Loathing

#Strategic Analysis of Yuanshi Tianzun's Victory Over the Maoshan Daoist# Weren't they supposed to keep battle details confidential? Zhang Yuanqing stared blankly at the pinned post. He had come here to bask in flattery and indulge his vanity, but if an analytical breakdown like this laid bare all his items and skills... Well, with so many spectators on site, keeping secrets was largely pointless anyway. Once an arena tournament was held, keeping contestants' information private became impossible. What the official faction truly guarded against was contestants' data being peddled en masse, especially to evil professions. Banning trump-card items and items two levels above the user was, in hindsight, actually a way to allow contestants to keep their ultimate cards hidden. As for items used in regular combat, news of them would inevitably leak over time unless one never fought anyone. With his thoughts drifting, he clicked open the thread: "We extend our gratitude to the eighty contestants who, on the opening day of the arena tournament, delivered intense and magnificent battles, showcasing the vibrant vitality of our official shiftees. "Among them, the match between Yuanshi Tianzun and the Maoshan Daoist was nothing short of phenomenal—the undisputed clash of the day. Following the match, countless colleagues engaged in spirited discussions on the forum, leaving a lingering aftertaste. "As per tradition, let us analyze the highlights of this showdown. Following our discussions, this battle can be broken down into six phases: "Phase One: Yuanshi Tianzun opened with deceptive tactics, catching the Maoshan Daoist completely off guard. This was a remarkably clever move; whether facing a superior or inferior foe, one must learn to resolve the enemy at the lowest cost. Regrettably, it was neutralized by the Maoshan Daoist's yin corpse." Hmm, no mention of items or specific mechanics. If that's the case, an analysis like this isn't bad... Zhang Yuanqing nodded in satisfaction and continued reading. "Phase Two: The Maoshan Daoist launched a counterattack, utilizing the yin corpse as the main force while his true body launched sneak attacks from stealth. Anyone familiar with Night Rovers knows this is the class's most classic combat style. With the aid of his yin corpse, he indeed suppressed Yuanshi Tianzun... Please pay attention to the pistol-tossing maneuver. When Yuanshi Tianzun performed this action, he had already anticipated that his attack would be ineffective against the Maoshan Daoist. Thus, when the Maoshan Daoist struck, he conjured an illusion, slipped into stealth behind the Maoshan Daoist, caught the pistol, and fired—a seamless, flowing offensive sequence." Night Rover skills were not confidential, and the fact that the Maoshan Daoist possessed a yin corpse was no secret either. In contrast, Zhang Yuanqing's gun was a bit more sensitive since it was an item, but official shiftees were standardly issued firearms anyway. "Phase Three: The two traded blade strikes. The Maoshan Daoist emerged unscathed while Yuanshi Tianzun suffered an abdominal wound. At that moment, I believe many people broke into a cold sweat on Yuanshi Tianzun's behalf. Fortunately, Night Rovers possess formidable vitality, so a wound of this scale was negligible. However, this step was exceedingly crucial—let us table it for a moment. "Phase Four: One of the climaxes of the match. The Maoshan Daoist accurately deduced that Yuanshi Tianzun, under heavy pressure, would prioritize dealing with the yin corpse, and thus laid an ambush beforehand to lie in wait. This tactic was truly formidable, driving Yuanshi Tianzun directly into a desperate corner. "Phase Five: Yuanshi Tianzun played a hidden trump card, breaking the lethal trap and subduing the yin corpse. "Phase Six: The Maoshan Daoist was defeated. "For colleagues who watched today's match, the reversal from Phase Four to Phase Six was extremely abrupt, yet remarkably seamless—so seamless that the Maoshan Daoist had virtually no room to resist and suffered a swift defeat. "Consequently, many spectators failed to grasp what had happened in the moment: Why did it unfold like this? Even now, quite a few likely have not understood the key points. Allow us to analyze why Yuanshi Tianzun won so smoothly. "The true turning point of the battle began in Phase Three. As mentioned earlier, that clash of blades was paramount. While it appeared that Yuanshi Tianzun was heavily wounded, the one who actually suffered was the Maoshan Daoist; those in the know understand what he lost. Come Phase Four, Yuanshi Tianzun fell into dire straits. At first glance, his defeat seemed certain, yet everyone should have noticed that he was trapped for only a second or two before an issue arose with the Maoshan Daoist's yin corpse. Evidently, Yuanshi Tianzun did this on purpose. He deliberately walked into danger specifically to draw the Maoshan Daoist's full attention onto himself rather than his contingency..." Not a bad analysis at all. The guy posting this must be quite high level. Zhang Yuanqing curled his lip. He had indeed walked into the trap deliberately; only by doing so would the Maoshan Daoist fail to notice Little Doubi. Under normal circumstances, the emergence of a spirit servant could never escape a Night Rover's notice. To pull off a surprise attack on the yin corpse, he had to divert the Maoshan Daoist's attention entirely. "The Maoshan Daoist took the bait as expected, the cost being the dismantling of his lethal