Absolute Choice 2

by Pear Lands In The Autumn Spring

  It was as though after the knife stabbed through, the black cocoon had turned into a liquid substance.

  Biscuit had previously seen superpowers that made solids turn to liquids, but there was no such thing as superpowers in the virtual world!

  "Peng!"

  At this moment, a gunshot woke everyone up from their daze. ThatTenderOneShot had pulled the trigger once again, but his bullet ended up colliding onto the black cocoon. It produced a metallic ping before the bullet shattered to the ground once again.

  The black cocoon was still the black cocoon!

  Then...how did this knife that seemed to stab into liquid without a sound do it?

  "Be careful! Stay away from the black cocoon!"

  A shout woke everyone up from their thoughts. It was Shi Xiaobai's voice!

  Everyone saw Shi Xiaobai pulling out the short knife quickly. The ease and speed which he did it appeared as though he had pulled it out of water. After giving a warning shout, he jumped away from the black cocoon at an extremely fast speed.

  The three-man team also reacted by running far away. They did not dare disobey Shi Xiaobai's warning.

  At this moment, a red beam of light shot from afar. It was like a burning flame that tore through the air, issuing a sharp sound that headed straight for the gigantic black cocoon!

  "Boom!"

  A red beam that shot forward clashed violently with the black cocoon, producing a tumultuous explosion. The aftershocks of the explosion caused dust to roll up and the surrounding trees to tilt diagonally downwards. DualBladesToTraverseTheWorld, who failed to withdraw far enough, was thrown to the ground in a miserable state by the blast of wind from the explosion.

  Everyone was stunned by the sudden change of events. However, before they could produce any exclamations, another similar red beam of light shot from afar.

  No, there were two beams.

  Hold on, there was another one!

  "Boom! Boom! Boom!"

  Three consecutive explosions resounded as black mist filled the skies and dust covered the black cocoon in layers. At the moment when the smoke dispersed and when the explosions died down, the sound of a fine, short and tiny but clear crack entered everyone's ears.

  It was like the sound produced when an eggshell cracked.

  At this moment, a gentle gust of wind blew. The wind was so tender and soft, but it dispersed all the dust, eventually revealing the black cocoon's state.

  On closer look, the black cocoon's surface was filled with numerous cracks!

  "It has shattered, the virus black cocoon has shattered!"

  Just as Biscuit managed a surprised exclamation, the black cocoon shattered completely like a ball of glass. It was reduced to numerous fragments that instantly turned into black mist, which quickly dug tunneled into the ground.

  WindWithoutTrace's body fell from midair and crashed to the ground with a thud. The fallen WindWithoutTrace's eyes were closed and his face looked serene, as though he was asleep.

  Biscuit heaved a sigh of relief and instructed the staff, "Inform WindWithoutTrace's branch head and wake WindWithoutTrace from his virtual immersion."

  From the looks of it, WindWithoutTrace had been saved.

  The four red beams had shattered the virus black cocoon, saving WindWithoutTrace!

  But...where did the four red beams of light come from?

  As the audience watched intently at the screen, they saw a person walking slowly out from the depths of the jungle.

  The person wore a white veil while adorning a white laced dress. There was a big pink bow tie in front of her chest, while pink hair rolled down to her shoulders. A crystal bow was held in her right hand, and like a fairy, she entered everyone's vision.

  "Princess Xiao Xiao!" Sweets exclaimed.

  The four red beams of light were Princess Xiao Xiao's crystal arrows!

  Biscuit said, "That is an A Class archery offensive skill—Crimson Netherworld!"

  Once a combat skill was at A Class or above, it was not something that could be grasped through the accumulation of time. It required extraordinary insights, so for Princess Xiao Xiao to be able to harness an A Class offensive skill at such a young age, she was indeed an impressive genius.

  Most importantly, the black cocoon had shattered because of the four arrows despite the three-man team being completely powerless against it. This sharp contrast impressed everyone.

