Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Building Momentum

Around the dining table.

Besides Wang Xi and the six seeded candidates, there were two women and one man. The three of them were young, with total scores just over 70, placing them seventh, eighth, and ninth respectively. They were some of the most outstanding examinees this year.

After the "showdown" between Wang Xi and Jiang Tianjie, the initially awkward atmosphere had become much more familiar.

Everyone started to chat casually.

After some simple introductions, Wang Xi learned that the girl with the single ponytail was named Zhong Shuang, the young man with slicked-back hair was Ruan Cheng, and the girl with baby fat and glasses was Ge Tian.

The three of them came from ordinary backgrounds. Setting aside an anomaly like Wang Xi, they were the true geniuses from common families.

"After today, all of you will be famous,"

Yu Jiali said, clutching a juice box and sipping from the straw.

"If we pass the third round of the assessment smoothly..."

"Hold on."

Wang Xi raised a hand, cutting off the girl’s attempt to jinx them. He met Yu Jiali’s confused gaze and said:

"Don’t pop the champagne at halftime."

"..."

Yu Jiali shot him a look, but she didn’t try to jinx them again. Instead, she changed the subject:

"Once the assessment is completely over, various factions will definitely come to recruit you. Do you have any organizations you’re interested in?"

Hearing this, the other five seeded candidates had little reaction, clearly already in the know. But they represented factions themselves, so they didn’t say anything.

But Zhong Shuang, Ruan Cheng, and Ge Tian were a bit surprised.

They exchanged glances.

"Sister Yu, do you have any suggestions?"

Ge Tian adjusted her round-framed glasses and asked politely.

"As for official departments, the Overlook Bureau coordinates all supernatural affairs and offers the most room for advancement. The External Affairs Class and the Disenchantment Class are the best places to be, but their entry requirements are high."

Yu Jiali put down her juice and spoke eloquently.

"There’s not much to say about the Defense Team. It’s responsible for handling disasters within the city, a home for the martial types, and the best place for real combat experience."

"The Security Bureau, besides maintaining basic public order, has special operations teams to combat supernatural criminals. The difficulty of promotion is a bit lower than at the Overlook Bureau."

"Overall, the benefits in official departments are quite good and conducive to long-term development, but don’t expect a high salary. If you want to get rich, it’s best to avoid them."

As she spoke, Yu Jiali pouted and added,

"Especially the Security Bureau. They’re stingy as hell, and you get fewer holidays."

Everyone looked at each other.

Yu Jiali then pulled a tray over, picked up an apple, and took a big CRUNCH, saying indistinctly,

"As for private organizations, being a freelance Professional Warrior at the Hero Association is a good choice. You can take on missions as you please, free and easy."

"I highly recommend semi-official corporations like the Hermes Trade Alliance and Cupid Housekeeping. The benefits are great, you get lots of holidays, and the salaries and bonuses are quite generous. Most importantly, there aren’t as many rules and restrictions."

Hearing this, the three commoner geniuses’ eyes lit up.

Wang Xi glanced at Yu Jiali.

’Is she deliberately trying to recruit for Cupid Housekeeping because she gets a bonus?’

He was actually right.

For recruiting new talent for the company, especially those who excelled in the Professional Warrior assessment, Yu Jiali could get a handsome bonus...

But what Yu Jiali said was also true.

"Miss Jiali, what about the conglomerates?"

The young man with slicked-back hair, Ruan Cheng, asked humbly.

"The conglomerates..." Yu Jiali thought for a moment. "You can get rich there. The salaries are the highest, and you can also enjoy internal discounts on various patented products."

"However."

She turned to look at the three seeded candidates representing the conglomerates and said teasingly,

"You won’t have much freedom at a conglomerate. Once you sign the contracts, it’s basically like selling your life away. I heard even your social media is monitored, and you have to file a report in advance just to date someone. All in all, it’s quite unpleasant..."

Hearing this, Lin Xin’Er ate her food silently without even raising an eyelid, as if it had nothing to do with her. Nagata An just smiled and didn’t deny it.

Carl frowned slightly.

"And even if you go to a conglomerate, I’d only recommend the big three. The rest are all pitfalls; don’t jump into them."

Yu Jiali finally said something fair.

Carl’s frown relaxed.

"Hearing what Sister Yu said, I’m leaning more towards the Hermes Trade Alliance..."

Ge Tian said with a smile.

Zhong Shuang and Ruan Cheng nodded in agreement.

However, the former still decided to go to the Overlook Bureau, while the latter, needing a large sum of money urgently, planned to wait for an invitation from the big three conglomerates.

Seeing her recruitment plan fail, Yu Jiali felt a pang of regret.

Her gaze shifted, landing on the black-haired young man.

"Wang Xi, what about you?"

"Miss Jiali, do I look like a scumbag to you?"

Wang Xi finished the last of his rice, put down his bowl and chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and smiled.

"I’m a very loyal person, you know."

Everyone gave them surprised looks, their gazes shifting between the two, as if they thought there was some history between them.

Yu Jiali rolled her eyes. Only she knew what Wang Xi’s subtext was... Since he was already with Cupid Housekeeping, he had no plans to switch for now.

"I can’t really say."

Yu Jiali looked the young man up and down.

"My intuition tells me you’re a great liar, especially when it comes to women."

"Miss Jiali, spreading rumors is against the law."

Wang Xi chuckled.

"You looking to get locked up?"

"I’ll pass on getting locked up, but you could get me some lychee-flavored lollipops."

...

...

After simmering overnight, the buzz around the supposedly "finished" Professional Warrior assessment didn’t die down; it grew even stronger.

It rocketed to the top of the trending charts.

The hype grew, causing a sensation throughout Valley City.

Typically, the new generation of Professional Warriors who passed the assessment would garner a lot of attention. This year, however, was an exception.

