Chapter 126: Vow of Vengeance (10,000-Character Chapter, Requesting Monthly Votes)

Beneath the vast horizon, a team of dozens trekked across the snow-covered mountains, burdened by enormous packs.

Around them, snowflakes fell like goose feathers, as if a white veil had been stretched across heaven and earth, draping the world in silver.

The biting wind, laced with piercing cold, converged in the air, tearing out howls like the roar of an enraged dragon.

The swirling snow nearly obscured vision; the few leading the team periodically pulled out their compasses to judge direction before resuming their march.

After three consecutive days of walking, the first-phase trainees of Snow Valley Training Camp had not yet crossed the mountain region.

At this moment, Gui Tong spotted a cave not far ahead and turned to shout toward the rear.

“There’s a cave ahead—let’s go in and rest.”

“Perfect time to eat something,” Li Zheng added, nodding in agreement.

The group then followed Gui Tong toward the cave.

The cave lay beneath a steep cliff, half-buried and half-exposed by year-round snow, its entrance adorned with hanging icicles.

Because the cave sat at a wind passage, the icy walls emitted low, resonant echoes whenever the wind swept through.

Upon entering, the first-phase trainees did not rush to rest; instead, they cautiously advanced deeper into the cave, confirming no monsters dwelled inside before setting down their packs.

“Light a fire.”

Saying this, Gui Tong took three fire rods from his pack, placed them on the ground, then raised his hand to summon elemental flame and ignite them.

Seeing this, the other trainees also retrieved their fire rods and lit multiple flames within the cave.

The group sat around the fire.

Gui Tong then took another item from his pack—a shield crystal—and tossed it toward the cave entrance, triggering it with his mind.

Instantly, the crystal shattered, transforming into a rapidly expanding ice-blue energy shield that fully merged with the cave’s rocky walls, blocking the relentless gusts of cold wind.

“Eat first to restore your strength,” Gui Tong said gravely. “Then we’ll rest in two shifts—each three hours, alternating watch duty.” He turned to Li Zheng:

“After eating, the Player Clan, Night Hawk Clan, and Brass Clan will rest first. The rest of you trainees and our Four-Eye Clan will handle vigilance.”

“No problem,” Li Zheng immediately supported Gui Tong’s decision.

Glancing up at the varied ice columns and ice flowers on the cave walls, Li Zheng and the Gan Di Team players pulled compressed energy paste from their packs, bit open the packaging with their teeth, and took a large bite.

The taste of the paste wasn’t as bad as imagined—it first delivered a fresh, slightly herbal aroma, the result of blended essences from multiple refined spiritual plants. After swallowing, a peculiar fragrance rose from the stomach, like walking through a morning forest, breathing in nature’s gifts.

As the paste rapidly dissolved in the stomach, a spicy sensation quietly emerged—the flavor of “Ginger Spirit,” a special spiritual ingredient resembling a spice. Its presence felt like a tiny flame igniting inside the body, swiftly dispelling fatigue and cold, bringing warmth from within.

Then, a faint sweetness subtly surfaced as the outer layer melted, like a summer breeze caressing the mind, balancing the initial spiciness and adding a gentle softness to the overall flavor.

Finally, a barely perceptible woody or floral note slowly surfaced.

Though seemingly ordinary, the energy paste not only rapidly replenished physical energy but also carried effects of mental soothing and wound healing.

It was one of the primary rations for Ni Chao Legion warriors on the battlefield.

Instructor Kuang Sha had once stated that producing a single energy paste required over thirty different spiritual plants and a complex process.

Li Zheng had no doubt about this.

After asking for guidance, he learned that sacrificing one energy paste could yield 83 points of sacrificial power.

This clearly demonstrated the Ni Chao Legion’s high regard for its warriors.

Without further thought, Li Zheng swallowed the entire energy paste and spoke over the voice channel:

“Let’s sleep. We’ll take watch next.”

After exchanging goodnights, the Gan Di Team players leaned against the cave wall and closed their eyes.

After days of relentless travel without proper rest, sleep surged over them like a Black Tide the moment their eyes shut, quickly plunging them into deep slumber.

On the other side, Gui Tong and the others, though exhausted and eyelids heavy, forced themselves to stay alert for potential dangers.

