Chapter 192: The Phoenix Chick's Dimensional‑Reduction Strike

"Alright!"

Su Ming lifted his chin, as if reviewing a report, and there was not a hint of surprise in his eyes.

He is, after all, a timeless mastermind.

If he can't even handle these opening‑exam questions…

That would truly be a disaster, a huge embarrassment!

Pang Tong received the order, and the scholar's refined composure faded a bit.

He dominated the scene, calm and unhurried.

He walked straight up to Ling Xi, whose face was full of anxiety.

"Little girl, your sense of hearing… is extraordinary!"

Pang Tong pointed at the 【gambling-table altar】 that Ling Xi had chosen.

This altar, formed by a 【hooded sweatshirt youth】, demands—

【Seek an object that can, amid impermanence, fix the inevitable】.

"Looking for a constant among variables, using your so‑called mathematics or probability theory, is a dead end."

Pang Tong shook his head, a hint of cunning flashing in his eyes.

"These 【Western Shu ruffians】 are actors, even con artists."

"On the gambling table, what is the Unique 【Inevitable】?"

Ling Xi froze, instinctively shaking her head.

She doesn't know!

"It's not luck…"

"Then it can't defy fate!"

"It's cheating."

Pang Tong's voice was extremely soft, yet like Jinglei.

"The dealer wants you to lose; whatever you bet, you can't win."

"That, then, is the greatest Inevitable."

"Go, don't waste effort listening for the dice numbers."

"Use your ears to hear the mechanism beneath the table, to hear the sound of the magnets turning."

"And then…"

A mischievous smile curled at Pang Tong's mouth.

"In front of everyone, pull its underwear off!"

Beside them, Su Ming listened to it all, slightly stunned.

Good line of thought!

If he thinks for himself, he'll probably reach this level.

But that would require him to have seen so many strange altars first.

And Mr. Pang Tong…

This was his first time seeing this thing, and he didn't really think about it!

He hadn't even explained Ling Xi's ability details to him!

Yet he could calculate it!

This is…

the value of a Top-level Advisor?

"Stop spacing out, next, you."

At some point, Pang Tong had already moved behind Meng Die.

His gaze fell on the 【incense burner altar】 before her.

Demand: 【Seek a wisp of truly selfless incense flame】.

"Meng Die, you are meticulous, adept at disguise and imitation."

Pang Tong stroked his beard.

"But this question is a linguistic trap."

"All humans have selfishness, and gods also have desire."

"In this world, what absolute selflessness exists?"

"Parents love their children, also hoping to have a dependent for old age."

"Believers worship gods, seeking blessings and peace."

Meng Die's brows knit tightly.

"Then… is this question unsolvable?"

"Not at all."

Pang Tong pointed at her.

"Since it's a performance, it must be taken to the extreme."

"Tell me, what thing is the most selfless?"

Meng Die shook her head, then glanced at Su Ming beside her.

Pang Tong took in the scene, his eyes complex, and spoke directly.

"It's a mirror!"

"A mirror reflects all things, yet never leaves a trace."

It treats beauty and ugliness, good and evil all the same, without bias.

So…

Put away all your petty thoughts, empty all your desires.

Stand before that incense burner, regard yourself as a mirror, reflecting only the altar itself.

You must tell it—

I worship you, not for wealth, not for power, not for immortality, only because… you are there.

Mengdie heard it in a fog of clouds, yet her beautiful eyes grew a few shades brighter.

Although she didn't understand, it felt so impressive!

And… Wang said nothing.

That is the right thing!

Do as instructed!

On the other side, Su Ming sat on a prop box.

Watching this efficient teaching scene, the smile at his mouth grew ever broader.

Comfortable!

Is this the joy of being a hands‑off shopkeeper?

With Pang Tong here, the team's problem‑solving efficiency…

The old cow rides a plane—

It's awesome to the heavens!

"Alright, the next one."

Pang Tong clapped his hands, his gaze turning to the last Jingzhe.

And the one she chose—the Remnant Armor Altar.

