422: Chapter 421 Before Dark

Under the dim, flickering candlelight, everyone looked around and found that this old castle resembled a medieval European style.

A massive crystal chandelier lay shattered and broken, and the thick wool carpet was stained with mottled blood.

Melodious orchestral music echoed through the empty, dim hall.

The music was ethereal and soothing, yet it somehow instilled a sense of urgency and oppression in one's heart, like a funeral dirge.

"Excellent challengers, congratulations on successfully passing the first stage. I am the Administrator here, and I will now introduce the rules of the second stage to you."

"The second stage is titled: Mysterious Ancient Castle!"

The Minotaur turned around, straightened his shirt collar, and a strange smile appeared on his face:

"I wonder if you've already noticed that all your skills, items, and various potions are no longer usable."

Hearing this, everyone's expression tightened.

Chu Xuan immediately noticed that in his personal attribute panel, a 'Forbidden' symbol had appeared on the skill bar.

This was true for both Exclusive Skills and Transcendent Skills.

The Exclusive Space could still be used to take things out, so Chu Xuan directly pulled out the greed tank.

At that moment, a System prompt suddenly popped up.

[You may drink from it normally, but it will not provide its corresponding effects before you clear the stage.]

Not just Chu Xuan, but the others were also trying things out one after another.

The result was without exception: no one could use skills or items.

"Minotaur, what exactly is going on?" Shen Ba asked coldly.

"Because that is the rule of the second stage." The Minotaur cleared his throat:

"Next, once the second stage officially begins, you can use points to unlock your existing skills. Different types of skills require different amounts of points."

Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly looked enlightened.

So the points rewarded in the first stage were meant to be used here.

Immediately after, everyone couldn't help but look at Chu Xuan in the center of the field.

As a Transcendent, one's various skills are undoubtedly a significant manifestation of their strength.

And Chu Xuan had just obtained 100 points.

This was definitely a major advantage.

Before they could think further, the Minotaur continued:

"Currently, this castle is enveloped by a night containing instant-death rules, and it is gradually seeping in. Anyone who touches the night will die instantly..."

Everyone looked out the main doors.

Sure enough, an ink-like darkness, like swaying tentacles, was gradually seeping in through the cracks in the door, but it was being neutralized by an invisible force.

With every black tentacle that vanished, the light in the room grew a bit dimmer.

The crowd had various expressions, with a hint of wariness showing in all their eyes.

Chu Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly.

Previously, the Specter inside had been trying to lure him into the darkness.

He had considered whether to just charge in and kill it.

However, as soon as that thought arose, Chu Xuan immediately suppressed it.

Because of the cautionary tale of Tang Zheng, Chu Xuan had set a mandatory creed for himself.

That was: no matter how rapidly his strength progressed, he must never become arrogant.

He needed to remain cautious at all times.

Looking at it now, this night indeed held dangers that could not be ignored.

At this point, Xuan Xuan was the first to speak: "So, the darkness that spread across the mountain path in the first stage was this so-called night containing instant-death rules?"

"Ho ho ho, you are correct."

The Minotaur smiled: "This castle blocks the night and is safe for the time being. However, within twelve hours, it will gradually enter a nighttime state. When the light completely disappears, it will be the time of death for all of you."

"So, our mission for the second stage is just to wait for death inside the castle?" Long Shan sneered.

Xuan Xuan rolled her eyes at Long Shan and asked the Minotaur: "These twelve hours should be our time limit to clear the stage, right?"

The Minotaur nodded and said: "Within twelve hours, you need to find twelve boxes within the castle and, based on the corresponding hints inside, crack all the mechanisms in the castle. By then, even if the darkness descends completely, you will not die, and you can enter the next stage to face the source Specter within the night."

"However, there is one thing you need to pay attention to..." The Minotaur revealed a mysterious smile:

"Among all the challengers present, there exists a special identity... the Rule-Breaker!"

"The Rule-Breaker will sabotage your actions and prevent you from cracking the mechanisms."

"Because the Rule-Breaker's mission is different from ordinary challengers. He only needs to prevent you from cracking the mechanisms within twelve hours, or kill five challengers to be considered as having passed."

"When a Rule-Breaker passes by means of killing, the night will descend immediately. All of you will die instantly due to the night's instant-death rule. Only the Rule-Breaker will survive and enter the third stage to face the source Specter."

The Minotaur spoke meaningfully: "Rule-Breaker hiding in the shadows, please hide your identity well and don't get found out. I hope you can survive and let me witness a brilliant performance."

As these words were spoken, everyone's expressions turned solemn, and the gazes they cast at one another were filled with scrutiny.

Long Shan was the first to challenge the Minotaur, sneering: "The Rule-Breaker couldn't be you, could it?"

"I'll say it again: I've participated in so many missions, and I've never seen the identity of an Administrator in any of them."

"So, you're actually the Rule-Breaker, trying to hide in plain sight. Am I right?"

The others couldn't help but look at the Minotaur as well. Shen Ba, in particular, took a direct step forward.

"Kid, you're second on the list." Shen Ba pointed a finger at Chu Xuan, then looked at the Minotaur with eyes full of contempt:

"I hate people playing god the most! Once the Combat Ban ends, the first thing I'll do is kill you."

"Ho ho ho! This is the second time you've been disrespectful to me. It seems it's time for you to witness my methods as the Administrator..."

The Minotaur suddenly laughed loudly, and immediately after, a crimson light suddenly radiated from around him.

Within this crimson light, a massive dark shadow appeared, standing behind the Minotaur.

This massive dark shadow's face was indistinguishable, but it also took the form of a Minotaur.

An indescribably terrifying aura emanated from the shadow.

Everyone present, including Chu Xuan, couldn't help but feel a strong sense of palpitations.

It felt as though as long as this Minotaur willed it, he could easily kill everyone present.

"Now, do you still think I am the Rule-Breaker?" The Minotaur looked deeply at Shen Ba and Long Shan.

At this moment, both of them fell silent.

"It seems you are quite sensible!" The Minotaur chuckled and snapped his fingers. The red light immediately merged back into his body, and the dark shadow dissipated.

"I welcome you to challenge me, but let me remind you, this is the last time."

The Minotaur stared at Shen Ba and Long Shan, his calm tone full of threat: "The next time you are disrespectful, I can kill you directly."

The two had grave expressions, and then they both looked toward Chu Xuan again.

"Since the Minotaur isn't the Rule-Breaker, then it can only be you."

Long Shan said with a sneer: "You were the last to climb the mountain, yet you happened to get the most points. If you're not the Rule-Breaker, who is?"

"Ho ho ho! A friendly reminder: there might not be just one Rule-Breaker."

As the Minotaur said this, everyone was stunned.

Long Shan suddenly looked at Xuan Xuan again and then laughed:

"Then it's obvious. You, this little girl who suddenly appeared, are also a Rule-Breaker."

"I don't think there's any need to guess further. In a bit, we'll just kill these two first." Shen Ba's eyes shifted as he once again passed judgment.