[System Notice: This summon fully complied with random principles. Both teammates meet the C-rank power threshold, qualify for tournament participation, and share Host's American regional bracket. Team formation is legal and valid.]
"Legal my ass!" Cloud finally exploded.
"I wanted powerhouse teammates who could help me compete for the championship, not two mascots for the hype squad!"
[Does Host wish to use the 'Teammate Reroll' opportunity?]
"Yes! Immediately! Right now!"
[Suggestion: Host may perform precise summoning by narrowing search parameters for more satisfactory results!]
Cloud understood instantly. This was the difference between vague search and precise search.
"System, follow my lead!" He cleared his throat, struck what he thought was a cool pose, and began issuing his "wishes."
"First teammate! My demands aren't high!" His voice dripped with hunger for power.
"I want a warrior! A pure physical-type warrior! Maxed-out combat stats! The kind who could charge seven times in and out of enemy lines on an ancient battlefield, taking an enemy general's head like plucking something from his pocket!"
"He doesn't need to understand 'qi' or know how to throw energy projectiles. But he absolutely needs that domineering spirit of 'Though millions stand against me, I shall advance!'"
"That fearless 'If gods block me, I slay gods; if Buddhas block me, I slay Buddhas' kind of vibe! In short—ceiling-tier for pure physicality! All brawn, no magic!"
Cloud's demands were simple, brutal, and to the point.
[Ding! Requirements received. Matching keywords 'warrior,' 'physical ceiling,' 'fearless dominance'...]
[Match Range: Mid-martial world... Matching...]
[Ding! Most compatible target locked!]
[Summoning initiated!]
The card in Cloud's hand erupted with golden radiance!
Within the light, a tall, imposing figure wreathed in iron-blooded killing intent slowly solidified.
It was a middle-aged man wearing the Flying Fish uniform of the Imperial Guard, a Spring-Autumn broadsword at his waist, draped in a crimson cape stained with blood and dust.
He had a square face with sword-sharp eyebrows, eyes keen as a hawk's, naturally commanding without anger.
A vicious scar ran from his brow to the corner of his mouth. Rather than marring his features, it added an aura of a survivor—someone who'd walked through a hundred battles.
Just standing there, an aura of tragedy, ferocity, and unstoppable iron-blooded military spirit washed over the room. The temperature of the entire villa seemed to drop several degrees!
Cloud looked at this "heavyweight guest" and his distinctive attire, and his mind went completely blank.
"What the... holy shit?!"
He couldn't help but curse.
Because he knew this man!
Not just knew him—the guy was one of his childhood traumas!
The middle-aged man knelt on one knee before Cloud, fist over heart, his voice booming like a war drum: "Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Zuo Zhizhai, reporting for duty, my lord!"
Commander Zuo!
The man from A Chinese Ghost Story who, armed with nothing but mortal martial arts, fought demons head-on! The one who roared "If I don't go to hell, who will?!" before sacrificing himself alongside the centipede demon Pudu Cihang!
The legendary "Invincible Below Immortals, One-for-One Above Immortals" physical demon-slaying champion!
Cloud felt his brain was about to crash.
System, I asked for a warrior, and you literally summoned the peak of "human martial might"?!
This... this wasn't just a warrior. This was a walking mech! With the "Anti-Divine Armor Penetration" attribute!
"Commander Zuo... please, rise!" Cloud hastily helped him up, his heart a chaotic mix of shock and wild joy.
With this big boss on the team, the KOF 94 championship wasn't just in the bag—they could start engraving the trophy now!
Rugal? Against Commander Zuo, the guy would probably get bisected with a single swing!
"Your orders are my command, my lord! I will die a thousand deaths without regret!" Commander Zuo rose, his eyes resolute as iron, filled with a soldier's absolute obedience and loyalty.
Cloud looked at this severe-faced warrior radiating "keep your distance" energy and nodded with immense satisfaction.
First teammate: Perfect!
"Alright, System, let's summon the second one!" Cloud picked up the card again, riding high on excitement.
"First one's a macho warrior, so the second one? Let's change it up."
He rubbed his hands together, a "you know what I mean" grin spreading across his face.
"Second teammate—my demands aren't high either!"
"First, must be a babe! A world-class beauty! S-rank looks minimum!"
"Second, she needs some airhead qualities. You know, Commander Zuo here is so serious—gotta have someone to lighten the mood, right? The natural airhead, emotionless doll type would be perfect!"
"And finally—most important! She also has to be at the ceiling of combat power! Can't be a vase! I want the type who looks all cute and harmless normally, but when she fights, she could flip the whole planet over!"
Cloud's requirements were extremely specific, and extremely... "cultured."
[Ding! Requirements received. Matching keywords 'babe,' 'airhead,' 'combat ceiling'...]
[Match Range: Modern urban supernatural world... Matching...]
[Ding! Most compatible target locked!]
[Summoning initiated!]
The second card exploded with brilliant light!
This time, the glow wasn't iron-gold but a pure, crystalline white.
As the light faded, a petite figure in a loose white t-shirt, dark blue sweatpants, and simple cloth shoes appeared before Cloud and Commander Zuo.
She appeared to be about seventeen or eighteen, with long silky black hair, exquisite features, but an expression that was... vacant.
Her skin was almost translucently pale, her features flawless as carved jade.
Those large black-and-white eyes were clear as a deep pool, yet empty of any emotion.