Chapter 21: Intense Competition
"Forget it, whatever!" Not being able to figure it out, Yoimiya didn't dwell on it, turning instead to look seriously at Yae Miko and Kamisato Ayaka ahead.
The scene shifted back to Kamisato Ayaka, who summoned a Mistsplitter Reforged and, without a word, tossed it straight into the Parametric Transformer.
After absorbing the Mistsplitter Reforged, Ayaka's vehicle shot off the track, onto the river, and transformed into a boat.
At that moment, above the waterfall, Tartaglia toyed with a Primogem in his hand before tossing out his surfboard and hopping onto it.
But the very next second, Kamisato Ayaka smashed directly into Tartaglia, sending him and his board flying.
"Hmm, felt like I hit something just now, oh well, never mind!" Feeling a jolt in her vehicle, Kamisato Ayaka couldn't help but turn her head to look, wondering what she might have hit, but unable to figure it out, she didn't dwell on it.
Immediately, Kamisato Ayaka accelerated, dashed across the river, and pulled ahead of Yoimiya, taking the lead.
The camera followed Yae Miko and the others as they raced further away, eventually landing on the Traveler—Lumine.
Lumine was pedaling her bicycle hard, carrying Paimon as they raced toward the finish line.
Just then, Paimon seemed to catch a scent, her nose twitching incessantly.
Hearing the sound of Paimon sniffing, Lumine quickly stopped beside Arataki Itto.
"My goodness, is this the legendary Delicious Jewelry Soup?" Paimon flew straight toward the delicacy and began to devour it.
Lumine, meanwhile, turned her gaze toward the surrounding burning trees and said with utter indifference, "The fire seems to be getting bigger!"
...
[ Genshin-Collei: Oh my, isn't that person who got sent flying our Eleventh Harbinger? Why is he in such a sorry state? ]
[ Genshin-Sucrose: Such a miserable Fatui Harbinger! ]
[ Genshin-Amber: Wait, fireworks plus carrots plus pork equals Delicious Jewelry Soup? ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd-Raiden Mei: Can fireworks even be used for cooking? ]
Currently at St. Freya Academy, Raiden Mei stared at the Delicious Jewelry Soup on the screen, lost in thought.
A few moments later, Raiden Mei slowly raised her head, focusing her gaze on Kiana and Bronya, who were excitedly watching the screen, a mysterious smile playing on her lips.
Kiana and Bronya suddenly shivered, looking around, but couldn't find anything strange.
[ Honkai Star Rail-Lynx: The wildfire nearby won't go out on its own; if they keep going like this, the whole forest might burn down. ]
[ Honkai Star Rail-Guinaifen: Shouldn't a big race like this have fire extinguishing equipment ready? ]
...
"I'm full, let's go!" Paimon sat back down on the rear seat of the bike, patting her belly with a look of pure happiness.
Lumine didn't say anything, quickly resuming pedaling and continuing toward the finish line.
"The forest fire is getting bigger and bigger, we can't just leave it be. I wonder if anyone among you…" Katheryne, sitting at the judges' table, glanced at Zhongli and the others with a smile.
However, the three of them simply picked up their drinks and took a sip, showing no reaction.
Just then, the scene cut back to the forest fire, where Kamisato Ayato slowly emerged, holding a bottle of chili sauce and taking deep, frantic gulps.
"Leave this forest fire to us!" Kamisato Ayato said with a smile after a massive gulp of chili sauce.
Suddenly, a jet of water sprayed out. The camera zoomed out to show two red fire trucks spraying water continuously, with Sangonomiya Kokomi and Gorou holding a large water hose, tirelessly fighting the fire.
"Is that really how they solved it? Amazing, don't you think so too!" Ellin clapped her hands excitedly before turning to look at the Hilichurl training dummy beside her.
...
[ Genshin-Thoma: Uh, My Lord, have you developed a taste for chili sauce? If so, I'll go buy some right now. ]
[ Genshin-Kamisato Ayato: How is that possible? I only like milk tea! ]
[ Honkai Star Rail-Fu Xuan: Milk tea is indeed better, especially the Star Rail Boba! ]
...
The scene returned to Yae Miko and the others. Yoimiya was yanking frantically at her control stick, shouting, "Give me more speed!"
But the next second, with a crack, the control stick was pulled right out by Yoimiya.
Holding the stick in her hand, Yoimiya looked completely bewildered.
The now-uncontrolled vehicle shot straight into the nearby forest, with Yoimiya screaming, "I'll be back!"
Just then, a stone wall rose in front of the road, and Katheryne's commentary followed.
"Ahead is the final obstacle. I wonder what method each contestant will use to pass it!" Katheryne's tense voice echoed in the ears of Yae Miko and Kamisato Ayaka.
At this moment, Kamisato Ayaka took out another Mistsplitter Reforged and tossed it into the Parametric Transformer behind her.
After absorbing the Mistsplitter, she turned the steering wheel, and her vehicle instantly sprouted a pair of wings, flying directly over the wall.
"Ayaka's vehicle has transformed once again and flown over the obstacle! A vehicle powered by a Parametric Transformer really has miraculous effects!" Seeing Ayaka's vehicle change shape again, Katheryne, sitting at the judges' table, spoke with admiration.
"So extravagant?" Seeing the vehicle transform again, Mona, sitting in the audience, looked shocked, then handed her rice bowl to a staff member, saying, "Free rice, another bowl!"
Following that, Yae Miko placed both hands in front of her, and a terrifying electrical current surged out. The entire vehicle instantly hovered in the air, spinning non-stop, and with a loud boom, it smashed through the wall and charged forward.
"Yae Miko is spinning! Could this move be the long-lost Electric Fox Tornado?" Seeing Yae Miko use sheer power to shatter the wall, Katheryne was astonished once more.
Just then, after a sharp turn, Kamisato Ayaka glanced back at Yae Miko, took out a large quantity of five-star weapons again, and tossed them into the Parametric Transformer to accelerate her vehicle.
Yae Miko, following behind, didn't back down either, increasing her power output, and her speed shot up instantly.
Now, both were neck and neck, neither able to surpass the other.
"Wait, is there something in the sky? My goodness, it's Yoimiya!" Just then, Katheryne's shocked voice rang in the ears of Ayaka and Yae Miko.
Hearing Katheryne, the two looked up to see Yoimiya standing on a massive firework, hurtling straight toward the finish line.
"Heh heh, this is my secret weapon!" Standing on the firework, Yoimiya said with her hands on her hips, looking excited.
But the next second, the firework lost control and crashed toward Kamisato Ayaka and Yae Miko on the ground.
"I can't control it!" "Stay away from me!"
With a loud boom, the two vehicles and the giant firework exploded.
Overload, Electro-Charged, Wet, Frozen—countless elemental reactions combined to form an elemental reactor.
...