Chapter 25

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Chapter 25: Re-entering the Weapon Forest

After an unforgettable night, the next morning, Mu Xiaofeng and his team of five gathered to discuss their strategy for the second exam. The unique rules of the exam posed a challenge—no matter who was assigned the role of “King,” there were certain disadvantages. If Ximo, with the best defense, was made the “King,” the others would struggle to protect him, making it easier for opponents to break through. If Mu Xiaofeng or Zhang Wenyu were the “King,” they would face significant risks in battle, potentially hesitating to fight. And if Qin Bao Yi or Qiao Zi were the “King,” they wouldn’t be able to engage in combat once the fighting began. The team debated this issue for nearly half the day without reaching an agreement.

At that moment, Mu Xiaofeng realized that each team member had different strengths and weaknesses, making it impossible to find a perfect solution. He told the others, “We won’t get anywhere if we keep arguing. I have another idea. We’ve been so focused on protecting the ‘King’ that we’ve ignored the ‘Scholar.’ We’ve treated the ‘Scholar’ as disposable, but in a team, no one should be discarded. What if only one person knows who the ‘King’ and ‘Scholar’ are? That way, everyone will protect each other, and we won’t give up on anyone.”

The others understood Mu Xiaofeng’s point. If only one person knew everyone’s roles, it would give them a psychological edge over the other teams. “Since Mu Xiaofeng came up with the idea, it makes sense for him to be the one who knows everything,” Ximo suggested, uncharacteristically supporting Mu Xiaofeng. The others agreed, and Mu Xiaofeng took on the responsibility.

With that, the group ended their discussion for the day and prepared to go their separate ways. Qin Bao Yi took Zhang Wenyu along, saying they needed to gather some supplies for the next day. Surprisingly, Ximo asked to join them. Ximo usually stuck close to Qiao Zi, so this request was unusual. However, Mu Xiaofeng noticed that Ximo seemed reluctant, as if something was bothering him.

Qin Bao Yi, ever the cheerful elf, was happy to oblige, perhaps fearing that Ximo would distract Mu Xiaofeng and Qiao Zi. So, Ximo and Zhang Wenyu left with her, leaving Mu Xiaofeng and Qiao Zi alone, just like the day before. Mu Xiaofeng gazed at Qiao Zi in a daze, while Qiao Zi, smiling shyly, couldn’t meet his gaze.

As they walked down the street, they heard a familiar voice calling out, “Mu Xiaofeng! Qiao Zi!” It was Yun Jie’s voice. They turned to see Yun Jie and Feng Xun approaching. Yun Jie frowned slightly, noticing it was just the two of them, but still greeted them with a smile. “How are you two doing? Mu Xiaofeng, have you recovered from your injuries?”

Mu Xiaofeng remembered how he had been beaten unconscious by some dangerous opponents the day before and how Yun Jie’s group had saved them. He smiled faintly and thanked her, “Thanks to you, I’m almost fully recovered. I should be fine for tomorrow’s exam.”

But Feng Xun, clearly in a bad mood, snapped, “You’d better be careful. At your level, there’s no way you’ll make it to the top eight. But don’t worry, you can graduate without making it to the top eight. The top eight is for outstanding graduates—you don’t stand a chance.” From the moment Mu Xiaofeng met Feng Xun, he had sensed Feng Xun’s hostility, which seemed to be rooted in jealousy, much like Ximo’s.

Mu Xiaofeng forced a smile, holding back his anger, but his face had turned a dark shade of blue. Yun Jie noticed and quickly nudged Feng Xun with her elbow, then apologized repeatedly. “For tomorrow’s exam, there’s no need for us to fight each other. After all, we’re friends.”

Yun Jie was the smartest of the group, always stepping in to help Mu Xiaofeng at critical moments. This time, she came to propose an alliance, hoping they wouldn’t attack each other during the exam. There was no rule against making private agreements, and with one less enemy, it seemed like a good plan. However, Feng Xun kept grumbling about why they were allying with such a weak team, though Mu Xiaofeng’s team was actually quite strong.

