After finishing all that, Yukong turned to look at the other two, who were still standing there in shock.
"I take first. You two get second and third. That way, everyone earns points. Understood?"
"Understood, understood!"
Amber nodded frantically, afraid that even a slight delay might make Yukong turn on her.
"Amber!"
Up in the stands, Eula covered her face. This was way too cowardly. There were two of them—why were they scared of her?
Clorinde clearly thought the same. There were two of them. Why be afraid?
"Amber, don't be scared. We can take her together."
"You're welcome to try."
Yukong turned around and stared directly at Amber. The message was obvious—if Amber agreed, she'd be taken out first.
"Uh… fighting isn't good. Let's not fight."
Amber was already terrified from earlier. Now that there was a way to earn points without getting beaten up, she naturally chose the safer option.
As for getting fewer points? That was fine. She trusted her teammates to make up for it later.
"You still have your magic. What are you afraid of?"
Clorinde was getting annoyed. How could someone be this timid?
"But… my magic isn't for fighting."
That sentence nearly made Clorinde spit blood. You could at least bluff!
"Heh. Wise choice."
Yukong gave Amber an approving look and turned to continue running.
"…Fine. I'll take second. But if you try to pass me, I'll beat you."
Seeing Amber was hopeless, Clorinde gave up on challenging Yukong. In her eyes, Yukong was too strong—she couldn't handle her alone.
But Amber? That was a different story.
"Okay."
Amber nodded obediently.
The Mondstadt players all covered their faces. This was beyond embarrassing.
"Amber… what happened to her?"
Collei looked completely confused. It hadn't been that long—how had Amber become this timid? Where was the courage she once had?
"Yukong is amazing!"
Feixiao cheered happily. Clearly, others couldn't compete with their side. Just look at Amber—too scared to even fight.
"Phew… good thing she got intimidated."
The rest of the Xianzhou group let out a breath of relief. If Amber and Clorinde had teamed up, Yukong might not have won. After all, everyone's abilities were restricted—one against two would've been tough.
With Yukong's intimidation, the three ran in a neat line, maintaining a strange sense of harmony.
The track grew shorter.
They had reached the final stretch.
"Sprint."
Suddenly, Clorinde accelerated. As she closed the gap, she struck without warning, hurling her wooden plank at Yukong.
"As expected…"
"I knew they wouldn't play nice."
Hearing the sound behind her, Yukong turned and blocked with her plank, then immediately jumped and counterattacked.
Whoosh!
The plank flew out at a sharp angle.
"Ow!"
It didn't aim for the head—but the leg.
Clorinde was caught off guard and took the hit.
"Damn!"
Her heart sank. With her leg injured, even second place was at risk.
"Hahaha! You fell for it!"
Amber suddenly raised her hand.
"Flight Technique!"
Her body lifted into the air as she shot toward the finish line.
"What the—Amber!!!"
"Well done, Amber!"
Mondstadt erupted.
So it was all part of a plan!
"Amber, go!"
Eula was thrilled. Staying back early and bursting forward at the end—that was the correct strategy.
"Hahaha!"
Amber was overjoyed. Scare me? Now I'll pass you all!
"Heh."
Clorinde suddenly let out a cold laugh and bent down to pick up her plank.
She finally understood.
Yukong had aimed for her leg on purpose.
To make her stop Amber.
Her own plank had been knocked far away earlier, but Yukong's had landed nearby. Even if the attack failed, it wouldn't go far.
Clorinde sighed helplessly.
Her leg was injured—she couldn't catch Yukong.
If she did nothing, Amber would pass her, leaving her in third.
But if she stopped Amber—
She could secure second.
"These Xianzhou people are really something…"
Completely cornered, Clorinde gave Amber an apologetic smile and threw the plank.
"Hey—!"
Amber, still celebrating midair, didn't even see it coming.
Thud!
She got hit and crashed straight down.
"Pfft!"
"That twist was wild."
"I can't stop laughing."
The spectators burst into laughter. Just moments ago, everyone thought Amber would win—and then came the reversal.
"Nice work."
Yukong smiled at Clorinde and crossed the finish line with ease.
"…Completely played."
Clorinde shook her head, limping across for second place.
"Ah… how could this happen…"
"What a disappointment."
"So close."
Mondstadt went from peak excitement to total despair.
Amber got back up and looked at the two already standing at the finish line.
Her expression nearly collapsed.
She almost cried.
The emotional whiplash was too much.
[Race Over: Yukong – 1st place, Gold Medal.]
[Clorinde – 2nd place, Silver Medal.]
[Amber – 3rd place, Bronze Medal.]
The announcement signaled the end of the obstacle race.
The first round was complete.
Belobog and Xianzhou were far ahead with 3 and 1 points respectively.
Next came the Sumeru–Fontaine alliance with 2 points.
Mondstadt followed with 1 point.
As for the others—thanks to Gepard's earlier "move," they all still sat at zero.
On the platform, Valerius picked up the microphone again.
"Ahem… first round complete."
"Next event: Hot-Blooded Hammer Throw. Please watch the VCR for rules."
The big screen lit up again.
In an open field, a muscular man stood inside a circular platform. At his feet lay a massive iron ball attached to a chain.
The whistle blew.
He began spinning, dragging the hammer. Faster and faster—
Then released.
The hammer shot out like a cannonball, crashing into the ground.
He ran forward, picked it up, and repeated the process.
Again and again—
Until the hammer finally reached the finish line.
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