"Didn't expect this little lady to be quite formidable...
Initially, I thought she was just another easy opponent, but it seems she can put up a good fight...
Staring intently at Anfiya for a long time, Lin Ran couldn't help but nod:
'She's quite impressive!'
Luo Qingyan, who had been resting her head on Lin Ran's shoulder, perked up her ears and immediately opened her eyes, then lay flat on Lin Ran's legs as he sat on the chair, pulling his head down:
'Huh? Who are you talking about? That Anfiya?'
'Talking about what? What else is pretty good?'
Lin Ran rolled his eyes:
'Your keyword-capturing system is truly something, you don't even let this slide...'
'I'm definitely talking about strength! What else would I be talking about?'
'Every time something like this happens, you're the one who misunderstands first...'
'Besides, with you by my side, how could I possibly desire anyone else again? Unless I've been blind for ten years, I wouldn't do that...'
'Have some confidence in yourself, okay?'
Luo Qingyan then yawned, stretched lazily, and continued to lie on Lin Ran's legs with her eyes closed, falling asleep:
'That's more like it!'
'But I'll say this in advance...'
'In the upcoming matches, it's possible we'll encounter that Anfiya.'
'If we do, you'll obediently wait in the stands while I take care of her!'
Lin Ran was taken aback:
'What's wrong with you? Your temperament has changed so suddenly? Not planning to slack off anymore?'
Luo Qingyan snorted:
'Hmm? What else? To give you, this pervert who's been lusting after her chest for who knows how long, a chance to take advantage?'
'Absolutely not!'
Lin Ran almost spat out his words:
'I told you I'm not lusting after her anymore... Why are you still so worried...'
'Besides, even if I were, would I do it in full public view?'
'Your imagination is truly outlandish.'
Luo Qingyan's pretty face turned red, and she began to shake her head on Lin Ran's legs:
'I won't listen, won't listen, I'm just not listening!'
'If I say I'll go, then I'll go!'
'At worst, if I can't win then, you can still back me up!'
Lin Ran sighed helplessly:
'If you want to go, then go. I'm not stopping you, of course that's fine...'
'But I absolutely must clarify the matter of being slandered just now.'
After speaking, Lin Ran stopped paying attention to Luo Qingyan on his legs, stroking her like a cat while turning his gaze back to the arena.
The current match had reached the final bout of the top 8 to top 4.
It was Adam Hammer, the Mechanical Ascension from the Lighthouse Country, against Isaac, the Doomsday Bell from the Byzantine Empire.
Though I hate to say it, this was indeed a brutal massacre.
Adam Hammer was a severe counter to assassins like Isaac who relied on burst damage for quick kills.
Not to mention his incredibly high physical defense...
Just the fact that his entire body was a mass of iron with no exposed weaknesses made it extremely difficult for Isaac to land a blow.
Even though the dull chime of bells had sounded multiple times in the arena, Isaac, who was constantly maneuvering and seeking openings, had failed to inflict any real damage on Adam Hammer.
Instead, after taking a heavy punch from Adam Hammer, who was powered up by his kinetic装置, he lay down decisively.
It ended even more easily and comfortably than Didinu's staged defeat...
This Adam Hammer truly lived up to his reputation as the presumed final boss of this tournament; his strength was indeed awe-inspiring.
So, the top 8 to top 4 matches are all over, isn't Chihe Yin Bai planning to come over?
Here she comes!
Just as Lin Ran was thinking about them, Chihe Yin Bai's familiar figure hurried back.
However, she had completely lost her flustered and panicked demeanor, returning to her youthful, energetic, and cute appearance, happily waving her small hands and smiling:
'Everyone, you've worked hard!'
'It's clear that every contestant has fought fiercely for the supreme honor of the championship!'
'Now, we will have a brief half-hour break...'
'After the break, we will immediately continue with the top 4 to top 2 matches!'
'We hope everyone will prepare well and deliver even more exciting matches for the audience...'
'And, continue to strive for your own supreme honor!'
Although she spoke beautifully, those present, still clearly immersed in the previous cheating incident, paid her no mind, each busy with their own affairs.
Knowing that their reputation was in tatters and they lacked credibility, Chihe Yin Bai, though helpless, maintained a professional fake smile and chattered incessantly on stage to ease the atmosphere.
'They recovered quite quickly!'
Luo Qingyan glanced at Chihe Yin Bai and said with one eye half-closed.
Lin Ran almost burst out laughing and activated the soundproofing illusion array:
'You think that because you don't know what they were doing just now...'
'If you knew, you wouldn't say that.'
Luo Qingyan blinked:
'You know? Impossible?'
'Could you really hear such secret matters through the transmission of wind elements?'
'Then are those guys' so-called soundproofing methods too crude?'
Lin Ran laughed heartily:
'Their methods are not crude; it's just that I'm too strong...'
After speaking, he briefly mentioned his invisibility ability, then began to recount the previous scene to Luo Qingyan.
...
An hour ago.
Tanaka Kenhō, along with Chihe Yin Bai and the Shimada brothers, exited the arena and, after winding through various paths, arrived at a secluded small room.
Upon seeing the person sitting in the center of the small room, Chihe Yin Bai and the Shimada brothers' faces changed drastically.
Kanna Guji!
The current Emperor of their Sakura Country!
They had initially thought that Tanaka Kenhō meant Kanna Guji would contact them via remote call or an imperial decree...
But they never expected that Kanna Guji would actually personally visit Kyushu Island! And be right here in this resort villa!
The Shimada brothers, without any hesitation, knelt down before Kanna Guji.
Chihe Yin Bai, however, was hesitant.
Normally, as the Saintess of the Kannushi organization, she had no need to bow to the Sakura Emperor.
But the problem was that a huge commotion had just occurred inside the arena, and she was inextricably linked to it.
This sense of guilt spurred her to want to do something to alleviate it.
For instance, kneeling like the Shimada brothers seemed quite appropriate...
But wouldn't that bring shame upon the entire Kannushi organization?
Before leaving, her master had warned her to maintain her dignity and composure at all costs...
Fortunately, Kanna Guji did not let her dwell on this for too long and spoke directly."