Infinite Horror: The Strongest Zhongzhou Team

Hermione, standing in the corner in front of Ron, looked like she wanted to laugh but couldn't.

"Let's go, let's go. Those two are fighting in public, Professor McGonagall will probably be looking for them soon."

Ron breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

There's one downside to being in the same college as your older brother: it can be especially embarrassing at times.

Harry, looking like he wanted to laugh, couldn't help but tease:
"Next time you should learn from Ginny; he was already out when George and the others ran in."

Ron sighed.

"I actually guessed it too."

"How could they possibly succeed with their Potions grades!"

Harry then looked at Hermione strangely: "Why aren't you surprised at all that George and the others failed?"

Hermione pointed to the ground around the Goblet of Fire.

"Do you see that white circle?"

"It was drawn by Dean Dumbledore himself."

Ron and Harry stared in astonishment, heads bowed.
"And then what?"

Hermione clapped her hands in exasperation.

"How could a great being like Dean Dumbledore not have thought of such a piece of junk as an aging potion?"

"And it was a defective product made by George and his team themselves."

As he spoke, he covered his forehead with one hand, his face full of helplessness.

Cheng Xiao chuckled to himself as he listened.

And it was at this moment that the previously noisy auditorium gradually quieted down.

The four people in the corner looked up after sensing something was wrong.

Two figures walked in from outside the door.

At the very front was the tall and strong Krum, followed by Karkaroff, the dean of Durmstrang Academy.

"My God, he has parchment in his hand!"

"Krum actually signed up for the Goblet of Fire?"

"Spread the word quickly!"

As the flames engulfed the parchment, Krum's gaze coincidentally drifted to a corner.

However, he didn't go to see Harry and Ron, whom he had met briefly at a Quidditch match.

And she spotted Hermione in them at a glance.

The moment their eyes met, Ron sensed some kind of danger.

They blocked the view and opened the door.

"Brother Cheng, have you signed up?"

Cheng Xiao nodded somewhat awkwardly: "Of course, it went very smoothly."

Not only did things go smoothly, but after the parchment was engulfed by blue flames...

The divine message also came as promised.

A new entry suddenly appeared under the original list of the top four in the main god competition.

[Level 1: Under the protection of the guardian, successfully obtain the golden egg (which contains clues for Level 2).]

Having read the story, he knew this was the content of the first level.

But as far as he knows...

The first challenge in the Goblet of Fire might be difficult for other contestants, but it posed no problem for him.

It's simply a matter of obtaining the golden egg while being protected by a group of large lizards with magical abilities.

Furthermore, their magical abilities are questionable, as it seems they can only breathe fire.

So here comes the problem.

In the original story, Harry's unexpected participation changed the original three dragons into four.

If we add him now, will it become the fifth one?
Let's set aside whether it exists or not, even if it does...

That was most likely prepared for him by the main god.

It was only after being momentarily stunned by this information that Cheng Xiao was taken advantage of by some female students.

This led to the previous period of humiliation (happiness).

The four were discussing Krum, whom they had just spoken about, and Cedric, whom they had mentioned earlier.

Then a group of students walked in through the auditorium entrance, waving magic wands and carrying floating tables and chairs.

Ron asked, "Is this preparation for tomorrow's party?"

Hermione, who clearly already knew, nodded and said, "That's right, the list will be revealed then."

Hearing this, Harry leaned closer and whispered:
"By the way, Brother Cheng, besides Cedric and me participating in the Goblet of Fire, who are the other warriors?"

Ron's expression was mysterious: "Judging from what you just said, Krum is definitely involved."

Ron wasn't smart, but he knew that Cheng Xiao wouldn't do anything pointless.

Faced with the three people's curious gazes, Cheng Xiao pointed to the metal cup beneath the blue flames and laughed:
"We'll find out tomorrow, what's the rush?"

"Instead of wasting time on this, you might as well go to the secret room tonight and practice the three Unforgivable Curses you just learned today."

"I have high hopes for you guys."

Done.

Apart from Hermione nodding seriously.

The other two, upon hearing such inspiring and motivating words, were as wilted as eggplants after a frost.

