You Can't Catch Me~

Hua Banhao... he was a pretty decent guy!

He was the person Zhongli had seen with the strongest wish in his normal state. He could obtain a God's Eye in his normal state and directly use it. Only someone like him could truly become an "Original God." Aserine and Mo Yuqing's wishes had not actually been strong enough in their normal states; even if they could light up a God's Eye, theirs would still be dimmer than Hua Banhao's.

Of course, that was only in their normal states. After encountering danger, Mo Yuqing's wish had grown several times stronger, and her God's Eye had been fully lit. But after the crisis was resolved, her wish was no longer as clear as before. She was even somewhat lost.

"A Food System Martial Soul? Then how are you supposed to become a Power Attack System Soul Master? That's completely the wrong fit. How could that possibly..." Mo Yuqing said in confusion, only to suddenly realize something midway through.

Zhongli had a Spear-type Martial Soul, yet he was in the Support System. He was also completely unsuited to his specialty, but his support abilities were insanely strong. So using a Food System Martial Soul to become a Power Attack System Soul Master seemed... not entirely impossible?

She thought for a moment, then probed with a doubtful look. "Then, what kind of Power Attack System Soul Master do you want to be? Will you eat the food yourself for buffs, then charge in and fight? Or will you use this... this Qiao Lezi to smash people?"

"Hmph hmph, since you asked so sincerely, I'll graciously tell you just how strong my First Soul Ring is!" Hua Banhao stomped hard on the ground. A yellow Spirit Ring rose from his body and began to shine, while the Qiao Lezi in his hand burst forth with dazzling light.

"This is..."

Zhongli and Mo Yuqing watched as the glowing Qiao Lezi rapidly expanded at an astonishing speed, growing as large as a spiked club. It was easily a meter and a half long by sight alone, looking immensely imposing.

But... using Qiao Lezi to smash people?

"Street Bully Hua Banhao, reporting in! Hahaha, hahahahaha!" Hua Banhao revealed his signature devilish laugh and slung the giant Qiao Lezi over his shoulder. Its stick also changed into a round rod, making it easier for him to wield in battle.

"Th-this Qiao Lezi got bigger. Does that mean its attack power gets much stronger too?" Mo Yuqing came to a realization, lightly stroking her chin with one small hand.

"Haha... haha..."

The smile on Hua Banhao's face gradually froze. A little embarrassed, he said, "Uh, actually, the Qiao Lezi's hardness doesn't change. It just feels better to eat when it's bigger... But the stick inside is the real deal! Its attack power is strong! Really strong!"

"Hmm..."

Zhongli stroked his chin with one hand and considered what it would feel like to be hit by a giant Qiao Lezi.

Ice cream did not hurt when it hit someone, but without any protection, getting smeared all over by such a huge chunk of ice cream would definitely feel awful. It could even very easily obscure one's vision. After the Qiao Lezi struck someone, the ice cream would smear onto them, and when he pulled it back out, it would become a giant stick. A meter-and-a-half-long stick hitting someone was no weak attack either.

A Power Attack System Soul Master with control abilities?

Something about this felt seriously off!

"Oh, right! Giant Qiao Lezi, limited-time discount! Only one Silver Soul Coin each! Amazing value, and this limited-time offer won't last!" Hua Banhao quickly perked up again, holding up the giant Qiao Lezi and flashing a sunny smile as he pitched his product.

"Ahem, no thanks, no thanks. We still need to test our Martial Soul talents." Mo Yuqing's mouth twitched as she took a few steps back, wearing an awkward yet polite smile.

"Hah, that stupid test isn't accurate. I want to be a Power Attack System Soul Master, but they refuse to let me. They want me to settle down and become a Food System support Soul Master instead. Hmph!" Hua Banhao casually swung the Qiao Lezi, then smashed it with his fist when it landed. The Qiao Lezi instantly turned into white starlight and vanished into his body.

"Those people are nothing but assembly-line manufacturers. Let me carve out a new future for Food System Soul Masters instead! Hahahaha, hahahahaha!" Hua Banhao said proudly, hands on his hips as he laughed.

"Alright, I believe in you!"

A faint smile gradually appeared on Zhongli's face. He reached into his pocket as though pulling something from thin air—though he had indeed created a God's Eye out of nothing—and held it out to Hua Banhao. "Give me a Qiao Lezi. I didn't bring any money, so I'll use this to pay."

The God's Eye Zhongli condensed this time was not one that could be seen directly. It was a God's Eye ornament sealed within Red-Gold Amber. The ornament had an attractive design and exquisite patterns.

"This thing looks pretty nice."

Hua Banhao looked at the gorgeous Red-Gold Amber in Zhongli's hand and felt a power that resonated with his own wish, as though something was about to awaken.

"Wait, don't use that to pay! I have money, I can pay for you!" Mo Yuqing focused on the high-end-looking Red-Gold Amber. In the next second, she determined that it was definitely not some cheap trinket. If they traded it for a single Qiao Lezi, wouldn't that be a tremendous loss?

No, absolutely not!

I have to stop this!

"Hm? No need. Deal!"

Hua Banhao's expression changed. He swiftly snatched the Red-Gold Amber from Zhongli's hand, then, with a silly grin, condensed a Qiao Lezi at top speed and placed it in Zhongli's hand. He took off with a whoosh, his movements so seamless and fast that Mo Yuqing did not even have time to react.

"Wait! Come back!"

Mo Yuqing stared blankly at Hua Banhao as he ran off, then grabbed Zhongli and gave chase. But Zhongli paused for a moment, causing her to miss the chance to pursue him.

She turned and glared at Zhongli. But when she looked in Hua Banhao's direction again, she found that he had already vanished without a trace. His hearty laughter still echoed throughout the campus.

"You can't catch me! Hahahahaha~ Hic!"

Mo Yuqing looked mildly enraged, puffing out her cheeks as she glared viciously at Zhongli like an angry kitten that might claw him at any moment.

"Ahem, it was a fake. It wasn't worth much, maybe two Copper Soul Coins at most." Zhongli could not quite bear Mo Yuqing's resentful and furious gaze, so he said somewhat awkwardly.

"A fake?"

Mo Yuqing frowned. Thinking back to the appearance of the Red-Gold Amber, she replied, "The amber's color and patterns were clearly so pure and beautiful. How could it be fake?"

"But it was formed through a Soul Skill, so it was fake. Its internal structure was also extremely unstable. Before long, it would crack apart on its own. Once it cracked, it would become worthless. So the trade was fair," Zhongli said.

"Is that so?"

"Do you know stones, or do I know stones?"

"Oh, is that so..."

Mo Yuqing lightly stroked her chin, her gaze at Zhongli still somewhat suspicious.