Chapter 273 - 250: Rookie Competition (29)
Chapter 273: Chapter 250: Rookie Competition (29)
Zhao Huai shook his head. "It doesn’t matter. Even being the runner-up is great, much stronger than us. Even if he loses, it’ll be because of the gap in our families’ foundations, not because Zhao Chi lacks Ability."
Zhao Jiao sighed. "That’s right. Zhao Chi probably hasn’t received much support from the family. I never expected him to reach this level; he’s so strong. Even if he loses in a bit, we have to congratulate him enthusiastically."
"Exactly!" Zhao Huai agreed.
"Understood," Lü Hong nodded.
The reason Zhao Huai and the others could see what was happening on Yuan Zhao’s side was that they were spectators.
Zhao Chi, however, knew nothing at all.
He could only stick to his original plan.
But after only a few dozen seconds, the sound of the cheering began to change.
The cheers from outside the arena grew louder and louder.
Everyone was shouting Yuan Zhao’s name.
The voices supporting Zhao Chi were completely drowned out.
...No, not just drowned out—they had vanished completely.
’What happened?’
’Has the audience lost faith in me?’
’But the match only started a minute ago. We haven’t even clashed yet. Are the spectators that confident in Yuan Zhao?’
Zhao Chi grew a little tense, unsure of what was going on.
’This isn’t right. Something has definitely happened.’
During the match, communications were cut off. He couldn’t contact Zhao Huai and the others through the system.
’Maybe Yuan Zhao used that hidden Ability of his. That must be why the audience thinks he’s going to win.’
’Damn it, what the hell is this Ability?’
Gu Qing had also noticed that something was amiss.
She couldn’t help but look around, gazing at the invisible audience.
"Sir, the audience seems to be cheering as if Yuan Zhao has already won. Why is that?"
Zhao Chi shook his head. "I don’t know either. I have a feeling something’s happened, but that’s not our focus right now. Full speed ahead, let’s finish this match as quickly as possible."
"Yes, Sir!"
Gu Qing stopped looking around and threw her full concentration back into the match.
Zhao Chi also swallowed a Stamina Pill, no longer conserving his Physical Strength. He ran forward with all his might, keeping pace with the Female Soldiers.
About three minutes after the battle began, the Zhao Chi Army rushed out of the forest.
This was the fastest they’d ever been.
Before them was a stretch of grassland. On the other side of the grass was an expanse of dark brown, muddy earth.
’Looks like Yuan Zhao’s territory is made of earth.’
But, as far as the eye could see, there was no one there.
He couldn’t see Yuan Zhao, nor could he see his Blood Race Soldiers.
Far in the distance, deep within the muddy earth, a blue speck of light was visible.
That was Yuan Zhao’s Territory Stone.
’Shatter it, and we’ll win.’
Further out were various other types of terrain.
For example, battlefield tiles like forests, swamps, mountains, and deserts.
But those were grounds that would only be used once both sides had armies of a certain size.
Right now, both sides combined had just over 100 people. They were completely unnecessary.
If not for the forest on Zhao Chi’s side, both armies could almost see each other from the start.
’But where is Yuan Zhao?’
’Why can’t I see him?’
’What about Yuan Zhao’s Blood Race Soldiers?’
’Can’t see them either?’
’Is this his hidden Ability?’
’Invisibility? Or burrowing underground?’
’Or Flying?’
Zhao Chi immediately looked up.
The sun had already set, and the light wasn’t very good.
But he could still clearly see that there was nothing in the sky.
Gu Qing saw Zhao Chi look up and understood his train of thought.
"Sir, if they’re not in the sky, they must be underground, or invisible. If they’re invisible, I can spray a blood mist. If it sticks to them, they’ll become visible."
Zhao Chi nodded. "Good idea, but your blood is limited, after all. You can’t maintain it forever. We could also use the Vertical Wind Skill to kick up dust, which would have the same revealing Effect."
"Understood. Right."
Zhao Chi stared ahead. "However, if the enemy isn’t invisible but is underground... All units, spread out into a dispersed formation!"
"Yes, Sir!"
The Female Soldiers immediately spread out.
Gu Qing ordered, "Tang Ruan, stick close to the lord! The enemy might burst out from underground. Be ready to use Taunt at any moment!"
"Right!"
Tang Ruan immediately moved closer to Zhao Chi, her expression grim.
Qi Yue pointed to the Territory Stone ahead.
