Karni was never questioned about his absence during the night like Wulin was. Most of his team left him be, thinking that he was likely distracting himself and keeping himself busy so as not to think that he was without his girlfriend. And they were right. He was keeping himself busy, but he was also not crazy enough to only do work. He had a healthy mindset. Or so he told himself. Sometimes he would distract himself with video games as well. The ones Jianyu gave him.
"So you do what, just… catch these? Why?"
"Cause it's fun keeping cool and sometimes cute monsters as pets?" Karni answered Yue Zhengyu as if it was obvious. The guy was looking at the tiny console with interest, nodding, but also clearly not getting it.
The game he was playing was a better version of what he gave Wu Jianyu to play back on their first trip to Star Luo Continent. The kid got interested in it since then—though he kept it a secret—and he actually gave him this little goodbye present. It was really good as well. Jianyu, despite his age, managed to improve on some aspects. Especially in the ease of playing the game. The kid could have a future in game design—if games ever became popular here.
Wulin walked into the common room area of the hotel and joined the Karni and Yue Zhengyu. "You two look relaxed."
Yue Zhengyu nodded. "I don't quite get it. But I feel like this could be an interesting little thing for normal people. Interactive entertainment."
Wulin nodded after watching a bit. "It's sort of like the Spirit Pagoda Platform, except with its own little rules and confined to a box. Karni, where did you get this?"
"My little brother… well, Sisi's little brother made it. He gave it to me as a goodbye present. Kid has talent."
"Wait, the one I found on the train?"
Karni nodded. "He's a bit naive, sure. But he has a knack for these types of stuff. He never even told me about this."
"Can I try it out as well?" Wulin asked. Unlike Zhengyu, Wulin was more familiar with what normal people did in this world, due to him being quite poor when he was young. He could smell money from this.
He tried it out, and after a minute of playing, not even truly getting to try this Pokemon-esque game yet, the girls came in. Gu Yue did not look pleased when she saw Wulin.
"So you went on a dangerous mission last night without telling anybody, but now you're playing around?"
Wulin looked at her, feeling aggrieved. "I just started! And, and… Karni was with me there, you know? Why is no one angry at him?"
Karni glanced at Wulin, who was practically begging him with those large, annoyingly handsome eyes to help him out. He looked at the girls, who were surprisingly quiet when Wulin said that.
"Well…" Xu Xiaoyan started. "Karni kind of… well, he has good reasons, I'm sure."
Karni couldn't help but roll his eyes, stepping up. "If this is about Wu Siduo. Stop. I don't need pity, I'm not overworking myself, or shutting down my feelings of lowliness, and I'm also not frustrated. I just accept it and am slightly sad. Passing time just makes it go by faster. So just… be normal around me?"
They looked at him with slight shock. His message sure was filled with an ounce of frustration if he shouldn't have any.
Karni addressed them further. "Look. We don't know each other that well yet, despite spending a lot of time together. That's my fault. I was a bit tired during the trip here. But let's just get along, eh? Now, does anybody else want to try this game? Sisi's little brother made it."
The group decided not to comment on the fact Karni did sound frustrated. Surprisingly, it was Yuanen Yehui who broke the tension. She was willing to give it a try. Her friends looked at her. "What? Just cause I was a working student doesn't mean I can't have fun."
Xie Xie turned to Karni. "Karni, does this game allow for us to play together?"
"It does not have a co-op mode no. I'll recommend it to Jianyu next time though, I think he'll have fun experimenting with it."
"Dammit!" Xie Xie fell to his knees in an overly dramatic manner.
Everyone turned to look at Yuanen Yehui's reaction. There was none. She was only staring at the game.
In another minute, they were shocked again. "YES!" Yunanen Yehui screamed. "I caught one! Oh! You can name them? Awesome!"
They couldn't help but stare. No one has seen her act like this before. Xie Xie, however, stared at Karni with burning, begging eyes.
Karni sighed in frustration. "Fine. I'll make a few copies. Fuck's sake." Though he heard it this time. He admitted to himself he was slightly frustrated.
