Chapter 329: Chapter 329: Quite a Heavy Taste

This was Shen Lu’s first time in this game, so she didn’t quite understand what everyone was discussing. Since she was a guest and not on Fu Cheng’s friends list, she could only sit silently in her seat, waiting for the match to begin.

The chime for eight o’clock tolled, echoing through the massive arena.

All the lights in the arena suddenly went dark. A single spotlight shone on the center of the stage, where a young woman in a revealing outfit enthusiastically greeted the crowd.

"Good evening, everyone! Welcome to the annual Dragon and Tiger Cup finals..."

After the customary opening, a half-hour performance began, and Shen Lu watched with relish.

’As expected of a cyber-performance. There’s no need to worry about wire harnesses, so they can pull off any gravity-defying move imaginable. And the special effects are just being thrown around like they’re free.’

Forget the match—just watching this performance made the whole thing worthwhile for Shen Lu.

When the performance ended, the lights illuminated a huge ring in the center of the stadium. Special effects of a tiger and a dragon began tearing at each other on the ring. Accompanied by clips from the game’s CG, the host began to introduce the two finalists for today’s match.

Most of the people who came to watch the match already knew all this, so no one was really listening. Instead, they were quietly discussing the real identities of 66527 and Taoli Bubian.

"66527 is probably a talented player from a commoner family. I’ve seen all his match videos. His performance in the first match was terrible; he won by a fluke. But he got better and better, a classic case of ’the tougher the opponent, the tougher he gets.’ He’s fought his way here without a single loss. He’s a total legend."

"We’ve been speculating about who Taoli Bubian is for a while now. Based on when he joined the game, he should be a student in our year. But haven’t all the outstanding students from our year already gone to the front lines?"

"So Taoli Bubian probably isn’t a student in our year. It makes more sense that he’s a year below us."

"Not necessarily. What if he came back from the front lines? Didn’t the first batch that went recently return to the Imperial City?"

Shen Lu rubbed her chin. She couldn’t say for sure who 66527 was, but she definitely knew who Taoli Bubian was.

’He’s the male lead, Han Xu, also known as the famous Eldest Prince of the Imperial City.’

’And because he’s the Eldest Prince, he doesn’t have to go to the front lines.’

The game jogged Shen Lu’s memory as well. ’In the original story, Han Xu won. His opponent was still Fu Cheng, but his username wasn’t 66527. It was something like Leng Dao.’

’Did Fu Cheng change his name?’

’The plot is already diverging quite a bit from the book I read.’

Shen Lu clasped her hands in her lap. ’If possible, I hope Fu Cheng wins today.’

’I hope he proves to me that even though the main character exists, his plot armor isn’t as invincible as I thought.’

The long introduction finally ended. After a flurry of flashy special effects, Taoli Bubian vaulted onto the ring.

His entire body was encased in golden-red armor, and his face was covered, revealing only his eyes.

Han Xu never showed his real face in the game. His voice was also altered, and he was tight-lipped about his real-life identity, so no one knew who he really was.

His popularity in the game was just as high, and as soon as he took the stage, the crowd erupted in cheers for him.

Han Xu raised his arm slightly, acknowledging the cheers from the audience below.

66527’s entrance was much plainer. He walked up the steps to the ring one by one. He wore a full set of matte black armor, his face also covered, leaving only a pair of frosty eyes.

Having made it to the finals, his popularity was on par with Han Xu’s. But he didn’t have Han Xu’s amiable personality, and he turned a deaf ear to the cheers from the crowd.

Just when everyone thought he would remain cold and detached as usual, he suddenly turned his head, seemingly searching for something in the audience.

When his gaze landed on a certain spot in the friends and family section, the crowd keenly sensed his expression soften.

The people nearby followed his gaze, looking Shen Lu up and down several times.

"Wow, 66527’s taste is... intense..."

Someone muttered this, and immediately a fan of 66527 retorted.

"She’s obviously a guest. She chose to hide her appearance when she entered the game. That’s just a system-generated gender and look, okay?"

"Alright, alright, that’s enough. Watch the match."

Everyone’s attention returned to the stage. With the sound of a gong, the battle began.

Shen Lu watched intently.

It wasn’t that she was particularly interested in the fight, but seeing Fu Cheng so aggressive and in full command of his body was a refreshing change.

For a long time after they met, he had been lying unconscious in bed. She had taken him with her to her stall every day, rain or shine.

Later, when their situation improved and his injuries gradually healed, he still spent most of his time in his room, unable to take care of himself.

It wasn’t until he started going to the hospital for rehabilitation and got a wheelchair that his range of activity expanded a little.

But in her mind, that Fu Cheng was still a patient who needed to be taken care of.

Today, in the game, with the help of technology, he had whole arms and legs. Not only could he stand, but he could even trade blows with others.

’That’s right. The game has special effects, but the actual combat is restricted to the most primitive methods.’

’If only I were a descendant of an Ancient Martial Family,’ Shen Lu mused. ’I might not be able to compete when it comes to superpowers, but in a game like this, I’d definitely be a king.’

The battle was spectacular. It was clear that Taoli Bubian’s skill level was higher than 66527’s.

"66527’s movements are still a bit stiff, not as fluid as Taoli Bubian’s."

"That’s understandable. After all, 66527 is a newcomer, unlike Taoli Bubian. He’s participated in several Dragon and Tiger Cups. His best result in the past was second place. Looks like he’ll finally claim the championship this year."

"I still think it’s a bit of a shame. If only Fu Cheng hadn’t been injured on the front lines. He won the championship for several years in a row."

"A shame about what? Even if he wasn’t injured, he couldn’t have made it back for this tournament. Li Zenan, who went with him, is still at the front lines. He won’t be back until after the New Year."

"True."

The battle was drawing to a close. 66527 suddenly made a major error, and Taoli Bubian immediately seized the opening, pressing his attack.

But who would have thought this was actually a feint? 66527 executed a swift, acrobatic flip, his flexibility on full display, and planted a kick square in Taoli Bubian’s chest.

Taoli Bubian staggered back several steps, almost falling out of the ring.

According to the rules, being knocked out or forced out of the ring both counted as a loss.

A sharp glint appeared in Taoli Bubian’s eyes. He lunged, striking with both clenched fists.

66527’s lack of fluid movement was exposed again. He was unsteady after landing, and his parry against Taoli Bubian’s attack was rushed—but only slightly.

66527’s foot shot out, attacking Taoli Bubian’s lower body.

The latter nimbly dodged aside.

In a flurry of dodges and maneuvers, both fighters flew out of the ring, crashing to the ground together.

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