon Elixir in one morning? He’d used them before—each bottle took at least three hours. So two bottles meant he’d started at least six hours ago. That wasn’t morning training; he must’ve started at five in the morning. Was he only sleeping four or five hours a day? And judging by his demeanor, he was quite used to it.

Song Qi had thought Chu Shaojiang was just a sycophant, but he turned out to be a tireless workhorse—someone with clear goals, strong drive, and no scruples about doing whatever it took. This was the template for a villainous protagonist.

Fortunately, Song Qi had his own system.

He waved off Chu Shaojiang. “Keep the elixirs for yourself. We need to get moving.”

“Don’t worry, Brother Song. I’ll change and be there right away.”

Soon, Song Qi and Chu Shaojiang followed the map to the competition venue. The team tournament was held in a tall building.

This was the designated arena for professionals in District One, used for duels and resolving disputes. From the outside, Song Qi thought the building wasn’t especially large—just the size of a typical apartment block. But upon entering, he found the interior vast beyond belief. The first floor alone spanned tens of thousands of square meters.

The rules for the team tournament were simple. Participants were divided into small teams by district, ranging from two to five members. These teams were then split into high-score and low-score groups based on their rankings in the survival tournament. The two groups drew lots to determine match-ups. For instance, since Song Qi ranked first in the survival tournament, his team belonged to the high-score group. He drew number two—so his opponents would be the low-score group team with the same number.

Winners advanced to the next round, losers were eliminated. This setup ensured that strong teams didn’t knock each other out too early.

The drawing soon concluded. Though there were only thirteen districts, District One fielded two teams, so no one had a bye this round.

Song Qi and Chu Shaojiang’s first-round opponents were the team from District Thirteen.

There was little time for discussion; the matches began immediately after the draw. Although the venue was large, only two matches were held at a time to allow competitors ample space.

First up were Song Qi’s team and the team from District Three. The rest withdrew to the audience.

Song Qi and Chu Shaojiang stepped onto the stage, facing four challengers from District Thirteen: three men and one woman.

Upon seeing Song Qi, the four greeted him with cupped hands. “District Thirteen: Liu Chengfu, level 28 shield warrior. Cai Qingli, level 28 mage. Yan Yunjin, level 26 priest. Guo Qianyu, level 28 assassin.”

Song Qi and Chu Shaojiang replied in kind. “Chu Shaojiang, level 25 assassin. Song Qi... level 40 summoner.”

Level 40?!

The moment Song Qi announced his level, all four opponents were visibly stunned! Not just them—the audience, including Lord Fu, were all shocked!

They’d focused on Song Qi’s two summoned creatures, but had overlooked his level. After all, who could level up much in a month? Level 30 was considered exceptional.

But now... level 40?!

In just one month, he’d reached level 40?!

“Old Fu, what’s going on? How did your boy level up so fast?!” one city lord asked, bewildered.

How should I know? I thought he was level 30!

Lord Fu was just as confused, but kept a calm face, offering only a mysterious smile.

“He started hunting monsters in the wild at level 20?”

The other city lords’ eyes widened in disbelief, staring at Lord Fu.

Level 20? Wild monsters?

Do you realize what you’re saying?

But Lord Fu, shaking his head with a mix of helplessness and pride, delivered even more astonishing news.

“Song Qi’s always liked challenging above his level. Not long ago, District Seven had a group from the Cult of Demon Worship. I was torn between pursuing Xin Xiaona, the traitor, or stopping the cult’s activities. Song Qi saw my dilemma and immediately volunteered to take on the task. I tried to dissuade him, but he was adamant. In the end, I let him go.

“He ventured alone into the snowy plains, traveled over a hundred miles, and fought five level 70 cultists—defeating them all!

“I reported this alongside the cult incident. Elder Mu should know about it.”

Elder Mu nodded in confirmation. “That’s right. It’s true, though I hardly believed it at the time. But... if he could defeat an Abyssal Flame Demon at level 80 alone, I believe it now.”

Hearing this, the other city lords suddenly understood. With Elder Mu’s endorsement, there could be no doubt.

They began to grumble and sigh.

“Old Fu, you lucky dog!”

“Tsk, tsk—such a prodigy, why couldn’t he be in my District Six? I put a lot of effort into cultivating talent, you know.”

“You actually let such a genius train alone in the wild? If he were born in my district, I’d guard him day and night!”

“If he were in my district, I’d drop all my city lord duties and become his scout in the wild! I’d find monsters of whatever level he needed!”

“Come on, Old Tian, that’s a bit much.”

The city lords, all on friendly terms, bantered and moved on.

Meanwhile, the match on stage had already concluded.

Unsurprisingly, Song Qi summoned Lü Bu, who lightly tapped the four opponents with his Sky Piercer halberd, knocking them out before they could even resist.