trap and the 'loss' of the yin corpse, his primary combat asset. Afterward, he intended to exploit his 'Night Walk' skill to stall for time and seek an opening, but Yuanshi Tianzun revealed his final trump card, preventing him from entering Night Walk. "By this point, everyone will realize that every single one of the Maoshan Daoist's options—skills, items, and yin corpse—had been countered. How could he not lose? Yuanshi Tianzun played a game of chess with us all: testing the waters in Phases One and Two, laying the groundwork in Phase Three, and finally sweeping through in a single surge of momentum to vanquish a formidable opponent. "All we can say is that he truly lives up to his reputation as a genius who cleared two S-rank dungeons and one high-difficulty A-rank dungeon. A figure like this cannot be measured by a few visible lines of data. Let us look forward to his subsequent performances." Beneath it lay thousands of comments. [Earth God: The young man is indeed impressive. He knows how to use his head. The more youngsters like him, the better.] [World Returns to Fire: After watching this match, I'm sold. Clearing S-rank dungeons wasn't just luck—the guy's got real chops. Looking forward to fighting Yuanshi Tianzun, preferably inside a dungeon.] [Qingsongzi: Beating Yuanshi Tianzun is actually simple—run! Just keep running...] [Jiang Jingwei: What is all this gibberish? I can't even understand it. Fighting is so simple, yet Yuanshi makes it all fancy and convoluted. If it were me, I'd have taken down the Maoshan Daoist in two or three moves.] Comments from several star-tier contestants had through-the-roof upvotes, topping the thread. [Affectionate Jenny: Holy crap, so there were that many details? I was completely bewildered the whole time this evening, okay? The Maoshan Daoist was so dominant, yet he inexplicably lost. The turnaround caught me totally off guard. Now I finally get it—is this what they call a pro gamer?] [Wangfei: Uh... I feel like my brain isn't big enough for this. At best, I can think two steps ahead for every step I take, but Yuanshi Tianzun felt like he calculated from opening to finish. Is he even human? Do Night Rovers get brainpower buffs?] [Lairifangzhang: Every link connected! He had already planned out the entire fight before it even started. Before, I only thought His Venerable Tianzun had monstrous talent, but now it's much clearer.] [Quri Kuduo: Holding back his trump cards and teasing out the Maoshan Daoist's arsenal bit by bit. Tsk, extremely risky. During Phase Three, I was shocked by how quickly Yuanshi Tianzun took a hit, but it turns out he was setting the trap.] [Dajiba: My brain completely can't keep up. How does he think ten steps ahead for every step? How did I never notice this kid was so strong before? When he fought Hengxing Wuji, I remember him being all clumsy.] [Please Call Me Queen: He's improving rapidly. Back when we fought Li Xianzong in the dungeon, he didn't have anywhere near his current combat skills. Tactically, there were already glimpses—he was good at devising plans, but unrefined. This match against the Maoshan Daoist changed my opinion drastically. Next year, I'm applying for a transfer to Songhai to join Yuanshi Tianzun.] [Li Dongze: Yuanshi fought well; my painstaking cultivation of him over this period hasn't gone to waste. @Please Call Me Queen, don't bother coming. Team Two is full.] [Please Call Me Queen: Who is this dumbass? None of your fucking business.] [Grand Academician of Wenyuan Pavilion: @Wangfei, the ones with brainpower buffs are us Scholars. Tsk, Yuanshi Tianzun simply possesses formidable combat talent. The post is right: a person like him truly cannot be evaluated by a few numbers. I'll revise my assessment of Yuanshi Tianzun. However, not to pour cold water, but based on the combat prowess and items he's shown so far, breaking into the top five will be tough, and the top three is basically out of the question. Feel free to prove me wrong.] [Please Call Me Queen: Another dumbass! Let me bookmark this first so I can smack your face in real life later.] Sure enough, flexing is humanity's most primal source of joy. I need to flatter Fu Qingyang even more in the future—it's a guaranteed win-win... Zhang Yuanqing lost track of time, utterly immersed in the wave of adulation. *** In the capital, beneath a scholar tree. Sun Miaomiao, clad in a little black dress, stood beside a rocking chair and murmured like chanting a spell: "I want Yuanshi Tianzun's little infant spirit... I want Yuanshi Tianzun's little infant spirit... I want Yuanshi Tianzun's little infant spirit..." She had been chanting from dusk until late at night. After leaving the arena, the image of the little infant spirit repeatedly flashed through her mind—that chubby, rounded little body, so utterly cute in its nakedness; those glistening, dark eyes, devoid of the hatred and malice typical of vengeful spirits, pure as gemstones. That sparse fine baby hair was the very symbol of its sweetest age. How could such an infant spirit exist in this world? How could there be such an adorable little creature? Sun Miaomiao shrieked, "Ahhh! I don't care, I just want him! Without him, I won't be able to sleep tonight!" "I don't have him, I don't!" Elder Sun replied, thoroughly exasperated. "I'll say it again: defeat Yuanshi Tianzun, and I'll let Xiao Hong play with you." "Xiao Hong is great too, of course, but... but..." Sun Miaomiao's affections had already shifted, though she couldn't say it in front of