From the floor-to-ceiling windows of the private booth, one could see the distant spectator stands, already packed to the brim, and the awe-inspiringly large arena below.
"Isn't the Feast of Extreme Bliss meant for discussions?" Mu Anqi watched as someone who looked like a referee walked to the edge of the arena, making adjustments.
"Whatever needs discussing, it can wait until after the fights are over," Ji Huaichu replied.
—"Welcome, everyone, to the Feast of Extreme Bliss! I am Lao Hei, the host for this event." A man in a sleek suit stood on a raised platform to the side. Simultaneously, the massive screens at the center of the competition area lit up. They were evenly split into four sections, each focused on one of the four arenas.
Spectators could use the distributed small screens to watch a specific ongoing arena match, watch the arenas directly, or view the giant screens. It offered multiple choices, exceptionally considerate.
"Without further ado, let's begin the warm-up activity for this Feast of Extreme Bliss! Please have each major faction send one representative to the control desk to draw lots for the battle order and opponents! For fairness, representatives with abilities related to luck are prohibited from drawing."
They actually had to draw lots for the order? Mu Anqi had assumed… it would be a king-of-the-hill style battle. Before Ji Huaichu could even speak, Xia Fenghua promptly stood up and headed out. Clearly, she had been handling the drawing duties at previous Feasts of Extreme Bliss.
The four competition arenas were designated by the colors "Red, Yellow, Blue, and Green." Representatives would draw colored cards corresponding to an arena, with numbers indicating the match order. Factions drawing the same number would face each other in that match.
Mu Anqi began to feel a stir of anticipation.
However, a long time passed, and Xia Fenghua still hadn't returned. A dazzling display of special effects flashed across the giant screens before finally piecing together the names of the two opposing factions.
"Red: White Fox Clan vs. Strive for First"
"Yellow: Man-Eating Flower vs. Brocade Land"
…
It seemed… they weren't in the first round? Mu Anqi looked at the name "Strive for First" with some confusion. "Can we just use any name we want here in Taiyin?"
"Yes."
"Then what are we called?" Mu Anqi realized she was about to witness the fights without even knowing her own faction's name.
"You'll find out soon," Ji Huaichu replied with a slight smile, not telling her immediately.
"…Alright then. Why hasn't Xia Fenghua come back yet?" Mu Anqi couldn't help but suspect that "Strive for First" was actually them.
"No matter what number she draws, she fights first. If she loses, she stays there to handle the drawing," Ji Huaichu explained. "After each round, we need to re-draw for the order."
Mu Anqi instantly understood: Xia Fenghua was back to her old role as the designated "tool person."
With Ji Huaichu's arrangement, it gave Mu Anqi the feeling that the weakest member of their faction was sent into the arena first. So, she eagerly opened her small screen, selected the Red Arena, and prepared to attentively watch Bai Yulai's performance.
But the one who stepped onto the red arena… wasn't Bai Yulai? Mu Anqi's expression turned to one of utter disbelief. The contestant on the Red Arena was an enchanting and graceful White Fox beauty, and her opponent was an unknown ghost from Taiyin. Just as Mu Anqi was starting to lose interest, she suddenly heard an outburst of cheers from the audience. She looked up at the giant screen and saw Lady Wan Jin stepping calmly onto the Yellow Arena.
—So Lady Red's faction was called "Brocade Land"?
Just as the referees were preparing to start the matches, the Yellow side's "Man-Eating Flower" contestant was hesitating to appear. Someone ran over and said something to the host, Lao Hei, who gave a somewhat helpless smile and picked up the microphone:
"Ah, it seems we have a slight situation on the Yellow Arena side. 'Man-Eating Flower' forfeits this match! 'Brocade Land' wins! Now, please will the faction that drew the Yellow number two card come forward."
The cheers from the audience instantly turned into boos, but the "Man-Eating Flower" side seemed completely unbothered.
"You can even surrender?" Mu Anqi felt like she had discovered a new world. She looked at Ji Huaichu, "Then… if I act particularly unscrupulous, couldn't we save a lot of effort?"
"It is indeed a viable strategy," Ji Huaichu said. "However, generally, when facing major factions, they would rather die on the arena than surrender."
