[High-martial-arts academy + multiverse instances + trait-based progression + multiple protagonist candidates + teacher's secret identity + behind-the-scenes meddling]
The one thing this era has no shortage of is protagonists.
Some have a System, some are reborn, some transmigrate with cheat powers from the start, and some are born with exceptional destinies and powerful traits, looking like the star of the show wherever they go. But once the gaming world connects to every realm and throws everyone into instances, competitions, individual rankings, team rankings, and world rankings, they'll quickly learn one thing: looking like a protagonist doesn't mean you'll really win in the end.
That's what Lu Chen loves to watch.
He comes from the gaming world and was one of the earliest architects of the multiverse instance system. Now, wearing the secret identity of a teacher at Donghai Martial Arts Academy, he mingles with a group of young prodigies, watching competitions, watching people crash and burn, and watching a bunch of "protagonist candidates" fight for their lives.
He can tell who is more likely to resonate with an instance, who is more likely to stumble upon high rewards, and who will suddenly fall apart just when they're shining brightest.
Gu Linyuan is too sharp, Lin Zhao is too good at hiding his cards, and Zhou Ye looks the least like a protagonist, yet somehow always ends up at the center of things. Beyond them, other worlds are full of System Hosts, people reborn, transmigrators, monstrous prodigies, old-man-in-a-ring types, and more... Everyone who looks like a protagonist has been dragged into the same competitive system.
Solo battles, team battles, role-playing instances, competition instances, final-round spots, hidden rewards, cross-world rankings...
Lu Chen isn't here to save anyone. He just stands behind the scenes, watching these people compete, put on a show, crash and burn, and fight their way up the rankings. Along the way, he adds a little more chaos to a world that's already chaotic enough.
Looks great, looking forward to it!