Beyond the starting point of Snow Valley Training Camp lay the Monster World.

Though countless trainees had traversed this route, it remained filled with various dangers and risks.

Each year, during the transition from first to second phase, numerous deaths occurred.

In Gui Tong’s eyes, even if the probability of danger in the mountains was low, any chance at all demanded preparedness.

Rubbing his hands, Gui Tong glanced at the Player Clan members now fast asleep, then pulled another energy paste from his pack, bit off a large piece, and held it in his mouth, letting its effects diffuse until the layered spiciness surged, reviving his spirit.

Time passed.

Three hours later, the Player Clan members were awakened to take watch; the exhausted Four-Eye Clan trainees, barely holding on, immediately closed their eyes and slept.

After two such rotations, all the training camp trainees had restored their mental state.

Before leaving, Gui Tong took a map from his pack and spread it flat on the ground.

He then placed the compass in the upper-right corner of the map and estimated the remaining journey.

During this, Li Zheng and the others curiously gathered around.

The map clearly showed the first-phase training camp located in the lower-left corner; from there, a black line wound upward toward the upper-right, passing through three regions.

These were the endless snow-covered mountains beneath their feet, the central white plain, and finally, the forest region.

None of these regions had clear path markers—the map only sketched rough terrain outlines, requiring them to explore and advance on their own.

Before setting out, the chief instructor had emphasized the central white plain, stating it was the most dangerous of the three regions, where trainees annually encountered peril—or death.

This region had once been the territory of the Hun Gui Clan, the invading force that seized it from the Terror Black Black Tide and established a garrison node here.

During their occupation, the Hun Gui Clan conducted a series of environmental adaptations.

They buried vast quantities of “Soul Sculpt Seeds” deep in the earth, transforming the land into an environment suited for Hun Gui Clan warriors.

Later, the Ni Chao Legion reclaimed this territory from the Hun Gui Clan.

But after reclaiming it, due to frontline pressures, they never completed repairs or further modifications.

As a result, many Hun Gui Clan Soul Sculpt Seeds still lay buried beneath the white plain, occasionally birthing powerful Soul Beasts.

(PS: This clan was mentioned in Chapter 90.)

The Hun Gui Clan was also one of the Ni Chao Legion’s most formidable enemies at this stage.

According to Instructor Kuang Sha, the Hun Gui Clan was a powerful race that wielded the power of world rules.

Their appearance resembled dark red demons—massive in stature, every inch of their skin inscribed with dark red spiritual runes, like congealed blood silently burning in darkness, radiating pure evil.

Before every war, the Hun Gui Clan scattered vast quantities of Soul Sculpt Seeds across the battlefield.

During combat, all living beings slain by the Hun Gui Clan had their souls devoured by Soul Beasts created from these seeds, eventually reborn within the beasts as new Hun Gui Clan warriors.

The most terrifying aspect: these reformed warriors retained their memories from life.

But these memories were like films implanted into their minds—the new Hun Gui Clan warriors felt no lingering affection for their former family, friends, or emotions. From the moment of their rebirth, they believed themselves to be Hun Gui Clan warriors, destined to fight for their clan’s rise.

With their powerful Soul Sculpt rules, the Hun Gui Clan could gather vast intelligence and knowledge from other races.

Ordinary races had no resistance against them.

Often, after a small-scale racial war ended, the entire Zuqun became enslaved, reborn as new Hun Gui Clan warriors.

During their initial arrival, the Hun Gui Clan transformed and reborn countless nearby Zuqun , even seizing nearby Black Black Tide nodes, becoming a new power on the Pale Continent.

Seeking to expand their territory, the Hun Gui Clan inevitably clashed with the Ni Chao Legion.

A prolonged, brutal war erupted.

Though the Hun Gui Clan could reconstruct the life structure of slain warriors, they could not recreate the War God Seals within Ni Chao Legion warriors. After years of war, they were repeatedly crushed by the Ni Chao Legion and ultimately retreated, ceding vast territories.

But this did not mean the Hun Gui Clan had surrendered.

According to Kuang Sha, reinforcements from the Hun Gui Clan continued pouring into the Monster World.

