Chapter 190

So, was Quan Tianheng really taking it easy?

"Taking it easy?"

In a later interview clip, the young man looked surprised. "Who are you looking down on?"

That was...

"Just a strategy."

As for what strategy, everyone soon understood.

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"Time's up."

This time, Ji Ruochu still won, but her score was lower than before, ultimately earning her 270 seconds of time. On the other hand, it was Quan Tianheng who seemed unhurried and actually earned 180 seconds of challenge time.

It seemed like Ji Ruochu was far ahead, but in reality—

"Up until now, Ji Ruochu has won two trials and earned a total of 570 seconds of challenge time. Bei Lingyu has earned 150 seconds of challenge time, and Quan Tianheng has earned 180 seconds of challenge time.

Since we are currently in the Fight the Landlord mode, the two contestants' challenge times can be combined."

With the sound prompt, the time count on the display screen changed. Ji Ruochu's time remained the same, but Bei Lingyu and Quan Tianheng's times both changed to 330 seconds.

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Looking at it this way, it didn't seem like much since Ji Ruochu still had a significant lead in accumulated time. As long as she kept going, the other two basically had no chance of overtaking her.

But no one expected that at this critical moment, Ji Ruochu would suddenly stand up and, after signaling Quan Tianheng, brush past the fiercely approaching Bei Lingyu at the trial room entrance and... return to her own prep room.

Yes, she went back, and not only did she go back, but she also started meditating with her eyes closed.

Seeing this, the people present were even more excited than she was. "What's going on? Is she not continuing?"

"But in this situation, won't her time be deducted if she doesn't continue?"

"No way, there's not enough time left for more than one round. The trial room is about to close."

Everyone looked up and saw that the countdown on the trial room was less than 3 minutes.

"But if she doesn't go, won't her accumulated time be overtaken?"

After all, if one of the other two answered five more questions correctly, they would have a combined 300 seconds, which would directly overtake her.

Moreover, in the challenge round, if Ji Ruochu wanted to win, it wouldn't be like this. She would have to score much more than double her opponents.

"She's run out of energy."

One contestant said, "After two consecutive rounds, even though she came up with a new formula herself, the amount of calculation hasn't decreased."

"Yeah, we almost overlooked the difficulty of this event when we saw how relaxed she was earlier."

...

The guest seats were also discussing.

"Actually, I think Ji Ruochu's strategy is correct. Even if she gets overtaken now, it won't be by much. But if she doesn't rest, it will be more difficult for her in the official challenge round later."

"No wonder Bei Lingyu looked so relaxed. She was holding something back, preparing to go all out in the challenge round."

"The key is that even though she held something back, she's only three questions behind Ji Ruochu."

...

"Time's up."

"In this round, Bei Lingyu wins and earns 210 seconds of challenge time. Contestant Quan Tianheng earns 180 seconds of challenge time."

...

"Quan Tianheng is so steady, always maintaining his own pace."

"Now their combined challenge time has overtaken her."

... "The trial room is about to close. Contestants may return to their prep rooms for final preparations."

With the sound prompt, the three returned to their prep rooms. At this time, Ji Ruochu was still meditating with her eyes closed, making people worry for her.

Two minutes later.

"A narrow path, a fateful encounter! Who will vie for supremacy!"

"The Pioneer Seat Competition is about to begin!"

"Contestants, please proceed to the challenge area!"

It wasn't until this point that the previously silent Ji Ruochu finally opened her eyes.

Whether it was because she had rested for a bit or because the challenge round was finally here, Ji Ruochu's eyes were shining unusually bright.

When the three returned to the stage, there were three answer terminals set up.

The host interviewed the three contestants as usual, asking the old three questions about whether they were confident, nervous, or had anything to say to their opponents.

After some banter, the three took their positions.

"The challenge round is about to begin. Are the three contestants ready?"

"Then, I will now announce the rules for you."

[Pioneer Seat Competition Blackjack Mode Rules:

Each contestant's challenge time will be determined by the previous prep round. Contestants need to restore the chessboard and reassemble a scrambled Rubik's cube as many times as possible within their limited time.

For each time the Rubik's cube is reassembled, one submission will be unlocked.]

"What?!"

One contestant exclaimed in shock. "You mean that if the Rubik's cube isn't reassembled, even if the chessboard restoration is completed, there's no way to submit it?"

"That's so crazy!"

"No wonder there's a prep round and a challenge round."

"But I feel like the challenge for the Pioneer Seat gets harder and harder each time?"

However, that wasn't all. The program team then announced another daunting pressure round.