This World Is Going to End Too

Ten minutes later.

Lu Xiu's long, slender legs, encased in jeans, were pressed together, and she lay sprawled on the soft sofa like a salted fish that had lost its dreams.

After a series of operations.

She finally got rid of those annoying messages.

But I don't really want to live anymore.

She participated in a group competition and almost became an idol!

What is all this nonsense?!

"I should have known better than to participate in the team battle----"

Lu Xiu turned to the side and buried her face in the cushion, complaining, but then she realized—wait a minute, she seemed unable to refuse a group attack.

It's all the system's fault!!!

It's all that short goddess's fault!!!

The soft clinking of cups and plates came from the kitchen.

Shen Nian was humming an unknown tune as she brewed tea for Lu Xiu in a very good mood.

Jian Li was squatting in front of the sofa, her fair and shapely legs pressed together beneath her skirt, her hands resting on her knees, staring blankly at Lu Xiu.

Seeing Lu Xiu's utterly dejected expression, she seemed to want to offer some comfort, but when she opened her mouth, she didn't know what to say.

----After all, it all boils down to things like "don't worry about it."

Lu Xiu seemed completely deaf to what she was hearing.

final.

Jian Li chose to say nothing, but simply reached out her cool fingers and gently untied Lu Xiu's ponytail.

As the hair tie came off.

Lu Xiu's long, black hair cascaded down like a waterfall.

Jian Li moved gently, stroking Lu Xiu's smooth long hair again and again, her fingertips occasionally pressing lightly on her scalp, as if giving her a head massage.

Under her influence, Lu Xiu finally relaxed.

never mind.

Since things have come to this, let's eat first.

No, it's too late now, just accept it.

After all, it's already aired.

Besides, players are just joking around on the forum; they're not going to actually crawl over to her and call her over.

Let's take a look at what we've gained.

Having enjoyed all the limelight, they should now examine what they gained in exchange for their social humiliation.

After adjusting your mindset.

Lu Xiu rallied her spirits, summoned the System Panel again, and glanced at her personal battle merits list.

The window has just opened.

Lu Xiu saw that her name was displayed at the very top of all the players' names.

After the Ninth Company recaptured the battlefield.

The battle merit list has once again seen a new number one player emerge.

[Real-time Individual Battle Merit Ranking]

[No.1: Lu Xiu (Nine Provinces), 96051 points]

[No.2: Jian Li (Nine Provinces), 69429 points]

[No.3: Fan Lixin (Nine Provinces), 47419 points]

[NO.4: Shen Nian (Nine Provinces), 40129 points]

[NO.5: Li Zhong (Nine Provinces), 3921 points]

[NO.6: Jian Ning (Nine Provinces), 38111 points]

[----]

First in battle merit!

And it's a precipitous lead!

Jian Li, who ranked second, had a battle merit score that was nearly 27,000 points lower than hers!

At the fixed matchmaking time in daily group battles, this gap is not easy to close.

Looking at the pleasing numbers after my name.

Lu Xiu finally revealed a captivating smile.

As expected, the decision to decisively deploy the domain in the initial melee and eliminate Zane first was the right one.

Don't be fooled by Zane's poor performance in team battles and his seemingly useless nature.

But in fact, in the previous arena battles and recapture battles, his [Mist Sea Abyss] Domain Skill was simply a nightmare for countless Nine Provinces players.

Few people could defeat him under such a severe disadvantage after being forcibly deprived of their sight and hearing.

Aside from suffering a setback at the beginning in the Sekiro arc, Zane consistently won more battles than he lost in the arena afterwards.

He has consistently ranked high on the list of war merits.

But after he was killed by Lu Xiu, all the high amount of merit he had accumulated was transferred to Lu Xiu's name.

This generous spoils, combined with Lu Xiu's previous battle achievements, the 10,000 battle points just awarded by the system, and the battle points that Midir and the Sister Friede received for killing a large number of Prison Rock players—all these combined propelled Lu Xiu to the top of the leaderboard.

"At least we didn't lose money."

Looking at the rankings, Lu Xiu's mood completely brightened.

Looking at these war achievements, things like dying in battle and being idolized seem completely acceptable.

After all, the system had previously announced that the top-ranked player on the battle merit leaderboard would have a chance to obtain a [Mythical Skill] or a [Root Skill] during the final settlement!

In addition to battle merit rewards, her dungeons are likely to be used as arena scenes the most times, which will also yield excellent rewards.

At least that's what the system predicted.

Next.