The altar, piled from a heap of rust‑stained broken armor, exuded a suffocatingly intense sorrow and dead air.

Requirement: 【Seek a defeated general, the final glory at the end of the road】.

"This… isn't hard at all!"

Pang Tong nodded slightly, rapidly constructing the script in his mind.

After all…

The era they belong to…

So many such incidents!

"How can a defeated commander speak of bravery?"

"To crack the problem, one must stage a grand play of 【Death Loyalty】."

He looked at Jingzhe, arranging at a breakneck pace.

"Girl, later you'll go up; you must be sincere, stir up your emotions."

"Imagine yourself as a general whose nation has fallen, whose home is destroyed, and who is gravely wounded."

"Though you have been defeated, to escort the young lord, for the people behind you, you must bleed your last drop of blood and die standing!"

"You may lose an arm, may lose a spear, but your knee must not bend!"

"Later I'll teach you a few tragic lines; combine them with your spear technique, and you must perform so moving it brings tears, perform so…"

"Not needed!"

A cold, hard voice cut straight through Pang Tong's endless rambling.

Pang Tong froze, looking at Jingzhe in surprise.

He saw this violent girl, who usually only trains or zones out.

At this moment she bowed her head, gripping the crimson long spear tightly.

The reason he said so much…

Was that he thought the girl was a bit single‑minded, wanting the explanation to be spot‑on, feeding it to her mouth step by step!

But look at the current situation…

"Hmm?"

Su Ming raised an eyebrow, looking over.

Jingzhe slowly lifted her head.

In those eyes, there was none of the 【tragic】, 【Death Loyalty】, or 【desolate】 from Pang Tong's script.

Only a blaze!

A blaze of frenzy, contempt, even a hint of anger!

"Sir, your script… I will not perform."

Jingzhe's attitude was clear.

Pang Tong squinted, not angry, but more inquisitive.

"Why? Though this method is vulgar, it is a shortcut to cracking the problem."

"Because…"

Jingzhe inhaled deeply, then thrust the long spear hard into the ground.

Thud—!

The stage floor cracked instantly.

She pointed at the Remnant Armor Altar exuding dead air.

Somewhat mocking!

Some Sheng Qi!

"Losing is just losing!"

"Losing isn't shameful, dying isn't shameful either!"

"What's shameful is... losing and still making excuses!"

"And still painting yourself up, doing what 'the Final Glory'?!"

"If I lose, I admit it!"

"But as long as I have a breath left, I'll find a way to win it back!"

"Not to put on a pitiful show here to win others' sympathy and tears!"

"What kind of glory is this? It's a coward's cover!"

When the words fell, the whole venue fell dead silent.

Dream Butterfly and Ling Xi were both scared stiff.

This... is cursing at the altar's nose!

Is this girl crazy?

It won't emit black light, will it?!

"Heh!"

Beside them, Su Ming chuckled lowly, his eyes even more amused.

What a cover!

He already knew that the Divine Warrior of Sequence 009 could never act in that kind of self‑pity drama.

The Divine Warrior's path is forged by killing, not by crying!

Pang Tong was also stunned, then gave a wry smile and shook his head.

He stepped back half a step and made a 'please' gesture.

"It's Pang's Manifestation."

"The Warrior's path indeed doesn't need me, a strategist, to meddle."

Jing Zhe said no more nonsense.

She lifted her spear and strode to the Ruined Armor Altar.

No emotions brewed.

No grief of spring nor sorrow of autumn.

Boom—!

On his body, the ferocious Qi and blood unique to the Divine Warrior sequence erupted wildly!

Under Su Ming's Eye of Truth, the air behind her twisted.

A vague towering phantom clad in heavy armor, wielding a long spear, emerged.

Though blurry, that will to battle heaven and earth was solid!

"Hey! That dead one!"

Jing Zhe shouted loudly at that pile of broken copper and scrap iron.

"Stand up for me!"

"Aren't you after glory?"

"Lying there, what's that glory?!"

"Even if the armor shatters, even if the spear breaks, even if the person dies!"

"Your soul can't stay lying down for me!"