Chapter 319: The Competition Begins! (3k)
While the competition had yet to start, Su Jiu hitched a ride to Mo Lin’s Workshop.
She passed through the crowded masses again and arrived at the counter. The woman in the court dress had a faint smile on her face, her hands resting on a flat, square box. From afar, one could see a slight shimmer on the box, as if the box itself was made of precious materials.
“This outfit doesn’t have a custom name, but the white roses on it were tailored to your request of half-bloomed buds. The device that activates divine descent using blood for killing is certainly a gift for a lover, isn’t it?”
As if noticing Su Jiu’s arrival, the Madame in Court Dress gently pushed the box over. Her autumn-tinged eyes seemed to see through everything.
“Thank you… just a friend.”
Su Jiu was slightly taken aback, then shook her head. She gently rubbed the intricately carved rose patterns on the box with her fingertips, her gaze falling on the snow-white dress inside. Just looking at the decorations, she could feel an exquisite beauty and a sense of high quality.
She was no longer the girl who couldn’t even afford a return gift half a year ago.
“The flower language of white roses is ‘I am worthy of you.’ Love should be a game of equals.”
The Madame in Court Dress lightly tapped her rosy fingernails on the glass counter, producing a crisp melody. She smiled at Su Jiu and took out a deck of Tarot cards, placing them on the glass display case. “Would you like to draw a card for your love fortune? My side job is fortune-telling, and you’re a big customer, so I’ll predict for you for free.”
“Forget it, I don’t really believe in this stuff.” Shaking her head gently, Su Jiu put the small crystal box into her ring and then chuckled, turning to leave.
She still had to compete, so how could she have time for these little games left by an Alchemist? These were mostly scams, unless they were some rare skills to predict safety, but that was something only at the War God Level could touch.
“Are you really not going to draw one? The stars say you’ll be meeting the person you have in mind soon.” Gently spreading out the Tarot cards, the Madame in Court Dress let out a sly smile like a fox. She knew this big client would definitely turn back.
As expected, Su Jiu paused when she heard this. Although she thought it was ridiculous, she decided to turn around and draw a card expressionlessly. Looking at the picture of an evil dragon snatching a princess inside the card, Su Jiu was slightly stunned, then handed the card back to the other person and asked, “What does this mean?”
“A hymn…”
The moment Su Jiu drew the card, the smile on the Madame in Court Dress’s face froze inexplicably. Her face suddenly turned a little pale, as if she had suffered a severe blow. She stared intently at the card and said slowly, “Knight, princess, evil dragon… The princess’s fate is often difficult. Only the sword in the knight’s hand can protect the princess.”
The Madame in Court Dress paused slightly, her bloodshot eyes meeting Su Jiu’s. She softly said, “I can only say this much.”
“Okay, thank you for the prediction, Madame.”
Suddenly, feeling somewhat confused, Su Jiu gave an awkward smile, put down the Tarot card, and turned to leave towards the school.
She really had lost her mind to agree to the other person’s prediction. Princess, knight… but it seemed like she had played this role-playing game a few times with Doubi Xi before.
It couldn’t possibly be a real evil dragon, right? What kind of shoddy screenwriter would come up with such a fairy tale plot?
Watching Su Jiu’s retreating back, and ignoring the other customers, the Madame in Court Dress suddenly turned around and began to vomit blood. She grabbed the ground, and a silver-white halo emerged at her feet, improving her condition slightly.
When she looked up again, her expression was one of lingering fear.
“I can’t randomly use prediction skills on people anymore. This backlash has really messed me up.”
The person she had just predicted was protected by many mixed auras. The result was not so much obtained as it was allowed by those auras. The most terrifying thing was that she actually felt the protection of several human hymns on that person.
…
Although it was an afternoon full of bright sunshine, Mo University was more lively than usual. In the very center, the strongest elite students representing Dragon Country in the world competition had gathered. Both outsiders and students from the school all turned their gaze to the central square.
They all knew that this afternoon would be the most exciting climax, where these Talented Individuals would compete against each other, showcasing the spirit of Dragon Country.
The five major universities gathered today to demonstrate their strength and excellent teaching to the outside world. Clearly, the so-called outside world did not refer to other schools in Dragon Country, but rather to foreign schools.
Today, six Talented Individuals from the five major universities would compete on the arena that was previously used to select the top rookies, engaging in the most eye-catching clashes of power.
When Su Jiu arrived outside the large square, she couldn’t help but feel speechless at the crowd that almost completely blocked the entrance to the arena. Finally, after calling Bai Ming, she managed to enter the arena through a underground passage guarded by the White Water Society.
Under the curious gazes of several White Water Society students, Su Jiu passed through the dim basement and soon reached a manhole cover. Her mouth twitched, and she gently lifted the manhole cover with a “clank.”
Why does she, as a participant in the challenge, feel like she’s sneaking around?
