"So much for your smooth talk, it's all about throwing a fixed game," Jin Zhenhuan sneered, twisting his lips disdainfully.
From an outsider's perspective, it indeed looked like a tacit game, but only Rod knew in his heart that he lost this round, and lost thoroughly. That slow straight ball was even more terrifying than his Butterfly Pitch.
The Butterfly Pitch relies on luck, while Li Xiu's slow straight ball showcases psychological maneuvering and immense confidence.
A slow straight ball like that is the easiest for others to hit, yet it greatly disadvantaged Rod, an expert. This was no longer about ball skills, but a psychological battle.
Rod gave Li Xiu a complicated look and stepped onto the pitcher's mound.
There were no more retreats for him. After losing this point, he had no choice but to win. Against someone like Li Xiu, ordinary breaking balls stood no chance. Rod felt as if Li Xiu had seen through him completely, like standing naked before him.
"Let fate decide!" Rod's gambling spirit surged again, and he recklessly threw a Finger Ball.
As the ball flew through the air, it moved unpredictably up and down, left and right. Though not fast, its trajectory was impossible to foresee.
Rod had no idea where the baseball would ultimately fly; he could only pray that Li Xiu wouldn't hit it by chance, and that it wouldn't stray out of the box.
Finally, Li Xiu swung his bat, but unfortunately didn't make contact. When the ball struck within the box, Rod excitedly clenched his fist tightly.
"Is this the Butterfly Pitch?" Li Xiu wasn't dejected at all; instead, he seemed somewhat pleased.
Compared to the Finger Fork Ball, the Butterfly Pitch had more variation and was even harder to predict. However, the Butterfly Pitch's trajectory was difficult to control and depended on luck.
Of course, this reliance on luck was for ordinary people. After seeing Rod's Butterfly Pitch, Li Xiu already had other thoughts in mind.
"Rod, what was up with that pitch?" After Rod returned to the stands, Jin Zhenhuan called him over.
Previously, Jin Zhenhuan thought Li Xiu and Rod were just playing a fixed game, but seeing Rod throw the Butterfly Pitch, he sensed something was off.
If it were truly a fixed game, Rod wouldn't have needed to throw a Butterfly Pitch. That thing's trajectory is impossible to control, and it might even stray out of the box area, risking a lot. There's no need for Rod to take such a risk.
"That person is terrifying." Glancing in the direction of Li Xiu, Rod sighed and said, "If it were a real match, I would have lost, and lost thoroughly."
"What do you mean?" Jin Zhenhuan didn't understand and frowned as he asked.
Rod then explained the details, leaving Jin Zhenhuan and several administrators visibly unsettled.
"Are you overthinking it? Maybe Li Xiu didn't think it through that much, he just intended to play a fixed game," Jin Zhenhuan couldn't believe Li Xiu could manipulate people's hearts to that extent.
"No, I'm not overthinking it. That person is as terrifying as a demon; he saw right through my heart. In front of him, I feel as uncomfortable as being naked, and this feeling still gives me goosebumps." Rod shook his head and said.
"Is he really that formidable?" Jin Zhenhuan couldn't help but look toward where Li Xiu was, his brow furrowing even tighter.
Originally, he had absolute confidence that from any aspect, Li Xiu couldn't possibly beat him. But for some reason, there was an inexplicable uneasiness in Jin Zhenhuan's heart.
Now Li Xiu had tied three matches consecutively. If he were to duel with Li Xiu next, it would be a decisive battle with no second chances, leading to inevitable death for one.
"With my ability, I can hit it out of the park even if he throws a breaking ball, he's bound to lose." Jin Zhenhuan knew this was true, yet the unease in his heart wouldn't fade.
After the third round ended, those who had claimed rewards chose to exit the trial, leaving only Li Xiu and Jin Zhenhuan on the stands.
With little time left on the countdown, Li Xiu still showed no intention of quitting, determined to face him in a duel, making Jin Zhenhuan hesitate instead.
"Li Xiu, are you truly not afraid of death? You should know very well that as either batter or pitcher, you're destined to lose. I can offer you a chance: apologize now, and I'll consider sparing your life," Jin Zhenhuan said to Li Xiu with a high and mighty stance.
"No need," Li Xiu calmly replied without even looking Jin Zhenhuan in the eye.
Seeing Li Xiu's seemingly fearless demeanor, the unease in Jin Zhenhuan's heart grew stronger.
"What if Li Xiu can also throw a Butterfly Pitch?" Jin Zhenhuan suddenly thought of the possibility. Such an unpredictable pitch, even if he wasn't fully confident in hitting it perfectly, could lead to severe consequences if he hit the ball out of bounds, as there would be no second chances.
Feeling increasingly unsettled, Jin Zhenhuan said to Li Xiu again, "It would be meaningless to kill you like this; I'll let you live a few more days. Take your time to consider whether your life is more important or that pointless pride. You're welcome to find me any time once you've decided. As long as you apologize, I'll spare your life."
With that, he left the trial ground without waiting for Li Xiu's response.
Li Xiu had anticipated Jin Zhenhuan's departure and remained unaffected. Jin Zhenhuan's retreat in their previous confrontation had already indicated his mental collapse.
"With one remaining, the final trial begins. The rules are as follows..."
Li Xiu appeared on the pitcher's mound, and at the batter's position, his silhouette appeared. Similar to the last C-level final test, his opponent was an enhanced version of himself, with physical qualities one and a half times his own.
"Looks like the C-level difficulty final test follows a similar model. I wonder what the B-level and A-level final tests look like?" Li Xiu glanced at the silhouette. The trial rule was a one-ball win, with no second chances.
Without hesitation, he pitched. The white baseball darted up and down, left and right in the air. As it reached the silhouette, despite swinging the bat, it missed, slipping under the bat and landing within the box.
"Final trial completed, rewards being randomly generated..."
Soon, four reward icons appeared on the screen.
Skills, Demon Core, Attributes, Talent, but there was no entry ticket Li Xiu was hoping for. However, even if there were an entry ticket, he had no intention of choosing it.
His physical attributes were still not enough, and even going back in would be useless, as he still couldn't wield that Blood Patterned Pistol.
Li Xiu chose the skill. Talent is basically similar to skill, except one is active, the other passive.
Li Xiu preferred having control, so he leaned towards choosing skills.
The skill icon transformed into a beam of light, projecting in front of Li Xiu, morphing into a white ring entity.
Li Xiu inserted his finger into the ring, which immediately shrank and branded onto his finger before slowly disappearing.
Fly's Eye: C-level skill, grants temporary enhancement to both eyes, lasting for one minute.