Once they amassed sufficient strength, they would launch a peak battle against the Ni Chao Legion, aiming to replace them as the dominant power on the Pale Continent.

This was a force with infinite growth potential— Lilunshang , any non-rule-based life, no matter how strong, would be reborn and exploited after death.

Each time they killed a powerful enemy, the Hun Gui Clan could birth a new champion.

During the war with the Hun Gui Clan, countless fallen Ni Chao warriors had turned against their former comrades, now fighting as Hun Gui Clan soldiers.

As Kuang Sha recounted this past, his usually calm eyes betrayed uncontainable sorrow.

“We’ll likely exit the mountains in another two days. Before entering the white plain, let’s find another place to rest properly. After that, we must remain on high alert.”

“Pong Zi, how strong are Soul Beasts?” asked a Brass Clan trainee.

“I don’t know, but since this is part of the training camp curriculum, their strength shouldn’t be too high. Even if we encounter one, our combined efforts can kill it.”

After brief discussion, the Snow Valley Training Camp trainees shouldered their packs and exited the cave.

Outside, snow still fell heavily, the wind carrying flakes that battered their faces and obscured vision.

Following the compass’s direction, the trainees continued advancing toward the location of the second-phase training camp.

……

Two days later.

After crossing the stream beneath the mountains, Li Zheng and the others faced an endless, boundless plain.

It was blanketed with white flowers.

When the wind blew, petals danced and scattered through the air.

Li Zheng and the others chose not to proceed further; they lit a campfire beside the stream and sat down to rest.

For this stretch, they needed to move as quickly as possible, minimizing stops to avoid Soul Beast attacks.

Although Gui Tong judged that the Soul Beasts remaining on this land would not be very strong,

it was still only a judgment—there remained a chance of unexpected threats.

“Pong Zi, this thing’s so valuable—how come your clan lets you wear it outside?”

Eating the energy paste, Li Zheng’s gaze drifted to the necklace around Gui Tong’s neck, curiosity prompting his question.

“No matter how valuable, it’s still equipment. To my clan, it’s just a tool to boost combat power. Do we keep it on a pedestal just because it’s precious?” Gui Tong bit into his energy paste, giving Li Zheng an exasperated look.

“Your clanmates described it as the symbol of the next clan leader.”

“True, it is the symbol of the next leader. But if it’s lost or damaged in battle, does that mean our Four-Eye Clan has no next leader? Obviously, a new symbol will appear.”

"Hahaha, no problem."

"I advise you not to set your sights on it. I’ve noticed you keep glancing at it every time we rest. Let me be clear: this item is never yours."

"Bullshit. I’m just admiring it. I have zero other thoughts about the necklace."

Upon hearing this, Gui Tong’s Iron Face twisted with disdain:

"Based on my understanding of you—and the things you’ve said on the road—do you think I don’t know what you’re thinking?"

"Then tell me, what am I thinking?" Li Zheng raised an eyebrow, his expression curious.

"What else? Obviously, you’re fantasizing that later on the road, we’re ambushed by unknown monsters, plunged into a brutal battle, and I get critically wounded in combat, beyond saving. In the end, I tremble as I hand you the necklace, telling you to carry my honor and keep pushing forward to Phase Two of the training camp… Do you think I don’t know your true nature?"

Hearing Gui Tong’s analysis, Li Zheng and the other trainees burst into laughter.

"Tongzi, I give you full marks for this analysis. I’ll admit it—I actually did think exactly that," Li Zheng chuckled, confessing his thoughts.

"Disgusting. I knew your head was full of filth." Upon hearing Li Zheng’s admission, Gui Tong glared at him fiercely:

"By the way, how do you Player Clan members know my necklace is so valuable?"

Facing the question, Chi Tu’s expression turned smug:

"One of our Player Clan’s racial talents is the ability to sense and appraise treasures, identifying an item’s worth. To me, your necklace is incredibly valuable—I’ve never seen anything so precious before."

"Huh? So you’ve got a racial talent like that? I thought your Player Clan’s talent was just enduring hunger and staying up all night."

Hearing this, Gui Tong’s Iron Face contorted into an exaggerated look of shock, causing the trainees to laugh again.

After the banter, Gui Tong’s expression turned grave:

"Brothers, we’re about to enter the White Plains. Stay on high alert at all times. If anything happens, shout out immediately."

