Chapter 201: Top Trending! The Battle at the Forbidden Peak?

Chapter 201: Top Trending! The Battle at the Forbidden Peak?

"What's going on with the Zhao family?"

As soon as the call connected, Liu Qing went straight to the point.

It was evident that he was aware of his sister's actions against the Zhao family's company, and one could even say that Liu Ruyan's targeting of Zhao Fu's company had his approval.

On the other end of the line, a languid voice replied, "The Zhao family? Don't worry, it's just a grasshopper after the autumn harvest. They won't be able to jump around for much longer."

Liu Ruyan clearly misunderstood and confidently stated, "Give me another week, and they will surely surrender!"

If it weren't for Zhao Fu's control over the core technology, she wouldn't have been able to pressure them so much. She would have dealt with them long ago.

"I'm asking you, what's the situation with the Zhao family!"

This time, Liu Qing's tone became stern.

Liu Ruyan finally sensed something amiss, "What do you mean?"

Liu Qing clenched his teeth, "A superhuman named Chen Ye just challenged me. He wants to have a life-and-death battle with me at the Great Wilderness Ridge!"

"What? Who is Chen Ye?" Liu Ruyan exclaimed in surprise.

"How would I know who he is? He's representing the Zhao family!" Liu Qing was furious, "How did you investigate before executing the project?"

Wow!

Treating the act of plotting to seize others' businesses as a project!

"That's impossible!" Liu Ruyan on the other end of the line, also became agitated, "In my investigation of the Zhao family's network, there's no such person at all."

"I'll give you an hour. I want to know everything about Chen Ye!"

With those words, Liu Qing angrily hung up the phone.

Liu Ruyan, on the other end, was left completely dumbfounded.

Subsequently, she immediately used her connections to inquire about Chen Ye's information.

Not long after.

The relevant information about Chen Ye was sent to her phone.

[Extraordinary Beings Association member, registered strength at the Fifth Stage, actual strength estimated at the Sixth Stage standard, once saved Lu'an City, suspected to have an unusual relationship with Song Shang...]



The information on the file was limited to these details.

In addition, there was a video.

Liu Ruyan opened the video and saw Zhao Zheng, disguised as Chen Ye, hunting down monsters from the temporal rift!

Her eyes widened in shock, and she finally remembered that she had seen this news before.

However, with the Liu family's character of prioritizing their interests, they had no interest in such news...

After watching the video, Liu Ruyan thought for a moment and sent all the information and the video to Liu Qing.

Not long after.

Liu Qing called again.

"Is this all you found out? You didn't even investigate this guy's background?"

Liu Ruyan frowned, "This guy is mysterious, with an unclear background. There's hardly any trace of him on the various internal websites. If you don't believe me, you can ask someone to look into it!"

After a pause, Liu Ruyan continued, "But rest assured, when this guy acted in Lu'an City last year, the strength he displayed barely reached the Sixth Stage standard. It's only been half a year since then, and his strength won't have increased significantly. He's definitely not your match!"

"What do you know? If he's not confident, how dare he challenge me here?" Liu Qing scolded, "Keep investigating! If I fail this time, you won't get off easy either!"

The call ended.

Listening to the dial tone on the phone, Liu Ruyan was furious, gritting her teeth...

...

On the other side.

Zhao Zheng had already returned home, revealing his true appearance.

He intentionally chose today to challenge Liu Qing in front of the journalists to create a big scene, preventing Liu Qing from suddenly becoming cautious and refusing or backing out after accepting the challenge.

Even if Liu Qing later used his connections to silence the journalists, Zhao Zheng wasn't worried.

At that time, he had an invisible camera on him, capturing the entire scene of him issuing the challenge.

If the journalists didn't report it, he would upload it to the internet himself.

Fortunately, Zhao Zheng's worries were unnecessary.

Or perhaps, the influence of the Liu family wasn't as significant as he thought...

Within an hour, Zhao Zheng saw media reports online about his challenge to Liu Qing today!

By the time it was evening.

This matter had already reached the top of the trending searches! After all, Liu Qing was a well-known powerful individual. Among the seventh-stage powerhouses, he was not only exceptionally young but also ranked high in terms of strength and had immense potential.

Gu Yuying from the Gu family was also a young seventh-stage powerhouse, but her potential and fame couldn't compare to Liu Qing.

It was only after winning the Universal Spirit Realm championship that Gu Yuying's fame significantly increased, showing signs of catching up with Liu Qing...

