After resting overnight at the General's manor, Mu Anqi looked forward to the upcoming Feast of Extreme Bliss with great anticipation. Truth be told, she hadn't participated in many Shattered Mirror games. Especially after being recruited by Ji Huaichu and then getting together, once she unlocked the special store after experiencing 10 Shattered Mirror games, she had been busy clearing Black Mirror Vortices… Consequently, she encountered far fewer Shattered Mirror creatures this way.
"There's no need for excessive worry. You players belong to… the Nirvana Space. Aside from within the games themselves, Shattered Mirror creatures won't actively attack you." Ji Huaichu, thinking Mu Anqi was concerned about the potential mix of demons and ghosts at the event, offered reassurance. After all, the vast majority of the Demon and Ghost Kings on the Shattered Mirror continent were far from "bodhisattvas." She added, "When the time comes, both Taiyin and Mingdu will send high-ranking figures to maintain order."
"High-ranking figures?"
"Mmm. Barring any surprises, Mingdu will likely send the 'Primogenitor.' Her true form is a Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox, and she is currently the oldest demon on the Shattered Mirror continent in terms of lifespan. The one representing Taiyin will probably be Yansha. He is also one of the earliest ghosts to arrive on the Shattered Mirror continent."
"Will they participate in the fights?"
"No, they will maintain order. After all, for the Feast of Extreme Bliss, someone must be there to keep everyone in line." Ji Huaichu played with Mu Anqi's hair, took out a comb, and slowly began to smooth it. It was normal for her little Money Tree to be curious about the Feast. Many residents of the Shattered Mirror continent yearned for this grand demon-ghost banquet. However, even an audience ticket wasn't easily obtained.
"If you end up fighting on stage, don't underestimate any ghosts or monsters you face," Ji Huaichu advised. "They often possess unique abilities."
"I know, I won't embarrass you," Mu Anqi said with a laugh, but heard Ji Huaichu refute, "I just don't want you to get hurt."
"I understand. I won't let that happen." Mu Anqi thought about her vocabulary reserves. She probably needed to seriously prepare more blessing words. Who knew how many rounds she might fight in the Feast? Judging by the Nirvana Space's criteria, it would likely start counting the moment she entered. Repeating blessings was definitely not allowed. Ah, she'd better write all the blessing words down in a notebook and recite them in order when the time came. Since it was a fight, she could certainly bring weapons. Treating the "cheat sheet" notebook as a weapon should be fine.
Ji Huaichu meticulously styled Mu Anqi's hair into an updo, finally selecting a jade hairpin to secure it. "After you return from the Nirvana Space, we'll do some simple special training on blade techniques."
"Ah, no problem." Mu Anqi was momentarily stunned but quickly agreed. Blade techniques… well, special training it was. Sigh, why can't the Cursed Blade come with attached skills? Like those special blade techniques that activate with just a thought!
Mu Anqi admired her new hairstyle in the mirror. While she felt a ponytail was more convenient, this style seemed nice occasionally too? She hugged Ji Huaichu and planted a loud, smacking kiss on her cheek as thanks, then took two steps back, waved her hand, and teleported to the Nirvana Space to draw her lottery.
Player: Mu Anqi
Age at Death: 20
Ability: I've Got Plenty of Money
Points: 2740.4
Transaction Serial Number: 64805368
Guansi: 20000
Mu Anqi glanced at the round number of Guansi. She had deliberately controlled the amount, generating the remaining odd 4000-plus as a red packet for Ji Huaichu. Her current need for Guansi wasn't high; keeping 20,000 as a baseline was enough. The rest—well, every little bit helps. She considered it her contribution to the game's development. Besides, it had been a long time since she last handed over Guansi to Ji Huaichu.
Foregoing any hand-washing rituals, Mu Anqi was now completely zen about her luck. She had a deep understanding of her own fortune and could face any drawn skill with a heart as calm as still water. After all, how bad could it get? At worst, she'd just let the skill collect dust, treating it as "skill collection." Rather than wasting time on rituals like bathing and burning incense, it was better to finish the draw quickly and return to General Ji for special training.
[Ding! Congratulations on obtaining the skill: Pay-to-Win Slash!]