  The audience began to applaud and cheer Princess Xiao Xiao, as the repressive feelings from before turned to elation.

  In the commentator stands, Sweets was also jumping in joy. The staff was constantly praising the excellence of the corporation's princess. The atmosphere was extremely lively.

  However, Biscuit fell silent amidst the din. His gaze landed on a corner of the screen. It was a shoulder that the cameras had forgotten.

  That knife, that knife that easily stabbed into the black cocoon. How did it do it?

  Princess Xiao Xiao's four "Crimson Netherworld" arrows were indeed powerful, but were they really enough to shatter the virus black cocoon?

  Most importantly, what did that knife do?

  What...did it change?

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  Chapter86 The Great Demon Lord Xiao Xiao

  In a stroke of luck, WindWithoutTrace was saved after the virus black cocoon was completely shattered. If it had not been a public competition, or if it had not been the stunning power of Princess Xiao Xiao's four shots of "Crimson Netherworld", or if not for...

  In summary, this outcome was indeed a joyous outcome. Compared to those pitiful players who were brainwashed by the Bishop of Virtuality in private games without the knowledge of anyone, WindWithoutTrace was considered extremely lucky.

  However, not everything had come to an end. This was because Princess Xiao Xiao raised her crystal bow once again. Having strung a crystal arrow, she had pulled her bow open.

  Upon seeing this, everyone calmed down.

  "Since everyone is here, it should be time to put an end to this boring game."

  Princess Xiao Xiao's cold voice smothered the joyful atmosphere that did not last more than a minute.

  The three-man team's smiles stiffened as the audience took a moment before they came round to the turn of events. They had nearly forgotten that this was all a virtual competition after the repressive feeling brought about by WindWithoutTrace's terrible encounter and the Church of Virtuality.

  As Princess Xiao Xiao sad, the nature of the competition itself was boring. It was just an exhibition match with a bit of competitive elements. Although it would affect the branches' results, or prizes and honors to the winner, that was all to it.

  Compared to the Church of Virtuality or terrorists organizations and the calamities that despaired an entire generation, this competition was trivial. As it nearly lacked any meaning, it appeared boring.

  Those who watched or participated in this virtual competition were just trying to find so-called fun in something meaningless and devoid of fun. It was just used as a way to comfort one's soul due to the harshness of reality.

  Now, Xiao Xiao wanted to end this boring competition.

  How was it to end?

  Xiao Xiao used her bow and arrow as an answer.

  Without any hesitation, she released her fingers, and with a twang of the bowstring, an arrow shot out with a swift, red beam of light! The red beam stirred up a dust storm and tore through the void, leaving a red temporary scar behind. It carried an explosive and sharp whistling sound with it.

  It was Crimson Netherworld!

  Everyone stared widely and felt enlightened but also extremely shocked. They were enlightened because they finally understood that Princess Xiao Xiao was planning on using victory to end the boring match as she mentioned. The reason why they were shocked was because the arrow's target was Shi Xiaobai!

  "Dodge!" In the commentator stands, Sweets could not help but cry out.

  The arr
ow was without warning because when Xiao Xiao raised her bow, she was already aiming it at Shi Xiaobai. However, Shi Xiaobai had his head lowered while he looked at the short knife in his hand, as though his spirit was no longer fused in him.

  And when the Netherworld arrow shot out, Shi Xiaobai remained dazed in his spot, as though he had no plans on dodging!

  "Boom!"

  After the explosion from the red beam, dust flew up as people saw the crystal arrow penetrate Shi Xiaobai's chest before sending his frail body backwards. A few trees were toppled one after another and soon, he was engulfed by the lush forest. Finally, he was pinned to an ancient tree.

  The cameras zoomed in to reveal that Shi Xiaobai had been pinned to an old trunk by a crystal arrow!

  The arrow had penetrated Shi Xiaobai's body, and the powerful shot had sent him flying tens of meters away. On his final pinned spot on a trunk, blood gushed out of his chest, dripping to the grayish-brown bark and the blackish-yellow soil.

