The Black Book: Seven Deadly Sins
Chapter 86 - 86: The Conspiracy

"If you win the championship in the year of the {Battle of the Gods}, the weight carried would be absolutely explosive, and you probably wouldn't lack Contribution Points throughout the whole Initial Heavenly Position..."

Listening to Feng Zhaobai's words, Zhu Haomiao couldn't help but think of the NBA from his previous life.

Although the {Ascension Competition} and the {NBA} appear entirely different, their intrinsic logic bears a similar charm.

Just as Zhu Haomiao's thoughts were swirling, Feng Zhaobai was the first to stand up.

"Let's go, we'll take you for a look around first."

Led by Feng Zhaobai and Wang Hua, the three of them passed through the first-floor hall, descended down the stairs, and arrived at a spacious underground area.

Glancing around, the place was funnel-shaped, with the highest point reaching over a hundred meters. Spotlights were scattered around, and in the very center was a massive square arena where two shadows were fighting fiercely, the screeching noise from their clashing weapons audible from afar.

Gazing at this space resembling a large stadium, Zhu Haomiao couldn't help but twitch his eye.

On the other side, seemingly having noticed his astonishment, Feng Zhaobai quietly explained.

"Just Sumeru Mustard Seed technology, no need to be so shocked."

"..."

Realizing once again the shallowness of his own knowledge, Zhu Haomiao nodded in admiration.

But as the three of them approached the arena and entered the exclusive spectator area for committee staff, Zhu Haomiao couldn't help but ask.

"Senior Brother Feng, are those things cameras?"

Following the direction of the young man's finger, Feng Zhaobai nodded calmly.

"Yes, high-speed cameras, capable of precisely capturing the details of the match."

"Are those {True Objects}?"

Hearing this, Feng Zhaobai chuckled and shook his head.

"How could that be? They're all locally made products."

"But it's only the nineteenth century!"

Those machines, which looked incredibly sophisticated, were completely different from the style of the Illusion Realm!

Upon hearing Zhu Haomiao's confusion, Feng Zhaobai patiently explained.

"Abroad, there's a {True Object} from a future world line, similar to a sci-fi version of a 3D printer. As long as you input raw materials and energy, it can 'print' any part that conforms to physical laws."

"Although its production capacity is small, bringing it into the Illusion Realm, it's not a problem to produce a few high-precision cameras..."

Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao nodded with a sudden understanding, thoughtfully looking around.

Initially, he thought the people in the first-floor hall were quite numerous, but he didn't expect the real crowd to be in this underground arena.

However, due to the expansion granted by Sumeru Mustard Seed technology, the entire space appeared extraordinarily vast and empty. Even if the front row of the audience was full, it didn't look crowded overall.

Inconspicuously observing the scene, Zhu Haomiao noticed that among the audience, there were many who clearly were not contenders in the {Ascension Competition}, appearing to be middle-aged men and women in their thirties or forties.

Many of them enthusiastically waved tickets in their hands, seeming more excited and frenzied than the contenders on the stage!

"Senior Brother Feng, who are those people?"

Following Zhu Haomiao's gaze, a hint of disdain and helplessness flickered in Feng Zhaobai's eyes.

"Some of them are gamblers looking for a thrill, and every {Ascension Competition} is a carnival for them."

"Some are {tourists} who like to wander around, like street wanderers in the All Heavens Illusion Realm."

"Moreover, there are also spies from various forces, specializing in gathering and assessing the contenders' information during the match, establishing profiles for outstanding ones, making future approaches and recruiting easier..."

"You can think of them as advanced versions of talent scouts and scouts, similar to legitimate spies."

Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao couldn't help frowning slightly: "Doesn't the country care if they step into the {Yanhuang Armory}? Why not prohibit them?"

Feng Zhaobai shook his head: "Actually, this venue has many entrances. Those who enter from the {Yanhuang Armory} are contenders from various countries or related staff, ordinary audience run through other passages..."

"As for why we don't prohibit them..."

Saying this, Feng Zhaobai gazed up with a melancholic look, sighing helplessly.

"They offer too much..."

"..."

Looking around the auditorium that could fit tens of thousands, Zhu Haomiao suddenly realized, nodding in agreement with a heavy heart.

Seeing other competition zones making huge profits, isn't it more painful than losing money myself?!

It's not a matter of principle, nor does it affect the real world...

Can't just stop making money for a bit of morality, can we?

Thud!

At this moment, a massive shockwave swept across the arena, instantly thrilling all the spectators into cheers.

In the center of the battlefield, victory and defeat were already decided between two contenders. A glamorous-looking girl stood on the chest of a burly boy, raising her elegant neck high like a proud peacock.

"Lowly dog from the North! Do you yield?!"

Pressing hard against the boy beneath her foot, the girl sneered in contempt.

The boy, initially with a weakened aura, upon hearing this, instantly had his eyes flood with blood, suddenly unleashing great strength to overturn the girl, and the two promptly clashed again.

Seeing this scene, Feng Zhaobai angrily glared at Wang Hua.

"You put North and South Koreans together, afraid they'd not fight to the death?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Hua defended in grievance.

"It was really randomly arranged, besides, there are so many contestants from the North and South Korea, they were bound to meet!"

Seeing Feng Zhaobai's nonchalant reaction, Wang Hua leaned closer to Zhu Haomiao, whispering complaints.

"When they need us, we're like sweethearts, but when we're not needed, he accuses me of rigging, Senior Brother Feng is so double-standard!"

Feng Zhaobai: "What did you say?"

"Nothing! Nothing!"

Glaring at Wang Hua harshly, Feng Zhaobai turned to Zhu Haomiao, his expression instantly warming.

"Junior Brother Zhu, do you want to go up and give it a try?"

"Uh… is it okay?"

Zhu Haomiao rubbed his hands, a little excited.

Having ascended to silver, even he didn't know how strong he was!

"Generally speaking, to facilitate replays in reality and betting, the schedule needs to be arranged two or three days in advance after registration, but sometimes you can get special priority."

Saying this, Feng Zhaobai looked at Wang Hua beside him, his expression suddenly cold.

"Arrange a suitable opponent for Junior Brother Zhu to experience."

"Ah? Can you really do that? Wouldn't it be bad?"

Experiencing the power of a backdoor for the first time, Zhu Haomiao found himself biting his lip with uneasy guilt.

Seeing this, Wang Hua waved his hand indifferently.

"It's not like we're asking the opponent to throw the match, just a little flexibility within the rules, you could think of it as a home field advantage, the real outcome still comes down to your actual strength."

Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao effortlessly nodded in agreement.

"Then I'll trouble Senior Brother Wang."

"You're welcome, I'll arrange a Japanese contender for you, we have an old feud with each other, even if you beat him to death, no one will say anything, you can go all out!"

Zhu Haomiao: "..."