Public interest in the 19 new Heroes wasn’t high, as their spotlight had been completely stolen by the 10 participants in the third round.

Six seeds, one dark horse, and three commoner geniuses.

They were about to take part in the reformed practical combat assessment!

Especially the dark horse named Wang Xi, who had reportedly broken two Valley City records in the first two rounds, stunning everyone.

Once this news spread, it caused a massive uproar. Most people who hadn’t watched the live broadcast were now intensely curious.

「Early in the morning on June 16th, around 8:30 AM.」

The 10 examinees were having breakfast in the Hero Association’s cafeteria.

Wang Xi polished off his sixth boiled egg and was about to sit cross-legged to meditate, attempting to break through to the...

"Hey, what are you doing?"

At that moment, Yu Jiali, who was sitting next to him, shot him a weird look.

Wang Xi chewed his egg without raising his eyes, muttering nonsense about "thin spiritual energy" and "insurmountable bottlenecks."

"Alright, alright, still putting on an act. I knew I shouldn’t have asked what card deck you used yesterday."

Yu Jiali rolled her eyes, exasperated.

"I could tell at a glance that your deck wasn’t from the Profound Mysterious System at all, but the Fairy Tale System..."

GULP. Wang Xi swallowed the dry, pasty mouthful, glanced at the short-haired girl with smoky eye makeup, and thought, ’What time did this girl even wake up to have time for makeup?’

Then he shook his head, sighed, and said with a dejected look,

"There’s no hope for a breakthrough in this lifetime! The heavens are blind!"

"..."

Yu Jiali glared at him, then handed over her phone, showing him the screen.

"Look at this."

"A promotional poster for a Sect tournament?"

Wang Xi glanced at it and asked.

Yu Jiali fought the urge to hit him and said,

"Can you read fewer web novels? This is an ad for our assessment..."

Wang Xi took a closer look.

The photo showed a magnificent skyscraper. As he recalled, it was the Shanshan Conglomerate’s office building, which didn’t seem too far from the Hero Association.

All four exterior walls of the building were massive screens, displaying the same promotional image.

Flamboyant golden characters danced across the screen:

"Valley City’s 17th Professional Warrior Assessment, Final Practical Combat Stage—Exclusive Live Broadcast of the Maze, Premiering June 16th at 10:00 AM!"

Lin Xin’Er was front and center, her figure accentuated by a futuristic-looking, dark blue bodysuit. She had a black ponytail and a fair, indifferent face that was quite stunning. To her left and right were Carl and Nagata An in profile, each striking a cool pose.

As for Yu Jiali, Xiao Yuzhe, Zhong Shuang, and the others, they were placed further back, their images significantly smaller.

"Huh?" Wang Xi was confused. "Where am I?"

"This is you."

Yu Jiali zoomed in on the image with two fingers, pointing to the very top of the poster, at the back of the group... There was only the shirtless back of a figure, so small it was barely noticeable.

"So not only is my face not showing, I’m not even wearing a shirt? Shanshan Conglomerate is going too far!"

Wang Xi trembled with theatrical rage.

"They have a death..."

"You’re nuts!"

Yu Jiali finally couldn’t hold back and poked Wang Xi’s forehead with her index finger.

"They paid for the exclusive broadcasting rights, of course they’re going to promote their own seeded candidate! It’s inevitable that Lin Xin’Er will become Shanshan Conglomerate’s spokesperson in Valley City after this!"

"If you want to be front and center, go sign one of their indenture contracts. I guarantee you’ll be standing at the very front tomorrow, holding hands with Lin Xin’Er."

"Maybe they’ll even create some sensational story about the two of you exploring the Maze, and Shanshan Conglomerate will take the opportunity to release a new line of co-branded cards..."

"Miss Jiali."

Wang Xi looked at her in surprise.

"I hereby declare you the ultimate industry insider."

"Thanks for the compliment."

Yu Jiali shrugged.

She looked Wang Xi over again and suggested,

"We’re heading to the Maze soon. Want me to give you a light, natural makeup look? You have really good features, you just don’t know how to take care of yourself. It’ll be a real turn-off on the live broadcast."

’Don’t know how to take care of myself?’

’That’s pretty funny, lady.’

In his past life, Wang Xi was actually quite skilled at makeup.

It was, one might say, a required course for every Sea King.

He was also well-versed in hairstyling, fashion, and fragrances.

But in this new era of frequent disasters, he had long since decided to turn over a new leaf, so he had no intention of picking up those skills again.

"Forget it."

Wang Xi waved his hand dismissively.

"I’m going there for an assessment, not a fashion show."

"That’s where you’re wrong."

Yu Jiali scoffed and took out her makeup bag. Then she grabbed Wang Xi’s face and started wiping it with a wet towelette.

"Do you have any idea how many people will be watching this broadcast today? At least two million! And as the dark horse, you’ll definitely be a major focus... I don’t deny that strength is what matters most, but having a good image is a huge bonus."

"Hey, you don’t want people to find out that the boy who broke two Valley City records is a slob who doesn’t even wipe the sleep from his eyes, do you?"

"Hold still! Let me do your makeup!"

"If you perform well, the higher-ups at Cupid Housekeeping will definitely offer you a generous new contract!"

Wang Xi’s eyes narrowed, and he stopped struggling.

He obediently tilted his face up and let Yu Jiali work her magic.

"Won’t lift a finger without seeing the reward..."

Yu Jiali pouted.

She knew that no amount of talking was as enticing as the keyword "new contract."

At that moment,

Wang Xi looked at Yu Jiali and felt a strange sense of daze.

His seventh girlfriend from his past life, Xu Mowan, the one who had run him over with a car, used to do his makeup just like this...

He still remembered that she was also very good at drawing.

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