The way Uma Musume looks at me is so scary!

Hearing Xiu Xingmeng's unyielding words, the Golden Master raised an eyebrow, but she did not get angry or say anything like "How can you be so rude in front of the king?"

She just said it as a matter of course.

"You are the winner of the G1 race and the champion of the classic Triple Crown Satsuki Sho. People's expectations of you are no longer those of an unknown local racehorse girl."

"As a candidate for the triple crown, you should show the magnanimity to the audience who support you."

“And gorgeous and exquisite clothing is also part of it.”

The master craftsman meticulously listed the reasons to Xiu Xingmeng, a scene that would have astonished anyone else who witnessed it.

That arrogant and self-centered golden tyrant actually tried to explain his actions?!

Isn't she the type to snort coldly and unleash her aura whenever she hears a question, scaring the questioner into collapsing to the ground?!

But Xiu Xingmeng knew that what was happening before her eyes was perfectly reasonable.

She was not a subject inferior to the Golden Tyrant, but rather someone who had rightfully defeated her opponent. If she raised any questions or expressed any opposition, the Golden Tyrant would show her sufficient respect, given that she was of equal rank.

“You are no longer an unknown local racehorse girl. Whether you are carrying the title of a hero representing the revival of the region or a candidate for the Triple Crown, you will no longer be allowed to appear in the public eye so casually as you do today.”

"People have high hopes for you. Don't forget where you are. This is the center of fame and glory, not the place where you are now slinking around."

The goldsmith picked up the teacup on the table in front of him, took a sip, and spoke slowly.

"Now that we've come this far, we have no right to refuse."

After listening to the series of words spoken by the Gold Master, Xiu Xingmeng suddenly burst out laughing.

So this is how I was perceived by fine opera?

Even though she was incredibly disappointed, she stubbornly pretended to be fine, and even when she spoke, she maintained a calm demeanor.

The opera singer must have said those words to herself with the intention of motivating herself, since she already regarded Xiu Xingmeng as her nemesis, so how could she allow her nemesis to fail to give full play to his strength at the Satsuki Sho?

Looking at the Gold Master, whose eyes now revealed confusion and anger, Xiu Xingmeng felt as if she were looking at her past self.

"Why are you calling me a triple crown contender? Have you already given up on the Japanese derby and are you planning to hand over the victory to me?"

Upon hearing Xiu Xingmeng's words, the Gold Master frowned and spoke with displeasure.

"I'm just stating the facts. Whether you admit it or not, winning the Satsuki Prize means you've already embarked on the path to the Triple Crown."

"As for the Japanese derby, there's no need to say such absurd things. I am a king, how could I casually give up the championship laurel?"

Looking at the annoyed goldsmith, Xiu Xingmeng narrowed her eyes slightly and said in a strange tone.

"Really? But why does your tone sound like—"

"Since she's no longer qualified to win the Triple Crown, I might as well give her to the only racehorse I respect besides my family."

"All I need to do is break the curse and win the Arc de Triomphe Prize."

The moment Xiu Xingmeng finished speaking, the Golden Master's pupils contracted, and she looked at Xiu Xingmeng in disbelief.

As she walked through the players' tunnel, that suffocating feeling of tightness in her chest gripped her once again, but this time the Golden Master didn't have time to process it.

The person who mocked the king was right in front of him, and even if she was the only formidable rival he respected, he would never allow her to be so presumptuous!

The Golden Master stood up abruptly, her terrifying aura surging towards Xiu Xingmeng like a tidal wave, a chilling sense of oppression crushing over Xiu Xingmeng's entire body from head to toe.

"Take back what you said."

Golden lightning flashed in Xiu Xingmeng's eyes, and the golden hair of the Golden Master swayed slightly, like flowing molten gold or dancing flames. At this moment, she was like the sun, bursting with incomparably dazzling brilliance.

Even a slightly waning sun would not allow itself to be provoked, and in an instant, the Golden Master unleashed a powerful aura that was no less than before.

However, faced with the dazzling brilliance that ordinary racehorses could not even be touched or gaze upon, Xiu Xingmeng showed no intention of backing down.

She even took the initiative to step forward, kicking aside the small table that was blocking the way between the Gold Master and herself, and getting closer to the Gold Master.

