Is the person you sculpt as cute as me?

Italia was in no hurry to continue the conversation.

She opened the glass case and pulled out dark tobacco that looked like wood chips, rubbing them in her hands.

With the help of the oil accumulated during fermentation, the tobacco leaves gradually spread out and were sprinkled into the silver pipe in her hand.

She pressed the tobacco leaves with the pencil she had used to write odds on, then lit a cigarette, puffing on it and slowly igniting the smoke in the pipe.

then--

The green smoke that came out of her mouth did not dissipate in the air, but instead transformed.

It was a series of illusions, a silhouette of a girl holding a sword, winning countless victories on various stages.

They flash back constantly, but fade away quickly.

"I am the most ardent supporter of "Reverse All Things". I am extremely eager to see her blade shine again in the old world, but I don't want my love to be tarnished."

Italia said—

"So, if you cannot shatter this illusion of the past, you are unworthy of reaching the so-called...true ending in the old world."

This ancient god knows many stories, including those of those who have passed the level.

She looked at the cat with great enthusiasm.

"If this were the real you, you would shatter this shameful illusion of failure and reveal yourself to the world... That's right, right? Not a bland victory, a lighthearted one."

Italia came uninvited, simply to satisfy her own pursuit.

She hopes to personally witness "Going Against All Things" erase the stains of the past and create perfection in this history.

"So! I built a stage to match you," said Italia.

“…I can’t play again. I’m the coach.”

But——Senior Cat was persuaded.

Indeed, it was very annoyed because its dream was inexplicably obstructed even though it was right in front of it.

But after it calmed down, it understood.

If they can't even erase the stain of the old world, then they will be unable to do anything in this week.

It can only become as Yu Man said - another insignificant "waste of manuscript", and then forget everything.

"Going against all things" no longer shouts and curses.

Just a declaration—

"I will ask my teammates to easily defeat my past self. Yes, I will move on from my past failures."

"Then I'll wait and see." Italia was equally excited.

but--

Senior Cat is very familiar with Italia.

In addition to being in charge of athletics, she also oversees the "gambling" that is always associated with it.

So, Senior Cat proposed: "I want to place a bet."

260 Transition Transition

Senior Cat was so agile that she seemed to be able to climb to the sky. In order not to be inferior to others, she refused Yu Man's embrace and jumped onto the door instead.

The big, slightly fat white cat stood on the door that was only a few centimeters wide, overlooking the ancient god who spanned two worlds and held two powers.

"Well, Italia, do you want to make a bet with me?"

"My divine authority doesn't allow me to refuse, but only if it's fair." Italia said this, taking a light puff from her silver pipe, then looked towards the proud white cat. "How do you want to play it? 'Defy All Things.'"

"It's simple. I bet on us to win, and you bet on us to lose."

"Where are the chips?" Italia asked.

"The chips? They are the future of me, a level-clearer. If I lose here, my life and all my hard waiting will be in vain, because I will be covered in dust forever."

That is both Senior Cat's bargaining chip and what he will lose if he loses.

Italia exhaled smoke, but the divine power she held was singing loudly, saying that the price she paid was extremely heavy.

She did not refuse.

Just asking the next question -

"What do you want to win from me?"

"It's simple. I was defeated by you last time, and unfortunately you branded me with the image of defeat... I want you to erase it. And... reward me with the victory I deserved back then."

Italia was silent for a moment, her eyes narrowed. "Is that all?"

Cat-senpai——no, "Going against all things" was declared at this moment.

"That's enough. After all, we are very strong, so the odds will definitely be tilted."

"...Okay, I can accept that."

"Then thank you in advance. When I return to the old world, I will at least have a novice gift pack."

Neither Senior Mao nor Yu Man had anything else to talk about.

They understood the whole story and realized that the matter was actually very simple.

I also deeply understand that I need to win, and it won't be easy.

But there was another teammate who had something to say to Italia.

"Did Lies grant you the privilege to participate in this competition?" Time asked seriously.

Unlike her previous high profile, Italia's aura instantly dissipated, and she became a humble little person: "...No, it's me."

Just as Senior Cat once introduced, "Time" is the most powerful thing in her cognition.

Moreover, he is a root deity that is far above the world itself and at a higher level.

Even though Italia can appear in reality and fabricate contestants and even teams, all of this is just a part of the story in the eyes of "Time".

"It's you...Okay, that's good."

Time laughed heartily because Italia didn't feel like she was lying.

Thus – the lie became the truth.

……

After leaving the other team's lounge, Yu Man held Senior Cat in his arms, with "Time" by his side, and started on his way back.

There were arguments coming from the doors of some locker rooms, people slamming doors and smashing things, and some teams were preparing to go on the court.

