The once-bright sky had dimmed without warning—as if veiled by clouds.

But there were no clouds. This shouldn’t be happening. It defied logic!

Zhong Cheng’s heartbeat spiked. A cold unease coiled in his chest—a bad premonition.

Rustle…

Rustle…

Rustle…

The sounds multiplied—louder, closer, deliberate. A taunt. Aimed straight at him.

Shadows from the trees swelled, darkness creeping forward. Something lurked within, watching like a predator.

The air turned damp. A biting wind swept through, making him shiver.

Oppressive. Terrifying.

“I’m not listening! I don’t care! Mindless droning!”

*Wind’s tight—time to scram!*

Zhong Cheng bolted downhill.

Screw “a thousand roads, safety first.” No time for rules. Run now, or never.

*They’re already on me.*

Weren’t spirits supposed to fear daylight? Why were they out now?

Damn it.

Yeah… ghosts. For real.

Wait—maybe just mountain weather? Unpredictable, normal. Stay calm.

Broad daylight. Clear sky. They couldn’t possibly—

Huh?

More shadows. Furtive movement. Something stirring.

A chill prickled his neck—not one gaze, but *many*.

Wild animals. Obviously. Mountains have animals.

Don’t think. Thinking makes it animals.

Rustle…

Shadows coiled. Darkness thickened.

Broad daylight felt like a horror film set—wrong, staged, CGI-heavy.

This wasn’t daytime. Not *real* daytime. Don’t fool me. Damn it!

【Where you running, Groom?】

【Thinking of escaping?】

【Useless. You can’t escape. Hehehe…】

…

Zhong Cheng’s mind shattered.

Confirmed. They’d caught up.

Damn it—how did they find him? So persistent.

Perverted stalkers! I’ll call the cops! Officer Friendly’ll lock you up!

You’re all “such talented folks with lovely voices,” huh? Bet I can handle you—social scum, demons, the lot.

Spin and jump~ Eyes shut~ They can’t see me~

Yang energy depleted? Should’ve been exhausted.

But survival instinct ignited—*twice*.

Latent power surged.

Steep slope? Leaped.

Rocks? Leaped.

Thick grass? Leaped.

Potholes? Leaped.

Brakes gone. Only acceleration. Zhong Cheng became the wind—faster, fiercer, cutting through.

Liu Xiang himself wouldn’t keep up.

【Hehehe… Think you’ll escape, Groom? Surrender.】

【Return now. Ghost Emperor may show mercy.】

【Yes. Ghost Emperor is magnanimous. He won’t kill you lightly.】

“Won’t kill—just torture? Nice try.”

Nine years of compulsory education. Survived Gaokao hell. I’m not that easy to fool.

“I don’t care! I’m not listening! Come catch me if you can! Bye—no need to see me off!”

He ran. Never stop. Never turn back.

He wasn’t Ghost Emperor’s emergency snack. He’d escape.

Silence from the voices. But the eerie gloom clung to him, shadowing every step.

No matter how fast he fled, darkness followed.

Damn it—don’t lose hope! I’ll be the most dazzling guy on this path!

Channel Gaokao final-sprint spirit! Crush all obstacles! Slay gods, crush buddhas!

*One more point—crush a thousand rivals!*

*Gaokao homeroom teacher, grant me strength!*

Faster. Agile as a leopard. Darting, leaping.

Any parkour pro would stare in awe… then feel inadequate.

*This* was true parkour—sweat flying, wind roaring. So fast. So wild.

Ollie!

Ghosts kept up the psychological warfare—shadows, whispers, rustling.

But no real attack came.

Daylight *did* restrain them. Otherwise, why all the talk?

Almost fell for it.

A flicker of relief—

*Thud.*

Relief vanished.

Charging too hard, he slipped on a stone—nearly split himself.

A last-second drift + “Dragon Tail Swing” saved him from tumbling down.

Still—a hard fall into grass. Clothes torn. Palms, elbows, knees scraped and bleeding. Pain made him grit his teeth.

Baffled.

“A thousand roads, safety first!”

Not his fault. Ghosts planted that stone. So underhanded!

But Zhong Cheng wasn’t delicate. He stood, tested limbs—joints intact. Could still run.

【Groom… return. One misstep, and you’re dead.】

“Screw you! I, Zhong Cheng, am iron-willed! Starve or fall—I’ll *never* go back!”

【Heh… Die, and you still won’t escape Ghost Emperor. All mountain spirits serve him.】

“Damn it!”

Even death wouldn’t free him? Terrifying. *Baby just wants to go home…*

The Ancient Shrine’s wedding vow echoed: *“A loving eternity together in the Netherworld.”*

No. He refused.

Fear reignited survival instinct—*again*. Power surged. Gaokao spirit flared.

*One more point—crush a thousand rivals!*

*Gaokao homeroom teacher, grant me strength—AGAIN!*

Wild, desperate parkour.

Then—road below.

Like dawn breaking through endless dark.

Joy exploded: a passenger bus waited.

Only a few buses a day… and he caught one *now*?

Heaven-sent luck.

The heavens *were* on his side.