Chen Chang'an was never the type to put all his eggs in one basket. While he sought the Purple Gold Medal, he hadn't given up on investigating the whereabouts of the City Lord of No Return City.
This City Lord was deeply hidden. Neither Chen Chang'an nor Da Huang could confirm whether he was even in No Return City—and if he was, who could he be?
No one in the entire city had ever seen the true face of the City Lord. He was far too mysterious.
Da Huang had just stumbled upon something odd about the small wooden hut, but by the time Chen Chang'an and Da Huang arrived, they were a step too late.
Chen Chang'an glanced at the discarded black robe on the ground and frowned.
"Da Huang, why don’t you sniff the scent on this robe and track it down?" Chen Chang'an asked with a laugh.
"You really think I’m a dog?"
"This place reeks. I’m not sniffing anything. Do it yourself if you want to," Da Huang grumbled unhappily.
"Never mind. There’s nothing useful here. Let’s go."
Chen Chang'an chuckled before leaving the hut with Da Huang.
Now, as Chen Chang'an walked through No Return City, he stood out like a dazzling star. Everyone’s eyes were inevitably drawn to the medal on his chest.
A Platinum Medal—worn by someone so young. There was no doubt this was Chen Chang'an.
"That’s Chen Chang'an? He really is that young?"
"Exactly. And his cultivation test showed he’s at the first level of the Transcendent Realm."
"First level of the Transcendent Realm, yet he advanced to the Platinum Medal with an unbeatable record. That’s terrifying."
"Ugh, I’m so envious. Forget the Purple Gold Medal—if I could just get the Platinum Medal, I’d die happy."
"Right? Platinum Medal holders don’t have to pay any fees, and they get a fifty percent discount on all purchases in No Return City."
The Platinum Medal wasn’t just a symbol of strength—it also came with privileges. That’s why so many in No Return City sought to become medal holders.
Of course, there were restrictions too. They had to obey the commands of the City Lord, Asura.
For those who reached the peak of the Divine Transformation Realm—or even broke through to the Void Comprehension Realm—medal holders would be prioritized as Asura’s trusted subordinates, promoted to commanders of No Return City.
"So, you’re the one who showed off in the Medal Arena today?"
"Not bad, you’ve got some skill. But becoming a Purple Gold Medal holder won’t be so easy."
"You won’t even get past me."
A discordant voice suddenly cut through the air. Chen Chang'an turned to see who had spoken.
"Is that… Yan Xiong? He’s back?"
"My god, when did Yan Xiong return?"
"It’s over. Yan Xiong is here? Looks like Chen Chang'an’s good days are numbered."
"Who’s Yan Xiong? I’ve never heard of him."
"You must be new to No Return City if you haven’t heard of Yan Xiong."
"So, who is he?"
"The strongest among the Platinum Medal holders!"
"Ten years ago, his cultivation was already at the peak of the Divine Transformation Realm. He could’ve become a city commander long ago."
"But Yan Xiong is too proud. He refused to take the position unless he reached the Void Comprehension Realm."
"For the past decade, he hasn’t stayed in No Return City. He’s been out training, seeking a breakthrough. By now, his cultivation must be…"
The Void Comprehension Realm?
A Platinum Medal holder at the Void Comprehension Realm?
How the hell is anyone supposed to compete with that?
"Wait, if he’s that strong now, shouldn’t he be promoted to commander? He shouldn’t be fighting in the Platinum Medal battles anymore, right?"
"As long as he doesn’t apply for promotion, he’ll always be a Platinum Medal holder. Him participating doesn’t break any rules."
Listening to the chatter around him, Chen Chang'an understood just who this arrogant man was.
A Platinum Medal holder who had broken through to the Void Comprehension Realm?
"Took you ten years just to go from the peak of the Divine Transformation Realm to the Void Comprehension Realm? Not very impressive," Chen Chang'an said with a faint smile.
"Hahaha, such arrogance."
"Even if I’m ‘not impressive,’ you’re still no match for me."
"I won’t waste my time with you today. I’ll be waiting in the Medal Arena."
"I’ll show you what happens to those who act cocky."
Yan Xiong didn’t attack Chen Chang'an outright. In his eyes, Chen Chang'an wasn’t even worth the effort.
Among Platinum Medal holders, there were plenty who could teach Chen Chang'an a lesson.
"Then you’d better watch closely."
"If you don’t show up, I’ll win too easily. It’ll be boring," Chen Chang'an sneered.
"Hahaha, good!"
"I’ll remember that. Don’t disappoint me by failing in the first round."
With that, Yan Xiong left, as if his only purpose in appearing was to throw a few threats Chen Chang'an’s way.