[Pay-to-Win Slash]: Harness the mysterious power of microtransactions to unleash a super-powered slash (1% chance to trigger true damage)! The host must be holding a weapon to use this skill. Note: Each slash costs 50 Points. If used within the Shattered Mirror continent (excluding Black Mirror Vortices), 1000 Guansi can be spent to perform a slash (cannot trigger true damage, cannot use Guansi not obtained through the game).
Talk about the perfect pillow arriving just as you feel sleepy!
Mu Anqi was stunned for a good while before it sank in, followed by uncontrollable elation! Just before the Feast of Extreme Bliss, she had finally obtained an offensive skill that didn't require her to train to use! 1000 Guansi per use… If only I hadn't handed over that Guansi earlier. Ah, forget it, not a big deal. As for not triggering true damage… Hah, a 1% probability is basically 0% for me. Having that clause or not makes no difference.
Now this is a skill worthy of a true rich lady! Mu Anqi barely managed to calm down. After making a pious wish to draw a "pay-to-win transformation" skill next time, she sent a message to Ji Huaichu, planning to teleport back for special training.
Hmm, no need to test it now. I'll save it for the Feast. After all, a skill that consumes money probably won't be too lame. When the time comes, I'll just control the opponent and then I can test it out however I want.
After teleporting back and seeing Ji Huaichu waiting for her at the city gate as usual, Mu Anqi didn't reveal the skill's specific effects. Instead, she mysteriously said she had obtained a skill that cost Points or Guansi to attack, and that she would use it during the Feast.
"Mmm, having an offensive skill is good too," Ji Huaichu acknowledged. Then, holding Mu Anqi's hand, she led her back to the General's manor and into the specially renovated training ground.
"This is a training post I had made from a special alloy purchased from Lady Red," Ji Huaichu said, pointing to the two-meter-tall metal pillar that had appeared in the center of the training ground. "I've marked red dots on it. To train your force control and precision, each swing of your blade must strike those red points. Chop down them in order, from top to bottom."
"When you finally chop this training post down—"
"Does that mean I've graduated?" Mu Anqi's mouth twitched, unable to resist interrupting.
"I'll get you a better training post," Ji Huaichu glanced at her and said calmly.
Mu Anqi: "…" Well, thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
"Wear these sandbags, on your wrists and ankles." Ji Huaichu took four sandbags and training protective gear from her weapon cabinet. These sandbags were clearly custom-made for Mu Anqi, fitting her perfectly. The weight wasn't much for Mu Anqi's current physique either. She could still move freely after putting them on, though she suspected she would understand their dreadfulness after training for a while.
"The General is so strict," Mu Anqi murmured softly.
"The hot spring on the back hill is almost finished. If you train well, we can go soak in it together tonight," Ji Huaichu said. "Just the two of us."
"!" Mu Anqi's eyes lit up. "General, you're so good to me! I'll start right now!"
…
However, she didn't even last until evening. By lunchtime in the afternoon, Mu Anqi could no longer hold her chopsticks. She could barely even lift her arms and was forced to accept being fed by Ji Huaichu.
Though General Ji remained expressionless throughout, Mu Anqi couldn't help feeling she was chuckling inwardly.
"General, you totally expected this to happen to me, didn't you?"
"What?" Ji Huaichu's long eyelashes fluttered slightly. She scooped up a spoonful of rice along with a small piece of shredded pork and brought it to Mu Anqi's lips. "Finish your meal, rest for a while, and take a medicinal bath. Later, practice for another hour, and then we'll go to the hot spring, alright?"
"…Alright." Mu Anqi sighed. Even though it wasn't even evening yet, she was already so exhausted that all worldly desires had fled her. She had originally harbored some romantic notions about the evening's private hot spring session, but now… all she wanted was to soak in the spring and relax properly, praying she wouldn't be sore all over for tomorrow's continued training.
Miserable, utterly miserable! If only she had used the paid training grounds in the Nirvana Space; there'd be no lingering soreness then. Darn it!
