The silver-haired youth who pointed at himself was exceptionally handsome. The corners of his mouth revealed a confident smile, which was both bedazzling, and at the same time, gave a sense of reliability.
Not only did Ye Jiaquan's eyes light up, even Shi Xiaobai began to faintly feel a sense of anticipation. The way to resolve the situation? What was it?
Lingcun said, "On the surface, Shi Xiaobai seems to have only two choices. First, it is to voluntarily concede the position of captain, and try to be on friendly terms with Song Xiao, so that he wouldn't be eliminated. However, this approach is too humiliating for Shi Xiaobai. Even the two of us might not be able to accept it."
When Ye Jiaquan heard this, he shook his head and said loudly, "Me doesn't accept it!"
Lingcun chuckled and carried on, "The second choice is to continue playing truant, and only appearing after his strength rises to the third level of the Psionic Mortal Realm. As long as he can beat Song Xiao, Shi Xiaobai's position as captain will not be taken away from him."
"But even a S+ Class genius would take at least three months to reach the third level of the Psionic Mortal Realm from a mortal state. Although the rookie training can be said to be optional for a genius like Shi Xiaobai, it is extremely important for members of Team Red. In three months, probably most of Team Red's members would be eliminated, with nearly none left. So this approach might work, but as a member of Team Red, I really do not wish for Shi Xiaobai to make this decision."
Ye Jiaquan scratched his head and agreed, "Me does not wish Captain Shi Xiaobai to carry on playing truant. But Me..really can't think of any other way out. Lingcun, you are so smart, you must have an idea, right?"
Upon hearing this, Shi Xiaobai could not help but look at the silver-haired youth. The two choices Lingcun mentioned were naturally something he vehemently opposed. However, he could not think of a better solution in such a short period of time. From the look Lingcun gave, it was like he had already thought of a feasible approach. Shi Xiaobai pricked his ears up as he looked forward to it.
Lingcun did not plan on keeping them guessing, as he directly and simply said, "There naturally is a solution, and it is very simple. I think Shi Xiaobai should join the rookie training, but he has to conceal his identity!"
Once these words were said, Shi Xiaobai and Ye Jiaquan were momentarily stunned. They never expected that the approach Lingcun placed so much confidence in, was actually so simple. In fact, it sounded like there was nothing special about it. However, on further thought, concealing his identity could avoid the previous two scenarios, but was concealing his identity going to be easy?
Ye Jiaquan doubtfully asked, "Me might be dumb, but Me knows that for rookies to enter the team, they have to go through a review. How will Captain Shi Xiaobai be able to deceive Instructor Hisith?"
Lingcun smiled lightly and retorted with a question, "Why is there a need to deceive Instructor Hisith?"
"Ah?" Ye Jiaquan was stunned.
Lingcun did not expect this simpleton, Silly Ye, to be able to figure out the mystery behind his words. He immediately and directly revealed the answer.
"I said before that any game's creator will intentionally or unintentionally leave hope for the game to be won. A game that is impossible to complete is destined to be boring. As an avid game fanatic, Instructor Hisith, by already deliberately designing a silly game that targets Shi Xiaobai, then he must naturally have left some loophole he didn't think of that allows the game to be completed, and that will also please him."
Lingcun dug his hands back into his pockets and then rocked his body. He said while looking up, "And the loophole Instructor Hisith unintentionally left behind is what I just said—concealment of identity. Shi Xiaobai can think of a way to conceal his identity, and continuously grow stronger while joining the rookie training. When the time is ripe, he can reveal his identity, and then defeat Song Xiao. This way, not only would he defend his position as captain, he can also join the training. This is undoubtedly a good method that serves both purposes."
"And Instructor Hisith is the factor we do not need to worry about at all. Instructor Hisith will actually be very happy to see Shi Xiaobai conceal his identity. An ingenious method of cracking the game is what a game creator looks forward to the most. Although Instructor Hisith might very likely increase the difficulty of the game because of this, there is one thing for sure, Instructor Hisith will not only not expose Shi Xiaobai's identity, he will instead help Shi Xiaobai conceal his identity. That's because he wishes that the game will have unexpected developments while under his control."
