The official spirit realm walkers exchanged glances, but no one answered.
*With Guan Ya?*
Zhang Yuanqing pointed toward the tall building where the seasoned veteran was and said, "Let's head inside to talk. Water Ghosts, refine some drinking water. Wood Monsters, you're on hunting duty—get us some food."
Before they could crowd together, the group dispersed in an orderly fashion, each attending to their tasks.
Zhang Yuanqing stepped into the tall building just as Guan Ya was leading Blood Rose downstairs. If one overlooked the latter's slightly dull gaze and stiff expression, the two looked like a pair of goddesses.
A middle-aged Fire Master supporting Jiang Jingwei hollered, "Damn, she's gorgeous! Yuanshi Tianzun, when you killed this woman to refine her into a yin corpse, did you hesitate at all? Or did you pick her purely for her looks?"
*What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Don't you know swamp eels are subtropical creatures?*
If anyone else had said that, Zhang Yuanqing would suspect an attempt to slander him. But coming from a Fire Master, he knew the man was just blurting out whatever crossed his mind.
A chorus of strange guffaws erupted among the men.
Zhang Yuanqing had not planned on explaining himself, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught several fresh-faced female colleagues watching him in silence.
He cleared his throat and said with absolute gravity, "Centurion Fu prepared this yin corpse for me. The one I used during the tournament was lost in Mute Village."
The female colleagues came to a sudden realization.
Only then did he turn to Guan Ya with a smile. "Did you get a Heart of the Forest as a reward?"
Guan Ya nodded slightly and winked. "A very pretty gem. It's so green it gives me anxiety!"
As she spoke, she shot a glance at the surrounding female colleagues.
*There's way too much packed into that sentence. She could tell my superfluous explanation was just to salvage my image with the ladies...* Zhang Yuanqing muttered inwardly. Although he had grown accustomed to Guan Ya's style of banter, it still stumped him at times, leaving him at a loss for how to respond.
"Sister Guan Ya, my stomach hurts so much..."
Jiang Jingwei made her entrance right on cue, knitting her little brows as she shuffled up to Guan Ya's side.
Guan Ya examined her closely, and after confirming that her injuries were under control, she let out a quiet sigh of relief and pulled the girl down to sit on the steps.
Soon, everyone sat on the dust- and rubble-strewn stairwell floor. Once the Wood Monsters returned from hunting, the Water Ghosts brought back water, and the Fire Masters roasted the meat, they chewed on the mediocre roast meat and began discussing their next moves.
Zhang Yuanqing began, "First, let's go over the quest. We need to carry the four Hearts of the Forest to the four formations, find their formation eyes, and stabilize the seals. The interval between activating each formation cannot exceed ten minutes. That means we have to split into four squads and head to different formations.
"According to the quest prompts, if the Mountain Ghost faction breaches even a single formation, they can summon the entity inside the Blood Pool. The Mountain Ghost faction also has four pieces of blood jade. My guess is that, like our gems, each piece of blood jade corresponds to a formation.
"This quest has two core objectives. First, reinforce the seals within the time limit. Second, hold the formations—we cannot let the Mountain Ghost faction pass through and deliver blood jade into the Blood Pool. Not even a single piece.
"We need to build our strategy around these two cores."
World Returns to Fire raised a hand and spoke up: "If I were in the Mountain Ghost faction, I would focus all my strength on storming a single formation. As long as we throw in just one piece of blood jade and summon whatever is inside the Blood Pool, we could easily mop the floor with the other side."
None of Your Business said, "The quest requirements made it very clear: only warriors who hold faith in the Mountain God can unseal the formations. Priority is on our side."
World Returns to Fire frowned. "Does that contradict what I said? Once we open the barrier, the Mountain Ghost faction can still throw everything they have at one formation."
Niulanshan Little Fairy shook her head. "Only fourteen people can enter each formation. We have the numbers. As long as we ensure our headcount inside the formation exceeds theirs, they won't be able to easily overwhelm a single point."
World Returns to Fire sneered. "And does that contradict what I said? If I were in the Mountain Ghost faction, I would first send scouts into the formations to gather intel, confirming where Yuanshi Tianzun and Zhao Chenghuang are stationed. Then I'd group top experts like A-Yi, Good Minister Chooses His Lord to Slay, I Alone Am Supreme, Dropout Fish, All Under Heaven Is White, and the rest into a single squad and target a formation without those two. That way, the Mountain Ghost faction would be guaranteed victory.
