Chapter 56

Zhu Ming had gotten separated from the others again. Couldn’t be helped; the Black Chess monsters appeared and disappeared unpredictably and were truly a hassle.

She looked at the Person Pointer on her hand, only able to confirm she was in the eastern part of the labyrinth. Even worse, it seemed she was about to be cornered by a Black Chess monster again.

Please don’t be higher-level than me, please don’t be higher-level… Damn!

Just then, a buzzing sound came from the Corridor on the left. Zhu Ming turned her head and was shocked. “Where did these bees come from?”

And they were actual, living bees, clearly identifiable at a glance as not being monsters spawned from Treasure Chests.

Each bee was fist-sized, utterly terrifying. There were three in total.

Just as Zhu Ming was about to flee, she heard a somewhat strange voice: “This way! No monsters over here!”

A Supernatural Ability? Zhu Ming instantly reacted, turned, and chased after the bees, asking, “Who are you?”

The three large bees, their wings vibrating in a chorus, said, “Zhang Xiaoya.”

The newbie from the Harp Group, and the only newbie in this entire game to survive to the end.

Zhang Xiaoya said, “My ability can disperse into many parts, so the monsters won’t notice me. This way. If you had run right just now, you’d be blocked by a dead end.”

Zhu Ming didn’t have a clairvoyant eye, so of course she knew running randomly was dangerous. She suddenly remembered something and asked, “Have you surveyed the surrounding paths?”

Zhang Xiaoya said, “Yes.”

“Have you seen any Pitfall Traps suddenly appear at the intersections?”

Zhang Xiaoya’s answer made Zhu Ming’s heart sink. “No.”

While evading the Black Chess monsters, Zhu Ming had been forced, however unwillingly, to open Treasure Chests. Presumably, the others had done the same. But if no Pitfall Trap had appeared yet, it was highly likely this exam didn’t have this mechanic anymore.

Moreover, no one was finding food or monsters in the chests anymore; the chests had become simple buttons to reposition areas.

Whether this was lowering the difficulty or raising it, Zhu Ming was now running herself into exhaustion, her legs turning to jelly. It was more than just tiring.

Just as she was about to give in and stop for a rest, a figure suddenly appeared at the corner ahead. The person’s features were distinct: it was the masked and mysterious Tu Wei.

Tu Wei held a long blade. Zhu Ming nearly crashed right into her. Zhang Xiaoya’s bees buzzed, “You two should travel together. But it’s best not to gather with more people, or you’ll attract more monsters and the path will be blocked.”

Tu Wei was always silent, perhaps tacitly agreeing with Zhang Xiaoya’s statement. Zhu Ming thought it made sense too, but she had to point at a corner of clothing rapidly disappearing ahead and say, “But what if we bump into the King? Catch that man. My intuition tells me he’s useful!”

Before Zhu Ming could explain further, Tu Wei suddenly took off with her long legs, sprinting after him. With her superior hearing and battle instincts, she didn’t need Zhang Xiaoya’s bees to guide her. She quickly cut ahead and caught Wei Yuan, who was trying to hide.

Tu Wei was even slightly taller than Wei Yuan. Dressed in his magnificent outer garments, Wei Yuan looked like an overly gaudy banana, hauled back by the collar single-handedly.

Even Zhu Ming was a bit stunned. Tu Wei was being incredibly cooperative.

But this was good. Saves breath.

Wei Yuan stumbled into a stable stance. The group temporarily ducked into a safe corridor. He took off his glasses, wiped them, and asked, “You wanted me for something?”

“Is there a rule saying I can’t look for you if I have nothing to say? Why were you running?”

Wei Yuan lowered his head. “I was afraid you would kill me.”

Zhu Ming’s brow shot up. “Honestly, if you hadn’t mentioned it, it almost hadn’t occurred to me I could do that. What now? I can barely control my eager, itching blade.”

Wei Yuan slowly raised his head, his gaze shifting from the long knife at Tu Wei’s waist to the longbow slung on Zhu Ming’s back. The implication was clear: the knife belongs to someone else; you don’t have one.

