[Private Message – Kang Jie: Xiaozhi, where are you? We’ve finished the mission.]
Bai Xiaozhi quickly replied.
[Reply to Kang Jie: Something came up.]
[Private Message – Kang Jie: Haha, this has to be the easiest mainline strategy I’ve ever seen—no one got hurt, took less than eight hours total, and everyone’s getting ready to party with that light bulb. You coming?]
[Reply to Kang Jie: I’m here, but the light bulb’s already out.]
[Private Message – Kang Jie: Really? That’s too bad.]
Not at all.
If it hadn’t gone out, someone would’ve died.
[Reply to Kang Jie: Good thing it’s out.]
[Kang Jie: Oh man, you don’t know how that light bulb had the housekeeper running ragged! First, it poisoned three guards, then pulled away most of the soldiers, leaving the mansion’s defenses empty. Otherwise, Han Nuo’s lousy skills wouldn’t have been enough to sneak in. Honestly— thanks to that big light bulb! This mission was so easy!]
[Reply to Kang Jie: ……The light bulb is Wu Xiaomi.]
[Kang Jie: ???]
The rushed return was because the alarm went off when someone broke into the room.
The other matter wasn’t finished yet.
“What’s going on?” Xiao Luobo asked.
“Business.”
A fragrant breeze stirred as the Witch sat sideways on her broom.
“Keep taking the medicine. She can survive for seven more days. After that, I’ll be back.”
“Thank you,” Bai Xiaozhi said.
Without responding to Xiaozhi’s thanks, the Witch vanished into the night.
Bai Xiaozhi took the girl’s hand.
Only seven days had passed since the Funeral Ancient Lord’s Breaking of the Seal, but to her, seven days felt like years.
“……”
Wu Xiaomi sat quietly, unable to speak.
Xiaozhi thought she’d have a lot to say, but looking into the girl’s lifeless eyes and seeing her mute lips, she lost her voice.
After holding back for a moment, she finally said, “Your guess is right—Rain Prayer plus Dance of Abundance, it’s very beautiful.”
[That’s nonsense, it’s clearly not even as good as the Don’t Laugh Challenge…]
Disheartened, she sighed up at the sky.
“Why would you think that?” Bai Xiaozhi asked, puzzled by the girl’s self-denial. “Nanalia and Qiaoweiti, the two priestesses, and even shamans from around the world all gave high praise to your dance— that’s a unique honor only you have. No one else has the talent or ability to fuse them like you did. Not even the Spirit of Abundance or Spirit of Rainfall can.”
[Speaking of which, where are Nanalia and Teacher Qiaoweiti?]
“Because the Sanctified Source Crystal was shattered, and the Funeral Ancient Lord broke free of the seal… the Shrine just closed up shop. They both retired.”
【……】
“It’s not like they’re totally slacking off though. At least they remember their mission—they’re searching for the Spirit of Abundance and Spirit of Rainfall. Where exactly, no one knows, so they picked some beautiful, romantic places as destinations.”
【……】
“When will we go too?”
Hmm?
Come to think of it, Xiaozhi had been wanting to take her traveling for a while now.
This mission was simple; the downtime should be short.
Indeed, Bai Xiaozhi glanced at the countdown for the next strategy—only one day left.
[Let’s wait until the next mission ends.]
“Okay.”
Her hand was cold.
But Xiaozhi’s hand was warm.
A long-lost peace.
……
“We’re here!”
Kang Jie knocked and called out, while Ah Lei peered through the window crack.
Seeing Wu Xiaomi’s figure, the man burst into tears shouting, “Xiaomi! Xiaomi! Wu Xiaomi, you’re okay! Thank goodness, boo hoo!”
Why are you such a mood killer everywhere you go?
Bai Xiaozhi opened the door with a scowl.
A crowd of rough Raiders flooded in, nearly bursting the Witch’s House.
“This is the doctor’s home— she saved Wu Xiaomi, so don’t get out of hand. Hey! Watch the vase!”
Crash.
It was like a band of robbers had invaded the village.
No one paid attention to Xiao Luobo’s shouts; they swarmed Wu Xiaomi like starstruck fans.
“Sign my autograph!”
“Me too!”
Autographs? Why?
“You’re top ten on the trending list! Polopolo just invited you as a special guest this year, to present awards to the ten hottest strategy bloggers!”
Really?!
Wasn’t it said I’m not even as good as the Don’t Laugh Challenge?
Xiao Luobo!!!
“I never said you were no good. I just said you’re not number fifty,” Xiao Luobo said lazily, shrugging. “Yeah, fifty’s not you— but numbers one to forty-nine all have something to do with you.”
Happiness came too suddenly.
Wu Xiaomi stumbled, grinning stupidly as she collapsed against Bai Xiaozhi.
“By the way, Polopolo just released a list naming the top ten strategy bloggers—both you and Bai Xiaozhi made it. The awards event starts in Feisi City the day after tomorrow.”