"The most important thing is that the information of Shi Xiaobai's identity is very scarce. It was said that at the Rookie Evaluation Test, Shi Xiaobai's appearance and departure were all very sudden. As such, no one in the testing room had managed to snap a photo of him. The upper echelons of [Gaia] would not easily reveal information about Shi Xiaobai. As for those rookies that took the test with Shi Xiaobai, for some unknown reason, their faces will show a look of displeasure at the mention of Shi Xiaobai, unwilling to say anything else. So although most rookies already know of the uproar Shi Xiaobai's testing results has caused, none of them knows what Shi Xiaobai looks like."
"Hence, concealing his identity is definitely something absolutely feasible."
Lingcun was extremely eloquent and explained it to the point. Ye Jiaquan kept nodding as he listened. When the explanation came to an end, he applauded and cheered, giving a silly smile.
Shi Xiaobai also understood Lingcun's idea, and immediately felt that Lingcun's argument made sense. If Instructor Hisith truly behaved like Lingcun's analysis, and was a game maniac who was extremely wicked, then the strategy of "identity concealment" was indeed within the defined rules. It was more likely for Instructor Hisith's to connive with him than expose him. If the upper echelons of [Gaia] had deliberately concealed his identity, and along with the fact that Yang Yang and company kept their mouths shut, then none of the other rookies knew what he looked like.
Furthermore, if the current situation was understood as a game, then the only challenge Shi Xiaobai was facing was to level up and encounter enemies. If he wanted to level up, he had to first engage in a battle with enemies several times stronger than him. If he wanted to avoid the battle, then he needed to give up on the orthodox path of leveling up.
And concealing his identity had basically resolved the two aforementioned conundrums. It was equivalent to mixing with the enemy undetected, and secretly leveling up. When he reached a sufficient high level, he could defeat the enemy's BOSS so as to complete his counterattack. Thinking it through carefully, it was indeed a very ingenious method of clearing the game.
"Although This King prefers to face things head on, This King was after all, once called the King of Strategy back in the days of raiding the world of games. This strategy of 'identity concealment' seems pretty interesting!"
Shi Xiaobai was already beginning to seriously consider Lingcun's suggestion.
Ye Jiaquan, who was simpering by the side, suddenly thought of something as he said with a wry face, "But how can Me let Captain Shi Xiaobai know of this good idea?"
Shi Xiaobai was surprised hearing this, as he couldn't help but be amused.
"This King is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient!"
Shi Xiaobai felt that he had been silent for too long. He was considering whether he should show them mercy by revealing his identity. After all, the two people in front of him were his pious devotees. Although one was passionate but brainless, and the other was cold and wise, there faith was beyond doubt.
Just as Shi Xiaobai was hesitating, Lingcun suddenly said, "Silly Ye, do you think Shi Xiaobai can't think of something I thought of? Shi Xiaobai, is definitely a lot smarter than me!"
Ye Jiaquan's eyes immediately lit up, as he smiled and said, "Why did Me forget? Captain Shi Xiaobai must have already come up with this idea!"
Lingcun nodded and said, "Maybe Shi Xiaobai will soon join the rookie training with his identity concealed. No, maybe he is already hiding amongst the rookies!"
Ye Jiaquan immediately asked with excitement, "Really!?"
Lingcun chuckled. "So look forward to it. Although Shi Xiaobai is temporarily unable to be the hope of Team Red, he will one day suddenly appear before everyone and prove his glory! Maybe a person beside you is actually Shi Xiaobai, and maybe while Team Red has been suffering, he has been silently accompanying us, silently growing stronger! Maybe Shi Xiaobai will similarly see the hard work we put in. And maybe by the time he reveals his identity, we might already be his friends!"
Lingcun's pulled his hand out from his pocket and pointed to the sun, proclaiming loudly, "Maybe, as we think he is hiding in the dark night, while we wait for dawn, he has already appeared by our side, emitting the light and warmth like the sun."
"Silly Ye, maybe Shi Xiaobai has always been by our side!"
Ye Jiaquan turned agitated listening to this as his eyes went red. He nodded continuously in a forceful manner, producing choked sounds of "Un"!
Shi Xiaobai was similarly inexplicably touched listening to this. He felt that the Shi Xiaobai as described by Lingcun was such an endearing person, a person so worthy of respect.
"This King, has always been by your side!"
Just thinking of himself standing in front of everyone in Team Red and saying those words, made Shi Xiaobai's heart palpitate, his chest turning warm.
"Oh, right. This brother, have you considered which team you plan on joining?"
