Chapter 1636: Victory Conditions

That's right, the mission hasn't started yet, so the trial participants cannot attack each other.

This worm cleverly used the system rules to evade his lock-on just now.

But, it was meaningless.

With his ability, a casual strike again could easily trap that worm.

The system's invincibility lasts only a moment; as long as no one attacks Lin An again and no one inflicts substantive harm on him, the system protection cannot trigger again.

Fleeing is merely a waste of time.

How swift the rule's suppression is.

In the blink of an eye, a black surge precisely latched onto Lin An as his surface light faded, enveloping him.

Just like the spatial fragments that had previously trapped Lin An.

But this time the disrupted space will thoroughly imprison him until the system erases him alive!

However, just as Hei Di expressionlessly gestured for his fifth-stage subordinates to follow and bring Lin An back,

In an instant,

a splash of scorching blood suddenly erupted from Lin An's body.

Like a fountain.

Only to see that the worm, the most insignificant in Hei Di's eyes, actually pierced its own heart with a sword at the moment his rule locked on.

Amid the sky‑filled blood light, Lin An turned and fixed his gaze on him.

"Want to catch me...?"

"Want to make me a dog?"

Having stabbed his own heart with a sword, Lin An, beneath his mask, wore a ferocious expression as he stared at the astonished Hei Di.

As if he wanted to etch that face into memory together.

A few seconds later.

"Hei Di!? Aren't we going to keep chasing?"

"Just let that brat get away!?"

Beside Hei Di, several fifth-stage and a large number of fourth-stage Awakened Ones grimly stared at the bloodstain on the ground.

Scorching, crimson blood, as if mocking them.

No one expected, nor could they have imagined, that Lin An would escape in such an extraordinary way.

The system protection triggered a second time.

"No need to keep chasing."

His hands behind his back.

As the strongest of the Black Star Empire, Hei Di merely spoke coldly, his eyes fixed on the direction Lin An fled, as if pondering something.

A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes, quickly turning into icy indifference.

Quite interesting.

Although if they pursued again they would surely catch that worm,

but there's no need to.

Just a fourth‑stage fighter has already wasted too much of their time.

He also didn't expect that.

Lin An actually lowered his own power to the minimum through self‑harm, thereby triggering the system protection to evade his rule.

To be precise, it was the worm that, by almost suicidal means, drove itself to the brink of death.

His strength is too great for Lin An.

A rule that casually binds Lin An might not even count as an attack under normal circumstances.

But in a near‑death state, any control effect would kill that worm, triggering the protection.

One must say, Lin An's approach is indeed crazy.

"Let's go."

No longer thinking about it, Hei Di shook his head and stopped thinking further.

Seeing that Hei Di truly no longer cared, several fourth‑stage peak Awakened Ones couldn't help but speak up.

"But... Lord Hei Di..."

"When that brat last turned his head..."

As they spoke, several people simultaneously recalled the image of Lin An looking back as he fled.

Lin An's eyes left a deep impression on them.

Although that worm is weak, so weak it poses no threat to them,

But..

Such madness, being so cruel to oneself, they had never seen such a person before.

With such a disposition, according to their past experience, it would still be better to deal with him early.

"No need to worry about it."

"If we see him again, just kill him."

Facing his subordinates' worries, Hei Di gave a light laugh, taking it to heart not at all.

Just opportunistic trickery, the struggle of an ant.

Once the mission officially begins, Lin An couldn't even withstand a glance of his pressure.

He is a fifth‑stage powerhouse.

"Star Destroyer, Hei Di!"

This Stellar Trial will start in 1 minute; all trial participants, get ready.

59...

58...

In the Stellar Fortress built atop the ten-thousand-meter mountain peak, large numbers of Fifth Stage and Fourth Stage Peak trial participants gathered together, some nervous, some relaxed, watching the countdown above.

The fortress is enormous; it's more like a city built on a mountain peak than a fortress.

This super colossal mountain that abruptly rose from the ground seemed to have been flattened by a single sword strike from an unknown powerhouse, and thus this place was established.

And atop the mountain peak, the Stellar Fortress has black-locked stars filling the sky above, while below rages a howling storm; at a glance, it appears majestic and spectacular like a miracle.

The mission is about to begin, but I don't know what type it is this time.

We've all gathered here; if it's a melee type... that would be too terrifying...

On the fortress ground, a Fifth Stage beginner trial participant whose whole body resembled a petrified giant gazed grimly at the surrounding Fifth Stage individuals.

Divided by strength and region, the Fifth Stage intermediate super-powerful ones occupy the central castle IQ of the fortress, while those leading large numbers of Fourth Stage Peak participants gather in the western plaza.

Those like him, who only brought two or three Fourth Stage Peak individuals and have the weakest strength, gather at the fortress's edge, always ready to flee.

It can't be a melee.

Is this your first time participating in a Fifth Stage mission?

For this kind of advance gathering, they usually divide into factions, then after the division, the system allocates preparation time based on strength.

Just as his words fell, the petrified giant turned his head in surprise toward behind him, only to see a half-human creature resembling an elf, smiling faintly, looking at him.

Who are you? Have you been through many of these?

The petrified giant spoke in a muffled tone, and immediately became somewhat wary, stepping back.

Although the opponent's strength is about the same as his, the number of people behind him is far greater.

Ten Fourth Stage Peak individuals, although they're just cannon fodder, this also indicates that the civilization behind them is definitely stronger than theirs.

Seeing the petrified giant's wariness, the long-eared elf smiled, spread his hands to indicate he meant no harm.

Low-level Elf civilization, affiliated with the Natural Star Domain Alliance.

I haven't participated in many either; I just saw some data from the alliance.

He extended his hand; the handsome low-level elf leader nodded friendly.

Rather than worrying about a melee, you should actually be more concerned about whether it's a battle royale.

If it's one camp of Star-Destroying Level and we War Star Level are another camp, that would be awful...

As he spoke, the long-eared elf glanced worriedly at the castle's top, looking at the few Star-Destroyers standing at the front; among them, lo and behold, were Hei Di and company.

A battle royale? Wouldn't dividing into camps be better? Why?

Seeing the long-eared elf's goodwill and intention to ally, the petrified giant immediately felt relieved, then turned to ask in confusion.

That's right; he really hasn't experienced many missions—accurately speaking, he only just barely survived a calamity before.

As for the Apocalypse mission after the Fifth Stage, he truly has no experience.

It's quite simple.

Seeing the petrified giant relax his guard, the long-eared elf sighed, gave a wry smile, and said:

If it's a faction vs. faction battle, it would mean we'd lose over ninety percent of our forces.

Either the Star-Destroying Level will wipe us out, or we'll wipe them out...

In a faction vs. faction battle, the victory condition is that either side is nearly annihilated...