"What’s wrong with that guy? Did he just come here to show off?"
"Or to announce to everyone that Yan Xiong is back?"
"Did all that bloodlust rot his brain and turn him into an idiot?"
Da Huang nodded in agreement. Yan Xiong really didn’t seem all that bright.
And whatever he’d been through in those ten years, the bloodlust around him was overwhelming—like he could snap at any moment.
But Chen Chang'an also noticed something else: long-term residents of No Return City had far less bloodlust. It seemed they had some method of suppressing it.
Still, that wasn’t Chen Chang'an’s concern right now. All he had to do was wait for the Medal Arena’s announcement.
"Hey, idiot, kowtow to me. Do it, and I’ll give you food."
"Hahaha, yeah, harder, harder!"
Suddenly, Chen Chang'an noticed a group of teenagers—around sixteen or seventeen—mocking a fool in a corner.
The fool’s eyes were dull, his face stuck in a vacant smile. He didn’t understand their malice, only that obeying was his way of survival.
At first, Chen Chang'an paid no attention. He wasn’t the type to meddle in others’ affairs.
But one careless glance sent a jolt through him.
That face… it was so familiar. Though changed, Chen Chang'an would never forget it.
Da Huang noticed Chen Chang'an’s reaction and looked toward the corner.
"This… no way it’s that easy?"
"Did we really find him this fast?"
Even Da Huang was stunned. Because that fool looked exactly like Wu Mingdao.
Just younger, without the unwavering confidence in his eyes—and missing the fearless aura he once carried.
Is it truly... a reincarnation?
Chen Chang'an wasn't sure, but since he had encountered it, he felt compelled to intervene and ask.
The moment Chen Chang'an appeared, the group of youths froze, especially when they caught sight of the platinum badge on his chest—their expressions instantly tensed.
"Y-you... Is there something we've done to anger you?" one of the young men stammered.
"Do you... recognize him?"
world slacker. But a genius female disciple just had to get clingy, insisting that he take her as a disciple. Not only that, she was always making advances on him, thoroughly disrupting his peaceful slacker life...
some people's 18th birthday, deities bestow a playing card imbued with "supernatural abilities." 52 playing cards, 52 unique powers. Those who receive these special cards gain admission to the finest supernatural academy. School Beauty: "I have the Queen of Spades—I can summon any weapon!" Rich Heir: "My dad holds the Jack of Diamonds—it grants infinite wealth!" Meanwhile, in another corner, a young man wields his card, effortlessly using all 52 abilities. The crowd gasps in shock. "What card do you have?" The youth glances at his card and smirks: "Well..." Busiest in the circus, wildest in Gotham. Standing guard at McDonald's, unmatched in the deck. "Please check the book title."
his freshman year, Su Bai accidentally bound the "Indulgence Tycoon System." 【Sleeping in? Reward: +$1,000】 【Spent $288 at a street barbecue stall? Cashback: +$2,880】 【Dropped $14,396 on in-game skins? Special reward unlocked: A brand-new Porsche Panamera!】 Luxury cars, penthouses, corporate shares, financial empires… College life was all about living freely and doing whatever he pleased! … When the adorably naive academic genius faced family medical bills and financial struggles, Su Bai waved his hand dismissively: "Your future is on me." "Wuwu~ Big Brother is so good to me! I’ll become a scientist to repay you!" When the genius girl got bullied by a shady professor? Su Bai casually dropped a billion-dollar investment, forcing the university to grovel and beg for her return. A company’s funding chain collapsing? Su Bai smirked—cash was the one thing he’d never run out of. Years later, when people traced the rise of the AI prodigy beauty, who was the man behind her success? Not just that—Su Bai also became the tsundere campus belle’s unattainable dream, the contrast senior’s daily necessity, and the beautiful counselor’s emotional anchor…
. As long as he maintains the villain image and follows the plot to the grand finale, he can obtain generous rewards and return to the real world. So Gu Chen'an entered the role and began to act as a scumbag villain, but who would have expected that the female leads could hear his inner thoughts. Miss Su from the Su family was shocked: "I originally thought Gu Chen'an was a scumbag, but I didn't expect he turned out to be a gentleman! What? You said I have to call off the engagement? I definitely won't, I'll piss you off!" Bai Yuan Tian was dumbfounded: "Young Master Gu is usually unreasonable and a complete brat, but he actually calls me little sweetie in his heart? What, Young Master Gu even said he likes me?" As the female leads' images collapsed more and more, the plot also collapsed with it. Gu Chen'an looked at all this chaos. "Ladies, don't aggro me, if you keep this up the male lead really will stab me, I still need to survive to the grand finale!"