"Understood. Let’s rest up. We’ll set out at dawn," Li Zheng nodded.

Following the previously established watch schedule, the Xuegu Training Camp trainees took turns resting and keeping watch.

Seven hours later.

The horizon bloomed with soft radiance; the night was lifted by invisible force, and a faint orange-yellow glow seeped quietly into the sleeping earth.

After regrouping, the Xuegu Training Camp trainees entered the White Plains, where white petals fluttered like snow.

The scenery along the way was enchanting, but the trainees remained on high alert, prepared for sudden attacks at any moment.

Half an hour later, a cry rang out from the center of the formation:

"Something’s underground!"

At the shout, everyone turned toward the source. Nearby trainees swiftly scattered.

A mound of earth bulged upward, then a massive black worm tore through the soil, revealing its form.

The black worm’s body, rising from the ground, stretched several meters long. Its surface was covered in rough skin, colored between deep gray and dark brown. Its emerald-green eyes glowed with ferocity.

Its head was encased in thick carapace. Most striking was its mouthpart, lined with countless sharp, tiny teeth, tightly packed like a precision mechanical device, constantly rotating and shifting position. In the sunlight, they gleamed with cold, lethal light—like the scythe of Death, ready to reap life.

The instant the worm revealed itself, it lunged at Shaxin, the nearest target.

"Fall back!"

At that moment, a Bronze Clan warrior stepped forward two paces. Golden-yellow energy flared across his body as he smashed his fist into the worm’s gaping mouthpart, halting its charge and forcing it backward. He then lunged forward, wrapping his arms around the worm’s body. The golden energy on his skin blazed brighter.

Ha!

With a thunderous roar, the Bronze Clan warrior used brute strength to rip the worm from the ground.

The other new recruits surged forward, launching a coordinated assault.

First, the Four-Eyes Clan warrior unleashed a barrage of brilliant blue light—like ice arrows—that struck the worm and spread into crystalline frost, coating its body in a thin layer of ice. Then Gui Tong summoned a massive ice blade and slashed it across the worm’s neck, tearing open a bloody gash. Bone-chilling cold surged into the wound, slowing its movements.

Next, the Night Hawk Clan members raised their hands simultaneously, drawing in the ambient wind elements.

A violent gale erupted, whipping up countless white petals and encircling the worm into razor-sharp wind blades that sliced its body, leaving behind a network of fine cuts.

The Bronze Clan warrior stepped forward again and roared:

"Clear me a path!"

Hearing this, the other trainees halted their attacks. The Bronze Clan warrior’s right fist suddenly swelled, veins bulging like ropes. He slammed it into the worm’s body with full force.

Instantly, violent energy exploded from within the worm. Its numerous wounds ruptured, tearing it into pieces that rained down as bloody fragments.

After a brief clash, the Xuegu Training Camp trainees effortlessly slaughtered the worm with overwhelming force.

The Ganyi Group players watching were visibly surprised.

They knew that trainees entering the camp were all elite among their clan’s younger generation.

Previously, within the Xuegu Training Camp, everyone wore restriction bands—no clear power gaps existed.

But in this first battle after removing the bands, these bastards had truly stunned them.

Especially the Bronze Clan recruit, who usually took the most beatings—he’d met the worm’s mouthpart head-on with his fists. Not only did he suffer no injury, he easily shoved the worm back several meters.

"You scared me half to death—I thought it was a Soul Return Clan soul beast emerging from underground," Gui Tong exhaled after the battle, then continued: "We’ll take the worm’s scattered flesh. Our rations won’t last the journey. These fragments can help us survive the food shortage."

Hearing this, the trainees immediately began gathering the worm’s remains and stuffing them into their satchels for later consumption.

After this brief interlude, the group pressed on.

After the brief interlude, the group continued on their journey.

Three days later.

The Xuegu Training Camp trainees passed through the region blanketed in white flowers and entered the central plains.

The scenery had changed.

As far as the eye could see, the ground was shattered, the exposed soil scorched as if licked by flames—pale, cracked, utterly barren, devoid of moisture or fertility. The wind here was no longer a gentle caress, but a razor blade, whipping up fine dust storms that swirled like ghosts across the emptiness, howling mournfully.

