Chapter 48: The Desolate Scenic Spot

Xiao Zhang tugged at Zhao Bai, “Stick close to me later!”

Qi Guanbei smiled, “From now on, stay alert. Whether you make it out alive depends on your strength and wits. Of course, luck plays a big part too.”

The three finally chose the entrance behind the City God Temple. As soon as they entered, Xiao Zhang noticed many people burning incense. He thought for a moment and bought a good amount, storing it in the system’s warehouse—it might come in handy later.

After offering incense, Xiao Zhang hurried to catch up with Zhao Bai and Qi Guanbei.

Zhao Bai asked in confusion, “Dog, what’s the point of burning incense? Do you really think the City God will watch over us?”

Before Xiao Zhang could reply, Qi Guanbei spoke first, “You never know!”

Just as they reached the back of the City God’s shrine, they saw a rift in the void, which seemed to be the entrance.

The map also showed other Awakened approaching the area, making Xiao Zhang a bit nervous.

Qi Guanbei remained completely relaxed, even lighting a cigarette and taking slow drags.

“Someone’s coming, less than two hundred meters away,” Xiao Zhang said, clenching his fists. “Should we—?”

“We don’t need to do anything,” Qi Guanbei replied indifferently. “Everyone arriving is an Awakened selected for the dungeon. Since we’re close to entering, nobody wants to start a fight or cause conflict, lest they lose strength before the dungeon begins. Still, we should be careful—sometimes other idle Awakened squads hear about a dungeon and come to play bandit. It’s happened before.”

Just as he finished speaking, a black man darted out and ran toward the void rift.

“A rookie,” Qi Guanbei squinted. “Impatient ones are always rookies.”

No sooner had he spoken than the man rushed to the rift, but quickly retreated.

Then a scrawny, monkey-like fellow grinned at him, transformed into a werewolf, and charged.

Caught off guard, the black man fell beneath the werewolf’s claws, who then tore him apart without mercy.

Xiao Zhang was stunned by the brutality, “That savage?”

He’d witnessed scenes like this before, but Zhao Bai had not—he looked ready to throw up.

“Killing rookies,” Qi Guanbei said with contempt. “These cannibals are getting worse.”

Watching the werewolf devour his victim, Xiao Zhang felt sick and asked in a low voice, “Is it always this cutthroat among the Awakened?”

“Not all of them,” Qi Guanbei replied with some resignation. “Everyone has their own ambitions. Some see other Awakened as cattle, as rivals.”

“But shouldn’t the Awakened unite to fight the Invaders?” Xiao Zhang frowned.

“I told you, everyone’s different. ‘One grain feeds a hundred types of people.’ Some pursue power and profit, and there’s nothing they won’t do. Think about it—the Invaders only appear when a dungeon opens. So how can Awakened grow stronger day to day? For some, the only targets are their own kind. Killing for gear, snatching potions—it saves a lot of points.”

Such things happen everywhere; wherever there’s profit, there’s conflict. If even the Awakened are this ruthless, the Invaders must be even fiercer among themselves.

By now, plenty of Awakened had gathered around, none daring to make a move.

Qi Guanbei patted Xiao Zhang’s shoulder, “But only third-rate teams do things like this. The reputable teams have principles and discipline.”

Still, Xiao Zhang had one more question:

“Doesn’t anyone care about reason?”

Qi Guanbei couldn’t help but laugh, “Whoever has the hardest fist is reason.”

“Huh?”

Suddenly Qi Guanbei grinned, “How much time is left?”

Zhao Bai checked the system prompt. “Five minutes.”

Qi Guanbei’s lips curled up, and he strode straight toward the temporal rift.

Xiao Zhang froze, then saw Qi Guanbei turn to smile at him, “Kid, aren’t you bringing your brother along?”

Xiao Zhang grabbed Zhao Bai and hurried after him.

Qi Guanbei strode right up to the rift and stood there.

Out of the darkness, countless eyes watched—Xiao Zhang counted seven or eight visible figures, and likely more hidden. Some seemed to be together, growing restless at the sight of Qi Guanbei.

Qi Guanbei stood by the rift, took out a cigarette, lit it, took a drag, looked around, then drew a massive sword and thrust it into the ground.

“If you want to die, come at me!”

Though Qi Guanbei spoke softly, Xiao Zhang felt the moment that sword appeared, all those restless figures instantly shrank back.

At once, Xiao Zhang understood what Qi Guanbei’s earlier words meant.

(It looks like I’ve latched onto a truly formidable ally…)

Time ticked by, minute by minute. When the system’s countdown finally reached zero, Qi Guanbei lowered his head, no longer looking at the sky. “It’s starting!”

Xiao Zhang suddenly felt a surge of excitement—not just fear or nerves, but genuine excitement.

Zhao Bai was also a bit stirred; Qi Guanbei’s display of dominance and confidence seemed to have rubbed off on him. I want to be a boss too, not just a weak healer!

Qi Guanbei walked straight into the rift, and Xiao Zhang pulled Zhao Bai to follow.

On the other side, Xiao Zhang found himself still behind the City God Temple, but the temple now looked centuries old, ruined and dilapidated.

Zhao Bai was clearly flustered by the sight. “Brother Bei, Dog, what’s going on? How did it suddenly get so run-down?”

Qi Guanbei examined their surroundings. “No matter what happens next, don’t panic. Let’s see what kind of dungeon this is.”

Xiao Zhang touched the crumbling wall. It seemed the dungeon was set centuries in the future. “Qi Guan, do you think there’ll be monsters in here?”

“Probably not.”

Just then, the bright sky suddenly darkened, and the three began searching the front of the shrine.

Qi Guanbei took out a powerful flashlight and led the two of them, beginning their search for clues.

Once the sky darkened, Qi Guanbei fell silent, saying nothing as he moved forward.