Chapter 2896: Insider News (2)

Chapter 2896: Chapter 1373: Insider News (2)

Ji Xiaoge, who always runs around wearing socks in the clean indoor, not too fond of slippers (especially after starting to play The Realm of Innocence), stuck out her tongue and made a face at Motan.

And thus, this matter passed, although it was a shocking little episode, it didn’t cause any ripples in the minds of people other than Motan. Everyone even found it quite interesting.

After a while, the takeout arrived, and Cui Xiaoyu, whose mouth always runs off, repeated the details of the [L Province Takeaway Poisoning Case], making Kanglan, Wanyang, and Motan completely bewildered, and Ji Xiaodao gave her an elbow hit.

Then everyone started chatting while eating, with topics mostly revolving around The Realm of Innocence and the upcoming school term. Although there wasn’t any clear central theme, the atmosphere was great since everyone was young with common interests, and they all had good relationships with each other. Gathering without any special occasion was still fun.

School and major-related matters were skipped since they had been discussed previously, so they weren’t mentioned again. As for The Realm of Innocence, everyone’s situation basically fell into three categories.

The first group is in Academy City, includes Motan, Yu Chen, Ji Xiaoge, Cui Xiaoyu, and Wanyang. Among them, Wanyang has barely interacted with the other four throughout the whole journey, and looking at his recent schedule, he’s unlikely to be free until the exchange is over. It’s rumored that the number of people in the Holy Mountain Sumier exchange group is small, and they’ve been busy negotiating with various forces due to the previous Heretic issue, even Wanyang as an apprentice is so busy that his feet don’t touch the ground, and it’s particularly boring, the gaming experience is much worse than Ji Xiaoge’s previous stint as a salesperson.

The second group is those not in Academy City, including Kanglan who is doing the world task seventh phase at the border of Elves’ Forest and Mystic Dark Forest, and the leisure scenic fan Ji Xiaodao who seems to be located at the southern side of the continent. The former is halfway through the task and can’t withdraw, biting the bullet and working hard, the latter doesn’t have the qualification or reason to attend the Academy City exchange. Since Ji Xiaodao isn’t interested in lively places, Ji Xiaoge didn’t force her to go, but every day after logging off, she live broadcasts her experiences to her sister… Well, similar to what Jiawen occasionally tells her in chats.

Yes, although Ji Xiaodao and Jiawen don’t really seem to be on the same path, their exchanges are quite frequent. Firstly, work-related aspects, Jiawen representing Shaven Empire with borrowed Sin Knight status at exchanges sends routine information in duplicate to Mo and Ji Xiaodao at intervals. The former generally doesn’t reply, while the latter only responds briefly ‘Received’, signaling Mo knows the specifics, if there’s no extra command, carry on with your work.

Also, as the only two female executives in Sin Knight Group, their relationship is quite harmonious. Being fellow players, they sometimes chat about real-world subjects. Though… Ji Xiaodao prefers topics like cats and dogs, whereas Jiawen favors finance and real-time matters. Despite being poles apart, they can barely establish communication, especially after Jiawen shared a cat café near her home in small videos (They also exchanged contact information outside the game, though all under pseudonyms and false details).

Ultimately, concerning exchange understanding, Ji Xiaodao knows no less than anyone present, even more in some aspects, but even she doesn’t know the recent issues that are troubling Motan, those direct orders given by Mo to Jiawen.

Apart from those in Academy City and not in Academy City, there’s a final type, which is Yi Dong who claims not to be in Academy City. In reality, although Yi Dong is very active in the small group, everyone knows so little about the [Rin Winter] character, knowing only it’s an Eternal Race Zombie shape and unaware of his Necromancer identity.

So even though he’s always helping Motan with trivial tasks, he seems like a solo traveler like Ji Xiaodao in everyone’s eyes.

“Sigh, although offline gatherings feel more genuine than online meetings, it’s still quite a shame.”

Wanyang clicked his tongue, picking teeth while commenting: “The game’s map is so vast, it’s tough meeting outside Public Spaces…”

Motan considerately handed a tissue to Yu Chen who wanted to wipe her hands and chuckled lightly: “We’ve both met at Sumier, Xiao Yu met you at Andesil Ruins, Xiaoge met Kanglan, Xiao Yu hangs out with us often, actually we’ve all bumped into each other somehow.”

“I…”

Yu Chen raised her freshly wiped small hand, looking a bit unconvinced at Motan, whispering: “I’ve been around too!”

Motan, who quietly shifted to an Absolute Neutral persona during the meal, paused slightly, cleared his throat, and chuckled foolishly: “Haha… indeed, that’s what I mean.”

Kanglan and Wanyang rolled their eyes synchronously.

Yi Dong knew it well internally, expression indeterminate.

Ji Xiaoge smiled gleefully, completely unaware of any problems.

Cui Xiaoyu, who often stands with Motan and Yu Chen, having even disciplined a troublemaker (Richard Ryan) before, showed a fatherly smile.

Ji Xiaodao remained in a daze, looking unfocused.

“However, speaking of online meetups, I’ve heard a rumor.”

Suddenly, Kanglan, theoretically the most informed, gently clapped her hands and grinned: “You guys probably haven’t caught wind, actually, soon something big might happen in The Realm of Innocence!”

Instantly, including the always wandering Ji Xiaodao, everyone’s eyes turned to this friend with a wide social circle, indicating how everyone was really attentive about [The Realm of Innocence].

“Hehe, don’t freak out after hearing.”

Considering the impulsive Cui Xiaoyu and Wanyang could both punch him, Kanglan didn’t keep the suspense and went straight: “A few studio and club friends said soon the game might host a competition.”

Motan scratched his head curiously: “Competition? What kind of competition?”

“Could it be…”

Wanyang’s eyes shone, leaning forward with enthusiasm: “Is it like a world martial arts tournament?”

Cui Xiaoyu reacted strongly, glaring with wide eyes: “Whoa, seriously!?”

“Not sure, my friends, though reliable, don’t know much.”

Kanglan shrugged, helplessly: “There’s no confirmed intel on this matter. It’s just recently Innocent Company suddenly contacted some TV stations and large media platforms. And those TV stations, platforms usually like partnering with games, focusing live broadcasts on various competitions, so… though there’s no definite news, you get the gist…”

Cui Xiaoyu was somewhat disappointed, sneered: “What, that’s as good as saying nothing.”

“No, it’s different.”

Kanglan disagreed, shaking her head, speaking seriously: “At least for those club and large studio folks, it’s very different. You all know The Realm of Innocence’s current popularity. Making them abandon such a big cake is impractical, but officially they’ve never organized any event, released no new expansion pack, don’t support live interaction, nor initiated any competitions, commercially very bothersome for them, but if…”

Yi Dong suddenly shone with an epiphany, responded subconsciously: “If The Realm of Innocence actually organizes a world martial arts tournament, then it’s a whole different scenario!”

“Exactly, clubs and large studios would go nuts, in fact, from what I know, more than ten clubs led by Red Constellation have started preparing.”

Kanglan nodded affirmatively, looking around at these elite friends, suddenly laughed…

“Should we also delve into this matter?”

Chapter 1373: End