Chapter 32: The Conversation Terminator

"This..."
At that moment, everyone's gaze fixed upon Agumon. Especially among Group F's seeded contestants, the one with Gabumon stared wide-eyed—his own Gabumon couldn't unleash such a powerful fire move.

"Don't worry, his Agumon is rather slow."

Yet, despite their astonishment at the force of Agumon's attack, some noticed its shortcomings.

"True, but this Agumon can cast while moving. With that kind of firepower, it's a threat to anyone."

Zhao Jie paid little mind to the discussions below. He beckoned Agumon and jogged off into the distance.

Something delicious?
Agumon's eyes lit up and he hurried after Zhao Jie. But moments later, his face fell—he found himself outside the restroom.

Are you kidding me?!

...

"Alright, alright, Agumon. Once the Newcomers Cup is over, I’ll really take you out for a feast."
On the way back, Zhao Jie kept trying to soothe the sulking Agumon.

"Really?"
In the end, Agumon couldn't resist the allure of a grand meal and relented.

"Of course. When have I ever lied to you?"
Zhao Jie thumped his chest, making solemn promises to the little creature beside him.

"Yay!"
Agumon quickly forgot his earlier disappointment and was cheerful once again.

By the time Zhao Jie returned to the arena, the day's matches were nearly finished. Only a few bouts remained in each ring. Tomorrow would bring the round of sixty-four, and Zhao Jie had already checked out his opponent—a number five from Group F, partnered with a SnowFoxmon.

SnowFoxmon was unlike the humanoid Kyubimon; it looked just like a small, snow-white fox. In reality, though, a SnowFoxmon of the same level was even harder to deal with than a Kyubimon.

In earlier matches, this SnowFoxmon had demonstrated a skill that could slow opponents down, and its signature move, Polar Ice Blade, was among the most fearsome skills for its growth stage.

"Your Agumon is well-raised."
As Zhao Jie watched the matches, a voice sounded beside him. He turned instinctively, first seeing a smiling face.

"It's alright."
One doesn't strike a smiling man—Zhao Jie, after a glance, paid him no further attention and continued to watch the battle between two Digimon in the ring, his tone clearly perfunctory.

"Let me introduce myself. I’m Han Qing, and my partner's Gabumon."

Han Qing, as he called himself, remained unfazed, still smiling at Zhao Jie.

Wait—Gabumon?!

At that name, Zhao Jie turned again and saw the blue-and-white-striped Gabumon. Thoughts of Gabumon brought to mind the Garurumon he’d once encountered in the Digital Realm, and from there, to MetalGarurumon—one of the requirements for Omegamon’s fusion.

Should he try to win Gabumon over?

Several schemes flitted through Zhao Jie’s mind in those brief seconds. Fortunately, Han Qing was oblivious—if he’d known, he might have turned and fled.

"Hello, hello. Is there something you need from me?"
Zhao Jie suddenly remembered—wasn’t this guy the seeded player from their own Group F? No wonder he’d seemed familiar.

"You’re quite strong. Would you be interested in joining our group chat? Maybe we could help each other out in the future!"

Han Qing’s expression grew serious as he extended the invitation.

Not just anyone could join that chat; only those with proven strength received an invite. Zhao Jie had evidently met their standard.

"Sure."
Zhao Jie had no reason to refuse. He loved group chats, though these days hardly anyone invited him to join. With a new group, he could finally chat again, and the people inside always had such interesting things to say—he loved it.

Soon, Zhao Jie added Han Qing as a friend and was promptly welcomed into a group called the Newcomers Cup Experts.

Hmm.
What an interesting name!

"Alright, looking forward to your match tomorrow. I’ll take my leave."
With that, Han Qing and his Gabumon departed.

In the meantime, the final matches for the day wrapped up quickly.

"Let’s head back too."

Ding! Ding!
As they walked, Zhao Jie’s phone buzzed with messages. He opened it to check.

Flowery Not Flower: Newcomer, post a real-life photo @Taiyi (smile, smile.)

Mantismon Is Best: Another newcomer? Post a photo—let my Mantismon admire you.

Me Too: What’s this? Picking on the new guy? Count me in—post the photo, post the photo!

Imagine What Blue Rabbit Would Do: Don’t bully the newcomer. @Taiyi, ignore them, they're just bored.

Zaun Wild Horse: Blue Sis is right. Newcomer, hurry and post a real photo.

A real-life photo?
Zhao Jie, bemused by the endless stream of messages, scratched his head. Why not just search on Qiandu themselves?

Taiyi: Do you really want a real-life photo?

Flowery Not Flower: Yes, yes, yes! I’m already in the bathroom, hurry up, handsome! @Taiyi

Gabumon: Flower Sis, you’re so shameless.

Mantismon Is Best: Viewing photos in the bathroom? @Flowery Not Flower, Flower Sis, my own photo’s not bad either—twenty-eight abs. Want to use mine instead?

Me Too: Wait, this conversation just took a turn!

Zaun Wild Horse: Let me off, this isn’t the road back to Zaun.

Very soon, a photo appeared in the chat: a white-haired, ethereal-looking Taoist master, exuding an air of immortality. Instantly, the lively group chat plunged into icy silence.

Taiyi: Here, this is the real-life photo you asked for. Honestly, you could just search yourself—there are plenty on Qiandu.

Flowery Not Flower: ...

Is this guy crazy?

Mantismon Is Best: Flower Sis, still in the bathroom? If so, maybe consider my photo now?

Zaun Wild Horse: 99999.

Flowery Not Flower: Heh heh, I suddenly have something to do. Goodbye, everyone.

Me Too: Same here. Goodbye.

In his hotel room, Han Qing stared at the mystical photo Zhao Jie had posted, his face twitching uncontrollably before he burst into hearty laughter.

"Hello? Oh, Flower Sis! Hahaha... What am I laughing at?"

"Haha, just thought of something funny..."

"No, no, what kids? I don’t even have a girlfriend, Flower Sis, don’t joke like that! Hahaha..."

"Alright, I’ll be honest. My Gabumon does have a child."

Somewhere in a private villa, there was a loud crash—a brand-new, one-hundred-thousand-yuan Youwei phone was destroyed on the spot.

The bright-faced girl’s expression shifted through several emotions before settling into a cold sneer.

Gabumon has a child?

A Digimon in the growth stage, still lacking a full coat of fur, having a child?

Just you all wait.