Fu Lin followed Fu Shi's line of sight and almost choked on the milk tea he had just swallowed. He quickly stepped forward and patted March 7th on the shoulder, "March, what are you doing?"
March 7th suddenly turned her head, cheeks tinged with a faint red, stammering, "I'm… knowing myself and knowing my enemy…"
Fu Lin raised an eyebrow, smiling, "But why are you asking a bench that can't talk? Don't tell me sword practice has damaged your mind?"
However, just as Fu Lin finished speaking, the originally silent bench suddenly "spoke," answering March's earlier question, "On the field, there is only one person who is invincible in every battle, brave and unmatched among the armies!"
"Wah! The bench can talk?!" March 7th shrank back in fright, her eyes going round.
Fu Lin was also stunned. He stepped forward to gently touch the bench, trying to check whether it was equipped with some kind of artificial intelligence. But the next second, the bench suddenly spoke in a shy tone, "You naughty pevert~ why are you touching my body, how annoying~"
Fu Lin instinctively pulled his hand back, embarrassed, "Th-this… the benches on the Xianzhou are really something, actually able to talk. My mistake, March."
March 7th swallowed nervously, "It's also my first time seeing a talking bench."
Fu Shi appeared to the side, clutching her belly with laughter, "Hahaha, March, didn't the bench already answer you? The invincible one is me!"
Fu Lin slowly reacted, "scolding" Fu Shi, "Fu Shi, that was your trick, wasn't it? She's already silly enough, and you're still teasing her."
Fu Shi pouted and retorted, "Didn't you almost believe it too?"
March 7th let out a long sigh, muttering quietly, "Sigh, after Fu Shi startled me like that, all my nervousness vanished. Now I can calm down."
Just then, Jing Yuan and Dan Heng walked over at an unhurried pace, Yanqing following behind them.
Jing Yuan first looked at March 7th, his voice warm, "Miss March, there's no need to be too nervous. The Luminary Wardance is about learning from each other, victory or defeat is secondary."
Then, shifting the topic, his gaze fell on Fu Shi, "Lord Fu Lin, and Miss Fu Shi, these past days, thanks to you exposing the hidden Disciples of Sanctus Medicus in Luofu, much trouble was spared."
Afterward, Jing Yuan revealed a troubled expression, "But the Disciples are becoming more cautious. At this moment, on the Skysplitter, who knows how many of their claws are lurking in the dark. If they disrupt the Exhibition, it will be troublesome."
Fu Lin glanced at Fu Shi beside him and spoke, "General Jing Yuan, just say it straight. These past days, you've already gone through a lot of expense."
Fu Shi picked up, "Exactly, if you want my help just say it directly. I hate beating around the bush. Later I'll take a stroll, and I guarantee I'll catch all those 'big doggies' in one net!"
Jing Yuan's brow relaxed, and he smiled with a nod, "Then I must thank Miss Fu Shi. Yanqing."
Yanqing immediately stepped forward, responding, "Yanqing here."
"You will accompany Miss Fu Shi, assist her in capturing the Disciples," Jing Yuan ordered.
Yanqing straightened his back, cupped his fists, and accepted, "As ordered!"
Fu Shi patted his shoulder, pretending to be older and wiser, "Little brother Yanqing, just follow me. Those Disciples hiding in the dark, none of them will escape!"
Fu Lin couldn't help but interject from the side, "Don't just focus on catching the 'big doggies.' Remember, both of you are competitors in the Exhibition."
"Got it, got it!" Fu Shi waved her hand, then left with Yanqing.
Jing Yuan watched their figures disappearing into the distance, shaking his head with a smile, then turned, "Lord Fu Lin, Dan Heng and I still have important matters to attend to. We'll meet again at the Exhibition."
With that, he left with Dan Heng, heading toward the Scalegorge Waterscape.
Fu Lin looked around the now half-empty space and spread his hands, "Almost everyone's gone. I'll go grab a good spot in the audience."
Just as he stepped forward, March 7th stopped him with a hand, "Wait! Fu Lin, I need to call Master Yunli. She also wants to go see the arena."
, , ,
Upon reaching the audience seats, March 7th's eyes lit up instantly. Her steps quickened unconsciously as she grabbed the railing and leaned forward, "Wow! So this is how it feels looking from the audience seats…"
Yunli walked to her side, raising her hand to point at the platform below, "Look there, that's the arena we'll be standing on."
Seeing the packed audience, March 7th's voice trembled slightly, "Master Yunli, there are so many people. I think I'm getting nervous again… Can I really do this?"
Yunli patted her back, her tone urging, "There's no time left for nerves. The time has already come!"
At this moment, Fu Lin leaned in beside March 7th and handed her a piece of chocolate, "Eat this. Chocolate can effectively ease nervousness."
March 7th nodded, quickly took it, and stuffed it into her mouth, only to stick out her tongue the next second, frowning, her voice full of grievance, "So bitter!"
Fu Lin held back his laughter, "Well, at least now you don't have the mind to be nervous, right? I'll go join Kiana☆ and the others first. Do well, I'm rooting for you."
Saying so, he walked toward the audience section where Kiana☆ and the others were already waving to him.
Sitting beside Kiana☆, Fu Lin looked around but didn't see Mei☆, and curiously asked, "Why isn't Mei☆ here?"
Kiana☆ tilted her head, her tone puzzled, "Not sure. She was sitting right here just now."
Then Elysia stood up, smiling as she sat down on Fu Lin's other side, swaying her hair tips as she explained, "Mei☆ is also a competitor in this Exhibition. She's probably in the contestants' lounge preparing right now~"
Fu Lin nodded in understanding, "So Mei☆ also signed up."
Kiana☆ glanced at Elysia, then leaned on Fu Lin's shoulder, saying, "If I could, I'd want to join in the fun too! After all, when it comes to spears and swords, I do know a thing or two."
Then, with three distant chimes of a bell, the announcer's voice rang throughout the Skysplitter via the sound system, "Respected guests, dear competitors, welcome to the Xianzhou Luofu's Starry Luminary Wardance!"
"Before we begin the first round of the arena matches, the organizing committee proudly introduces the famous galactic host, Mr. Owlbert, who joins us today as guest emcee!"
As the words fell, a owl wearing a tall top hat and formal suit appeared on the stage, its clear voice echoing, "No matter whether your world has the concept of day or night, in any case, let me wish you a good morning, good afternoon, and good evening! I am your good friend, Owlbert!"
At once, cheers filled the Skysplitter.
Fu Lin stared at Owlbert on the stage, subconsciously rubbing his eyes, exclaiming, "Why does Owlbert's head look like that of a snowy owl? Or was the puppet deliberately designed that way?"
An Intellitron behind him turned to look, his gaze like he was staring at some strange creature, muttering, "Teacher Owlbert's true body is a talking snowy owl. To not even know Owlbert, what primitive planet did you come from?"
Fu Lin opened his mouth, but in the end could only force out an ellipsis.
At this moment, Owlbert's voice again spread across the arena through the sound system, "Before we officially begin the matches, let us give our applause and cheers to the most distinguished guests of this Luminary Wardance! They are-"