Thud, thud, thud—
Just as the crowd was fervently discussing Wu Tong and his companions, a series of knocks on the table echoed from behind.
Hearing the sound, everyone turned to see the young Taoist handling the registrations glaring at them with clear displeasure, his hand still raised mid-knock.
The source of the noise was immediately obvious.
"Esteemed guests, time is of the essence. Please complete your registrations promptly and avoid disrupting those behind you."
"Right, right..."
Chastened by the young Taoist's reminder, the crowd quickly realized their lively discussion was out of place. They nodded repeatedly, offering awkward smiles of acknowledgment.
...
"Honestly, I didn't expect this. I had a feeling they'd be popular, but seeing it firsthand is still surprising," Gu Ruoli remarked, watching the crowd of registrants who continued to gaze fervently in their direction.
After a moment of reflection, she turned to March 7th with a teasing grin. "So, Xiao Sanyue, how does it feel to be a superstar?"
"Uh... not great. I don't mind being talked about, but this is way too many people. And some of the things they're saying are downright annoying," March 7th replied, her enthusiasm waning under the weight of the surrounding chatter.
"Well, that's just part of being famous. It's pretty normal," Gu Ruoli consoled her.
"Honestly, I should've remembered to have everyone change clothes beforehand. This is way too... eye-catching," Zhang Chulan muttered, feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation at the attention.
This spectacle was the exact opposite of his original plan to blend into the crowd.
With just a dozen or so people sparking such intense discussion, he couldn't even imagine the chaos when thousands gathered for the tournament tomorrow. The thought alone made his expression sour.
"Just go with the flow," Xiao Yan said, clapping Zhang Chulan on the shoulder with a laugh. "We were planning to announce our identities anyway. Leaking it early isn't a bad thing."
"Exactly. Once the competition starts, they'll realize we're not just cosplayers. It's also a chance to flex our muscles for the higher-ups in your world—let them know you're under our protection," Rimuru added, fully supporting Xiao Yan's idea.
After learning about his world's future, Rimuru had come to understand one truth: dignity lies at the edge of the sword, and truth within the range of cannons.
Only with sufficient strength could one negotiate with major powers on equal footing.
This was the conviction that had taken root in Rimuru's heart after realizing his village's monsters would face slaughter in the future.
Strength was like nuclear weapons—better to have and not need than to need and not have.
"Right. Showing off our strength will make negotiations smoother," Gabriel chimed in, eyes glued to her phone as she played a game.
She knew this truth all too well.
Why was her world so peaceful?
Because Heaven had always suppressed Hell.
Did Hell refrain from rebellion because they lacked the desire?
No. It was because they lacked the strength to challenge Heaven. Any such thoughts had to remain buried.
The others nodded in silent agreement, their expressions reflecting shared understanding.
"Alright, enough talk for now. We're almost up," Wu Tong interjected, striding forward to join the registration line.
...
The registration process for the Luotian Grand Ritual wasn't particularly complicated. Applicants simply submitted their details, filled out a form, and received a token for the next day's lottery draw.
The formalities were mandatory to verify identities and screen out malicious actors. While thorough, the checks were efficient—each registration took less than a minute.
Despite the earlier backlog, the line moved swiftly. In just ten minutes, it was Wu Tong's group's turn.
"Junior Brother Xuanguan, I'll leave Brother Tong's registration in your hands," Zhang Chulan said cheerfully to the young Taoist at the desk.
Confined to the mountain for safety reasons by Zhang Zhivi and the elders, Zhang Chulan had passed the time befriending the Taoists. His status as the Heavenly Master's favored disciple had made him quite popular, and he'd thrived during his stay.
"Don't worry, Senior Brother Chulan. The Grandmaster has already instructed that your companions may register without formalities," the young Taoist replied amiably, though his movements remained brisk and efficient.
He resumed his work without delay.
Soon, Wu Tong stepped forward. Mimicking the previous registrant, he accepted a form and a ballpoint pen from the Taoist, filled out the required details—name, gender, age, origin, address—and handed it back.
After a quick review, the Taoist passed him a wooden token. Wu Tong then joined Zhongli and the others on the sidelines, watching as the rest of his group completed their registrations.
A closer look revealed that quite a few among them had signed up for the Luotian Grand Ritual.
(End of Chapter)