The person they were most focused on was naturally Ye Yu. Even Lin Muxue's brilliance was overshadowed by him.
At this moment, outside Donghai High School, many people were eager to enter and see which Devil Fruit Ye Yu, with his level 10 talent, had obtained.
Outside the school, the crowd was dense, and only a few reporters were allowed to enter. They made their way to the playground, stationed at the vortex exit, carrying cameras, ready to broadcast and report in real time as soon as Ye Yu emerged.
In every city across the Dragon Kingdom, many people were either at home or on the streets, watching on TV or large screens.
Not only was Ye Yu under scrutiny, but other level 10 prodigies from different cities were also being reported on, with coverage starting early.
As soon as Wang Xu, a level 10 prodigy, emerged, he was surrounded by reporters, their cameras clicking away, the flashes all focused on him.
"Noble level 10 prodigy Wang Xu, have you contracted a Devil Fruit? Are you satisfied? Which one is it?"
Wang Xu replied with satisfaction, "Of course, I have contracted one. And in the end, I managed to obtain a Devil Fruit that even level 9 talents find difficult to contract—the Mythical Zoan Phoenix Fruit."
Instantly, the crowd was filled with envy and admiration, and the reporters quickly began their broadcasts.
"So impressive, it's actually the Phoenix Fruit!"
"Congratulations on becoming a Phoenix Fruit Ability User."
"You are destined to be one of the world's top powerhouses in the future."
"Do you feel any significant changes now?"
"Without using the fruit's abilities, there isn't much change, but my level has increased by one, reaching level 11. As for using the fruit's abilities, although I haven't developed them much yet, I can understand a bit. It indeed grants me strong recovery and damage resistance. I believe that as I continue to level up and develop, it will become nearly impossible for me to die."
As he spoke, Wang Xu activated his fruit's ability, his right hand transforming into an eagle's claw with blue flames burning on it. He was partly showing off to others, but more importantly, he was eager to witness his own power.
The sound of cameras clicking continued, and everyone looked on with envy and admiration.
"That looks so cool."
"I'm so envious."
"I have a level 4 talent and obtained an Artificial Zoan Hippopotamus Devil Fruit. I wonder if I can join the Pirate Crew Wang Xu will create."
...
Wang Xu declared, "My goal is to create the strongest Pirate Crew in the Dragon Kingdom. Since my Devil Fruit ability is the Phoenix, my crew will be called the Phoenix Pirates. As for the crew members, they must at least have a level 4 talent. Of course, if someone with a level 4 talent has contracted a Non-Ability User, they cannot join."
"That's great, I can join!"
...
At this time, other level 10 prodigies had emerged earlier than Ye Yu, and similar scenes were unfolding.
For a while, the trending topics were dominated by level 10 talent holders.
The top trending topic wasn't about a level 10 prodigy, but a level 9 one.
Breaking! Level 9 prodigy Zhou Ge has obtained the Time Fruit ability!
This made even the level 10 prodigies somewhat envious, feeling that anything related to time must be incredibly powerful.
The second trending topic:
Breaking! Level 10 prodigy Wang Quanshi has obtained the Mythical Zoan Fish-Fish Fruit, Azure Dragon form!
...
The trending topics were mostly occupied by level 10 and level 9 talents, all of whom had successfully contracted powerful Devil Fruits.
Everyone was also paying attention, looking down at their phones.
"None of the prodigies have failed in their contracts yet."
"After all, with strategic arrangements, the margin for error has been reduced."
"The prodigies have all contracted powerful Devil Fruits. None of them ended up with Artificial Devil Fruits, and certainly none contracted Non-Ability Users."
"Check the fifth trending topic."
...
The fifth trending topic:
Explosive! Regret! Utterly Unlucky! Sun Long, an eighth-level talent holder, failed to contract any of the powerful Devil Fruits. On his last attempt, only a dozen Devil Fruits remained, which were difficult to contract even for ninth-level talents. All the Artificial Devil Fruits had also been contracted, forcing Sun Long to the Non-Ability User area, where he picked someone who looked relatively strong among them. After the contract, he learned the name of this Non-Ability User: Roronoa Zoro.
