This fight was… how to put it? Mu Anqi just felt a little awkward.
Did the black bear dance? Yes, he did. Was the black bear's dancing posture comical? Yes, it was. So why did she feel awkward and unsatisfied?
Mu Anqi sighed. Probably… because he was a willing participant.
Mu Anqi watched the massive black bear dancing freely in the center of the ring. Even with standard and sharp breakdancing moves, his execution carried a simple, somewhat foolish charm. This bear brother's control of his expressions was also on point; the breakdancing performance under the spotlight was absolutely worthy of being used directly for promotion. But Mu Anqi couldn't understand what the Giant Bear Tribe needed this promotion for.
A game? Or was the Giant Bear Tribe going on a tour? It was truly baffling.
It was really quite boring. Mu Anqi felt a little reluctant to waste her Blessing points. This black bear was clearly just here to freeload off her. Making this black bear dance as not satisfying as dealing with the White Fox tribe member who had been on stage earlier. Thinking back now, just how adorable must that white fox who fainted from dancing be? That kind of opponent was worth teasing.
Of course, if that recently revived and not-yet-fully-recovered white fox could hear Mu Anqi's thoughts, he'd probably faint from anger all over again.
Wasn't this just specifically picking on the "nice guys"?
Ah, forget it, forget it. Even if she wasn't enjoying it much, she still had to satisfy the audience. At the very least, the signature Magical Girl Black Bear transformation still had to be arranged.
…Although Mu Anqi felt that no matter how this large, black, fluffy creature transformed, it wouldn't have even the slightest connection to a Magical Girl.
Watching the black bear dance another segment of "Old People's Disco," she had to admit that even though she was annoyed at being used as a tool, the bear's endearingly clumsy dancing was still worth watching. Many spectators in the audience were amused by his seemingly awkward yet exceptionally precise movements. This was also the effect the Giant Bear Tribe wanted.
When the magical black bear started twisting his hips and spinning in circles on the stage, the audience couldn't help but whistle. Until those fluffy arms struck the final pose, and the music and lights stopped, Mu Anqi didn't utter another blessing.
The black bear waited for a moment, scratching his head in confusion. He looked at Mu Anqi and seemed to see the words "No Freeloading" and "Refuse to be a Tool" in her eyes. He chuckled sheepishly a few times, performed a free splits for the audience, and ended up sitting on the ring with a thud. "Hey, thank you! Feel free to visit the Giant Bear Tribe sometime; we'll treat you to honey-glazed barbecue!" he said with a laugh. He then flipped himself upright and executed several swift backflips directly off the ring, pulling the performance factor to the max.
You had to admit, this giant bear… was truly simple and honest. Mu Anqi had been fully prepared to fight him, but this giant bear… Did he pretend to be blessed to leave the ring, or did he simply want to perfectly conclude this exhibition match? Whichever it was, the final thanks and invitation had won Mu Anqi's favor.
Hmm, maybe it had something to do with the bear tribe's simple and honest appearance?
After leaving the stage, Mu Anqi went to the rest room and gave Xia Fenghua a bunch of candies before returning to the private box. She sat down next to Ji Huaichu, leaning her body against hers. "I'll take a break next round."
"Tired of playing?"
"Ah, you were right. Sparring with skilled opponents is more interesting," Mu Anqi muttered quietly.
"You can fight without using blessings," Ji Huaichu said. "It's a good chance for me to see your practical blade skills."
"..." Mu Anqi fell silent for a moment, then whispered, "I'd rather not embarrass myself at the Feast of Extreme Bliss." She whispered close to Ji Huaichu's ear, "Besides, I shouldn't be the only one stealing the spotlight, right?"
Although Mu Anqi's voice was soft, just who exactly was in this private box? Even a whisper could be heard. The three deputy generals smiled without speaking. He Guxia silently looked out the window at the giant screen. Xia Yun rejected this dose of "dog food" but didn't dare to kick the bowl over. As for the Storyteller and the Dramatist, they trembled with fear. They desperately wanted to say, "No need! No need! We don't want the spotlight at all! We hope you, esteemed one, will take the stage, and definitely don't give us any more opportunities!" But these words could only be thought, not spoken aloud.
If they actually said it out loud, what if they were accused of "passively participating in the match"? If Xia Fenghua heard about it, wouldn't she excitedly dock several months of their vacation? Having already painfully lost vacation time before, the Storyteller and Dramatist exchanged a glance, resolved not to give Xia Fenghua any opportunity.
"Then rest for one round," Ji Huaichu said with a smile. She glanced at the three deputy generals but felt it wasn't yet time for them to make a move. As for He Guxia? She was even more of a trump card. As for the Storyteller and Dramatist…
Flashy, but their actual offensive power was hard to gauge. If they were matched against someone from the Mingdu, it might be easier. Ji Huaichu looked down at Mu Anqi and remembered this little Money Tree's complaint about "age." "Then I'll take your place and go up for a couple of rounds to show my face."
While Mu Anqi was enjoying such a spotlight, it was also time to make those people recognize once again exactly who this little Money Tree belonged to!
Huh? Let Ji Huaichu go bully people?
