The chat group atmosphere fell into silence for nearly three full seconds.
Three seconds.
In a group where messages usually flew like bullets, that was an eternity.
Happy Spoiler was the first to react.
Happy Spoiler:
…
…
…
Tony.
Playboy:
Yes?
Happy Spoiler:
Back away slowly from this "Yiping" guy.
Golden Retriever:
Why do I feel like this is going to end very badly?
Not really a girl:
Tony, listen to him. If someone says "this isn't scientific" in a Marvel world… they aren't normal anymore.
Self-explosive master:
Especially if he mentions nano-steel before the Age of Ultron.
I can see:
Wait, wait… couldn't he just be a weird genius?
Happy Spoiler:
No. Weird geniuses don't use the catchphrases of a veteran web novel reader.
In the stadium box, Luo Chen raised an eyebrow.
Nano-steel?"Mixed" Battle of New York?Marvel world?
"Oh…" he murmured. "This just got interesting."
Qingyue glanced at him sideways. "That face again?" she said suspiciously. "That's the face you make right before someone starts suffering."
"I never cause trouble," Luo Chen replied with total seriousness. "Trouble just comes looking for me."
Blatant lie, Qingyue thought.
In the chat, Tony took a deep breath.
Playboy:
Don't overreact. I haven't confirmed anything yet.
Happy Spoiler:
Tony, repeat after me: If someone knows terms that shouldn't exist yet…
Playboy:
…they are suspicious.
Happy Spoiler:
Good. Now add: If they also talk as if they've read the script…
Playboy:
…they are extremely suspicious.
Golden Retriever:
Then yeah, 100% a transmigator.
Not really a girl:
Have you tested him, Tony?
Playboy:
Tested him how?
Self-explosive master:
Say something only you would know… but that a reader would remember.
Tony fell silent, thinking. Then he smirked—that dangerous smile that indicated his genius pride had just been triggered.
Playboy:
Today, while we were talking, I casually mentioned: "The next big threat will surely come from space."
Golden Retriever:
That's way too generic.
Playboy:
Wait for it.
He replied: "Sure—first Loki, then rebel robots, then angry gods, and finally a purple madman with a glove."
Absolute silence.
I can see:
… Oh.
Not really a girl:
Confirmed.
Happy Spoiler:
Tony, congratulations. You've found a hardcore reader… or a walking causality bomb.
Golden Retriever:
The worst part? He probably thinks he can "optimize the timeline."
Self-explosive master:
That never ends well.
Luo Chen leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms, clearly amused.
"A transmigrator in Marvel…" he mused. "This is going to be a better show than the competition."
Youlan, sitting beside him, tilted her head. "Transmi... what?"
"People who know way too much," he replied. "And who usually end up doing stupid things because they think they're the protagonist."
Youlan looked at him seriously. "And you?"
Luo Chen smiled. "I actually am the protagonist."
Qingyue nearly choked.
In the chat, Tony had already made a decision.
Playboy:
I'm not going to expose him yet. I'm going to observe him.
Happy Spoiler:
Tony…
Playboy:
If he really is a transmigrator… then he might make mistakes that no one else would make.
Not really a girl:
And you want those mistakes to happen under your supervision.
Playboy:
Exactly.
Golden Retriever:
Wow. You sound like such a villain right now.
Playboy:
Thank you.
In the world of the tournament, night fell slowly over Yinglai.
The participants returned to their lodgings, sharpening strategies, accumulating mana, and preparing for the next day's battle. Some wanted glory. Others wanted fame. Others wanted to crush Golden Dawn.
And somewhere, more than one person who shouldn't exist… had already entered the board.
Luo Chen closed his eyes, satisfied. "Tomorrow is going to be a great day."
And, as always… the chaos was already in motion.