Chapter 353: Has Anyone Brought Water?
At the top of the mountain, the Third Prince and Seventh Princess were bewildered!
"What the hell is this fellow doing? Is he trying to act cool at a time like this?" a prince asked, his eyes wide open.
"Seventh Sister, what is he trying to do?" The Third Prince turned to look at the Seventh Princess.
The Seventh Princess wore a bemused expression. She could not understand what Xu Que was trying to achieve.
The race was about to start. Yet he had not gotten into his divine chariot to make preparations like the others had. He might not be able to control the divine chariot as smoothly as the rest!
Amidst all the consternation and confusion, an old eunuch who was presiding over the first round of the contest finally stepped out and asked, "young man, what do you mean? Is there a problem with your divine chariot or are you thinking of pulling out of the competition?"
"Not at all!"
Xu Que shook his head and touched his chin. "I just wanted to ask, has anyone brought tofu? If not, a glass of water is fine too!"
Everyone was flabbergasted by Xu Que’s sudden demands!
Tofu?
Water?
What are you doing? You’re actually thinking of eating at a time like this?
The old eunuch was also stunned by his words.
He had presided over the Imperial Tombs Contest for many years, and never before had he encountered a request like this. The race was almost starting, yet this young man was asking for food and water?
Who is this person exactly?
Reluctantly, the old eunuch turned to look at the Metal Emperor as he needed to get the Emperor’s decision on this matter.
Contrary to his expectations, the Metal Emperor nodded slightly, indicating that the old eunuch could go ahead and meet the demands of Xu Que. The Emperor’s attention was on Xu Que again!
In a divine chariot from a distance away, the Empress Dowager was also staring at Xu Que, the contemplation and interest in her eyes deepening!
...
"Young man, you can have this glass of water!"
The old eunuch had acceded to Xu Que’s request and handed him a glass of water.
Everyone looked at Xu Que with disdain. To them, such behaviour was shameful!
Furthermore, Xu Que was already in the Original Infant Stage, cultivators by now could already survive perfectly without eating or drinking. To ask for a glass of water at this time... in their opinion, Xu Que might be up to some tricks!
However, when Xu Que took the glass of water, he shook his head and smiled. "I asked for a glass of water not because I wanted to drink it!"
Eh? You don’t want to drink it?
Then what’s the water for?
Everyone was full of questions about what Xu Que had said!
The old eunuch was somewhat surprised and inquired, "then what will you be using it for?"
Xu Que’s lips curled up. Holding the glass of water, he sat inside his car and placed the glass of water aside. Bang! At the same time, he closed the car door!
In no time, he wound down the car window and answered the old eunuch. "Actually, I just feel like this competition is too easy for me. It’s boring. So I have decided to increase the difficulty level. All of you please look over here—look at the glass of water. If I spill even a bit of the water, I’ll admit defeat!" remarked Xu Que, giving himself a slap on the chest. His tone was unusually firm and full of confidence.
The crowd was instantly taken aback by that claim!
The competition is too easy?
It’s boring?
You’ll admit defeat if you spill even a bit of the water?
Darn, is this fellow crazy?
Why is he acting so incredibly arrogant in front of so many divine chariot masters?
Or does he know that he will lose for sure, so he’s trying to fight the awkwardness that will come later?
Many people were confused and mystified!
The Third Prince, the Seventh Princess and the rest of their group were stunned and worried by Xu Que’s remark. What was the difference between making that remark and surrendering?
"What is this guy thinking?" A prince clenched his fists in anger.
"This is equivalent to letting Third Brother lose without properly competing! Would he have been bribed by others to betray Third Brother?"
"No, Young Master Xu is not that kind of person!" defended the Seventh Princess. She firmly believed in Xu Que!
However, she was perplexed as well by Xu Que’s unnecessary request and subsequent remark. His intentions were too elusive for her!
The Metal Emperor, who was also at the foot of the mountain, was somewhat stunned and looked at Xu Que in bewilderment.
Even the Empress Dowager inside her divine chariot was slightly bemused!
Nobody could understand what Xu Que was trying to do. Even if they racked their brains to figure out his intentions, they would not be able to guess correctly. This was because Xu Que had done this purely for the sake of acting tough!
Putting a glass of water inside the car and not allowing the water to spill?
Was this some sort of bad joke? Although Xu Que had some nice driving skills, it would be impossible to attain the acme of perfection that was promote in anime series.
However, this fellow had already consulted the System and enabled the automatic hosting function, whereby System would use some of Xu Que’s Soul Strength to keep the water stable!
And it only cost one Acting Tough Point for every period of two hours!
Once successful, he was sure that he would reap a lot of Acting Tough Points. This was certainly a good chance to get rich in terms of Acting Tough Points. Xu Que knew that he couldn’t pass up this golden opportunity!
"Are you sure you want to increase the level of difficulty for yourself?" The Metal Emperor, who had been silent all this time, spoke to Xu Que.
The Emperor’s calm and majestic voice was heard by everyone.
The crowd was astonished. The Metal Emperor has actually taken the initiative to ask this young fellow a question?
Does this guy know how privileged he is?
Xu Que behaved appropriately, acting neither arrogant nor servile. He responded with a light smile. "Yes, I keep my word. If a single drop of water spills, I’ll admit defeat right away!
"Alright. I’ll agree to your terms!" the Metal Emperor nodded his head.
The faces of the Third Prince, Seventh Princess and the rest of their group were ashen white. It was too late to stop Xu Que!
The Second Prince and the rest of princes who were fighting to be Crown Prince took pleasure in their Third Brother’s misfortune!
"Third Brother, looks like you’ve been betrayed by your own team member! I’ve already told you before that Xu Que is insidious, cunning, despicable and shameless. Yet you have treated him like such an important person. You really shouldn’t have done that!"
The Second Prince shook his head and pretended to be sorry, but his eyes were full of sarcasm and derision!
Not too far away, the Eldest Prince and his group were also looking at the Third Prince and smiling strangely at him.
The Third Prince clenched his fists tightly. His body trembled slightly but he chose to remain silent!
The Seventh Princess dared not open her mouth to speak either. She was unable to guess what Xu Que wanted to achieve. She also did not know know if Xu Que was truly confident or not. She could only look at him with worry.
"The time has come. The first round of the Imperial Tombs Contest is about to begin. All contestants, please get ready!"
The old eunuch who was presiding over the first round of the contest made the announcement with his sharp voice.
He was holding a small yellow flag. When he waved the flag downwards, it would mean the race would officially start!
All the participating elite cultivators looked somber and focused. They were ready to go!
Vroom! Vrroom! Vrrooomm!
Xu Que put one foot on the brakes and the other foot leg on the accelerator, warming up the car. The sound of AE86’s engine was loud as thunder when it started up, resonating around the Imperial Tombs!
Many people were startled by the sudden powerful sound of the engine and turned their sights on Xu Que.
"The first round of the Imperial Tombs Contest will now... start!"
The old eunuch thrust the small yellow flag down!
Swoosh!
In an instant, Xu Que’s AE86 dashed out like an arrow flying into the distance, taking the lead!