88: Chapter 88 Why is it so hard to bury a box?

With a loud "clang" as the heavy, explosion-proof door slammed shut, the mobile prison for F-Class officially set off.

The interior of the vehicle was dim, with only a few shafts of light piercing through the cracks, swaying erratically as the vehicle jolted.

If they were normal students, this oppressive environment would have triggered claustrophobia long ago.

But the group from F-Class was clearly an exception.

Jiang You found a relatively flat corner, leaned the silver suitcase against his side, and curled up into a ball, preparing to catch up on some sleep.

However, barely a few seconds after he closed his eyes, a rustling sound came from beside him.

He opened his eyes impatiently to see Gou Fugui sneaking over to his side, his small eyes glittering in the dim light, staring fixedly at his suitcase.

"Brother Jiang," Gou Fugui lowered his voice and leaned in mysteriously, "Didn't the things inside your suitcase get stolen? Why did you bring it along specially?"

Jiang You's heart skipped a beat. He guardedly pulled the suitcase closer to himself and feigned calmness, saying, "Fugui, you don't get it. I brought this suitcase here specifically to confuse others!"

"Oh? How so?" Gou Fugui looked puzzled.

Even Lu Xingye, who was pretending to sleep nearby, and Xiang Batian, who was practicing his grip strength, pricked up their ears.

Jiang You sighed, looked at Gou Fugui with the profound gaze of someone who had seen through the vanity of the world, and said earnestly, "Fugui, your perspective is still too narrow."

"Think about it, why did that Faceless Man only steal what was inside, but leave the suitcase behind?"

Gou Fugui scratched his head: "Because the suitcase isn't worth anything?"

"Wrong!"

Jiang You slammed his hand on the suitcase. He lowered his voice, looking inscrutable: "That's because he was humiliating me! He was mocking me for being unable to protect my wealth!"

"If I went to special training empty-handed, it would be telling that Faceless Man: I'm a pushover, a toothless tiger!"

A flash of wisdom crossed Jiang You's eyes: "Therefore, I must bring it!"

"This is the legendary—Empty Fort Strategy!"

"The more nervous I act about this suitcase, the more I keep it by my side, the more suspicious that greedy Faceless Man will be!"

Jiang You narrowed his eyes, his voice becoming sinister: "He will think: Huh? Why is this kid still holding an empty suitcase? Could there be a hidden compartment in that suitcase? Did the school issue him an even more awesome treasure?"

"Once he develops this curiosity, once he can't resist making a move on this suitcase again…"

Jiang You sneered and patted the suitcase: "Heh heh, when that time comes, I'll be able to catch his fox tail on the spot!"

Gou Fugui listened, dumbstruck, his mouth wide enough to fit an egg.

He looked at Jiang You, his gaze shifting from confusion to admiration, and finally to complete awe: "Brilliant! That is truly brilliant!"

"Brother Jiang, are you… conducting a sting operation?"

"Using your own dignity as bait to lure out that master thief whom even the principal can't catch?"

Lu Xingye nearby also couldn't help but open his eyes. Although he maintained his aloof posture, his heart was in turmoil: "So that's it! I was wondering why he would bring an empty suitcase as a burden; it turns out he was setting a trap!"

"Is this what true strategy is? This kid is truly terrifying!"

Xiang Batian gave a thumbs up: "Brother Jiang, since you're doing this to catch a thief, I'll help you keep an eye on this suitcase from now on! I'll fight anyone who dares to get close!"

"No, no!" Jiang You hurriedly clutched the suitcase tighter, terrified that this guy would be too enthusiastic and actually try to help, "Such a dangerous task, let me bear it alone!"

After finally fooling his roommates, Jiang You let out a long sigh of relief and wiped the non-existent cold sweat from his forehead.

"Whew…"

"Good thing I was quick-witted, otherwise I would have been exposed."

He leaned back into the corner, clutching that suitcase full of lace lingerie, and closed his eyes with peace of mind.

"Sleep, sleep. Once we get off the bus, I'll find a place where no one is around and bury this ticking time bomb…"

As the vehicle drove out of the city, the concentration of spiritual energy in the surrounding area began to rise exponentially.

[Internal Chat Group (Olfactory Radar Activated)]

[Kidneys (Nostrils fluttering, although it has no nose)]: "Sniff, sniff… This smell is right!"