Zhu Ming didn’t care about any of that. She said, “All joking aside, the situation is serious. The monsters here judge their prey. None of us are as high-level as you, so we need your help.”

Wei Yuan said slowly, “Help how?”

Zhu Ming spread her hands. “Don’t know yet, but I believe we’ll find out eventually.”

At that moment, Zhang Xiaoya, in her bee form, spoke up, “Sister Yin Yu said there will be an opportunity soon.”

Zhu Ming couldn’t help but glance at the bee, then continued pressing Wei Yuan: “Are you willing? If so, we can communicate through Zhang Xiaoya.”

Wei Yuan was silent for a long moment, then said slowly, “If I’m not willing, will you kill me?”

As expected, couldn’t expect too much. Zhu Ming sneered, “Of course not. But in the future, if you need help, I won’t help you.”

This time, Wei Yuan was silent for even longer, seemingly weighing which choice was more beneficial. He said, “You can’t help me. My level is the highest. The only enemy I have is one you can’t fight.”

Unfortunately, the cooperation failed. Wei Yuan didn’t need anyone’s help, nor was he willing to risk helping others.

Zhu Ming didn’t force the issue. She immediately had Zhang Xiaoya go find Bai Lianxue. There were so few participants left; if they didn’t cooperate soon, it would be too late.

As they parted ways, Zhu Ming suddenly turned her head to look at Wei Yuan.

Wei Yuan subconsciously took a step back. He thought Zhu Ming intended to hit him.

Zhu Ming, of course, didn’t. She simply said, “We truly can’t directly fight the highest-level monster. But can you, just by yourself? Sorry to say, you look a bit frail. And we happen to have several women here with enough strength to grab someone and run. If we accidentally bump into it, surely there’d be a chance to shake it off by fleeing with all our might?”

Hearing this, Wei Yuan felt a flicker of temptation.

But before he could waver, Zhu Ming quickly continued, “Oh, sorry, I forgot our cooperation fell through. But I’m sure, with the goddess’s favor, you’ll be exceptionally lucky and can keep avoiding that monster forever. Right, Wei Yuan, actually, ever since this morning, I’ve been intensely curious about one question. Can you give me the answer?”

Wei Yuan asked, “What question?”

Zhu Ming said, “The god loves devout believers the most, loves them enough to make them sacrifices. So what about you, the god’s most beloved, most devout believer? Beyond this layer of favor, have you ever considered if there might be other… consequences?”

In that instant, Wei Yuan’s face changed color. He stared at Zhu Ming for a moment, a fear in his eyes directed at some unknown, irresistible force. Clearly, Zhu Ming had hit on something true. But what exactly… Wei Yuan shook his head, turned, and fled in a panic.

Zhu Ming scratched her hair, puzzled. “Why’d he run off like that? Just because the deal’s off doesn’t mean the friendship is. I wanted to pump him for more info.”

But Wei Yuan didn’t want to discuss this matter in the slightest.

…

On the chessboard, the moment White put Black in checkmate, Yin Yu folded her hands on her knee, looked at the stone statue across from her, and smiled faintly. “Congratulations, you’ve found your Chosen One.”

The stone statue remained silent, bowing deeply as it covered its face in exhaustion. The Blood-Red Moon it held aloft suddenly began to bubble and roil furiously, as if boiling.

From the inside out, a clear, dreamy blue fluorescence consumed the blood-red. That dim, turbid moon transformed in the blink of an eye into an object of crystalline beauty, identical to the one outside.

The instant the Blood-Red Moon completely became the Blue Moon, the gaudy pinkish-purple light that had saturated the entire labyrinth was replaced. Starting from the secret chamber, a blue fluorescence, infinitely reflected and refracted, spread outwards.

Simultaneously, every Invisible Monster touched by this blue light revealed its form. As the entire labyrinth was bathed in the same dreamlike blue radiance as the moon, every hidden, invisible entity was a mystery no more!

Wenren Tu saw the Black Chess monster standing motionless at a corner and almost screamed in fright. But she quickly realized it was a lower-level Black Chess monster.