Mu Anqi was startled for a moment, but she quickly thought of the Giant Bear Tribe's flashy tactics. With the Giant Bear Tribe setting this precedent, opponents matched against her later would likely try to replicate the move. Mu Anqi thought it over and decided this was a good idea.
Think you can freeload off a tool? Ha! Release General Ji to scare you to death!
The next unlucky fellow, who considered himself a lucky contestant, was fully prepared to try the same trick as the Giant Bear Tribe and have a go with Mu Anqi. Now, let's turn our camera to this tiger.
Alright, we can see this tiger is very confident in his beast form. He walks with a proud and elegant catwalk, chest out and head held high, his stride full of style. Okay, this contestant has walked out into the arena and is heading towards the ring.
Just as the tiger is basking in the cheers from the crowd, he lazily glances at the stage. Just that one glance.
In that instant, all the fur on his body stands on end, making him look like a bristling porcupine! Elegance? Catwalk? Pride? His upright tail instantly tucks between his hind legs. The sound system amplifies and broadcasts his miserable and terrified "Aoooww!" The looks of admiration on the faces of the spectators who were watching the excitement and praising the tiger's courage instantly freeze solid. They watch as the tiger, with his tail between his legs, flees in panic, directly leaving the competition arena.
His retreating figure seemed terrified of running too slowly and being caught by Ji Huaichu and dragged onto the stage for a beating.
"???" One spectator shook his fist angrily. "What the hell! Where did all your earlier confidence go?" He had just thought this tiger had guts, but it turned out he didn't even know who was representing the Money Tree's side in this match!
"Wasting our time!"
"Coward!"
As for the tiger who fled in panic, he just wanted to catch his breath in a safe place and then retort: If you're so great, you go up there!
Really, General Ji has never acted like this before. Why is the Money Tree's faction, like Brocade Land, so unpredictable?
Heh, no plan, just playing around.
Ji Huaichu didn't get to fight this round, but she still made her presence strongly felt. Mu Anqi watched with some emotion. If only those opponents surrendered out of pure fear of her strength, rather than fear of social death. Although making opponents face social death was also part of her strength.
Mu Anqi looked at her ample ammunition and items and thought: Should I show everyone a thing or two, and demonstrate the power of a rich lady? To be honest, she hadn't even used her newly acquired skill yet. This "Pay-to-Win Slash"… she really had to try it at least once.
…
Brocade Land.
Lady Red watched as Ji Huaichu descended from the stage expressionlessly, seeming slightly displeased at not being able to strike? She took a drag from her cigarette and looked at Wan Jin. "Does that little Money Tree have many weaknesses?"
"Many," Wan Jin said. "And obvious."
"If you were to face her?" Lady Red asked with a teasing smile.
"Her control skills compensate well for her own shortcomings. Combined with the items unique to players, which give her strong defense and error tolerance," Wan Jin said calmly. "If I were to face her… it would depend on whether Madam is willing to equip me with immunity gear."
As long as she could be immune to control, a Money Tree stripped of her blessings would still have some skills, of course, but she would still fall short against ghosts of Wan Jin's caliber. As long as Mu Anqi had openings, Wan Jin could kill her in an instant.
"If you killed her, Ji Huaichu would probably come after me for revenge," Lady Red said. Even though this was just a game, and death meant resurrection, Lady Red understood Ji Huaichu's temperament well. If Mu Anqi were truly killed… Ji Huaichu might not show it on the surface, but she would settle the score later. She slowly exhaled a plume of smoke, dropping the topic. She glanced at the other silent subordinates in the box and casually twirled her cigarette holder. "Next match, you go give it a try."
"Huh? Yes, Madam!" The Plastic Ghost, whose mind had been wandering, jolted and responded loudly.
Him? A ghost who handled garbage sorting under Lady Red… he could actually go on stage to fight? He thought he was just here to spectate. He gritted his teeth, determined: He must not lose face later! He would turn all his opponents into plastic people!
When this round ended, the door to Ji Huaichu's private box was knocked. She stood up and found Miss White at their door.
"General Ji, will those two spirits who wanted to go to Upside-Down City for training need to participate in the upcoming matches?" Miss White asked. "We are preparing to return."
"Huh? Is Miss White not continuing in the competition?" Mu Anqi asked curiously, especially since she had just been admiring Miss White's splendid fighting style earlier.
"It's boring," Miss White said. Participating was just a favor to the faction, after all.
"They do not need to fight," Ji Huaichu said after a moment's thought. She beckoned to the Storyteller and the Dramatist. "Go with Miss White to Upside-Down City and learn how to better refine the game and its worldview."
"Miss White, I'll trouble you and Mr. Black then," Ji Huaichu said, turning to thank her.
"Don't mention it," Miss White nodded. "We are also quite curious about the final product of your game." After all, when the game was first starting, they had frequently consulted Miss White and the others about "Illusions of Reality and Unreality" and often sought their advice.
The Storyteller and Dramatist, sitting properly on the sofa, exchanged a glance, seeing sheer delight in each other's eyes: A trip to study? This is… fantastic!
Miss White is truly a great benefactor!