The moment she emerged from the manhole cover, the deafening sounds rushed into her ears, making Su Jiu, who had just been wandering in the basement, feel dizzy and disoriented.
After a long while, Su Jiu gradually came back to her senses. Looking up at the nearly dense crowd around the arena, she quickly darted to a less crowded spot and then leaning on a railing, she looked out.
With her left arm resting on the railing, pressing on her other shoulder, and her chin resting on her left arm, Su Jiu held her phone in her free hand. She had just taken a picture of the outfit and sent it to Doubi Xi, somewhat expecting a reply.
She then turned her gaze to a special passage in the square, looking at Hu Yang, who was surrounded by a group of people like a celebrity. She felt a bit emotional. If she were the one walking there, she might feel a little unaccustomed to it.
“It’s that Imperial Capital prodigy Chen Yun. I can sense that her aura subtly carries the feeling of Monarch. So strong.”
“Monarch? Her Mental Power has already reached Monarch Level. I heard her family specifically bought her a rare Floating Life Blossom, which allowed her to reach this level.”
“She’s probably comparable to that martial arts enthusiast from Magic City.”
As Su Jiu was sighing, exclamations erupted from the other side. Their gazes were fixed on the beautiful girl in another passage. The girl was wearing a dark blue robe with embroidered snakes and pythons, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes carried a sense of carefree detachment and a hint of boredom, as if she didn’t care about these people at all.
This was the confidence the Floating Life Blossom gave her, absolute mental suppression, making her look down on even the martial arts enthusiast from Magic City University.
“Half-step Battle King strength, Mental Power is a bit interesting, but only a bit interesting.”
Su Jiu’s gaze slowly scanned the other person from head to toe, and then she lost interest. Just as she was about to look away, the other person seemed to sense something and suddenly met Su Jiu’s gaze.
Chen Yun couldn’t help but frown slightly. She noticed that Su Jiu’s eyes shone with the same light as hers, and this light only appeared when Su Jiu looked at her, which made her feel uncomfortable.
Why would someone who didn’t even have the qualification to participate in the world competition, a mere passerby, look at her with such disdain? She knew that whether at school or outside, others always showed her great respect.
She then waved her hand to the people around her, signaling them to move aside. Then, using her External Qi, she cleared a path, walked around, and slowly came before Su Jiu. She slightly raised her head to look at the languid girl and asked faintly, “Sitting in the front row, are you also here to challenge for a spot in the world competition?”
A couple of days ago, the academic affairs office staff of Mo University suddenly informed her that some students wanted to try challenging them, the “Five Sovereigns and One King.” She found it amusing. After communication, since no one agreed, they added a new requirement—
To defeat the members of their respective teams arranged for the world competition, one would be qualified to challenge them.
“Captain, why are you here?” A Young Man with Yellow Hair wearing a cowboy hat rushed over. He had the Imperial Capital University medal on his chest, so he was likely someone from Imperial Capital University who was going to compete.
“Mmm, I need to get qualified.” Hearing this, Su Jiu slowly turned her head and gave a polite smile. Her gaze began to formally assess the young woman in the green robe before her.
How about I pick her later? She looks quite weak.
“Then, junior schoolmate, you should do your best, haha.” Hearing Su Jiu’s words, Chen Qianyun smiled calmly but quickly turned and left. From a distance, she thought she had misjudged, but up close, she realized the other person had no cultivation at all.
It was clear that she hadn’t even reached the Battle General level. It would be unfair for her to compete with such a person.
The Young Man with Yellow Hair glanced casually at Su Jiu, and soon a look of disdain appeared in his eyes. With only Warrior Class strength, she thought she could challenge them?
About half an hour after several genius students entered the arena, the number of people in the stands around the arena finally reached a near-bursting point. The sea of heads stretched as far as the eye could see, and the noisy sounds merged together, rushing straight into the sky.
Soon, with the ringing of Mo University’s unique ancient bell, the noisy environment became slightly quieter. The host on the stage was actually an old acquaintance of Su Jiu—Lin Tingyu. She was now wearing an outfit that closely resembled a female director’s OL attire, and her expression was exceptionally solemn.
Lin Tingyu lightly stomped on the ground and floated into mid-air. She surveyed the surroundings, and her crisp voice, like a thunderclap, exploded in the air above the arena: “Everyone here is from various circles, including students and social individuals, all eagerly awaiting the candidates selected by Dragon Country for the world competition. However, before these seed players face off, we will give some students who have the courage to challenge them an opportunity to perform.”
Lin Tingyu glanced at the dissatisfied audience, hearing their complaints. She then shrugged helplessly and replied with a smile, “This was not my decision, but the decision made by the five major universities. It is to give some diligent and brave students a chance to showcase themselves, and their potential should not be limited by their tier. However, please rest assured, the intensity of the competition will definitely not be too bland.”