Upon seeing this, Cheng Xiao immediately said to Hermione:
"If the two of them don't want to go, they can call Black and Professor Lupin. I think they would love to supervise Harry's studies."

Harry gave a wry smile.
"Spare us, Brother Cheng Xiao. We haven't slept for three days, no, four days."

Looking at the three still somewhat naive individuals, Cheng Xiao couldn't help but sigh:
"You should know that you'll have plenty of time to sleep later, so don't worry about these few days."

"And I'm also looking forward to the announcement of the final winner of the Goblet of Fire tomorrow."

As Cheng Xiao uttered these nonsensical words, he jumped off Harry's shoulder.

With his hands in his pockets, he walked out of the auditorium under the watchful eyes of the three main characters.

Hogwarts Castle.

It's sunny at noon.

Cheng Xiao felt great watching the magic academy become more lively with the addition of the other two magic academies.

So much so that the air was filled with the scent of youthful hormones.

Two colleges, one all girls and the other all boys, tsk tsk tsk!
Cheng Xiao suddenly had the illusion that everyone had come to Hogwarts for breeding.

After all, the concept of bloodline still exists in this world.

Cheng Xiao didn't believe that these three magic academies didn't have this intention.

Moreover, in a sense, if we exclude events like the Fireball Tournament, Durmstrang and Beauxbatons can be considered a group of exchange students.

Their situation is almost no different from what it was three years ago.

As he was thinking, Cheng Xiao looked up and realized that he had returned to the same place.

It was the garden where I had unexpectedly "traveled" back then.

However, even now, Cheng Xiao doesn't know exactly how he "got through" it.

Life after the start of the school year was dull and tasteless.

It continued until noon the following day.

The Great Hall of Hogwarts was extremely lively at this moment.

The people from the three colleges mingled together, chattering excitedly, engaged in a lively discussion.

After all, the reputation of the Goblet of Fire and the semi-finals is simply too great.

Even if you didn't know about it before.

Now, after these few days of reflection, I fully understand what a great match this was.

Even just a few words from over a hundred years ago can make students who hear these stories tremble with excitement.

Not to mention that I am now fortunate enough to witness this grand event in person.

Any normal person would know that if they thought about it.

Each of the four academies, some with histories spanning hundreds or even thousands of years, selects a single warrior.

Then let these warriors compete in three magical contests to determine who is superior.

This is to test them.

Just thinking about it makes me realize what a feast this will be.

So how could these students not be excited?
Loud and clear!

Please have a seat!

The original dining table has been replaced by benches placed on both sides.

This arrangement also left the center of the auditorium empty.

The entire space also appears extremely spacious.

At that moment, Dean Dumbledore's voice rang out.

The previously noisy surroundings finally quieted down. Harry, his two friends, and others sat down according to their grades and fell silent, waiting to see what would happen next.

Standing before the Goblet of Fire, Dean Dumbledore smiled and continued:

"Now, this is the moment everyone has been waiting for..."

"I hereby announce... the Warriors Selection has officially begun..."

Dean Dumbledore's gaze fell upon everyone.

"The warriors selected by the Goblet of Fire, please proceed to the room behind the auditorium, where you will obtain the content of the first level."

"So next, let's see who the lucky ones are..."

As he spoke, the dean stretched out his palm and waved it from left to right.

At first, the students in the auditorium didn't understand it, but then...

The torches on the auditorium walls grew dimmer and dimmer until all the torches on the walls from left to right were extinguished.

The only light in the dimly lit auditorium was the blue flame in the center.

This scene sparked another heated discussion among the trainees.

Because the dean didn't have a wand.

This seems to contradict their common sense.

Before Dumbledore's hand finally touched the Goblet of Fire.

And in that frozen moment.

On the Goblet of Fire, the originally pale blue flames suddenly began to grow larger and then burned fiercely.

This sudden change drew all eyes to it.

"Next up is the first warrior!"

Upon hearing this, apart from one person, the students from the other three colleges all subconsciously tensed up.

Even their dean was no exception.

He stared intently at the increasingly intense blue flames.

