Chapter 84: A Late-Night Visitor.
The first round of matches ended quickly. According to Shrek's ranking in the qualifying rounds, they had a bye for the second round and a three-day rest period before the third round. Of course, given Shrek's current state, there was no need for rest.
That night, Shi Yi was about to enter his usual training state when there was a gentle knock on his door.
Shi Yi was a little surprised. Who would come to see him so late at night?
He then stood up and slowly opened the door. A strange yet familiar face appeared before him. Shi Yi asked with some surprise, "Zhu Zhuyun?"
"Can we chat, Captain Shi Yi?" Zhu Zhuyun said softly, her demeanor remarkably gentle, as if she were a different person from the one Shi Yi had met a few days ago.
"Is there anything else we can talk about? From a team perspective, or even from a man's perspective, I don't have the heart to chat with other women," Shi Yi chuckled playfully.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuyun looked at Shi Yi, unfazed by his teasing, and said seriously, "Of course I do. I don't think there's any conflict between you and me."
"Oh? Tell me about it?" Shi Yi asked curiously, looking at Zhu Zhuyun in front of him. "Captain Shi Yi, won't you invite me in for a chat?" Zhu Zhuyun said with a sweet smile.
Seeing Zhu Zhuyun standing at the door, Shi Yi, with a look of resignation, made way for her.
Shi Yi closed the door, casually sat down on his bed, and said, "Tell me, what brings you to me alone so late at night?"
"I want to make a deal with you, Captain Shi Yi," Zhu Zhuyun chuckled.
"Deal? What bargaining chips can you offer me right now? Let me guess. If you want to escape your fate of having nothing, there are only two ways: either win the game or your opponent disappears. I wonder what deal you want to make with me?" Shi Yi said calmly, looking at Zhu Zhuyun.
Zhu Zhuyun's beautiful eyes trembled upon hearing this. After a moment of silence, she looked at Shi Yi and smiled, "The chances of you winning the match are slim, and you won't easily give up victory in this match just for the sake of a deal."
"So, you want your opponent to disappear? Maybe you've got the wrong person. Mu Bai and I are close friends, brothers," Shi Yi said with a chuckle.
Zhu Zhuyun covered her mouth and chuckled upon hearing this, saying, "Captain Shi Yi, do you think I'm easy to fool? Most of the Shrek people have come to watch the second round of the competition these days. Only you, Captain Shi Yi, Zhu Qing, and that little girl from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect didn't watch the competition."
"What does that mean? Maybe I just don't like to move around. To me, it doesn't matter who my opponent is. What matters is whether my opponent can surprise me," Shi Yi said calmly.
"You're right, but that might just be one reason. Captain Shi Yi was shopping with Zhu Qing and the girl from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect that day. This shows that Captain Shi Yi isn't shy about moving around, but it depends on who he's hanging out with. Your relationship with Dai Mubai isn't bad, but it's definitely not great." Zhu Zhuyun chuckled, a flicker of nervousness in her eyes.
Shi Yi smiled. "Compared to Davis, you're certainly very clever, but why should I help you?"
"If you can help us kill Dai Mubai, Zhu Qing will be yours once we ascend to power," Zhu Zhuyun chuckled at Shi Yi.
Shi Yi chuckled dismissively. "I won't do that. If I bring Zhu Qing and defeat you, does that mean she's no longer mine? Do you think Dai Mubai will be fond of his sister-in-law, or rather, his eldest sister-in-law, after he becomes emperor?"
Zhu Zhuyun's pupils shrank sharply at this. This was the scenario she worried about the most. If she could come to Shi Yi for a deal, why couldn't Dai Mubai? If they could achieve victory with Shi Yi's help, what would these women matter for the throne? As Shi Yi had said, even without Zhu Zhuqing, as long as Dai Mubai could become emperor, even she would be his.
For a moment, Zhu Zhuyun let out a mournful smile. "It seems Dai Mubai made a deal with you for Zhuqing. It truly kills three birds with one stone. Dai Mubai wins, Zhuqing gains freedom, and you get Zhuqing."
Zhu Zhuyun looked at Shi Yi, suddenly feeling a little envious of her sister. After all, following a young talent like Shi Yi wasn't such a difficult feat.
Shi Yi's eyes flickered with pity as he observed the resentment on Zhu Zhuyun's face. He then said calmly, "Go back."