The Golden Master's glass-like eyes shimmered with an eerie brilliance under the dazzling golden light, and Xiu Xingmeng felt a burning sensation simply by looking directly at them.

This is a domain! The Golden Master has actually activated her domain, which is not yet fully awakened but overflows with power!

Xiu Xingmeng's lips curled up slightly, and the next instant, a buzzing sound like a blade being drawn resounded throughout the room. The extremely aggressive and sharp sensation blew through Xiu Xingmeng's breath onto the face of the Golden Master, giving her the illusion that a blade was slicing across her cheek.

Compared to the Golden Master, Xiu Xingmeng's domain is more refined and concentrated. Unlike the Golden Master who radiates brilliance, her sharpness, like a blade, is limited to the space between herself and the Golden Master.

But this made it even more dangerous. In such a narrow space, it felt as if every weak point on his body was being watched by the blade, giving the Gold Master the illusion that he would be sliced ​​across the neck by an unseen blade in the next second.

“A domain is a projection of a racehorse girl’s mind. With your talent, you should be able to stabilize your domain after the Satsuki Sho, even if you can’t fully awaken it.”

"But why is it that what I see is even more scattered than during the Satsuki Sho?"

"You're upset."

Xiu Xingmeng's words were like sharp blades, slicing across the Golden Master's cheek with each warm breath.

The burning sensation on his cheeks gave the Gold Master the illusion that he was actually bleeding, but what was sharper than the Embroidered Star Dream Domain at this moment was her words, which were like a sharp blade stirring the Gold Master's heart.

Chapter Ninety-Nine: Watch Me (Third Update)

"I will win, whether it's the Japanese derby or the Chrysanthemum Festival, the Golden Tyrant will defeat you and take the championship!"

The goldsmith suddenly raised her head, her golden hair drawing sharp arcs in the air, her hands clenched into fists, her knuckles turning white from the force.

A low growl, like that of a lion, escaped her throat, as if a wounded king were threatening his enemy.

Faced with the Golden Master's growling threat, Xiu Xingmeng surprisingly stepped forward again.

Her steps were firm and powerful, her heels clicking crisply on the floor.

Xiu Xingmeng tilted her head slightly, her ponytail tied with a red ribbon swaying gently with the movement. Her eyes flashed with a sharp light as she focused her gaze on the glass-like pupils of the Gold Master.

"But I don't see a lion in your eyes."

"The Golden Tyrant may be able to defeat Embroidered Star Dream, but what about the Golden Master?"

As she spoke, Xiu Xingmeng reached out and gently tapped the chest of the Golden Master, as if questioning her own heart.

"Of course, even a Gold Master can do it! Your basic abilities are far inferior to mine. When the Japanese derby comes in a month, the gap between us will widen even further!"

"I will win! I will definitely win! The domain is not the key to the competition. As long as I have unparalleled physical strength, I can defeat you even without the domain!"

The Gold Master abruptly slapped Xiu Xingmeng's hand away. An unnatural blush rose on her cheeks, and her chest heaved violently as she straightened her back as if to prove something.

"Yes."

Xiu Xingmeng suddenly laughed.

“In races, the field cannot truly determine the outcome. In many top races, world-class racehorses can win the championship simply by virtue of their physical abilities.”

"But do you still have that determination and will? The domain is the sublimation of the spirit of Uma Musume. With your current mental state, can you really control your body? You might just crash into the railing."

She tilted her head to the side and spoke to the goldsmith in a questioning tone.

"This is my body! There's no reason why I can't control it!"

The goldsmith was practically shouting, and even the glass windows in the shop vibrated slightly from the sound.

"Really? Then why don't you look me in the eye? It's just a matter of controlling your gaze, it's that simple."

Upon hearing this, the Golden Master was taken aback. She then realized that her gaze had unknowingly drifted away from Xiu Xingmeng. Looking at the scattered magazines around her, she wondered if those words were actually shouted at the magazines.

Upon discovering this fact, she seemed to lose all her strength and collapsed back onto the sofa.

Xiu Xingmeng didn't stop. She lifted the head of the Golden Master with both hands and spoke into her eyes.

"You've already failed once. If you wanted to win again, you wouldn't be out at a jewelry exhibition at a time like this."

"You've already started running away, and a racehorse girl who runs away will never win a race."

