The way Uma Musume looks at me is so scary!

"It is not the elderly who create an era."

"vulgarian."

Seeing the two people implying in their conversation that she was old, Chizuru Haibara's forehead was covered in countless spiel marks. She smacked their heads and roared.

"Who are you implying is old? I'm only twenty-seven this year! And Gundam Z didn't air much later than Asahi Joe!"

Minamino Sumire couldn't understand what these vintage anime enthusiasts were saying, but she enjoyed the lively scene, so she just stood aside and watched with a smile.

While everyone was talking, Takeru Satoh had already taken the car keys and led the rest of Kasamatsu Tressen up to the front of the shrine.

"The traffic was so bad on the road. I should have taken the tram with you guys."

"Besides, Mr. Sato's driving is all shaky now, his skills are really not as good as when he used to drive a tricycle."

Hearing the students' complaints, Takeru Satoh could only scratch the back of his head and laugh awkwardly.

Xiu Xingmeng must have won prize money from participating in these high-reward competitions, but she didn't know what to do with it, so she simply handed it all over to Haibara Koutarou and asked him to keep an eye on things to add to Kasamatsu Tressen.

So, Takeru Satoh's well-worn tricycle was retired and replaced by a second-hand seven-seater van. When Hsiu Hoshi saw the car logo made up of several diamond shapes, she felt that it looked familiar.

Those who betray their partners will not be favored!

Regarding Takeru Satoh's replacement of his mecha, the not-so-famous three-wheeled vehicle driver, Golden Ship, offered this assessment.

Perhaps in response to the promise made by the Golden Ship, Sato Takeru's driving skills plummeted after he switched vehicles. If he could still be called the "Kazatsuyama God of Cars" when he used to ride a tricycle to carry goods, now he can only be called an old man who goes to buy goods.

"Alright, alright, now that everyone's here, let's go up and offer our New Year's greetings."

At the crucial moment, it was Haibara Koutarou who stepped in to smooth things over. As he spoke, he called everyone to walk toward the shrine together. Following the principal's footsteps, Kasamatsu Tresson and his entourage entered the shrine in a grand procession.

Ringing the bell, praying to the gods, slipping money, and bowing—it's a very simple process, but because there were so many people queuing, it took a very long time.

After everything was finally over, Xiu Xingmeng gasped as she looked at the endless queue.

This was her first time visiting the shrine during the New Year, and she really didn't expect there to be so many people so late at night. If she had known it would be this troublesome, she probably wouldn't have come.

Thinking of this, Xiu Xingmeng glanced back at her companions and unconsciously shook her head.

But if I'm with them, I'd still come even if I knew beforehand.

After the local tournaments conclude this year, I will be heading to the central region for the competition. Although the specific tournament schedule has not yet been finalized, I will definitely be participating in the Japanese derby.

With less than six months to go until the Japanese derby, I've already pushed all my attributes to their limits. The only things I can improve now are my running style and tactical accumulation.

Xiu Xingmeng then thought of the completion conditions for the first stage of the mission: defeating the Golden Master head-on.

Although they had never officially met, she had heard the name from many places.

The system introduction before the script mission began, the TV in the dormitory after meals, and the occasional mentions from the Golden Ship had all shaped an image of an absolutely powerful racehorse girl in Xiu Xingmeng's mind.

She displayed extraordinary talent from a young age and was trained by Japan's most professional team for so many years that even the most prestigious families, who were initially at odds with each other, had to admit that she was the future of Japanese horse racing.

Even with the domain and numerous skills, one might not necessarily be able to win against such an opponent.

Just as Xiu Xingmeng was pondering, she suddenly heard the saddle craftsman's bell calling from behind her.

"Ah Meng, come here for a second!"

Chapter Seventy-Seven: The Next Step for the Central Government

Xiu Xingmeng turned around at the sound and found that it wasn't just the saddler Lingyin; all the racehorse girls had gathered together and were waving at her. Confused, she walked over but before she could ask a question, she was pulled along and started running.

"Is it alright to let them make such a fuss?"

Kitahara Yutaka looked at Oguri Roman mixed in with them and touched his chin with some concern.

