Chapter 50: The Game Resumes

The solemn temple was once again packed with people. The statues surrounding them lowered their eyes, looking down upon the crowd as if they were mere ants.

Qin Changsheng stood among them, feeling the mounting waves of panic and fear swirling around. These people had been gathered here again in less than a day, most of their spirits stretched tight like bowstrings ready to snap at any moment.

He himself was hardly in a better state, but seeing Wu Yutong beside him, timid and anxious, and Cao Mengmeng’s tense and serious expression, Qin Changsheng decided to hold himself together for the time being, concealing the unease stirring within.

After all, he had now become a pillar of strength for these few.

“Where on earth did the Sovereign guy go?”

Seeking to divert attention, Qin Changsheng tried to start a conversation. His gaze swept left and right but found no sign of the Sovereign’s black, bottomless face. After the bell rang, the Sovereign, who had been with them moments before, suddenly disappeared. Qin Changsheng had thought he arrived early at the temple, but after a long wait, there was still no sign of him.

“The time hasn’t come; he won’t show up yet,” Lu Qingyu calmly said beside him, his emotions remarkably steady—befitting a player in their second round. “The Sovereign is like a pre-set program, very punctual, only appearing right before the game starts.”

“A pre-set program?” Qin Changsheng was suddenly enlightened by this. “Actually, I’ve been curious from the start—are all these things we’re experiencing even real?”

Reflecting carefully, everything here defied the common knowledge Qin Changsheng had; nothing humanly possible. Thus, the more reasonable thought was that all of this was happening inside a virtual world.

If that were true, when exactly did he enter this virtual world? And how could one escape from it?

Lu Qingyu shook his head. “I don’t know if it’s real or not. But one thing I can tell you responsibly—here, anything could be fake, except death. Death is the only truth.”

“You mean…”

Lu Qingyu didn’t answer directly, for the truth was already deeply etched in everyone’s heart: here, death meant the end.

“We must survive,” Cao Mengmeng said firmly. Yet, Qin Changsheng could sense she was forcing herself to stay calm. After all, she was just a girl; it was only natural to be afraid in such a situation.

“Don’t worry.” Qin Changsheng squeezed her hand gently and smiled. “We will survive. I promise.”

“Survival isn’t that simple unless you believe me,” Lu Qingyu said. “From now on, everything must follow my command. Is that clear?”

“Besides agreeing to you, what other options do we have?” Qin Changsheng curled his lips.

“There are options—you could run around like headless flies and die in the next game,” Lu Qingyu shrugged. “But if you’re smart enough, listening to me is your best choice.”

“Got it, got it. Enough with the posturing, just tell us what to do next,” Qin Changsheng conceded.

“Next, we wait. Wait until…”

Before Lu Qingyu could finish, a sudden blast erupted in the middle of the crowd, startling them.

“What’s going on?!” Qin Changsheng quickly looked toward the explosion’s center. Expecting another death, he was surprised to hear a familiar voice from within the crowd.

“Looks like everyone else has arrived. I’m quite pleased.”

A figure slowly rose from the thick smoke of the explosion, ascending until everyone could see him clearly. It was the Sovereign, who had been missing until now.

The Sovereign looked down upon the crowd and chuckled. “There are 81 left, all gathered here.”

“81?” Qin Changsheng frowned. If he remembered correctly, 97 had survived the first round, and counting the punk youth the Sovereign had killed, there should have been 96 remaining.

“No attacks on other players are allowed inside the safe house, and there is no way out,” Lu Qingyu suddenly said, causing Qin Changsheng’s heart to tighten. If those who disappeared hadn’t been killed by others or escaped on their own, the only remaining possibility was the truth.

“They… gave up?” Qin Changsheng uttered this chilling thought in disbelief.

“Not everyone has a strong spirit. Mental breakdowns are human nature,” Lu Qingyu sighed. “Compared to dying in some inexplicable game, perhaps taking your own life is a more dignified choice.”

“Ridiculous…”

Qin Changsheng glared at the Sovereign floating indifferently above, an unnamed fury rising inside him.

“Since everyone is here, let’s not waste time,” the Sovereign said, seemingly oblivious or deliberately ignoring Qin Changsheng’s angry gaze. “You all passed the first game. You were chosen, and I sincerely hope you survive the upcoming challenges.”

“The second game of the ‘Earth’ group will begin shortly. Please pair up in teams of two.”

“Teams of two?” Qin Changsheng frowned in confusion. The Sovereign’s words implied the next game was a team competition.

“Hey, hurry up! Stop dawdling!” Lu Qingyu suddenly spoke up. “The four of us must split into two teams. Based on your abilities, I’ve already planned the groups. From now on, follow my instructions.”

“Qin Changsheng and Cao Mengmeng, you’re one team.” Lu Qingyu brought Cao Mengmeng to Qin Changsheng’s side and pulled Wu Yutong to his own. “Wu Yutong and I will be the other. Don’t get it wrong.”

“Why split like this?” Qin Changsheng asked, puzzled.

“I can’t explain much now. Remember, once the game starts, we must find the other team immediately. Understood?”

Seeing Lu Qingyu’s serious expression, Qin Changsheng could only nod. “Understood.”

“Good.” Lu Qingyu looked up at the Sovereign. Before the Sovereign stood a flame, shaped into a countdown. Ten seconds remained before the game began.

“Remember one thing,” Lu Qingyu said. “Take a deep breath now, hold it in your mouth. Quickly!”

Why?

Qin Changsheng didn’t have time to think further. The countdown reached zero. A burst of white light flashed before his eyes—the game had begun!

Before he could grasp what was happening, Qin Changsheng suddenly felt the world shake violently. Then, an icy, bone-chilling sensation enveloped him from all directions. Something surged into his mouth and nose, choking him until he nearly lost consciousness.

Thankfully, he didn’t black out. Qin Changsheng immediately realized—at this very moment, he was underwater!