  Despite being a virtual world, everything still appeared realistic. The bloody scene was extremely vivid that it stifled people as though they had witnessed a true death.

  The director hurriedly changed the scene to Princess Xiao Xiao standing there like a fairy. She looked nonchalantly in the direction where Shi Xiaobai had flown, but there was a tint of disappointment in her eyes.

  ...

  Xiao Xiao was indeed somewhat disappointed. Due to an academic task, she had to cultivate "Crimson Netherworld" to the Exemplary Mastery realm. Under her grandfather's suggestion, she had taken time out of her weekend to compete in the Battle Arena Corporation's weekly competition. She had even personally drawn up the rules to explicitly allow six to fight one. The goal was naturally to raise her offensive skill's familiarity level through battle.

  However, she was disappointed to realize that the six contestants were too weak for her. Targets that could be easily destroyed did not give her any improvements at all. She needed an opponent that was on par with her, one that allowed her to fight in an intense struggle.

  Unfortunately, amongst the six contestants, none of them was the opponent she was looking for, not a single one.

  Originally, she believed that IChooseDogLeading, who gave such a stunning pre-battle declaration, might be an impressive opponent, but she did not expect him to lack the courage to even dodge. Although the arrow was Crimson Netherworld, was there a need to be scared stiff?

  Xiao Xiao turned to look at the members of the three-man team who were rooted to their spots. She sighed and said, "Although it's a boring competition, can all of you please resist somewhat, can you?"

  With this said, the three-man team's breathing stagnated before they immediately reacted. What Princess Xiao Xiao said was right. This shocking competition had yet to produce a victor. They could still put up a fight!

  But...

  Just as GunfireInTheWorld thought of his fanny pack that was emptied of its bullets, he immediately turned around and ran!

  As DualBladesToTraverseTheWorld thought of how one of his two blades had broken, while the other one was lent to Shi Xiaobai, leaving him unarmed, he also turned around and ran!

  When ThatTenderOneShot thought how it was the greatest taboo for a sniper to be exposed to the enemy, he also turned around and ran!

  Although it was a boring competition, it still needed an outcome. It was expected for the contestants to strive hard for victory, as such, the three-man team did not choose to give up!

  However, knowing that they were no match, they did not choose to put up a stubborn resistance. At this moment, they very rationally chose to...temporarily retreat!

  "Pfft!"

  At this moment, several people snorted in laughter.

  The three figures that fled in different directions stunned the audience but they found humor in it. Instantly, they extricated themselves from the sorrow of how God DogLeading was taken down and gradually found the repressive feeling that the Church of Virtuality brought about dissipating.

  Wasn't watching a virtual reality competition just a form of relaxation?

  The way the three-man team simultaneously fled once again gave the audience a relaxing feeling of being able to appreciate the competition.

  Biscuit could not help but laugh as he said, "Everyone, the competition has just begun!"

  Before he finished his sentence, three red beams of light shot out. As three explosions resounded, three system voices echoed in response.

  "Contestant 'GunfireInTheWorld' eliminated!"

  "Contestant 'DualBladesToTraverseTheWorld' eliminated!"

  "Contestant 'ThatTenderOneShot' eliminated!"

  Just as Biscuit's voice came to a halt, the audience's smiles froze completely.

  Everyone's eyes spontaneously landed on the bow-wielding girl. Her transcendent bearing made her look like a fairy that descended down to the mortal world. The white laced dress and her overall stylish simple costume made her look like a pretty princess.

  However, this girl who was like a princess fairy had shattered the virus black cocoon with four arrows and killed four contestants with four arrows too. She could be said to be a Great Demon Lord!

  At this moment, Xiao Xiao's eyes were cold. The eight shots of Crimson Netherworld had barely given her any improvements. It was equivalent to the feeling of shooting fixed targets and it made her irritated. She was a person who always cherished time, so she was angry at having wasted her time on this boring and meaningless competition.