As Zhao Zheng finished dinner, the news about his persona "Chen Ye" challenging Liu Qing had already reached the top of the trending searches!

It caused a huge sensation! It had been a long time since a superhuman had a dispute that escalated to the point of issuing a challenge like this!!

Zhao Zheng lay on the bed and opened the trending comments...

"Holy crap?

"Is there really someone challenging him? This news seems too good to be true!"

"And it's a challenge directed at Liu Qing? Chen Ye? Who's his commander? He's so brave!"

"Damn! Don't you even know about Chen Ye? This guy was the hero who saved Lu'an City last year."

"Oh, right... I remember him, but isn't his strength... not quite a match for Liu Qing?"

"Finally, someone can't stand the comprador family's behavior! Chen Ye, I support you! Take Liu Qing down!"

"The comprador family is indeed disgusting, but... putting that aside, Liu Qing's strength is quite formidable. To suppress him, it would probably take a top-tier powerhouse. Chen Ye... might be in a tough spot here!"

"That's right! I heard that in the last Universal Spirit Realm, Liu Qing's team secured the fifth-place position. This achievement places him among the top-tier Seventh-Ranked experts. Defeating him won't be an easy task."

"Chen Ye is already a Sixth-Ranked expert at such a young age, undoubtedly a genius with exceptional talent. After half a year, who knows, he might have advanced to the Seventh Rank!"

"What kind of dream are you having? Do you know how vast the gap is between the Sixth and Seventh Ranks? There hasn't been a single genius who could bridge that gap in just half a year, starting from the beginning of the Sixth Rank. Even if Chen Ye is a one-in-a-million genius and has reached the Seventh Rank standard, he might not necessarily defeat Liu Qing!"

"Regardless, I hope Chen Ye wins. I can't stand the comprador family..."

"Plus one! Chen Ye must win! Hopefully, he'll take down that certain Qing!"

"The duel is at the Great Wilderness Ridge? Why go so far? I really want to go and watch."

"If they don't go far enough, do you want them to fight in the city? Do you realize the consequences if two Seventh-Ranked experts go all out in an urban area? They might destroy a small city!"

"Is anyone going to watch the duel in three days? Let's go together!"

"Count me in too."

"Still going to watch? Do you believe the aftermath of the battle won't easily kill you? Might as well stay home and watch the live stream."

"Will there be a live broadcast?"

"Rest assured! There definitely will be! Even if the official channels don't stream it, those internet celebrities will be there. They won't be able to resist such a huge traffic opportunity..."

...

No wonder this news topped the trending searches.

The heat and engagement were off the charts!

The comments from netizens were overwhelming...

Witnessing the immense popularity, Zhao Zheng was delighted.

Now, he didn't have to worry about Liu Qing backing out.

This was precisely the outcome he desired.

Shortly after, Zhao Zheng suddenly felt something was amiss.

Such explosive popularity seemed abnormal!

Perhaps...

Someone was stirring things up behind the scenes?

It seemed that the Liu family had offended too many people, and now, there were plenty who wanted to see their downfall.

Moments later, numerous posts appeared online, accusing the Liu family of unfairly seizing others' businesses!

Even the Liu family's past shady dealings were exposed...

Seeing this, Zhao Zheng became more convinced of his suspicion: someone was pulling strings behind the scenes to bring misfortune upon the Liu family.

As he was thinking this, his phone suddenly rang.

It was Song Shang.

Zhao Zheng answered the call.

"Hello, Uncle Song?"

Zhao Zheng smiled and said, "I was just about to ask you, why are there suddenly so many online mobs smearing the Liu family?"

Song Shang: "What? You didn't arrange this?"

"Uncle Song, you're joking. I don't have that kind of power."

"Looks like someone wants to take advantage of this hype to bring down the Liu family!"

Song Shang smiled and said, "Regardless of who's behind this, it's beneficial for us."

"Yes, Uncle Song," Zhao Zheng replied with a smile.

"Let's get to business!" Song Shang suddenly said, "I've received numerous calls today, all asking about you. They seem to believe that Chen Ye is connected to me."

"Someone even sent a message, asking me to persuade you to back down from the duel."

Zhao Zheng laughed coldly upon hearing this.

"The Liu family's connections are indeed deep! If they don't want the duel to happen, why not ask Liu Qing to back down? Why should I be the one to yield?"

"Liu Qing is a big shot!" Song Shang also laughed, "He has to maintain his image as a powerful expert. How can he easily back down?"

