CHAPTER 310: CHAPTER 310: BLUFF, BIG BLUFF

Xiaoqing challenging herself was entirely expected by Ji You.

The question was—should she accept? Or should she refuse?

Ji You knew that if she wanted to advance quickly, at this stage she must maintain a win rate sufficient to reach 80%, which means, from now on, she had to ensure victory in every match as much as possible.

Logically, Ji You knew she should refuse; if she wanted to ensure her win rate, she had to choose opponents with weaker strength.

Emotionally, Ji You really wanted to accept. Xiaoqing, also known as Shen Changqing, was incredibly strong. Not only was his spiritual power significant, he grew up in a military family and had been receiving various combat trainings since childhood. Contesting with him, Ji You could learn a lot of experience. But—precisely because of Shen Changqing’s strength, Ji You couldn’t guarantee that she could beat him—

Hesitation lasted only a few seconds, Ji You chose to accept without hesitation.

How could she know she’d fail without trying?

She had nothing to begin with; the only strength she had was her unreserved courage.

Whenever faced with any problems or setbacks, Ji You’s thought was always to confront them head-on.

Phew~

The scene transition completed.

Ji You and Xiaoqing stood on opposite sides, Ji You looked at Xiaoqing, her expression unchanged, and slowly curled the corners of her mouth, "Xiaoqing, I’ll gladly take your 100 points."

Xiaoqing pursed his lips, showing no displeasure at Ji You’s taunt, and watched the tall, red-haired, black-eyed Rag Queen for a few seconds before suddenly asking, "Can I ask you a question before we compete?"

Ji You waved her hand, all generous, "Ask anything you like, except for my measurements."

Xiaoqing: "..."

The surroundings: "..."

The whole audience held their breath for a few seconds, and then the spectator seats erupted:

"Queen! Queen! How can you flirt with such a pure, weak, and kind Xiaoqing like that? That’s a foul! Yellow card for you! If you want to clear the yellow card, give us your measurements, haha!"

"Queen! Queen! I’m your little fan!"

"The Rag Queen not only has a cheeky and domineering combat style, but her personality is so playful too!"

"I’m done for! It’s the feeling of being smitten."

...

It could be said that after Ji You forced a rich player to self-destruct to save their mech with her absolute strength, and the battle spread through the Alliance University intranet, it instantly attracted countless eyeballs.

It was only after this battle that everyone genuinely acknowledged her personal strength!

Being a tough character who could counter-kill an opponent while surrounded by more than a dozen Tracking Particle Cannons, could she lack skill?

The Rag Queen had always used an antique mech, breaking the unresolvable deadlock of Tracking Particle Cannons—

She—really made a name for herself in this online competition!

At the same time, her fame was not merely limited to the previous Alliance East District but had begun to spread to the Alliance West District, North District, South District—

...

With the audience seats all filled, Ji You’s remark made Xiaoqing choked up a bit, but both of them ignored the noise from the audience. Xiaoqing took a moment and then straightened his face, seriously asking, "I want to ask you, why do you insist on using an antique mech?"

Shen Changqing could not understand this point.

Given the skill of the Rag Queen, she could completely switch to a more suitable, more practical mech, and if she were willing to change mechs, her current performance would be undoubtedly better.

Why not change?

Shen Changqing couldn’t figure it out.

Ji You was startled, not expecting Shen Changqing to ask this question. Seeing his serious, inquiring gaze, Ji You tried to maintain a calm expression, but her slightly stiff corners of the mouth still revealed a hint of her embarrassment.

Ugh...

This is awkward.

Because Shen Changqing’s question hit right in the feels.

Am I telling the truth?

Or am I spouting nonsense with my eyes wide open?

Sigh! Can’t help but say it, an honest person is just that, honest. Sometimes they’re so straightforward it’s infuriating! A single sentence hitting right on the bullseye, making you laugh and cry at the same time.

Why does Ji You always pilot an antique mech?

There are only two reasons:

The first, and most important reason, is that antique mechs don’t require points! As a stingy pauper, anything that doesn’t cost money, anything for free, in her eyes, is a good thing.

The second reason is that she only has six strands of Spiritual Silk, and can’t control the overly complicated and precise mechs for now. Therefore, an antique mech which doesn’t demand much of the Spiritual Silk and is free is naturally Ji You’s first choice. Of course, Ji You has also browsed the store, there are indeed about a dozen other mechs suitable for her to pilot, not just antique mechs.

But as said before, a pauper is reluctant to spend any extra money. At the moment, she can manage with the antique mech in competitions. If later on the antique mech really doesn’t cut it anymore, Ji You will not stubbornly stick to her ways.

Those are the only reasons, but can she tell the truth?

Can she?

Of course not.

Does she have no sense of shame?

So, Ji You put on a stern face, and when she looked towards Shen Changqing, with all seriousness and loudly declared: "I believe everyone knows that in terms of the energy system, weapon system, or operating system... it’s all the lowest end configuration you can find in a mech! But what I want to tell you, and everyone else, is that I chose it precisely because it is currently the most low-end, the worst mech!"

Huh?

The moment these words were spoken, the audience was wide-eyed: "???"

Xiaoqing was also stunned.

Ji You didn’t play coy and directly said: "I chose it because it’s weak. Because it’s weak, the obstacles ahead will be more numerous, and if I want to win, to achieve victory, I have to give it my all, utilize all my abilities, unearth all my talents and skills to fight every match. I—Rag Queen, want to challenge myself, and the one I want to surpass is also myself!"

Boom—

As these words came out, Shen Changqing felt his brain boom. He was completely dumbfounded.

It wasn’t just Shen Changqing; all the spectators were also struck dumb by Ji You’s crisp yet resounding words.

Truly, no one could have imagined it was for this reason.

Astonishment.

Shock.

Admiration.

...

All sorts of complex emotions flickered through the onlooking crowd.

After a while.

Shen Changqing looked up, gazing intently at the Rag Queen in front, and said: "I understand now."

Hmm?

Understood now?

Not just Shen Changqing, Ji You also sneakily glanced at the audience’s reactions.

It seemed that she really did pull the wool over their eyes, Ji You couldn’t help but reveal a trace of a smile, just about to declare the start of the matchup when suddenly she saw Shen Changqing with a grave look, seemingly determined, ready to make a very significant change.

Ji You was taken aback.

At that moment, Shen Changqing suddenly raised his hand, in front of Ji You and all the spectators, and brought out the mech used in today’s competition.

—An antique mech.

Everyone: "!!!"

Ji You: "!!!"