When the long-awaited evening hot spring finally arrived, Mu Anqi had initially intended to sneak some kisses and hugs with Ji Huaichu in their private time, maybe whisper some sweet nothings. However, submerged in the soothing hot water, she couldn't suppress a yawn. Before long, she had fallen asleep, clutching Ji Huaichu's hand.
Mu Anqi was full of regret the next day, but no matter how much she lamented, she still had to throw herself into a new round of special training.
And so, time passed.
During this period while Mu Anqi was engrossed in her training, the game was also being continuously refined. Ji Huaichu specially granted Xia Fenghua a three-day break, allowing her to take the Dramatist and Storyteller to experience the amusement park Shattered Mirror game—both as a learning opportunity and a form of relaxation. Furthermore, Ji Huaichu promised that if they performed well at the Feast of Extreme Bliss, they would receive another five days off after the Feast to delve deeper into the game instance run by Mr. Black and Miss White. Whether the others were excited about these holidays, Mu Anqi didn't know, but Xia Fenghua was certainly thrilled.
Oh, and the Strange tale Ghost had given herself a title, though it wasn't particularly novel—just the "Storyteller." Mu Anqi had initially thought she might choose something like "Terror Writer," but it turned out to be just as memorable.
Of course, Mu Anqi wasn't the only one undergoing special training for the Feast.
Fang Xunjiu and Fang Yunjiu were also hauled back by the Ye sisters for intensive training. The reason seemed to be that Fang Xunjiu hadn't demonstrated "miraculous" whip skills during the Black Mirror Travel and had mostly been coasting along. Ye Jingmeng, upon their return, had conducted a spot check on Fang Xunjiu. Naturally, the habitually slacking Fang Xunjiu ended up confined to a special training "black room." And since this was special training, they couldn't focus on one and neglect the other. Ye Muyun brought Fang Yunjiu along as well, having her spar with Fang Xunjiu for company.
Every day before resting, Mu Anqi would check the group chat. Hearing about Fang Xunjiu's plight made her feel like her own training was nothing in comparison. This balance in perspective naturally helped her face the next day's training with a better mindset.
Over on Wu Sansheng's side, things were as zen as ever. She only planned to watch the festivities at the Feast and had no intention of fighting on stage. Surprisingly, it was Bai Yulai who was, for once, cramming at the last minute. She even handed her bookstore over to Wu Sansheng to manage and headed straight for the deep mountains to seek favor with the old fox ancestor.
Well, originally, upon hearing the news that the Primogenitor would be presiding over the Feast, Bai Yulai had wanted to get some pointers from her. However, she had never been particularly outstanding within her clan, and now, suddenly wanting to gain the Primogenitor's favor and guidance—that was pure wishful thinking. Fortunately, the clan elders, considering Bai Yulai's rare desire to fight at the Feast and seeing her persistence, personally stepped in to conduct special training for her, lest she embarrass the fox clan when the time came.
Jiang Yuexia just wanted to hang around at the Feast, so she didn't undertake any special training. However, after hearing about Bai Yulai's training, she couldn't wait to rush to the fox clan territory to watch the spectacle. Though, because Bai Yulai was extremely irritated by this, the White Fox elder intervened and chased the leopard demon out.
Qing Tian had obtained spectator tickets. The demons and ghosts of the Shattered Mirror continent were always very friendly towards four-leaf clover demons. They would invite them to visit and give them tickets for any event held, as no creature could resist a walking "mascot." Zhao Guogu, with her innate "Heaven-Born Luck" ability, naturally also received tickets. Qing Tian gave one ticket to Si Suying, and the remaining extra tickets could be sold to earn some Guansi. This was also within the acceptable bounds of goodwill from the event organizers.
As for He Guxia and Xia Yun…
This master-disciple pair showed no intention of special training whatsoever. According to He Guxia, she had trained her whole life; why would she need last-minute cramming before a competition? In competitions, the focus was on the hard work accumulated over time; cramming at the last minute was useless. On the contrary, she was worried that Xia Yun might be nervous. Plus, He Guxia felt that her little apprentice hadn't really enjoyed herself during the Black Mirror Travel, so she took Xia Yun to visit the Myriad Amusement Park and the Polar Ocean World, giving them a proper tour around the Shattered Mirror continent.