Chapter 281

"Reinforcements?"

As Li Luo spoke, even Jiang Jiang Qinge was stunned; in this region, only these students remained, and the nearest reinforcements would likely be the four-star academy students and Instructor Jin Hui deeper within the Dark Cave.

But even if they came, it would still take time, and they might not arrive in time.

Besides themselves, who in this region could possibly be considered reinforcements?

Du Ze Duze Honglian and the others nearby also cast skeptical glances; at this moment, if there were any reinforcements in this region, they would have already summoned them long ago—how could it possibly come down to Li Luo?

Facing those stares, Li Luo fell silent for a moment, then said slowly: "When two tigers fight, one must be injured."

His cryptic words left Du Ze Duze Honglian and the others baffled, but Jiang Jiang Qinge seemed to recall something, her gaze shifting as she looked at Li Luo: "You don't mean... that spirit beast in the Forbidden Zone?"

Whoa!

The others erupted in shock, staring at Li Luo in disbelief.

The reinforcements he meant... were that spirit beast in the Forbidden Zone?!

"Li Luo, are you insane?" Du Ze Duze Honglian was the first to snap, for this suggestion was so absurd it felt like an insult to their intelligence.

"Never mind whether that spirit beast, if it actually came, would destroy our outpost first—how do you even find it in the Forbidden Zone? And how do you plan to lure it here? These are unsolvable problems!"

A cold sneer suddenly appeared on Du Ze Duze Honglian's beautiful face as she regarded Li Luo with disdain: "You're not trying to use this as an excuse to run away, are you?"

"Do you think you can escape after the outpost falls?"

Clang!

Jiang Jiang Qinge slammed her heavy sword into the ground, her eyes icy as she glared at Du Ze Duze Honglian: "Du Ze Duze Honglian, don't assume I'm unable to deal with you just because I'm wounded."

Du Ze Duze Honglian glared back: "Am I wrong? Do you really think that spirit beast in the Forbidden Zone is benevolent? And outside the Forbidden Zone, there's still the sealing array left by the Headmaster—the spirit beast can't even leave!"

Li Luo said nothing, for what Du Ze Duze Honglian said were indeed real problems—even now, he harbored doubts about whether his plan could succeed.

Jiang Jiang Qinge said calmly: "But how much worse could things get than they are now?"

"With the outpost's defenses, we're unlikely to hold out until reinforcements arrive; once the defenses break, we'll all die here."

"Since we're already in a hopeless situation, what's the harm in letting Li Luo try?"

Du Ze Duze Honglian fell silent; she never believed Li Luo's plan—in her view, he simply saw the outpost was doomed and wanted to flee.

But it didn't matter; Li Luo wasn't important, and even if the outpost fell, where could he possibly run?

By then, this region would be overrun by aberrations, pollution worsening—a second-stage Xiangshi student would be dead anyway. And even if he somehow survived by luck, the academy would surely investigate afterward, and all his actions would be exposed.

At that point, what face would Li Luo have left to remain in the academy?

Thinking of this, she crossed her arms and gave Li Luo a cold glance: "Since you're so determined, go ahead. I'll see what you can pull off."

The others exchanged glances, their expressions complex, but ultimately said nothing more.

It was clear, however, that they too didn't believe in Li Luo's so-called "two tigers" plan—they simply refrained from speaking out of respect for Jiang Jiang Qinge's face.

Jiang Jiang Qinge looked at Li Luo: "Does this plan require any other helpers?"

Li Luo shook his head: "I've already surveyed the terrain and, comparing it with the map, found a river connecting to the outskirts of the Forbidden Zone mountains behind the outpost. With my Water Phase power, I can ride the current to maximize speed. As for solving the later problems, I'll have other attempts."

"So no helpers are needed—right now, more people would only be a liability."

Jiang Jiang Qinge nodded slightly: "Staying here means certain death. To risk it might just earn us a sliver of hope. Go."

Li Luo gazed at the girl's stunning, composed face; he knew time was urgent, so he didn't waste words, only murmured: "Wait three days. If I return, I'll find a way to save you."

Jiang Jiang Qinge said: "You will succeed. Otherwise... we all die here, and the Luo Lan Mansion will vanish entirely. After all the years of effort, that would be too unjust."

Li Luo smiled and nodded, then turned and walked away.

Behind him, Bai Bai Mengmeng and Student Xin Fu hurried forward, staring at Li Luo but saying nothing about following—he knew Li Luo didn't need such help.

"Captain, we believe in you," they said earnestly.

Li Luo was slightly surprised, then couldn't help smiling; everyone who heard his plan probably thought like Du Ze Duze Honglian—that he was fleeing because the outpost was doomed. But clearly, Bai Bai Mengmeng and Student Xin Fu didn't think that way.

During their time together, they had come to understand Li Luo's character.

"Wait for me to return."

Li Luo told them, then leapt off the high wall, passing through the outpost's remaining unaware crowds, heading straight for the rear.

Beside Yi Yi Lisha, Qian Ye, and Si Si Qiuying stood on a section of the high wall, watching Li Luo's figure vanish into the distance.

"Do you think his plan can really work? Or is it just an excuse?" Qian Ye said.

Beside Yi Yi Lisha rubbed his chin and sighed: "His plan sounds utterly fantastical. Honestly, I can't imagine how he'll solve those problems."

Si Si Qiuying fell silent for a moment, then said: "I don't know if his plan will succeed, but I know he's not running away."

Though Li Luo seemed approachable on the surface, his inner pride was likely no weaker than Jiang Jiang Qinge's—only one displayed it openly, the other concealed it deeply.

For such a proud man to become a deserter—even Si Si Qiuying found it implausible.

"But once word spreads, most others won't think that way," Qian Ye said, shrugging.

Beside Yi Yi Lisha sighed helplessly: "It doesn't matter what they think—if Li Luo's plan fails, we'll likely all die here. No one cares about the thoughts of the dead."

The other two fell silent, their expressions grim.

They had never imagined the Dark Cave could be this perilous—this was their first entry, and already they might face total annihilation.

Now, they could only leave it to fate.

While the outpost's occupants wrestled with complex emotions, Li Luo had quietly slipped out through a back path and arrived beside a river.

This river flowed directly to the outskirts of the Forbidden Zone mountains.

By riding the river's current, he could save considerable time.

But these were minor issues—the real challenges would only emerge upon reaching the Forbidden Zone mountains.

Thinking of this, Li Luo made no further hesitation; his figure moved, leaping onto the river, water-phase energy swirling beneath his feet, as if gliding across the surface, hurtling forward at tremendous speed.