Chapter 1579: with translation of chapter title

NO. 193: Expectation

This year's Gaoyue Prize obviously has decent weather.

The weather was clear, the sun shone high, and it made every athlete stepping out of the passage feel somewhat unaccustomed.

Some narrowed their eyes, some raised a hand to shield them, yet they all quickly adapted to the lush field that seemed able to reflect sunlight.

Zhongshan Racecourse, 5100 meters, spring, clear, good.

Each athlete's focus was no longer heaven and earth, but rather each other, all gathered before the starting gate.

What would they say?

What should they say?

According to convention, at the stage after entering the gate is completed, and also at the moment when everyone has just taken their positions at the gate—where, distance-wise, they actually appear closer than at other times—what kind of greetings, provocations, or other words would they utter toward those they already know or have only heard of…

All thoughts had vanished.

The reason is simple: it is the pride that refuses to show weakness even while heart-pounding with fear, and also the competitive spirit that, far from diminishing, grows stronger in the face of provocation.

Fourteen gazes fell upon the eighteen fellow competitors.

Miura Bourbon, Aimu Zhiji, Mancheng Chazuo, Ailisuzhi were not the true focus of all gazes, let alone the fact that they themselves did not even look at each other.

They simply looked forward.

Their gazes were fixed ahead, silent together with the other fourteen gazes.

They ought to have looked at each other, at those they had frequently observed during training and daily life, harboring the thought that they would eventually face off.

To watch the opponent's run, to watch their performance on the track, and even to have training staff slip video files into their accounts—files that copied others' performances in the race.

They ought to have been wary of each other, whether conceited or down-to-earth, for these excellent teammates were hard to ignore, yet they had indeed prepared early.

Just as their trainer, after gaining fame, simply abandoned the former conservative, reclusive plan.

As his horsegirls under him, Bourbon Aizhi Chazuo Suzi had already established a different self‑awareness in their hearts——

Although this is truly the first battle that will become widely known, this time they are both challengers and the challenged.

Every competitor here might have observed themselves.

They certainly have watched their own running videos, possibly over and over.

Debut races, fan‑accumulated prize‑money matches, even daily practices—here there are alumni who can come watch directly, and also external challengers who may have studied magazines.

So, the question:

As the challenged, must one respond to every challenger's gaze?

Regarding the way of the world, everyone has their own answer, but for the horsegirls under Trainer Aomo Lindun, their conclusion will be a unanimous transcendence.

Modesty is utterly useless, courtesy meaningless.

On the field of competitive events, winning everything always comes down to sheer strength.

Precisely for that reason, even provocation loses its meaning.

In the sealed gap of the starting gate, in the utter silence where even every shout is cut off, the four horsegirls' sole glance shifts only toward the gazes in the high stands.

That familiar gaze, which one can only sense after long exposure to monster cards, is like that of a true monster‑card user, striking down their will that had slightly contracted from concentration.

Whoosh!

In the eerie field of vision surrounding each horsegirl, the condensing of will is often perceived more clearly by those who cultivate source energy.

Burning like a flame‑stream, swirling like a strong wind—such visual effects are not uncommon on the track, and they are usually perceived by spectators who have watched dozens to hundreds of races over the years.

For the vast majority of competitors on site, the sight of an opponent suddenly bursting with flashy effects is still pretty hilarious.

They may have heard of the terms flow, domain, or Zone, but they might not recall them in this situation.

But no matter what, when they see that needle‑like, abyss‑like, meteor‑piercing‑earth, flood‑like visual effect reappear, and even more pronounced and direct than before…

Once their attention is seized by it, they are basically halfway done for.

If one asks the reason——

Three, two, one.

Pop‑da. MP4

"A disastrous gate exit! No. 5 Nonsense, No. 8 One Sound One Meeting, No. 11 Cold‑Sell Silver Light, No. 13 Paradise Expulsion, No. 4 Qi Yu Dark Dream, No. 6 Digital Ke Meng, No. 16 Swift Willow Leaf all delayed! Was their gaze drawn to the four‑linked domain inside the gate?!"

"It's not hard to understand, either—having four contestants simultaneously touch the domain on the Gaoyue track is rare even in history," the commentator lamented with an "ai ya," "but how could they forget their position at the race start? That's just a mistake youth makes."

