"Foolish. What do temporary points prove? We're only in the free exploration stage—the real slaughter hasn't even begun," Zhang Yuanqing grumbled internally about Peony Fairy.
He immediately realized, however, that if she thought this way, most of the other official walkers probably felt the same.
Many Five Elements Alliance walkers had entered this killing trial brimming with immense confidence, simply because Yuanshi Tianzun, the prodigy who made a habit of conquering trials, was among them.
*Clinging to the big shot's coattails to clear the stage...* Official walkers more or less harbored that kind of mindset.
Yet right at the trial's start, the prodigy in their eyes had sunk to an utterly average twenty-third place. They might not necessarily doubt or write him off just for that, but it certainly left a foul taste in their mouths.
*To think I'd actually dwell on such things. Seems I've developed my own idol baggage,* Zhang Yuanqing mocked himself inwardly, though his face remained detached.
"It's only something trivial like that. Don't make such a fuss over nothing in the future. Yuanshi Tianzun just got lucky and scraped through a few S-ranks. Is it not perfectly natural for him not to rank high?"
He seized the chance to badmouth himself a little, distancing himself from Yuanshi Tianzun.
Peony Fairy's willow-leaf brows furrowed. Annoyance flared within her, but she held her tongue, offering no comment as she continued walking.
She was exceptionally fond of Yuanshi Tianzun. Besides being a youthful hero, his looks suited her tastes perfectly. Peony Fairy was an ardent fan of Yuanshi Tianzun, so hearing Wang Tai speak ill of him rubbed her the wrong way.
Swinging her sheathed uchigatana to clear away shrubs and vines, Asano Ryo turned her head in surprise upon hearing those words.
"You talk so big! Even back in the island nation, I've heard the name Yuanshi Tianzun. But as for your name, Wang Tai, I haven't the slightest impression. How could you say something so disrespectful about a genius? Are you an *aho*?"
Zhang Yuanqing instantly felt the cultural divide radiating from this Japanese JK. She was clearly an intelligent creature capable of communication, yet you simply had no idea how to talk to her.
Her behavior and speech patterns always made you feel a profound generational chasm.
"*Aho* means idiot, right?" Zhang Yuanqing expressionlessly drew his Bloodthirsty Blade and said coldly, "Guide dog, let me teach you first what happens when you disrespect your master."
"*Dame! Dame!*" Asano Ryo shrieked.
She folded with astonishing speed.
Zhang Yuanqing sheathed the Bloodthirsty Blade and sneered, "Is this all the backbone an Ally of Justice has?"
Asano Ryo replied with utmost solemnity, "My master and elders always taught me that one must have the courage to admit when one is wrong."
"What else did your master and elders teach you?"
"As part of the orthodox faction, one must be an Ally of Justice!"
Chatting idly back and forth, Zhang Yuanqing gained a deeper understanding of this Japanese JK.
Asano Ryo was seventeen years old. Born into a financial conglomerate, yet not being a direct heir, she had stayed far from the storms of power, pampered like a little princess.
Later, after becoming a Spirit Realm walker, she displayed astonishing talent and was placed on the list of successors. She was taken in as a disciple by the vice leader of the Thousand Cranes Group. Guided by her teacher, she met dignitaries and celebrities from all walks of life, all impeccably dressed and elegantly mannered.
At the same time, because Spirit Realm walkers were scarce in the island nation, the Thousand Cranes Group heavily promoted the concept of "Allies of Justice" to brainwash the walkers within the organization, aiming to reduce infighting and unite talent.
Growing up in such an environment, Asano Ryo had naturally turned into an Ally of Justice.
Then again, Asano Ryo was the same age as Xie Lingxi. Compared to that little green tea bitch, this JK was naive to the point of seeming mentally challenged.
Looking at it from another angle, though, what kind of family environment must Little Green Tea have grown up in to cultivate an eighth-dan mastery of manipulative tea artistry at such a tender age?
Just then, Peony Fairy spoke up:
"We should rendezvous with the official walkers before considering entering the central forest. This is a killing trial, so the center will definitely be fraught with danger. More companions mean more security."