… … …
The group made their way to the arena. Today would be their first match fighting as a team. This was the most prestigious competition type on Douluo Continent, but here it wasn't so. Here the singles competition was far more popular
They sat themselves down, everyone was normal. Especially Yuanen Yehui, who was back to her stoic self. Though everyone now had a mental image of Yuanen Yehui being sad at having to return the game, while at the same time excited to get a copy of it in the next week or so.
They settled in the luxurious shade and were going to discuss how their positions would be in the team fight but were interrupted. The people from the Monster Academy approached them.
At the very front was a tall man they had yet to meet. Karni immediately got an inkling on who that is.
The man was about to say something when a small commotion disturbed them from the back.
"What do you mean it's stupid. We can enjoy whatever we want!" It was Xie Xie. He was angry about something Xu Xiaoyan said. Everyone turned to look.
"It's not real. Don't blame me for not getting it. I can't just understand it cause you want me to. It's a fake thing with just some pixels on it. I don't see what's entertaining about it that's all. You can enjoy it if you want." Xu Xiaoyan answered back with surprising calm, unusual for her to have when talking to Xie Xie.
"Yehui clearly has fun with it! Don't ruin her fun!" Xie Xie spat.
Xu Xiaoyan rolled her eyes. "I'm not ruining her fun. I'm just saying I don't see the appeal. It's just a game. We're Soul Masters! We fight real battles. I find that more entertaining."
Yue Zhengyu joined. "Yeah, Xie Xie, it's just a game. It doesn't really have any value. And it's made by a kid. Don't get angry over it."
Xie Xie was about to shout back. But a firm hand grabbed his shoulder. An angry grab. Xie Xie flinched and turned to look at a furious Yuanen Yehui. "That's enough. Not everyone can have fun and understand games." Her voice was eerily calm. "Xu Xiaoyan, I get it. You don't have to like it."
Then she turned to Yue Zhengyu. "And you keep your mouth shut. A kid put a lot of time and love into it. Don't ever say again that it does not have any value."
She pulled Xie Xie away, leaving Yue Zhengyu and Xu Xiaoyan a bit baffled.
Xie Xie walked happily with Yuanen Yehui. "See, this is what I tried to tell them. Forget them-"
Yuanen Yehui turned with speed and anger. "And you. Don't defend something you don't understand. Tell it to me when you actually enjoy games. Stop trying to get on my good side with such superficial shit."
She left him alone, yet Xie Xie followed to try and break the world record for the number of apologies one can do in a minute.
Yue Zhengyue clicked with his tongue. "I don't get it. It's just a game."
Xu Xioyan rolled her eyes. "It was still made by someone. Show some respect, you angel man."
Yue Zhengyu was stopped in his words, and soon began competing with Xie Xie in the quality of apologies.
"Karni, if you will." Wulin pointed at his throat.
Karni sighed, and activated his Martial Soul, boosting Wulin's Sound.
"Ahem." Wulin was loud, if limited to the area. It threw the four troublemakers for a loop. They all looked at Wulin, who pointed at the guests.
"Ah, sorry." Xu Xiaoyan was the first to apologise.
"You can argue about this later. Focus please." Then he turned to Karni. "Thanks."
Karni just waved it off.
"Now then," Wulin smiled. "What brings you here?"
"I heard from Yun'er that you're some troublemakers. Falling asleep during ceremonies." The tall man said.
Each of his words was loud and strong. His very being felt strong. Karni shivered slightly. With high Spiritual Power, he was that much more sensitive to the man's presence.
And this man then turned to look at Karni. "And I heard you are friends with Yun'er and Yueyan. You also served as a mediator. Thanks." He offered Karni his hand.
Karni was about to reach for it, if not for the golden sounds and shadows informing him of danger. He still had his Bo Staff out. He could hear the cracking that would be. That handshake would not be a normal one.
He paused with his hand halfway stretched out. "I would just like to say, my Martial Soul focuses on Sound and Spirituality. My body is not particularly strong. If you do what you were about to do, you will break my bones."
