Chapter 138: The Countdown to Escape!

Chapter 138: The Countdown to Escape!

This was an unknown space.

Three hundred students from Zhenwu University suddenly found themselves here.

They noticed that the place was filled with mist, and aside from the flat ground beneath their feet, everything else was blank as far as the eye could see.

The freshmen were curious and looked around.

TheThe

The teachers, leaders, and social figures, on the other hand, seemed unfazed, maintaining their composure.

"Everyone, stay put and wait patiently!" Ms. Shen instructed.

Hearing this, the students calmed down and waited.

After a moment, the mist dispersed, and everyone realized that there were many others around them.

In fact, there were countless people.

One after another, school groups appeared.

However, most of the groups were not at full capacity, unlike Zhenwu University's side, where there were even more participants than available spots.

Coincidentally, Jing University was right next door!

The elderly man leading them was likely Jing University's principal, and he noticed Zhenwu University beside them, smiling and nodding in their direction.

However, some of the teachers and students from Zhenwu University stared at them with a competitive gaze.

The next moment, a prompt appeared in the left eyes of all the freshmen:

[Please select ten team members within 60 seconds and have them step forward into the red area.]



The team members had already been decided.

Seeing the prompt, Song Haitang, Zhao Zheng, and others stepped forward, moving to the front and standing in the red area as instructed.

Zhao Zheng noticed that among the Jing University team members, a pair of eyes were fixed on their side.

He turned to look and saw a crew-cut youth.

To be precise, the youth was staring at Song Haitang, and his eyes were filled with a competitive spirit.

Not only did Zhao Zheng notice him, but other team members also took note of the youth.

"He's Jing University's Ma Jun, a Magma Fruit ability user, and he's very powerful. Jing University is cultivating him as a strong seed," someone whispered.

Jiang Hebin added softly, "I also heard that he considers Sister Haitang his rival and wants to surpass her."

Everyone understood.

Zhao Zheng finally remembered that this Ma Jun was the student Jing University had specially recruited.

Interestingly, they were both from Luan City.

The 60-second time limit quickly passed.

A holographic screen suddenly appeared in front of all the team members.

The teachers had mentioned this in school, so everyone was prepared and curiously observed the holographic screen.

Soon, the screen recorded the team members' information and displayed a new prompt:

[Please decide on your team captain!]



The teachers had explained that in the fifth-level Spirit Realm, the captain would receive the most rewards, so it should be someone capable.

In everyone's minds, the captain should be Song Haitang.

However, they had already discussed this beforehand, so there was no argument.

Everyone clicked on Zhao Zheng's avatar to confirm him as the captain.

Later, the leaders and social figures noticed that Zhenwu University's team had not chosen Song Haitang as their captain, which surprised them.

Especially Song, who was astonished.

He hadn't expected that Zhao's kid would become the captain. Could this boy have some exceptional qualities?

[Captain identity confirmed: Zhao Zheng!]



[This Spirit Realm is a Challenge Realm with three modes: Survival Mode, Hunt Mode, and Escape Mode...]



[Please select your challenge mode...]



The draw was all about luck.

As the captain, Zhao Zheng took the lead and began the draw.

The process was simple. There were a hundred red balloons on the screen, and clicking one would cause it to burst, revealing its contents.

Zhao Zheng randomly clicked one in the middle.

The balloon burst, revealing four characters: Hunt Mode!

Everyone was delighted.

Hunt Mode was the simplest of the three modes.

As long as they were strong enough, they could kill freely!

With Song Haitang, the "Freshman Number One," on their team, their strength was more than sufficient.

Next, as long as "Hunt Mode" was drawn more than four times, the Spirit Realm would initiate the hunting platform for everyone.

Song Haitang was the second to step forward and draw.

She didn't click in the middle but at the edge, and "Survival Mode" appeared.

Survival Mode was also acceptable, as it allowed them to showcase their strength.

As long as it wasn't Escape Mode, that was fine.

Escape Mode was the most frustrating and dangerous.

In Escape Mode, everyone's strength would be sealed, turning them into ordinary people!

This would nullify Song Haitang's advantage as the "Freshman Number One."

Additionally, Escape Mode featured various terrifying traps.