"Don't tell me none of you have realized how grave the situation is..."
*A complete rabble. I really overestimated their intelligence!* World Returns to Fire thought disdainfully.
Of course, he was no ordinary Fire Master, so he kept those thoughts to himself rather than saying them aloud.
"This..."
The crowd pondered his words, realized he was right, and felt their hearts sink.
Aside from Guan Ya, Zhao Chenghuang, Crossing-River Pawn, and a rare few others, the rest had not realized it until now.
World Returns to Fire wasted no more breath on them and turned to Yuanshi Tianzun. "You must already have an idea. At the very least, you saw through it early on—otherwise, you wouldn't have called us together to plan."
The contemplating crowd perked up at once. *Right! With Yuanshi Tianzun here, why strain our own brains? Let him draw up the plan, and we can just help patch any holes.*
*If his plan doesn't work, with all our minds combined, we'll spot the flaws right away.*
Zhang Yuanqing remained silent for a dozen seconds before speaking: "Just as World Returns to Fire pointed out, the situation is rather tricky. I strongly suspect the trial's quests adjust dynamically based on real-time developments—take the two hours of invulnerability, for instance.
"While the trial wouldn't let us finish the battle prematurely before reaching the final stage, making the two-hour invulnerability perfectly reasonable, the quest conditions for reinforcing the formations clearly counter our numerical advantage."
Because they had fewer people, the enemy only needed to deliver one piece of jade to summon the monster in the Blood Pool, which offset their disadvantage in headcount.
Meanwhile, the Mountain God faction, despite having more people, was forced to deal with this thorny dilemma.
It felt as though an invisible hand was constantly fine-tuning the difficulty to maintain equilibrium between both sides.
Jiang Jingwei slapped Guan Ya's thigh with a couple of *thwacks*, complaining with an innocent, blunt look, "Aiya, just get to the point already!"
The Fire Masters chimed in with nodding agreement.
Zhang Yuanqing glanced over the grim expressions of the crowd and smiled. "No need to be nervous. There are always more solutions than problems. Look at it from another angle: equilibrium also means we have equal opportunities and viable methods. It just comes down to whether we can figure them out."
After offering that word of comfort, he cut straight to the chase: "Solving this problem requires fully capitalizing on our advantages. We have two. First: we dictate when the formations are opened. Second: we outnumber the Mountain Ghost faction two to one. We have thirty-six people; they have eighteen.
"First, we randomly pick a formation and assign eleven colleagues to enter it. That leaves room for only three people from the Mountain Ghost faction to get in. At the Transcendent stage, even if the Demon Lord, the female Grand Marshal, and I teamed up, defeating eleven elite walkers of the same level would be an uphill battle. I wager the Mountain Ghost faction will most likely abandon that formation entirely.
"Next, we assign another eleven people to the second formation, replicating the ratio of the first. Even if they have trump cards, they won't risk wasting them on these two formations. That secures both of them.
"Then, we send nine people into the third formation. Here, our ratio against the enemy will be nine to five. Finally, we place five people in the fourth formation."
At this point, Zhang Yuanqing continued, "The Mountain Ghost faction's top choice will undoubtedly be the fourth formation, which only has five defenders. Their backup choice will be the third formation, held by nine. Therefore, the third formation must be guarded by the elite among our elites—people like Sun Miaomiao, Crossing-River Pawn, and World Returns to Fire.
"That way, they will most likely bet everything on the fourth formation."
By this point, even the Fire Masters understood. Through manipulating the headcount distribution, Yuanshi Tianzun had artificially designated the decisive battlefield to be the fourth formation.
He had completely neutralized the Mountain Ghost faction's advantage of concentrating forces for a pinpoint breakthrough.
The Mountain Ghost faction would definitely pick the fourth formation, because they could send in nine people. Combined with their supposed trump cards, even if they recognized it as a scheme by the Mountain God faction, they would gladly accept the challenge.
It was an open trap!
Of course, if they chose the third formation to avoid Yuanshi Tianzun, that was fine too. The third formation would have nine top elites: Sun Miaomiao, World Returns to Fire, Crossing-River Pawn, and the other Night Walkers from the Taiyi Sect.
