"Ahem~ March 7th, you've seen me swing that [ Old Iron ], right? Tell me, what did you observe?"
"Waving such a massive weapon... Master Yunli seems to prefer overwhelming violence to strategy."
Hearing March 7th's answer, Yunli was very satisfied. "You're right. My tactics have always been about simplicity and effectiveness; just cut them down."
"Observe the weapons your opponent uses, determine their preferred tactics, and identify their weaknesses—this is the shortcut to victory."
"For example, a massively heavy sword is obviously not suitable for prolonged battles, so a tactic of stalling for time should be chosen."
March 7th was surprised, "Huh? Master Yunli, why did you tell me your weakness?"
"That's a relatively fair competition, after all, I don't want to see you lose to someone else."
"This is a good opportunity. Take advantage of it to learn how to assess your opponents. Practice with the people in this hall. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."
"Know yourself and know your enemy..." March 7th thought of something else and turned to ask, "Master Yunli, do you think there are any weapons in this world that can both fight a protracted war and deal exceptionally high damage?"
"Star's baseball bat, have you forgotten?"
Yunli blinked. That baseball bat was the most outrageous weapon she had ever seen. It could actually transform into any form, and it could handle both ranged and melee attacks, as well as physical and magical attacks.
There are differences between people, and even between geniuses. The star who is proficient in all kinds of weapons—I've heard that those weapons are imbued with a touch of [ Eternity ]...
March 7th scratched her head. Besides Star's baseball bat, she thought the best weapon was the bar of soap that Chair Blake always held in his hand. It couldn't be better!
It's small and easy to carry around, and can even be used to sneak through checkpoints when necessary, or even while taking a shower.
When March 7th came to her senses, a reporter had already walked up to her.
"You're the contestant from March 7th, replacing Yanqing Qingxiaowei! Isn't that right?"
The reporter held the microphone to March 7th's lips and introduced himself, "Ah, as you can see, I'm the reporter covering the event live."
" Sky-Faring Commission, as the organizer, has made quite thorough preparations; this is quite interesting."
"Yes, we're usually indispensable at big events like this. By the way, now that the competition has started, may I ask some questions that interest me?"
"Of course," March 7th said, glancing at Yunli beside her, "But actually, I'm here to get to know my enemy..."
"Great!" the reporter asked, following his prepared questions. "First, the question everyone's most concerned about! Yanqing Qingxiaowei didn't appear at today's [ Wardance ]."
"According to some unreliable rumors, I've heard that Yanqing Qingxiao is currently seriously injured. Is this true?"
March 7th didn't answer directly, but nodded blankly. Master Yanqing must have had his reasons for withdrawing from the competition. What he needed to do now was to try his best to get through it.
"I see. May I ask why he was so seriously injured?"
"I choked on my milk tea."
On March 7th, she helplessly spread her hands, feeling that this answer was excellent!
"Ah..." the reporter changed the subject again, "After the Wardance begins, Miss March 7th will face challenges from sword masters from different worlds. Are there any opponents you're particularly looking forward to?"
March 7th nodded again.
"May I ask which contestant you are?" the reporter asked.
"Of course, it's a star."
"Uh, who...? Is this the contestant you're talking about?" This answer left the reporter speechless.
"Thank you so much for agreeing to the interview, thank you!"
Meanwhile, near Exalting Sanctum
"Wait... I recognize you. You're the missing Yaoqing envoy. What are you doing here?"
Before Jiaoqiu could respond, Xing, disguised as Cloud Knights, continued speaking.
The exaggerated movements and tone were clearly intended for Borisin observing from the shadows. The veteran actor's performance was impeccable.
"Okay, I'll get someone to handle this right away. Don't move around here, have a cup of milk tea first."
Xing left behind a cup of milk tea, then vanished from Jiaoqiu's sight in a flash.
"This Nameless lady... truly comes and goes without a trace..."
Jiaoqiu sighed, then walked up to a rather suspicious voyager.
"Stop asking, let's go find someone else."
Jiaoqiu frowned; the Foxian dressed as a pilot had a familiar scent about him.
"What if the leader says he wants to leave?" Jiaoqiu looked at the suspicious ferryman.
The Foxian ferryman sniffed at Jiaoqiu. "You're not one of us, but you have a familiar scent."
"The war chief sent me to check on the situation. Can we leave now?"
"It's still not enough. My little boat can't escape the Xianzhou at all. Only the ships Starskiff Haven have a chance to break through the Jade Gate. Modu said there would be an inside agent to pick us up, but I haven't received any reply."
"Isn't the port under blockade...?" Jiaoqiu pondered. He had already delayed long enough; it was time to go back and face Hoolay in person.
--
In the dim light, Hoolay paced back and forth. His 'spies' hadn't replied... Could it be that Jiaoqiu really got away? That would be a great humiliation for him!
The wound in his shoulder blade, pierced by the Cloud-Piercer Spear and unable to heal, sent shivers of pain through him, a constant reminder of the shame brought by [ Eternity ]. Hoolay vowed never to experience it again in his life!
Apart from Modu, a few of the Bu Borisin Wolf Soldiers who had managed to escape from the Prison of Deep Seclusion huddled in a corner, covered in wounds, their eyes filled with fear and exhaustion.
Just then, the tightly closed door slowly slid open a crack.
" Jiaoqiu, you're back..."
The Hoolay sound abruptly stopped.
Against the relatively bright light streaming in from outside, he first saw Jiaoqiu.
Behind Jiaoqiu, three figures entered the blood-soaked 'nest' one after another.
The first to appear was a Xianzhou native dressed in black, standing calmly with his hands in his pockets.
Hoolay didn't recall ever seeing this face before, and he sneered inwardly.
" Jiaoqiu, I only asked you to go to the port to check on the situation... I never allowed you to be distracted and talk to people..."
Before he finished speaking, a Cloud Knights followed closely behind and stepped into the area.
"Great, they've even summoned the Cloud Knights?!"
Hoolay's tone rose considerably. He hadn't expected that Jiaoqiu would actually dare to go and ask for help! Well done, his courage is commendable!
"Remember, these people all died because of you..."
Before he could finish speaking, a pure white figure entered Hoolay's line of sight.
That's right, the last to appear was Saileni, holding a milk tea cup and Curiosity looking around.
"Wow, what an all-star lineup! It's a pity I didn't have March 7th's camera, otherwise I would have definitely captured this scene!"
"It takes up memory, let's save some for the next stop."
Ye Yan suggested that, putting everything else aside, Amphoreus has many beautiful sights to see.