Popularity is everything; I play a super genius

Qi Ji retreated step by step along the path he had come from, returning to the position he had been in a moment before.

Then, lightning flashed once more, and Shunhua was unleashed once more—

But just as it was about to hit Hibel, it retreated again.

The scene repeats itself endlessly, like a film whose beginning and end have been cut off.

Throughout the entire process, Sybil didn't even move; she simply stood there, turned around, and calmly looked at Saki.

Like watching a hamster running endlessly in a wheel.

This is another echo from Hibel—

[Time loop].

In the academy's square, the eliminated contestants all looked up at this scene.

Among them is Carol, who is waiting to be "resurrected".

Looking at the princess reflected in the Sea of ​​Spirits, Carol clasped her hands in front of her chest, her eyes filled with admiration and worship like a little fangirl.

The time she borrowed from the princess was incomparable to the time the princess possessed herself!

"How elegant, Your Highness!"

……

On the teachers' viewing platform by the square, the teacher leading the team from Kalentia had mixed feelings.

He wanted to see Kalentia win, but he also didn't really want to see Sybel win...

"What a monster! No wonder he's from the royal lineage."

……

Beside her, Tsukimi couldn't help but frown.

Even he, who had always favored Saki, couldn't imagine Saki possibly winning.

Within the echo realm, lineages also differ in strength—

However, regardless of the lineage, once the throne is attained, that lineage will undergo a sublimation in the sea of ​​consciousness, becoming the "Root Lineage" that far surpasses all other lineages.

Of course, the [Root Lineage] is only in the hands of the King, and theoretically, ordinary Echoers have no chance to experience its power.

But at this moment, there is a monster who, though not a king, has mastered the "lineage of kings".

Looking at the scene on stage, Tsukimi suddenly understood something.

Why is it that Princess Hibel, despite her status, is not allowed to participate in the grand competition in Kalentia, but instead has been sent here instead—

Because she is frightening.

Her image is not suitable to be "played" in the skies above Karentia.

……

Having broken free from Sybel's Time Delay using [Illusion and Reality Blur], Saki was about to unleash [Instant Bloom] to deliver his strongest attack.

However, in the next instant, Saki suddenly felt a strong sense of unease.

This scene—

Seems familiar?

It seems like this has happened countless times before...

Do not!

and many more!

Could it be?!

Qi Ji immediately called up the system panel and took a look at his own live stream.

"???"

Why is there a clown wearing a white mask in the picture?!

The clown who looked exactly like him kept repeating the "Flash" and backward movements, it was like a bizarre parody video!

What the hell?

Why are they even putting on a sequel to Journey to the West here?!

Qi Ji immediately reached for his mask and activated [Blurring Reality and Illusion] once again.

Within seconds, he was forced by Sybil to use his Hollowfication ability twice.

One last time.

As Qi Ji broke free from the [time loop] and retreated, he also sensed the trembling of the ritual in the sea of ​​consciousness.

It's almost there, very close.

But one opportunity is still needed...

Seeing that Saki suddenly stopped his repetitive movements and retreated to the edge of the ring, Sybil let out a soft exclamation.

It's like watching your hamster break free from the wheel you put on it.

"How...did you do that?" Sybil asked, very curious.

"You want to know?"

"Yes." Hibel nodded seriously.

The girl put aside the next echo she was building and decided to listen attentively.

However, what she received was a solitary remark—

"Don't tell you."

A cheeky, smug tone.

Yes, Saki did it on purpose.

He wanted to provoke Sybil and force her to use her true killing move.

Saki could sense that his awakening needed a stronger stimulus.

Although the combat power that Hybel just displayed was already astonishing enough—

But that's not enough.

It's still not enough!

Far from enough!

……

……

Chapter 118 Echoes of Awakening! He Removes His Mask! (4-in-1)

"Don't tell you."

"Ok."

Upon hearing Saki's words, Sybil simply nodded with some regret.

There were no further questions, and no anger was expressed.

Seeing that his goal had not been achieved, Saki immediately intensified his efforts!

Anyway, he can be quite sarcastic when necessary, and Qi Ji is confident he can provoke the other party's anger.

However, Siebel's emotional stability far exceeded Saki's expectations.

Sakiji launched into a tirade, spouting sarcastic remarks, sarcasm, and barbs, but Sybil remained completely unaffected!

Saki even thought at one point that his sharp tongue had declined.

It wasn't until the next moment that he belatedly realized—

Hybel, who is considered an outcast and a monster, might not have been able to survive in a place like the Royal Court of Kalentia if she didn't have a stable enough emotional life.

Saki's purpose was too obvious, and Sybel seemed to have sensed something as well.

"Are you trying to provoke me?" Hibel suddenly asked.

"Yes," Qi Ji readily admitted.

Why do this?

"Because I want to see the strongest echo you can unleash in your fury."

“That’s a strange request.” Hibel tilted her head slightly, but there was no hint of refusal in her tone. “You could have just told me directly, instead of beating around the bush.”

"...Shouldn't you just say it directly?"

Of course.

"..."

Saki was taken aback for a moment, and then realized that he might have been judging others by his own petty standards.

After all, if his opponent made such a strange request to him during a duel, his first reaction would definitely be, "There must be something fishy going on."

But Hilbel was not like that.

For example, at this moment, the girl readily agreed, satisfying Saki's request.

This princess even started constructing the circuit.

Her long, lake-blue hair moved without wind, and the light of her inner energy flowed quietly from her fingertips.

"This echo is a bit tricky and will take some time to build. Could you wait for me?"

"of course."

Saki took a deep breath.

He hadn't expected things to go so smoothly.

and so--

Is that moment finally coming?

……

Witnessing this scene, the crowd outside the arena was momentarily stunned, not understanding Saki's intention in doing so.

Because it's as absurd as telling your opponent, "Use your strongest echo to kill me"...

However, there are always some talented players among the audience.

After a moment of stunned silence, a bespectacled man slapped his forehead and suddenly realized everything—

"I see! So that's how it is, that's how it is! Brilliant!"

"No, what did you understand?" the bewildered crowd asked hastily.

"Haven't you guys figured it out yet? Saki has already discovered it; Hybel's timeline is too damn crooked!"

All of Qi Ji's attacks were unable to bypass her timing!

As long as it's still within Sybil's time limit, Saki cannot win!

Therefore, his only chance to win is the moment when Hybel is unable to activate Time Echo!

That moment, that very moment!

The man became increasingly excited as he spoke, seemingly impressed by Qi Ji's combat wisdom and thrilled that he had grasped Qi Ji's scheme so quickly.

"Right now, Hibel is building a large loop, and she cannot release any other echoes until it is complete!"

If Saki seizes this opportunity and launches a fatal blow, even if Sybil reacts and tries to stop the construction, it should be noted that the convergence of a large circuit also takes time!

Therefore, if Saki is fast enough, he can seize that brief opening and win the seemingly impossible victory!

Hearing your words is better than hearing any other words!

Suddenly everyone understood!

"So that's how it is! No wonder he's the number one genius of the City of Fire! Facing a super S-class lineage, he found the only sure way to win in a desperate situation in just one exchange!"