Inside the competition venue.
As Lin Ran spoke leisurely, Luo Qingyan's expression became increasingly animated.
"Wow! They've gone this far..."
"I never imagined that the small Kyushu Island would hold so many people lusting after you."
"If you were to strip naked and lie before them, wouldn't they go absolutely mad fighting over you, tearing each other to pieces?"
Lin Ran almost spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Is that the main point you're focusing on?!"
Luo Qingyan chuckled.
"Just kidding, just kidding..."
"I can only say that the current Sakura Country is indeed quite chaotic. It's probably about to explode."
"The lurking Nightfall, the vanished Dinu, the Calamity Collective, the Priest organization, the Kannagi Shrine, the Sakura nobility... Add to that Arthur and Caesar who clearly want to stir up trouble, and Adam Hammer who's up to who knows what. They're certainly going to have a lively time."
"With all these people converging here, I'm truly afraid they'll sink the entire Kyushu Island..."
Lin Ran smiled.
"Since that's the case, why don't we add more fuel to the fire..."
"After all, with things already this way, it's not like we're insignificant, right?"
Luo Qingyan shook her head, puzzled.
"What, what are you planning to do?"
Lin Ran stretched.
"I haven't quite decided what specifically, but it's definitely certain that we need to stir up some trouble..."
"Otherwise, we can't just watch this grand spectacle pass before our very eyes. It would be a lifelong regret!"
"It's the Sakura Country of the 'little neighbors' anyway; sinking it wouldn't make me feel bad."
Luo Qingyan rolled her eyes. She was about to retort a few more words to Lin Ran when she suddenly heard the call from Qianhe Yinbai at the front.
"Time is up. All qualified contestants please come to the front to draw lots to determine the next round of opponents..."
"The final championship battle is just this last step away. I hope everyone will work hard and do their best!"
As she spoke, Qianhe Yinbai waved the lots in her hand, beckoning Lin Ran and the others.
Luo Qingyan immediately leaped from the waiting area and, with small steps, rushed to Qianhe Yinbai's front, unceremoniously snatching a lot from her hand.
Qianhe Yinbai was stunned. She opened her mouth, intending to say that she hadn't started scattering them yet and the order of the lots hadn't been mixed.
However, upon noticing Luo Qingyan's cold gaze, she forcefully swallowed the words back into her throat.
Thus, the remaining Caesar, Adam Hammer, and Anfiya, believing this to be the correct procedure, also stepped forward and drew lots from Qianhe Yinbai's hand.
Because the lots had not been shuffled, Luo Qingyan, by merely sensing with a little energy while drawing, could easily and freely pick the lot representing Bear Country.
And according to the principle of first come, first served, Anfiya's lot, drawn after hers, was naturally marked by the lot's self-identification consciousness as Dragon Country...
Thus, in this semi-final, the opposing pairs became quite clear.
Lin Ran and Luo Qingyan would face Bear Country led by Anfiya, while Caesar, with his Royal members, would battle Adam Hammer's Lighthouse Special Forces.
"You're really going to draw her..."
Lin Ran looked helplessly at Luo Qingyan, who was proudly shaking the lot in her hand.
Luo Qingyan snorted.
"Naturally!"
"I can't just breeze through all my matches, can I? I have to contribute something..."
"Anfiya is basically the easiest opponent for me to deal with."
"What, do you have any complaints?"
Lin Ran quickly waved his hands.
"Of course not..."
"If you want to go fight, I have no objections. Just have fun."
"Besides, with the divine might of my inscription in your eyes as a safety net, nothing will happen to you..."
Luo Qingyan tilted her head.
"Oh? What? By the sound of it, you think I can't beat her?"
"Hmph! Then I'll show you how powerful I am right now!"
With that, Luo Qingyan turned and jumped off the stands, ready to head towards the stage.
Lin Ran rolled his eyes. He didn't stop Luo Qingyan, merely watched her leave alone, and weakly called out encouragement from behind.
Seeing that it was Luo Qingyan and not Lin Ran who stepped onto the stage this time, the stands, which had quieted down considerably, immediately erupted in discussion.
"Wow! It's this young girl who's fighting this time! Lin Ran didn't choose to go first."
"Yeah, it's unexpected that Dragon Country would change their lineup in the semi-finals."
"They must be preparing for the finals... If the young girl goes first, it will give Lin Ran more rest time to conserve his strength."
"But that assumption hinges on the young girl being able to end the match directly..."
"Otherwise, with only two people from Dragon Country arriving, Lin Ran will still have to compete."
"Perhaps it's just to let this young girl warm up... After all, if they defeat Bear Country, the next opponent will be Adam Hammer..."
"Given the situation of having fewer contestants, Dragon Country's biggest advantage is having two core fighters."
"As seen from earlier matches, this young girl's strength is quite formidable, enough to be an absolute top-tier core for any country..."
"If they fight in turns, they might actually be able to defeat Adam Hammer."
"So Lin Ran is choosing to rest temporarily? How thoughtful of him..."
"..."
Over there, Anfiya was slightly surprised to see Luo Qingyan walking up instead of Lin Ran. She then also stepped onto the stage and smiled at her.
"I didn't expect Miss Luo to go first, which is indeed a little surprising..."
"But on the other hand, it fulfills a wish of mine."
"After seeing your splendid performance on stage recently, I've been wanting an opportunity to fight you..."
"Today, that wish is granted!"
"Please give me your guidance!"
Luo Qingyan also smiled and nodded.
"Likewise..."
"Speaking of which, we're quite in sync..."
"I also felt a strong desire to spar with you after witnessing Miss Anfiya's performance on stage."
"I also request your guidance!"
Facing someone like Anfiya who was intentionally trying to be friendly, Luo Qingyan naturally wouldn't say anything improper.
After all, even if she acted out of petulance, it was only in front of Lin Ran...
Once outside that comfort zone, she was quite intelligent and composed.