After the Villain in Me Gave Up, the Female Leads All Panicked! - Chapter 8:

Chapter 8: My Fists Are Already Clenched, and You Tell Me You’re Not Joining?

Under the eyes of the masses, the Capital Martial Arts Academy’s annual inter-academy tournament officially began.

The entire academy was swept up in an unprecedented wave of excitement.

The enormous central martial arena was packed with noise, fluttering banners, and countless students and representatives from various major forces focused their eyes on this place.

For the students, this was the best stage to make a name for themselves.

If they could stand out, not only would they receive a massive system reward in resources from the academy, but they also had a chance to be noticed in advance by the Celestial Dragon Nation’s military, the Elder Council, or the top conglomerates—ushering in a life of smooth success.

At the registration area, Ye Xuan stood tall, eyes as sharp as blades.

He clenched his fists, feeling the surging spiritual power of his 2nd stage Bone Refining Realm, his heart brimming with fighting spirit.

Lin Yuan!

He swore he would stomp that guy into the ground on this grand stage under everyone’s watchful eyes.

He would return all the humiliation he suffered—tenfold!

He would let the world see who the real Chosen One was!

He stood there like a javelin ready to launch, eyes locked on the registration path, waiting for that familiar figure to appear.

…

But time passed minute by minute.

From early dawn to dusk, the registration path neared closing, and Ye Xuan’s brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

Where was he?

Why hadn’t Lin Yuan shown up yet?

“Registration closed!”

With the shout from the supervising teacher, the registration passage slowly closed.

Ye Xuan stared at the empty walkway in disbelief.

He rushed to the registration list, reading it from top to bottom—three times over.

Nothing.

Lin Yuan’s name wasn’t on it at all!

That guy…

He hadn’t even signed up!

“Pfft—”

Ye Xuan felt a surge of blood rush to his head. His throat turned sweet as he nearly spat out blood.

It was like he’d trained for months as a world-class boxer, charged up with full power, struck a perfect pose—only for his opponent to not even step into the ring!

His fist had landed squarely on cotton.

No—on air!

The frustration and powerlessness nearly drove him mad.

“Why?!”

Unwilling to accept it, he grabbed a passing student and demanded, “Where’s Lin Yuan?! Why isn’t he in the tournament?!”

The student, startled, stammered, “Y-Young Master Lin? I-I heard he’s… napping in the Rear Garden…”

Napping?!

Ye Xuan could no longer contain his rage. He turned like a berserk bull and stormed off toward the Rear Garden.

Sure enough, he spotted the one person who made his teeth itch with hatred.

Lin Yuan was lying under that familiar ancient tree.

Hands behind his head, sleeping peacefully, even with a content smile at the corner of his lips, as if he were having a sweet dream.

“Lin Yuan!!!”

Ye Xuan’s roar exploded like thunder, shaking the nearby leaves.

Lin Yuan stirred from his sleep, rubbing his eyes in annoyance.

He looked at the red-faced, trembling Ye Xuan and lazily asked, “What are you yelling for? Don’t you know it’s rude to interrupt someone’s nap?”

“I’m asking you!” Ye Xuan pointed at his nose, voice trembling, “Why didn’t you enter the academy tournament?!”

Lin Yuan looked at him like he was an idiot.

“Why would I?”

“You… You don’t want to prove yourself? Don’t you want to fight me?”

“Prove myself?” Lin Yuan scoffed and lay back down. “To whom? As for you…”

He paused, his tone calm but filled with absolute contempt.

“You’re not even worth my attention.”

Ye Xuan froze.

He realized that all his hard work, his anger, his drive, all of it—looked like a joke in front of this man who had completely laid down.

You can’t provoke someone who doesn’t care about winning or losing.

You can’t defeat an opponent who never planned to fight you.

An overwhelming sense of helplessness surged through Ye Xuan.

For the first time, he realized…

There was absolutely nothing he could do to this guy.

…

The news that Lin Yuan wasn’t participating in the tournament exploded across the academy like a bomb.

The school’s forum crashed again.

“Breaking news! Lin Yuan forfeited! He didn’t even sign up!”

“What’s going on? Wasn’t he acting arrogant just days ago? Now that it’s serious, he chickens out?”

“I told you—he’s scared! He knew he couldn’t beat Ye Xuan, so he turned turtle and ran!”

“Get outta here. Lin Yuan’s at 6th stage Bone Refining Realm. Scared of someone at 2nd stage?”

“Can’t say that. Ye Xuan might be 2nd stage, but I heard he’s freakishly talented and constantly defeats higher realms. What if he really beats Lin Yuan?”

“Hiss… could it be Lin Yuan was all talk, afraid Ye Xuan would fight for Li Xuan’er’s honor in the ring?”

…

Rumors and gossip spread like wildfire among the students.

Many didn’t hold back their mockery.

As one of the academy’s most notorious rich playboys, Lin Yuan had plenty of enemies outside his lackeys.

Those who were once suppressed by his overwhelming presence now resurfaced, spreading all kinds of wild guesses and ridicule.

In their eyes, running away was more shameful than losing.

…

In the girls’ dormitory.

Li Xuan’er stared at the news on the forum, a cold smirk creeping onto her face.

“I knew it!”

“He’s just a paper tiger! All bark and no bite. When it comes to proving strength, his true form is revealed!”

She said this to her roommates, finally feeling the humiliation she suffered before was repaid.

Weren’t you arrogant?

Didn’t you say Ye Xuan wasn’t worthy?

Now you don’t even dare step onto the same stage as him?

Coward!

Li Xuan’er’s disdain for Lin Yuan deepened, while her faith in Ye Xuan grew stronger.

Meanwhile, across campus, Gu Ningxue also saw the news.

She frowned slightly, feeling something didn’t add up.

From the aura she sensed that day, Lin Yuan didn’t seem like someone who would back down from fear.

That man had a kind of arrogance that disregarded all things at its core.

Driven by curiosity, she once again came to that ancient tree in the Rear Garden.

Lin Yuan was still lying there, as if the storm outside had nothing to do with him.

“You’re really calm about this.”

Gu Ningxue stood beside him, arms crossed, looking down. “The whole academy’s calling you a coward who’s scared of Ye Xuan. Don’t you want to explain?”

Lin Yuan didn’t even open his eyes. He lazily replied, “Explain? Why?”

“You’re just going to let them say that about you?” Gu Ningxue couldn’t help but laugh from frustration.

Lin Yuan finally opened his eyes. He sat up, looked at her calmly, and asked, “Does a lion care about the opinions of sheep? You think I need to prove my strength to a bunch of ants?”

Those pitch-black eyes were calm, yet they carried a terrifying dominance and confidence.

Gu Ningxue’s heart skipped a beat for no reason.

She stared at this man who looked like he was “slacking,” yet was more arrogant than anyone she had ever seen.

And realized…

He truly didn’t need to prove anything to anyone.

…

Lin Family Estate.

Butler Zhong paced the living room like an ant on a hot pan.

He already knew about all the gossip spreading through the academy.

Young Master was being called a “coward” and a “turtle,” which not only hurt his reputation—it was a stain on the entire Lin family!

He’d just gone to advise him again, but all he got was a, “Don’t bother me, I’m sleeping.”

Nearly gave him a heart attack.

“Ai! Young Master, why are you like this?!”

Butler Zhong looked up and sighed, knowing he could never persuade him alone.

Left with no choice, he gritted his teeth and made a decision.

He would have to call in the big guns.

He dialed that number again.

Light flashed—the video connected.

Butler Zhong straightened his collar and bowed respectfully to the screen.

“Old Master… we have a problem!”