Lingcun, who never looked straight at Shi Xiaobai, suddenly turned to face Shi Xiaobai and asked him lightly.
Shi Xiaobai's stirring thoughts were interrupted, and was unable to react in time. He subconsciously said, "This King will join Team Red!"
Ye Jiaquan immediately cheered, "That's great!"
Lingcun also revealed a faint smile and took a few steps forward and stretched his hand out, "Welcome to Team Red. I am Chen Lingcun."
His slender, white fingers looked very long, and under the illumination of the sun, one could see crystalline blood vessels under the nearly transparent skin.
Those hands were like delicate boneless hands.
Shi Xiaobai hesitated silently before reaching out with his equally white, but apparently generous and warm hand, gripping Lingcun's hand lightly.
"This King, Tu
Shi Xiaobai reported a name he fabricated at the last moment, while his heart was blooming with a smile.
However, Shi Xiaobai did not seem to notice that the silver-haired youth in front of him had a similar smile, however, that smile seemed like it had a playful and strange hint to it.
Shi Xiaobai decided to take up Lingcun's proposal and conceal his identity. Hence, he came up with the dorky name, 'Tu Dahei', successfully mixing with these two Team Red members.
It was noon, and it was also the precious break period for the rookies. However, Lingcun suggested Shi Xiaobai to use this period of time to meet Instructor Hisith, and explain the reason for missing classes for the past few days. As such, the three immediately set off for the rookie training grounds.
Ye Jiaquan did not seem to have the slightest doubt about Shi Xiaobai's identity or name. His extremely simple brain was already filled with the two matters—"Captain Shi Xiaobai might be beside us" and "Team Red has gotten a new member", so all he could do was giggle in a silly fashion. From time to time, he would issue a good-natured "Heh heh" chuckle.
On the way, Lingcun would occasionally make conversation with Shi Xiaobai, mainly to inform Shi Xiaobai of certain things to look out for, for example, a few taboos regarding Instructor Hisith, or a few figures amongst the rookies in this batch that should not be provoked, as well as the power distribution amongst the [Annihilation] rookies.
"This batch of [Annihilation] rookies are split into Team Blue and Red. Team Blue has always been in a dominant position, because their captain is a strong person at the fourth level of the Psionic Mortal Realm. As such, the team cohesion of Team Blue is extremely high, so they are united against external enemies. As for Team Red, we already have internal fractures."
Lingcun sighed and gave his analysis. "Due to differences in opinion for voting, Team Red currently has three different factions. The strongest faction is Song Xiao's gang, and the faction that can barely compete with them is the one which Ye Jiaquan and I are in, the Han Feng group. The remaining weakest faction are comprised of those who believe voting should be personal, so they refuse to join any group."
"Due to two rounds of elimination after voting, Team Red's internal strife has reached such an intensified point that it is irreparable. Although Song Xiao is the strongest person in Team Red, but I personally am dismissive of Song Xiao's exploits, so I do not wish you would join Song Xiao's group. However, after you join Team Red, we would respect your decision regardless of which faction you join."
As Shi Xiaobai listened to Lingcun, he gently nodded his head, and occasionally issued an "Orh" as a response.
Although Shi Xiaobai looked uninterested, Lingcun still carried on mentioning things Shi Xiaobai had to look out for with great patience.
In fact, Shi Xiaobai did not listen to any of this. He was actually considering more important things, such as how did Ye Jiaquan's fist cause a depression in the wall over empty space? For example, how did Lingcun suddenly appear out of thin air? What sort of technique did he use?
"This Steel Ox is only ranked third in Team Red, and isn't even in the top five when it comes to the all the rookies in [Annihilation]. This King can't even understand his fist!"
As Shi Xiaobai recalled the power struggle between the factions described by Lingcun, he immediately felt the stress.
"Looks like Violent Girl did not lie to This King. This King is probably ranked at the bottom of this batch of rookies."
Shi Xiaobai felt somewhat indignant, but he had no choice but to admit that he was weak. As he glanced at the silver-haired youth and the muscular man beside him, he could not help but think of the words, "maybe Shi Xiaobai has always been by our side". Immediately, he felt a warm rush in his chest.
"Whatever, whatever. This King shall use a millionth of my effort. A serious Shi Xiaobai even makes This King feel afraid of himself."
"Wahaha, Laugh out loud! Be excited! Rookies of [Annihilation], your King is here!"