"It's the New Year! Let the young people handle their own affairs. We can just watch from the sidelines with warm eyes!"

Koutarou Haibara, standing beside him, laughed heartily twice, patted Yutaka Kitahara on the shoulder, and said in a hearty manner.

Kitahara Yuzuru hissed in pain and instinctively took two steps back. He looked around and found only the principal and Haibara Chizuru.

"Where's Sato? I hope he's not lost."

"He went downstairs to find his car first. There are so many cars in the parking space now, it won't be easy for him to get out."

"Is that so... Well, since we're free, let's discuss next year's tournament schedule."

Upon hearing Kitahara Yuzuru's words, Haibara Chizuru stiffened, as the two had long disagreed on the competition schedule for next year.

"There is no doubt that we will participate in the Kyodo Communications Cup. If we win, we will directly qualify for the classic triple crown. If we lose, we can still compete for a spot in the Wakaba Championship and the Yayoi Award."

After Kitahara Yutaka finished speaking, seeing that Haibara Chizuru did not object, he nodded and continued.

"But I don't understand why you insist on having Xiuxingmeng participate directly in the Japanese derby."

"Wouldn't it be better to start with the Satsuki Sho, the starting point of the classic Triple Crown? Maybe Seimu could even become a Triple Crown racehorse girl. Why let that possibility disappear completely?"

After a moment of silence, Chizuru Haibara looked at Koutarou Haibara, only to find that he simply shrugged and spread his hands, indicating that he wasn't a trainer and shouldn't interrupt. She sighed before speaking.

"Golden Master will definitely participate in the Classic Triple Crown."

"And she has a very good chance of achieving the triple crown, you can't argue with that, can you?"

Upon hearing this, Kitahara Yutaka nodded. Golden Master was considered by many to be the strongest racehorse girl of this generation, and if she were to participate in the Classic Triple Crown, she would be an opponent that could not be ignored.

"I think……"

Chizuru Haibara paused for a moment, and after a long silence, she slowly spoke.

"The duel between Embroidered Star Dream and the Golden Master has only one chance to win."

"If I let her participate in the Satsuki Sho first, I'm afraid she'll never have a chance to win again."

"But what about evidence? We can't just say it's based on eyesight. Anything can happen on the racetrack. We can't let Xiu Xingmeng give up the race for that reason."

Faced with Kitahara Yuzuru's questioning, Haibara Chizuru was speechless for a moment. She really couldn't give Kitahara Yuzuru a definite answer, and such an explanation would not convince a Central Training Officer.

"Feel sorry……"

Seeing Haibara Chizuru bowing her head and remaining silent, Kitahara Yuzuru could only sigh. He couldn't push her too far, so he could only say one thing.

"Then we can only ask Hoshino what she thinks later, and let Saima-chan decide for herself."

And so, their discussion about next year's competition ended in a disappointing way once again.

Seeing that the two had finished talking, Koutarou Haibara breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stepped in to smooth things over. He put his arm around the two of them and said with a smile.

"Hey young man, don't worry so much about work! It's Chinese New Year today, cheer up!"

“The kids have activities, so we adults should celebrate too. I have two nice bottles of wine left, so let’s drink them together when we get back to Kasamatsu Tressen.”

Faced with the principal's invitation, Kitahara Yutaka could only smile and accept.

"I'll pass, I need to go back and watch cartoons."

Watching Chizuru Haibara walk alone out of the shrine, the two men could only exchange a glance and shrug.

While the two trainers were arguing, Xiuxing Meng had already been dragged to a platform behind a shrine by the horse racers.

On this platform, which overlooks almost the entire city, Xiu Xingmeng tilted her head in confusion as she looked at the inexplicably nervous racehorse girls in front of her.

But her doubts didn't last long. Soon, Anjiang Lingyin took out a gift box wrapped in red ribbon from behind her and handed it to Xiuxingmeng.

"These are horseshoes that we all chose for you! We hope that you, Ameng, can use them to make a name for yourself in the Central Government!"

After accepting the gift with some bewilderment, Xiu Xingmeng smiled helplessly and said...

"So you guys sometimes sneak out for this? But that's way too late. I found out in early October, why did it only arrive in early January?"

