The afternoon match times slowly passed amidst tension and anticipation.
Ouyang Qin's match was at 2:20 PM, against a third-year student from an ordinary high school in the Zell Region.
Her Berserker Bear took only three minutes to successively defeat both of her opponent's pets; the Steel-Armored Bear didn't even get a chance to enter the arena.
Gao Xue's match was at 3:40 PM, against a third-year student from the Jinhuai Region, and she also easily secured a victory.
...
At 5:30 PM, the setting sun painted the floating islands of the Monte Region a golden-red hue.
Liu Yi sat on a sofa in the player waiting area. Ziyue lay at her feet, her two tails draped lazily on the ground, occasionally swaying gently. Chiying hovered beside her, its crimson eyes half-closed, seemingly dozing.
Her phone vibrated with a message from the School Team group chat.
【Wei Xiuyu: All of our school's matches for today have concluded. Tonight at 8 PM, gather in the hotel's third-floor conference room to summarize today's results and points, and to announce tomorrow's battle schedule. Room 307 is booked, don't be late.】
【Li Chengying: Understood!】
【Gao Xue: Understood.】
【Ouyang Qin: Understood.】
【Wei Tan'an: Understood.】
【...】
Liu Yi also replied with 'Understood' before putting her phone back into her pocket.
She looked down at Ziyue, who coincidentally raised her head, her purple eyes filled with inquiry.
“There’s a meeting at 8 PM,” Liu Yi said softly. “We still have over two hours. Want to go out for a stroll?”
“Bingbing!”
Ziyue immediately perked up, her two tails pointing high, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Chiying also opened its eyes, gently swaying its tail.
Liu Yi’s lips curved slightly as she stood up. “Let’s go. Auntie Chen mentioned the Monte Region’s specialty snack, Cloud Cotton Candy. It’s a good time to try it.”
...
The commercial street near the Cloud Dream Hotel was one of the most bustling areas in the Monte Region.
This street was built on a medium-sized floating island, with various shops lining both sides: pet supply stores, specialty restaurants, souvenir shops, and numerous outdoor stalls.
Most notably, the entire street was enveloped by a transparent energy shield, which not only blocked strong high-altitude winds but also allowed visitors to enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding floating islands.
The commercial street was exceptionally lively in the evening.
Many contestants in various school uniforms bustled through the street; some discussed today’s matches in small groups, while others browsed for souvenirs with their pets in shops.
Occasionally, she spotted familiar school emblems. Liu Yi recognized a few schools she had seen in the staging area earlier today.
“Bingbing!”
Ziyue suddenly patted Liu Yi’s calf with her paw, pointing towards the street corner.
Liu Yi followed her gaze. At the corner was a charmingly decorated stall with the words “Cloud Cotton Candy” written prominently on its sign, accompanied by a drawing of a fluffy Cloud Cotton Beast.
A line of five or six people stood in front of the stall, mostly families with children.
Liu Yi walked over and joined the end of the line.
Ziyue curiously stood on her tiptoes, trying to see what was at the front.
Chiying, meanwhile, rose slightly higher, observing the stall from above.
The line moved slowly forward.
When it was Liu Yi’s turn, the vendor was a cheerful middle-aged woman, accompanied by a plump Cloud Cotton Beast. It was using its fluffy fur to gently wrap and knead a ball of syrup.
“First time in the Monte Region, young lady?” the vendor asked with a smile. “How many portions?”
“Three,” Liu Yi replied.
“Alright!” The vendor turned to the Cloud Cotton Beast. “Tuantuan, three Cloud Cotton Candies!”
“Yunyun!”
The Cloud Cotton Beast chirped happily, its fur instantly becoming even fluffier.
It took three balls of snowy-white syrup from a nearby jar, gently wrapped them in its fur, and began kneading them rhythmically.
Something magical happened.
The three balls of syrup gradually expanded within the Cloud Cotton Beast’s fur, becoming fluffier and lighter, eventually transforming into three genuine “clouds.”
The Cloud Cotton Beast carefully placed the three Cloud Cotton Candies on a delicate tray. Each one emitted a faint sweet aroma and glowed with a soft luster.
“So beautiful…” Liu Yi murmured softly.
Ziyue watched, mesmerized, her two tails unconsciously swaying gently.
Chiying also moved closer, a hint of curiosity flickering in its crimson eyes.
Liu Yi paid and took the tray.
She picked up one first and took a small bite.
The moment it entered her mouth, the “cloud” melted on her tongue, transforming into a clear, sweet warmth, carrying faint notes of fruit and milk, so soft it felt as if she were truly eating a cloud.
“Delicious,” her eyes lit up slightly.
Ziyue immediately looked at her expectantly.
Liu Yi smiled, picked up another, and offered it to Ziyue.
Ziyue cautiously licked it once, then her ears shot up, and her eyes widened.
“Bingbing! Bingbing!”
It cried out twice in excitement, then began to nibble the Cloud Cotton Candy in small bites, its two tails wagging happily.
Chiying also came closer.
Liu Yi picked up the last one and offered it to it.
Chiying lowered its head to sniff, then gently curled its tongue, rolling a small piece of Cloud Cotton Candy into its mouth.
It savored it for a moment, then nodded in approval.
“It’s good, right?” Liu Yi asked with a smile.
“Mo.”
Chiying nodded and rolled up another small piece.
...
At 7:40 PM, Liu Yi returned to the Cloud Dream Hotel with Ziyue and Chiying.
As she entered the lobby, she happened to see Li Chengying and Gao Xue exiting the elevator.
“Liu Yi!” Li Chengying waved excitedly. “Where did you two go? I was just about to look for you in your room!”
“We went to the commercial street for a stroll,” Liu Yi answered truthfully. “Bought some Cloud Cotton Candy.”
“Cloud Cotton Candy?!” Li Chengying’s eyes lit up. “Is it good? Where did you buy it? I want some too!”
Gao Xue helplessly pulled her back. “The meeting starts at eight. Can’t you go tomorrow?”
“But…”
“No buts,” Gao Xue said expressionlessly. “Meeting first, then you can go tomorrow.”
Li Chengying drooped her head, but quickly lifted it again. “Then Liu Yi, at least describe the taste to me first!”
Liu Yi thought for a moment, then said seriously, “It melts in your mouth, very sweet, like eating a cloud.”
“Like eating a cloud?” Li Chengying tilted her head. “What kind of description is that? What does a cloud taste like?”
Gao Xue massaged her forehead. “Alright, alright, stop asking. Let’s go to the conference room.”
The three of them entered the elevator together and pressed the third-floor button.
As the elevator ascended, the night view outside was visible through the transparent cabin walls. The floating islands of the Monte Region were already dotted with lights, like stars suspended in the night sky.
“So beautiful,” Li Chengying murmured softly.
Gao Xue, uncharacteristically, didn’t refute her, merely gazing silently out the window.
Liu Yi also watched the lights, and Ziyue squatted at her feet, looking up at the window as well.
Chiying hovered beside her, its crimson eyes reflecting the shimmering points of light.
Rate on N.U.