The sky, though still vast, appeared unnaturally pale without the contrast of green. Direct sunlight beat down without obstruction, making the desolation even more blinding and bleak.

Beyond a dried-up riverbed, cracks split the earth like wounds.

The scars left by the ancient war between the Niuchao Legion and the Soul Return Clan were etched into the land’s very flesh, like shadows that would never fade.

Shattered weapons, broken armor, charred bones, snapped banners… This place resembled the ancient battlefield of Emperor Tomb Mountain, yet even more desolate.

As they walked, Li Zheng and the others sensed the non-human trainees’ expressions growing somber.

Li Zheng understood completely.

This war had clearly involved their ancestors.

This was an emotion they could never truly share.

"Stay alert," Gui Tong, leading the group, warned. "There are still many unprocessed Soul Sculpture Seeds beneath the ground. They may be incubating soul beasts."

Hearing Gui Tong’s warning, Chi Tu, walking near the center of the formation, activated the Hawk-Head Demon’s perception vision.

As his perception expanded, the surrounding scene flooded his mind—even the slightest shifts of sand and pebbles stirred by the wind became crystal clear.

After advancing further, Chi Tu’s perception suddenly detected a dark red energy mass rising rapidly from underground.

"Everyone, watch out! Something’s coming up!" Chi Tu pointed at the ground ahead and shouted.

At the warning, all trainees turned toward the spot he indicated.

The ground ahead cracked open, the fissures spreading visibly outward.

Suddenly, cracks appeared on the ground in the distance, spreading outward at a visible pace.

With a low growl, a dark red figure tore through the earth, revealing itself.

Before Li Zheng and the others stood a spectral monster, existing between form and formlessness—neither wholly illusory nor fully physical, its body flickering between reality and fantasy.

Before Li Zheng and the others appeared a spirit monster existing between the formless and the tangible—neither wholly illusory nor fully physical, its body shifting incessantly between reality and fantasy.

[Soul Beast]:

Hunting Rank: 42

Target Description: A unique lifeform spawned from Soul Sculpture Seeds created by Soul Return Clan members using rules. Capable of devouring souls to evolve, it can reshape itself into the form of its victim, acquiring their racial talent, combat skills, and life memories, among other traits.

Target Description: A special lifeform nurtured within the “Soul-Shaping Seed” created by members of the Soul Return Clan, possessing the ability to devour souls and evolve; it can transform into the target after a second life reshaping, acquiring the target’s racial Tianfu , combat techniques, life memories, and more.

The soul beast that tore from the earth appeared as if formed from emerald mist. The mist coalesced into razor-sharp blades, twisted chains, or humanoid figures clad in emerald armor.

Around the soul beast pulsed invisible waves of energy, chilling the air to bone-numbing cold. These waves carried an indescribable noise—like the desperate wails of countless imprisoned spirits.

Seeing the soul beast approach, the trainees’ expressions turned tense.

Before departure, Kuang Sha had warned them of the soul beast’s horror: this creature, upon killing anyone present, would devour their life essence, assume their appearance, and inherit all their abilities—and it was nearly impossible to kill.

"Prepare for battle!" Gui Tong shouted, his Element Eye blazing with brilliant light.

Four elemental energies coalesced before him.

Li Zheng and the Ganyi Group players also assumed combat stances. The family-sharing adoptive father stepped forward, ready to activate his Petrify Form to absorb damage.

Players from Li Zheng’s Ganyi group also took up battle stances; the family-sharing adoptive father in the squad stepped forward, ready to activate his petrified form to absorb damage.

At that moment, Chi Tu shouted again.

As he spoke, the ground ahead cracked open repeatedly, and more dark red energy masses tore upward.

Scanning the area, including the first one, there were five soul beasts.

Three of them hovered in the air, twisting violently before transforming into non-human forms and landing. One of them bore the exact appearance of the Bronze Clan recruit.

Seeing this, the trainees’ expressions changed drastically.

These three figures were clearly former trainees killed by soul beasts—now the soul beasts had inherited their memories and abilities.

These three figures were clearly former students slain by the Soul Beast, now having their memories and abilities inherited by it.