Before, the participants couldn’t see them and couldn’t attack back when attacked. But now they could see them… didn’t this mean…

In her palm, a crackling electric current, blazing with purplish-white light, took shape and shot towards the low-level Black Chess monster.

Inside the secret chamber.

Besides the moon and the light, the chessboard had also undergone a corresponding change.

The pieces and lines upon it vanished, gradually morphing into a panoramic map of the entire labyrinth. The positions of all the White Chess pieces played by the participants and the Black Chess pieces controlled by the Six-Armed Goddess were displayed on it, one by one.

Yin Yu propped her chin on her hand, looking at this chessboard. Through it, it was as if she could see countless humans struggling within. She said, “Now, the humans’ counterattack begins. And to think, I’m playing the role of the strategist. Ah… what an indescribable feeling.”

With that, she hooked her fingertip. Three small bees appeared near the chessboard, looking slightly bewildered.

Zhang Xiaoya asked, “Sister Yin Yu, what should we do now?”

Yin Yu smiled. “Now, have everyone open the nearest Treasure Chest. I need to understand the pattern of the area shifts.”

Little megaphone Zhang Xiaoya was stationed near every participant, diligently relaying Yin Yu’s words.

Soon, the chessboard began its constant shifting and moving. Yin Yu watched in silence, her clear autumn-water eyes receiving every fleeting signal like a machine.

Once those willing to cooperate had opened their Treasure Chests, Yin Yu touched her dimple and smiled. “I see now. The bunk number determines the direction of the area shift, and the pattern on the chest determines the range of movement.”

For instance, a Knight moves in an L-shape. And on this labyrinth-formed chessboard, a “piece” that could move infinitely in one direction would simply leap to the very end in one step.

Fear stems from the unknown, and the unknown brings danger. But now the rules were clear. It was time to fight back.

“Zhu Ming, turn left. Go forward, right turn, at the third intersection ahead continue right. You will encounter a Black Chess monster of the same level. But don’t worry, Wenren Tu is waiting for you there.”

The moment she saw the labyrinth’s light turn blue and the Black Chess pieces become visible to the naked eye, Zhu Ming knew Yin Yu had succeeded.

She didn’t know what consequences winning that game of chess would bring, but she wanted to win. And now Yin Yu had helped her achieve it. Because of this alone, she was willing to follow Yin Yu’s commands.

Left, forward, right, forward, forward, forward, right. She looked up. Wenren Tu was running for her life, a Black Chess piece hot on her heels.

Finally, waiting for you, my dearest friend! In a split second, Zhu Ming flipped over the heads of both the human and the monster. The moment she landed, the Black Chess piece was caught between them.

With enemies front and back, what choice to make? The Black Chess piece chose the closer one. And that was exactly what the two women wanted.

No words were needed. Zhu Ming and Wenren Tu began their strategy: one kited the monster, the other attacked. From this moment on, the reckless hunters would become their prey. No one could stand unchallenged forever.

Wenren Tu sprinted ahead, drawing the monster’s attention. Zhu Ming drew her bow, nocked an arrow. Crimson Flame surged wildly, a flaming arrow taking shape. She squinted, aimed, and released.

Whoosh—Boom!

Flames erupted right next to Wenren Tu’s feet.

Wenren Tu: “…”

Zhu Ming: “…Sorry.”

To protect her friend’s life, despite having a long-range attack skill, Zhu Ming had no choice but to charge forward on her long legs and use her bow as a staff.

She leaped fiercely onto the back of the Black Chess piece’s armor. The resiliently tough bowstring looped around, her wrist twisting and locking tight. Flames spread madly!

The Black Chess piece let out a silent roar, its dark hole-like face flickering with Ghost Fire, unable to see clearly as it swayed.

Zhu Ming slid to the ground, the bowstring looped around the armored neck. She yanked down hard—the instant the Black Chess piece was forced to lean back, Wenren Tu’s attack blasted forth. The electrical current surged in through the weak points of the armor’s joints.

