Chapter Forty-Nine: The Dilapidated Temple

Xiao Zhang tugged at Zhao Bai’s sleeve. “Stay close to me!”
Qi Guanbei smiled. “From now on, keep your wits about you. Whether you make it back alive depends on your skills and brains—and of course, luck matters too.”
In the end, the three chose the entrance behind the City God Temple. Upon entering, Xiao Zhang noticed many people burning incense. After a moment’s thought, he bought a good amount of incense himself, storing it in his system warehouse. Who knows, it might come in handy later.
After offering a stick of incense, Xiao Zhang hurried to catch up with Zhao Bai and Qi Guanbei.
Zhao Bai asked in confusion, “Doggy, what’s the point of offering incense? Do you really think the City God will look out for us?”
Before Xiao Zhang could answer, Qi Guanbei spoke up, “You never know!”
Just as they reached the rear of the City God’s statue, they saw a crack in the void—it must be the entrance.
The map also indicated that other Awakened nearby were approaching. Xiao Zhang couldn’t help but feel nervous.
Qi Guanbei, however, remained relaxed, even lighting a cigarette and smoking slowly.
“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 calmly. “Everyone approaching are Awakened chosen to enter the dungeon. With the entry imminent, people will avoid fighting or causing trouble—no one wants to lose strength before the dungeon. But still, be wary. Sometimes other teams, who aren’t participating, learn about the dungeon and show up as bandits. It’s happened before.”
Just then, a Black man darted out, rushing toward the crack in the void.
“A rookie,” Qi Guanbei squinted. “Those who can’t keep their cool are always new.”
No sooner had he spoken than the newcomer reached the crack, only to quickly retreat.
Then, a skinny, monkey-like figure grinned at him, transformed into a werewolf, and lunged.
Caught off guard, the Black man fell beneath the werewolf’s sharp claws, and was then torn apart mercilessly.
Xiao Zhang watched the bloody scene in shock. “That’s brutal!”
Xiao Zhang had seen such violence before, but Zhao Bai had not; he was nearly sick.
“Newbie killing,” Qi Guanbei said with disdain. “That cannibal tribe is getting more disgraceful.”
Watching the werewolf devour his victim, Xiao Zhang felt queasy and asked quietly, “Is it always this cutthroat among Awakened?”
“Not always,” Qi Guanbei replied, sounding resigned. “Everyone has their own ambitions; some see others as cattle, as competition.”
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“But… shouldn’t Awakened unite against the Descenders?” Xiao Zhang frowned.
“I told you—everyone has their own path. People are raised the same, yet turn out different,” Qi Guanbei sneered. “Some chase power and profit, willing to do anything for it. Think about it: Descenders only appear when a game dungeon opens. Normally, Awakened seek strength—how? Some see their peers as targets. Killing others, stealing equipment, snatching potions… saves a lot of points.”
Wherever there’s profit, there’s conflict. If Awakened are like this, clashes among Descenders must be even fiercer.
By now, many Awakened had gathered in the area, none daring to make a move.
Qi Guanbei patted Xiao Zhang’s shoulder. “But only the lowest teams do such things. Serious teams have principles and some integrity.”
…
Still, Xiao Zhang had another question:
“So, is there no one who values reason?”
Qi Guanbei almost laughed. “Whoever has the strongest fist gets to be ‘reason.’”
“Uh?”
Qi Guanbei smiled suddenly. “How much time is left?”
Zhao Bai checked the system notification. “Five minutes.”
Qi Guanbei’s lips curled upward. He strode straight toward the spatial rift.
Xiao Zhang hesitated, then saw Qi Guanbei turn back and smile at him. “Kid, aren’t you bringing your brother?”
Quickly, Xiao Zhang grabbed Zhao Bai and followed.
…
Qi Guanbei swaggered up to the rift and stood there.
From the darkness, countless eyes watched; Xiao Zhang spotted seven or eight people, and there were likely more hidden.
Several seemed to be together. Seeing Qi Guanbei, they grew restless.
Qi Guanbei stood beside the crack, took out a cigarette, inhaled, looked around, then drew a giant sword and plunged it into the ground.
“If you want to die, come on!”
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Qi Guanbei’s words were quiet, but as soon as he drew the sword, those who had been restless shrank back.
Xiao Zhang instantly understood what Qi Guanbei meant earlier.
(It seems I’ve found myself a truly formidable ally…)
…
Minutes ticked by. When the system’s countdown finally reached zero,
Qi Guanbei lowered his head, no longer gazing at the sky. “It’s starting!”
Excitement suddenly stirred in Xiao Zhang’s heart—not just fear and nervousness, but outright excitement!
Zhao Bai, too, was stirred; the aura and confidence Qi Guanbei displayed seemed to infect him as well. I want to become a big shot, not just a support!
…
Qi Guanbei strode into the rift, and Xiao Zhang dragged Zhao Bai to follow.
When they emerged, they found themselves still behind the City God Temple, but the temple looked as if centuries had passed—ruined and decrepit.
Zhao Bai was clearly unsettled by the scene. “Brother Bei, Doggy, what happened? How did it get so wrecked so suddenly?”
Qi Guanbei examined the surroundings. “No matter what happens next, don’t panic. Let’s first figure out what type of dungeon this is.”
Xiao Zhang ran his hand over the crumbling wall. It seemed the dungeon was set hundreds of years in the future. “Qi Guan, do you think there’ll be monsters in here?”
“There shouldn’t be.”
Just then, the once bright sky abruptly darkened, and the three moved toward the front of the hall.
Qi Guanbei took out a powerful flashlight, leading the other two as they began to search for clues.
Once darkness fell, Qi Guanbei grew silent, seemingly deep in thought…
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