"The youthful error makes this opening gap anything but optimistic!!" The host quickly interjected, "Now the leader is Miura Bourbon! Reliable Miura Bourbon! She indeed took the escapee's position, pulling ahead of everyone with textbook‑level ten steps out of the gate! Including her teammate Ailisuzhi from the same squad—!"

"The front‑runner Ailisuzhi, closely followed by the indomitable challenger Senlinbaoxue! Did she also choose to take the lead?! She shouldn't be using the same poor‑horse running style as Mancheng Chazuo, should she?!"

An uproar erupted from the spectator stands, and this is often the norm in horsegirl races.

For most horsegirls not chasing the Legendary Warrior persona, the shortest possible interval between races is usually about a month, and the average works out to two or three months.

Two or three months are often enough for them and their trainers to devise new tactics, new running styles, and new tricks, bringing fresh surprises to the audience.

Undoubtedly, the four under Aomo began swirling with special effects right at the gate, as if trying to run a finale‑style do‑or‑die momentum, already filling everyone with astonishment; we thought this was the biggest highlight of the meet, yet we didn't expect Senlinbaoxue to suddenly switch running style.

What is this…

Indeed, changing running style seems utterly unworthy of comparison with the visual impact of unleashing a domain.

The most vocal spectators on this track are all shouting for the effect‑laden horsegirls led by Miura Bourbon.

Although the early appearance of a domain as a ticket for top‑tier horsegirls is indeed worthy of such cheers, it's hard to say how many of these people are laypeople like Bi Ze David who just think it looks cool.

Such laypeople wouldn't be all that surprised by Senlinbaoxue's running‑style adjustment.

Their greatest surprise goes to the fact that a bunch at the start failed to keep up with the 'bursting' of familiar faces, rather than the incredulity shown in the eyes of industry professionals.

Senlinbaoxue, the sole Legendary Warrior present.

All records from just over a week ago are available, and they have consistently stuck to the poor‑horse running style as their default choice—so how could they plan to switch tracks based on merely a week's preparation?

【I'm definitely broke: compared to this, I'm more worried about those four under Aomo.】

The central trainers' chat room was also scrolling in sync as the race began.

【Old data worrier ah：Is there too much burden on the body from opening the domain too early? Should be fine, the Derby is after June.】

【I'm maybe：Don't think about getting results while injured; even if a hidden injury can be healed, it might not be completely cured, and insufficient checks could leave hidden dangers!】

【Cosmic cat-head：It's fine, doesn't Xiqí's subordinate have someone who can permanently station in the domain, a Dazhenhan?】

You have to admit that in this world, just like there are Super Saiyans, there are also Super Horse Girls.

【I'm definitely broke：He laughed angrily, why don't you say perfect horse girl? I see Aomo's side still has a Rudolf, but does that have anything to do with those from Mihara Houban?】

【Not Paulownia Life Institute：Indeed, Mihara Houban and Aimu Zhiji are not talent types.】

【@For survival, stay strong：Turn around and take the girls to the city hospital for a check-up; I have a membership I can lend you.】

【I'm definitely broke：Ha, this is the reason you're still single now, Potián.】

【Not Paulownia Life Institute：? Suddenly attack me?】

【Old data worrier ah：You can actually private chat, Potián.】

【Not Paulownia Life Institute：Uh……】

【I'm definitely broke：Bai Ren transferred from your side to Aomo's, I really breathed a sigh of relief.】

【For survival, stay strong：Two straightforward personalities also have some sense, Senior Xiqí.】

【@Not Paulownia Life Institute：Received, if you need anything I'll contact you.】

【I'm definitely broke：Isn't it not the complementary of opposites? Isn't it not the complementary of opposites?】

【I think you're just being too polite, Linton; I won't ask what you think, how do you view the situation of that girl from Senlinbaoxue? Are you nervous?】

【For survival, stay strong：The iajutsu of Jidong culture, a drawn sword can only shed blood in this match.】

【Not Paulownia Life Institute：A very cruel metaphor.】

【I'm definitely broke：Actually fits the ID, right? But my question isn't fully answered? Asking if you're nervous or not?】

【For survival, stay strong：Rather than nervousness, it's more like anticipation.】

【I'm definitely broke：Yeah, this is just the early stage.】

【For survival, stay strong：Yes.】

Just how sharp can a blade forged by ancient methods get, and can it be faster than a willow-leaf blade forged by modern techniques? I'm really looking forward to it.