Unexpected Event

Without a doubt, this was a monster.

Even from a long distance away, the potent demonic energy made Xiao Xiao feel uncomfortable, his hair standing on end.

As if sensing Xiao Xiao's gaze, the monster's eyes darted around and met his directly.

Within its blood-red pupils, it seemed there was a sky of blood, beneath which lay mountains of corpses and seas of blood, thick blood flowing slowly. The killing intent surged to the heavens, chilling to the bone, a scene of desolate death, yet sharp as a blade.

Xiao Xiao immediately covered his eyes, feeling an extreme pain as if his eyes were being pierced.

If not for the pain he'd endured these past few days greatly increasing his tolerance, he feared he would have cried out long ago.

Xiao Xiao's nostrils flared, a rich scent of rust churning within him, even bringing a sweet, nauseating taste to his mouth.

"Third Brother, what's wrong?"

"Third Brother?"

"...Nothing." Golden Light leaked from between the fingers covering Xiao Xiao's eyes, disappearing completely after a few breaths.

"Hoo." The pain subsided, and Xiao Xiao slowly lowered his hands, blinking his eyes sluggishly. The previous stinging felt like an illusion.

This monster was strong.

Xiao Xiao lowered his gaze, his enhanced senses clearly perceiving the aura of the monster in the opposing team's area.

Cold, powerful, and with a strong scent of blood.

This was the first time he'd encountered a monster that could make him so disheveled with just a glance.

But how could such a powerful monster be with a human?

He couldn't help but wonder if he had mistaken it before, perhaps the monster hadn't been standing on the new player's shoulder?

Had it just coincidentally appeared there?

Heh, Xiao Xiao gently rubbed his eye sockets, no longer deceiving himself.

This was indeed his first encounter with a human-monster combination.

He wondered if that new player could even see this monster?

Was the monster staying on the new player's shoulder of its own accord for some reason? Or was it a compromise by the new player?

Or perhaps a mutually beneficial partnership?

It couldn't possibly be a subordinate relationship, could it?

"Third Brother, the game's starting!"

Hm? Xiao Xiao looked up with a hint of confusion, somewhat out of it.

"Beep~" The sharp whistle startled Xiao Xiao.

"Thump-thump-thump!" The crisp sound of the basketball hitting the floor was rapid and intense, the atmosphere in the stadium reaching a fever pitch.

The crowd roared, voices mingling together. The scene was so lively it made one's heart pound and blood boil.

But Xiao Xiao seemed to hear none of it, his gaze intently searching for that new player.

He wasn't in the resting area; had he already started the game?

However, that fierce monster was occupying the seat the new player had previously occupied, its eyes half-closed as if resting.

After the previous encounter, Xiao Xiao merely glanced at the monster before turning his attention to the court, immediately spotting the new player.

Even among the basketball players, he had a noticeable height.

After all, it wasn't like overseas; there weren't that many two-meter players, especially for a university basketball team.

But from this distance, it was impossible to tell what kind of relationship the new player and the monster had.

Perhaps it was due to rest, or perhaps disdain, but when Xiao Xiao looked at the monster again, it didn't have the same sharp gaze that seemed ready to pierce his eyeballs as before.

So, Xiao Xiao openly glanced at the new player, then at the monster.

He didn't care at all about possibly being underestimated.

He could actually feel it. As he encountered more and more monsters, and as the Monster Compendium filled with more entries, he seemed to be growing stronger.

He could feel the energy the Monster Compendium fed back to him. This energy was gradually refining his body, improving his physique, and enhancing his senses.

It had been less than two months since he first saw a monster. Even though he had undergone earth-shattering changes, he was still only vaguely aware of how or why all this was happening.

As for monsters, he was practically clueless.

But he wasn't in a hurry. He had always been a go-with-the-flow person, with a strong streak of laziness.

He also quite enjoyed this feeling of "seeking no understanding," a slight intoxication.

Besides, he would get stronger.

This was beyond doubt, and he had never doubted it. By then, many problems would no longer be problems.

"Ah~" The entire audience erupted in an uproar, and many people excitedly stood up, leaning forward, shouting loudly.

"Damn it, what's going on?" Zhuge Yun's body was half out of the stands, both angry and confused.

"Why did he fall again?" Zhao Luzheng looked completely bewildered.

Xiao Xiao's brows furrowed, revealing a hint of coldness. This was...

Originally, their situation was excellent, and they were gradually gaining the upper hand. Even though the opponent had added a strong newcomer, basketball was a team sport. Clearly, the opponent's team hadn't fully meshed yet due to the newcomer's addition, which gave them an opportunity. But in the second half, for some unknown reason, their own players always had inexplicable reactions when facing that newcomer. They would either fall or suddenly freeze, resulting in the opponent successfully stealing the ball. The score was thus narrowed and then reversed. The opponent's jubilation only highlighted their own gloom. They didn't understand. They were on the verge of pressing their advantage, so why did they suddenly falter? And the way they lost points was so strange. What was going on? Had they not slept well last night? However, no matter how much they pulled at their hair or how wide they opened their eyes, they couldn't see any sign of the opponent cheating. Was this really not the opponent's doing? How could that be?! Xiao Xiao stared into the newcomer's eyes. Before, when the opponent's back was to him, he, like everyone else, was full of doubt about the frequent accidents. But this time, the opponent was facing him, and he could see clearly. Those eyes suddenly turned scarlet, ferocious and chilling. An endless killing intent surged forth. For students in their ivory towers, this was naturally not pressure they could withstand. Freezing was still considered good; some directly stumbled, and as they stepped back, their legs went weak and they fell. Those eyes... Xiao Xiao's gaze shifted to the monster, which was just as cold and bloodthirsty as that monster. However, the players who were affected seemed to have no idea what happened afterward. Their self-blaming and confused expressions made it clear. What convenient eyes they were. But wasn't using them here a waste of talent? A cold glint flashed in Xiao Xiao's eyes.

"Ah—" A louder scream rang out. Xiao Xiao couldn't help but stand up. "Crack~" His keen senses even allowed him to hear the sound of bone breaking. Another player on the court had fallen after being affected. An opposing player, whether they didn't see or not, rushed straight forward. They couldn't brake in time and stepped on the fallen player's foot. Although they also fell, they managed to avoid danger with an agile roll, basically unharmed. But the one who was stepped on was not so lucky. Seeing his pale face from the pain, large beads of sweat covering his forehead, and being unable to even speak, it was clear the injury was not minor. "Beep~" The game was paused.