In response to Xiu Xingmeng's question, Nan Ye Jin irritably tapped Anjiang Lingyin on the head and said.

"It's all because of this guy. He keeps picking and comparing endlessly. When new products come in, he has to choose all over again. It would be a miracle if he could be fast."

The Golden Ship suddenly popped its head out from the crowd and said.

"Me too! Me too! I helped pick out a lot of thorns too!"

"You still recognize this equipment...?"

"The education provided by the Huang family is not just for show!"

Before Golden Ship could even feel a little smug, she was tapped on the head by Minamino Sumire.

"If you hadn't been so nitpicky, this gift might have been given out by Christmas."

"It's not even a few days late!"

Seeing the group joking around, Xiu Xingmeng suddenly laughed. Hearing her laughter, all the racehorse girls turned their gazes to Xiu Xingmeng.

"Generally speaking, a scene where everyone goes together to give gifts should be a warm and cozy one, right? How come you guys are making a scene here?"

Upon hearing this, Oguri Roman's lips curled up, and he spread his hands helplessly.

"There's nothing we can do about it, that's just how our racehorses are in Kasamatsu Tressen."

"If you want to watch a melodrama, wait until we get back to the dorm. We're not into that kind of thing."

"Speaking of going back, I brought back some rice cakes from my grandparents yesterday. Let's bake them and eat them when we get back to the dorm."

"Yay! We're going to eat all of the little golden boats!"

"That wretched Ah Chuan, I won't allow him to eat it all by himself!"

New Year's Day

Rice cakes are so delicious!

I really want to go back to my dorm.

Seeing the horse racing girls suddenly become noisy again, Xiu Xingmeng could no longer suppress the smile on her face.

With such a supportive group of friends, I have no reason to be afraid, whether it's the Japanese derby or the Golden Masters.

Looking at the gift box in her hands, Xiu Xingmeng silently said to herself.

A new chapter is about to begin.

[Main objective: To gain audience approval.]

Current approval rating: (30/100)

[Evaluation: A top-tier local racehorse girl; everyone eagerly awaits the day she reaches the national stage.]

Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Golden Tyrant

After finishing a day's training, the Golden Master emerged from the club, which was specially funded by the Golden Family, and calmly nodded to the reporters who had been waiting for a long time.

"Is what you said at the Triple Crown Horse Girls show true?"

I disdain lying.

"So you mean you think the previous triple crown winners weren't—"

Upon hearing the reporter's clearly leading question, a cold glint flashed in the Gold Master's eyes, and an unspeakable pressure immediately leaned towards the reporter, causing him to instinctively take several steps back. If it weren't for the help of a fellow reporter, he might have been so frightened that he would have collapsed to the ground.

The goldsmith raised his head, looked down at the terrified reporter, and said in a cold voice.

"If Uma Musume wants to go further, she must have a race that pushes her to the limit against an opponent of equal weight."

"But I have not seen an opponent of such stature in this generation."

Therefore, this generation's classic triple crown tournament will, and will only, be a stage for Yu alone—

"Without exception!"

The reporter, whose head was being held aloft by the Golden Giant, was pounding his heart and was sweating profusely. His legs were shaking uncontrollably, and his instincts told him to run away as fast as he could, but when he saw the terrifying eyes of the Golden Giant, which were as heavy as Mount Tai, he lost all strength to move.

After swallowing hard, he nodded shakily. Only then did the goldsmith look away, and the reporter, who had finally escaped the oppressive aura, collapsed to the ground.

"Is there anything else you'd like to ask me?"

The Gold Master's gaze swept over the reporters present, and every reporter who saw him broke out in a cold sweat, after all, the fate of the arrogant questioner from before was still fresh in their minds.

However, the reporters' thirst for attention ultimately overcame their rationality, and after carefully considering their words, another reporter finally stepped forward to ask a question.

Have you decided on your next match?

"The next tournament that will be worthy of my glory is the Spring Championship."

Because it was just a simple question, the Gold Master's tone softened.

Seeing that the goldsmith had calmed down from his previous violent demeanor, the reporters rushed forward, eager to ask him questions.

"Why hasn't Jin Huangchuan from the Jin family appeared in public for so long?"

"My sister went on a trip."