After Song Haitang finished drawing, the muscular girl stepped forward and popped one of the red balloons.

"Pop!"

The balloon burst, revealing four large characters: Escape Mode!

Their worst fears had come true.

Upon seeing these words, the muscular queen Wang Yuqing's face turned pale.

"It's just a piece of paper, nothing to worry about," a classmate beside her reassured.

However, at this moment, no one dared to draw another lot.

Zhao Zheng spoke up, "You only have 60 seconds to draw, how long are you going to dally?"

"I'll do it!"

The speaker was Jiang Hebin.

This guy had good luck; he drew the same lot as Zhao Zheng, which was the Hunt Mode.

But the next few people weren't as fortunate.

Despite the rarity of the Escape Mode, it kept appearing...

Once all ten people had drawn their lots, everyone's expressions turned grim.

Out of the ten lots, five of them were for "Escape Mode"!

This result was the worst-case scenario.

Behind them, the senior experts who had come to observe also changed their expressions upon seeing this outcome.

Surprise, disappointment, solemnity, and worry filled the air.

"How could it be Escape Mode?"

"This is just bad luck, right?"

"Yeah! Escape Mode has the lowest chance of appearing, I can't believe they drew it."

"This is troublesome. Escape Mode restricts strength, and Song Haitang, our president's daughter, will have no advantage at all."

"It's not just that. Among the three modes, Escape Mode is the most dangerous. Every time it appears, someone dies!"

"So, you're saying the spots we worked so hard to get are now useless?"

"Are you still worried about that now? As long as Song Haitang doesn't get into trouble, it won't be a serious issue. She's under the direct care of the higher-ups, and she's crucial to an important plan..."

The crowd murmured among themselves.

The teachers and school leaders all frowned.

Especially Ms. Shen and Principal Chu, their faces were particularly grim.

The atmosphere at Zhenwu University was tense.

In contrast, the neighboring Jing University was filled with joy. They had drawn four lots for Hunt Mode, four for Survival Mode, and only two for Escape Mode, meaning they could choose freely between Hunt and Survival Modes.

"We've won for sure!"

This was the prevailing sentiment at Jing University.

...

"What should we do now?" Wang Yuqing asked, her voice filled with despair.

"It's all my fault. I have such bad luck, I actually drew the Escape Mode," Zhou Junjie said, full of self-blame.

"Me too."

"And me..."

"Zhao, Song Haitang, we're letting you down this time."

Song Haitang remained silent, her gaze fixed on Zhao Zheng.

Zhao Zheng, however, maintained a confident smile, "It's okay. Escape Mode also has its advantages. Although it's a bit dangerous, we can compete as a team of ten, and the speed of obtaining points will be faster."

As his words trailed off, a voice suddenly came from behind. "Zhao Zheng, you're the captain. After passing the first stage, you must voluntarily give up the competition, understand?"

The speaker was the principal of Zhenwu University.

The principal's suggestion was clearly made with Song Haitang's best interests in mind.

The principal was well aware of Song Haitang's importance! As long as Song Haitang survived, even if they failed the Challenge Realm, it wouldn't be considered a serious incident.

"Yes! Zhao Zheng, listen up. After passing the first stage, you must withdraw immediately!"

Song Haitang's father, President Song, also spoke up.

President Song made this suggestion for his daughter's sake.

In the Challenge Realm, regardless of the mode, one could choose to withdraw and abandon the competition after passing the first stage.

As for how to pass the first stage in Escape Mode, it was simple.

If they couldn't find a way to escape, sacrificing three teammates would be considered passing...

"I understand."

Zhao Zheng didn't say much, but his simple response didn't seem to weigh heavily on his mind.

He still had great confidence in the Escape Mode.

Not because he trusted his own intellect, but because, from Principal Chu's previous explanation, he realized he was very familiar with the mechanisms in the Escape Mode...

In fact, before coming to the Challenge Realm, Zhao Zheng had hoped to draw the Escape Mode.

Only then could he better conceal his true strength.

...

[Based on the draw results, your Challenge Mode is 'Escape Mode'. Please prepare accordingly...]



After the prompt appeared, the holographic screen vanished.

The next moment, a large gate appeared before them.

Behind the gate was a giant building, similar to a movie theater, with many seats inside. At the front was an enormous screen.