“Is that so?” Bai Xiaozhi was slightly stunned.
She had just learned of it too.
After all, she hadn’t opened Polopolo all week; even if there was news, she wouldn’t have known.
“Hurry and check it out. Over a hundred million views, and still climbing. I bet… you could already exchange for all the Sequence 81-100 spells!”
Seeing Wu Xiaomi safe finally gave Bai Xiaozhi courage.
“Let’s take a look and make us all jealous!” Ah Lei urged repeatedly.
Bai Xiaozhi opened the earnings backend.
“One hundred eighty thousand Points…”
Hiss—
Even the Nerrifa World was on the brink of a greenhouse effect.
“Don’t spend recklessly. I think the Hidden Shop should unlock soon; the stuff there will definitely be better than what’s available now,” Kang Jie warned.
“Yeah, I know,” Bai Xiaozhi nodded.
Besides, to her, this unprecedented fortune belonged to Wu Xiaomi.
She planned to hand it over to her.
“By the way, if the awards ceremony starts the day after tomorrow,” Bai Xiaozhi pondered, “that overlaps with the timing of our next mission.”
“So it means our next mission might be connected to the Polopolo awards ceremony.”
Turning to the main point, Wu Xiaomi also joined in, thinking hard.
Based on previous experience, missions in each region tended to get harder.
Everyone passed around notes.
A few minutes later.
“That’s exactly it,” Kang Jie nodded. “It looks like there might be dangerous incidents at the ceremony.”
“The awards ceremony will last half a month, from preparation, through the warm-up, to the celebration and presentation,” Han Nuo looked down, deep in thought. “But our single mission won’t last that long. So during this half-month event, we might take on several smaller related tasks.”
“Not only that,” Huang Xiao suddenly spoke up.
Huang Xiao, the End Times Broadcast host, rarely commented on strategy events— but this time, she sounded grave.
“This awards ceremony will invite bloggers from all over the world. Everyone, including me, Bai Xiaozhi, and Wu Xiaomi, are outsiders— Raiders from other regions. What does this mean? It means we’ll be coming into contact with Raiders from other regions!”
At first, it didn’t sound like much.
But those who regularly browse Polopolo know that other regions are not as harmonious as Mang Gu.
If it weren’t for Wu Xiaomi, someone like Kang Jie— who’s not the brightest— would have been eliminated in the first mission.
“Han Nuo said, ‘The Law of the Apocalypse is like the Dark Forest Law— survival of the fittest, no mercy. Mutual killing, slavery, stealing Points— it’s all common. They’re not as naive as you all. They’re dangerous.’”
“Though you secretly curse me, I agree with you,” Kang Jie rolled his eyes at Han Nuo. “The next few days, Feisi City will be dangerous. If any of you meet strangers on the street, be on guard. Han Nuo…”
“Don’t call me. I’ve already paid back what I owed this time,” Han Nuo sneered. “You’re mad about Mirror Night because the Ark didn’t participate, I get that. But this mission was basically all Ark’s work— you have no reason to go after me.”
“Hey…” Kang Jie reached out, grabbing Han Nuo’s shoulder and pushing him against the wall. “Han Nuo, have you heard of the Law of the Apocalypse? Survival of the fittest, no mercy.”
“? Didn’t I just say that?”
“Right, and I’ve decided to apply the Law of the Apocalypse to the Ark. If you don’t help, I’ll beat you up.”
“??? You damn…”
Han Nuo swore loudly.
He was out of breath for a while, then ground his teeth, “Kang Jie, you’re supposed to be honorable. This is bullying!”
“If you don’t agree with Xinhua’s philosophy, then I’ll treat you according to the Ark’s philosophy,” Kang Jie shrugged. “Isn’t that reasonable?”
Heh, heh.
Han Nuo understood.
The situation had reversed since Mirror Night.
Because the Ark missed Mirror Night, they lost a lot of Points.
Meanwhile, Xinhua used Mirror Night to recruit mercenaries and train new fighters.
The two strategy teams’ strength was now worlds apart.
The Ark no longer had the combat advantage.
So Kang Jie dared to go hard on him.
Not to mention Bai Xiaozhi— the monster standing right there— who no one knew how she did it.
Knocked out seven people in an instant.
Unbelievable.
Because there was no infighting in the Funeral Ancient Lord zone, losses were minimal, and talent was abundant.
“The Raiders from other regions should arrive tonight, if all goes well,” Huang Xiao said.
No sooner had she spoken than a scream came from outside.
Everyone looked over.
A Xinhua Raider’s eyes were wide in shock, blood spraying from his carotid artery.
The assassin had long since hidden, leaving no trace.
“No!”
Just as everyone’s attention shifted, Han Nuo shivered and looked the other way.
Just as he expected.
Three blades of light slashed toward the throats of Wu Xiaomi, Bai Xiaozhi, and Huang Xiao.