Following normal logic, if [Fate] personally appeared to shelter him, it ant this trial was anything but easy.
Why else would He shatter reality's veil and descend before the trial even began?
Irreverence was irreverence, banter was banter — Cheng Shi needed to take [Fate]'s descent seriously as guidance. So right now, he was extrely cautious.
Even with the formation's collapse imminent, he didn't rush. He simply shook his head, signaling everyone to keep observing — see how the people below would react to Pe Laya's appearance.
He hadn't forgotten what Pe Laya's reflection had said: the grand scholars were likely using the Barren Walker's shell to construct a spaceti linkage with Pe Laya, then retrograding to the past to prevent her betrayal.
So their target had to be the past Pe Laya — not the current one breaking the formation.
After all, preventing her past self could at least slow Tusnat's fall, buying the grand scholars more ti to salvage everything.
But Pe Laya's current appearance might trigger another possibility — sothing her reflection had also ntioned. If the grand scholars could capture the real Pe Laya, they might directly use her to construct a spaceti linkage with Galusha — retrograding further into the past to stop Galusha!
If so, this experint the players needed to push forward might beco a defensive siege. Just keep Galusha from disrupting the grand scholars' work, and the trial would likely be cleared.
But could it really be that simple?
Cheng Shi pondered. Don't forget — he controlled the Afterglow Church. That ant Galusha had lost her largest surface army. What leverage did she have to break through a cordon of peak players and interfere with the experint?
Wouldn't this special trial just beco a giveaway?
Sothing felt off. Could the experint hold surprises?
While he was thinking — BOOM. The formation shattered.
Instantly, cascading light surged from the underground space, coiling around Pe Laya like chains before she could dodge — and dragging her in.
At the sa mont, Chen Yi moved. He vanished into the shadows, streaking toward the [Deceit] follower who "dared obstruct his love."
Cheng Shi knew he couldn't wait any longer. He had to seize the mont — determine the grand scholars' actual situation and whether the trial's difficulty lay in experintal steps or fighting Galusha.
So he barked decisively:
"Brother ng, hold off Chen Yi! Life Sage, stay up top — alert us if Galusha appears! Fang Yuan, with
underground. If the experint's real, we need to ensure the grand scholars succeed in one shot!"
He whispered "watch out for Wei Zhi" in Hu Xuan's ear, then snapped his fingers to teleport himself to the formation's entrance and dropped in.
Fang Yuan was just as fast. He blasted open the void with a wave and stepped through into the underground space.
The chubby fellow was remarkably skilled at void-walking. Perhaps for him, traveling through the void was just another way of exploiting reality's loopholes.
But when he materialized in the vast underground chamber, the Cheng Shi who'd jumped in first was nowhere to be seen.
Fang Yuan frowned. Cautiously raising his staff, he began channeling elental forces to construct a barrier while softly calling Cheng Shi's na, inching forward.
It wasn't until he turned past a corridor wide enough to qualify as a room that Cheng Shi's voice sounded — from behind him.
"So the grand scholars really didn't leave any traps down here."
"?"
Fang Yuan's face darkened. He instantly understood: Cheng Shi's "jump" had been feigned — staged for his benefit. The crafty [Deceit] follower had pulled back, letting Fang Yuan scout ahead.
He wanted to blast his staff backward. But then Cheng Shi laughed:
"Don't misunderstand, Judge. I was simply worried about ambushes behind you. So I bravely chose to guard the rear.
See? Entrusting
with your back is perfectly safe, right?"
"Like hell. The biggest threat behind
is you, Fate Weaver. Your turn to lead!"
Cheng Shi stopped mid-step, expression instantly grave:
"Bad news — danger behind us. You go first. I'll hold the rear!"
"..."
'Do I look convinced?'
Fang Yuan didn't budge. Half-smiling, he studied this Fate Weaver who absolutely refused to go first:
"The elental traces from my barrier will alert
to any surrounding changes. Cheng Shi — stop trying. I'm not falling for it.
Today, either you lead or we both sit here until the trial tir runs out. Your call.
I'm genuinely confused — we're here to help the grand scholars. Why does it feel like so covert sabotage operation?"
Left with no choice, Cheng Shi moved to the front. He scanned their surroundings cautiously while muttering:
"Can't be too careful, Judge.
It'd be great if trials were this smooth. But I fear this experint's threats are both internal and external. Galusha wants to interfere from outside, sure — but are the grand scholars' own ranks really secure?
If they were, the Tower of Logic would have won in the history books."
Fang Yuan never denied Cheng Shi's logic. He just refused to be used as a mine canary again and again. Once Cheng Shi was up front, his resistance beca agreent.
"..."
Cheng Shi sighed and kept leading.
They hadn't gone far when a white-bearded grand scholar appeared before them, leaning on a staff used like a cane. Cheng Shi's step faltered. Eyes narrowing, he recognized the man — Asgis, the grand scholar Wei Zhi had ntioned at the very start.
They really hadn't died. They really were hiding here!
But the grand scholar's state was bizarre. His expression was stiff, yet his eyes churned with turbulent fury. Body slightly rigid, he took two labored steps forward, raised his staff, and warned coldly:
"Get out. Or die."
Fang Yuan also noticed the abnormality. Frowning: "Sothing's wrong with the grand scholar. It's like he's..."
"Being controlled!"
Cheng Shi's heart sank. The man's suppressed rage reminded him of Galusha outside — about thirty percent similar. Was this another of Galusha's contingencies?
But he had to explain their purpose first. If words could resolve the misunderstanding, negotiations would flow smoother.
So Cheng Shi raised both hands — showing himself harmless — and smiled:
"Grand Scholar, we're here to help—"
"DIE!"
Asgis gave no chance. Mid-sentence, his staff swung toward Cheng Shi.
The void on both sides of the underground chamber tore open — then collapsed inward, crushing toward the pair like collapsing walls.
"Void Mass-Energy Departnt!"
Cheng Shi's face changed. His raised hands scattered dice across the ground. Then a snap — and he reappeared behind Fang Yuan.
"I'll watch the rear. You handle him!"
"???"
'Even now you want to watch the rear!?'
'Is there anyone back there!?'
Before Fang Yuan could formulate an insult, energy rippled through the previously empty corridor behind them. Teleportation array lines blazed to life along the walls. Two figures — one male, one female — stepped out from either side simultaneously.
Cheng Shi stopped smiling.
"Burza and Nelliel!
Fine — Fate Weaver, you watch my back. I'll focus on Asgis!"
Every fire elent in the surrounding space surged toward Fang Yuan.
...
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