"Clack, clack, clack..."

A group of people came to a stop, all looking up at the towering gate before them. Lou remarked, "It’s quite imposing. I wonder what the dormitory area will be like?"

"I’m not curious, it’s just a place to sleep anyway." Lance stared at the door, clueless about the world beyond it, then continued, "What I’m curious about is the competition area behind this door, and what it’s like."

Yu Song, who had been somewhat silent, suddenly asked, "Ji You, should we go in now?"

Ji You replied, "Of course."

"But—" Yu Song hesitated, saying, "Once we’re inside, we’ll be out of contact."

Ji You didn’t mind at all, saying, "If we’re out of contact, we’re out of contact. It’s not like it’s a team competition; it’s individual. Whether you advance depends on your own ability."

Yu Song: "..."

It felt as if he was being implied that he didn’t have ability.

It must be said that Ji You had a mouth that could spit out nonsense, rarely speaking nice words.

Ahem ahem...

Of course, Yu Song didn’t say that. He said, "I’m not worried about the individual competition. I’m worried that once we’re all inside, we won’t be able to discuss strategies. Look—" He raised his hand, pointing to groups of students from the same school gathered by the gate, near the bushes, the flower beds, under the trees’ shade, discussing.

Some even had guiding teachers by their sides, helping with strategy.

In comparison, did their own group seem too lax?

Yu Song thought about going in just like this, and if there were any new intel being passed around, wouldn’t they miss it?

Before Ji You could speak, Chu Jiaojiao waved it off, saying, "There’s no need to focus on those things. As long as we have the general direction and action plan, the rest are just minor details. Besides, even if we stay here longer, what can we change? Will the opponents’ strength weaken?"

"Making trouble for oneself," Yue Qiguang casually interrupted.

"Ahem..." Yu Song’s face twitched slightly. "Alright, then we won’t wait."

Suddenly—

A hand lightly rested on his shoulder, the fist gentle but giving off a heavy sense of power. Yu Song looked up, meeting Ji You’s gaze, her clear eyes carrying a smile.

"Yu Song," Ji You said, "There’s no need to think about these things. We’ve already said what needed to be said. You just need to do your best and believe in yourself."

"Hmm." Yu Song, his slightly chaotic heart calmed by Ji You’s words, looked at her smiling eyes, feeling inexplicably more settled, saying, "Indeed, I just need to do my best."

Ji You laughed, saying, "If you get serious, beating those opponents, even defeating Yue Qiguang would be an easy feat."

Yue Qiguang frowned slightly, a bit displeased. "Hey hey... I’m still standing right here."

"Alright." The others, who frequently trained and completed tasks together, were all very familiar with and had complete trust in each other, but Yu Song was different. Having cooperated with everyone for less time, a bit of nervousness was normal. Ji You patted Yu Song’s shoulder again, saying, "Yu Song, you’re strong. In strength and spiritual power, I’m not as good as you. You’re here because you earned it with your own merits, not because of any recommendation by a teacher. This competition is important, yes, but it is just a competition. Strategically, we should take it lightly but place emphasis on it overall."

Yu Song waited, finding that Ji You stopped talking, couldn’t help but ask, "And then?"

"Then?" Ji You chuckled, "Deal with it as it comes."

Yu Song: "..."

That’s it?

However, his burden indeed felt lighter. This group of people, always joking around without acting seriously, wasn’t a new thing for them, but did that ever reduce their strength?

No.

Besides strength, mindset is also important.

Yu Song said, "Alright, if I meet any of you on the battlefield, I’ll still fight you, so be careful."

"Heh..." Chu Jiaojiao snickered, "We’ll see who’s beating whom first."

...

They continued joking with each other, waiting for 2 minutes, and noticed that Principal Hong and Dr. Luo, who were leading their team, still hadn’t called or left any instructions, clearly planning to let them completely fend for themselves.

Thus, Ji You sent a message to the two leading teachers, then waved her hand, saying, "Let’s go, time for bed."

With that said.

Ji You took the first step through the gate.

Once inside, there’s no turning back.

But Chu Jiaojiao, Shen Changqing... everyone followed immediately without a trace of hesitation.

Onlookers by the gate saw this, and some couldn’t help but think that this group of students probably weren’t strong contenders and had no confidence in winning the competition, otherwise, they would have discussed some plans before entering.

...

Inside the gate.

Ji You looked slightly annoyed at her Light Computer being completely blocked, shaking her head slightly speechless, "As expected, they won’t let people contact each other."

Standing behind her, Chu Jiaojiao and the others showed a ’knew it’ expression, and everyone’s attention shifted to the 10 conveyor belts before them. Each conveyor belt had a number from 1 to 10, corresponding to each area.

Shen Changqing said, "Once we’re on the conveyor belts, we’ll be completely separated."

Ji You said, "Then let’s each get on one and head back to rest early."

After these words, Sheng Qingyan yawned, leaping onto the conveyor belt matching his number, saying, "I’m too tired to listen to your chatter, I’m off now."

With that,

The conveyor belt verified the rider’s identity and immediately started. In the blink of an eye, Sheng Qingyan disappeared along with the conveyor belt in everyone’s eyes.

They all exchanged glances.

Ji You said, "Let’s go separate ways."

Chu Jiaojiao, just before jumping on, turned around fiercely, giving Ji You’s cheek a strong gaze, saying, "Ji You, be sure to protect your face! I’ll check it when I’m back."

Zoom—

Gone in a flash.

Next,

It was Yue Qiguang, Shen Changqing, Yu Song...

After all the companions left, Ji You stepped onto her designated conveyor belt. Her number was 4444, corresponding to area 5, meaning she needed to take the 5th conveyor belt.

The conveyor belts were fast, transporting Chu Jiaojiao and the others in seconds, then reappearing.

Ji You didn’t hesitate, stepping decisively onto it.

Zoom—

The speed was as fast as a flash of lightning, in the blink of an eye, Ji You’s vision completely changed, as she saw what was in front of her, she thought she might be seeing things.

This?

Seriously?