Chapter 146: Public Channel Slander

"Perhaps I'm just a bit tired," Cai Kun thought, slowing the pace at which he was slaying the ferocious beasts.

He pulled up his professional interface and scrolled through the leaderboard. Seeing his team ranked among the top, he grinned, feeling a sense of immense satisfaction.

"That kid Wang Chen is truly trash. He's not even visible on the top thirty list."

Cai Kun swiped through the rankings, intent on finding Wang Chen's team. To him, being powerful himself wasn't enough; he could only truly be happy if his enemies were miserable and falling behind.

He dragged the leaderboard all the way to the bottom and began searching upward. Finally, he located Wang Chen in the lower-middle tier.

Seeing the score of Wang Chen’s team, he sneered, "I expected Wang Chen to flop, but not this badly. To think a student from No. 1 High School could fall so far behind—it’s absolutely disgraceful."

In high spirits, he opened the public chat channel and mocked: "Wang Chen, you self-important piece of trash. You spent all that time acting like a genius, and now your true colors are finally showing, aren't they?"

"It's been nearly two hours, and your team is still lagging this far behind. You've brought total shame to No. 1 High School!"

"How about this: call me 'Daddy,' and out of the kindness of my heart as a classmate, I might just give you a hand?"

The message was instantly broadcast to the public channel. Originally intended for teams to coordinate and avoid overlapping in the same area—which would lead to wasted time and fewer kills—the channel was constantly monitored by designated members of every team.

Consequently, Cai Kun's message was seen immediately by most of the candidates, and the chat exploded.

"The boss of the second-ranked team is throwing shade. This guy Wang Chen is truly having a run of bad luck."

"I was curious and checked out the team this Wang Chen belongs to. Wow, they’re pathetic. So much time has passed, and his score is still just mid-to-bottom tier."

"Right? Isn't he from Luzhou No. 1 High School? Has the school gone downhill that much to produce such a loser?"

"Hey, don't talk nonsense. I'm from No. 1 High School, and as of today, we don't claim him!"

"..."

With the status of being on the second-ranked team, Cai Kun drew everyone's attention, and Wang Chen suddenly became the target of public criticism.

Cai Kun watched the momentum he had built with great satisfaction, his mouth curling into a wide grin.

Just then, Lu Shiyu sent a message.

"Cai Kun! You’re slandering Wang Chen again. Don't you have anything better to do? Have you already killed all the beasts in the area?"

Her tone was tinged with anger. "We’re classmates, why must you be so aggressive?"

Seeing her message, Cai Kun froze for a moment, fury surging within him. Why did Lu Shiyu always defend Wang Chen? What on earth did that brat have going for him?

He desperately wanted to lash out and confront her, but having spent years currying favor with the powerful, he had developed a decent level of emotional control. Lu Shiyu was backed by the King-tier powerhouse Lu Han; he couldn't afford to offend her.

After some thought, a scheme formed in his mind. He replied: "I was merely stating the objective facts about Wang Chen's score. If that counts as being aggressive, then so be it."

With that, he stopped posting.

However, the message continued to ferment in the chat channel.

"Yeah, Cai Kun's wording might have been a bit crude, but everything he said is true!"

"This Lu Shiyu is on the top-ranked team. What is her relationship with Wang Chen, anyway?"

"I'm wondering the same thing. Why is she defending this loser so hard?"

Some students from other schools, unaware of the history and grudges at Luzhou No. 1 High School, began asking questions. Always eager to stir the pot, some students from No. 1 High School used the anonymous feature to provide a brief summary of the entanglement between Wang Chen and Lu Shiyu.

"Whoa, so he’s just a gigolo then?"

"What does this guy have to be favored by the top-ranked queen?"

"His ranking is so low; it’s definitely not based on strength. He must have some 'exceptional' talents elsewhere, right?"

"The flower language of a steel wool scouring pad is 'forbearance and wealth.'"

"I beg of you, Master Wang Chen, teach me how to hook a wealthy woman!"

"Hey, rich lady, look at me! I have some 'exceptional talents' too—my fingers are incredibly nimble!"

"..."

This caused a massive uproar. Not only Wang Chen, but Lu Shiyu was now being roasted over the fire as well.

Cai Kun gave a sinister smile. This was exactly the direction he wanted things to take. He no longer felt any pity for Lu Shiyu. That woman had slapped his face time and again—even a clay figurine has a temper!

Since I can't afford to offend you directly, I'll use the power of public opinion to ruin you!

Cai Kun used his own reputation, fixating solely on the point that Wang Chen lacked skill. After all, it was an undeniable fact on the leaderboard—there was no room for debate. Then, with a little guidance, he let the crowd handle the attacks.

Cai Kun had originally intended to use the anonymous function to secretly stir the pot, but he hadn't expected everyone to be so efficient. They had carried the momentum themselves, and he hadn't had to put in much effort at all.

It was hardly surprising. At this critical juncture, the students who still had time to pay attention to a flame war in the channel were mostly those who lacked the skill to succeed and had already given up on advancing.

Seeing a loser like Wang Chen, who was no better than them, being defended so fiercely by the top-ranked girl, their jealousy was enough to dissolve gold. And since students from No. 1 High School described Lu Shiyu as a great beauty, they were even more bitter.

Now, one group was focused on denouncing Wang Chen, while another was sexually harassing Lu Shiyu.

"Sister Shiyu, how about we have some fun after the grand competition ends? I'll be waiting for you in Room 8808 at the Haoting Hotel~"

"Ms. Lu Shiyu, I can spin a wheel—do you know what I use to spin it? I'll tell you privately tonight."

"The Tongue King of Luzhou No. 7 High School reporting for duty!"

"..."

Cai Kun watched with a grin. They were truly fearless; these guys probably had no idea about Lu Shiyu's family background, speaking without any restraint.

But precisely because of that, this bizarre spectacle of men ganging up to mock her was unfolding. Usually, at No. 1 High School, Lu Shiyu was a flower on a high cliff that no one dared to offend.

Exciting—it was so exciting!

Cai Kun even considered using the anonymous feature to post a few flirtatious remarks himself.

Throughout all this, Wang Chen had not uttered a single word in the channel, as if he couldn't see the gossip at all. His attitude annoyed some people.

"Damn it, is he still trying to act like a master by staying silent?"

"What act? I think the guy is just scared stiff by us and doesn't dare to make a peep."

"Hey buddy, the wealthy woman who's keeping you is being teased like this, and you don't have any reaction? I feel bad for her."

"Exactly. Rich sister, consider me instead! I'm a little 'milk dog'—I'm clingy and know how to make a sister happy!"

"..."

Yet, even in the face of such slander, Wang Chen remained silent.

People began to lose interest, feeling that it was becoming dull.

Just then, a message popped up in the channel: "Everyone, look at Wang Chen's team score! Holy crap, this is insane!"