With this thought in mind, Shi Xiaobai immediately felt his repressed moods swept away. He began to feel great anticipation for the rookie training.
...
...
The steel building Ye Jiaquan used to practice his fist was not too far from the rookie training grounds. After a few minutes of walking, the three of them arrived at their destination. On the way there, they had encountered quite a number of rookies, however, only a handful of people casually greeted Ye Jiaquan, and looked at Shi Xiaobai with thoughts on their mind, while all of them completely ignored the extremely handsome Lingcun without any prior arrangement.
Shi Xiaobai immediately began jeering in his heart how unpopular this silver-haired youth was. However, his mind was quickly attracted by the rookie training grounds.
He saw a vast field, about the size of ten soccer fields, constructed out of steel. Sunlight reflected off the field in a hot intense beam, and there were several large arena rings dispersed around.
Located around the field were five steel buildings. Each building had its own purpose. Some were used for lectures, while others were special training rooms. One of the steel buildings was where the Instructors rested. It was said that there were three instructors for this batch of [Annihilation] rookies in the beginning, but later on, Instructor Hisith felt that he alone was enough, and chased the other two instructors away.
Regarding Hisith's unusual enthusiasm for teaching, [Gaia]'s upper echelons found it strange, but could do nothing about it. As the other two instructors appeared to have experienced a haunting encounter, they had firmly refused to return.
From Lingcun's depiction, Shi Xiaobai slowly outlined a weird person who liked to play others, while seeking pleasure from the games in life.
However, when Shi Xiaobai entered Hisith's office, and truly met him, he felt that the image in his mind was not weird enough.
The man, named Hisith, in front of his eyes was beyond the description of weird.
His red hair stood up like flames, and his crescent-shaped eyes squinted in a cheeky and playful look. He wore face paint: a star on his right cheek, and a teardrop on his left cheek. It was impossible to tell his age, and his mouth hung with a sinister-looking smile. He was clearly a man, but his facial features gave an illusionary coquettish look.
When he stood up, he was tall, and had symmetrical muscles. He had long limbs, and wore a tight outfit, with long sleeves and pants. There were several golden rings that tightly bound his waist, making his waist look like a compressed spring. Under the rings' wrapping, his waist looked so thin that it seemed like it could be snapped with a tight grip.
"You are here."
At this moment, Hisith's office only had the two of them. The first person to break the silence was Hisith. His voice was gentle, and his footsteps were light. His slender figure was filled with a strange repressive feeling. Every step he took seemed to make the ground tremble.
Hisith slowly walked in front of Shi Xiaobai, and a strange breath was released from his mouth as his eyes narrowed into a slit. His coquettish smile bloomed on his face.
"So, what do you intend to do? My beloved little toy?"
Hisith held up two fingers to raise Shi Xiaobai's chin, lifting his head high up. That motion was like a thug teasing a girl.
Shi Xiaobai frowned and immediately wanted to retreat, but he was shocked to discover that his body could not move at all. His limbs did not seem like they were under his control. After using all his strength, he was only able to tremble his muscles slightly.
Hisith focused his eyes to study Shi Xiaobai's face. His eyes sparkled with a strange glint, as if he was admiring his favorite plaything.
From the bottom of Shi Xiaobai's heart, a sense of nausea suffused. He stopped struggling against the invisible bondage his body was experiencing as he said loudly, "This King, Tu Dahei, has missed classes for a few days. Am here for reporting!"
Upon hearing this, Hisith issued a strange laughter as he released his hands and took a few steps back.
"So that's what it is. Your choice is very interesting, but also very boring. You probably have the presumptuous thought that I would agree to your approach, and even help you conceal your identity. However, my beloved little toy, you missed out something. For me, I wish that the game will carry on proceeding and wish that it would become more dynamic. I like things that are different and out of the blue. I hate being read by anyone, and hate an ending that is obvious."
As Hisith spoke, he pulled out a brand new deck of poker cards from his breast pocket. The back of the poker cards was a short sword that pierced through a six-pointed star.
Hisith suddenly threw the poker cards into the sky and immediately dozens of poker cards scattered in the sky like falling leaves. However, surprisingly, the poker cards did not flutter to the ground as one would expect. Instead, they were frozen mid air, as if they were fixed in place.
"Come, my beloved little toy, let us play a little game that no one can guess the outcome."
Hisith charmingly smiled with squinted eyes.
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