All we need to do is play team battles systematically and maintain our advantage, and we'll be able to usher in another major boost.

Something to look forward to!

Lu Xiu closed the battle merit list, turned away from the sofa, and only then did she notice Jian Li in front of her.

The top player in the Strategy Group was squatting by the sofa, her long, slender, white legs obediently together under her skirt. As Lu Xiu turned her head, her hands, which had been helping to comb her hair, returned to her knees, and she looked somewhat dazed.

That aloof and unapproachable demeanor, coupled with the crouching posture of a small animal waiting for its owner's command, creates an inexplicably adorable contrast.

Lu Xiu was taken aback, then sat up straight from the sofa, extended her fair finger, and gently tapped Jian Li's smooth forehead, asking, "What are you doing?"

Jian Li: "----To comfort you."

Lu Xiu: "Squatting like this to comfort him?"

Jian Li: "----"

Looking at the awkward girl who had fallen silent, Lu Xiu couldn't help but chuckle. She changed the subject, saying, "Jian Li, I've surpassed you! How about it? Aren't you happy about dropping from first place on the battle merit list?"

Previously ranked first on the merit list.

It has always been Jian Li.

Jian Li felt Lu Xiu's icy fingertips touch her forehead, and she blinked gently, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings.

"Won't."

Jian Li thought for a moment, then gently shook her head. "You got first place entirely due to your own ability."

If it were someone else...

Seeing that their ranking has been surpassed.

Jian Li will likely launch a recapture operation immediately during a lull in the group battle, attempting to regain the lost merits.

But if this person is Lu Xiu ----

I don't know why.

Jian Li had absolutely no intention of pursuing it.

Even seeing Lu Xiu's stunningly beautiful face smiling so close to him, Jian Li felt a surge of joy and happiness.

It felt as if he himself was currently ranked first on the list of war merits.

Just now, Lu Xiu was also frustrated, and she felt a little frustrated as well.

These emotions were somewhat foreign to her.

Jian Li had no idea why she was like this, or even when it started.

The girl who once came to Lu Xiu and asked him why he made that choice when BT saved the Pilot.

I don't know when I learned to empathize.

They care more about a person than about winning or losing themselves.

But he himself was unaware of it.

"Really?"

Looking at Jian Li, who was squatting obediently like a delicate doll, Lu Xiu tilted her head and couldn't help but want to tease her.

Jian Li looked at Lu Xiu, whose attitude towards her had not changed from beginning to end, smelled the faint fragrance emanating from her, and recalled what Lu Xiu had said not long ago, "It has nothing to do with you." As if bewitched by some invisible magic, she raised her hand as if possessed.

Then, under Lu Xiu's slightly puzzled gaze...

Jian Li extended her slightly cool index finger and, mimicking Lu Xiu's earlier action, gently touched Lu Xiu's fair and smooth forehead.

"Real."

The warm, smooth touch from her fingertips made Lu Xiu pause slightly.

He then couldn't help but chuckle.

She had no idea that Jian Li would make such a retaliatory move.

But then...

Lu Xiu could no longer laugh.

Because Jian Li didn't immediately withdraw her hand, her slender fingertips lingered briefly on her forehead before sliding down, her cool fingertips gently brushing against her delicate cheek, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Lu Xiu blinked, then realized what was happening, her fair earlobes turning slightly red.

----Something's not right here.

Although she occasionally liked to tease Jian Li, it was always under her own initiative.

Now, struck by Jian Li's seemingly natural and direct counterattack, she felt a rare sense of unease.

The tea is ready!

Accompanied by light footsteps.

Shen Nian walked out of the kitchen carrying two teacups that were steaming hot.

I just walked past the bar.

She then saw Jian Li squatting in front of the sofa, helping Lu Xiu tuck her hair back, and was taken aback. "----What are you doing?"

Jian Li turned her head, skillfully releasing her killing intent.

Shen Nian shrugged and stopped asking.

But she secretly made up her mind.

I'll do that myself later!

Just then...

Knock, knock, knock.

A slightly hurried knocking sounded suddenly.

Lu Xiu's unease vanished instantly, and she turned to look at the gate.

Players are still recovering from the aftershocks of the group battle.

The Strategy Group is probably still processing it.

Who is it?

"I'll drive it."

Before Lu Xiu could get up...

Shen Nian automatically assumed a strange identity, turned around, and jogged over to open the door.

Standing outside was Yan Fushou, the highest-ranking person in charge of the Strategy Group, who had just witnessed the entire collective battle at the headquarters of the Coordination Bureau and then rushed over without stopping.