The Spring Tournament has captured the hearts of many participants. Just by walking along this corridor, one can clearly feel the powerful atmosphere brought about by money and victory.

Unfortunately, Yu Man has no chance of having all this.

She immersed herself in the next challenge, thinking about how to deal with it.

Unfortunately, Yu Man does have a few ideas.

She whispered to the cat on her shoulder, "Senior Cat, I like to be clever and don't mind playing dirty tricks, so the first way I can think of to win might be a little weird. Do you want to hear it?"

"listen."

"You see, that god used the mark of your failed forms to infect ordinary people, just like a spirit, so we just need to deal with ordinary people."

"……Well."

Yu Man continued, "Besides that, hacking into the other party's equipment is also quite effective. All our numbers are stored there."

"……what."

These were the simplest and most effective options, but Yu Man had a third one: "Or, I could spend a fortune hiring Lao Huo—also known as the 'Melting World Dragon'—to burn down the 'Land of the Branded Past' and his damned divine authority as well."

After listening to him, Senior Cat felt that there was something wrong with Yu Man.

Shouldn't this be a thrilling head-on confrontation, and then victory?

Why do you want to skip class?

But Senior Cat really thought it was a good idea: "The third option might work... Then the question is, what do you mean by huge sums of money?"

"Let's buy some ice cream for Lao Huo. After all, the "Land of the Branded Past" and that deity aren't the cornerstones of the world's order; they're just there for fun. Hmm... Lao Huo should be happy to help me."

"…For you?"

"If ice cream wasn't enough..."

At this moment, Yu Man found that his face was poked.

Having overheard this "time" of the present, she pointed out the core of the problem with great interest: "If it's the 'Melting World Dragon' who's doing it for you, ice cream won't be enough. She'll want you in person."

"……what?"

"Don't you realize that the 'Melting Dragon' actually likes you?"

Is there such a thing?

Yu Man stared back, "Niao Laowu, readers like you are really not worth mentioning. Whenever you see someone you're close to, you talk about love and romance and just want to see them get together. It's really despicable."

Time froze in place and burst out laughing.

"But the World-Melting Dragon really likes you very much."

"...Look, that's friendship, Bird Old Five. Lao Huo and I went from being enemies to being friends, and we've been using each other until today, without any impurities."

"If not, then there won't be."

"Time" no longer dwelled on this topic, but instead stroked the cat senior.

The latter let out a "meow" in understanding, and understood everything.

Through this moment, through Yu Man, "Time" and "Go Against Everything" reached a certain consensus, and the relationship finally took a step forward.

Time warned, "In short, if you allow the World-Melting Dragon to take action, the price will be very strange. You'd better think of another way... especially in this round."

"Then let me think about asking Miss World Tree Shimlabakken to help..."

"...Don't you have any other ideas?" Senior Cat couldn't help but ask.

Yu Man pondered for a moment. "Well, there's another one I've got up my sleeve. In the reflection of the old world, there's a special old god called 'Dreams Are in Bubbles.' This one should be able to do it, too."

Senior Cat gave Yu Man a claw and said, "No, can you solve it yourself and win the Phantom of the Old World like a master!"

"I just don't want to fight with you. It's so troublesome."

Yu Man is a bit strange in this regard.

When faced with a tough problem, she would first think of other shortcuts.

But those shortcuts often lead to bigger troubles and tougher nuts to crack.

But as long as it can solve the problem, she is willing to put in more effort and pay more price for other shortcuts.

She is such a complex person, she can always decide which path she wants to take.

Especially last week - she didn't want to spend time on the "Three Secrets", so she just bypassed everything and became the only player who could reach the "Final Place" so far, and in this way, she got to know the owner there.

"Then..." Suddenly, Time suggested, "You have a fourth option."

"Oh? What's Bird Old Five's trick?"

She whispered, "I can help you resolve this problem and allow 'Reverse All Things' to return smoothly... although the price will be slightly higher."

Yu Man suddenly became alert: "Could it be the same price as Lao Huo's? Did you use Lao Huo's name to express what you wanted?"

After a moment of silence, "Time" pretended that he had never said what he had just said and naturally changed the topic.

"Peter Kamenzin chose to return to nature because he came from a beautiful hometown, a place he could return to by nature. Most mortals don't even have the choice, and can only travel to that mysterious country, Yuman! That mysterious country where no traveler has ever returned!"

Yu Man stared at her, feeling very guilty about the sudden bird chatter.

Under these gazes, Shi Guang covered his face with his hands and continued, "Anyway, everyone's been waiting for us for a long time. It's time to go back and watch other games."

Senior Cat took all of this to heart - alas.

Every person who passes the level has his own difficult problems to overcome.

……