"It's getting closer! That wild, primitive, spiritual-energy-filled scent in the air!"

"High-energy ahead! Ahead is the buffet restaurant!"

[stomach (Rumbling)]: "I've been hungry the whole way here."

"I hope there are some substantial dishes, not just small fry that barely fill the gaps between my teeth."

[Brain]: "Everyone, get ready."

"Remember, our goal is: Eat your fill, drink your fill, and take away everything that can be moved."

...

After the mobile prison drove for another two hours.

"Hiss!!!"

Accompanied by a shrill sound of air brakes, the steel behemoth slowly came to a halt.

The doors opened, and dazzling sunlight streamed in.

"We've arrived! Everyone off the bus!"

Teacher Shen Qing's voice came from the driver's cabin.

Jiang You hugged the suitcase, squinting his eyes as he wobbled off the bus with the group.

Just after getting off the bus, he was shocked by the scene before him.

This was no wilderness dungeon entrance; it was clearly a steel fortress armed to the teeth!

Thirty-meter-high alloy walls surrounded the perimeter, with squads of elite soldiers patrolling back and forth, their eyes murderous.

And at the main gate of the fortress, there even stood several powerful individuals with unfathomable auras, wearing the school emblem of Magic City Martial Arts University on their chests.

These were elite alumni who had already graduated and had been assigned here to suppress the dungeon.

This was the boundary between human civilization and the wild alien world, and it was an absolute restricted zone.

And in the center of this steel fortress stood a massive light gate, as tall as a ten-story building.

The light gate had no physical frame; there was only violent spatial energy constantly tearing and recombining, making a teeth-gritting "sizzle" sound.

Through the swirling blue vortex, one could vaguely see the gray, primitive, and dangerous scene of the alien world on the other side.

"This is… the entrance to an S-Rank Dungeon?"

Gou Fugui swallowed hard, his profiteering aura from just moments ago—when he wanted to sell raincoats—instantly deflated by half: "I feel like I'll be minced into meat paste if I go in."

Jiang You, meanwhile, clutched the silver briefcase tightly, looking around with a worried expression.

It was packed with people.

Besides the thousands of students gathering, there were expressionless guards and surveillance drones buzzing overhead, providing 360-degree, dead-zone-free coverage.

"How am I supposed to bury the suitcase now?"

Jiang You felt bitter inside.

He had originally thought that once they reached the wilderness, he could just find a mud pit or a patch of grass, throw this "social death bomb" in, cover it with some dirt, and be done with it.

But this place was tighter than a bank vault; there were eyes everywhere!

Just then, a middle-aged officer in a black military uniform strode over.

He walked straight up to Teacher Shen Qing, who had just gotten off the bus, and gave a standard military salute with a crisp "snap," his tone filled with awe and excitement: "Teacher Shen, long time no see!"

"The area has been cleared, and the outer perimeter security line has been tripled. I guarantee not even a fly will fly out, and no one will be able to sneak in!"

Teacher Shen Qing took off her sunglasses, nodded casually, her aura fully unleashed: "Thank you for your hard work, Old Zhang."

"There are a few too many students this time, and a few… particularly troublesome thorns. Sorry for the trouble."

After the pleasantries, Teacher Shen Qing turned around to face the thousands of students who were gathering.

A cold smirk curled at the corner of her lips as she announced the rule that completely pushed Jiang You into despair: "Listen up!"

"Passing through that light gate ahead is the true S-Rank alien fragment—the Mist Swamp."

"Although it has been cleared, it remains a lawless land and a paradise for monsters."

"To prevent you from dying the moment you enter, or some people from taking the opportunity to run off…"

Teacher Shen Qing paused, then said word by word: "For this special training, we will adopt a full-member binding, collective advancement system!"

"Everyone must stick close to their respective team leaders! F-Class students are to follow me!"

"It is strictly forbidden to leave the team without permission! It is strictly forbidden to act alone!"

"Even if you need to go to the bathroom, you must report it and do it within line of sight!"

"Whoever dares to run around…" Teacher Shen Qing's finger lightly tapped the hilt of her sword, producing a crisp ringing sound, "I will throw them into the mud pit to feed the crocodiles."

"…"

The expression on Jiang You's face froze.