Chapter 74: The Scheming Team-Up Phase (33)

He Yu draped in the snow-white fluffy coat and slowly walked forward.

Holding the Frost Flower in his hand, he moved slowly into the snowstorm.

Cold moonlight spilled across the endless white summit, illuminating the falling snow.

Crunch—

His shoes stepped on freshly fallen snow, producing crisp sounds.

Dressed in white, He Yu almost blended into the snow and ice.

Zhen Xing followed behind him, looking at his back.

He Yu said he wasn't sad.

He had been so resolute when killing the Frost Beast.

Yet for some reason, Zhen Xing felt a strange bitterness.

He couldn't describe it.

This was <Top Talent Show>.

This was the competition.

Every step was walked upon blood.

【Ding! Congratulations Blue Star contestant No.2333 He Yu for successfully clearing the instance <Who Is the Undercover> and advancing to the Top 10,000!】

【Congratulations He Yu for clearing <Who Is the Undercover>. Reward obtained: Eight-Star Life Potion.】

【Congratulations He Yu for obtaining the title "Perfect Clearer." Special reward obtained: <Theory of Potion Manufacturing>.】

【Transmission imminent. Contestants may not kill one another before the next instance begins.】

These were the notifications He Yu heard.

Clear rewards.

At the same time, Zhen Xing received—

【Congratulations Inheritance Planet contestant No.151 Zhen Xing for successfully clearing <Who Is the Undercover> and advancing to the Top 10,000!】

Although he received no rewards, without the boss in Stage Six, any contestants who appeared afterward could clear directly, just like Stage Five.

Only single-digit promotion slots remained.

The bullet comments exploded.

“AAAAAH! He Yu killing the big cat was completely unexpected!”

“Damn! He knew how to clear the stage from the beginning, but because of the Frost Beast, he kept delaying until the end and got a perfect clear!”

“The title Perfect Clearer should only exist once in this instance, right? And it belongs to garbage planet He Yu... yet somehow I feel he deserves it.”

“He really does. Every stage before this depended on him. Especially this one! I have nothing left to say. I'm starting to like him.”

“The equipment reward this time is amazing too! An Eight-Star Life Potion!”

“We have to admit it. He Yu is a strong man!”

“Yes, I was wrong. Even though his combat power is low, even though it's only eight points, his intelligence makes him worthy of the title ‘strong’!”

“AAAAAH HE GOD, I LOVE YOU!!”

“Damn, I'm crying. Am I the only one still shipping He God and the big cat? He's too ruthless! He actually killed it!”

“It couldn't be helped. That's how the stage was meant to be cleared, and the Frost Beast was only an NPC. Data. It would've disappeared after they left anyway.”

“Speaking of which, why was the Frost Beast in this arena different? What's the organizer's explanation?”

“The explanation is out! They said it's probably a system bug. The <Top Talent Show> system is self-contained and occasionally creates bugs even the organizers can't control. Since the big cat has already died, the bug has been eliminated.”

“Tch, they just don't want to investigate because He Yu already killed it.”

“Investigating inside the system is difficult. The big cat completed its mission and died, so naturally they won't waste resources on it.”

“I'm liking He Yu more and more! Peak intelligence! Courage and brains! Endless reversals! From today onward, I'm staying in his livestream!”

...

He Yu could see the comments again.

Compared to the audition and <Dawn Training School>, his comment section had become much cleaner.

“Garbage planet contestant.”

“Trash.”

“Go die.”

These words were decreasing.

“Like.”

“Peak intelligence.”

“He God.”

These words were increasing.

That was his goal.

The reason he entered Stage Six alone.

The reason he had to advance and obtain the title "Perfect Clearer."

He gained honor.

He changed many Federation viewers' opinions.

He had also obtained an Eight-Star Life Potion.

Life Potions were different from Recovery Potions.

Their effects were on an entirely higher level.

They could alter the user's body.

Increase lifespan.

Improve physical ability.

Possibly increase combat power.

Even within the Federation, an Eight-Star Life Potion was something countless people would fight over.

Honor.

An Eight-Star Life Potion.

Enough to satisfy any contestant.

But He Yu's expression never changed.

His lowered eyes and rimless glasses concealed every emotion.

The existence of the big cat bug...

Sure enough, once it died, the °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° Federation stopped investigating.

He Yu never believed bugs were coincidences.

The big cat was a bug.

He himself, a person from another world—

Was also a bug.

