Popularity is everything; I play a super genius

Is that correct?

Like the Sea of ​​Consciousness, only conceptual creations can be brought into this trial ground by the Echoers.

So, was that wheelchair a conceptual creation or just a figment of imagination?

What kind of family are they?

Even for Charles, who came from a prestigious family and was well-informed, this was truly the first time he had ever seen anything like it.

The wheelchair that Qi Ji was using was purchased from the system's in-game store.

It cost a whopping 2333 popularity points!

I chose the most expensive style.

Qi Ji was mainly thinking that his sister's wheelchair had been used for many years, and after he finished the competition, he could give it to his sister. So he gritted his teeth and went for the best one.

……

Off the field.

Countless residents of the City of Fire looked up to watch the battle.

When they saw that the top three on the real-time leaderboard were all from Xinzhi City, they couldn't believe their eyes.

The main problem is that over the past ten years, they have been filled with hope every time, and disappointed every time.

The gap between the City of Fire and Kalentia is no longer something that can be bridged by "a desperate struggle".

Even if the students sent by the other side aren't even among the top talents in the country, but rather some near-first-rate students who can't compete with true geniuses domestically—

Even so, they still have an overwhelming advantage over the students of Shangxin City.

This year, they heard that Kalentia sent a full ten exchange students, clearly intending to take all the seats.

Many viewers who had already had enough of history had sworn an oath before the competition even began—

This time, I'm really, really not watching it even if you kill me!

I've really had enough of the kind of storyline where someone is trampled underfoot and repeatedly humiliated by an exchange student from Kalentia!

However, judging from the current situation...

Could it be that it's happening in this year's session?!

However, the joy was short-lived.

The exchange students from Kalentia then began to exert their efforts.

With his vector circuit complete, Xia Er walked on the sea surface as if it were flat ground.

Dorian stood at the bow of the small boat made of flower petals, chasing after it at high speed.

As he overtook Qi Ji and Liu Li, he subconsciously looked up and glanced at them. Then, his gaze was glued to Liu Li's face and he couldn't take it off...

Even Dorian, who prided himself on having eaten his fill of delicacies in Calentia, had to admit at this moment—

Compared to the woman before me, everything from the past seems utterly mundane.

He immediately plucked a rose from his fingertips and tossed it, flower and fragrance together, into the air.

"Beautiful lady, you are the butterfly and I am the flower~"

"Look how coincidental it is, even their genealogies match so perfectly."

Dorian glanced at Saki, his smile widening.

"Speaking of which, why do you need to carry such a burden?"

Why not leave him behind and ride the pleasure boat with me?

Petals, sea breeze, you beautiful and me handsome—how romantic!

"!!!"

How dare she call her classmate Saki a burden?!

The vein on Liuli's forehead throbbed, and she made a deep impression on the other person.

If they were to face off later, she would definitely make this guy regret what he said!

No one can say anything about her classmate, Saki!

Liuli glanced coldly at Dorian, flapped its wings and flew away without saying a word.

It's not that I don't want to vent my anger by swearing a few times.

There are more important things to do—

For Saki's sake, she must focus more of her energy on the competition.

This is not the time to be distracted.

Dorian, having made a fool of himself, quickly turned his gaze to other targets on the sea.

As it turned out, two female students from the City of Fire actually boarded his ship, and for a time they were surrounded by women, greatly arousing the hatred of the City of Fire.

However, with the added weight of two more people on the boat, his speed slowed down, and he was quickly left far behind by Liuli.

However, Saki could tell that Ruri was forcing herself.

The girl's butterfly wings were not suited for long-distance flight to begin with, and now that she had to carry him along, she could only continuously increase the output of her mental energy to maintain speed.

Gradually, he began to feel powerless and was overtaken by the people of Kalentia and Su Shi behind him.

Now, thanks to the nurturing and training of Qi Ji, Su Shi's strength is far greater than before.

She is no longer the novice who swam through the sea of ​​consciousness, crying her heart out.

At this moment, even under the interference of erosion, the mimicry of water's echo helps her unleash a speed far exceeding that of the other candidates.

When Su Shi surpassed Qi Ji, he looked up at the sky in surprise.