Mu Xiaofeng understood Yun Jie’s intent and looked at Qiao Zi, who nodded in agreement. He then shook hands with Yun Jie and added, “We don’t want to face a strong team like yours either. I have a suggestion—if we run into each other while under attack, let’s act like we’re going to help each other, even if we don’t actually do anything. This might make the attackers back off without us having to expend any energy.”

Yun Jie liked the idea and agreed enthusiastically. After reaching an agreement, Yun Jie and Feng Xun hurried off. With Yun Jie as an ally, Mu Xiaofeng felt a bit more at ease. However, Feng Xun’s cynical remarks still weighed on him. While the others might brush off those comments, Mu Xiaofeng was worried about his friends’ safety, especially Qiao Zi, who was dear to him.

That afternoon, Mu Xiaofeng accompanied Qiao Zi on a walk, though he was distracted, his mind preoccupied with the possible challenges in the second exam. Sensing his distraction, Qiao Zi eventually said goodbye, encouraging him to follow his own instincts when assigning the roles.

Mu Xiaofeng returned to his room, anxious as he prepared the five cards. It felt as if the fate of the team was in his hands. After much deliberation, he finally tossed the cards aside, made a decision, and buried himself under the covers, trying to sleep.

The next morning, before dawn, Mu Xiaofeng packed his things and headed to the Weapon Forest Gate 1. Since the teams were now free to group as they wished, there was no longer a class structure, and a temporary lottery was held. Mu Xiaofeng clutched the five cards tightly as he waited for the others. Just then, Dean Kaga walked over, patted him on the shoulder, and asked, “Are you ready?”

Mu Xiaofeng nodded, then asked, “Dean, what if I can’t protect my friends?” His expression was somber, as if he had envisioned some unfortunate outcomes.

Dean Kaga was surprised by the question, then smiled gently. “You’re a heavy sword warrior; your ability to protect others is limited. In your team, you’re the sharp sword that cuts through obstacles, while Ximo is the strong shield that protects everyone.” Dean Kaga didn’t fully grasp Mu Xiaofeng’s concerns, as he wasn’t privy to everything Mu Xiaofeng had experienced.

Mu Xiaofeng forced a bitter smile, then silently attached a card to the back of his armor. When the others arrived, he informed them of their alliance with Yun Jie and then affixed a card to the back of each team member’s armor. When he reached Qiao Zi, he whispered, “No matter what you are, or what I am, I will protect you.” Qiao Zi’s heart fluttered at his words. Though she couldn’t guess what word was on her card, she knew that someone cared deeply about her safety.

With everything ready, the next step was to draw lots. Mu Xiaofeng reached into Dean Kaga’s hand and drew a slip—“Number 4.” If he were superstitious, he might have seen it as a bad omen. But Mu Xiaofeng said nothing, forcing himself to stay composed as he led the group toward door number 4.

Before long, door number 4 slowly opened, and Mu Xiaofeng and his team re-entered the familiar forest. They had been there just a few weeks ago, but this time, the time was shorter, meaning they would have to move faster.

After walking for a while, the group stopped to rest and discuss their strategy. This time, entering the Weapon Forest was different, and the challenges they faced would be far more intense.

“If you had to guess, where do you think most people would choose to set up?” Mu Xiaofeng asked. If they could predict where others might gather, they could position themselves advantageously, whether to attack or observe.

The group thought back to their previous experiences in the Weapon Forest and unanimously pointed to the treasure vault in the center of the forest. The central treasure vault was an ideal spot, with strong defenses and excellent surroundings. As they considered it, they realized others would likely have the same idea.

So, the group decided to set up camp a bit further from the treasure vault, hoping to spend the first day quietly while gathering intelligence on the other teams in the area.