D Class was chatting in their prep area when a guy in a black hat stepped forward eagerly. "Boss, I've got a plan."

"Oh? Spit it out," the black-hatted guy said. "Boss, hide in our ranks and march with us! Act like a regular soldier!"

"What! Are you insane? If the boss dies, we're finished! Mu Lei!" Li Ritian gasped in shock.

"Don't you know the most dangerous spot is often the safest? Moron?" Mu Lei shot back.

"Li Ritian, shut it and listen to Mu Lei!" Yang Honggang snapped.

"The enemy will ambush us. They'll likely target our commander for a cheap win. So the commander's actually the most vulnerable," Mu Lei explained.

"We swap the commander with a soldier. That soldier becomes the decoy. It's the shadow warrior strategy," Mu Lei added.

"Who should be the decoy then?" Yang Honggang pondered.

Mu Lei pointed at Li Ritian. "Naturally, our unbeatable show-off, Brother Ritian—the all-talk, no-action king!"

Hearing Mu Lei's smug, unrefutable jab, Li Ritian turned furious and lunged at him. Yang Honggang grabbed his arm. "Both of you, stop infighting! Li Ritian, you're my shadow warrior—final decision! Mu Lei, what's your attack plan?" Yang Honggang roared.

"Since we're way stronger than F Class's losers, split into five squads. Ten per squad, attacking from five directions. Each has a wind-element scout probing ahead. If trouble hits, the scout retreats instantly to regroup. Boss, you stay at the rear, always protecting yourself," Mu Lei said.

"Brilliant plan! Approved!" Yang Honggang cheered. He took this match seriously—it was his chance to show Ling Ling his leadership. No losses. Not even to F Class.

"Alright, D Class! Form up the squads!" Mu Lei yelled.

Outside the grand arena, a man in a black trench coat, face scarred deeply, strode to the service desk.

"Show your student or teacher ID, sir! Only enrolled can enter," the receptionist said.

His eyes flashed green. He locked onto her gaze. She wilted instantly. "Please enter, sir," she murmured lifelessly.

He swaggered inside. The moment he vanished, she snapped back. "Huh? Where'd that gentleman go?" she wondered.

Inside, he scanned the packed stands. A cold smile curled his lips. Time for his mission.

Meanwhile, a D Class wind-element scout darted through forest trees. He spotted soft ground—suspected a trap. He tossed a stone. As it sank and relief washed over him, a bolt of electricity struck. He screamed and crashed down.

The earth collapsed around him. Dozens of F Class students emerged. Li Tianming led them. He glared at the scout. "Spill everything you know! It might save you from punishment!"

Outside, the audience watching the magic screen gasped.

"Clever strategy. You expect traps but not someone hidden underneath!" Mu Qi remarked.

"Senior Mu Qi's right. Senior Ling Ling, your thoughts?" Li Miao asked.

"Yeer is the best! D Class should just quit!" Ling Ling chirped, wearing a chibi Lin Ye pendant.

"Thanks for that insight, Senior Ling Ling. Vice Dean Ye Chen, your take?" Li Miao said.

"F Class students think well. In forest battles, surprise wins the day!" Ye Chen stated.

Back on-screen, Li Tianming loomed over the D Class scout. "Talk! What's D Class's plan?"

"You order me to talk? Am I stupid?" the scout sneered.

"Then if I forbid silence, you'll talk, right?" Li Tianming pressed.

"Uh! I'm just a scout—damn, you're tricking me!" the scout realized and backtracked.

*This guy's IQ is low. Useful*, Li Tianming thought.

"If you're a scout, a big force follows you, right?" Li Tianming probed.

"Yes—no..." the scout corrected himself fast.

"Hmm. No big force?" Li Tianming said. The scout sighed in relief. *Confirmed. A large force follows. Size unknown*, Li Tianming deduced.

"Where's your boss?" Li Tianming tested.

"Don't know!" the scout shot back, sharper this time.

"In the main camp?"

"I don't know."

"With the rear troops?"

"Don't know."

"Disguised as a soldier in the rear?"

"Don't know," the scout repeated, sweat pouring down his face.

Li Tianming was certain: Yang Honggang wore a soldier's uniform. Annoyed, he sighed dramatically. "No choice. You won't talk? Bring the torture tools. If they fail—castration."

The scout paled drastically. "You can't! I'm a POW! Rules forbid this!" he screamed.

"No rule against mistreating POWs," Li Tianming said with a bright smile. To the scout, it was ghost-terrifying.

"Name? Last words?" Li Tianming asked.

"Li Ming. D Class will win!" Li Ming said, cold sweat beading.

"Goodbye, Li Ming. Begin torture," Li Tianming said coldly.

Screams echoed from behind.