She hadn't expected that Qi Ji would be so popular with women, that he'd even managed to get a gigolo.

……

Outside the examination hall.

As viewers watched the rankings change once again, the top spots, apart from the lone representative from the City of Fire, were once again dominated by Kalentia...

Anxiety began to spread.

It was as if the emotions of being trampled underfoot by Karentia for more than ten years needed an outlet.

At this time, Saki's name was suddenly mentioned frequently.

"Wait, why does that beautiful girl with butterfly wings always have a sick person with her? Otherwise, with her flying ability, she should have a very good chance of winning first place, right?"

"Dude, what patient is he? Don't you recognize him?"

"Do I need to recognize it?"

"This guy is Saki, he's very famous, he's always been known as the number one genius of the City of Fire."

"I think... I've heard of him? Then why is he in a wheelchair now?"

"Hey! Don't you guys know yet? Qi Ji's reputation as a genius was a lie from the very beginning!"

The reason he was able to defeat Su Shi of the Thousand Faces Family was actually because of the banned drugs that overdraw his life and potential!

Now that the side effects are showing, this is the only way it can look...

Therefore, the true number one genius of the City of Fire has always been Su Shi!

"Brother, are you from the Thousand Faces family?"

"What nonsense are you spouting! How dare you slander someone's innocence out of thin air!"

Seeing that he had been seen through at a glance, the man was clearly flustered.

That's right, the enthusiastic citizen who shared the "secrets" with everyone was actually a shill for Qianmianjia.

They were sent out by the Thousand Faces family and scattered among the crowd, constantly spreading such rumors.

After Su Shi acquired the Myth Fragment, married into the Isolde family, and was naturally regarded by the higher-ups of the City of Sin as the only hope for the new king, the Thousand Faces family also felt that it was time to build momentum for Su Shi!

And this competition is the perfect stage!

A perfect genius should have no blemishes!

Therefore, the only option is to let the stain become the original number one genius of the City of Fire—

It's deserted.

Of course, if Qi Ji himself knew about this, he would have to thank the Qianmian family for going to such lengths to help him advance the ritual.

……

The Trial Grounds.

"Liuli, please put me down."

Seeing that Liuli's breathing was becoming increasingly rapid, Qiji frowned and spoke.

However, Liuli refused to let go.

She checked their current real-time rankings; they were around twentieth, a very safe position for advancing.

Saki saw through Ruri's thoughts:

"Liuli, didn't you notice?"

Five of the people from Kalentia's group specifically chose the same direction as us.

And now, those five people are almost all in front of us.

What do you think will be the first thing they do after getting ashore?

Liuli was stunned.

Reminded by Saki, she immediately understood.

"They'll block the landing gate and prevent us from getting ashore?!"

We were implicated in this lawsuit...

They came for Sushi, but Sushi happened to choose the same island as us!

Once the landing point is blocked, all those stuck behind will be kept outside the island and eliminated.

Liuli couldn't help but feel annoyed:

Su Shi is truly a scourge!

Of course, Su Shi didn't think that far ahead.

She subconsciously chose the same track as Saki.

Because besides wanting to win first place, his biggest goal in this competition was to defeat Saki.

Although Saki is now in a wheelchair, vomiting blood, and is practically crippled...

But Su Shi thought, who cares about being crippled or not, I'll win first!

When I fought with Saki before, I cried so much, but Saki didn't show any mercy.

So she wasn't embarrassed at all.

Rather, giving my all to Saki is the greatest respect I can show him!

……

Seeing that Ruri had figured out the key to the matter, Saki spoke up again:

“That’s right, Ruri, now, only you can stop them.”

"But if I leave you here..."

Liuli looked down at the highly corrosive sea beneath her, and hesitated for a moment.

Given Saki's current physical condition, if she falls into the sea, her spirit will likely collapse immediately.

"It's alright, aren't there still Huomu and the others?" Qi Ji smiled and pointed to the ground beneath him.

Liuli was stunned for a moment, then looked in the direction Qiji was pointing, and then she was dumbfounded.

Previously, her attention had been entirely focused on Saki, and she hadn't paid any attention to her other three teammates.