"Second group, follow me."Horse-Face's voice came, urgent.Liu Chang'an and the boy hurried after him.Soon, they returned—with the same conclusion as the first group."The New Humans really have gotten stronger."Chen Xiao stroked his chin, a nagging sense he'd overlooked something crucial.
Group after group went—until Chen Xiao one-punched another New Human into oblivion.Day two of their "prison yard time" ended.With [Dragon's Breath] scouting, he confirmed today's New Human had at least a third more energy than yesterday's!Back in the room, everyone's faces grew grimmer.
"Boss Jiang, I don't think I can team with you anymore."Zhao Kui Jiang sighed.Jiang YunHan nodded: "It's best to reshuffle now."Chen Xiao had no need to switch—he and his teammate were strangers.Even if they weren't, he'd choose what benefited him.
"Kid, want to team with me?"Lin Ying of Tianyi Warehouse spoke up suddenly,targeting the seemingly weakest boy.The boy shook his head, calm:"I'll stay with Liu Chang'an. Ask someone else."His childish voice was measured, each word drawn out—making him seem oddly scholarly.Lin Ying didn't ask others, closing his eyes to rest.
The next day—day three of the Choice Game.Though everyone wanted to switch teams, no one acted.
This time, Horse-Face sent Lin Ying's group first.Ten minutes passed—strangely, neither returned."Did… the New Human kill both?""What level of New Human would that be?!"Zhao Kui Jiang panicked, unsure of his strength.
"Kui Jiang, what's your ability? I haven't asked."Chen Xiao teased.Zhao Kui Jiang hesitated, then recalled Chen Xiao kicking Lin Lao'er flying—realizing it didn't matter."It's an A-rank," he mumbled, clearly embarrassed. "[Steadfast Burst].""Pfft!"Chen Xiao burst out laughing: "Hahahaha! What a name!""It's not that bad! It's about hidden force, you know…"Zhao Kui Jiang's face fell, digging himself deeper.
Twenty minutes later—
Horse-Face approached, looking pleased (his horse-mouth was open, after all).Before entering, his cackle rang out:"They're both dead," Horse-Face announced, the words dripping with a casual cruelty. "Which means… you're up next."He pointed at Zhao Kui Jiang (still rambling) and Jiang YunHan (face dark)."They're dead?"Zhao Kui Jiang's heart sank.Lin Ying was a Lin family member, skilled enough to reach the peak—yet he died unexplained?
Horse-Face, seeing no reaction, snapped:"I said it's YOUR turn to die!"Chen Xiao's sharp eyes didn't miss the fine sheen of sweat on Jiang YunHan's brow or the subtle tension in his jaw. The man was wrestling with an impossible choice, trapped between an unknown monster that killed Lin Ying, and his own base's captain.Chen Xiao had no such dilemma, grinning at his teammate Zhai Kuan.
Zhai Kuan's eyes were wide, chest heaving as he breathed deeply.Ignoring him, Chen Xiao tapped the table boredly.
Ten minutes later—Jiang YunHan returned.Only Jiang YunHan.He looked terrible, silent at the table.Chen Xiao didn't ask which door he'd chosen—it didn't matter.
Horse-Face called the third group:Liu Chang'an and the boy.Their composure was unsettling—too steady.The situation was clear:Whoever returned would be ostracized by Chen Xiao and Jiang YunHan tomorrow—doomed.
"This game's mortality rate is too high."Jiang YunHan mumbled, ashamed of his powerlessness.
"Stop lamenting—you'll die too if you cross me."Chen Xiao patted him, teasing.Jiang YunHan: "You're quite confident…"
Ten minutes after Liu Chang'an and the boy left—to Chen Xiao and Jiang YunHan's shock,they returned alive!Before Chen Xiao could speak, his teammate did:"Officer Liu, how strong were the New Humans?"Zhai Kuan's eyes were hopeful.Liu Chang'an thought: "Strong, but not impossible."A useless answer.But Zhai Kuan grabbed Chen Xiao's clothes frantically:"Let's both choose New Humans! We can't keep killing each other! You MUST choose New Humans!"Chen Xiao met his manic gaze, resigned: "Be more confident, buddy."
"Fourth group, follow me."Horse-Face's words were a death knell.
At the familiar spot,Chen Xiao didn't hesitate—he walked straight into the "Animal Door."It was empty.Soon, Zhai Kuan was forced there too,cornered into a fight.His expression was feral, eyes bloodshot with rage:"You forced me to this!"Zhai Kuan gambled everything!
From his forehead, bovine horns erupted—grotesque and sudden!He charged Chen Xiao with insane speed and strength.Now Chen Xiao understood his lack of confidence—an A-rank talent… was horns?And he hadn't mastered it.There was no art to it, no prolonged struggle. Chen Xiao didn't need one. As Zhai Kuan charged, a single, concussive blow met his head-on. The force was absolute, decisive. It was over in a heartbeat, a grim and efficient end to a desperate man's last stand.
When Chen Xiao returned, the room was emptier—only four left:Chen Xiao,Jiang YunHan,Liu Chang'an,the boy.
"Let's team up. You're Chen Xiao, right?"Liu Chang'an's voice was hearty, earnest.Chen Xiao looked at the boy, then Jiang YunHan—their expressions revealed nothing.He nodded, agreeing.
The game's direction was clear:Liu Chang'an and the boy would eliminate Chen Xiao and Jiang YunHan, then fight each other.Who they'd send out was unknown.
Day four of the Choice Game—Chen Xiao's group went first.They stood facing each other in the stark arena. Across from Chen Xiao was Liu Chang'an, the man once celebrated across the nation on the Martial Pinnacle Tournament broadcast. His stance was relaxed, yet radiated a latent power that commanded respect.
"Honestly, I don't want to kill you.""I take no pleasure in this," Liu Chang'an stated, his voice low and resonant. "But the boy represents a hope for Jiangbei… for all of Huaxia, that I believe is worth any sacrifice. Even this. I must be the one to ensure he gets out."