Chapter 341: Bullying Newbies

Chapter 341: Bullying Newbies

Ji Xinghuo quickly withdrew his arm and asked with displeasure, "Miss Kalina, are you feeling alright?"

Zhao Manying's face also darkened.

Although they had speculated about this earlier, hearing Kalina say it aloud still seemed outrageous.

She was trying to drive a wedge between the couple. Imagine if it hadn't been Kalina speaking, but a man, and in public—Ji Xinghuo would have punched him in the face without hesitation.

Seeing the couple's intense reaction, especially Zhao Manying taking a couple of steps back to distance herself, Kalina's expression froze.

The three of them stood there awkwardly for a few seconds.

As the center of attention at the banquet, they drew the curious gazes of many guests.

Just as Ji Xinghuo was about to walk away, a relaxed smile appeared on Kalina's face. "It was just a little joke. Are all of you from the Asia-Pacific Community so humorless?"

She reached out towards Ji Xinghuo. "Let's formally introduce ourselves. I'm Kalina Olsen."

Ji Xinghuo did not shake her hand. Instead, he said in a low voice, "I'm not that familiar with you, and jokes should be made at the right time and place."

"I apologize," Kalina said nonchalantly, turning to Zhao Manying and enthusiastically saying, "Sword Fairy, we've faced each other in competition several times, and we've also shared the stage offline on multiple occasions. I've admired you for a long time, and I'm glad we finally get to meet in person."

"Nice to meet you, Miss Kalina," Zhao Manying replied coldly, without shaking her hand.

Kalina didn't seem embarrassed at all. "It seems I've overstepped my bounds."

"If you'll excuse me."

Ji Xinghuo and Zhao Manying turned and walked away.

The banquet began.

There were over thirty guests at the banquet that evening, so while it wasn't a large gathering, the scale was quite grand. There were more than two hundred servants and maids, and Princess Sophia had invited three top-tier culinary teams from Ivanagle to prepare dishes from various countries to cater to the different tastes of the guests.

Throughout the banquet, there were entertaining performances by the royal theater troupe and several globally renowned singers, taking turns to delight the guests.

Ji Xinghuo experienced the extravagance of a royal banquet.

In this historic royal manor, he savored exquisite dishes prepared by top chefs, drank wine more valuable than gold, listened to melodious music, and enjoyed the constant attention of servants. Around him stood Roman guards as still as sculptures, and the guests he conversed with were all legends and global celebrities.

The atmosphere, the feeling…

Even though Ji Xinghuo didn't crave material pleasures, he couldn't help but feel like he was part of the upper echelon, a cut above the rest.

Ji Xinghuo and Zhao Manying exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them. She didn't enjoy this kind of gathering either.

In fact, the same could be said for most of the guests from the Asia-Pacific Community.

The difference in national systems had led to a divergence in values. The education they had received and their worldviews told them that these were not the things people should pursue. It was fine to experience it occasionally, but one must not become immersed in it.

On the other hand, most of the guests from other countries were in their element at the banquet, fully embracing the luxurious surroundings as if it were their birthright.

Clap, clap, clap…

As a female singer from the Western Alliance finished performing a song, the guests applauded politely.

At that moment, Kalina approached with a glass of wine in hand.

"Please forgive my forwardness," she said, tilting her head back to finish the wine in one go. With a slight flush on her cheeks, she looked at Ji Xinghuo and said, "Mr. Ji, I really want to challenge you."

Even though she had lowered her voice and there was a band playing nearby, the guests in attendance were all powerful beings who could hear her clearly.

The guests listened quietly, their interest piqued.

Ji Xinghuo was getting annoyed.

This woman just wouldn't let up, persistently pursuing him. Before he could refuse, Zhao Manying spoke up. "Miss Kalina, Ji Xinghuo's ranking as the top of the Tower is well-deserved. His strength far surpasses mine, so please stop embarrassing yourself."

The guests at the banquet stirred slightly, their gazes involuntarily turning towards Zhao Manying.

Her strength was undeniable.

The dominance she had displayed on the competition field yesterday had forced even her opponents from the United States of America, including her most loyal fans, to bow their heads in acknowledgment.

And that was precisely why people doubted Ji Xinghuo's ranking.

Hearing Zhao Manying admit that her strength was far inferior to Ji Xinghuo's was still difficult to believe.

Kalina remained silent for a few seconds before replying, "I don't believe it!"

