"Xiao Qian, have you been reading too many novels? I told you to read fewer domineering CEO stories. Why are you trying to prey on a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old high schooler this time?"
"None of your business. I've decided that this time, I'm going to stage a love story about a domineering college girl conquering a beautiful high school boy!"
The other girl looked at her best friend's lovestruck expression and could only sigh silently. She probably thought her friend was beyond saving.
At the same time, many others were shouting as well. Though they were a little surprised by what the great Duskfall really looked like, this was far too delightful a surprise.
No one had expected that this boy, who looked only seventeen or eighteen, was actually a legendary figure in SK.
Su Xiaoxiao looked smug at the sight, while Zhao Ping, who had terminal social butterfly syndrome, kept shouting, "Don't get excited, everyone! Don't get excited! That's my brother! He's just that awesome, okay?"
After Zhao Ping pulled that stunt, Su Xiaoxiao and the other two felt embarrassed as well.
Don't drag us down with your antics!
"God, I'm your fan! I came here specifically to see you this time!"
'My God, Duskfall' was the first to shout, clearly too excited to contain himself.
"God, I watch all your streams!"
"Ahh, God, you're so handsome! I want to have your babies!"
"Is God Duskfall planning to enter the professional scene? I'll absolutely support you!"
"Me too!"
Ling Feng was a little dumbfounded by the voices from the audience. What god? What the hell were they talking about??
Cheating???
Although the competition had been delayed a little because of Ling Feng, it was no big deal. What needed to continue, continued.
But sometimes, being too popular was not a good thing. Ling Feng had now been regarded as a major enemy by those professional players and their fans.
Even Chen Kai, who had been brimming with confidence before, frowned slightly. Clearly, he had some reservations, but he soon returned to his usual confident self.
He took out a comb and a small mirror from his pocket and began tidying up his red, delinquent-style hairstyle.
Even some audience members could not stand watching him, while only his fans continued cheering excitedly for him.
After the system drew the numbers and arranged the matches, the contestants were led by staff into specially made private booths. The staff would monitor the computers at all times to prevent accidents and, of course, watch for cheating.
"We'll use the same strategy as before." Yuwen pushed up his glasses and confirmed.
"Mm."
Ling Feng and the others nodded together. The moment they put on their headphones, they suddenly felt as if they had entered a dream.
When the first generation of esports players fought their way forward, they had no sponsors, no salaries, and no support. Back then, gaming competitions were seen as nothing more than internet-addicted youths fighting over a meaningless victory.
But they only wanted to prove themselves—to prove that esports was right, that it was beautiful.
At the moment you won the match and lifted the trophy, you might have felt a joy you would never experience again in your life. That joy came from teamwork, sweat, and refusing to give up until the very last second!
Su Xiaoxiao had paid for all their training expenses over the past few days. Ling Feng and the others had wanted to help, only to get scolded. Su Xiaoxiao's reason was actually that they were looking down on her?
The main point was that this only put even more pressure on Ling Feng and the others, okay?
When things began, they found that the early rounds were unexpectedly easy. They practically steamrolled their way through, beating several streamers on the opposing side until they nearly exploded with rage.
This scene was naturally displayed on the big screen, leaving the audience fired up and boiling with excitement.
"Fuck! I want to report the other side for cheating!!"
"Sorry, there is no cheating."
The staff had been watching every contestant's match, so they immediately gave their answer.
"This isn't cheating? Who the hell has ever seen bullets curve? I refuse to accept this!"
"It doesn't matter whether you accept it or not. No cheating means no cheating. Keep causing trouble, and you'll be thrown out."
The staff had also been angered by this contestant and no longer bothered to be polite.
A rookie streamer wanted to play professionally? He had come without preparing anything and still dared to compete? Why hadn't he asked around about their opponents' skill levels beforehand?
After being scolded by the staff, the little streamer's face immediately turned pale, then green. It was obvious that he was miserable beyond words.
This wasn't cheating? Was this something a human being could pull off?
"Holy shit?! Is this the great Duskfall's Killing Bullet??"
"This is too much! The bullet actually curved around and headshotted the mage hiding behind the wall??"
"So bullets that can track targets really exist? This feels a little fake, doesn't it?"
Exclamations rose one after another throughout the venue. Everyone was shocked by Ling Feng's play, because it was simply too far beyond common sense.
Unless they saw it with their own eyes, no normal person would believe it.
"Haha! Good thing I recorded it. Remember to follow 'My God, Duskfall' on Dragon Fang TV. Isn't a live broadcast way better than a replay?"
"Damn it, young man, you have no martial virtue!"
"Quick! Send me a copy of the video!!"
Something Was Off!
This competition was relatively short, lasting only three days.
The early rounds were unexpectedly easy, and Ling Feng's team had practically sailed through without obstruction.
Especially after a contestant cursed Ling Feng for cheating on the second day, only to be ruthlessly thrown out by the staff. Quite a few people happened to witness it, so that guy probably had a psychological scar now.
