An hour had passed since the Shadow World began.
Lanqi lightly touched the rough stone wall with his frigid fingers, the stinging sensation keeping his mind sharp.
Amid the howling arctic wind in the prison and the shivering gasps of the prisoners in other cells gradually falling quiet, the iron chains bit even tighter into his hands. His wrists stung from being chafed by the shackles, having grown nearly numb.
Every pore of his body resisted the bitter cold, yet all in vain.
"So cold..."
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the chill spread through his lungs. Then, slowly exhaling a plume of white mist, he could feel every tremor within him, every heartbeat, fighting against the endless cold.
As time went on, Lanqi began to grow accustomed to the freezing temperature until his muscles stiffened and his thoughts grew sluggish.
It was hard to imagine—if he had to remain in this prison cell any longer, would cold and despair become his only companions to keep him company through the long, silent night?
To be fair, there was nothing wrong with the Shadow World Adams had chosen.
After all, Lanqi had said he would accept any type of challenge.
Still, judging from their respective capabilities, fighting it out to the bitter end would inevitably result in mutual ruin.
"Adams..."
Finally, Lanqi spoke in a resigned tone beside the wall shared with Adams's cell.
"If we keep holding out like this just to force a victor, I'm afraid it might sour our friendly relations."
Before long:
"What's wrong, Lanqi? Can't take it already? I'm sure you're not the type to go back on your word midway, right?"
Adams chuckled with a trace of mockery.
To the left of the wall between them, Adams's cell was in no better shape.
Although he, like Lanqi, had stockpiled a small amount of supplies, after holding out for a full hour without using any of them, a faint layer of frost had formed across Adams's face.
He had never underestimated Lanqi.
At the same tier, and with both unable to use magic cards, his innate cold resistance was stronger than Lanqi's.
However, Lanqi was also very skilled at analyzing information and employing strategies; he could very well have traded with the prisoners on the other side for more supplies.
Adams had already decided that no matter what Lanqi said, he would not trade with him. Lanqi was a man with a diabolically persuasive tongue; swindling his opponent out of supplies was one of his likely paths to victory.
As long as he did not let Lanqi gain an edge in supplies, Adams was certain that in terms of willpower and resolve for Knight Commander Juliana, he would never lose to Lanqi. Only by defeating Lanqi fair and square in this manner could he make Lanqi concede wholehearted defeat.
Lanqi paused for a moment. He felt Adams had clearly misunderstood him.
"A move once played is never taken back; you can rest completely assured regarding my commitment to contracts," Lanqi said calmly.
The two conversed through the thick wall, their voices traveling out into the corridor through the gaps between the iron bars before drifting into the neighboring cell.
"Then there is nothing more to say. No matter what you utter, I won't be swayed."
Adams gave a self-satisfied chuckle.
He knew Lanqi would attempt to communicate with him sooner or later in this Shadow World.
He had anticipated that Lanqi would try to drag him into a mind game and use schemes to defeat him; he just hadn't expected Lanqi to start so soon.
"..."
After those words carried over, Lanqi remained silent for a while.
"In that case, I'll let you win."
With that, Lanqi's voice from next door ceased entirely.
"Wait, what?"
Adams blinked in surprise and shouted out past the bars.
Yet there was no answer from the adjoining cell.
"...Lanqi?"
Adams failed to comprehend the situation for a moment.
Lanqi's enigmatic competitive drive left Adams completely baffled.
Was this guy truly someone who didn't care about winning or losing?
Rumors claimed Lanqi possessed an unfathomable temperament.
Still, even Adams had never imagined someone could surrender so cleanly in a duel representing their academy, like a creature composed purely of cold logic who made decisions stripped of any emotion or pride.
Adams pondered, and after a moment, he exhaled a plume of mist in relief.
Presumably, Lanqi realized he had no hope of defeating him through sheer endurance or will in this Shadow World, so he chose to stop while they were ahead, adhering to the principle of a friendly match.
Such grace and composure in Lanqi earned Adams's admiration.
He truly was a prodigy capable of overcoming the Saintess of Destruction, Adelice, under dire circumstances.
"Wait..."
Just as Adams was considering exiting the Shadow World to spare himself further agony, he frowned.
A bit suspicious, he pressed his hand against the wall, laid his ear against the back of his hand, and closed his eyes to listen intently.
A moment passed.
Though faint, he caught slight, soft rustlings coming from next door!
Adams snapped to full awareness, an expression of utter disbelief spreading across his face.
"Lanqi, you despicable scoundrel!"
Adams yelled toward the adjoining cell with burning fury.
That bastard, there was nothing he wouldn't stoop to!
He had nearly fallen for his trick!
...
In Jera Memorial Square, the students fell into silence.
This was so Lanqi.
He actually tried to pretend he had already surrendered and logged out, all while hiding in the Shadow World to trick Adams into leaving!
After all, according to the agreement witnessed by all the teachers and students of the School of Sages, the true outcome was officially determined by the final score in the Shadow World.
If Adams had really fallen for it just now, once Lanqi exited, all Lanqi had to do was tell him: "You actually believed words spoken inside a Shadow World? A verbal surrender doesn't count; it was merely a legitimate tactic. We still go by the terms of our contract," and Adams would be struck speechless.
Lanqi was clearly playing mind games and exploiting contractual loopholes again.
While feigning surrender was somewhat shameless, it truly was the only possible way Lanqi could secure an easy victory!
"If Adams had been just a little less vigilant, it would've been over right then."
"Some lawyers are just that dirty! First they talk you into making concessions, then slam the contract down right after!"
On the stone steps, a martial artist who had once been Lanqi's victim spoke in bitter indignation.
Whenever they recalled Big Sis Cervini weeping uncontrollably, they bitterly regretted that back at the Soul of the Fighter dojo, not a single one of them had recognized the true face of that bastard Lanqi.
Because of Lanqi, Cervini had now completely abandoned her fighting spirit. No matter how much they pleaded, she couldn't be talked out of it, leaving them with no choice but to wish Big Sis success on passing the bar exam...
"Still... Not only did Adams see through Lanqi's scheme, but his guard is up now. It'll probably be even harder to trick Adams from here on out. What's Lanqi going to do?"
Other students couldn't help discussing in bewilderment.
Inside the Shadow World prison, separated by the wall, Lanqi and Adams could not see each other's condition.
Yet the live broadcast faced both cells head-on, allowing the audience to see their complexions crystal clear.
Adams clearly still had stamina to spare, whereas Lanqi was genuinely freezing to death; he simply could not afford to drag things out in a battle of attrition against Adams.
Despite possessing vast mana, with his magic cards sealed, Lanqi couldn't cast so much as a single Tier 1 Fireball on his own, unable to heal or warm himself.
In the entire School of Sages, only Lanqi could be this absurdly inept at spellcasting.
For Lanqi, the decisive moment had practically arrived.
Whatever big play he had up his sleeve, it was high time he pulled it out!
Chapter 188