Chapter 114: Dima’s Race Car

Xu Liunian, like many others who arrived here, lost her life in the earthquake and became a resident of the “Land of Finality.”

Similarly, she also became a teammate of Chu Tianqiu and Yun Yao.

With her amiable personality and basic martial arts skills in sanda, she quickly integrated well with the group and became a key player, leading them through numerous challenges.

Surprisingly, the chronic pain in her waist seemed to fade away in this place.

Thus, during the period when Zhang Shan was absent, Xu Liunian was able to confidently participate in physically demanding or combat-oriented games like “Ox,” “Tiger,” and “Rooster.”

However, the games best suited for Xu Liunian were undoubtedly the “Horse” category—racing games.

Being a stunt performer was truly a remarkable profession.

Whether the race involved rollerblading, skateboarding, mountain biking, or motorcycles, Xu Liunian had some experience in all of them. Her exceptional balance and reflexes made her unstoppable.

Yet, this ultimately led to her downfall.

Earth Horse.

Earth Horse’s game was extremely perilous.

The rules were simple: each team was given an old automatic car for a head-to-head race.

Earth Horse held eight cards, each labeled with one of the following: “Brake,” “Accelerator,” “Accelerator,” “Steering Wheel,” “Steering Wheel,” “Door,” “Windshield,” and “Seat.”

The two teams took turns selecting the cards they needed, and the referee would remove any unclaimed parts from the car.

The two participants would play rock-paper-scissors—the winner could choose the “first pick” for the cards, while the loser could decide whether their car would be placed on the inner or outer lane of the track.

When Xu Liunian won the rock-paper-scissors round, she boldly proposed a “life-or-death wager” with Earth Horse.

At that moment, the rules of the game changed. A figure called “Black Tortoise” descended from the sky and became the new referee.

The participants were no longer the two teams—it was now Xu Liunian versus Earth Horse.

Chu Tianqiu, at that time, exhausted his mental capacity to devise the best possible strategy for Xu Liunian.

He knew that if the two sides took turns picking, their team absolutely had to secure the “Brake” and “Accelerator” cards.

Since the race track was circular, akin to a school running track, they also needed to secure the “Steering Wheel.”

Both “Accelerator” and “Steering Wheel” had two copies each, making them relatively easy to obtain. The most urgent matter was securing the “Brake.”

Fortunately, Xu Liunian won the rock-paper-scissors round and could pick first. She immediately grabbed the “Brake,” ensuring she could later split the “Accelerator” and “Steering Wheel” with her opponent.

As for the “Seat,” “Door,” and “Windshield,” these were non-essential components that could be sacrificed if necessary.

When Chu Tianqiu reached this part of the story, Qi Xia slightly furrowed his brow.

He sensed a flaw in Chu Tianqiu’s strategy.

Yet, at the time, Xu Liunian fully trusted Chu Tianqiu.

She stepped forward first and decisively took the “Brake.”

As expected, Earth Horse chose the “Accelerator.”

In the second round, Xu Liunian picked another “Accelerator.”

Everyone assumed Earth Horse would take the “Steering Wheel,” but instead, he chose the “Door.”

This move left everyone present utterly baffled.

Xu Liunian now had both “Brake” and “Accelerator,” while Earth Horse held “Accelerator” and “Door.”

Was the “Door” really a crucial component for a race?

In the third round, Xu Liunian followed the predetermined strategy and took the “Steering Wheel.” At this point, she had secured all three essential components for the race.

Yet, to everyone’s surprise, Earth Horse still didn’t take the “Steering Wheel”—he chose the “Seat” instead.

The entire group was bewildered, unable to fathom Earth Horse’s plan.

If he never took the “Steering Wheel,” how would he navigate the turns?

Chu Tianqiu made a snap decision and instructed Xu Liunian to take the second “Steering Wheel.”

At the time, this seemed like a surefire way to seal victory.

Though Xu Liunian “wasted” one selection, she ensured her opponent could never obtain the “Steering Wheel.”

At this stage, Earth Horse had no “Brake,” no “Steering Wheel”—only “Accelerator,” “Seat,” “Door,” and the last remaining “Windshield.”

How could such a car, lacking any means of control, possibly compete?

Meanwhile, Xu Liunian’s car had “Brake,” “Accelerator,” and both “Steering Wheels.” Though it lacked a seat, squatting while driving wouldn’t be an issue under these circumstances.

Under the referee’s supervision, the two completed their car modifications.

Xu Liunian grabbed a wooden crate from the ground as a makeshift seat, and the race officially began.

On the circular track, Earth Horse positioned his car on the inner lane, while Xu Liunian’s car took the outer lane.

Generally, the inner lane was shorter, so this choice made sense.

Xu Liunian focused intently ahead, knowing that her opponent couldn’t steer. If she could just make it past the first turn, victory would be assured.

At Black Tortoise’s signal, both drivers slammed the accelerator.

As Chu Tianqiu narrated this part, cold sweat dripped down his face.

“Qi Xia, I was wrong,” he murmured. “Had I known what would happen, I would’ve chosen a different strategy…”

There were actually two ways to win a race.

First: reach the finish line first.

Second: eliminate one driver.

Clearly, Earth Horse had chosen the second method from the very beginning.

He never needed the steering wheel or the brake.

Though the two cars raced neck-and-neck on the straight section, with Earth Horse closely tailing Xu Liunian, her car had a “Brake.”

A normal driver would slow down when taking a turn—if they had brakes.

But Earth Horse’s ruthlessness surpassed all expectations.

Because he had chosen the inner lane, there would inevitably be a moment during the turn when Xu Liunian’s car would pass directly in front of him.

Earth Horse staked his entire chance of victory on that single moment.

Though Chu Tianqiu realized this, he was too far away—his shouts couldn’t reach Xu Liunian’s ears.

As Xu Liunian passed in front of Earth Horse, he floored the accelerator.

The two cars collided violently.

Earth Horse’s car, equipped with a windshield and seat, kept him from being thrown out immediately. Instead, his head smashed through the windshield, shattering it instantly. Blood gushed from his torn skin.

Xu Liunian hadn’t anticipated such a reckless, suicidal move. The impact sent her reeling inside the car, leaving her bloodied and disoriented.

But as a seasoned stunt performer, she quickly regained her focus and yanked the steering wheel.

This was her last chance—if she could just make it past this turn, Earth Horse would have no choice but to admit defeat.