110: Chapter 110 The "Organizer" Behind the Civilization Advancement Assessment?

It was a humanoid silhouette covered in a light blue, almost transparent halo.

But it didn't look human; its figure was very slender.

The figure was currently hovering high in the sky, its posture... seemingly very casual.

However, it raised a hand, extending its index finger and repeatedly tapping toward the torrent of Orcs below that was constantly surging out of the passage entrance and exploding one after another.

Yet, with every phantom tap,

correspondingly below, an Orc that had just rushed out of the passage would, without warning, precisely explode into a mass of crimson flames.

The light blue figure didn't tap quickly—it was even somewhat lazy—but the speed at which the Orcs surged out and exploded below strangely stayed in sync with the rhythm of those fingertip taps.

Gu Changming's head buzzed, and the blood throughout his body seemed to freeze for a beat.

Almost instinctively, he jerked his gaze back and lowered his head, forcing himself to stop looking in that direction.

His heart drummed heavily in his chest.

What was that thing?

Could it be... the "Organizer" behind this "Civilization Advancement Assessment"?

This thought sprang up uncontrollably, and Gu Changming's pupils trembled slightly in his eyes.

In his previous life, they had fought all the way to the end, yet they hadn't found even a trace of the other party.

Gu Changming suppressed his churning emotions and forced himself to regain a superficial calm.

Then, appearing nonchalant, he turned his neck and swept his gaze toward Jiang Chen, Tang Ningfei, and the others nearby.

Jiang Chen had his arms crossed, Tang Ningfei was leaning against a tree trunk, and several other team members were either standing or sitting, still captivated by that eerie and spectacular sight.

They... didn't see it?

Gu Changming thought to himself.

Although that point of light was small and blended into the background, it wasn't completely unnoticeable.

Furthermore, none of them were ordinary people; with their observational skills, they shouldn't have been completely unaware.

Unless, in their line of sight, that thing didn't exist at all.

Only he could see it.

Moreover, that point of light hadn't always been there. It was only caught by his peripheral vision the moment after the screen flickered and that "violation prompt" appeared.

Was it because of the special ability he gained after his rebirth that allowed him to see through Hidden Rule?

Gu Changming's mind raced, and a suspicion formed in his heart.

He slowly adjusted his breathing, letting his racing heartbeat calm down.

Then, he raised his head again and turned his gaze back to the grand "fireworks display" in the sky.

Yet in his peripheral vision, Gu Changming remained deathly focused on that blurry figure hovering at an extreme height, enveloped in a light blue halo.

...

The roar of explosions and the flickering of light and shadow began to weaken after continuing for several more minutes.

The crimson figures surging from the passage entrance grew increasingly sparse, with longer intervals between them.

A faint, strange smell resembling sulfur and scorched matter lingered in the air.

Simultaneously, the point of light high in the sky vanished without warning, like a lost signal, the moment the last "firework" was extinguished.

On the other side, Tang Ningfei and the others let out a sigh of relief in unison, their tense bodies visibly relaxing.

"Fortunately... they didn't manage to break through," Tang Ningfei said with a sigh of relief.

"Yeah," Jiang Chen nodded. "If they had rushed over, we wouldn't have been able to stop them with our current manpower. In the ensuing struggle, who knows how many people would have died..."

Several team members also chimed in quietly, discussing the dangers within the Secret Realm and the incredible sight they had just witnessed.

Listening to the team members' discussion, Tang Ningfei's gaze involuntarily turned toward Gu Changming.

He stood alone a bit further away, still looking up at the now-empty sky. His profile was expressionless, as if he were still lost in thought.

She hesitated for a moment but still stepped toward him.

Seeing a figure approaching, Gu Changming also withdrew his gaze and looked over.

Tang Ningfei held her hands behind her back, appearing hesitant to speak, but her gaze soon landed on the "black jelly" on Gu Changming's shoulder.

Then she asked tentatively, "Is this your previous pet?"

During the second Assessment, she had seen with her own eyes that Gu Changming's pet could change its shape at will, transforming into other exotic beasts.

Now that she thought about it, that massive beast tide... was likely also transformed by that single pet of his.

Gu Changming glanced at the Mimic Beast on his shoulder and then shook his head. "The previous one died. I picked this one up by the side of the road."

Tang Ningfei: "..."

Sometimes she really had to hand it to him—his ability to lie through his teeth.

However, since he wasn't willing to be open about it, she wouldn't press him further.

"Oh, right." Tang Ningfei remembered something and handed back the whistle she had been clutching.

Gu Changming took it.

The [whistle of contract] was bound to him, so he wasn't worried about her knowing its specific effects.

After returning the item to Gu Changming, a moment of silence fell between the two again.

Tang Ningfei turned slightly, pointed at Jiang Chen behind her, and took the initiative to find a topic. "Oh, right. He's the person I mentioned before who wanted to meet you."

Gu Changming looked over and, seeing it was Jiang Chen, a faint, inexplicable smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Oh, well that's perfect. We've met in passing then."

"Yeah." Tang Ningfei nodded. Seeing the atmosphere about to turn cold again, she hurriedly said what she had come to say.

"Um... thank you."

"Hmm?"

"Thank you for saving us inside. If it weren't for you, we might have died in there," Tang Ningfei explained further.

Gu Changming paused for a moment and replied, "You're welcome."

"No, I really mean it. Thank you for being willing to take such a risk to come and save us at a time like that." Tang Ningfei's expression turned serious.

She had only met Gu Changming once before; their relationship couldn't be called good—they were just nodding acquaintances.

She hadn't expected that at such a critical moment, he would be the one to save them.

Gu Changming was stunned for a moment, then pointed at Jiang Chen behind her. "No, I mainly did it to save him."

Tang Ningfei looked at Jiang Chen, who was glancing over curiously, and then gave a soft chuckle.

You two don't even know each other; what kind of excuse is that?

Was he saying that just so she wouldn't feel so much pressure?

He's actually quite considerate of others.

"Well then, thank you for saving all of us for his sake," Tang Ningfei said with a smile.

Gu Changming tilted his head. Wait, what? I'm telling the truth, why don't you believe me?

"(⊙o⊙)..."

Just as Gu Changming was about to speak, the sky darkened without warning.

It wasn't night falling, but a thick, rich blood-red that instantly saturated the entire heavens.

Immediately after, in the center of that blood-red expanse, cold white characters slowly emerged.

Everyone was stunned, instinctively looking up at the sky.

Tang Ningfei also frowned, muttering to herself, "That's not right... there are clearly three days left."

Before entering the Secret Realm, they had all confirmed the time; it was impossible that they would still be exploring the map inside the Secret Realm right as the Assessment was about to begin.

The white characters fully formed on the canopy of the sky.

[Friendly Reminder: The sixth Civilization Advancement Assessment will officially begin in three days.]

[The venue for this Assessment is a fixed area and is divided into several different types.]

[All participants, please arrive at your chosen Assessment venue on your own before the three-day countdown ends.]

[Those who fail to arrive on time will be deemed to have automatically forfeited their eligibility for this Assessment.]

[Participation in this Assessment is voluntary.]

[There will be no punishment for those who do not participate.]