One coincidence.

Two coincidences.

Was there some connection?

And what exactly had the big cat been?

Clearly, <Top Talent Show> still contained clues he had yet to uncover.

The snow-and-ice power it displayed during the final battle wasn't fake.

Combat power wasn't merely data.

It was energy.

Perhaps someone had already touched that door.

—As for whether they had opened it, and what lay beyond, He Yu didn't know.

Walking through the snowstorm, he proceeded step by step until the system brought him to the Transfer Station.

Before disappearing, he turned around.

The endless world of snow and ice.

Silent.

Empty.

Nothing but snow and wind.

Squinting slightly, he seemed to vaguely see that fluffy giant figure.

Jumping excitedly toward him.

Its tail wagging high.

Its claws retracted, revealing pink paw pads.

Then He Yu and Zhen Xing vanished.

Only cold moonlight remained upon the snow.

—

Ten minutes later.

Eugene climbed up from below, half his mechanical head smashed and barely hanging together.

Clinging to the edge of the summit, his mechanical face was full of confusion.

“What happened...?”

What the hell?

He'd just climbed a mountain.

How had the world changed?

The terrifying Frost Beast had died.

He Yu had cleared.

Zhen Xing had advanced.

He refused to accept it!!

Beside him, Gedai's crooked mechanical face emerged.

“That's it?”

Yuan Ze's bloody hand appeared.

After gasping heavily, he finally poked his head up.

“What the hell?! He Yu cleared? What did he even do? Is he really that strong?!”

Cheng Zhao's voice came before his body.

“He Yu! Zhen Xing! Wait for me!!”

—

Transfer Station.

The moment He Yu arrived, he was surrounded.

Wanrenzhan.

Zhante.

Siya.

Qiao Yuan.

Qiong.

Duan Yuchen...

Everyone stared at him with hostile eyes.

He Yu expressionlessly returned their gaze.

Siya asked sinisterly,

“How do you feel seeing us?”

“No particular feelings.”

Siya:

“...”

Qiao Yuan pointed at him.

“He Yu! We've established the Avengers Alliance. Next round, we'll kill you first!”

“Oh.”

Zhante widened his eyes.

“So many of us are after you, and we're stronger than you. Aren't you scared?!”

He Yu adjusted his glasses.

“Last round, you were stronger too.”

Zhante:

“...”

Instant liver pain.

Wanrenzhan rushed over and grabbed He Yu's clothes.

“Damn it! You tricked me so badly!”

He Yu calmly separated his fingers.

“I had no choice. I needed to survive.”

“If it were you, you wouldn't sacrifice yourself to fulfill someone else, right?”

Perfectly reasonable.

But because he had been the victim, Wanrenzhan still glared angrily.

He Yu tilted his head.

“I knew you had enough votes.”

“I didn't eliminate you.”

“I gave you the chance to leave.”

“Wasn't that benevolent enough?”

“Didn't I treat you well?”

Wanrenzhan froze.

His grip loosened.

Retreating several steps unconsciously.

Treat him well?

Thinking about it...

He had been tricked.

But he survived.

Duan Yuchen gritted his teeth.

“Wanrenzhan! Stop listening to his sweet talk!”

“He ruined us last round!”

“Next round, we'll get revenge!”

“Don't forget the Avengers Alliance!”

Watching Wanrenzhan's gaze soften...

Duan Yuchen couldn't stand it.

This idiot had been pacified in two sentences!

At that moment Eugene rushed over.

“Count me in! Add me to the Avengers Alliance!”

Gedai:

“Me.”

Cheng Zhao and Yuan Ze:

“And us!”

Zhen Xing followed behind helplessly.

The Avengers Alliance grew once again.

Zhante grinned.

“He Yu, what are you going to do next round?”

“We've all joined the Avengers Alliance.”

“The revenge...”

“Is against you.”

He Yu really was a talent.

By himself, he had offended countless experts.

Everyone hated him.

And before entering the next instance, they had already decided to kill him.

A true talent.

He Yu glanced at everyone.

Tightening the white fur coat around himself, he remained utterly calm.

“So that's your plan?”

“You'll kill me the moment we enter the next instance?”

Their expressions answered—

Exactly.

Afraid now?

He Yu smiled.

“So.”

“You're afraid of me?”

Otherwise, why kill him immediately?

Wanrenzhan jumped up.

“Who's afraid?! Last time I trusted you by mistake!”