Hearing that, Asano Ryo nodded vigorously.
"*Sou desu ne~*"
Zhang Yuanqing let out a soft huff. "Let's find the noticeboard first before talking about that!"
***
"I don't recommend going after the monkey king!"
Wearing flip-flops, Nothing Is Taboo swept his gaze across the rough men sitting cross-legged on the ground and explained:
"At a conservative estimate, that monkey king is a weak Level 4, or perhaps a full Level 4. With our strength, killing a Level 4 Saint wouldn't be difficult, but don't forget, the monkey king commands a troop of monkeys.
"Judging by the strength of the few monkeys we just killed, the physical might of each monkey is equivalent to a Level 3 Bewitching Demon.
"Rashly attacking the monkey troop will only result in mutual destruction. A-Yi and I won't die, but at least half of you—if not more—will likely perish."
At those words, the evil class walkers, who had previously been brimming with zeal, quieted down one after another.
Hunting tree demons was clearly far more cost-effective.
Right then, A-Yi, whose eyes were vacant, suddenly spoke up:
"How long have we been in the trial? Sorry, I don't remember the details."
Most of the time, he resembled a mentally deficient child, dazed and sluggish, or perhaps a puppet waiting to be manipulated—silent, expressionless, his eyes hollow.
Nothing Is Taboo answered instantly, "Close to three hours."
A-Yi gave a slow, delayed nod. "Three hours... How far we are from the center remains unknown."
Nothing Is Taboo pondered. "So you think..."
"Enter the central forest. My intuition tells me that continuing to loiter in the outer layer will be very dangerous."
Hearing this, Nothing Is Taboo looked at A-Yi in astonishment and caught a sharp glint flickering deep within those hollow eyes.
Nothing Is Taboo's pupils contracted slightly, and he said in a heavy voice, "Alright! We head for the central forest at once."
He trusted the beast's intuition.
Hailed as a natural-born gu beast, A-Yi possessed a "scent" for danger that far surpassed that of normal humans.
***
Beneath a tall, straight pine tree, clad in a white T-shirt and light-colored jeans in a simple Mori-girl style, "My Fate Is Mine, Not Heaven's" sat cross-legged and asked:
"So what are your plans next?"
World Returns to Fire sneered, "Why should I tell you? Unless you exchange information for it. Also, give me a simpler name. Your Spirit Realm ID is too long—both long and cringe."
Sitting beneath the pine, the young woman smiled with intellectual grace, not in the least offended. "Hongwei!"
*Hongwei...* World Returns to Fire nodded. "I intend to look for the central forest's noticeboard."
Hongwei frowned. "Look for the noticeboard..."
She noticed that World Returns to Fire hadn't said he was entering the central forest.
"I believe Yuanshi Tianzun is also searching for the central area's noticeboard right now." World Returns to Fire smiled with supreme confidence, the corner of his mouth curving upward. "He hasn't chosen a faction, which means he's hesitating. Hesitation implies he hasn't gathered enough information to support making a choice. Under such circumstances, searching for the central forest's noticeboard is the wisest move."
Tone-Deaf nodded slowly.
"There was a hint in the Spirit Realm quest: the boundary of each area is marked by a noticeboard. The central area's noticeboard might very well complete the missing information."
World Returns to Fire looked haughty and intractable, yet his eyes shone with sharp intellect.
"Therefore, my next plan is to head toward the central forest and make a faction choice based on the noticeboard. As for you, you've already chosen a faction. You can stay around here and keep racking up points, so long as you reach the central forest before the time limit expires."
Hongwei scrutinized him, clicking her tongue in wonder. "I've read your profile and knew you were adept at conquering trials, but it's still hard to believe. Are you truly a Fire Master?"
World Returns to Fire declared proudly, "Violence only demonstrates its true power under the guidance of intellect. Don't lump me in with those brainless Fire Masters."
"That indirectly proves how formidable Yuanshi Tianzun is," Hongwei slipped in a verbal dagger.
World Returns to Fire's mouth twitched faintly. He snorted coldly and said, "Cut the nonsense. It's your turn to provide intelligence."
