"Xu Fatty, never thought you’d fight this recklessly—it totally shocked us, right, Ning Si—" Yang Zijie slung an arm around Xu Fan with a chuckle, then glanced back at Ning Si.
Both he and Xu Fan froze instantly.
"Oh, stop yelling already. All this fighting—who even enjoys it? What do you think, my friend?" Ning Si sat cross-legged on the ground, utterly zen, a steaming cup of tea before him, wisps of heat curling into the air.
Even more unsettling: the last member of the opposing team sat directly across from him, nodding approvingly.
"Life’s too short for endless chasing of fame and fortune. Why rush? Sip tea, chat, savor this rare peace—isn’t it lovely?"
The man nodded again.
"Haha! You feel the same?" Ning Si laughed heartily. "Truly kindred spirits! So why not lay down your weapon and find peace? It’s never too late to turn back from suffering."
Another nod.
Then—after nodding—he dismissed his Corruption Artifact and slammed his head hard against the nearby wall—
*Thud.* Blood streamed. He collapsed, unconscious.
"Truly enlightened!" Ning Si shook his head admiringly. "To grasp so young that life holds no joy, death no sorrow—such wisdom humbles us!"
"But alas, I’m still just a worldly mortal. Can’t linger—I’ve got first place to chase. Bye now!"
He stood, dusted off his pants, and swaggered toward Yang Zijie and Xu Fan.
Only then did the soft glow around the Ring of Non-Contention on Ning Si’s finger fade.
When Ning Si clapped their shoulders, the two finally snapped out of it. They exchanged a glance, swallowed hard, and shot him a deeply uneasy look.
"Hey, what’s that look for?" Ning Si scratched his head. "Something on my face?"
"N-nothing! After you, big bro!" Both forced ingratiating smiles.
——
——
"Uh… this ability… how to put it…" Miriam’s eye twitched. "It’s… honestly indescribable."
Moran just smiled wryly, silent.
"But setting him aside—Yang Zijie and Xu Fan? Seriously impressive. Flawless coordination. Especially that little fatty Xu Fan—pushing through injuries to take down two opponents? Rare grit."
Miriam added with a smirk, "Very much your style."
Moran chuckled softly, gaze shifting to Bai Ming’s trio at the maze’s far end, also locked in combat.
——
——
Unlike the others, Bai Ming’s trio stood stone-faced, facing three opponents.
"Introducing oneself before battle is basic gentlemanly etiquette," said the sole male among them. He flicked his flashy golden curls, bowed elegantly. "I am Andre, Vice President of the Residents’ Branch Student Council."
He gestured behind him. "This red-haired lady is Annie. This blue-haired one is Anna. Twin beauties—my capable assistants and teammates."
Bai Ming narrowed his eyes slightly. "I don’t care who you are. But your mannerisms remind me of someone I deeply despise."
"Oh? Then he must’ve been quite the gentleman too?"
"Gentleman? Don’t know." Bai Ming shook his head. Blood coalesced slowly in his palm into a long, shuttle-shaped blade. "But I *am* certain—your faces are equally punchable."
"What an impolite child," Andre’s smile chilled.
"Seems you need a lesson in manners—"
His eyes sharpened. Voice snapped like steel:
"Corruption Artifact—Lamp of the Dead!"
A translucent lantern materialized before him. A trace of unclean energy seeped out, sending a cold shiver through the corridor.
Andre chanted low. The lantern glowed dimly. Eerie wails and sobs echoed through the maze.
Stiff skeletal soldiers clawed up from the ground, shambling toward Bai Ming’s trio.
"Waaah!! Ghosts!" Qiao Weiwei’s face went pale. Her hands trembled around her umbrella.
Wang Jie’s brow furrowed. First time seeing a Corruption Artifact used for summoning—but no time to marvel. The horde advanced relentlessly.
"Ruler of No Distance!"
He flicked the ruler. It vanished—then *appeared* before the lead skeleton’s forehead, slamming down hard.
*Crunch!* Bone shattered. The skeleton collapsed, fading into dust.
More surged forward. Endless. Inexhaustible.
Trying to grind us down with numbers? Wang Jie’s eyes locked on Andre—calm as a mountain behind the horde. The Ruler reappeared in his grip.
"Take down the caster, and your tactic crumbles! Too bad your skeleton grunts can’t stop my Ruler!"
He hurled it. Space warped. The ruler flashed before Andre’s face—
—but Andre didn’t flinch. A faint smirk touched his lips.
*Clang!* Metallic impact. Momentum halted. A small dark-red shield materialized before him.
"Allow me to present Miss Annie’s Corruption Artifact," Andre’s grin widened. "Void Shield—a near-flawless defense."
"How tragic. A sure-kill strike… deflected. Frustrating, isn’t it?" He laughed freely. "Hah! Did you truly think I’d become Student Council VP with no trump cards?"
"So—what’s your next move?"
*Tch.* Wang Jie’s expression darkened.
As expected. Those silent twins existed solely to guard Andre. Annie’s shield alone left him nearly helpless—and the other girl’s power? Still unknown.
Tough fight. Bai Ming pressed his lips tight, silent.
*Stay calm.* I swore to win in front of that bitch Xiao Chengcheng! Falling here? Unthinkable.
Especially losing to this pompous fake gentleman whose vibe screams "punch me"—just like hers. Absolutely unacceptable!
Think harder! Every ability has a flaw!
*Think!*
