69: Converge and meet!

As the bell rang, the monsters that had filled the narrow, winding passages retreated like a tide.

In the blink of an eye, they vanished without a trace.

The next moment, a portal appeared at the end of the corridor.

This was the entrance to the second stage of the Path of Exile.

It must be said that 24 consecutive hours of high-intensity monster grinding had taken a toll, even on Bai Xiaoxiao and Zhao Peng.

Not to mention the other lower-level ordinary people.

At this moment, all the newcomers who saw the portal collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, they all walked towards the portal.

“Whoosh!”

Figures flickered.

At the entrance of a large maze, batches of newcomers appeared.

“Haha! It’s finally over, it was so damn tiring.”

“Tell me about it, we didn’t stop for 24 hours. Although there wasn’t much danger, my legs feel weak.”

“But then again, this triple experience is awesome. I’ve already reached level 40.”

“Tch! What’s there to brag about at level 40? I’m level 45.”

“Hiss! Level 45? How did you level up so fast?”

“What’s the big deal? I was already level 35 when I came in, and now I’m almost level 48.”

Perhaps because they had been fighting for 24 hours straight, seeing the lively crowd, everyone couldn’t help but start chatting.

The atmosphere gradually became enthusiastic.

However, just then, a flash of light.

Someone else entered the maze entrance.

And the crowd, who had been eagerly discussing, all stopped their voices at the moment the figure appeared.

Zhao Peng’s gaze swept around.

Some of what these people had been discussing had reached him.

He couldn’t help but sneer, “A bunch of trash, how much did they drink to be flattering each other here?”

Everyone’s faces flushed red upon hearing this.

Many of them couldn’t stand it and angrily shouted, “You talk as if you’re so great. How many levels have you gained?”

However, as soon as he spoke, he was quickly pulled back by a companion at his side, who whispered a warning.

“Shh! Are you crazy? That’s Zhao Peng!”

“Zhao Peng? Which Zhao…” The person who had spoken earlier hadn’t reacted yet.

Zhao Peng had already strode over to him.

He looked at the other person with a cold expression and softly said, “Since you’re curious, I’ll tell you. I was already level 60 several hours ago. Are you satisfied with that answer?”

Behind Zhao Peng, although Wang Cheng and Lin Yong didn’t speak, the mockery in their eyes was unconcealed.

Bai Xiaoxiao, on the other hand, had a calm and indifferent expression and didn’t interject.

And upon hearing Zhao Peng casually state his level, the passerby who had just angrily confronted Zhao Peng instantly cowered, repeatedly apologized to Zhao Peng, and then quickly pulled his companion into the crowd.

By then, he also knew Zhao Peng’s identity; he was from the Zhao family of the Eight Great Families.

Even without that, Zhao Peng’s exaggerated level of 60 alone was enough to make everyone present feel intimidated.

Sure enough, after a brief silence, a series of gasps echoed through the large maze entrance.

“Oh my god! Zhao Peng is already level 60? Isn’t that too exaggerated?”

“We’re all new Professionals, but isn’t the difference a bit too big?”

“I don’t understand. In the past, those who reached level 60 were all peerless prodigies with S-rank or higher Talents. Isn’t Zhao Peng only A-rank Talent?”

“You idiot! He’s A-rank, but haven’t you seen the people around him? They’re all S-rank or higher.”

“Hiss! As expected of the Zhao family from the Eight Great Families. An A-rank can mobilize a team of S-rank prodigies to level up with him. We can’t compare!”

…Listening to everyone’s exclamations, Zhao Peng’s lips involuntarily curved into a smug smile.

Wang Cheng and Lin Yong, on the other hand, couldn’t help but frown.

Although what these people said was true, it sounded so grating.

Bai Xiaoxiao, however, wasn’t listening to anyone at this moment.

For her, the most important thing right now was to find Ye Xiao.

Previously, in the first stage of the Path of Exile, due to being in different spaces, they couldn’t communicate.

