Chapter 107: The Finals Begin, Azure Dragon VS Vermilion Bird!
Four Spirits City.
Open-air stadium.
Today marks the finals of the Supernova Competition, and this stadium, capable of holding 100,000 spectators, is the venue for the event.
In the center of the venue, a massive arena has been erected.
The floor of the arena is divided into two colors, blue and red.
The blue side is adorned with the Azure Dragon motif, representing Azure Dragon Academy.
The red side features the totem of a roaring Vermilion Bird, symbolizing Vermilion Bird Academy.
As the start of the competition draws nearer, spectators enter with their tickets.
The stands are packed, including not only ordinary citizens but also agents from the Beast Tamer Guild.
The role of these agents is akin to talent scouts in the entertainment industry.
Talent scouts discover potential stars with talents from the crowd.
Agents discover gifted young beast tamers from various competitions.
In the finals of the Supernova Competition, those who take the stage are undoubtedly the most talented young individuals.
In a corner of the stands, agents wearing baseball caps, with pen and paper in hand, wait quietly.
Once the competition begins, these agents will evaluate the contestants' performances, compile scores, and relay the data to the heads of the Beast Tamer Guild.
Backstage, in the preparation room.
Murong Yangshuo paced back and forth.
"Where on earth has Xiao Xingyu gone?"
"He's not answering calls or texts!"
"There's only fifteen minutes left until the competition starts. He can't be planning to forfeit, can he?"
Murong Xinxin was warming up, stretching her slender, flexible waist, her long white hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall.
"Brother, call him again."
"I've already called him dozens of times, and every time I get the same response: [Sorry, the number you dialed is not in service. Please try again later.]"
Murong Yangshuo looked frustrated.
Murong Xinxin remained calm.
"Try one more time."
"Alright, I'll try one last time."
Murong Yangshuo took out his phone and dialed Xiao Xingyu's number.
This time, Murong Yangshuo heard a different response.
[Sorry, the number you dialed has insufficient funds.]
Murong Yangshuo was so angry that his chest heaved, barely containing his anger.
"Great, just great, at least now it's within the service area. If it's just insufficient funds, I'll top it up for you!"
In a fit of pique, Murong Yangshuo added a large sum to Xiao Xingyu's phone balance.
At that moment, a text notification sounded outside the preparation room.
"Ding~"
"Mobile recharge successful: 100,000 yuan."
The door to the preparation room swung open, and Xiao Xingyu rushed in hurriedly.
"Xinjing, Yangshuo bro, long time no see, I've missed you!"
Murong Yangshuo's face darkened, and after a moment of silence, he stormed up to Xiao Xingyu.
"Xiao Xingyu, where have you been these past few days? Neither I, my sister, Director Chen nor the dean could reach you!"
"Yangshuo bro, calm down, impulsiveness is the devil."
"Enough nonsense, pay me back the phone bill!"
Murong Yangshuo was easily appeased; Xiao Xingyu's three words calmed his emotions.
Though a 100,000 yuan phone bill sounded outrageous, to Young Master Murong, it was just the cost of a meal.
Once his anger subsided, Murong Yangshuo deliberately used a cold tone to warn him.
"This time, I topped up your phone. Don't disappear again, remember!"
"Got it!"
"Good, your attitude is commendable... By the way, weren't you supposed to be back in Longyin City with your sister? Why did my calls show you're out of service?"
Murong Yangshuo hit the nail on the head.
Murong Xinxin was also curious, watching Xiao Xingyu intently.
"When Yangshuo bro was frantically calling, I was probably in the Thunder Mountains. That place is definitely out of service~"
Xiao Xingyu only dared to mutter this to himself, not out loud. After a moment, he decided to change the subject.
"Xinxin, you look beautiful today!"
"But there's a piece of willow fluff stuck in your hair, let me get it for you."
"And it seems there's something on your face too, let me get that for you as well."
Xiao Xingyu always found legitimate reasons to tease Murong Xinxin.
Murong Yangshuo frowned and gritted his teeth, saying, "You're really something, either disappearing or flirting with my sister when you show up!"
Murong Xinxin didn't mind either; her attitude towards Xiao Xingyu was different from anyone else.
The three chatted for a bit until they heard the announcement.
"10 minutes until the competition begins!"
"Contestants, please prepare and make your way to the stage for the opening ceremony!"
Murong Yangshuo adjusted his attire, his expression serious, even a bit solemn.
"Xingyu, little sister, it's time for us to go on stage."
"Brother, there's a tear in my dress. I'm going to change."
"Hurry back."
In the women's changing room.
Murong Xinxin found a hole in her dress that marred its appearance and planned to change.
"Xinxin, we meet again."
"Xie Lian?"
Murong Xinxin generally maintained a stoic demeanor in front of others, appearing as an unflappable ice queen.
Seeing the moderately attractive girl in front of her, Murong Xinxin's expression changed, her eyes conveying surprise.
Xie Lian, the daughter of Xie Zhong, the top strategist in Long Country.
In Long Country's power hierarchy, Xie Zhong's status was second only to one person.
The Empress Shangguan Lan held Xie Zhong in high regard, consulting him on national affairs.
"Xinxin, you didn't expect me to compete, did you?"
"I didn't. I thought the only opponent worth considering in this final would be Xie Wei'an; I didn't expect your siblings to both be here."
Murong Xinxin referred to Xie Wei'an, Xie Zhong's eldest son and Xie Lian's brother.
Interestingly, Xie Lian's last-minute entry added intrigue to the finals.
On the Azure Dragon Academy side, there were the Murong siblings.
On the Vermilion Bird Academy side, the Xie siblings.
The sibling rivalry added a sensational twist to the finals.
"Xinxin, although we're childhood friends, I won't hold back against you on the field!"
Xie Lian, though a sweet-type girl, exuded a sinister aura like an old witch when she said this, her eyes filled with violence and malice.
"Is that so? Then see you on the arena."
Murong Xinxin changed her dress and brushed past Xie Lian.
Leaving Xie Lian alone in the changing room.
Xie Lian looked up at herself in the dressing mirror, her crimson lips twisting into a distorted smile.
"Murong Xinxin, because of you, I was mocked for what happened back then. This time, I will have my revenge!"
Murong Xinxin and Xie Lian both came from prestigious families and had a history, but it seemed to be an unpleasant one.
Xie Lian adjusted her makeup, hiding her malice, and put on a sweet smile.
To outsiders, she appeared as a simple girl, but appearances can be deceiving.
Xie Lian exited the changing room, where a tall man awaited her.
This man was handsome, with features like a painting, but his expression was too stern, making him unapproachable.
"Brother, I'm ready."
"Alright, it's time for us to take the stage."
The brother Xie Lian referred to was her biological brother, Xie Wei'an.
As Xie Zhong's eldest son, Xie Wei'an was a prodigy in talent and strength, recognized as a national treasure and future successor to the strategist position in Long Country.
"Brother, wait a moment."
As they passed through the contestant's tunnel, just a step away from the arena, they could hear the cheers of the audience.
"What is it?"
Xie Wei'an paused.
"Brother, you know the situation between Murong Xinxin and me..."
"Yes, I know."
"I might not be able to defeat her."
"No worries, with me here, I'll help you regain your honor."
Translator notes: If you like my work you can support me here
https://ko-fi.com/zxc1015
Thanks!