"You are afraid, afraid that you will fail again next time, afraid that you will not be able to meet people's expectations, afraid that people's love will turn into hatred."

"In that case, forget about the glory of the Golden Family. You wouldn't even be able to hold on in your current state. The Golden Tyrant is already an inseparable part of the Golden Master."

"Without her, all that remains in the world is the aloof and indifferent goldsmith of the past."

After a long silence, the goldsmith spoke in a low voice.

"...How do you know?"

“I hear it; your heart is speaking to me.”

"Are you kidding..."

“I know another racehorse girl who also considers herself a champion. She told me that the cheers of the audience are the glory given to the winner.”

"She is able to confidently accept everyone's expectations of her."

"What do you mean... are you mocking me for not being able to live up to expectations, and for being nothing more than a false king?"

Upon hearing Xiu Xingmeng mention this so-called friend, the Golden Master didn't know if she really existed, and simply took it as yet another sarcastic remark from Xiu Xingmeng.

To everyone's surprise, Xiu Xingmeng shook her head after hearing her words and spoke in a gentler tone.

"I don't have that ability either. The thought of so many strangers having expectations of me makes me subconsciously nervous."

"I can't even believe how you've survived living under such expectant gazes for so long. How could someone with such magnanimity be a false king?"

Seeing that Xiu Xingmeng's words had suddenly changed in style for some reason, the Gold Master was a little confused. She stared blankly at Xiu Xingmeng and said.

"What exactly... do you want to say?"

Seeing her so weak and unlike the Golden Tyrant, Xiu Xingmeng said with a smile.

"I get nervous, and I feel anxious because I'm afraid of letting people down. But—"

"The thought of those figures ahead that I have to chase makes all of that unimportant."

She pressed her forehead against the Golden Master's forehead and whispered in her ear.

“I heard your name the moment I entered Kasamatsu Tresen, and I heard people mention your name every minute of the matches, from the local to the central region.”

"The Golden Master is an opponent I must defeat and pursue. With such a powerful and oppressive opponent before me, how can I care about so-called expectations?"

"The reason you're afraid of losing people's expectations is because you've been leading the races alone for too long!"

"When you have no opponents during a match, you will naturally pay more attention to things outside the arena."

"But now, hasn't a competitor already emerged?"

Xiu Xingmeng's breath brushed against the Golden Master's cheek, but this time it was no longer as cold and sharp as a blade, but as gentle as a spring breeze.

"If you're afraid of hearing others' praise, and don't want to be overwhelmed by her overwhelming expectations, then—"

"Watch over me."

The Gold Master stared blankly at Xiu Xingmeng. Her golden hair had become tangled with Xiu Xingmeng's black hair due to the distance, and the hot and proud molten gold seemed to have been cooled down, mixed with some of Xiu Xingmeng's color.

"This is our game, our victory or defeat. People outside the arena will never understand our emotions."

"Instead of worrying about their expectations, watch me, watch how I run, think about how to surpass me, and calculate the path to victory in your mind."

For some reason, Xiu Xingmeng suddenly laughed and said.

"I'm already your nemesis."

"You can't afford not to keep a close eye on me."

Chapter 100 Life is Actually a Live Broadcast

"Why did you say such things to Yu? You could have just stood by and ignored it, why did you have to get involved?"

"Don't you know this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? This is a chance to win the Triple Crown! How many female racehorses in history have had such an opportunity?"

"But why...why are you giving up?"

Hearing the somewhat bewildered words of the Gold Master, Xiu Xingmeng responded with a smile.

"Maybe it's because I've spent too much time with a bunch of idiots that I've become stupid too."

"Is my nemesis such an idiot?"

"But even an idiot should realize what will happen after saying such a thing."

The Golden Master's eyes instantly sharpened, as if her previous confusion had never existed. She pulled Xiu Xingmeng into her arms and lowered her head to say to her as if declaring who was in control.

"Don't expect Yu to hold back after hearing those words; victory in the Japanese derby—"

"It will only belong to me!"

Seeing the seemingly ignited fighting spirit of the Gold Master, Xiu Xingmeng also revealed a somewhat provocative smile and spoke to the person in front of her.

"I still say the same thing."

"Let's settle this on the track. Don't tell me that a self-proclaimed queen of racehorses is all talk and no action."