This is the observation area for the Escape Mode.

Next, everyone will be able to witness the performance of Zhao Zheng, Song Haitang, and the others in the Escape Mode through the large screen in the hall.

Each mode has a different observation area. For instance, the Hunt Mode's observation area is an arena.

Time is limited.

The crowd enters the hall, and the observers find their seats.

Zhao Zheng and the others follow the instructions and wait at the entrance of the adjacent Escape Room, awaiting its activation.

Indeed, the Escape Mode is essentially an escape room challenge!

Inside the room, various traps are set, and if one fails to escape within the allotted time, they will be killed by the mechanisms.

According to historical records, many teams that chose the Escape Mode were annihilated at the very first stage.

At this thought, Jiang Hebin, Wang Yuqing, and the others turn pale.

Suddenly, Zhou Junjie speaks up, "If we can't get past the first stage... I'll be the sacrificial candidate! I just drew the Escape Mode, so I'll make up for my bad luck."

"We can't afford to drag down Sister Haitang here."

Upon hearing this, everyone turns to look at Zhou Junjie in surprise.

Who would have thought that this guy would have such a realization? Jiang Hebin couldn't help but ask, "Junjie, are you not afraid of death?"

"Of course, I'm scared! Who isn't afraid of death?" Zhou Junjie replied, "I just don't want to burden others."

"Count me in too!"

Surprisingly, Wang Fei speaks up, "I also drew the Escape Mode. I don't want to drag down Sister Haitang or Zhao Ge."

This guy is a Rubber Fruit Ability User, and his thoughts might be influenced by the Rubber Fruit, making him a very simple-minded person.

With these words, he essentially puts the others who drew the Escape Mode on the hot seat.

Not everyone is fearless.

Who would willingly sacrifice their life?

Moreover, they are all Zhenwu University's elite students with promising futures ahead of them. If they can get past this hurdle, who would willingly choose death?

Just as everyone is at a loss, Zhao Zheng smiles and pats Wang Fei and Zhou Junjie on their shoulders, saying, "Don't be so pessimistic! I'm here!"

Hearing this, Jiang Hebin quickly adds, "Yes, yes, Sister Haitang mentioned that Zhao Ge has keen observational skills in the Spirit Realm and can discern the situation in advance..."

"With Zhao Ge here, we'll definitely get through this."

The others nod in agreement.

Now, their only hope is probably Zhao Zheng.

At this moment, the door to the Escape Room opens.

The crowd's faces turn pale, hesitant to step forward.

Zhao Zheng notices that even Song Haitang is tense.

He grabs Song Haitang's hand and gives her an encouraging look.

Feeling the warmth of Zhao Zheng's palm, Song Haitang feels reassured.

The next moment, Zhao Zheng takes the lead and steps into the Escape Room.

Seeing this, the others have no choice but to follow.

They must keep up.

At this point, there's no turning back in the Spirit Realm.

...

Almost instantly after Zhao Zheng and the others enter the Escape Room, the large screen in the hall lights up, displaying a video feed.

In the video, the first stage Zhao Zheng and his team encounter is a sauna room.

As they step into the sauna room, the traps activate, and the room fills with boiling steam, causing the temperature to rise rapidly.

Seeing this, the crowd in the hall becomes anxious for Zhao Zheng and the others.

Especially Song President and the others, they are extremely tense, fearing for Song Haitang's safety...

In the video, they can see Zhao Zheng's team, the room's trap layout, and hear their voices.

At this moment, the crowd in the hall hears panicked voices:

"I... I feel like my abilities have vanished, and even my strength has returned to a normal level."

"My claws are gone, and my hands are completely back to normal..."

"This feeling is terrible."

"Don't think about that now; let's find a way out quickly. If we stay any longer, we'll be cooked."

"What's the temperature in here?"

"There's a thermometer here, showing... 47 degrees Celsius! And it's still rising rapidly."

"There's a glass door over there, which should be the exit... But it seems to be locked from the outside, and we can't open it!"

"Quickly find the clue! Teacher said that in the Escape Mode, the trap rooms will always provide a hint..."

"It's so hot; I can barely breathe."

Watching their panicked reactions, the big shots in the hall frown in concern.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end