They weren’t entering the Spirit Ruin right away.
It was getting late.
The final assessment would officially begin tomorrow morning.
Before that, they needed to check into the hotel below Tianchi.
Students from Yuwen No.2 High School and Beijiang High School had arrived at noon.
The sight of Jiang Nan’s group from Jiang City No.1 High School sparked clear hostility.
The air was already crackling with competitive tension.
Wu Liang joined them, and their three-person team was officially formed.
That evening, during dinner, the teacher stood at the podium, explaining the rules and precautions.
Most students, having participated before, listened half-heartedly.
But Jiang Nan paid close attention.
“This joint training assessment involves three schools and will last fifteen days.”
“Your score will be based on the total number and quality of spirit beads your team collects.”
“Drones will follow you throughout. Any cheating will result in immediate disqualification.”
“Satellite positioning bracelets will be distributed shortly.”
“If a supervising teacher determines you’re incapacitated due to injury, staff will remove you from the Spirit Ruin.”
“In emergencies, life-threatening situations, or if you wish to withdraw, press the satellite bracelet.”
“This will mean forfeiting the competition, so consider carefully.”
…
The teacher continued explaining the rules.
Jiang Nan grinned, “The rules don’t seem to mention anything about not stealing from others, do they?”
Tang Qianya was speechless.
What kind of competitor was Jiang Nan?
They hadn’t even started, and he was already thinking about robbing others?
She couldn’t help but worry about her Spirit Ruin trip.
Wu Liang, a veteran of several runs, explained, “Not only can you steal, you can also team up with other groups.”
“As long as you don’t go too far, no one will say anything.”
Jiang Nan’s eyes gleamed.
This rule was intriguing.
Compete, win, collect spirit beads by any means necessary.
With two other schools involved, Jiang Nan could imagine the chaos inside the Spirit Ruin.
But he liked it.
“Although Tianchi Spirit Ruin is rated as a Bronze-level ruin, there are Silver and Gold-level spirit beasts deeper inside.”
“Be extremely careful. For your own safety, do not venture into the depths.”
“That’s all. Free time now. Gather at six tomorrow morning.”
Hearing “free time,” the students sprang into action.
Some discussed strategies for the Spirit Ruin.
Others studied spirit beast habits.
Li Xiang, looking at the chaotic students, smirked.
He led Li Muyan, Liu Quanwu, and their team down to Tianchi’s base.
A sizable night market had formed there, bustling with social spirit warriors and those fresh from the Spirit Ruin.
Ling Feng was puzzled, asking, “Brother Xiang, what are we doing?”
Li Xiang replied, “Obviously, we’re getting a Tianchi Spirit Ruin map. Those guys have the goods.”
Liu Quanwu chuckled, “Brother Xiang’s the man. With a map, we’ll have a huge advantage.”
Li Muyan smiled, “Brother Xiang’s got vision.”
Li Xiang’s face showed a hint of pride, “Follow me. I know the deal.”
…
In the hotel lobby, Tang Qianya said excitedly, “Let’s plan our strategy too.”
Jiang Nan replied, “Plan what? Just follow your South Bro. You’ll have plenty to eat.”
“I’ll make you look cool and take you soaring.”
“Come on, let’s check out the night market. Wonder if they’ve got hand-pulled pancakes. I want one with salad dressing.”
Jiang Nan had his eyes on the Tianchi night market.
As a seasoned stall owner, where there was a night market, there was Jiang Nan.
Tang Qianya, “???”
Hand-pulled pancakes?
Hey, hey, hey.
We’re entering the Spirit Ruin tomorrow.
Could he show a bit of urgency?
Why did following Jiang Nan feel like going on a holiday?
She looked to Wu Liang for help.
Wu Liang said, “What? You don’t eat hand-pulled pancakes?”
Tang Qianya, “…”
I do.
At the Tianchi night market, Jiang Nan’s trio wandered casually.
This market was nothing like Ning Yuan had imagined.
“Bronze Peak Black Tiger Claw. Two hundred thousand each. Pay in full, and I’ll throw in a tiger tail. Soak it in liquor, it’ll make your nose bleed.”
“Complete Larch Forest map. Spirit beast activity zones, safe area markers. Three hundred thousand, no haggling.”
“Bronze-level Red-Faced Baboon spirit bead. Comes with Fearful Roar skill. Three million, no haggling.”
“Attribute spirit beads for sale. All five elemental types. Come quick…”
The Tianchi night market was full of this stuff.
Prices were astronomical.
Once you left Tianchi, these items were hard to sell, so the night market had formed.
Jiang Nan was fascinated but only looked, not bought.
Not because he wasn’t interested.
But because…
He was broke.
Still, it was lively.
So lively he wanted to set up a stall and sell strength potions.
On the other side, Li Xiang was haggling fiercely with a bald young man.
They were arguing over a crudely hand-drawn map.
“Three hundred thousand, final offer.”
The bald guy scoffed, “Dream on. Five hundred thousand. Not a cent less.”
Behind him stood two girls and a handsome bald guy.
Liu Quanwu and the others tried bargaining, but the bald guy wouldn’t budge.
Li Xiang said, “Meet me halfway. Let’s be friends. We might work together again.”
Bald guy, “You’re not sincere.”
Li Xiang hesitated. His family had money, but five hundred thousand for a map was steep.
Just then, the girl with a bun hairstyle lit up, saying, “Jingjing, look at that buzz-cut hottie.”
Xu Jingrou looked over, “Oh, oh, oh. Why’s he here? Zheng Wei, look.”
The bald guy, Zheng Wei, glanced and his eyes lit up.
“Holy crap.”
Li Xiang, wincing, said, “Fine, three hundred fifty thousand.”
But Zheng Wei ignored him, shouting, “Brother, over here.”
Li Xiang gritted his teeth, “Four hundred. No more.”
Zheng Wei snapped, “Stop nagging. I’m busy.”
Li Xiang, “???”
Jiang Nan turned, stunned.
That shiny bald head?
Zheng Wei?
What was this guy doing running a stall here?
Grinning, he said, “What’s up? Changed careers?”
Zheng Wei beamed, “Stall business? South God, you’re my senior. Haha.”
Xu Jingrou pouted, “I messaged you on WeChat, and you didn’t reply. You promised to teach me brick-throwing.”
Yuan Yuhan laughed, “Jingjing talks about you all the time.”
Li Xiang froze.
South God?
Why did that sound familiar?
He turned and saw Jiang Nan.
They knew each other?
Hadn’t Jiang Nan never been to a Spirit Ruin?
This stall team was clearly seasoned Tianchi veterans.
How could Jiang Nan know them?
Jiang Nan glanced at Li Xiang’s team and smiled, “Don’t let me interrupt. Finish your deal.”
Zheng Wei waved it off, “No biggie. They’re stingy and dragging it out.”
Li Xiang, furious, glared at Jiang Nan, “Five hundred, fine. I’ll take it.”