From his perspective as an observer, Shi Yi understood that both Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun were victims of the Xingluo system. Shi Yi had no right to criticize Zhu Zhuyun's actions towards her, as she, too, was trying to survive in her own way.
Zhu Zhuyun was silent for a moment, then seemed to have made up her mind. She said to Shi Yi, "I don't want to win the competition. As long as you can help me, I can agree to any conditions, including my..."
Shi Yi looked at Zhu Zhuyun with a hint of surprise in his eyes. He naturally hadn't made any deal with Dai Mubai. He just wanted Zhu Zhuyun to give up. He never expected Zhu Zhuyun to be so risky.
Shi Yi sighed slightly and looked at Zhu Zhuyun softly, "Is it necessary to fight to this extent?"
Zhu Zhuyun sneered and said, "The power of a country and our own lives are enough for us to gamble everything."
"Since you want to kill people, why don't you do it yourself? I remember you started practicing much earlier." Shi Yi asked with some doubt.
Zhu Zhuyun looked at Shi Yi and snorted coldly, "It seems you're not as clever as I thought. I personally hunted Zhuqing, but she still managed to make it to Tiandou, to Dai Mubai's side. A Great Spirit Master escaping from Xingluo City to Tiandou is simply ridiculous."
Shi Yi's face dawned with realization. "So you're just a bunch of showmen. It seems your men are probably arranged by the higher-ups."
"That's why I'm looking for you to trade with. We can't kill them on our own," Zhu Zhuyun said calmly.
"Then why me?" Shi Yi asked curiously.
"You're from Tiandou, but you're only a Noble, and you're powerful enough to help me accomplish my mission without causing outside forces to interfere in Xingluo's affairs," Zhu Zhuyun said calmly.
Shi Yi smiled and said, "You've thought it through."
"So what are your conditions? I told you I could do it myself. I'm clean," Zhu Zhuyun said calmly, looking at Shi Yi.
Upon hearing this, Shi Yi showed a strange look on his face and asked, "Are you too confident in yourself? What kind of woman can't I find?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuyun's face flushed, and her expression became unnatural. She said unhappily, "Then what exactly do you want? I don't believe that Dai Mubai's conditions can be better than mine! Didn't he just make a deal with you using Zhu Zhuqing? As long as you can help me, not only Zhuqing, but I will be yours too."
Zhu Zhuyun slowly stood up and walked towards Shi Yi.
For a moment, a faint fragrance slowly penetrated into Shi Yi's nostrils. Zhu Zhuyun raised her hand and gently stroked Shi Yi's cheek, saying seductively, "Am I not as good as that ice cube Zhuqing?"
Feeling the other's warm breath, Shi Yi's blood boiled. A chill ran down his wrist, and Shi Yi came back to his senses. He quickly pushed Zhu Zhuyun away, turned his face away, coughed awkwardly, and said, "Go away. I won't make this deal with you."
Seeing Shi Yi's expression, Zhu Zhuyun became interested. She suddenly understood why Zhu Zhuqing was willing to be traded to Shi Yi by Dai Mubai.
"No, Captain Shi Yi, if you don't agree to my request tonight, then I won't leave." Zhu Zhuyun chuckled at Shi Yi.
After that, she sat down on Shi Yi's bed very naturally.
Looking at Zhu Zhuyun sitting on the bed, Shi Yi thought there was probably nothing more he could get out of her. He said helplessly, "Go away. I didn't make any deal with Dai Mubai. I've only been helping Zhuqing escape her fate. After winning this competition, Zhuqing probably won't return to Xingluo. If neither of you can defeat Dai Mubai alone, then I'll be at my wit's end." Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuyun's eyes suddenly lit up as she looked at Shi Yi. She murmured, "I see."
Shi Yi looked at her seriously and said, "You have to change your own destiny, just like you chose to come to me tonight. Davis probably doesn't know about this. You should be thankful that you had good judgment. If someone else had deceived you, you wouldn't have ended up well." Zhu
Zhuyun looked at Shi Yi, a complex look flashing in his eyes, more of it envy for Zhu Zhuqing.
"Alright, let's go," Shi Yi said to her with feigned disdain.
"Heh..." Zhu Zhuyun couldn't help but curl her lips slightly at Shi Yi's expression.