Before the competition, Su Xiaoxiao had forcefully maxed out the equipment on everyone's accounts, making Zhao Ping grin from ear to ear.
Those items, combined with fully maxed skill talents, would cost seventy or eighty thousand at least. Yet Su Xiaoxiao had just topped everything up without a second word...
It really proved that saying: nine out of ten lolis were rich, and the remaining one was especially rich...
She did not lack money, but for Ling Feng, he had no idea what to do besides thank her verbally. He had no money.
Maybe he could treat her to another meal?
But did she need a meal from him?!
"How about we go get some skewers tonight?"
Su Xiaoxiao seemed to especially like going to roadside food stalls. Whenever she treated them, about half the time she chose one.
Barbecue and beer were her favorites. Didn't little girls like her usually care a lot about their image?
And children could not drink alcohol, could they?
Because Su Xiaoxiao looked like a fifteen-year-old little loli, Ling Feng still regarded her as an underage girl.
Hotpot, barbecue, and beer were not expensive, but they suited his taste perfectly.
Seeing Ling Feng's troubled expression, Su Xiaoxiao looked delighted instead. She even teasingly threw an arm around his shoulders.
Ling Feng's face reddened a little from that, but he said nothing. Instead, he felt even more embarrassed.
"Little brother Ling Feng, by age, I'm your big sister no matter what, right? But you always treat me like a child. It really hurts me when a god looks at me like that."
Su Xiaoxiao's pouty, cute expression made Zhao Ping and Yuwen burst into laughter.
"Pfft! Ling Feng, you really are something. I told you to talk more at school, but whenever we chat together, you're still gaming. We can't even drag you away." Zhao Ping chuckled.
"That's called focus, understand?" Ling Feng rolled his eyes at Zhao Ping speechlessly.
"It's fine. The finals are tomorrow anyway, so let's relax properly tonight." Yuwen added.
No matter what, their efforts had not been in vain.
The morning after returning from the hotel last time, Ling Feng had discovered that he seemed to be full of energy again, just like before.
His whole body felt especially strong, as if he had returned to middle school, when a group of them gathered behind the hill to get into fights, their blood boiling with excitement.
They swung wooden sticks in their hands and picked up stones from the ground to throw. Even now, a few people had been beaten until their heads were bleeding.
But the most important thing was still his energy.
"Ahem, it seems my strength is gradually returning. Not much, but enough!"
[That is because Master has looked through the Perfect Lady Training Manual.]
As Ling Feng was thinking, that familiar mechanical female voice suddenly entered his mind and nearly scared him to death.
"Damn it, don't suddenly pop out like that! You'll scare people to death!"
[As long as Master carries the manual around, recovery can gradually occur.]
After listening to Xi He's explanation, Ling Feng thought about it briefly.
He had only casually flipped through it last time, yet it had produced such an effect. Was it really that useful? Just by carrying it around?
If that was all it took, Ling Feng could accept it. But if he had to finish every lesson inside, he might as well just become a girl.
Only after they all got on Bus 701 did Ling Feng take out the book.
It was still that familiar cover. Once he held the book in his hand, he could actually feel waves of coolness flowing through his entire body.
He had probably been too rushed last time, so he had not noticed.
Ling Feng could not help opening it to a page. The first thing that met his eyes was a flash of white light, nearly blinding him.
"Holy shit? A Golden Legend?"
For some reason, Ling Feng felt a little excited whenever he got this book.
It was really confusing.
"Why am I feeling excited? Damn it! What exactly am I excited about?? (┯_┯)"
"This is so ridiculous."
Ling Feng firmly believed this was definitely not his own intention. He had absolutely been influenced by this book!
"Damn it! I absolutely won't yield!"
Ling Feng strengthened his resolve and focused on the contents of the first page. A warm current immediately spread through his entire body.
So magical, so comfortable~
Ling Feng was absent-minded for a moment. When he came back to himself, he realized something else was off.
No, this was a magic book.
That was right...
It was a strange magic book!
Convention Plan
A few seconds after Ling Feng opened the book, Xi He's voice rang out in his mind as well.
[The first-stage mission of the Perfect Lady Training Manual has been activated: Wear a maid outfit and attend a cosplay convention~]
[In addition, the Guangxiu Flowing Immortal Dress and sailor uniform may also be selected.]
"."
"Hey, why don't you go yourself?!"
After hearing Xi He out, Ling Feng immediately cursed under his breath. A maid outfit? The Guangxiu Flowing Immortal Dress too?!
I'm practically developing psychological trauma here!
Come to think of it, Ling Feng really did have some psychological trauma. Back when he was at the café, Ye Qingya and Lin Danyue had brainwashed him plenty. The scariest part was that there had been one time when he had actually thought of himself as a girl!
Wasn't that way more terrifying than the brainwashing of some mad scientist in a TV show?
[Mission reward: 500 China yuan.]
"Where's the dress?"
The moment he heard there was a reward, Ling Feng agreed without even thinking.
It was all Xi He's fault. Why hadn't she said there was a reward earlier? (ー_ー)!!
Before you continue