Xiao Hong; Xiao Hong was a sensitive little girl and would be heartbroken. "But I still want Yuanshi Tianzun's little spirit servant! If you don't get him for me, I'll go assassinate Yuanshi Tianzun!" Sun Miaomiao fumed. "Who would refine a newborn baby into a spirit servant?" Elder Sun snapped in irritation. Grandfather and granddaughter suddenly froze, their brows furrowing together. *** In a villa, inside a dimly lit study with an ambiguous glow. A woman in a silk nightgown reclined languidly on a chaise longue. The hem fell to her knees, revealing calves as smooth and fair as jade. Within the plunging V-neckline lay a soft, creamy expanse of snowy white. Propping her lovely head with one hand, she cast a gaze brimming with softness and allure, smiling. "Am I beautiful?" Rushed breathing echoed in the dim study. The figure hidden in the shadows spoke in a hoarse voice, "Beautiful... extraordinarily beautiful." Zhu Rong's smile grew increasingly charming and seductive. She lightly bit her lip. "Do you want me?" "Yes, I want you!!" the voice let out a short, choked cry. Zhu Rong chuckled seductively. "As long as you promise me one thing, I will take you as my male paramour. You can have me however you please." The man in the shadows pressed, "What thing?" Zhu Rong curled the corner of her lips. "If you encounter Yuanshi Tianzun in the arena tournament, fetch me his blood, hair, fingernails, flesh... anything will do." The man in the shadows fell silent. After a dozen seconds, his voice regained a measure of composure: "What do you want to do? Yuanshi Tianzun has Class A merit to his name. He's not like ordinary Transcendent-stage shiftees. By merit alone, most Deacons don't possess his standing. "As for talent, you saw his performance today. The higher-ups of the Five Elements Alliance will only value him even more in the future. I advise you not to play with fire and burn yourself." Zhu Rong giggled: "Do I need you to tell me how to do things? There are many ways to destroy a person. For instance, controlling him, training him, making him fall beneath my pomegranate skirt and become a thrall who comes and goes at my beck and call! "If he can't withstand the temptation of beauty, who else can he blame? Even the higher-ups of the Five Elements Alliance won't be able to find fault with me." The man in the shadows said, "Are you targeting Yuanshi Tianzun because of Chi Yue'an?" "Not entirely..." Zhu Rong's smile faded. A complex mix of emotions flashed through her soft, alluring eyes—loathing, fear, obsession, and an unspeakable sentiment. Gritting her silver teeth, she said, "I detest every single young, exceptionally gifted Night Rover. I want to trample all of them beneath my feet, train them, enslave them, strip them of all dignity, yet make them fall deeply, hopelessly in love with me!" How twisted... The man in the shadows fell silent. After a long while, yielding to the lust deep in his heart, he whispered: "Fine! I promise you!" *** Late at night, Zhang Yuanqing, having slept his fill during the day, sat full of energy before the television playing video games. Beside him sat Little Doubi, perched obediently—such a tiny little thing that Zhang Yuanqing only had to turn his head to see the sparse baby hair on the infant's scalp. Little Doubi, who had already learned to manipulate objects telekinetically, stared intently at the TV screen, clattering away on the controller. On screen, the character slaughtered in every direction, slicing through monsters like melons and vegetables. In Little Doubi's innocent eyes flickered the purest, most primal delight. By now, his intelligence was already equivalent to a two-year-old child's. In reality, however, the controller in Little Doubi's hands was unplugged; the one actually playing was Zhang Yuanqing. Yet Little Doubi had no idea, firmly believing he was commanding wind and storm. A child was a child, after all. Playing games was Zhang Yuanqing's reward to him. Little Doubi had achieved great merit today and deserved to be rewarded, just as a father should reward his son for scoring one hundred on a test. Zhang Yuanqing thoroughly enjoyed their current dynamic. It felt like raising a son, even if this son's mother had nothing to do with him. Taking Little Doubi in back then had been the right choice. He deserved a second chance at life to experience this colorful, vibrant world, rather than wandering the mortal realm alone for a few days as an infant who died young, only to fade away in sorrowful regret. Just then, a buzzing static sound hummed from the desk behind him. Another dirty audio clip from the Demon Lord... Without a second thought, Zhang Yuanqing dropped his controller and rushed to the desk. Little Doubi froze. Looking at the suddenly frozen action on the television screen, then down at the clattering controller in his tiny hands, a look of profound confusion washed over his little face. Zhang Yuanqing slid open the drawer, gripped the Cat King Speaker, and entered Night Walk. The instant his form vanished, a woman's shrieks and the loud, forceful slapping of colliding flesh echoed in his ears. Amidst low, heavy pants, the Demon Lord's distinctly raspy voice sneered with cold laughter: "Didn't you claim during the day that you'd kill me to claim merits? Didn't you say you'd rather die than yield? I thought you were some paragon of chaste virtue, but who knew your cries would sound even sweeter than a Wood Demon's? "Zhu Rong... you're the sister of the Zhu family head, aren't you?"