438: Chapter 437 Please Make a Sacrifice

"Who?"

A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Li Na's eyes as she abruptly turned to look at the entrance of the conference room.

A man covered in bandages and blood walked in.

Behind him followed a tall, obese pig-headed man and a thin, short Monkey-headed Man.

Her expression was slightly stunned.

"Rule-Breaker! How are you not dead yet? Where is that Minotaur Administrator?"

Shen Ba suddenly stood up from his high-backed chair. Seeing that the Fat Pig and the Monkey-headed Man looked similar to the Minotaur—both having beast heads and human bodies—his expression filled with wariness.

"We aren't Rule-Breakers. The real Rule-Breakers were the Minotaur and Xuan Xuan, but they've already been dealt with."

The Skinny Monkey let out a raspy, cackling laugh. "If we were Rule-Breakers, how could the mechanisms on the fifth floor have been unlocked?

Use your clever brains and think about the information prompts regarding Rule-Breaker permissions. It shouldn't be hard to figure out, right?"

"I see... It seems that Minotaur's terrifying Aura was just a facade."

Shen Ba's expression shifted slightly. He recalled that not long ago, although the punch the Minotaur threw was incredibly fierce, it didn't quite match the Aura it emitted.

Although he was suspicious at the time, he hadn't had the chance to dwell on it. Now, reflecting on the Minotaur's various actions, they were indeed full of flaws.

Thinking about how he had actually been scared off, Shen Ba grew secretly annoyed, and his gaze toward Chu Xuan became even more hostile.

But as he looked, Chu Xuan's filthy appearance seemed vaguely familiar, and an inexplicable sense of annoyance rose in his heart.

Shen Ba said with a cold face, "Regardless of whether you're a Rule-Breaker or not, since you're here, it's perfect. You go and replace the lamp wick."

"Hmm, that's a good suggestion. But before that..." Long Shan, standing to the side, spoke with a voice full of threats, "Remember what we said before? When the Combat Ban ends, you have to give me 1,000 catties of your wine."

Hearing this, Shen Ba laughed. "I almost forgot if you hadn't mentioned it. Now is indeed the time to fulfill the agreement."

However, Chu Xuan paid no attention to the two of them, not even glancing their way. His gaze remained fixed on Li Na, his tone calm.

"I said, you alone will replace all the remaining lamp wicks. Do you not understand?"

Li Na couldn't help but frown. "We do owe you a favor, and I said I would pay it back, but not right now..."

Before she could finish, Long Shan suddenly roared, "Mummy, didn't you hear me talking to you?"

He pointed a finger at Chu Xuan, his voice grim. "I'm giving you a chance to live. Don't throw it away..."

Seeing Chu Xuan still ignoring him, a murderous intent flashed in Long Shan's eyes. "The Combat Ban is over, and you still dare to be so arrogant? You're practically courting death!"

Long Shan swung his hand violently, and his right arm suddenly transformed into a black tentacle, whipping toward Chu Xuan like a lash.

A sonic boom echoed in the air.

However, just as the tentacle was about to strike Chu Xuan's temple, Chu Xuan suddenly raised his hand and caught it with precision at the critical moment.

"What?" Long Shan's pupils contracted sharply. He cursed inwardly, knowing he had underestimated his opponent.

Unfortunately, it was already too late.

Before he could react, a massive force surged toward him, pulling him forward uncontrollably as his head was slammed down.

He tried to fight back and break free, but in the next instant, an indescribable agony hit him, as if he were being pierced by billions of steel needles. It felt as though his Soul was being brutally ravaged.

"Remember our agreement when we were going up the mountain? You wished for a fate worse than death. Since you can't wait, I'll grant your wish now."

As the calm words reached his ears, Long Shan's entire head was engulfed in the Fire of Nirvana.

A shrill scream escaped his lips. He trembled, trying to resist, but in the face of such intense pain, his entire body had gone limp. His right arm, still in the form of a tentacle, was held in a firm grip, making escape impossible.

He wished he could die instantly to find release, yet death eluded him.

The screams continued unabated, echoing throughout the conference room.

Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong...

Right then, the tolling of a bell rang out from downstairs, shaking the spirits of everyone present. They instantly understood what this scene meant.

"This is... Chu Xuan?!!"

The moment the Fire of Nirvana appeared, everyone recognized Chu Xuan's identity.

Looking closely at his face, he was indeed identical to the person in the previous nationwide live broadcast.

Everyone present was stunned.

No one expected that Chu Xuan, who should have still been in the capital, had actually come to the Southwest Region and was even participating in this Mandatory Mission with them.

Only Wu Wanqiu had already guessed Chu Xuan's identity, but seeing his true face and receiving confirmation still brought tears of excitement to her eyes.

Lin Liguo, Chen Yu, and the other Night Watchers were equally thrilled.

The three Night Watchers who had been electrocuted and were charred all over couldn't help but tremble slightly.

They all thought they were dead for sure this time.

Even if they passed the second trial, they would either die in the dangers of the third trial or at the hands of Long Shan or Shen Ba.

But now, upon learning Chu Xuan's identity, everyone knew they were saved.

At the very least, there was now a glimmer of hope for survival.

The figure from the nationwide broadcast—who had suppressed numerous captains and killed an S-rank Specter in an instant—had left a deep impression on their hearts.

As the eleventh toll of the bell ended, Long Shan's screams weakened until they finally stopped, and he vanished within the Black Flame.

Only a charred and tattered suit remained.

"What are you standing there for?" Chu Xuan's voice broke the silence. He pointed at Li Na and said calmly, "The favor you owe me—I want you to repay it now. Go change the lamp."

"I..." Li Na opened her mouth.

Chu Xuan said, "There are only ten minutes left. If you don't hurry up and change the lamp, do you intend to get us all killed?"

Li Na's face stiffened. "You..."

Chu Xuan continued, "As official personnel, we can only protect the safety and interests of more civilians if we ensure our own safety. So, please broaden your perspective, uphold the spirit of self-sacrifice, and sacrifice yourself a little."