The man just stared at him with slightly wide eyes.
Karni coughed. "I do value my hand. I'm about to need it."
The man laughed. "What a funny guy. So you really do have precognitive abilities. It seems Yun'er does not have bad eyes." He offered his hand again. This time it was normal.
Karni shook. "Pleasure to meet you. I am Val Karni."
"Indeed. The name's Long Yue. We will probably see each other often from now on. I am sorry to have not given proper greetings when I first saw you."
Karni was confused, before he remembered. He watched Karni fight Yun'er back when he was here with Siduo.
"Likewise." Karni smiled. Despite the ferociousness, he seemed like a reasonable guy-
A quick flash of gold passed his mind. Of crumbling bones and a fight between dragons. Of never-ending stomping.
The vision passed, and Long Yue already moved on to Wulin.
Karni watched the two. The handshake ensued. And there were cracks from both sides. Wulin's eyes shining golden, and Long Yue's shining Red. A test of pure strength.
He finally remembered.
"Madman Long." Long Yue said. "It is what they call me. I hope to meet you in the arena and show you some proper manners in the future."
Wulin did not back down. "Likewise." He just quoted Karni. There were slight sparks flying between them.
Madman Long. A man with low self-control due to his Martial Soul. No, that was not quite right. It would be better said that he had immense self-control, but if someone managed to break through it, he would instead be uncontrollable…
And eventually crush Wulin into the ground. He would be almost killed. Without any of the officials trying to help. Wulin was saved by luck of Mu Ye being there to help. And though it did cause him further development of powers… Karni clenched his fist. Wulin would get that anyway. Wulin had no need for such stomping… especially when…
He turned to look at the Emperor sitting on the throne. It was the first day of team matches, so of course he was here. A man beside him. Karni forgot his name, but he remembered him. Madman Long's master. A man who intentionally let his disciple run wild.
Karni walked over to Yun'er while Long Yue and Wulin were talking politely, yet with some passive aggressiveness and competitiveness.
"Say, how is Long Yue. That nickname is quite an… interesting one."
Yun'er nodded. "He is like an elder brother to me… maybe even…" Her face was filled with mixed emotions. She whispered. "He is sweet. But he is also intense. Too intense, I would say. Though he does not like it himself."
"So does his master not help him with that?"
"Of course he does. Wait, how do you… I'm just gonna guess future sight." She waved his comment off. "Long Yue feels a lot of pain when he goes wild, as does he during cultivation. It takes a toll on his body and spirit. En Ci always tries to stop him as soon as he starts raging. It's a danger both to himself and his opponents."
Karni nodded. Good. That should be good. Also, his master was apparently En Ci. But then… why wouldn't he stop him in the future? Why would he let Madman Long run wild then? He turned to look at Long Yue who returned, and he smiled at Karni and Yun'er.
"That captain of yours is quite ferocious. Impressive strength."
"Oh?" Even Yun'er was surprised, despite Karni having said it before. "Karni here called him the Dragon King of their group."
Long Yue turned to look. "Is he now? Impressive. I would like to see that." He was filled with confidence.
Karni understood now why the future would happen that way. Wulin's bloodline was better than Long Yue's. And someone saw that as a threat to the empire for some reason. Even though Wulin should not affect this place in the future by all logic.
Karni knew that wouldn't be true, yes. Wulin would have a big impact here in the future, but there was no reason for anyone to think so now. Whatever would happen in this competition, it was due to paranoia, not logic.
"Say, when is the draw for group stage of the singles competition happening?"
Yun'er looked at Karni a bit confused. "Should be in two weeks or so."
"Right, thanks." He'd just have to wait until then.
… … …
"Next up, Shrek Academy, who has come all the way from Douluo Continent." They were called up to the arena.
Wulin looked at his team. The roster this time around was: Wulin, Gu Yue, Val Karni, Ye Xinglan, Xu Lizhi, Xie Xie and Yuanen Yehui. Xu Xiaoyan and Yue Zhengyu were sitting out.
