Meanwhile, other regions had a completely different mood—they were smiling.

"Capital's team has only one game left, may God bless us and pair us with them!"

"Next up, it's time for a contest of character. Anyone who matches with Capital will get this round's bonus match!"

"Those who can reach this level rank among the best, except for that guy from Capital, of course. Whoever meets him in the next match is truly a lucky guy!"

All of them glared at the computer with a burning gaze. All sorts of thoughts were flying around in their head and they were eagerly anticipating the outcome.

Over on Capital's side, everyone had a doleful look on their face. Their potential adversaries were certainly going to be formidable individuals, regardless of who they would go head-to-head against. Heaven was playing them for a fool, for they would scarcely have imagined being ripe pickings in everyone's eyes!

Eventually, the computer screen halted!

Everyone's attention perked up at the same time, and their eyes searched around wildly in an attempt to find the word Capital!

However, Capital was nowhere to be seen.

That was...

"It appears that there's another stroke of luck in this round!"

Without waiting for anyone to question what was going on, the host had already given an explanation, "Thirteen provinces and cities are left, but because twelve provinces and cities have been matched, the extra region will receive instant promotion without the need to participate in this match! I must say, sometimes luck is also a part of strength. "

It was not the first time something like that occurred, though it was a rare occurrence indeed.

"F*ck! Is this really possible?"

"This is what you call motherf*cking luck! Damn sh*tty luck!"

"God is blind. How could garbage like them be given such a good opportunity? I hate it!"

Everyone was stunned. Their earlier fantasies shattered immediately into pieces.

"I'm okay, I'm okay!" Professor Bai was stunned for a full two minutes before snapping back to his senses. His body was shaking and he could not help erupting in mad laughter.

"This isn't something you'll see when you're on the edge of despair!" Professor An's eyes were red, and God only knew how much pressure he had moments ago.

"God must have heard our prayers, huhuhu. I was so scared to death that I nearly had a heart attack." Professor Tang was in tears.

The three of them said nothing further and huddled together while crying.

Judging from those who were still contesting, Capital would surely make the top ten after passing through that hurdle, regardless of what the result might be.

It was not too shameful to make the top ten even though they did not get good results. At the very least, their dignity would remain intact.

Ye Lingchen was already prepared to take the stage, but he was surprised by that luck of his and sat back down again.

The match had begun by then.

Liu Yuan, Qiu Luo, Bai Ling, and the others used their own methods to dazzle everyone and leave them breathless.

"Ye Lingchen, aren't you nervous at all?" Xu Wanqing could not resist asking.

Although she knew that Ye Lingchen was good in math, there were many OP brainiacs too. People like them have already surpassed the mortal standards and could not possibly be compared to him.

Ye Lingchen shook his head and responded with a smile, "I'm fine. As the saying goes, 'Leave the stubborn be, for the hill stands tall against the wind; leave the despotic alone, for the moon will always shine above the river.' Just keep an open mind."

"Goodness, why not just say that you've practiced the Nine Yang Divine Skill1?" Zhang Yu could not control himself from making a snarky remark. "Of course there's nothing for you to be nervous about, you're destined to lose anyway."

"I hope you can remain like that when it's your turn, at least let Capital lose with some dignity," Cao Tongtong chimed in as well. "Luck can help you once, but it can't help you a second time!"

"After this round, the remaining super contestants are from Donghai, Xihai, Baihai, Nanhai, Nanking, and Xiangjiang. The result will be the same no matter who takes the stage. It's already lucky enough considering the unluckiness we're in," Professor Bai said plainly.

Everyone was speechless because that was the truth.

Ye Lingchen remained quiet and looked at Xu Wanqing's bracelet instead. It was a very simple piece, consisting of a red rope with a piece of carved jade that looked like an English Y.

"Teacher Xu, did you buy the bracelet just recently?"

"Mm." Xu Wanqing rubbed the bracelet within her palm.

"Looks like you're also a fan of Y."

"Actually, I'm a fan of Superman Y." Xu Wanqing's cheeks were slightly ruddy.

Ye Lingchen nodded. Perhaps she bought that as a protective item due to Ye Lingchen saving her in the capacity of Superman Y last time.

Having said that, there were Y masks, Y bracelets, and maybe even an amulet. Those manufacturers had not been authorized by Ye Lingchen, so would it be considered infringement?

F*ck, he should at least be paid a handsome sum!

Ye Lingchen felt that he had suffered some losses.

The match was already over while they were busy speaking. Three other provinces were eliminated, and the next round of the competition began immediately!

Capital City VS Donghai!

It was Donghai's Zhou Ran—nicknamed the Ten-Finger King!

Sure enough, miracles would never happen a second time. His ending was already foreordained when he was matched with Zhou Ran.

" My turn at last." Ye Lingchen stood up, loosened his joints, then slowly walked forward.

Aside from the geniuses, the most noticeable character was naturally the lowest-ranking participant. Many people paid attention to Ye Lingchen since no one would ever look kindly upon someone who came through back-channel means. Most importantly, the guy had nothing to show at all.

"Hey, it's an insult to mathematics to let people like you join this competition."

Zhou Ran looked at Ye Lingchen with a hint of derision and continued, "It's an insult to me that you're my opponent."

Ye Lingchen glanced at the green hat on his head and remarked curtly, "Did anyone ever tell you that the hat suits you well?"

"Hehe, it's useless to try and please me by saying all that," Zhou Ran snorted and sat down.

The match began!

Zhou Ran's hands and fingers were already on the table, ready to begin his tapping at any time.

His eyes lit up when the first question was displayed on the computer. He lifted his fingers and was just about to start tapping when he heard a soft voice coming from the opposite side, "The answer to this question is zero!"

"Nonsense! Utter nonsense!"

Professor Bai could not help but stand up and yell. His breathing was getting quicker and his body began shaking. "Even if he can't do it, he should just sit there quietly. This is nonsense! Shameful, how shameful!"

"Even if he gives up and attempts to resist, he should at least maintain the last shred of his dignity!" Professor An said. "When we go back, I'll do a proper check on this student. How could he manage to enter Capital University? This is embarrassing!"

It was better to calculate the answer in such a competition because once the wrong answer was given, the opponent would get a direct win from that question without needing to make any calculations!

"This guy is one of a kind," Zhang Yu said impassionedly. He could not help but recall the question that Ye Lingchen gave him in the car, the answer of which was zero.

"In his mind, zero probably has the highest rate of being correct," Cao Tongtong said and shook her head. "This guy...is doomed."

"Such a stupid c*nt! A person like him is worse than pig teammates!"

"Are you sure this is a student from Capital University? How many connections did he have when he entered Capital University?"

"He's joking, right? He is making a mockery of this serious competition."

...

九陽神功 is translated to the Nine Yang Divine Technique, or Jiuyang Divine Skill, based on the fictional manual arts manual called the Jiuyang Zhenjing or Nine Yang Manual (九陽真經) from Jin Yong's Condor Trilogy.