Hongwei tilted her head, thought for a moment, and said:
"We've already exchanged everything about the trial itself. Let me share some intel from outside the trial. This year, we free classes came bearing a mission to kill Yuanshi Tianzun at any cost.
"The higher-ups gave Nothing Is Taboo a very special item, supposedly capable of killing Yuanshi Tianzun."
*A special item is in Nothing Is Taboo's hands... I can use this intelligence to trade with Yuanshi Tianzun for some things...* World Returns to Fire asked, "You're just giving me this intelligence like that?"
Hongwei smiled gently, her fair face glowing warmly. "It doesn't matter. I never felt killing Yuanshi Tianzun was mandatory. Once you enter a killing trial, you're stepping through the gates of death. Ascending to Saint is what matters most. As for whether Yuanshi Tianzun lives or dies, what does that have to do with me?
"The higher-ups only assign tasks without ever caring whether those at the bottom live or die. If they don't treat our lives as precious, should we devalue ourselves too? Do our lives deserve to be cheap?"
World Returns to Fire chuckled. "Interesting!"
***
"Boss, I see auspicious clouds gathering above your crown, a divine radiance gathered within—truly the countenance of a hidden dragon! Your future achievements will undoubtedly be extraordinary. This killing trial is precisely your chance to rise: punch A-Yi, trample Zhao Chenghuang, and mount Yuanshi Tianzun under your crotch this very day! I wish to take you as my boss and serve you through thick and thin!"
Clutching his military knife, Kou Beiyue whirled around furiously.
"I'm warning you, stop following me! I won't agree to be your boss. Go pester someone else!"
Behind him trailed a chubby young man wearing black-rimmed glasses, his face plastered with a flattering smile like a minion fawning over his chief.
The chubby youth shook his head hurriedly. "You're not like them! Your heart is pure and your thoughts transparent—only someone like that can be my boss. Those other fellows are too filthy; they aren't worthy!"
Kou Beiyue eyed him suspiciously. "You're mocking me for being stupid, aren't you?"
"No, no! This isn't stupidity—this is an innocent, pure heart!" The chubby youth shook his head forcefully.
"Really?"
"Of course it's real! If I'm lying, may lightning strike me down!" The chubby youth looked utterly sincere.
"Fine. As long as you help me find Yuanshi Tianzun, I'll agree to be your boss," Kou Beiyue seized the opportunity to set a condition.
Wandering through the trial had left him irritable. The forest was so vast that finding Yuanshi Tianzun was no simple feat. Good Minister Chooses His Master to Devour was ranked second on the leaderboard; though he seemed genial on the surface, Kou Beiyue was certain the guy had real skill.
"Ah, about that... Boss, though you possess the stature of a dragon and phoenix, now isn't the time to clash head-on with Yuanshi Tianzun," the chubby youth said, looking troubled.
"Cut the crap! If you don't agree, get lost!"
"Alright, alright. Finding Yuanshi Tianzun isn't actually that hard. Go try your luck in the central forest," the chubby youth said.
Kou Beiyue paused. "The central forest? How do you know we can find him there?"
The chubby youth chuckled. "Just a wild guess!"
***
"Ooh, there are little red umbrellas here!"
Asano Ryo stopped beside a moss-covered log, pointing joyfully at a cluster of vividly colored mushrooms on the ground.
People from the island nation held a special affinity for fungi, particularly matsutake.
Zhang Yuanqing halted and looked closely. The cluster of mushrooms had bright red caps and white stalks, strikingly vivid. But looking carefully, one could see dense, fine, dark-red veins etched across the red caps—veins that twisted bizarrely and looked somewhat familiar.
*Vividly colored fungi and fruits cannot be eaten...* Zhang Yuanqing glanced at Asano Ryo, an idea sparking in his mind. *Use her to test for poison?*
*Worst-case scenario, she just drops dead!* He said with a cold face, "Pick some and carry them with you!"
He immediately added, "Do not eat them."
The island-nation girl giggled. "Understood, understood..."
The three people and one corpse continued onward. Along the way, they picked several clusters of brightly colored fruits, handing them to the yin corpse Blood Rose for safekeeping.