The next second, that warm breath reappeared before Shi Yi, a soft touch like a dragonfly skimming across his face. Zhu Zhuyun's charming voice echoed in Shi Yi's ears, "Brother Shi Yi, get some rest. Good night."
Then, Zhu Zhuyun blew softly into Shi Yi's ear.
The wonderful feeling made Shi Yi pause, as if under a spell. By the time Shi Yi came to his senses, Zhu Zhuyun had already pushed the door open and left.
"Damn... what a witch! I should have done it to her earlier. You're supposed to be a gentleman, but you've been manipulated by this little witch," Shi Yi cursed inwardly as he calmed his blood. He knew Zhu Zhuyun was seeking revenge.
Fortunately, Shi Yi had the Mysterious Ice Marrow gifted by Shui Bing'er on his wrist, otherwise, Shi Yi wouldn't have been able to concentrate on his cultivation tonight.
Zhu Zhuyun glanced back at the open door, a triumphant smile spreading across her face like a cat that had won a toy.
"You hid it from me for so long, huh... you little pervert."
The night passed in silence.
The next day, as the sun rose, the finals entered their third round. The third round began, with Thunder Academy and the second-placed academy in the Star Luo Empire qualifying round receiving byes. Shrek also faced its second match of the finals. Coincidentally, their third-round opponent was none other than the Star Luo Empire Royal Academy. For a moment, everyone in Shrek's group turned their attention to Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai.
Zhu Zhuqing felt a slight sense of nervousness, instinctively glancing in Shi Yi's direction. She was met with a warm smile.
"It's okay. With your strength, there's no need to be nervous right now," Shi Yi chuckled.
Zhu Zhuqing's beautiful eyes softened as she gazed at Shi Yi, nodding slightly. In reality, her biggest concern wasn't winning or losing. She had already decided in her heart that, win or lose, she would never return to the prison of Star Luo.
Ning Rongrong looked at the two, a complex expression in her beautiful eyes.
Dai Mubai looked at the two, a glint of gloom flashing in his evil eyes, but it only momentarily returned to his usual composure. He knew that if he wanted to successfully win this match, he had to remain calm at this crucial moment. Once he ascended the throne, not only Davis, but Shi Yi as well would be in trouble.
Soon, the match began, and both sides took the stage.
Zhu Zhuyun looked at Shi Yi solemnly, as if nothing had happened last night.
"Women are truly born to be actresses," Shi Yi thought to himself.
Davis looked at Dai Mubai and said slowly, "Mubai, I didn't expect you to make it to the finals. Perhaps you can hold on for a while, but Xingluo doesn't have teammates as formidable as these."
Dai Mubai remained silent, his face gloomy. Indeed, as Davis had said, even if he won this match, it would only extend his trial period. This competition was inherently unfair to him. If Davis won, he would become the Crown Prince of Xingluo due to his age, but winning this match wouldn't be enough for the Xingluo Emperor to directly appoint him as Crown Prince.
The referee walked to the center of the two teams. "Prepare for the match! You may release your spirits. The rules remain the same: the loser will be eliminated immediately, and the winner will advance to the top six. Shrek Advanced Spirit Master Academy vs. Star Luo Royal Advanced Spirit Master Academy. Get ready."
Dai Mubai, Davis, Zhu Zhuqing, and Zhu Zhuyun—the four of them, eight eyes, met fiercely in mid-air.
The seven Star Luo Academy players instantly unleashed their spirit power. Davis and Zhu Zhuyun stood at the front, their spirit power fluctuations the greatest.
In an instant, four spirit rings, two yellow and two purple, appeared on their bodies. Judging by the spirit power fluctuations, Davis's spirit power was at least level 47, while Zhu Zhuyun's was also above level 46.
As the spirit rings of the Shrek players appeared around them, Shi Yi's presence continued to exert immense pressure on the opposing team.
In a battle between spirit masters, spirit rings, as a symbol of strength, naturally intimidate. Shi Yi's mere presence, with his spirit rings illuminated, weakened the opponent's fighting spirit.
It's like the despair of a broadsword meeting a rifle. Don't underestimate this invisible pressure. Giving up is often much harder than persevering, and the will to fight will greatly influence the outcome of the battle.
"The match begins." With the referee's command, this highly anticipated competition finally began.
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(End of this chapter)