"What do you mean, Uncle Song?" Zhao Zheng asked.

He, of course, wouldn't yield easily.

He asked this out of respect for Song Shang.

"They want me to back down with empty words? Even more impossible!"

Song Shang said without hesitation, then added, "But for the duel in three days, you might need to be cautious. Liu Qing's strength is not to be underestimated. With so many people supporting him, he might have some hidden tricks up his sleeve..."

"Thank you for the reminder, Uncle Song. I understand!"

"Mhm! I trust you to handle this. That's all for now."

"Song Shang's phone call had just ended when his daughter's call came through.

Song Haitang was aware of Chen Ye's identity, and couldn't help but feel concerned, so she called to inquire.

Chen Ye briefly explained the situation and reassured his sister not to worry.

His sister was easily appeased with a few words.

However, the next person would be a bit more challenging to pacify...

'Knock, knock, knock...'

A rapid knocking sound echoed.

Zhao Zheng instantly recognized it as his father, Zhao Chenghua, paying a visit.

Apart from Song Shang and his daughter, Zhao Zheng's grandfather and father were also aware of Chen Ye's true identity.

He felt a headache coming on.

But he had anticipated this, so he quickly got up to open the door, facing the situation with composure.

Opening the door, he found his father standing outside, as expected.

"Come in and talk!"

Zhao Chenghua, with a dark face, walked into his son's room and closed the door behind him.

It was evident that he had been following his grandfather's instructions, as he seemed to have not even informed his wife about Zhao Zheng's true identity!

"Dad, you haven't told Mom about my situation, have you?"

"I told her a part of it, but she'd only worry more if I said more!"

Zhao Chenghua responded and then asked sternly, "Forget that... What's this news online about? You're using Chen Ye's identity to challenge Liu Qing from the Liu family to a duel?"

"Yes!" Zhao Zheng nodded and smiled, "My company is my life's work, and they dare to mess with it? I must retaliate! I'll show them that the Zhao family isn't to be trifled with!"

"Nonsense!"

Zhao Chenghua immediately scolded, "I know Liu Qing; he's a well-known strongman. How dare you challenge him at your age? Are you tired of living?"

"Dad, you have to trust me!" Zhao Zheng exuded confidence, "I'm stronger than him now!"

It wasn't arrogance; he had to display sufficient confidence to reassure his family.

"I'm not in the mood for your boasting. In any case, I don't approve of this. Whether you retract the challenge or stand him up, I won't allow it!"

"My company is nothing; you're the family's hope!"

Zhao Chenghua's words were purely from a father's perspective, expressing concern for his son.

Zhao Zheng smiled and said, "Dad, there's really no need to worry. If I didn't have the confidence, would I do this? Moreover... Grandpa agreed too!"

"What? Grandpa agreed? Has he lost his mind?"

"Oh, Dad, don't speak ill of Grandpa! Trust me, I'm truly powerful now, and I'm certain I'll win against Liu Qing!"

Zhao Zheng tried to persuade his father, but Zhao Chenghua remained unconvinced and refused to approve.

Finally, Zhao Zheng had to bring up his grandfather, and the old man made a call to his son, which managed to suppress Zhao Chenghua's objections...

Meanwhile, this incident also caught the attention of a foreign power.

South Korea!

In a luxurious villa.

Ma Dongwu was hosting a private party with a group of girl group members when his phone rang.

At that moment, Ma Dongwu was in high spirits and didn't answer it.

After a brief pause, he picked up the phone and returned the call.

"What's up?"

"Sir, there's new information about the person you asked me to monitor."

"Oh?"

Ma Dongwu immediately became alert, waved away the women on him, and sat up to ask, "He's resurfaced?"

"Yes, sir. He's in the country and has issued a challenge to a strongman, planning to duel at Great Wilderness Ridge in three days!"

"Is that so?" Ma Dongwu smiled, "Who did he challenge?"

The person on the phone replied, "Liu Qing from the Liu family!"

"Liu Qing?"

Ma Dongwu only needed a moment to recall who this person was.

As a fellow seventh-rank strongman, Ma Dongwu had also heard of Liu Qing's reputation, but since the other party didn't pose a threat to him, he hadn't paid much attention and only remembered the name.

"Good, send me the relevant data and information."

After saying this, Ma Dongwu hung up the phone.

Moments later, a set of data was sent to his phone.

Ma Dongwu opened the data and quickly understood the situation.

He thought for a moment, then suddenly broke into a smile...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end