Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

---

Chapter 89: Victory

In mid-air, the cloud, finally neutralized by stationery from the effect of [Rising From the Ground], descended back to its original height.

A few meters away, the egrets were lined up in a row.

Xu Wang and his team didn’t dare to move rashly. Attacking from above wasn’t a winning strategy and going down to support Chi Yingxue risked being ambushed from behind by the cloud freed from [Rising From the Ground].

So, they firmly stuck to the original plan, one “dragging” and one “blocking”—dragging out time for Chi Yingxue to fight and blocking the cloud from the periphery.

However, they still couldn’t prevent what happened next. Kuang Jinxin, responsible for monitoring Chi Yingxue, was the first to report: “Captain, something’s wrong with him!”

All four looked down and saw Jiang Dachuan climbing up, with Chi Yingxue below, holding his foot but clearly enduring immense pain!

It was at this moment that the cloud descended to the same height as the egrets.

Chen Guan shrugged his shoulders indifferently. “It’s clear you’re determined to keep us away from the tree, so we won’t insist. But don’t be naive enough to think that we can’t attack just because we’re not close.

“Chi Yingxue—” Xu Wang didn’t bother with this provocation and directly asked his teammate below. “What’s the name of the stationery—”

There was no response.

Their newly frenzied teammate had blocked out everything around him. In his world, there was only Jiang Dachuan—he wouldn’t stop until Jiang Dachuan died!

Xu Wang felt conflicted; dealing with a teammate who went berserk at a moment’s notice was tough!

Without knowing the name of the stationery, the four of them couldn’t even begin to help from a distance!

“It looks like his heart is being stabbed,” Qian Ai offered his assistance. “I’ve experienced it. Everyone looks like this after being pierced!”

Xu Wang: “……”

[Owl: Someone used [(Defense) Heart of Steel*] on you~~]

*A man’s heart is as firm as steel/iron.

The stabbing pain in Chi Yingxue’s heart slowly faded away with the notification sound.

He took a light breath and smiled faintly at Jiang Dachuan above.

Jiang Dachuan, with one foot in his opponent’s hand, had been watching closely the whole time, and this smile sent chills down his spine.

He was going to lose.

Jiang Dachuan had a clear premonition.

He had faced many opponents and fought countless close-combat battles, but this was the first time he felt “fear” from an opponent.

This fear wasn’t about the opponent’s incredible combat strength, but something in his bones—something not human.

His ankle, now held by a recovered Chi Yingxue, was suddenly yanked!

Jiang Dachuan was pulled down from the tree trunk!

He managed to punch Chi Yingxue squarely in the chin, but Chi Yingxue returned a fierce kick to Jiang Dachuan’s calf with enough force that it could fracture his fragile body!

Jiang Dachuan went down and, in the last moment of his slide, wrapped his arms around a branch, barely hanging on without falling into the sea!

Chi Yingxue frowned slightly, seemingly dissatisfied that it wasn’t a fatal blow.

Jiang Dachuan prepared for his fingers to be broken or stepped on, but that move was actually very low. It wasn’t about looking good or bad, but because it had too many flaws. As long as Chi Yingxue dared to come close, he was confident he could pull him down first!

“You’re overthinking,” Chi Yingxue suddenly said, his voice carrying a certain pleasure and joy, matching his shining eyes. “I’m not interested in your fingers.”

He lightly jumped onto a nearby branch and then looked at the base of the branch holding Jiang Dachuan, eyes slightly narrowing, and raised his leg to kick!

Jiang Dachuan gasped.

Chi Yingxue wasn’t going to kick him; he was aiming to break the entire branch!

Jiang Dachuan had no doubt that Chi Yingxue had the strength to do it!

[Owl: Someone used [(Illusory) Meng Po Soup*] on you~~]

*This comes from Chinese folklore, where you’re fed this soup once you die and transverse the underworld. The soup makes you forget everything, so you can reincarnate when you reach the Naihe Bridge.

Just as Chi Yingxue’s foot was about to touch the branch’s base, he heard the notification in his ear.

Then, Chi Yingxue froze.

Maintaining the kicking pose, he stood there, looking at the tree, then at his own foot, and then at Jiang Dachuan, utterly bewildered.