…

Besides Zhu Ming and Wenren Tu, the others weren’t neglected either.

“Yun Zouchuan, go back two intersections, turn right. There’s a low-level Black Chess piece waiting for you.”

“Xiao Lang, don’t run around randomly. There’s a Treasure Chest ahead you can use to shift positions.”

“Deng Yan, it’s okay if you can’t fight. Run around nearby for a bit. Tu Wei will arrive soon.”

One by one, instructions were relayed through Zhang Xiaoya. The pieces, blind while in the game, now had guidance. Higher-level ones rounded up lower-level ones. Lower-level ones ganged up on those of the same level…

Bai Lianxue was no exception. She smiled at the little bee hovering beside her. “Miss Yin Yu, might I have the honor of meeting you in person in reality? Of course, my older sister will surely wish to accompany me. If you agree, I will be most happy to follow your instructions.”

Miss Zhang Xiaoya, oblivious, relayed Yin Yu’s response: “In truth, I am also quite interested in Miss Bai’s older sister.”

“Then we are agreed,” Bai Lianxue sighed softly. She detected something rather unsettling in Yin Yu’s words: she knew a great deal. An awful lot.

…

The final exam was simpler than expected. Before it ended, Zhu Ming, Wenren Tu, and Yun Zouchuan had regrouped.

The frustration pent up over four days was finally vented today. Zhu Ming felt invigorated, even her temperament seemed gentler.

“Didn’t expect Yin Yu to be quite capable.” Yin Yu’s instructions had helped everyone immensely. Wenren Tu nudged Zhu Ming with her elbow. “Really nothing happened between you two during that night alone together?”

Zhu Ming: “What could happen? Stop overthinking things, okay?”

Wenren Tu muttered, “I just find it strange. How come you suddenly trust her so much? Good thing she didn’t betray that trust this time.”

Zhu Ming gave a smug laugh, raising her chin proudly. “That’s because I have leverage over her. She has to listen to me.”

“What leverage? Tell me quickly! So I can use it too if I get the chance,” Wenren Tu asked excitedly.

Zhu Ming: “…Can’t tell you.” The leverage being me.

Wenren Tu protested, “Why!”

Zhu Ming pulled Yun Zouchuan along as she walked away. “I promised her I wouldn’t say. If I tell, it’s not leverage anymore. Ah, alright, stop asking, we need to shift positions.”

When the exam ended, the wording on the Invitation Letter changed, informing everyone that their task was complete and they could leave the dungeon.

From the very start, the Invitation Letter had stated: the task was to complete the exams, striving for the highest possible score. But a high score was insurance for the final exam, not a mandatory goal.

People began tearing up their Invitation Letters one after another, but Zhu Ming stopped just before ripping hers.

She walked towards the back, calling out Yin Yu’s name as she went.

Yin Yu stood in the shadows of a corner, as if blending into them. “Boss is looking for me.”

Zhu Ming approached and said, “Thank you for your cooperation today.”

Hearing the word “thank you,” Yin Yu looked a bit surprised, even showing a hint of flattered astonishment. “It was nothing. I needed to pass too.”

Zhu Ming pressed her lips together and gave a small smile, saying nothing more. Yin Yu’s ability was so incredibly convenient. In the final exam, she could have easily breezed through simply by shifting her position before a monster caught her.

She really hadn’t needed to do so much. Given her cold, detached nature, she could have ignored everyone.

But she had executed things even more perfectly than what Zhu Ming had proposed. Not only had she not disappointed Zhu Ming’s expectations, she had even given Zhu Ming a pleasant surprise.

A complex tangle of thoughts flickered in Zhu Ming’s eyes. “I thought you’d never seriously tried to understand me, and didn’t want to. But thinking about it carefully, I don’t really know you that well either. Who am I to judge?”

Yin Yu smiled slightly, neither complaining nor refuting.

Zhu Ming continued, “You hold no malice towards me, nor towards anyone else. So can you tell me, just what is it that you want to do?”

“Is it that important?” Yin Yu countered. “Some things, once started, cannot be stopped. Mingming, just enjoy all of this.”