The Beauty CEO's Personal Expert

"Although there were some unexpected events at this martial arts conference, as I understand, the competition has already determined a winner. Therefore, as the host, we should proceed according to the rules. Now, let's invite the winner to the stage."

With the conclusion of the host's words, Wang Hao walked up with the golden statue.

"Mr. Wang." The host smiled at Wang Hao, clasping his hands in congratulations: "Congratulations on becoming the winner of this martial arts conference. Is there anything you'd like to say?" The host gestured, indicating for Wang Hao to say a few words publicly.

Wang Hao stepped to the front of the stage, opened his mouth to deliver a few words of victory appreciation. However, he quickly noticed that few people in the audience were paying attention to him; instead, they surrounded Ling Chen, chattering animatedly. As the main character of this victory, Wang Hao was utterly sidelined.

Seeing this scene, Wang Hao felt extremely displeased, his expression exceedingly unpleasant. He had initially wanted to say a few words, but now had no desire at all.

"Mr. Wang, do you have anything you'd like to say?" Seeing Wang Hao hesitate, the host couldn't help but urge him.

"Hmph!" Wang Hao flicked his sleeve, coldly stating, "I have nothing to say." With that, not waiting for the other party to respond, Wang Hao directly walked off the stage. At that moment, he felt like a clown. Rather than continue to make a fool of himself on stage, it was better to leave quickly, to avoid total embarrassment.

Wang Hao's departure did not attract much attention; even the organizers merely sighed helplessly without much retention. In fact, they also understood that with Ling Chen's contributions before them, no one cared about anyone else, much less who the winner was.

Moreover, in every aspect, Ling Chen's actions this time indeed outshined Wang Hao a lot more. Not only did he save everyone, but more importantly, he saved Tong Zhentian.

Amid the crowd's thanks, Ling Chen's mouth was almost numb from smiling. Fortunately, with Tong Zhentian's help later, Ling Chen managed to escape the fervor and return to the villa.

After resting for a while, seeing it was getting late, Ling Chen decided to stay there for the night and set off for East Sea City the next day.

Not having seen Nanrong Wanqing for a while, he missed her terribly. Moreover, with such major events happening without any news, he couldn't imagine how worried Nanrong Wanqing must be.

"Mr. He."

"What's up?"

"I'm going out for a while; I'll be back shortly."

"Do you need me to accompany you?"

"No need." Ling Chen waved with a smile: "I'm just going to pay a formal visit to Elder Tong. Since I'm leaving tomorrow, it's only right to say farewell."

"Alright then." He Ziyun nodded: "Tong Zhentian is a veteran in the martial arts, remarkably skilled, and a master on the Heavenly List. It's beneficial for you to maintain a good relationship with him."

Leaving the villa, Ling Chen took the quiet path to Tong Zhentian's villa. Because the villa Tong Zhentian previously lived in was destroyed and in ruins, he had moved to another place a bit of a distance from where Ling Chen was staying.

As Ling Chen approached the villa, he suddenly saw someone walking out of the entrance; it was Wang Hao. Seeing Wang Hao's gloomy and depressed demeanor, Ling Chen couldn't help but be curious.

What's going on?

While pondering, Wang Hao seemed to notice Ling Chen approaching and his gaze instantly turned icy cold.

When the two met, Wang Hao stopped in his tracks, staring straight into Ling Chen's eyes, speaking coldly, "I find you truly an obstacle on my path forward."

Hearing this, Ling Chen was slightly stunned, not understanding what Wang Hao meant.

"Ling Chen, don't be too pleased with yourself. Just you wait. Even without their help, I'll surpass you sooner or later." After speaking, Wang Hao snorted coldly and strode away.

Watching Wang Hao's back as he left, Ling Chen was very puzzled. He hadn't provoked him, so why speak such harsh words?

Crazy!

Ling Chen muttered to himself, then walked to the villa's entrance and knocked on the door.

Before long, the door opened, and Tong Ye, dressed refreshingly, appeared inside. Seeing Ling Chen outside, Tong Ye's lips curled slightly as she smiled: "You're here! Please come in."

"Thank you! Miss Tong, is Elder Tong here?"

"My grandfather's inside; he was just talking about you. I didn't expect you to arrive so soon."

He was talking about me?

With curiosity, Ling Chen entered the living room, only to see Tong Zhentian dressed in loose training clothes, sitting on the sofa, holding a cup of fragrant tea, watching a Peking opera on TV, humming a tune.

"Elder Tong." Ling Chen stepped forward, clasped his hands, and respectfully saluted.

"You're here!" Tong Zhentian looked at Ling Chen with a full smile, gesturing to the seat beside him: "Have a seat."

Ling Chen nodded and sat down next to Tong Zhentian. As soon as he sat down, Tong Ye brought over a freshly brewed cup of tea.

"Xiao Ye, go upstairs first. I have something to talk about with Ling Chen."

"Yes." Tong Ye obediently responded, then turned and walked up the stairs.

After Tong Ye left, Tong Zhentian turned off the TV and looked at Ling Chen: "You should have seen Wang Hao just now when you came over."

"Yes." Ling Chen didn't ask further. He knew that things that shouldn't be asked should be left unasked. If Tong Zhentian wanted to tell him, he would do so without being prompted.

"Wang Hao's master and I were old acquaintances, with decades of friendship. Unfortunately, his master left this world early, leaving Wang Hao alone at Yangxin Pavilion. Wang Hao is quite talented and has good aptitude; within just over twenty years, he became a master on the Earthly List. Across the world, no one can match him." Saying this, Tong Zhentian glanced at Ling Chen beside him, suddenly realizing something, and tapped his forehead with a laugh: "Look at me, almost forgot about you. I take back what I just said; besides you, no one can match him."

Ling Chen humbly smiled: "I'm not as good as you say."

"I heard from Wang Hao that during a martial arts contest at Yangxin Pavilion, you once defeated him?"

"Yes. But that was just luck; truly, in terms of strength, I'm not as good as him."

"Although your strength is still behind his, in many other aspects, you surpass him greatly." After a pause, Tong Zhentian continued: "Do you know the main reason Wang Hao participated in this martial arts conference?"

"Isn't it to connect with more Earthly List masters?"

"No." Tong Zhentian shook his head: "His purpose is actually straightforward, to seek a master, to take me as his master. That day, Wang Hao came to me, expressed his intention, and in consideration of old friendship, I neither refused nor agreed to him, but instead gave him a test. If he could win among the Earthly List masters, I would give him a chance, to accept him as a registered disciple."