……

In Room 1639.

Zou Jun: “What’s happening?”

Zhu Mo: “Some kind of stationery forcing love and peace, or amnesia, perhaps.”

Feng Rang: “Why be the vanguard when you can be played to death like this…”

Wei Menghan: “……”

Zhu Mo: “Teacher Wei?”

Wei Menghan: “The outcome is decided. But they’ve already done well to last this long.”

Zhu Mo understood his team leader’s point. Psychic control-type illusory stationeries were almost unsolvable unless you happened to have the one or two stationeries that could counter them.

He looked up at the few people on the egret. From the team captain to the team members, their eyes all showed more or less a hint of panic. Clearly, they had no solution to this illusory stationery.

But—

Zhu Mo’s gaze fell on the only calm face among them.

He didn’t know his name, but if he remembered correctly, this should be the advisor. And now, in his eyes, he saw an astonishing composure and confidence.

“They might not lose.” Zhu Mo paused, then shook his head. “No, they will win.”.

……

Mid-air.

Xu Wang made a decision and looked at Wu Sheng.

However, the latter gently shook his head.

Unable to hold back, Xu Wang blurted out in urgency, “Are we still waiting?”

Wu Sheng remained silent, but his attitude was clear.

Xu Wang anxiously looked down. Jiang Dachuan was about to climb onto a branch. Now, Chi Yingxue seemed like an innocent and naive girl who could be easily pushed off without using force.

They held the trump card but delayed until now. If they failed, they would vomit three pounds of blood!

“We can’t break the illusion,” Xu Wang said, not fearing being overheard by the opponents. The priority was to remind his own advisor.

“I know.” Wu Sheng also watched below. Every second now could affect the battle. “But don’t forget, he’s not fighting alone.”

Xu Wang instantly understood his intention and said in disbelief, “Are you betting on this at such a time?”

“It’s not a bet, but maximizing the potential of variables,” Wu Sheng replied, looking at Xu Wang. “That is, if you really want to integrate him into our combat system.”

Xu Wang looked at his advisor and finally made up his mind. “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”

Kuang Jinxin: “……”

Qian Ai: “……”

What did the leaders discuss? They couldn’t understand at all!

On the opposite cloud.

Kong Lize: “They…”

Gu Nian: “Are using us…”

Chen Guan: “To adapt?”

“Dachuan!” Wang Duan suddenly exclaimed with worry and disbelief.

Everyone immediately looked down!

But it was too late.

Jiang Dachuan, who had just managed to climb back onto the branch due to the opponent’s memory loss, fell into the sea along with his branch.

His face showed disbelief as he fell.

While Chi Yingxue, seemingly indifferent, reached a higher position, not even glancing at the broken branch, as if he knew Jiang Dachuan had no way back.

He easily picked a shiny badge.

[Owl: Congratulations on finding the Castle Badge of 6/23!]

Everything happened in a flash—too fast for Jiang Dachuan to react and too unexpected for the four on the cloud!

Even Kuang Jinxin and Qian Ai were baffled, while Wu Sheng just shrugged at Xu Wang. “I told you, I would improve.”

Xu Wang wanted to rush at him with the egret. “How can you be so cool!”

……

An hour ago, after returning safely from the oil painting, on the way to tell the truth to the girl with braids in 1829.

A secret conversation among the team leaders happened.

Xu Wang: “Chi Yingxue won’t cooperate with our tactics. He likes freedom.”

Wu Sheng: “Not even a little hope?”

Xu Wang: “No.”

Wu Sheng: “Understood, I will improve.”

Xu Wang: “You will improve?”

Wu Sheng: “A mature combat system must accommodate all variables. If it can maximize the utility of variables, it will approach perfection.”

Xu Wang: “Well, don’t overdo it. If it’s perfect, what else is there to pursue in life?”

Wu Sheng: “God level.”

Xu Wang: “…Go ahead, strive for it, as long as you’re happy.”

……

Wang Duan didn’t want to hear the opponents complimenting each other, nor could he accept the outcome.

He looked at Chi Yingxue incredulously below. “When did you break the illusion?”

Chi Yingxue, pushing away annoying branches blocking his view, looked innocently at him. “Why break something I never fell for?”

