Chapter 19: Ridicule

"Tsk tsk, I've lived for decades, and this is the first time I've seen such reckless fools." One of the warriors mocked, his combat power surging as he launched the first attack, throwing a punch straight at the target's face. Another warrior, seemingly accustomed to working with him, crouched low, and with a thud sprang to the right rear of Du Gu Bie Li, fingers pressed together like a spike, stabbing fiercely at his ribs. If Du Gu Bie Li retreated, it would be tantamount to courting death.

But Du Gu Bie Li did not retreat; that was not his habit. Power surged up from his feet, his combat strength ignited, muscles taut and bones crackling, as his large hand opened and caught the incoming punch. The Yuanming Technique whirled, and a pained scream echoed as the attacking warrior convulsed twice and then moved no more.

At that moment, the spike-hand of the other attacker reached his ribs.

Without moving his body, Du Gu Bie Li pivoted on his feet like a spinning top, his left hand, long poised for action, shot out and struck the assailant's skull.

Boom!

Like fireworks bursting, red and white sprayed upward, splattering against the stone walls, the scent of blood filling the air.

The remaining eight stared in stunned silence, unable to process the scene. In the blink of an eye, two lively companions lay dead, making one feel as if trapped in a dream.

Bang!

Du Gu Bie Li gave them no time to react. He charged forward, fists and feet flying, smashing, swinging, chopping, hooking—like a tiger among sheep, not a single opponent could withstand him. After killing four, the last four finally emerged from their daze, shrieking in terror as they turned to flee.

"Trying to run?" Du Gu Bie Li spread his hands wide, swinging them in succession, sending blades of energy shooting forth, cleaving through the air to kill.

The Blade of Separation!

Two closest were split apart instantly. The one in the middle was also struck by the blade's intent, his body divided in two. The furthest, still running, suddenly stiffened and slowly slid to the ground, dying in a most peculiar manner.

Xiaohua's throat bobbed with difficulty. "The last one—how did he die?"

"Don't waste your energy on it. Hurry, help me search for credentials... Ha! Found four already..." The wolf, unfazed as ever, his professional instincts kicking in, called out to Xiaohua and eagerly began gathering spoils.

After the battle, they tallied up nineteen credentials. The red number above their heads now showed thirty-six, the black showed one.

That meant, with just four more credentials, even if they gained nothing else, all five would qualify to enter the third round.

"I've never had it so easy and pleasant. It's really simple," the wolf sighed. He'd participated in selections many times, and whenever reaching the second round—the maze—he'd been anxious, treading cautiously, never daring to meet others, always hiding. But now, following Du Gu Bie Li, it was as if nothing could stand in their way, sweeping through all opposition. "Boss, from now on you are my boss... I've decided, I'm joining the Du Gu Corps, never to leave... Boss, take me in."

Du Gu Bie Li needed someone like him, experienced in the outside world, and readily agreed. After all, as a newly formed corps, they hadn't yet taken on or completed a single mission, so members could come and go as they pleased. Only large, longstanding corps required key members to register at the guild. So, as captain, he had absolute authority over recruitment.

"Corps? Sigh..." Xiaohua's eyes lit up, then dimmed. He, too, wished to follow Du Gu Bie Li and enjoy an unprecedented sense of security, but he was the guardian of his village, and it was impossible.

"What, you want to join?" The wolf chuckled. "Afraid that joining the corps means you can't guard your village anymore? Relax. Boss's corps was founded for special reasons. So far, we've only taken one mission. Even if you join, it doesn't affect your guardian status. Boss's... Our Du Gu Corps is not like those who just muddle through life; we don't rely on missions to exist."

"Then... I want to join, may I?" Xiaohua felt a surge of joy, his burdens lifting, and asked quietly.

"Of course, no problem," Du Gu Bie Li replied casually, not concerned at all. "Come on, let's keep searching for credentials or... guides."

"Boss, you've finally come around," the wolf nearly cried with relief. Along the way, he'd wanted to persuade Du Gu Bie Li to take credentials by force, but the latter seemed to have his principles, only acting against those with ill intent, so he dared not press further. Now, finally, his heart was at ease, calculating joyfully, "Just four more credentials and we’re done—wahaha..."

Luck is intangible and elusive; when it comes, nothing can stop it, and when it doesn't, desperation is useless.

After changing their approach and deciding to act proactively, the five found themselves unable to encounter a single warrior, let alone a group.

But their luck wasn't entirely absent. As they wound their way through the passages, suddenly their vision brightened, and the space opened up. An expansive area appeared, with a large arena in the center, where many warriors occupied their own spots, silently waiting. The black and red numbers above their heads had vanished.

"It's the third round!" The wolf exclaimed in delight. "If we can get four more credentials, or one guide, and endure to the end, avoiding elimination, we'll qualify to enter Butterfly Academy."

He couldn't help but be excited; after years of striving for this dream, it was now within reach—a step he'd never crossed before.

The third round!

Xiaohua was equally thrilled, his body trembling uncontrollably.

"Go up," Du Gu Bie Li said with a frown. They'd had a smooth journey, wasting little time, but hadn't expected so many warriors would arrive ahead. When the final selection came, the situation would likely be chaotic.

Bang!

The wolf, eager, rushed up the arena steps, but was abruptly slammed back, falling to the ground. In the transparent void, an invisible barrier blocked their way.

"What’s going on?"

"Probably because we're still four credentials short and haven't qualified for the third round," the wolf realized, frustrated.

"So what do we do? Go back and search for guides?" Xiaohua blamed himself, "It's all my fault, I haven't sensed anything else."

"Forget it, let's just wait here," Du Gu Bie Li took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on several passage entrances, anticipation in his eyes.

Before long, someone burst out of another passage, let out an excited shout, and charged onto the arena. Du Gu Bie Li's body seemed to move, but then stilled, sighing inwardly, "A pity, that one was too quick..."

"Damn, time’s almost up," the wolf complained, bored, but suddenly cried out in alarm.

Looking up, they saw projected on the chaotic sky the giant Time Bamboo, its last segment contracting!

Once fully contracted, the allotted time would end. All warriors arriving late would be eliminated, losing qualification and exiting the selection.

"How did it go so fast?" Du Gu Bie Li, no longer calm, showed his urgency. His gaze, sharp as a blade, darted among the four exits. He failed to notice the warriors on the arena pointing, laughing, and sneering at them, their scorn and contempt obvious. Some spoke viciously: "Can't even gather enough credentials, and still hope to sneak into the third round? Useless fools! Do you think the assessment zone personally created by the Butterfly Queen is just for your amusement?"

"Any attempt to deceive will be seen through by the Butterfly Queen's great will—nothing escapes her... Haha, enjoy the show, once the Time Bamboo vanishes, you'll be forcibly returned, haha..."

"These fools want to join our ranks, how shameful! They'll disgrace us all. If other selection zones learn of this, we'll be mocked..."

"Remember their faces. When the selection ends, we'll make sure their blood splatters seven steps, paying a heavy price."

"Indeed, we must eradicate them completely, wash away the shame placed upon us with death and blood."

"Kill the men, keep the women. Those two pretty girls have potential—when they're older, they'll be even better..."

"Those bastards," the wolf cursed angrily.

"It's over, it's shrinking to the end," Xiaohua said in despair, watching the Time Bamboo’s final contraction, estimating five or six breaths before it ended.

Just one step from success, yet separated by fate—so close, yet as distant as the horizon. What could be more crushing?

"We have no chance."

"Not necessarily!"

"To the arena!"

—