"He's just faster and more accurate with his shooting. Combat isn't only about those two things. If you want me to be convinced, you must face me in battle." Her mind was clear despite the alcohol, and her voice gradually rose.

Ji Xinghuo sat motionless. "Whether you're convinced or not has nothing to do with me.

Her voice thundered through the banquet hall, causing the lights to flicker and faint sparks of electricity to dance in the air.

Most of the servants and maids, being ordinary humans, were frightened by the display.

The band was forced to stop playing.

Princess Sophia quickly stepped in, her voice tight with suppressed anger. "Miss Kalina, you are out of line." She glanced at the legendary strongmen from the American Federation, only to find them standing by idly.

The other guests seemed to be enjoying the show.

In the world of Variants, regardless of the nature or cause of a conflict, it was always resolved through strength.

Ji Xinghuo understood this principle well.

He stood up and walked towards Kalina. "A challenge from the weak to the strong always comes with a price."

This was an unspoken rule on Earth.

Whether it was the Tower, the Legend Rankings, or other non-ADC rankings, when a lower-ranked Variant wanted to challenge a higher-ranked one and take their place, they had to be prepared to pay a price to convince the other party to accept the fight.

This price was one-sided, with no obligations on the stronger party.

"If you win, I'll sleep with you," Kalina declared, stunning everyone present with her bold offer, even by the open-minded standards of the American Federation.

Ji Xinghuo's heart skipped a beat.

To be honest, while Kalina's beauty was a notch below Zhao Manying's, she was still one of the top beauties in the world, with a fiery figure and a unique charm. Coupled with her fame and strength, she evoked a strong sense of conquest in men, attracting suitors like moths to a flame.

But he immediately realized what Kalina was up to.

Her target wasn't him; she was using her body as bait, setting her sights on Manying.

Damn! A scheming lesbian!

Ji Xinghuo cursed inwardly, sensing Zhao Manying's anger beside him. He scorned Kalina, "And you think you're worthy?"

Kalina's face registered surprise at his reaction, and the atmosphere turned awkward.

Everyone's expressions were fascinating—a beautiful woman had offered such a bold price, only to be ruthlessly rejected.

However, everyone could understand Ji Xinghuo's position; his girlfriend was right there, and any hesitation on his part would have dire consequences later.

This was the effect Kalina wanted, hoping to plant seeds of doubt between the couple by making Ji Xinghuo show the slightest interest.

But Ji Xinghuo didn't take the bait.

Kalina glanced at Zhao Manying and, seeing the intense dislike in her eyes, felt deeply insulted. She quickly added, "The Starfall Variant 'Polarized Energy Slash'—I know where there's a chance to obtain it. If you win, I'll tell you."

"Deal," Ji Xinghuo immediately agreed.

He hadn't heard of the "Polarized Energy Slash," but since it was a Starfall Variant, it must be incredibly valuable.

And being a magnetic field Variant, it would most likely be highly compatible with a Magnetomaniac like himself.

Fighting Kalina for information about a Starfall Variant was worth it—a warm-up before the global marathon.

"When do we fight?" Ji Xinghuo asked.

"Now!"

Kalina was eager, turning and transforming into a bolt of lightning that shot out of the banquet hall and landed in the estate's courtyard. It was a spacious area of over 100,000 square meters, adorned with simple flower beds and fountains, providing a wide-open space.

Ji Xinghuo followed suit and flew out.

The guests rushed out of the banquet hall and witnessed Kalina entering the combat form of a Thunder Machine Master.

As she landed, her dress was torn apart, revealing liquid metal that surged from beneath her skin, forming a full-body combat armor. Jet packs protruded from her back, legs, and joints, and she wielded a large Gauss pistol in her left hand and a sharp, glowing blade in her right.

In this combat form, Kalina's strength, speed, defense, and attack were all at their peak, with no weaknesses.

Her form was familiar to those who had watched the competitions.

Kalina's prowess on the field, far surpassing that of her teammates, was well-known.

The former number one on the Tower, now ranked third, was no pretender.

Ji Xinghuo landed on the grass, a hundred meters away from Kalina. He remained unarmed and didn't change his clothes, simply facing Kalina with his bare hands. However, he didn't immediately attack, instead looking towards Princess Sophia.

As the host, Sophia knew she couldn't stop the impending clash but fulfilled her duty as a host.