"Sir, let me charge over there and shatter the Territory Stone, okay? It will only take seven minutes."
Zhao Chi shook his head. "I still don’t know what the enemy’s hidden Skill is. If it’s invisibility, you might just charge straight into their formation. That would be the same as running to your death."
Qi Yue said, "How about I take a detour? Flank them?"
Zhao Chi sighed. "Don’t underestimate Yuan Zhao. I’m not confident about winning this match either."
[The battle has concluded. You have achieved victory. You may remain on site to interact with the audience, or click to return.]
Zhao Chi: "..."
’We won?’
’What the fuck!’
Gu Qing, Tang Ruan, and Qi Yue: "..."
The three of them couldn’t help but look at Zhao Chi.
Even the ever-composed Gu Qing couldn’t help but let her mouth fall slightly agape, a look of pure astonishment on her face.
Tang Ruan asked blankly, "Sir, did we... scare the enemy away?"
Qi Yue said, stunned, "Really? Is that what happened?"
Zhao Chi watched the surrounding walls lower and shook his head. "Of course not... but Yuan Zhao might have actually surrendered... Why?"
The audience drew closer.
Zhao Chi could see their utterly shocked faces.
A second ago, they had all been roaring, cheering and waving banners for Yuan Zhao, but now it was as if they were all frozen in place.
They were all in disbelief at the outcome.
"What is this bullshit? They haven’t even fought yet, why did Zhao Chi win?"
"Isn’t this ridiculous? How is the battle over? How did Yuan Zhao lose? Does turning invisible count as a loss? Since when was that a rule?"
"What the fuck! Did Zhao Chi cheat? I bet a whole 1 Gold Coin on Yuan Zhao, explain yourselves!"
"Damn it, this isn’t fucking cheating, this is match-fixing! Zhao Chi must have bribed the referee! I put down 75 Silver Coins, you son of a bitch!"
"Is there even a referee here?"
"Where’s Yuan Zhao? Yuan Zhao, come out, we support you! If the officials don’t give us an explanation, we’re not letting this go!"
"Right! An explanation!"
"Where’s the host? Come out and explain!"
"This is too shady. You staff members kept saying Yuan Zhao was stronger, that’s why I bet on him. And the battle ends after just five minutes? Isn’t this just a scam to get our money?"
"Yeah, it’s so shady! They scammed me out of 22 Silver Coins! Give us an explanation!"
"Zhao Chi, did you throw the match? Explain yourself!"
"Yeah, Zhao Chi, what’s going on? You must know!"
Zhao Chi himself was dumbfounded.
Facing the fury of a thousand-strong crowd, Zhao Chi didn’t know what to say.
He also didn’t know why he had won.
’Just a moment ago I was worried this fight would be dangerous, but how the fuck did I just win?’
However, the people who bet on Zhao Chi were thrilled. After a brief moment of shock, they now understood what had happened.
Zhao Chi had won.
For them, this was a stunning upset.
They had originally seen Yuan Zhao’s entire force turn invisible and thought Zhao Chi was going to lose this time.
But he won out of nowhere?
This was fucking free money.
"Zhao Chi, I was rooting for you! Great win, hahaha."
"Holy shit! Zhao Chi, I bet 40 Silver Coins on you! I thought it was money down the drain, but I actually won! Holy shit, hahaha."
"Zhao Chi, you’re awesome!"
"You win some, you lose some. If you bet on Yuan Zhao, go talk to the staff. What’s it got to do with Zhao Chi?"
"Exactly. You don’t dare to trouble the nobles, so you come to trouble Zhao Chi?"
"That’s right! Zhao Chi didn’t make you bet on Yuan Zhao. Go find whoever did!"
"He’s right!"
The audience also came to their senses.
Indeed, Zhao Chi wasn’t the main target of their anger.
They immediately formed a united front, demanding an explanation from the official staff.
Although this rookie tournament was jointly held by five villages, it was hosted by this virtual training hall.
So going after the staff wasn’t wrong.
But this had nothing to do with Zhao Chi.
Zhao Chi paid them no mind.
Since the battle was over, he had no reason to stay here.
He immediately clicked to teleport.
After returning to his territory, Zhao Chi said quickly, "Gu Qing, I’m going to go check on things over there. That win was too bizarre. I’m leaving the territory to you. The battles are all over, so you can arrange the training schedule."
Gu Qing nodded. "Okay, leave it to me. Be careful out there, Sir."
"Okay."