*"During a long journey, if you feel unwell, you may gather wild fruits to satisfy your hunger..."* That notice flashed through Zhang Yuanqing's mind.
"I need to hunt an evil class walker to experiment on and see which of the contradictory rules is actually trustworthy!" he muttered under his breath.
For now, however, the most important task was to find the noticeboard at the central forest.
Suddenly, a strong gust swept through the sultry, dense forest. The rustling sound of leaves rubbing together echoed above their heads.
A faint, airy voice called out from behind them:
"Asano Ryo... Asano Ryo..."
The Japanese JK, who was cautiously scouting ahead, thought Wang Tai behind her was calling her name. She instinctively turned her head, opening her mouth...
"Mmph, mmph!"
A large hand clamped firmly over her small mouth. The reply that had nearly escaped her lips was muffled into frantic grunts.
The girl's clear, dark eyes widened in terror. One hand reached for the waist of her skirt, where several shikigami talismans were tucked away, while the thumb of her other hand pressed against the tsuba of her sword...
Right then, a grave warning from Wang Tai sounded in her ear:
"Keep walking forward. Do not answer the call."
Only then did Asano Ryo realize the calling came from behind. Peeking backward, she saw the massive trees thrashing their branches like bared fangs and brandished claws, as if coming alive.
*He was warning me...* A chill ran through Asano Ryo's heart as she realized she had misjudged the young Night Wanderer.
Her small face turned solemn as she nodded. Once Zhang Yuanqing released his grip, she kept her head lowered and stepped forward at a measured pace. No matter how many times the calls echoed from behind, she simply ignored them.
After an unknown amount of time, the calls from behind faded into nothing.
Relieved as if a heavy burden had been lifted, Asano Ryo let out two small pants and said in a sweet voice:
"That was truly terrifying~
"Mr. Wang Tai, I misunderstood you. You are an Ally of Justice, not a Fallen."
Zhang Yuanqing glanced at her, offering no response.
He kept his Fu Qingyang persona firmly in mind.
Asano Ryo didn't mind in the least, instead taking it as Mr. Wang Tai's unique personality. She said happily:
"You even found clothes for me, didn't peek at me, and didn't try to take advantage of me."
*What's there to look at on a pair of Wangzai steamed buns? Pop one in your mouth and it feels like it'll melt right away...* Zhang Yuanqing grumbled irritably in his thoughts.
Although Asano Ryo was a premium-quality JK, pretty girls like her weren't rare around him—take Xie Lingxi, or Jiang Jingwei, for instance—strictly comparing looks, not intelligence, of course.
And when it came to mature, voluptuous older women, there were frankly far too many.
Asano Ryo's looks and figure weren't enough to reduce him to a lecher.
The island-nation girl beamed brightly, her steps turning light and brisk, seemingly quite cheerful.
She was delighted to have met a good person—and a very formidable one at that.
In a terrifying trial like this, having a dependable teammate meant having hope of survival.
Finally, after an hour of trekking, the jungle guide dog scouting ahead cried out in delight:
"A noticeboard! I see a noticeboard!"
Zhang Yuanqing and Peony Fairy looked in the direction she was pointing, and indeed, a noticeboard stood amid the lush, emerald shrubs.
The three immediately quickened their pace and drew near.
To their disappointment, it was... a blank noticeboard!
*Blank?* Zhang Yuanqing froze for a moment. This wasn't what he had expected.
Zhang Yuanqing had rushed all this way precisely to gather the content of the central forest's noticeboard, hoping it might complete the missing information from the outer layer.
Who would have guessed the noticeboard was blank? Setting aside the fact that it couldn't fill in the missing rules, being blank meant that after entering the central area, they would have to cross the river by feeling the stones.
This was the worst possible scenario.
"What is it?" Peony Fairy asked.
Zhang Yuanqing shook his head slightly. "Nothing. We've come all this way, so let's check out the central forest."
With that, he gave the jungle guide dog a look, signaling for her to scout ahead.
There was no point in standing around like fools.