Why? Well, Xu Xiaoyan told Xie Xie to find his attitude again, and refused to go along into battle with him, while Xie Xie refused to go without Yuanen Yehui. Since Yuanen Yehui was looking forward to the battle, Xu Xiaoyan decided to sit this one out. Yue Zhengyu joined her, because… well, he wanted to combine his apologies with flirting. Guy had goals.
They stepped up and went into battle formation. Karni would be the main controller of the team this time around, with Wulin leading the charge as well as combining his tactics with Karni's.
A four-person charge started as soon as the match began. Wulin charged in the middle, Xie Xie hid behind him, while Ye Xinglan and Yuanen Yehui took the left and right flanks respectively.
Gu Yue helped with support from the side, while Xu Lizhi gave her and Karni his food. The attackers would have to survive with what he gave them beforehand.
"Alright then, ready to cover me?" Karni asked Gu Yue.
Gu Yue nodded.
Karni closed his eyes, his fourth Soul Ring lighting up along with his second one. It was time to showcase his own control over the battlefield. He would be with them for a long time still. He could not afford to act like he did in Radiant City.
He put his Staff in two, and the Drumsticks spun simultaneously. A cubic grid of his Spiritual Power encompassed the battlefield.
He started Shifting his teammates. Just as Ye Xinglan was about to slash, and Wulin was about to crush, he changed their places.
To great success. The opponents never expected that. Two of them were almost knocked out cold immediately, barely surviving.
Karni Shifted immediately after. Gu Yue appearing above Wulin, shooting down icy spikes which resembled rockets.
Then he Shifted her out, switching her with Yuanen while at the same time Shifting Ye Xinglan close.
Xie Xie chose this moment to strike on the opposite side, slashing into both shoulders of the opponent, while Wulin, who was about to strike, got switched again with Yuanen Yehui.
While Yehui and Xie Xie took care of one, he put Wulin in the most dangerous place possible for the opponent. Their backline.
Karni ate a quick bun, strengthening himself.
Gu Yue quickly teleported herself to the backline with Wulin, while Ye Xinglan and Yuanen Yehui were put in front of the charging man with what seemed like a boar Martial Soul, going straight for Karni.
Xie Xie quickly caught up to them to finish the boar off.
Karni trusted Xie Xie to deal with the boar, and threw a Drumstick toward Xu Lizhi, knocking out a girl who was invisible. Unfortunately for her, she was not quiet, even if she did escape Karni's Spiritual Senses.
Karni refocused on the front and stood still. Oh. That was all of them. He breathed out. That took like a minute, maybe less.
The audience was silent. Not only were they fast, somehow, they were everywhere at once, and did not get hit once. It was a flawless victory.
A small applause started, which turned into a large one. There was not much cheering—they were outsiders—but proper respect was given for the showcase of their skill.
Karni nodded. Yes. This was what his main role should be on the team. Control. But he could still improve. He looked at the opponents walking off. Next time he should try controlling them as well.
… … …
Long Yue looked at the team battle. He was impressed. "You were right. We should get him on our side." He looked at Karni. "But why did you say it was impossible again?" He did not pay much attention last time they talked about it, because he had to see it for himself to believe it.
"Remember the friend I talked about? They're in a relationship. Unfortunately, she couldn't come this time. We should just make a good impression on him and then…"
"We go to them." Long Yue understood. "I would like to see Shrek Academy myself. It should be a valuable experience either way."
Dai Yun'er nodded cheerfully. It was a shame. She was going to snatch Karni and Siduo this time around. It was why she went to Douluo Continent herself to greet them this time. Well, at least she would get a chance to befriend Karni for real. Last time he was more of Siduo's friend who hung along with them. This was a chance to change just that.
… … …
Karni and the rest returned to the hotel, and the bickering started immediately. He held his head. He could not believe that video games of all things would make people bicker like this. These were the future Shrek Seven Devils everybody. Then he paused. They were like gamers on Earth. Those bickered constantly as well, just in a different way.