"Director Yan?" Shen Nian was stunned, completely not expecting him to arrive so quickly.

Yan Fushou nodded slightly to her, then asked if it was convenient for her before walking through the door with a complicated expression.

Although I had mentally prepared myself for the journey.

But when he walked around the entrance hall and saw Lu Xiu sitting on the sofa with her long hair casually draped over her shoulders...

It's stuck again.

I have absolutely no idea what to say.

Previously, he had always been able to remain calm even in the face of a collapsing mountain, and theoretically, he could be considered the head of the Strategy Group for the great figures of Nine Provinces.

An unprecedented, deathly silence fell.

All the exclamations, praises, and probing he had prepared—all fizzled out.

Because the misalignment of identities is just too severe.

"Director Yan, what brings you here?"

Looking at Yan Fushou, who seemed to be frozen in place, Lu Xiu raised her slender arm and gathered her long, cascading hair back into a neat ponytail. She asked curiously.

A clear and pleasant sound.

This instantly brought Yan Fushou back to his senses.

"Cough----"

Yan Fushou coughed tactically to cover up his embarrassment.

His Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty. Looking at the girl in front of him, who looked even more beautiful and refined with her hair tied up in a ponytail, he suddenly felt that the Coordination Bureau's usual official probing and negotiation tactics were all somewhat inadequate.

After holding his breath for almost half a minute, Yan Fushou finally spoke, taking a deep breath. "Lu Xiu —have you needed anything lately?"

Lu Xiu looked at the bald middle-aged man in front of her and met his gaze.

At that moment, it was as if I understood his unspoken message.

----You're too much! Give me some face and let me know your request, otherwise the entire Coordination Bureau will be uneasy. JPG.

Lu Xiu was amused by her own thoughts.

It shouldn't be that exaggerated.

Before activating the Lord of Cinder Domain skill, she was somewhat prepared.

She demonstrated such strategic skills that the authorities will certainly take action.

The fact that the Coordination Bureau has taken the initiative to extend goodwill is not a bad thing for her. Rather than testing each other out, being direct is better for everyone.

Since the Coordination Bureau took the initiative to bring it up.

Let me state my requirements.

Lu Xiu thought about it carefully, "The current rhythm of the team battle is that we only match once a day. After that, my time is basically free. Plans can't keep up with changes, so I plan to take advantage of this gap to try out the Placement Function."

Find me a venue as soon as possible, preferably not too far, somewhere I can control and manage. Also, I need some cooldown reduction items—I mean, the kind that can reduce a skill's cooldown time from several days to zero.

At the same time.

Another area, the group battle arena.

More than a dozen core players from the Franca faction were huddled in a dark room, the atmosphere extremely oppressive.

--

"----We lost."

After an unknown amount of time, in the corner, a player covered in wounds and without any Consumable to heal broke the silence, his voice filled with deep despair.

The other players remained silent upon hearing this.

The entire room remained deathly still.

Because they knew very well that they had not only lost this collective battle, but that their entire camp was on the verge of collapse.

Their capital city has been completely occupied by the opposing faction.

Defeat after defeat.

Faced with those powerful enemies from other realms, the players of Franca had truly lost even the last shred of their will to fight.

"This kind of activity is simply not something we can participate in."

At that moment, a girl with fluffy dog ears hugged her knees and began to sob desperately, her voice trembling with uncontrollable grief.

Hearing the girl's cries, the other Franca players in the room looked dejected, their eyes filled with despair and sorrow.

A suffocating atmosphere permeated the room.

At this moment.

A tall, beautiful, mature woman leaned against a dilapidated wall.

Her fair Fox Ears drooped slightly, and her usually lithe tail was dull and lifeless, reflecting her equally bad mood.

She paused for a moment, looked up at the gray sky outside the window, and murmured softly, "I wonder how Nine Provinces, who helped us achieve victory during that special event, is doing now."

77

Speaking of which...

She paused, a hint of anticipation in her eyes. "I wonder... when will these Border Barrier disappear? If only I could be with the players from Nine Provinces— "

"They definitely lost too!"

Before the Fox Ears older sister could finish speaking, the dog-eared girl broke down in tears again.

Tears streamed down her face as she clutched her hair, crying out, "Even we've suffered such a crushing defeat, we've lost our capital! How can Nine Provinces possibly withstand this?! These players from another world are completely unreasonable—how can we possibly win?!"

"It's over!"

"It's all over!"

"Franca is finished! Nine Provinces is finished!"

"This world is doomed!"