Chapter 708

Murong Qing grabbed the stranger by the collar, Moon God's Tear automatically unsheathed itself, holding it against the man's neck with a cold glint in its eyes, threatening to kill him on the spot if he didn't give a reasonable explanation.

"Wait, wait, don't rush into it!" the stranger explained hastily. "This is an industry practice; cross-dressing characters are generally categorized as female."

"What kind of custom is this?!"

Murong Qing her One Sword down, but missed completely. Her opponent somehow escaped behind her. Seeing this, Si Jingyu and Yu Shuying both showed expressions of "I knew it."

Murong Qing frowned, about to make another move, when Murong Wu stopped her in time, saying timidly, "Sister, it was my idea. I also want to become stronger so that I can help you and Si Ming, instead of becoming a burden to you."

"... Alright, I understand. A real man can't always be protected. I'm willing to support you in having this idea." Murong Qing glanced at the stranger before finally sheathing her sword.

The stranger breathed a sigh of relief; being a host was really tough. He said, "Now everyone's got no objections, right? So, I'll..."

"Wait a minute, there's a question I've wanted to ask from the beginning: who exactly are you?" It was Si Huaruo who asked, staring suspiciously at the other person. "Judging from your performance just now, you don't know any martial arts, yet you possess the ability to stop time, and you seem to know everything about everyone. Could it be that you are actually...?"

The stranger nodded and said, "That's right, I'm the Narrator-kun."

"Huh?"

Si Huaruo looked surprised, clearly having guessed the wrong identity.

Si Jingyu didn't miss any opportunity to mock him. "Are you an idiot? Can't you see something so simple? Time stop and omniscience, aren't they just standard features of a narrator?"

Yu Shuying chimed in, "It is precisely because of these two abilities that he is able to accurately describe the characters' movements in battles between strong individuals, as well as explain the origins and various characteristics of martial arts."

The Narrator-kun said, "That's right, even the names of the special moves, I was actually the one calling them out for you."

Murong Qing urged, "There's no need to explain this useless knowledge. Let's get to the competition details; we're already halfway through this chapter."

"Okay, this time no one should interrupt me, right? Speak up if you have any objections."

The Narrator-kun looked around and, seeing no one speak, said, "The competition is simple. It's a 100-kilometer straight road divided into five zones, each 20 kilometers long: the swamp zone, the forest zone, the trap zone, the hilly zone, and the battle zone. There's a checkpoint between every two zones. Passing the checkpoint will earn you a stamp. The rules are simple: collect four stamps by any means necessary and reach the finish line to win. However, you are not allowed to directly attack your competitors; violators will be disqualified, except in the battle zone."

Yu Shuying asked, "Everyone's cultivation level is different, especially those with better lightness skills and higher Internal Cultivation, who will definitely run faster. Isn't that a bit unfair?"

The Narrator-kun said, "Those with higher cultivation levels do have an advantage, but it's not significant because each checkpoint tests different things. Some test your intellect, others your luck. In addition, to compensate for differences in strength, each person has one opportunity to ask for help from outside the arena. They can summon a character that has appeared in this story and stay for one minute. Of course, the premise is that the other party is willing to help you, and contestants cannot summon the same character."

"I understand, then I have no objections."

Yu Shuying looked around and quickly eliminated several competitors. Although Hongdou had the strongest cultivation level among them, she was actually the least threatening. She might run off to paint halfway through the competition. Murong Qing was originally a great threat, but with the addition of her burdensome younger brother, she would inevitably be dragged down. In addition, the two sisters from the Si Clan would also hold each other back. Therefore, the most threatening ones were the two older single women Yuezheng Yao and Ling Huanxi.

... Wait, I think I forgot someone!

Yu Shuying's gaze sharpened, finally spotting Liu Qingqing in the crowd. She secretly breathed a sigh of relief, realizing she had almost overlooked her. Her silent presence made her a formidable opponent, but fortunately, her cultivation level was only average. As long as she noticed her beforehand and reminded herself from time to time, she could force her to retreat from the fierce battle zone.

We can win this game!