Not only Wang Duan, but all four on the cloud were stunned.

Chi Yingxue sighed, saying earnestly, “Next time you try to control me, please use a double portion.” As he said this, his gaze shifted from their faces to their clothes, frowning. “Your taste and combat ability don’t match. These are the ugliest coats I’ve ever seen.”

Wang Duan, Chen Guan, Gu Nian, Kong Lize: “…”

Chi Yingxue gasped in pain, as if realizing it for the first time, and checked his bandaged arm, the bruises on his chest, and the soreness on his chin. Each injury he found deepened his frown, not in pain but simple unhappiness.

[Your only task is the badge.]

Wu Sheng’s mission echoed in his mind.

It must be Wu Sheng.

Throughout the battle, this mission, like a brand, was repeatedly emphasized in his mind by that person, almost brainwashing.

He couldn’t ignore it, even if he wanted to.

Chi Yingxue looked down at his chest, as if, through it, he could see someone else.

He hadn’t cooperated with his other self for many years, especially in the last two, almost becoming enemies. He never expected that they would cooperate again, especially for a team they joined only hours ago.

At least for the near future, he shouldn’t be kicked out. Chi Yingxue thought, not too sure.

On the clouds, all four pairs of eyes darkened, and even the usually calm Gu Nian showed a faint killing intent.

Xu Wang could feel it, and so could the onlookers like Han Buting and Wei Menghan.

In Room 1024.

“They’re serious now,” Han Buting said quietly.

Li Zijin didn’t understand. “Weren’t they serious before?”

Han Buting shook his head, no longer speaking.

It wasn’t just about being unserious; from the beginning, those on the clouds didn’t take their opponents seriously. Just like their team during the ambush in the amusement park, they thought it was easy, but the result was the same as today’s cloud team.

This fundamental mindset acted like a ceiling, unconsciously limiting their combat ability.

Even though they were irritated and hindered just now, they still thought it was within their control. This “contempt” was the main reason they lost the badge.

Now, with all goals gone, those on the clouds finally showed their true combat spirit.

On the clouds.

Chen Guan stared at Xu Wang and his team, asking without turning his head, “How much longer for the pause button?”

Kong Lize answered, “Six minutes.”

Chen Guan nodded. “Enough.”

Xu Wang frowned. “You still want to fight even without the badge?”

Wang Duan said, “From the moment you provoked us, you should have been prepared to go home early.”

Xu Wang was speechless. “It was you who provoked us first!”

Wang Duan replied, “But you ended up getting the badge.”

Xu Wang: “…That’s true.”

Wang Duan’s curly hair was almost dry from anger. “So since you got the badge, don’t just leave. It can’t be that you get all the benefits so easily.”

Xu Wang sighed and moved slightly out of the way on the white egret.

Advisor Wu calmly stepped forward. “You might not know, but our team’s principle is to have fun in challenges.”

[Owl: Someone used [(Illusory) Time Flies] on you~~]

The four on the cloud were stunned. The shock of this moment surpassed all they had faced that night!

How is that possible?

How could it be?

Holding such an illusory stationery, fighting with them for so long, and using up so many stationeries, what for?!

Before the question could be asked, everyone—whether in battle or spectating—heard a notification sound that belonged to them.

[Owl: Dear~ I’m giving you an early holiday. Sending you home.]

[Owl: Congratulations on passing the 6/23 test and handing in your papers! See you tomorrow~~]

The latter sentence was the belated happiness for Xu Wang’s small team.

……

In a very remote part of Anyang city, under a sky covered with dark clouds blocking the moonlight, the darkness was eerily silent.

In the overgrown grass, where a person drenched and sullen was already standing, nine more appeared out of thin air after a while.

One of them appeared close to him, while the remaining eight were a few meters apart, facing each other in two groups of four.

Jiang Dachuan, full of pent-up anger and nowhere to vent, found his target of blame appearing right before him.

He didn’t even stop to think why the battle ended so quickly, but immediately bent down, grabbed Chi Yingxue by the collar, and yanked him up.

As he was about to deliver a retaliatory punch, Jiang Dachuan suddenly stopped.