Bang!
The blue flame contracted inward for a moment, then turned into a slightly conspicuous red flame.

The outermost blue flames engulfed the interior.

The red spray from the center extends outwards.

Just as the red flames were crackling and spewing out sparks...

A charred parchment emerged from the center of the flames.

It was just spat out like that.

After spinning in the air, it landed in Dumbledore's palm.

"Mr. Cheng Xiao, a warrior from the Eastern Magic Academy!"

Looking at the name on the parchment, Dumbledore sang aloud.

Cheng Xiao was only surprised for a moment; he didn't expect to be the first.

But it’s harmless.

Cheng Xiao patted his butt and followed Filch into the auditorium.

Then, the Goblet of Fire spat out three more cards in quick succession, just like before.

"Durmstrang's warrior is Viktor Krum!"

"The warrior of Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour."

"The champion of Hogwarts is Cedric Diggory!"

Each name that appeared was met with cheers, and then Dumbledore would invite them into the inner part of the Great Hall.

After the last name was read, Dumbledore gave another speech.

The speech ended in a few words.

Just as all the professors and students were preparing to leave.

The red flame in the center began to fluctuate strangely once again.

The popping sounds of the flames made everyone stop in their tracks.

Snape, still dressed in his black wizard robes, was the first to notice the problem.

He reached out and grasped the wand, then looked at the central flame with a puzzled expression.

Just as all eyes turned to that direction again.

The red flames suddenly began to expand, becoming increasingly dazzling and impossible to look at directly.

next moment.

Another piece of parchment was spat out.

With the appearance of this image, the red flames turned back to their original blue color and then continued to shrink.

Finally, it returned to its original state, which means it was truly over.

However, just like that, the scene fell silent instantly.

Dumbledore looked at the paper that had fallen into his palm.

He read it out unconsciously:
"Harry Potter?"

boom!
The auditorium seemed to be set ablaze in an instant.

Students one by one, professors one by one.

Discussions have begun.

"The fifth name?"

"Oh my god, how is this possible?"

"Oh my god?"

"Harry Potter? Isn't he too old?"

How is the Goblet of Fire selected?

"There must be something wrong with the Goblet of Fire."

"No, don't forget that Harry Potter beat Krum in the World Cup final; maybe he was the one who scored."

"How could he be too young?"

"There must be other ways."

"He cheated!"

"He's not even seventeen yet!"

Discussions like this filled the entire auditorium.

Because, not to mention others, Hermione and Ron both thought the same way.

He looked at Harry, who was completely bewildered, in surprise.

It was at this moment that Harry realized why Cheng Xiao had patted him on the shoulder and said, "No matter what happens, stay calm."

The expressions on the faces of the three of them were not acting; they were their natural expressions.

Because they were genuinely surprised.

Harry was genuinely bewildered.

Although the three of them knew that he would participate in the original history, until just now, they all thought that the future had changed.

Just like Mr. Weasley who went home early.

Harry will no longer participate in the Goblet of Fire.

But now the three of them realize that some things can be changed, while others cannot.

Looking at the noisy auditorium.

Dean Dumbledore looked towards the center of the controversy and shouted:
"Harry Potter?"

As soon as this person spoke, the discussion was silenced, and everyone followed his gaze.

Harry stood up, tense.

Hermione, who was standing nearby, reacted and pushed him:
"Remember Cheng Xiao's words, go, Harry, hurry up!"

What Hermione and Harry didn't notice was that Ron's expression had become complicated.

And Harry walked over there step by step.

Dumbledore didn't say much, just patted the man on the shoulder and pushed him into a room inside the Great Hall.

However, during this process, the suspicious, scrutinizing, and even threatening gazes fell on Harry like knives.

Harry took a deep breath and went inside.

As this person left, before any further commotion could erupt, Dumbledore immediately shouted:

"Quiet!"

"Quiet!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, the rules of the Goblet of Fire cannot be changed!"

Five warriors have been selected, but only one will ultimately be remembered in history.

"Only one person can lift this championship trophy, the trophy of victory!"

"That's the real Goblet of Fire for the final four!" (End of Chapter)