The Beauty CEO's Personal Expert

Once everyone's belongings were provided, the organizer immediately tallied the participants. Nearly twenty Earthly List experts arrived at the seminar this time, but only thirteen decided to partake in the contest. Among them, the youngest was Ling Chen, followed by Wang Hao. Besides these two, the rest were either in their fifties or sixties.

"I thought you really weren't interested," Wang Hao spoke coldly, looking at Ling Chen passing by.

Ling Chen stopped, shrugged, and said, "I initially didn't want to join the fun, but Mr. He insisted. When an elder speaks, I can't refuse, right? Wang Hao, I ask for your mercy later."

"If you've chosen to compete, then let's rely on our skills," Wang Hao said, walking away.

Watching Wang Hao's departing figure, Ling Chen shook his head helplessly. If Wang Hao had hidden his hostility well before, he was now blatantly showing it.

Ling Chen sighed lightly; Wang Hao's hostility was undoubtedly a big trouble.

Returning to He Ziyun's side, Ling Chen stood for a while, watching the organizer approach and announce, "Sorry to keep everyone waiting. The number of participants is confirmed at thirteen. These thirteen will compete for the championship of this Martial Arts seminar. Before we start the contest, let me say something upfront. You can fight during the match, but do not take lives. Remember, that's the most crucial point. If anyone breaks this rule, we won't spare them. Alright! Enough talking, let me announce the rules."

"The contest lasts three days, with the range limited to this back mountain. We've hidden an object somewhere in the back mountain, a jade artifact. Whoever brings it out after three days will be the final winner. Again, no matter what means you use, make sure not to take lives. If there are no objections, let's begin."

With that, the organizer pointed to the forest entrance.

Immediately, seven or eight Earthly List experts started running into the forest, eager not to fall behind.

"Mr. He."

"Go ahead, be careful. Winning isn't crucial, just take it as training."

"Got it, I understand." Ling Chen nodded, then dashed towards the forest without another word.

Once inside the forest, Ling Chen chose a path that differed from the others and ventured deeper into the forest.

The aim of this contest was clear: protect oneself and find the hidden object. Surviving for three days with the item means victory.

Forest warfare wasn't unfamiliar to Ling Chen. As a former agent, he held extensive field experience. However, the opponents this time differed greatly, being top experts, not elite soldiers.

Thus, Ling Chen had to be extremely cautious.

Deep in the forest, Ling Chen surveyed the surroundings. Besides trees, there were tall, tangled grasses good for hiding. After assessing the area, Ling Chen made a decision.

To confront Earthly List experts, he must act unexpectedly. Sadly, among the thirteen experts, his skill ranked poorest and was at the bottom. Despite having the Nine Yang Qiankun Step, surrounded by experts, thorough preparation was essential.

Spending two hours preparing alone, near noon, feeling hungry, Ling Chen picked a few wild fruits from nearby trees. Fortunately, the forest was vast, with abundant fruits. The sweet taste meant no worry about hunger for three days. A pond nearby provided water, albeit not very clean, but drinkable.

At this moment, Ling Chen lay on a tree branch ten meters high, resting his head on one hand while eating fruit with the other.

After a while, hurried footsteps approached from the north. Hearing them, Ling Chen sat up, using dense leaves to hide his spot while looking down.

Soon, he spotted a middle-aged man in his forties running swiftly, panting. Moreover, the man seemed injured, with one arm bleeding, staining his sleeve.

Ling Chen was silently amazed by how intense their conflicts were, to be wounded so soon.

Ling Chen didn't understand why it had to be so serious; losing wasn't a big deal. Was it worth being so miserable for the reward?

As he pondered, the middle-aged man suddenly shouted 'Ah'. His body flipped, legs up, head down, flying off the ground, suspended in mid-air.

Observing closely, his ankle was tied with a grass rope, swinging like a pendulum.

Seeing the trapped man, Ling Chen smirked, chuckling. Luck was on his side as someone fell into his trap so quickly. He had spent several hours setting traps around him; any close approach would trigger them.

Regaining composure, the trapped man twisted his wrist slightly, severing the rope with Hua Realm in an instant. Yet, as he landed, thick wood logs suddenly fell from surrounding trees, hitting his body heavily.

Caught off guard, the wood struck the man's back, making him vomit blood and fall, unable to rise for a long time.

Seizing the opportunity, Ling Chen jumped off the tree, rushing to the man's side.

With Ling Chen nearing, the man struggled but couldn't rise, his severe back injury causing immobility. He could only lie down.

Ling Chen apologized with a smile, "Sorry about that."

Defeated, the man replied dejectedly, "I lost."