Nine against five—the odds of victory would still be heavily in their favor.
Seeing the delighted expressions on his companions' faces, Zhang Yuanqing cautioned, "However, to pull off this plan, the colleagues in the first and second formations must be mentally prepared. You most likely won't encounter any enemies, which means no kills to earn points, making your chances of advancing to Saint very slim."
A Fire Master shrugged. "Still better than dying! The third and fourth formations are going to be life-and-death bloodbaths. If I can't advance in the mid-year trial, I'll just try again at the end of the year."
With things laid out so clearly, their options were limited. Between staying alive and advancing to Saint, any rational person knew what to choose.
As long as you were alive, there was hope. If you died, everything ended.
*This way, I can also maximize the survival rate of our official walkers...* Zhang Yuanqing said, "Then let's begin assigning positions. Raise your hand if you're willing to enter the first formation."
All the unaffiliated walkers raised their hands, joined by a portion of the official walkers who knew their own limits.
Zhang Yuanqing picked eleven people, then said, "Raise your hand if you're willing to enter the second formation."
He swiftly picked another eleven.
"Now, for the third formation."
This time, the only ones raising their hands were Peeping at Abalone Through a Tube and World Returns to Fire.
*You guys really have zero self-awareness...* Zhang Yuanqing griped silently, then said aloud, "Aside from Zhao Chenghuang, the other five from the Taiyi Sect will all enter the third formation. Crossing-River Pawn and Undead Knight will go in as well, making exactly nine."
Taking a deep breath, he said in a solemn voice, "The fourth formation will be defended by me, Zhao Chenghuang, Guan Ya, Jiang Jingwei, and Asano Ryo."
"Why that Japanese girl?!" Sun Miaomiao puffed her cheeks in protest, glaring at Zhang Yuanqing with wide, bright eyes.
"First, as Night Walkers go, we already have Zhao Chenghuang and me. You're strong, but overlapping classes offer little added value. Second, in crucial moments, Asano Ryo can unleash power approaching Level 4. Her utility is immense."
Zhang Yuanqing explained, then looked toward Asano Ryo. "Any objections?"
"I—I will definitely give it my all!" The Japanese schoolgirl felt her blood surge with excitement, flattered to be so highly regarded by this young genius from the mainland. At the same time, she trembled with terror, tearfully bidding farewell to Otou-san and Okaa-san in her heart.
Zhang Yuanqing nodded with satisfaction. As for Jiang Jingwei, Guan Ya, and Zhao Chenghuang, he didn't bother asking for their opinions.
The first two were so close to him that they would naturally agree to his arrangements.
As for Zhao Chenghuang, the man was far too proud to back down.
"Then it's settled!" Zhang Yuanqing raised his wooden bowl and said loudly, "Everyone, I hope to see you all again in the real world. In place of wine, I toast you with water!"
The crowd raised their wooden bowls in unison.
***
Over ten kilometers away, inside an abandoned supermarket.
The members of the Mountain Ghost faction were likewise drinking water and eating meat.
Dropout Fish lay peacefully on the floor, a white sheet covering his body and face like a corpse.
His astral spirit had detached from his physical vessel, drifting within the supermarket and looking down upon Taboo-Free, who was passionately delivering a motivational speech—brainwashing, really—to the evil classes.
"How much sweat and effort did we pour into preparing for this killing trial, all to advance to Saint?"
"Over the years, how many blood debts have the orthodox factions accumulated against us through their bullying and encirclements?"
"The Mountain God faction has to defend four formations, while we only need to seize one! Once those orthodox fools scatter, they're nothing but a disorganized rabble. How could they possibly hold against our assault?"
"Right now, the advantage lies with us, and we still have our trump cards. To go crawling to that devious Yuanshi Tianzun at a time like this would be nothing short of suicide!"
The Mountain Ghost faction cheered in spirited agreement, smiles lighting up their faces.
*This fellow Taboo-Free truly lives up to being a Bewitcher. His brainwashing skills are impressive...* Dropout Fish observed silently.
The white sheet covering him was an item of the Night Walker class granted to him by Dark Night Rose.
Its effect was simple: while covered by the sheet, the user gained regenerative capabilities on par with a Night Walker.
The cost was twofold: during the healing process, the spirit left the body, leaving the physical form entirely defenseless; and for the following seven days, one's circadian rhythm would be inverted, throwing sleep cycles into chaos.