  "What was I expecting?"

  Xiao Xiao shook her head with a deprecating smile. She had hopes of meeting a worthy opponent in the virtual world who would give her an intense battle that she could fight heartily. This had motivated her to agree to her grandfather's suggestion. In the end, it was all her own fault.

  Her fault was to have misplaced expectations right from the beginning. If she did not do that, she would not have felt anger from her disappointment and feel regret over her wrong choice.

  Xiao Xiao put away her crystal bow and was prepared to quit the game. All she needed to do was kill the unconscious WindWithoutTrace to obtain victory, but that would result in WindWithoutTrace suffering a mental blow. She did not care for the outcome of the match, so she felt that quitting the game was the best choice.

  Upon seeing this, Biscuit could not help but sigh and say, "The competition is over."

  The competition was over.

  Was the competition really over?

  "Heh, Girl, that arrow of yours, can you send another hundred of them towards This King?"

  A weak voice was heard as a limping figure slowly walked out of the jungle.

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  Chapter87 I hope you would last longer

  The person who limped out was none other than Shi Xiaobai. His body was wrapped in a light red glow as his chest wound was healing at a speed visible to the naked eye.

  At the instant the Crimson Netherworld arrow was about to strike him, Shi Xiaobai was awakened from an undesirable memory evoked from the short knife. However, it was already too late for him to dodge. At the moment he focused himself back in the battle, the crystal arrow had pierced through his chest. The surging forces that entered his body seemed like they would rip his body apart at the very next moment.

  However, Shi Xiaobai's reaction was extremely fast. He immediately moved in the direction the crystal arrow was heading, allowing the force at which he moved backwards to offset as much of the impact brought about by the crystal arrow. This resulted in his body flying dozens of meters backwards into the jungle before he was pinned into a tree.

  Thankfully, the arrow did not stab into his heart. The terrifying impact the arrow brought with it had been mostly reduced because of his leap backwards. This was also the reason why he did not get instantly killed by the Crimson Netherworld like the three-man team.

  Shi Xiaobai immediately used the "Energy Pearl" and the stunning recovery effects di
d its job at pulling him back from Death's door.

  However, having suffered such a serious injury, even the "Energy Pearl" required a relatively long period of time to finish the healing process.

  As such, Shi Xiaobai had planned on waiting till the healing was done before he came out to meet the girl who had "sneakily attacked" him.

  Unfortunately, Shi Xiaobai understood that he could no longer wait after Xiao Xiao instantly eliminated the three-man team with her three arrows.

  He was constantly searching for a opponent who was on par with him. He wished to be locked in battle with his opponent, hoping for an opponent that could constantly threatened him, allowing him to repeatedly push himself to his limits and beyond.

  And Xiao Xiao might be the person he was searching for. He wanted to battle this girl!

  During the seven days of versus matches, Shi Xiaobai would occasionally encounter godly people at the level of Thomas who could easily destroy him. They made him lose extremely fast, resulting in insignificant improvements.

  As it was a match at the third level of the Psionic Mortal Realm, he would often encounter opponents at the corresponding level. These rookies did not provide him any value at all, but without any offensive means to quickly end the battle, he could only choose to quit. Back then, he also lost very quickly and barely improved.

  Only in rare instances would Shi Xiaobai be lucky enough to meet an opponent that he was evenly matched with. Every time he encountered such an opponent, his insights into Crab Steps would increase greatly because intense and difficult battles were the only way for him to break through his limits.

  Shi Xiaobai no longer lost himself in the past associated with a short knife. He recalled what was the most important thing for him now—become stronger, become stronger, and become even stronger.

  And Xiao Xiao's Crimson Netherworld was the hope he saw to make himself stronger.

  He began to anticipate, hoping that this girl was his match, allowing him to engage in an inextricable battle!

  He even had a tiny hope that she was able to shoot such a powerful arrow another hundred times. If that happened, wouldn't that be great?