Sun Long was devastated, collapsing to the ground in tears, his spirit shattered.
Netizens felt deeply regretful.
"Wow, what a blunder."
"Such a waste of an eighth-level talent. I wish I had that talent."
"Although some fruits don't sound powerful, failing to contract them is still a regret. But he's truly unlucky to not even get an Artificial Devil Fruit."
"He was previously recruited by some prodigy-led Pirate Crews, offered a crew officer position. But now, it's uncertain if he can even join the crew, and if he does, he'll likely be the lowest-ranked member."
"Yeah, I'd be even more devastated than him."
"Surely, no one can be more unlucky or make a bigger blunder than this, right?"
"Definitely not."
"Nine tenth-level talent prodigies have already appeared on the trending list, with one more to go."
"Yes, one more, Ye Yu, a high school student from Donghai City."
...
After all the talent tests concluded, the ten tenth-level talents became the focus of national attention. Even those with dementia could recite their names.
Instantly, the entire nation was eager to see which powerful Devil Fruit Ye Yu would obtain. Even the other tenth-level prodigies were waiting for the news, expecting it to be revealed soon.
Meanwhile, in Hangzhou.
A nineteen-year-old girl with a high ponytail, dressed in a sleek black athletic outfit that perfectly accentuated her tall figure, exuded a youthful and heroic aura.
She was Xia Ling. Raising her right hand, a chilling mist spread as she extended her index finger. Activating her fruit ability, a small Ice Spear formed at her fingertip, radiating coldness that noticeably lowered the surrounding temperature.
Xia Ling was pleased. The Devil Fruit she had obtained was the Ice Fruit.
"Although I've gained the Ice Fruit and my potential is immense, ensuring I'll become a formidable force in the future, I'm certain that my little brother Ye Yu will obtain an even more powerful ability. He'll still be able to protect me."
...
At Donghai City High School, Ye Yu emerged. Everyone's eyes were fixed on him. Even before he fully stepped out, just the silhouette in the vortex made them tremble, as he seemed transformed—more imposing, with an upright posture. Just his presence exuded an overwhelming sense of Haki.
When Ye Yu finally appeared before everyone, reporters frantically snapped photos. The crowd's eyes lit up. Ye Yu's attire and demeanor had changed. He wore a stylish, high-collared robe and carried a black cross-shaped sword on his back. His entire presence was undeniably cool and commanding.
"Ye Yu is here!"
"Even though he hasn't revealed his Devil Fruit ability yet, he looks so cool and impressive!"
"Yeah, it seems he must have contracted a very powerful Devil Fruit."
"Among the top ten prodigies with level ten talents, Ye Yu is the only one whose ability hasn't been announced yet."
"The entire Dragon Country is eagerly waiting and watching."
...
Li Cang, upon seeing this, couldn't help but feel a chill and was filled with envy: "Damn, he's so handsome and exudes such an aura of Haki. It seems my prayers were in vain; he must have obtained a powerful Devil Fruit ability."
Lin Muxue, brimming with a smile, quickly stepped forward. The reporters swiftly parted to make way for her. As she approached, she joyfully said:
"Brother Yu, I've obtained the Logia Rumble-Rumble Fruit. How about that? Just by the name, it sounds amazing, right? It's a Devil Fruit that allows me to control lightning!"
This caused a stir among the surrounding crowd. The Rumble-Rumble Fruit indeed sounded incredibly powerful, and the might of lightning was undoubtedly terrifying.
In an instant, Lin Muxue became a trending topic.
Ye Yu nodded and sighed lightly: "The Rumble-Rumble Fruit, huh? It does sound impressive. Congratulations."
"Tehehe." Lin Muxue, full of anticipation, asked: "Brother Yu, you must have obtained an even more powerful Devil Fruit than mine, right?"
Suddenly, the surroundings fell silent. Everyone stopped taking photos, afraid that the sound of their cameras would drown out Ye Yu's voice. They knew a major trending topic was about to emerge—Ye Yu was going to reveal his ability!
Ye Yu simply shook his head: "I didn't obtain any Devil Fruit ability."
Lin Muxue: "???!!!"
Everyone: "???!!!"
(End of Chapter)