Seeing that the ideological groundwork was sufficiently laid, Taboo-Free said, "Our advantage is glaringly obvious. The Mountain God faction will definitely try to dismantle it. Make no mistake—whether it's Yuanshi Tianzun, Zhao Chenghuang, or that eccentric Fire Master, they all have the brains to do so."
Kou Beiyue piped up eagerly, "How will they try to dismantle our advantage?"
Before Taboo-Free could answer, the chubby youth stepped in to enlighten his boss: "There are only eighteen of us. If we split into four squads, each squad will only have about four people, while each formation can hold up to fourteen. We are vastly outnumbered; splitting up would be walking straight to our deaths.
"The correct approach is to tailor our deployment against the Mountain God faction's assignments."
At this point, he looked around at everyone and continued, "I think there are two points we must agree on. First: A-Yi, Taboo-Free, Dropout Fish, All Under Heaven Is White, Trampling the Firmament, and I must stick together as a six-man core.
"Only then can we guarantee our success rate.
"Second: that kid Yuanshi Tianzun is full of dirty tricks and carries an arsenal of items. He even shot my boss in the junk—he's utterly twisted and no good. We'd best avoid whichever formation he's in."
His proposal met with unanimous approval.
Taboo-Free nodded slowly. "That makes sense. Right now, we need to track the Mountain God faction's movements, so gathering intel is essential. We'll leave that to the Wood Monsters."
I Alone Am Supreme looked at the two Wood Monsters in the group and instructed, "Control some animals and keep a close eye on the Mountain God faction. The moment Dropout Fish finishes mending his injuries, we move."
A-Yi was a Witch Doctor blessed with self-healing abilities. Taboo-Free was a Bewitcher who could regenerate his wounds by devouring an animal's blood.
As for the Illusionists, after a short nap, their depleted mental stamina had largely recovered.
Dropout Fish, however, was a Scout. With neither defensive nor regenerative skills, he could only rely on the Wood Monsters and the item to mend his broken bones, which took a bit longer.
Time passed quickly. An hour later, the two Wood Monsters returned and reported, "The Mountain God faction is on the move."
By then, Dropout Fish had finished mending his injuries and was back in fighting shape.
Taboo-Free stood up and commanded, "Follow them!"
The group trailed the Mountain God faction from a distance, using birds in the sky, wild dogs, and rat packs on the ground to track their quarry.
After half an hour of trekking, they arrived at an abandoned subway station in the city center.
"The Mountain God faction went inside. Eleven people entered."
Taboo-Free sneered. "Trying to rely on numbers? We can afford to pass on the subway station."
Next, they followed the Mountain God faction from afar to a dilapidated bank building.
"The Mountain God faction went inside. Eleven people entered."
"Abandon the bank building. Keep scouting and report back."
At the city center mall.
"This time, nine people from the Mountain God faction went in."
"Nine... Who are they?"
"The Taiyi Sect's Night Walkers, Peeping at Abalone Through a Tube, World Returns to Fire, Undead Knight, and Crossing-River Pawn..." Having said that, the Wood Monster suddenly startled. "The last five are Yuanshi Tianzun, Zhao Chenghuang, Guan Ya, Jiang Jingwei, and Asano Ryo. They're going to hold the final formation! Which one do we attack?"
This was an obvious deduction.
Yuanshi Tianzun's group of five would inevitably guard the final formation—the abandoned park.
It was a choice between the abandoned park and the city center mall.
Should they stick to the original plan and bypass the abandoned park, or alter their strategy and attack the mall?
The five at the abandoned park were top-tier powerhouses, but there were only five of them, allowing nine walkers from their side to enter.
Meanwhile, the nine at the city center mall, though not quite at Yuanshi Tianzun's level, still included Sun Miaomiao, World Returns to Fire, and other elite figures, along with Night Walkers who were no less deadly than evil classes. Moreover, Night Walkers had yin corpses and spirit servants—yin corpses were classified as items and did not count toward the headcount limit. While it seemed like nine people, it was effectively fifteen to twenty combatants. On top of that, their own side could only send in five people, creating a massive disparity in numbers.
Which should they pick?
The members of the Mountain Ghost faction could not help but turn their eyes toward Taboo-Free.
Chapter 273