The Bronze Clan warrior charged forward, lunging at the soul beast.

The Bronze Clan warrior struck first, charging straight at the Soul Beast ahead.

The soul beast in the Bronze Clan’s form struck back, its right hand glowing with the same golden-yellow energy.

Their fists collided. Identical abilities—but the soul beast’s power was clearly stronger. It sent the Bronze Clan trainee reeling backward, sliding several meters before stumbling to a stop.

Fist met fist—identical abilities—but the Soul Beast’s power was clearly superior, sending the Bronze Clan student reeling backward, sliding several meters before regaining his footing with staggered steps.

The great battle was about to erupt.

During the battle, the five soul beasts continuously exuded evil energy, sending chills down the spine.

The two soul beasts that had not yet devoured souls fought in the forms of chains and blades; those that had devoured souls wielded the abilities of their victims.

Even the weakest of the soul beasts had a Hunting Rank of 39.

During combat, what troubled the Snow Valley students most was the soul beasts’ ability to shift between physical and ethereal forms—when in ethereal form, they ignored all physical damage.

The bronze-clan warrior standing at the front was quickly covered in wounds under the soul beasts’ ferocious assault, becoming a bloody mess.

Seeing this, Family Shared Foster Father immediately stepped forward, ordering the other students to drag him to the rear and administer emergency treatment using pills from their satchels.

He activated petrification, took the brunt of the damage, and activated taunt.

Family Shared Foster Father’s body was coated in a Qi black substance, directly absorbing attacks from all five soul beasts—a sight that stunned the other students.

“You Xiaozi , you actually have this kind of ability!” Ghost Eye muttered in astonishment as he activated his technique.

“Don’t talk, Ghost Eye—I can’t hold out much longer. Kill these five soul beasts quickly!” Family Shared Foster Father stood firm, gritting his teeth through the pain.

Family Shared Foster Father’s performance drastically reduced the pressure on those behind.

But the sound of eating dirt came again:

“Three more soul beasts are approaching!”

“Fuck, stop fighting—run!” Li Zheng spoke decisively.

“Run!” Ghost Eye didn’t hesitate—he knew continuing to fight would only lead to being surrounded, making escape impossible.

“I’ll clear the way—follow me!” A bronze-clan warrior roared, his body instantly coated in a golden-brown glow, swelling violently before charging straight into the five soul beasts.

The other students immediately followed.

The one eating dirt continuously threw “Binding” spells, attempting to restrict the soul beasts’ movement.

But Binding, at only Rank 15 in Soul Core, could not effectively restrain the soul beasts.

During the retreat, under Ghost Eye’s command, the students constantly rotated those holding the rear.

The other three soul beasts arrived at this moment, increasing the pressure sharply.

The soul beasts with powerful self-healing abilities could not be killed by any means they tried.

One soul beast possessed an especially terrifying ability: it could spit a potent toxic mist, causing any target struck to enter a continuous HP-loss poison status in the analysis data.

As the Four-Eye Clan switched to hold the rear again, one soul beast suddenly transformed into a chain and shot forward at blinding speed, piercing a Four-Eye Clan freshman who was channeling a technique.

Seeing this, the bronze-clan warrior instantly lunged forward to shield him.

But the soul chain twisted midair in a grotesque arc, grazing the bronze-clan warrior’s shoulder before piercing straight through the Four-Eye Clan freshman.

“Brother!”

Amid Ghost Eye’s blood-curdling scream, the soul chain wrapped around the Four-Eye Clan warrior’s body; his Iron Face twisted in agony as his form visibly withered.

Countless faint glowing dots rose from the Four-Eye Clan student’s body and were absorbed by the chain.

CRACK!

The soul chain retracted; the soul beast’s body twisted rapidly, transforming in an instant into the form of the Four-Eye Clan freshman, who landed on the ground and smiled eerily at Ghost Eye:

“Big brother… were you calling me?”

“Kill it!” With his brother devoured, Ghost Eye’s Iron Face twisted with rage as he charged the soul beast.

“Ghost Eye, calm down!” Li Zheng grabbed him, preventing him from rushing headlong into a surrounded death.

Looking at the soul beast now wearing the form of the Four-Eye Clan freshman, Li Zheng’s eyes turned icy, his fury burning—but he knew he must not act rashly; they had to escape this area immediately.