In the time it took to exchange these few sentences, the matches in the arenas had officially begun. With just a glance at the screen, Mu Anqi was completely stunned: the graceful White Fox lady instantly transformed into a giant fox occupying half the arena. The ghost gentleman didn't even have time to react before being swallowed whole in one gulp.
No back-and-forth; the match ended in an instant.
Looking next at the Blue and Green Arenas: The Blue Arena was already covered in thorny vines, with numerous plants twisting like venomous snakes, waiting for an opportunity to strike the monkey tribesman armed with twin daggers. The monkey was clearly an "assassin" type, incredibly fast, weaving effortlessly through the briars, launching repeated attacks against the plant demon protected by layers of sharp thorns. These two went back and forth for many rounds. Finally, the monkey made a mistake, got pricked by a thorn, became paralyzed, was tied up, and thrown off the platform. On the Green Arena, the contestants were two Taiyin ghosts. As soon as the match started, one contestant directly disappeared into the shadows. The other ghost, unfazed, sneered coldly, standing his ground without moving. The moment the shadow at his feet twisted, the ghost thrust out his hand with extreme speed, physically dragged the shadow ghost out from within the shadow, and tore him in half.
In ghost battles, aside from sheer overpowering strength, ability counters could also be utterly fatal.
After watching for a while, Mu Anqi realized that the ghosts of Shattered Mirror Continent actually possessed so many bizarre and strange abilities. And the demon, native inhabitants of Shattered Mirror Continent, were also not weak in strength at all.
Just as Mu Anqi was watching herself into a drowsy stupor, the little kid, Xia Fenghua, finally made her appearance. The little one was dressed in a pretty, sparkling dress, looking every bit the proper young lady. Through the screen, Mu Anqi saw the solemn expression on the face of the opposing tiger demon… Clearly, everyone here was an old acquaintance; no one would underestimate Xia Fenghua based on her attire.
"ROAR—" As the match began, a heaven-shaking tiger's roar erupted. The tiger demon instantly revealed his half-demon form, fur sprouting wildly all over his body, his long tail slamming fiercely against the arena floor as he pounced with swift and fierce lethality.
Xia Fenghua's movements were equally fast. Her face showed no panic whatsoever. Her dress fluttered gracefully as she spun in a circle and, with her eyes closed, flung out a doll. The tiger demon's gaze was fixed intently on Xia Fenghua, so he naturally saw the doll. The moment his eyes met the doll's, his mind was instantly engulfed in "Terror." He forgot all his movements, his vigilance, his techniques—he even forgot he was in a match on the Feast of Extreme Bliss arena!
It was in that instant that Xia Fenghua directly leaped onto the tiger demon's back. Her small hands swiftly brushed over various joints of the tiger demon. By the time she landed gracefully and picked up her doll, the tiger demon's limbs had scattered across the floor, transformed into an immobile tiger-demon puppet.
"… Isn't that the [Eerie Doll]?" Mu Anqi felt somewhat bewildered. Hadn't that doll been left in the game as a prop to scare players? It was rare that Xia Fenghua actually remembered it and brought it along.
To be honest, this doll in Xia Fenghua's hands was simply a duel marvel. Who could avoid that instant "Mental Stun"? As long as the opponent wasn't an adult with immunity to mental attacks, like Wu Sansheng, they would absolutely fall for it. And once they were hit…
Xia Fenghua's skill at disassembling the 'doll' had also grown increasingly proficient.
The matches proceeded smoothly round after round. With four arenas fighting simultaneously, the rotation was extremely fast. Furthermore, these Ghost Kings and Demon Kings resolved battles extremely quickly, with instant-kills happening frequently. In just one morning, Xia Fenghua had already fought three times.
Unfortunately, all three opponents the little kid encountered were adult demon tribe members from the Mingdu. Relying on the "Eerie Doll," she surprisingly hadn't lost yet. For Xia Fenghua, who was single-mindedly intent on slacking off, it was hard to say whether this luck was good or bad.
By noon, the matches were temporarily suspended for half an hour. Spectators could go to the Feast's cafeteria for a meal, while the major factions in the private booths had staff deliver meals directly.