Asano Ryo took a deep breath, gripped her Ice Soul Blade tightly, stepped past the noticeboard, and walked toward the central area.
*Clang!*
Her head jerked violently, as if she had slammed into an invisible wall. Clutching her forehead, Asano Ryo stumbled backward.
"Ow... that hurts..."
Her forehead was flushed red, and two streams of bright blood trickled from her dainty nose as she winced and grimaced.
Zhang Yuanqing's brow twitched. He walked up to the noticeboard, stretched out a hand, and cautiously felt forward.
He touched an invisible wall.
Simultaneously, a quest notification chimed in his ear:
[Ding! You have not met the conditions to enter the next stage.]
"Haven't met the conditions..." Zhang Yuanqing repeated softly.
He was surprised, yet not entirely so. Thinking back carefully, the difficulty level of the outer layer had been far too low.
Whether it was the tree demons or the monkey troop, neither posed much of a threat to Spirit Realm walkers.
And an expert of his caliber had reached the central forest practically unscathed.
Such a difficulty level clearly didn't fit a killing trial.
*What counts as meeting the conditions? Is it unraveling the secret behind the contradictory notices, or choosing a faction? I haven't killed any tree demons, but I killed monkeys. Does killing monkeys count as choosing a faction...?*
Thinking of this, Zhang Yuanqing asked, "Ryo, have you killed a tree demon?"
Asano Ryo's cheeks flushed red. "S-suddenly addressing me so intimately... I did kill one tree demon, the first time we were attacked by them."
She was referring to the time her two deceased companions had triggered the Wood Demons' aggro.
*Then the requirement for meeting the condition isn't choosing a faction. Is there another plotline hidden in the outer layer?* Zhang Yuanqing frowned in thought.
"How can this be? What conditions do we need to meet?" Having tested it herself, Peony Fairy turned to Zhang Yuanqing. "Wang Tai, what should we do now?"
"Wait!" Zhang Yuanqing said.
"Wait?"
"Yeah. Wait for the time limit to arrive, and wait for the other Spirit Realm walkers to get here. If we can't get in, they won't be able to either. When no one can enter, they will naturally band together to discuss how to get in," Zhang Yuanqing explained smoothly. "This is the most cost-effective approach."
***
"Haven't met the conditions?"
Kou Beiyue looked at the chubby youth beside him, bewildered. "What conditions?"
The chubby youth had dropped his smile, his expression solemn as he shook his head. "No idea."
***
"Sure enough, entering the next stage isn't that simple."
World Returns to Fire pondered for a few seconds, then said, "We'll wait right here for the time limit to arrive."
Beside him, Tone-Deaf nodded. That aligned with his thoughts as well.
***
As time slipped away, more and more people rushed toward the central forest, and subsequently, everyone ran into the exact same problem.
—They couldn't get in!
The central forest area was massive. Even if its perimeter was smaller than that of the outer layer, it was still difficult for the Spirit Realm walkers to gather in one place.
They clustered in groups of twos and threes, scratching their heads in heated discussion.
"Are we the only ones who haven't met the conditions?"
"What on earth are these so-called conditions? We walked the entire way here and encountered nothing besides tree demons and monkeys. We strictly followed the rules on the noticeboards too... I can't make head or tail of this trial at all."
"I just saw World Returns to Fire and My Fate Is Mine, Not Heaven's gather together. It seems they can't get in either."
"Even World Returns to Fire can't enter? That's a relief. At least it means everyone's locked out, not just us."
"What about Yuanshi Tianzun? Has anyone found him? In a situation like this, following him would still be the safest bet."
"Doesn't feel very safe, does it? His score has already dropped to thirty-sixth place."
Just as the Spirit Realm walkers were at their wits' end, the countdown ran out. A full five hours had passed since entering the Spirit Realm.
At this moment, the 120 surviving participants simultaneously received a trial notification:
[Ding! The spirits dwelling in the forest have been brutally slaughtered by outside visitors. The wails of its kin have awakened the sleeping Tree King Su—prepare to face its wrath!]
[Ding! Please flee this place as quickly as possible and enter the central forest area.]
Chapter 249