The Narrator-kun pulled out a starting pistol from somewhere and glanced at the contestants on the starting line. From left to right, they were Liu Qingqing, Hongdou, Murong Wu Murong Qing, Murong Wu, Si Jingyu Yu Shuying, Si Huaruo, Yuezheng Yao, Ling Huanxi.

"On your marks! Get set! Go!"

As soon as the starting gun fired, seven figures sped off like wild horses, leaving only two behind.

Si Jingyu: "I need to use the off-field assistance function."

Yu Shuying: "I need to ask Si Ming for help from outside the venue."

The two exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly. Realizing she had been a step too slow in choosing her words, Si Jingyu said to the Narrator-kun, "I withdraw my request for help." Then she ran out after the seven people.

The Narrator-kun asked Yu Shuying for confirmation, "Are you sure you want to summon Si Ming?"

Yu Shuying said firmly, "I'm sure."

Si Ming was someone everyone present recognized, and he also possessed great strength. Summoning him in advance would weaken the enemy and seal off the choices of others. Therefore, both Yu Shuying and Si Jingyu immediately thought of asking him for help. However, the former was more anxious because she needed an item from Si Ming to make up for her own lack of strength. In comparison, Si Jingyu was much more at ease.

A flash of light, Si Ming appeared on the scene. He had also learned of the situation, scratched his head, and asked in confusion, "What's the use of asking me for help at the very beginning? Do you expect me to throw you out with all my might? Let me make it clear beforehand, I don't attack other people."

"Hmph, only a fool would make that decision. Doing so would make you a public enemy. The competition has only just begun. Attacking others is pointless, because they might be eliminated along the way without you even needing to lift a finger. The most intense competition will undoubtedly be in the final stretch."

Yu Shuying reached out and took off Si Ming's bracelet, then asked Si Ming for permission to wear it before activating the Vermilion Bird Profound Armor and completing the attire—this was her true purpose.

"Alright, you're useless now, you can leave."

"Hey! This Lunar New Year special is a long theatrical film! Are you really going to let me, the male lead, play such a minor role? If I have too little screen time, the readers will protest."

Yu Shuying didn't bother to answer. She activated the Vermilion Bird Profound Armor and flew out quickly. She originally planned to fly through the air, ignoring the terrain obstacles, but as soon as she gained altitude, she was pressed back by an invisible force.

"Tsk, as expected, there are no loopholes in this area. Oh well, even low-altitude flight can bring huge advantages."

Because she had lingered in place for a while, Yu Shuying was undoubtedly left far behind, but she quickly caught up and overtook the contestants in front of her. This was because the first area was a swamp, unlike the forest area where trees interfered with the journey. While others had to use their lightness skills to carefully make their way, she only needed to keep flying.

As the first competition area, the swamp area is not difficult. Ordinary people may be in danger of getting stuck, but for martial artists with lightness skills, it is just a basic test of their lightness skills. Even Murong Wu was able to cross it on his own.

In this situation, the first division becomes a pure speed contest.

As a veteran Nascent Spirit Transformation, Ling Huanxi took the lead and rushed to the front. The mud she stepped on froze into a smooth and straight ice path, chillingly cold. Others dared not step on it, but for Murong Qing, who cultivated the same Internal Cultivation, it was a fast track. She thanked her master in her heart, pulled her younger brother and followed closely, not being left behind.

Soon, Ling Huanxi arrived at the first checkpoint and met Xiao Xuan, who was in charge of the checkpoint.

"Big brother?"

"Little sister, you're the first one. Come over and draw a lot. This round tests your brainpower. You'll draw a question and answer it. You'll get a stamp regardless of whether you answer correctly or incorrectly, but if you answer incorrectly, you have to stay in place for three minutes." Xiao Xuan explained as quickly as possible to avoid wasting time.

Ling Huanxi nodded and pulled a slip of paper from the lottery box.

Xiao Xuan glanced at it and said, "Oh, you're very lucky. Most people probably wouldn't be able to answer this question. Which part of Yan Jinghong washes first when he takes a bath?"

"Left arm."