The guy who had tormented him not long ago now had his eyes tightly closed, his eyebrows furrowed, sweat on his forehead, and was mumbling something like “get away”, “give it back”, “it’s not yours—”

Jiang Dachuan swallowed and felt a chill run down his spine.

This was even scarier than a ghost grabbing his foot!

“Hey, you… Don’t think you can get away with pretending to be possessed…”

“Let go of that young man!” Suddenly, a voice of justice roared nearby.

Before Jiang Dachuan could react, the person he was holding was snatched away by Qian Ai.

Qian Ai turned around, handed Chi Yingxue to Kuang Jinxin, who came with him, then took out his phone, weighing it in his hand while threatening, “We’re back in a lawful society. Do you still want to fight? Don’t think I won’t start a live broadcast right here!”

Jiang Dachuan: “……”

On the other side, Wang Duanran’s team didn’t make a move, but after being beaten, they needed an explanation.

“Why didn’t you use it from the start?”

Since they had the [Time Flies] stationery, they could have used it to submit immediately during the “Pause” effect, avoiding the subsequent entanglement and tough battle.

“We did plan to use it initially, but unfortunately, your attitude was poor.” Xu Wang looked towards Wu Sheng with a sigh. “So our advisor had to adjust the battle plan.”

Wu Sheng slightly tilted his head upwards, looking towards the dark clouds with a gaze as if admiring the moon, lost in thought. “I never thought of such double happiness. It’s all destiny pushing us forward.”

Wang Duanran, Chen Guan, Kong Lizhe: “……”

Such anti-human dialogue, such a provoking demeanor…

Gu Nian: “Let’s exchange names.”

Xu Wang, Wu Sheng: “Goodbye.”

……

Not far away, in the grass.

Wei Menghan’s team, lying hidden, watched Xu Wang and Wu Sheng turn around to join their other two teammates, picking up their fifth unconscious teammate, shoulder to shoulder, striding away with style.

Then… they walked faster and faster, disappearing into the vast night with a strong desire to survive.

The other team also didn’t stay long, eventually leaving silently in the opposite direction.

Heading back to the city center should be in the same direction, but the fact that the other team chose the other end, avoiding the usual path, was intriguing.

“They’re probably afraid of not being able to control themselves from fighting.” Zou Jun saw through it, hitting the nail on the head.

“However, anyone who loses so thoroughly would feel devastated.” Feng Rang felt a bit sympathetic towards the other team. “From the start, they were bound to win, ready to submit anytime if things went south.”

Zhu Mo sighed lightly, both in reflection and admiration. “But in the end, they still managed to earn the badge.”

Wei Menghan flipped over, lying on his back, looking up at the sky. The dark night matched his mood. “When we met in the Moonlight Maze, we were still acting experienced and teaching others.”

Zhu Mo patted his shoulder to comfort him. “Anyway, they are indeed a team of newcomers.”

Wei Menghan shook his head and remained silent.

Newcomers indeed, but they weren’t rookies. Clearly, they were a bunch of young phoenixes!

Once they gain experience and fully spread their wings, becoming immortal phoenixes, anyone who encounters them will be burnt to ashes…

……

Much later.

Behind a mound.

“Captain?” Li Xia looked worriedly at Han Buting, who had been silent since they emerged, and now that almost all challengers had dispersed, only their team remained in this desolate wilderness.

“It’s okay.” Han Buting rubbed his temples, turned his head, and asked Li Xia and Li Zijin, “What do you think?”

Li Zijin pouted reluctantly and grumbled, “What else can we think? If it were us today, we’d be obliterated in three minutes.”

Han Buting asked, “Replace us with which team?”

Li Zijin fell silent for a moment before saying, “It doesn’t matter which team.”

“They have changed since 3/23.” Li Xia looked at his captain. “We’re still in the same place, no, even worse.”

“Yes.” Han Buting pushed back his hair from his forehead, exhaling. “If we want to keep moving forward, we can’t keep wandering like this.”

Li Xia and Li Zijin knew that once their captain got this way, he had a plan.

“First step, solidify the team.” In the quiet night, Han Buting led his team to stand on the starting line once again.

---

The author has something to say:

A tough battle. Congratulations to Xu Wang’s small team for advancing from Bronze to Silver~~ (～￣▽￣)～

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>