Influenced by the Soul Sculpt Seed, the soul beasts’ range of movement was limited without Soul Return Clan control.

As long as they escaped this area, they would be safe.

But now, the eight soul beasts’ assault made resistance nearly impossible.

At this retreat speed, casualties among them were inevitable.

This was the first time Li Zheng had felt fear in the game.

He wasn’t afraid of his own death—he feared these brothers of other clans, whom he’d grown close to, would die here.

A thought immediately surfaced in his mind.

But before he could speak into the voice channel, Family Shared Foster Father spoke up:

“Li Ge, retreating like this won’t work—we’ll keep losing brothers. Let’s hold the rear and buy them time. I can’t bear to see them die like this!”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking—no wonder you’re my brother, our thoughts align!” The one eating dirt added his support.

Hearing his brothers’ suggestions in the voice channel, Li Zheng’s resolve hardened. He turned, grabbed Ghost Eye by the collar, and slapped him hard:

“Snap out of it, Ghost Eye—you lead the others out. We, the player clan, will hold the rear!”

“You…?” Ghost Eye’s hatred faded, replaced by disbelief.

“If we keep going like this, we all die. Better to sacrifice us so you can live. Don’t act on emotion—remember what you said before leaving: run as fast as you can.” Without waiting for a reply, Li Zheng charged toward the soul beasts with his Gan Di Group.

Family Shared Foster Father activated petrification once more, absorbing the simultaneous attacks of all eight soul beasts.

“Run, don’t let my death be in vain!” he cursed, then his HP bar emptied, dissolving into a cloud of black mist.

At this moment, Kill Heart stepped forward, replacing Family Shared Foster Father, activating petrification and taunt.

“Run!”

Seeing Ghost Eye and the others still channeling attacks, Li Zheng flew into a rage.

He’d planned to end the hidden quest early to save them—but these idiots still wouldn’t retreat.

Their sacrifice would be meaningless.

Ghost Eye’s four eyes trembled violently, then he gritted his teeth:

“Everyone—follow me!”

Facing the player clan members who had sacrificed themselves to draw the soul beasts’ attention, the new recruits of all clans were shaken—but they understood the purpose.

If they didn’t leave now, the player clan’s sacrifice would be wasted.

Some students couldn’t help but shed tears.

Watching the retreating backs of the other-clan students, Li Zheng pulled a mid-grade potion from his space satchel and gulped it down.

“Brothers, before we die—take down one. Target that soul beast turned into a Four-Eye Clan freshman. Kill it!”

“Got it!” The Gan Di Group players echoed.

…

Five minutes later, Li Zheng smashed the soul beast transformed into the Four-Eye Clan freshman with a single punch.

“Hell yeah!”

The kill notification rang in his mind. He turned to look beside him.

Aside from himself, at Body Cultivation Rank 7, barely holding on, only the one eating dirt—of the Playstyle Line—remained alive. All other Gan Di Group brothers had returned to Emperor Tomb Village.

“Fuck, the hidden quest ends like this? Who knows when You Elder will recruit again?” The one eating dirt cursed, then lunged at Li Zheng, taking the soul chain through his chest.

“Li Ge, I go first. Wait for me in the black box.”

“Alright. Let me land a few more punches on the soul beasts first—I’ll be right behind you.” Li Zheng, now a bloody mess, immediately responded, gasping as he charged toward the soul beast with toxin-spitting ability.

The one eating dirt’s body dissolved into black mist.

Li Zheng stepped forward, delivering a straight punch straight into the chin of the soul beast now wearing an other-clan form.

The soul beast spat a cloud of poison mist at him, worsening his existing poison status and accelerating HP loss.

At that moment, the soul beast transformed into a bronze-clan warrior slammed a fist into his back. Li Zheng spat blood, collapsing and rolling several meters away.

Watching the encircling soul beasts, Li Zheng pulled out the “Phantom Annihilation” rune bomb stored in his space satchel.

“Farewell, everyone.”

Just as Li Zheng prepared to detonate the Phantom Annihilation bomb, a figure suddenly appeared beside him, grabbed him, and sprinted away at blinding speed.

“Cough… Ghost Eye!”