Well, of course, the food at the Feast of Extreme Bliss wasn't various dishes, but nutrient solutions in various flavors. These drink-like substances were infused with various herbs to replenish stamina and recover expended energy, sufficient to make up for the combat consumption of demons and ghosts. For the major factions, the Feast also provided each room with a case of energy stones for absorption—a benefit the spectators didn't get.
Naturally, they had also considered the players' existence. So, the nutrient solutions meant for players had special markings. They contained no messy additives, simply allowing players to feel satiated and obtain sufficient, comprehensive nutrition.
Mu Anqi frowned as she drank a "Spicy Crayfish" flavored nutrient solution, feeling an indescribable sense of incongruity. The taste was indeed Spicy Crayfish, but the texture… best not to mention it. As far as meals went, it was certainly simple and convenient. One tube down, and she was full beyond belief.
Little Xia Fenghua was nearby, drinking a strawberry-flavored nutrient solution while absorbing an energy stone held in her left hand. She wore a bitter expression, never having expected that she still hadn't lost—how could all her opponents be so weak! Under General Ji's watchful eye, she naturally didn't dare to throw a match. If she could win, she had to go all out.
"Five consecutive wins, one extra rest day this month," Ji Huaichu glanced at Xia Fenghua and announced calmly. "The same goes for you all." This last sentence was addressed to Storyteller and Dramatist.
Hearing this, the three ghosts, who had been一wholly intent on slacking off and skiving, instantly became excited. Xia Fenghua immediately crushed the energy stone she was absorbing in her grip. Picking up a pineapple-flavored nutrient solution, she drank it with the fervor of one who could "move mountains and drain seas": "Don't worry, General! I'll strive to get you a ten-win streak!"
Having made such a bold boast, Little Xia Fenghua, in the first round after lunch, encountered a peach tree demon—a plant that had attained sentience. Not only was it a natural counter, but according to plant age conversion, this peach tree was actually still a minor.
Xia Fenghua: "MMP." [T/N: Internet slang abbreviation for, "Dammit." "WTF" Or "Mother fu****"]
And so, the two long-excited substitute players could finally take to the battlefield and strive for their time off.
…
"What's the origin of the sword in Wan Jin's hand?" Mu Anqi had watched several of Wan Jin's matches and found her fighting style very fixed and very elegant. No matter what opponent she faced, she always found their flaw in the first moment, killing them instantly with one strike. To be honest, Mu Anqi had already secretly started looking forward to a fight between Wan Jin and He Guxia.
Surprisingly, it was the usually silent spectator He Guxia who answered Mu Anqi's question: "It was synthesized from a sword purchased by Lady Red using special crystals from the Nirvana Space." She stared intently at the match on the field, or more precisely, at the sword in Wan Jin's hand, a trace of infatuation showing in her expression. Perhaps, for a sword cultivator, the allure of a fine sword is infinite.
"Master, although she doesn't like interacting with the outside world, is very knowledgeable about all kinds of famous swords in Shattered Mirror Continent," Xia Yun explained quietly to Mu Anqi. "Master has also forged quite a few long swords herself." Of course, all the swords she forged were sold for money.
On the platform, the ghost transformed into ten thousand ghostly shadows the moment the match began. Countless small black shadows darted and crashed across the arena. Yet, Wan Jin, standing amidst the legion of ghosts, consistently maintained a proper smile. She just casually, effortlessly… flashed forward. The myriad ghostly shadows dissipated in an instant. The only remaining ghost figure materialized instantly, only to be cleft in two beneath her sword.
Mu Anqi swallowed hard: "Does Wan Jin have an immunity-type ability? Is she immune to crowd control?"
"She is not immune to control," Ji Huaichu said. "She is not invincible. Each instance of [Seeing Through the Flaw] consumes a significant amount of her energy."
"However, Lady Red is very wealthy," Vice General Wu added. "It's entirely possible she equipped Wan Jin with gear that provides immunity to control, mental attacks, and the like. But rest assured, such equipment is usually single-use."
Mu Anqi nodded. She finally understood why Lady Red's territory was so large.