Chapter 011: Other Factions Don't Have It?
Because the Huaxia Faction was at the top of the rankings.
The Fate Net was buzzing with excitement, and everyone felt a surge of exhilaration.
Amid this celebratory atmosphere, a strange rumor began to circulate from somewhere:
"The other factions probably don't have the Fate Net!"
Upon hearing this, most people's first reaction was disbelief.
Wasn't the Fate Net supposed to be a standard communication feature of the Trial Ground? How could it be exclusive to Huaxia?
However, as soon as the thought of refuting it arose, it was shot down by a single sentence: "Looks like someone hasn't checked the Individual Contribution Ranking. Go take a look first!"
Hmm... it seemed they hadn't gotten around to looking yet.
Was there something hidden in the rankings?
Filled with doubt, everyone opened their Status Panel again, focusing their attention on the details under [Faction Contribution].
The Individual Contribution Ranking was right there:
[First Place: Yan Cang, Faction Contribution: 238,415,353]
[Second Place: Yu Jing, Faction Contribution: 473,256]
[Third Place: Yang Dongyao, Faction Contribution: 351,264]
...
The ranking only counted contributions within the faction, so it wasn't surprising that it was filled with Huaxia names.
But what was up with that long string of numbers after the first-place name?
Wait, dude?
Did you cheat?
When they saw this jaw-dropping contribution value, countless people couldn't help but entertain this absurd thought.
Although they knew this wasn't a game, the sheer dominance of that number, far surpassing everyone else on the list, looked exactly like something a cheater would pull off.
Especially when compared to the second-place contestant, the contrast was even more striking.
The gap was so vast it left people dazed.
Calming down and thinking it over, such an enormous faction contribution must have had a massive and universally beneficial impact on the entire Huaxia Faction.
And the only thing capable of achieving that seemed to be the Fate Net itself, which enveloped everyone and connected them all.
Thus, the identity of the top contributor was obvious—the master of the Fate Net.
With a little thought, this logic became clear.
Even if some people couldn't wrap their heads around it at first, they could quickly learn the truth from discussions on the Fate Net.
After all, the first-place contestant, with his overwhelming lead, was the most eye-catching topic.
And so, like a stone thrown into a lake, ripples spread rapidly to every corner of the Fate Net.
From scattered whispers, it gradually turned into a roaring wave—
In some Regional Channel:
"Huh?" someone let out a groundhog-like shriek.
"One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand... I counted for ages before I finally dared to confirm I wasn't wrong. This top contributor has over 230 million points?!"
"Show some respect. Call him Big Shot Yan Cang."
"No! This isn't just a 'big shot' anymore—this is a mega-boss! The pillar of Huaxia!"
"His contribution is five hundred times that of the second-place contestant... Could this be a bug?"
"Do you think this is a game?"
"Honestly, I only didn't say this guy cheated because I know this isn't a game... This is just absurd!"
"Indeed, a contribution value reaching nine digits, and not just barely over a hundred million... where on earth did that come from?"
"Yeah, I know there are many ways to earn Faction Contribution, even posting guide posts on the Fate Net Forum counts, but this is only the first day..."
"Isn't the answer obvious?" Someone calmly interjected. "To gain this much Faction Contribution in such a short time, it must have benefited all of us."
"As for what it is, just think for yourselves."
"...The Fate Net?"
"Huh? That's impossible!"
"The Fate Net actually has an owner?"
"Otherwise? What else can you think of?"
"Hiss, that really is the only answer."
"No wonder the big shot has so much Faction Contribution. Turns out we're all in his net."
"But that... makes it even more absurd!"
"If that's the case, then the Fate Net must have been unboxed by Big Shot Yan Cang from a [Supply Box]?"
"So, the question is..."
"Is this reasonable?"
...
Amidst the uproar,
Yan Cang, the center of the topic, was silently staring at the Contribution Ranking.
"Is there a reward? Is there a reward? Is there a reward?"
He muttered under his breath, full of anticipation.
But after waiting for several minutes, the expected notification sound for the [First Place Reward] never came.
"Well, I guess there isn't..." He instantly deflated like a punctured ball, letting out a sigh.
Having his identity indirectly exposed, and not even getting any compensation for it, he felt like he'd lost out.
But thankfully, the ranking only revealed his name.
Although the surname "Yan" isn't extremely common, there are still hundreds of thousands of people with it across the country. With just a name, even acquaintances couldn't directly pinpoint him.
But even if he were recognized, it probably wouldn't be a big deal?
Yan Cang thought to himself, conflicted.
Just then, a ripple came from the Fate Star Sea—it was a message from the class group.
Homeroom teacher Qiao Yue specifically @'d him:
"Student Yan Cang, topping the list, a top scholar! Congratulations, congratulations!"
Just as Yan Cang was pondering how to reply, he saw a confused classmate pop up in the next second:
"Huh? Teacher Qiao, have the college entrance exam results come out?"
"Is our class's Yan Cang the provincial top scholar? That's great!"
"...Classmate, wake up! We're already in the Trial Ground, stop bringing up horror stories like the college entrance exam!"
"This guy must be delirious? Teacher Qiao is clearly talking about the Individual Contribution Ranking."
"Topping the list? Holy crap! Isn't the number one big shot the classmate who was eating roast rabbit earlier? I thought the name looked familiar when I saw the ranking just now!"
"Really? The big shot with over two hundred million Faction Contribution is in our class group?"
"I heard he's also the master of the Fate Net..."
"Student Yan Cang, are you really the master of the Fate Net? My guide post has no views, can you give me some traffic! I want to farm some Contribution Points! (Crying)"
"Even if it's most likely just a coincidence with the name, your request is way too pathetic. (Sweat)"
Perhaps it's because people find it hard to believe that someone extraordinary could emerge from their own circle, so everyone instinctively leans toward the idea of a coincidental namesake.
The group chat was instantly filled with a lighthearted, bantering atmosphere.
Seeing the mood, Yan Cang played along and said:
"Fine, I'll come clean—I'm the master of the Fate Net. Right now, the Supreme Authority is frozen, and I urgently need Soul Points to unlock it. Just transfer me fifty Fate Points, and I'll pin your post later!"
The group immediately erupted with "hahaha."
Qiao Yue smiled helplessly and gently put an end to the topic:
"Stop messing around. Now everyone needs to prepare for their own survival. Make sure to check the guides on the forum regularly!"
"And since it's a shame you won't get your college entrance exam scores, I could always put together a related test paper to help make up for it?"
The next second, the entire class group was flooded with a unified chorus of wails:
"No way, Teacher Qiao!"