Qi Xia pondered the rules of the game but still couldn’t make sense of them.
Though he had regained most of his memories, there was nothing about the “Cangjie Chess” in them.
Could it really be, as Qinglong had said, that this game was designed by Qinglong himself?
With features like “appointing generals” and a “preparation zone,” it sounded no different from ancient military campaigns. Would there even be a “battlefield”?
At worst, everyone chosen now might soon engage in a bloody free-for-all, like a massive brawl.
But if it truly involved two teams of seven fighting in an arena, that wouldn’t align with Qinglong’s usual style at all.
If he just wanted entertainment, why assign this “Earth Tiger”-like game to “Earth Dragon”?
And why only seven people for a group fight?
Qi Xia had no time to dwell on it. Since Chu Tianqiu had chosen “Zhang Shan,” he had to counter accordingly.
So Qi Xia raised a finger and smoothly wrote “Qiao Jiajin” in sharp, cold strokes.
Earth Dragon, seeing this, casually opened the door behind him—outside stood a bewildered Qiao Jiajin and Chen Junnan.
“Holy shit…” Chen Junnan stared at the door, stunned. “The Book of Life and Death? Old Qiao, the King of Hell wants you to check in.”
“What the hell!” Qiao Jiajin waved his hands dismissively. “That’s bad luck. I don’t follow the King of Hell—I follow Lord Guan.”
“You think this is some gangster meetup?” Chen Junnan snorted. “Probably that bastard Qi Xia’s doing. If you don’t go, he’ll be in an awkward spot. Maybe you should…”
Before he could finish, Qiao Jiajin had already charged through the door, leaving Chen Junnan’s outstretched hand grasping air.
“Hey, hey, hey!” Chen Junnan had only meant to joke around, but Qiao Jiajin had vanished before he could finish.
Yan Zhichun stared in disbelief.
“He just…” She turned to Chen Junnan. “Is this your usual… *tactic*?”
“*Tactic*?” Chen Junnan blinked. “Sis, you’re underestimating us. Give us a chance, and we’ll show you what *real* tactics look like.”
Yan Zhichun shook her head helplessly—then a voice echoed in her ear.
“Tsk… Yan Zhichun.”
Frowning, she stepped back.
“I’m here,” she replied.
“No need to speak aloud. Your thoughts reach me.” It was Zhou Liu. “Tsk. I’m with that bitch Jiang Ruoxue right now. She’s holding my hand—we can begin.”
Yan Zhichun glanced at Chen Junnan, Wen Qiaoyun, and Jin Yuanxun, still standing in the distance. She gave a slight nod and thought, *Let it begin.*
Seconds later, an eerie energy swirled around her. She felt a tremendous force building within, as if a single thought could unleash a deafening roar.
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes—and a thunderous voice erupted from her mind.
**”Everyone, I am the King of the Extremists.”**
The deep, resonant voice instantly swept across the entire city. Both Zhou Liu and Jiang Ruoxue paled.
**”Some of you have met me, others have not. But if you hear my voice, you are proven veterans of the Extremists. Thank you for your years of dedication.”**
Aunt Tong and Li Xiangling were walking down the corridor of “Paradise Entrance” when Aunt Tong suddenly stopped and looked out the window.
“Aunt Tong… what’s wrong?” Li Xiangling asked, blinking.
“Nothing, child.” Aunt Tong smiled faintly at the sky. “Do you hear it? Someone is singing.”
“Singing?” Li Xiangling followed her gaze but heard nothing.
The sky was blood-red, the sun dim and sickly.
“Yes… a beautiful song.”
**”Since its founding, the Extremists have upheld the mission of ‘protecting this place.’ Countless have lived and died for it. Now, we face our final battle.”**
“Damn it!” Old Sun panicked, looking around. “Xiaoxiao! You hear that? What the hell’s going on?”
“Shut up!” Xiaoxiao snapped.
“But… I know that voice!” Old Sun insisted. “Sounds like that girl—”
“I said *shut up*!”
**”Those who reach the pinnacle of a path are called ‘Extremists.’ But no path, no matter how lofty, is endless. What I say next will remain in your hearts—tell no one.”**
Across the Land of the End, people fell silent amid the noise.
A Man-Monkey looked up at the sky, his expression complicated.
He never imagined a voice would suddenly invade his mind—let alone that he’d recognize its owner.
**”A crucial task now demands our collective effort. Step onto the nearest street and raise your right hand.”**
Hesitantly, people began emerging from buildings, encountering others doing the same.
Within seconds, someone raised their hand.
Soon, hundreds in the streets followed suit.
Bystanders watched in confusion.
**”Remember the faces of those around you. Every raised hand is now your ally. Proceed to the city center and await further orders.”**
Lin Qin twirled her hair, frowning in silence.
Outside the window, several from Paradise Entrance had already begun leaving.
**”The road ahead is perilous. If you have words for those beside you, say them now. Leave no regrets.”**
Zheng Yingxiong took a deep breath and stood.
“Sister,” he said to Tiantian, “I really like you.”
“Huh?” Tiantian blinked, then smiled. “I like you too, little hero. Why say that now?”
“I like you like I like swallows,” he said. “But you’re not a swallow—you’re an angel the swallows sent me.”
“Swallows?” Tiantian frowned. “Little hero… what are you talking about?”
Zheng Yingxiong grinned, then walked out of the classroom under her puzzled gaze.
“Little hero!” Tiantian chased after him. “Where are you going?”
“To protect everyone. To become a real hero.”
**”Wait patiently. One final confirmation remains. Once I verify this plan’s feasibility, I will join you at the city center—to begin our final day. Until then, may all remain safe and well.”**
**”Long live the Extremists.”**
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