Turning his head, Li Zheng saw Ghost Eye, all four eyes bleeding crimson light, carrying him as he ran desperately.

Ghost Eye said nothing, suddenly increasing his speed, his body now covered in four-colored faint light.

Through analysis, Li Zheng realized Ghost Eye had entered Blood Burn state—running on his maximum HP.

“Cough… Ghost Eye, put me down.” As he spoke, Li Zheng spat green blood—the soul beast’s poison had triggered continuous HP loss.

Ghost Eye said nothing, gritting his teeth and running on, four streaks of light trailing behind him.

Ten minutes later.

Ghost Eye stopped at the edge of the soul beasts’ attack range, propped Li Zheng against a tree turned to charcoal, then pulled out a pill from his person and shoved it into Li Zheng’s mouth.

But Li Zheng did not swallow.

All his Gan Di Group brothers were dead—how could he live alone? His brothers were waiting for him to return.

A second-phase training camp without good brothers was meaningless.

He decisively returned the pill to his space satchel.

“You must survive.”

Looking at Ghost Eye’s bloodshot eyes, Li Zheng weakly shook his head:

“Ghost Eye… I think I’m going to die.”

Prepared to accept death from poison damage, Li Zheng looked at Ghost Eye’s neck—and was startled to see his necklace was gone.

Clearly, when Ghost Eye came to save him, he’d already prepared to sacrifice himself, handing the necklace to his clan.

Moved, Li Zheng grinned:

“Ghost Eye, didn’t we promise you’d run faster than anyone? You wouldn’t… cough.” As he spoke, poison surged through his body; he spat a glob of toxic blood, his scarred frame looking utterly wretched.

“Don’t talk. Breathe deep. Wait for the pill to take effect.”

“Ghost Eye… where’s your necklace?”

“I told you not to speak.” Seeing that Li Zheng’s condition continued to deteriorate, Gui Tong reached out and pressed his hand against Li Zheng’s chest, attempting to dispel the toxic energy within him.

“Cough, cough… Tongzi, I never thought you’d give your necklace to a clan member, then risk your life to save me.”

“You’re nearly dead, and you’re still thinking about my necklace,” Gui Tong said with a sorrowful expression.

Li Zheng, who had been about to speak, opened his mouth and coughed out a clump of poisoned blood, then spoke weakly:

“Cough, cough… Tongzi… I really love your necklace… I wonder… if one day we ever meet again, would you give me the necklace?”

Watching Li Zheng’s pupils gradually dilate and lose focus, Gui Tong’s heart ached, his body trembling uncontrollably:

“Yes, I’ll give it to you—definitely.”

“It’s a promise,” Li Zheng suddenly perked up as if granted a final surge of vitality, but the state lasted only a few seconds before he slumped again.

Under Gui Tong’s sorrowful gaze, Li Zheng, blood trailing from the corner of his mouth, coughed violently once more, then smiled with a look of peace:

“Tongzi… remember what you said. You swore… cough, cough… that Four-Eyed Clan warriors keep their word—never break it.”

“You’re about to die, and you still have the heart to say this…” Gui Tong was about to roar in anger, but then saw Li Zheng’s body begin to dissolve into mist—yet still smiling at him.

Black smoke drifted away between Gui Tong’s fingers; he reached out to grasp it, but could not hold onto Li Zheng’s rapidly fading life flame.

This feeling of wanting to hold on, yet being utterly powerless, nearly suffocated Gui Tong.

Finally, Li Zheng’s body completely disintegrated in his hands, turning to black mist and vanishing into heaven and earth.

In that moment, Gui Tong’s heart was filled with despair and grief; the image that surfaced in his mind was Li Zheng’s smiling Iron Face as he looked at him in his final moments.

That image froze in his mind, seared deep into Gui Tong’s memory.

Gui Tong trembled as he knelt on the ground, staring at the spot where Li Zheng had leaned, tears streaming uncontrollably down his Iron Face; then he slammed a fist into the charred tree before him and growled:

“Ban Ban Zhuan… I, Gui Tong, swear here and now: I will return on the day I master my arts, and avenge you all!”

Ten-thousand-character chapter; will continue with ten thousand more tomorrow.

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(End of Chapter)