Chapter 81: If One Day, You Can Keep Up with My Pace

“Well done!”
“Incredible!”
“Ooooooo!”
The audience’s passionate cheers thundered through the air.
The host, raising his voice to its highest pitch, shouted, “Let’s give a warm round of applause to the champion, shall we?”
A tidal wave of applause crashed forth, thirty thousand strong.
The fierce applause resounded unabashedly.
Standing atop the podium, Cheng Feng felt a touch of disorientation, the reality of being champion seeming almost unreal.
From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of his sister in the crowd, clapping with all her might, jumping with joy. Cheng Feng allowed himself a proud smile.
A female examiner stepped forward, handing him the golden trophy that symbolized the championship.
Cheng Feng took it with both hands, raising it high above his head. The audience erupted once more, their cheers forming surging waves that seemed to break through the sports plaza and reach the clouds above.
In the nearby waiting area, Liu Shiyu and the other contestants watched quietly as Cheng Feng basked in the limelight.
“This guy is really enviable.”
Luo Ke laughed softly and shook her head, “He absolutely has to treat us to a lavish meal!”
At the mention of food, Gu Yan raised her fist in agreement, “Yes, we can’t let him get away! At least three meals!”
Liu Shiyu gazed toward the podium, her voice tinged with emotion, “Cheng Feng finally got his wish—he’s the champion now. I suppose I’ve fulfilled the president’s task.”
Back at Cheng Feng’s home.
The white-haired cat-girl lay in front of the television, her slender snow-white tail swaying behind her.
Snowball watched the screen as Cheng Feng stood on the podium, holding the shimmering trophy aloft. She blinked her sapphire eyes, “Cheng Feng really won the championship. Am I dreaming? He’s actually this impressive.”
Elsewhere, Xia Qingyao stared at the television, her feelings fluctuating between happiness and something more complicated.
…
The award ceremony ended.
Fireworks still blossomed in the night sky above the sports plaza, and numerous post-event activities awaited the audience’s enjoyment.
Cheng Feng left the competition area, heading to the backstage offices to collect his champion’s prize.
He was greeted by an older middle-aged examiner, calm and dignified, smiling, with several staff members standing by.
“Congratulations, Cheng Feng. Here’s your prize as the champion.”

The examiner reached out and handed over a long-prepared red envelope.
Cheng Feng took it; from its feel, he guessed it contained a bank card.
On that card was a reward of two hundred thousand yuan.
The examiner then handed him another item: an elite member’s license.
Cheng Feng’s eyes lit up. His name and portrait were engraved upon the license.
With this elite-level license, he had finally made the leap from intern member to elite.
Elite members received not only recognition for their abilities, but far greater authority when executing missions compared to interns.
He could command interns during tasks, enter other countries freely under the pretext of missions, and even access prohibited zones sealed off from entry.
Holding this license, he could ride buses, metros, and high-speed trains free of charge…
Wonderful.
Cheng Feng felt overjoyed. He had joined the contest for three reasons, and now two were already achieved:
First, the prize money. Second, promotion to elite member. Third, only as an elite could he qualify to meet the association president.
When he first crossed over, barely two days in, that president—whom he had never met—had instructed Liu Shiyu to admit him unconditionally into the Disaster Association.
It was baffling, even absurd.
At that time, Cheng Feng had only just gained his vampire physique for two days, stronger than humans, but still the weakest among the extraordinary members of the association.
What necessity was there to bring him in?
Later, the president gifted him the Spirit Blade: Raikiri, an S-grade spiritual weapon that had never acknowledged a master, entrusting Liu Shiyu to deliver it.
The enigmatic president’s actions were impossible to fathom—bestowing benefits without reason, leaving Cheng Feng utterly puzzled.
This was why Cheng Feng wished to meet him.
Cheng Feng looked at the examiner, “I have a question. I remember the president came to observe today’s contest. Do you know where he is?”
He had learned of the president’s attendance after the preliminary rounds, from Vice President Su Ting.
The examiner smiled, evidently expecting the question, “The president knew you wanted to see him and asked me to tell you that in a few days, he’ll arrange a time to meet and answer your questions.”
Cheng Feng was surprised, “He already knew?”
The examiner nodded, “Yes. Just wait for the notification.”
“Alright.”

With thoughts swirling, Cheng Feng stepped outside to find Liu Shiyu already waiting, leaning against the wall, ignoring the passing staff.
Liu Shiyu asked, “Heading home?”
“No, there’s still something I need to do.”
…
As the promotion tournament concluded, contestants began leaving through the sports plaza’s exits.
Though not all had won the championship, for many, dueling powerful demon hunters made the trip worthwhile.
Under the night sky, among the crowd, a lone figure in blue stood out, her silhouette tinged with melancholy.
Ye Lin carried her backpack, feeling dejected. She turned back to glance at the grand, festively lit sports center, her eyes growing darker.
She had traveled far to compete, hoping to meet the “hero” she hadn’t seen for years.
Her sole wish was to win, become an elite member, and have the right to stand by his side.
She couldn’t help but recall the suffering her hometown endured years ago.
A cruel horde of monsters invaded from the border, her town was the first to fall. The monsters slaughtered without restraint.
The people’s resistance was futile, crushed like ants.
The monsters massacred and devoured the entire town.
Her legs gave way, and she awaited death in terror.
But amid that world of tragedy and despair, a man appeared.
Those terrifying, bloodthirsty monsters were powerless before him.
She simply stared, flames reflecting off his cold face, the Spirit Blade: Flame Sun stained with blood in his hand, shining a fierce crimson.
“Please, big brother, let me follow you.”
Among the corpses of monsters, she clenched her skirt, her face pitiful and pleading as she looked up at the towering figure.
Chu Xinghe’s eyes held only a faint indifference, “You are too weak. If one day you can keep up with me, then seek me out.”
End of Volume One.
ps: Just as I expected, the initial subscriptions didn’t even break triple digits, 7800 favorites—this ratio…