But after entering the second stage, everyone was in the same area.

Private messages could naturally be sent.

But Bai Xiaoxiao had just subtly sent several messages to Ye Xiao.

However, the messages failed to send.

This surprised Bai Xiaoxiao.

Logically speaking, although the first stage was tough, with the protection of the safe zone, there shouldn’t have been any risks.

Why hadn’t Ye Xiao arrived yet?

However, just as Bai Xiaoxiao was wondering, another flash of light appeared.

Immediately after, a tall and slender figure stepped into the maze entrance.

This movement instantly startled Zhao Peng, who was still gloating, and all the other newcomers who were in awe.

At this point, almost everyone had already entered the maze entrance.

And there was no trace of Night Shadow in the crowd.

So, the person who had just arrived must be…?

Almost at the same time, everyone simultaneously turned their gaze towards that figure.

Among them, Bai Xiaoxiao subtly moved a few steps towards the figure.

At this moment, Ye Xiao, who had just arrived, immediately saw Bai Xiaoxiao, who was closest to him.

It had been a few days since they last met.

Ye Xiao vaguely remembered that when he met Bai Xiaoxiao back then, she had an arrogant attitude, even “bestowing” him 30,000 eternal coins.

However, at this moment, he noticed that Bai Xiaoxiao’s gaze towards him was filled with surprise, and a hint of visible “deep affection.”

Instantly, Ye Xiao reacted.

He understood what was happening and couldn’t help but chuckle.

This woman, she really is… However, before Ye Xiao could speak, Zhao Peng had already strode up to him, first briefly sizing up Ye Xiao’s appearance.

This person in front of him, is he Night Shadow?

He looked just like he did in the previous photos.

Although he wasn’t particularly impressed by Ye Xiao’s appearance, Zhao Peng, uncharacteristically, spoke in a calm tone:

“Night Shadow?”

Ye Xiao looked at Zhao Peng in front of him. Although the other party maintained a calm tone, the subtle arrogance in his words was obvious to anyone.

So, he blinked.

“I’m not.”

Zhao Peng’s breath hitched.

He had considered countless excuses Night Shadow might have, but he had never imagined that the other party would directly deny it.

This made a belly full of words he was about to say get stuck in his throat.

Zhao Peng, with a hint of caution, turned back to look at Bai Xiaoxiao with a questioning look.

“Is he the Ye Xiao you know?”

That Night Shadow was Ye Xiao was something only the Eight Great Families knew.

Naturally, they were also aware of the past relationship between Bai Xiaoxiao and Ye Xiao.

This was also why Zhao Peng secretly looked down on Bai Xiaoxiao.

However, now that they had entered the Path of Exile, there was no need to keep it a secret.

Zhao Peng asked directly.

Bai Xiaoxiao frowned upon hearing this.

Among the Eight Great Families, the Bai family was unaware of Night Shadow’s true identity.

It was precisely because of this that Bai Xiaoxiao had never given up on trying to win over Ye Xiao.

In her opinion, there were no particularly outstanding newcomers among the Eight Great Families this year.

If she could successfully recruit Ye Xiao, her chances of topping the upcoming point competition would greatly increase.

As long as she could take first place, her value would be directly amplified.

But now Zhao Peng had asked so directly. If she answered, her subsequent actions would be very passive.

However, helping Ye Xiao conceal it was also clearly not advisable.

As Bai Xiaoxiao quickly calculated the pros and cons, she soon made a decision; she didn't intend to hide it.

Once Ye Xiao and Zhao Peng got into a conflict, no matter who lived or died, she could completely reap the benefits.

Thinking of this, Bai Xiaoxiao smiled and was about to speak.

However, at this moment, a voice immediately rang in everyone’s ears, also interrupting Bai Xiaoxiao.

---

【Ding! First stage points have been converted into point bracelets.】

【The Exile Maze is about to open. Please enter immediately. The maze entrance will close in five minutes.】

---