Bang, bang, bang...

The gunshots blossomed in the night, with Kalina locking onto Ji Xinghuo's head and firing off over a dozen bullets in an instant. As she unleashed her firepower, she propelled herself towards Ji Xinghuo at high speed.

Her rotating magnetic field was in full operation, her armored body resembling a cannonball.

Her battle blade slashed out with an electric glow.

In Kalina's eyes and those of the spectators, Ji Xinghuo's figure blurred, but instead of charging forward, he only flickered within a one-meter range of his original spot, like a flickering shadow, easily dodging all the bullets.

In the blink of an eye, he had closed the hundred-meter distance, but Kalina didn't stop firing.

However, even at such close range, not a single bullet hit Ji Xinghuo, and the electric glow of her blade swept out for over ten meters, aiming for his neck.

Bang!

A burst of sparks, and the numerous afterimages of Ji Xinghuo converged into a single true form.

Ji Xinghuo seemed as if he had never moved, still standing in his original spot. His right hand was covered in a translucent barrier, and on it were scales of azure, golden, and silver hues. With his bare hand, he effortlessly caught Kalina's battle blade, the electric glow unable to breach his defenses.

Kalina tried to pull her blade back while pressing the gun against Ji Xinghuo's head and continuing to fire.

Sparks flew as the bullets were deflected.

Ji Xinghuo's left hand lashed out.

Electric Spiral Force!

As he punched, he activated 'Dragon Madness', his strength surging as the spiral force slammed into Kalina's chest, while his right hand maintained its grip on her blade.

Boom!

Electricity erupted, and Kalina's armor instantly exploded, metal fragments flying everywhere as the spiral force penetrated her body, electricity ravaging through her. Even though she was a Magnetomaniac with high resistance to electricity, her body went numb with excruciating pain.

The metal armor on her body immediately flowed like liquid, swiftly repairing and reshaping to reestablish her defenses.

Ji Xinghuo unleashed another Electric Spiral Force.

This time, Kalina finally let go of her blade, her body flying backward.

Her armor discharged electricity, counteracting the force and restoring her balance. Her rotating magnetic field quickly dissipated the Electric Spiral Force, healing her wounds.

Ji Xinghuo's eyes flashed with electricity.

He released a small-scale electromagnetic pulse, and at the same time, a spiritual lightning bolt struck down from the sky, hitting Kalina's head. It created a hole in her armor, unable to harm her but disrupting the electromagnetic protection.

The electromagnetic pulse instantly disrupted Kalina's armor's internal systems, causing her to lose control and spin in mid-air.

Ji Xinghuo reached out and manipulated the metal!

Kalina was pulled back, and as she flew towards him, she was met with another Electric Spiral Force, sending her flying like a baseball.

Boom!

Electricity arced from Ji Xinghuo's fingertips, and a massive lightning bolt was released.

As he blasted Kalina, a section of the railing from the nearby garden broke off and flew into his hand, transforming into a spear. The released lightning attached itself to the spear, the dazzling electric glow illuminating half of the estate like a thunder god come to life.

In the sky, Kalina had just regained her balance, and her wounds were beginning to heal.

But before she could react, Ji Xinghuo threw the spear.

Electricity tore through the sky.

Kalina sensed the immense danger, and with her years of combat experience on the battlefield, she immediately unleashed her full power. Her metal armor thickened several times over, and a visible strong magnetic field appeared, attempting to deflect the spear and frantically dodging.

However, in the face of an overwhelming power gap, all her efforts were in vain.

Boom!

Kalina's magnetic field shattered, and her paper-thin metal armor was pierced by the spear, which penetrated her chest and abdomen, exiting from her back.

"Ah!"

Kalina cried out in pain as she was severely wounded.

Ji Xinghuo showed no mercy, releasing another electromagnetic pulse to disrupt her armor's control and manipulate the metal to pull her back.

As Kalina flew back, lightning crackled in the sky, striking her body repeatedly and leaving her unable to counter. She could only watch helplessly as she was pulled towards Ji Xinghuo, a massive fist looming larger in her vision.

Bang!

Ji Xinghuo's fist slammed down, shaking the courtyard, and Kalina's body was blasted into the ground, her consciousness slipping into a semi-comatose state. Her metal armor vanished, exposing her body.

He grabbed Kalina by the neck and lifted her face close to his, asking coldly, "Do you yield now?"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end