At this moment, Qingque led Stelle to the rear of the group's headquarters.
Before them stood rows upon rows of glowing treasure chests!
Qingque spoke up: "The Luofu Imperial Jade Group is committed to providing the most~ exhilarating service for card players across the universe!"
"It's a shame the rules of the Imperial Jade are too ancient and rigid. If we want people from different civilizations to go crazy for it, we must inject it with entirely new energy."
"You've just seen many different ways to play the Imperial Jade—each of them has potential. But in my heart, I firmly believe that 'none holds as much explosive appeal as the mode right before you now.'"
"I plan to add loot boxes to the Imperial Jade!"
"Players can open randomized chests for a chance to obtain the missing tiles they need to complete their hands. Victory or defeat could hinge on a single pull!"
"Every time a chest is opened, there's a chance for a 'golden legend' to appear!"
"Go ahead, give it a try! It won't be long before you're addicted to this feeling!"
Approaching the chests—
The interface even blatantly displayed [Warp Once].
It wasn't even pretending anymore!
This was outright self-parody!
Single pull!
[Utterly ordinary trash]
Ten-pull.
[Mediocre trash]
[Statistically doomed trash]
[One-in-a-hundred trash (Golden Legend)]
[...]
It was all garbage!
The scene fell into silence for a moment.
Even the diviners couldn't hold back their shock at this absurd plot!
They couldn't help but exclaim: "Holy crap!"
"Isn't this just Honkai: Star Rail's gacha system?!"
"I've played satire games before, but I never expected this one to roast itself so hard!"
"Qingque is an absolute genius!"
"Today has been an eye-opener..."
Originally, the Divination Commission's official livestream had only a few thousand viewers.
Now, it had skyrocketed to tens of thousands!
"This side quest is even better than the main story!"
"As expected of the Divination Commission's rising star—Qingque!"
"The ideas Qingque came up with in the illusion have already been adopted by Yu Ling."
"I'm really curious about the developer's mental state..."
"I've already fallen in love with the thrill of pulling!"
"Why did it have to be the Divination Commission hosting this stream?"
"Lady Fu Xuan, are you there?"
"Little Xuan, how dare you speak to my Elder Qing like that?!"
Just then—
A knock came at the door.
Fu Xuan burst in, flustered: "N-No good, Elder Qing!"
"Bad news—Interastral Peace Entertainment has copied the Imperial Jade's rules and released their own card game!"
Qingque gasped: "What?! File a lawsuit immediately! I'll sue them for infringement!"
"Uh... th-there's worse news! The Interastral Peace Corporation has already announced their new project!"
"Ugh! Damn it all! It's just a technical adjustment... Should I take a gamble on the new gameplay?"
Qingque fell into tense contemplation.
Meanwhile, on the right side of the interface—
Four neatly arranged options appeared!
[This is a high-stakes gamble, my friend!]
[You can still gamble some more, my friend!]
[Why not go all-in, my friend!]
[At this point, my friend!]
Qingque nodded solemnly: "You're right. I'll bet everything I have! Little Xuan, activate our emergency assets—"
Fu Xuan sighed: "We've already been outmaneuvered. The IPC has bought up all the Imperial Jade Group's stocks."
"Utterly defeated, my friend."
After a brief silence—
Qingque's voice gradually grew hoarse and hysterical, echoing through the room:
"Why... why did things turn out like this?!"
Suddenly, Qingque turned to Fu Xuan and shouted:
"You useless fool—YOU'RE FIRED!"
Back in her seat—
Cold sweat poured down Qingque's forehead!
It's over!
It's all over!
This storyline had built her up to the heavens—only to blast her into fireworks mid-air!
How was she supposed to face Lady Fu Xuan after this?!
How could she ever show her face in the Divination Commission again?!
Just then—
Fu Xuan let out a cold "Heh."
Qingque's heart shattered into pieces.
Lady Fu Xuan was so angry she laughed!
She was probably already brainstorming all the ways to torture her!
Utterly defeated, my friend!
Meanwhile, in the storyline—
Fu Xuan suddenly became calm and composed:
"Hmph, this Heliobus CEO's temper is truly something..."
"Even someone as indifferent to fame as Qingque got trapped in its vortex of greed. But in the end, these are just illusions meant to deceive the host—easily popped."
"See? With just a little trick, I easily shattered this creature's sweet dream."
The Heliobus' voice rang out:
"The dreams I've given Qingque won't be shaken so easily! Listen well, Stelle—I have an idea to make us all rich!"
"Sign a contract with me on behalf of the Astral Express. Together, we'll bring the Imperial Jade to the untamed worlds. With the Express, we'll beat the IPC to the blue ocean market. What do you say?"
Fu Xuan: "A nice fantasy, but the Nameless would never agree."
[Enter Battle]
[Battle Concluded]
The Heliobus possessing Qingque was successfully subdued.
And with that, this "grand" illusion came to an end.
The livestream ended.
But in the venue—
Everyone remained seated, their eyes unanimously fixed on Fu Xuan and Qingque at the front.
Fu Xuan stood up.
Qingque immediately flinched.
"Lady Master Diviner, please don't hit my face!"
But Fu Xuan only sighed—
Looking utterly exhausted.
"First, shut down the stream. The Divination Commission has already embarrassed itself across the entire Xianzhou."
"I don't want to say anything more."
"Everyone, go back and reflect on today's events."
The diviners pretended to look solemn as they scrambled to leave—
But in reality, they couldn't wait to share everything they'd just witnessed with their friends!
Fu Xuan turned—
And looked straight at Qingque.
"Qingque."
"Y-Yes?!"
"Perhaps... I've been too strict with you... which is why you keep fantasizing about quitting in these storylines."
"I... will also reflect on this."
"This Heliobus incident has given me much to think about."
"You... have your own unique qualities. From now on, I'll view you with a more balanced perspective."
Qingque stood frozen in place.
After everything she'd done in the storyline—
Even calling the Master Diviner "Little Xuan"—
And yet...
Lady Fu Xuan was letting her off so lightly?
No expulsion?
No punishment?
Instead... she said she would reflect?
The Master Diviner has changed!
She's really changed!
Qingque was almost moved to tears.
She immediately thumped her chest and declared:
"Lady Master Diviner, don't worry!"
"From now on, you're the only leader I'll ever acknowledge!"
"With a leader as open-minded as you, I'd be happy to work in the Divination Commission until I'm old and gray!"
Once the other diviners had mostly left—
Fu Xuan's gaze darkened.
"Cut the nonsense!"
"Right now—immediately—go to the archives and work overtime organizing documents!"
To be continued…
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