Good heavens.

These words openly implied that Lu Meiti's loss was understandable, but secretly, they clearly meant: "How dare you mortals measure the great God Mingxi by the standards of those weak Beast Tamers? Losing to her is what you deserve!"

He even differentiated between ordinary and extraordinary dark horse Beast Tamers.

This Wang Rui is utterly shameless!

So infuriating.

｢ ( ﾟ ﾍ ﾟ )

...

While the two commentators were verbally sparring, the internet exploded due to the unexpected outcome of the match.

Immediately after the match, trending topics about Mingxi defeating Lu Meiti had already dominated all major social media platforms.

#MingxiPullsOffUpset#

#WhatExactlyIsAnti-EnergyLightningAttraction#

#LuMeitiVsMingxiMingxiWins#

#Starsea Cup'sMostUnusualDarkHorse#

Various analysis posts and discussion threads instantly flooded the screens.

Renowned critic 【Tactical Microscope】 published a lengthy article: 【Deconstructing the Lu Mei Battle — How Mingxi, with Inferior Strength, Tore Through the Champion's Defense】.

The article meticulously analyzed the deeper intentions behind each of Mingxi's commands, highly praising her way of thinking and the strategic use of her pet beasts' hidden abilities, deeming it a "textbook-level victory of the weak over the strong" and a "dimensional-reduction strike of tactical thinking."

Of course, there were also dissenting voices.

Another critic, known for his sharp insights, 【Eye of Truth】, published 【A Wink from Lady Luck — On the Coincidence and Irreproducibility in Mingxi's Victory】.

He believed that Mingxi's tactics were too risky, overly reliant on specific reactions from her opponent (such as Lu Meiti not realizing she was feigning weakness and not being vigilant enough), and even more reliant on the unknown effects of three brand-new skills (which Lu Meiti and her pet beasts were completely unprepared for).

He believed his understanding of Anti-Energy Lightning Attraction was more profound and clearly analyzed the shortcomings of this skill.

And, like Commentator Yin, he believed that her decision to have Little Silver Flower use Silent Chains, a highly draining skill, in the group stage was digging her own grave.

"Luo Xu Jingtian has only been hatched for two years; in our human terms, it's still a child.

And its Beast Tamer, just for a not-so-important match, made it use such a skill. Isn't that too cold-blooded and selfish?"

He attributed the victory more to "information asymmetry" and "one-time luck," believing that such tactics were difficult to replicate and that Mingxi's true strength still needed observation.

Both were highly influential and seasoned critics, so mainstream supporters quickly divided into two factions.

It immediately devolved into a heated argument.

Despite the controversy, there was no doubt that through this battle, Mingxi completely solidified her position as the strongest dark horse. No one dared to underestimate this genius girl from Dragonflower Country anymore.

She had already, through this match with Lu Meiti, become one of the most powerful contenders for the Starsea Cup championship!

...

Mingxi was not yet aware of the 'contention of a hundred schools' online. As the ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ match ended, after politely greeting Lu Meiti, Mingxi walked towards the competitor's passage.

Along the way were countless flashing cameras and fervent cheers.

Near the entrance of the passage, she saw a familiar figure.

Karon Karman had also just finished his match and was preparing to quietly leave with a livid expression, clearly not wanting to court trouble at such a time.

Although he had also been competing, he had already heard about Mingxi defeating Lu Meiti. This made the things he had deliberately said to Mingxi earlier seem a bit...

Mingxi's steps paused slightly. Her gaze precisely locked onto him, and her voice, though not loud, clearly cut through the noise: "Mr. Karman."

Karon's body stiffened. He had no choice but to stop, turn around, and force an extremely awkward smile, maintaining his noble etiquette: "Miss Ming."

Mingxi walked up to him. Although she had just endured a mentally exhausting and arduous battle, there was no sign of fatigue on her face. Her eyes remained astonishingly bright.

They held the sharp edge of youth.

"You must be ecstatic right now, aren't you? You can finally purely anticipate becoming the first Beast Master to defeat me."

Karon Karman had provoked her time and again. Her indifference didn't mean she truly had no temper.

Who isn't a little princess!

Mingxi's tone was very gentle, yet it felt like a series of slaps across Karon's face.

He was just habitually disinclined to think, which didn't mean he couldn't understand human speech.

Karon Karman was absolutely the most self-indulgent person living in the Karman Empire in the true sense of the word.

Due to the doting, pampering, and various forms of love from his ancestors, grandparents, parents, and even siblings, and because his status was too high without needing to bear corresponding responsibilities, he developed this outwardly arrogant and aloof, but actually somewhat naive and foolish, personality.

Mingxi was the first person he had ever encountered in his life who didn't give him any special treatment.

The disparity was quite large, and the noble Duke Karon couldn't accept it, nor could he adapt. So he provoked her again and again, and was defeated again and again, in a vicious cycle.

"Congratulations, you can do it again!"

Mingxi's main principle was: if I can't kill you, I'll at least infuriate you.

Sarcasm, who else but me?

Karon Karman's face turned from green to red. His fingers clenched, his nails almost digging into his flesh, yet he couldn't utter a single word.

This little girl was too malicious.

How dare she mock him like that.

Mingxi, having delivered her malicious sarcasm, ignored him. Talking too much to a fool not only lowers one's value but also makes one susceptible to catching their stupidity.

Time to go, time to go.

Under the murderous gazes of Karon Karman and his lackeys, Mingxi calmly turned and walked away like a queen.

Karon Karman stared intently at Mingxi's disappearing back, his anger and frustration almost overflowing.

He suddenly flung his hand and roared, "Let's go! I must win the afternoon match against Mingxi!"

He didn't notice that among his attendants, a young man named Eric had a sinister look in his eyes. He exchanged a glance with the person next to him.

The two silently retreated a few steps, falling to the very back of the group.

"Lord Jonah, that Mingxi has repeatedly embarrassed the Duke. As his loyal followers, shouldn't we teach her a lesson and get justice for the Duke?"

The middle-aged man named Jonah was a guard who had grown up with Karon Karman, essentially a protector, an SSS-level Beast Master.

Seeing his protected young master repeatedly suffer setbacks at Mingxi's hands, he was naturally equally angry, but he hadn't lost his reason. He looked at Eric and said, "A lesson? How to teach a lesson? She's the focus of the Starsea Cup right now, with how many eyes watching!

And even if we had a way, with her strength, even if I personally acted, or even sent all the people we brought with us, it would probably be very difficult to truly take her down."

Jonah was not a fool; he clearly saw Mingxi's strength. That Xiao Guniang simply could not be judged by conventional wisdom.

Neither could her eight pet beasts.

Although his rank was higher than hers, if they truly competed, he would definitely not be her opponent.

In terms of the depth of pet beasts.

He was more than just a notch inferior.

Eric showed a cunning smile: "If we can't do it openly, we can do it secretly."