“Next round, I'll definitely teach you a lesson!”

“Tsk tsk.”

Hands in his pockets, He Yu shook his head.

“You Federation experts really think highly of me.”

“To establish an Avengers Alliance just to seek revenge...”

He actually looked proud.

Everyone:

“......”

For some reason—

It felt like they'd lost again.

Zhen Xing stroked his chin.

“I'm curious. How did you clear Stage Five? And how did you force the boss in Stage Three into berserk mode?”

Eugene nodded.

“Exactly. Are you guys that strong?”

Then—

Ling Buchen appeared beside them.

“Because of He Yu.”

“He's the strongest support.”

Eugene almost jumped.

“Holy shit! Why are you here?!”

Ling Buchen scratched his nose.

“I've always been here.”

Eugene:

“......”

Terrifying lack of presence.

After hearing Ling Buchen's explanation, everyone froze.

Eugene stared blankly.

“You actually... have this kind of ability?!”

He Yu blinked.

“Yeah.”

“Need a support?”

“I can support you.”

Eugene:

“......”

Slightly tempted.

Gedai's voice sharpened.

“Eugene!”

“He can support you.”

“He can support others too.”

“With his ability and brain...”

“Are you sure you can control him?”

Eugene:

“!!”

Control He Yu?

Impossible!

They had already been played like fools twice.

Yuan Ze and Cheng Zhao exchanged looks.

No wonder the Avengers Alliance had to be established.

With his mysterious strength and terrifying support ability—

Only a group effort could deal with him.

Thus, another misunderstanding formed.

Except for Wanrenzhan's group, nobody knew He Yu's true combat power.

Everyone assumed—

He was a hidden expert.

He Yu spread his hands.

“Fine.”

“Whether you want to kill me or cooperate with me, we'll talk next round.”

“But let me emphasize.”

“Cooperation is always welcome.”

Everyone:

“......”

Half tempted.

Half rational.

—He Yu absolutely couldn't be allowed to live.

Eventually everyone would become enemies.

Only one person could survive.

And the audience increasingly loved him.

No more letting him grow.

Next round—

Kill He Yu immediately.

He Yu ignored their exchanged glances.

Instead, his eyes rested on Wanrenzhan.

Somewhat absentmindedly.

Wanrenzhan snorted.

“Why are you looking at me?”

“What do you want?”

“If possible...”

He Yu murmured.

“I'd like to enter the same arena as you next round.”

Wanrenzhan:

“!!!”

His ears turned red.

“You want my protection?! Dream on!”

“Next round I'll kill you personally!”

He Yu:

“?”

Silently, he shifted his gaze away.

—Because only Wanrenzhan had experienced a broken <Top Talent Show> before.

And clearly—

He knew something.

Wanrenzhan widened his eyes.

That's it?

No more persuading?

Maybe if He Yu had spoken a little more—

He would've agreed.

But He Yu had already lost interest.

Leaving Wanrenzhan puffed up like an angry pufferfish.

【Contestants, prepare yourselves. Elimination Round Three is about to begin!】

...

【Welcome to Elimination Round Three of <Top Talent Show>: 10,000 into 5,000!】

【Theme: <Death Countdown>.】

【Each contestant will draw a Death Countdown. When the countdown reaches zero, the contestant is eliminated.】

【Countdowns are visible above contestants' heads. Others can see yours, and you can see theirs.】

【Ghost Town contains no mirrors.】

【Each arena contains five contestants.】

【Clear condition: uncover Ghost Town's greatest secret and leave before your countdown expires.】

...

He Yu raised an eyebrow.

Interesting.

Then—

【Arena No.1 contestants: He Yu, Zhen Xing, Eugene, Wanrenzhan, Keli Hai. All members present.】

Bullet comments:

“......”

He Yu:

“...Tsk.”

Three Avengers Alliance members.

Plus Keli Hai.

This lineup clearly wasn't giving him a path to survival.

Yet he remained perfectly calm.

Smiling slightly—

He took out his transformation equipment.

The bullet comments exploded.

“Mirror?”

“He wants a mirror, right?”

“Holy shit!!!”

“He Yu!! You're ruthless!”

“I smell it!”

“The familiar scent of schemes!”

“Pray Zhen Xing and the others don't step into the trap...”

“It's already this dangerous and he's still setting people up!”

“He Yu, you're no longer full of tricks.”

“You've become the embodiment of tricks themselves!”