They were mostly going in a loop. Yue Zhengyu sided with Xu Xiaoyan, while Xie Xie did with Yuanen Yehui. Or so Xie Xie thought. Really, Yuanen Yehui was somehow trying to be a mediator here. She just seemed to love games. Karni wondered what that was about. She didn't want people fighting over them.
He finally listened to their mostly emotionally based arguments when Yue Zhengyu said something absurd. "I mean think about it. If these become popular, they might cause children to be violent!"
Karni couldn't help but step in. "How in the actual holy motherfucking fuck did you get to that conclusion?"
Yue Zhengyu was taken aback. Karni didn't want to be part of this until now. Also. That language.
"Yes, Zhengyu. How exactly?" Even Xu Xiaoyan questioned him.
"I-I mean. Eventually there would be different types, right? Like ones in which you fight and what not. With weapons maybe even. I don't know. That could probably make children violent."
Even Gu Yue stepped in. "Get a hold of yourself. We're Soul Masters. Children venerate us like we're some gods. Does it make them more violent because of that? The only thing we do is fight in front of them."
"And if anything," Wulin added. "I don't know about you, but when I fight, it feels like I release my built-up tension. I can see games having that effect instead if they do become fighting games at some point. Wouldn't that actually be better?"
Everyone was looking at Yue Zhengyu, whose usual bright aura seemed to darken. As it usually went, the only way to get groups who disagree with one another to agree with one another, is to give them a thing they both disagree with. Yue Zhengyutook that role today.
"Anyway," Karni wanted to stop with this stupid argument already. "I'll make as many copies as you guys ask for, just stop debating about their influence. Those who want it tell me not. I'll need like a week."
"I want one." Yuanen Yehui raised her hand immediately.
"Me too." Xie Xie followed.
"I'll give it try as well." Wulin said.
"I will too, then." Gu Yue said as soon as Wulin did.
"And one for us." Ye Xinglan raised her hand as well.
"Only one?" Karni asked them.
Ye Xinglan nodded. "We watched Yuanen Yehui before. We were thinking of doing one game together. Had some cool ideas."
"A joint playthrough." Karni couldn't help but smile. He actually had gamers as friends.
"Sure. If that's what it's called." Ye Xinglan said.
"I'll pass. I'm happy everyone enjoys it, but it's just not for me." Xu Xiaoyan smiled.
Nobody bothered to ask Yue Zhengyu. He was the loser for today.
"Good. I'll start on this tomorrow." Karni stretched. "Still need to visit a place I used to go to here. See you guys in the evening."
They said their goodbyes. And Karni went to visit some old friends.
In about half an hour, he came to his destination. A hospital. He entered and the receptionist greeted him normally, before stopping. "Val Karni? Is that you?"
Karni smiled. "Long time no see. A year and a half, I think?"
"Yes! Come on in, come on in. Ju Hueyan is waiting inside."
Karni nodded. Right, Hu Jie was known as Ju Hueyan here. He went to the room, his muscle memory reminding him of where to go. He quickly found his teacher in here, in his less chubby disguise. His teacher seemed so weak in it. His body was his power, so suppressing it like this likely took a lot of effort. He never thought about it before. It might also be that Karni had become that much more sensitive.
"Oho, Karni. I'm sorry to say that I haven't yet gotten approval for Tang Sect in regard to your Spirit Soul."
"That's fine. I'm not here for that. I want to join the Human Augmentation Project again and was going to ask for a little favour for it."
"Hoho, do say. Though I can't offer much for something as small as that, I hope you understand."
Karni nodded. Of course. He might be valued, but he wasn't the true heart and soul of the project like he was with the AR Glasses.
"Is there a Mecha division I could join? I have a weapon I want to test there, as well as try to see if there's anything I could learn. I had a mecha back home but, well, I obviously couldn't bring it with me."
Hu Jie thought about it, before an idea hit him. "There is a place that would interest you. It's actually connected to the Human Augmentation Project in some way. You'll have to give me a week though."
"That's perfect." Karni smiled. He would have the time to finish the game consoles, as well as see progress with his Greatsword. He had to prepare. He wanted to see if he was able to stop Wulin from getting clobbered.