3: Chapter 3: Team member Chen Xi officially leaves the team!

"Fine! If I'm leaving, I'm leaving!"

As the last trace of warmth in his heart was completely crushed, it was replaced by a cold, biting determination.

Chen Xi no longer had the slightest hesitation.

He abruptly raised his wrist and extended the bracelet on it toward Lin Feng.

The movement was crisp and clean, without a hint of reluctance.

Seeing this, a triumphant cold sneer curled on Lin Feng's lips, and he raised his hand to touch back without hesitation.

The moment the two bracelets made contact, a crisp electronic sound rang out in the empty room, sounding exceptionally cold and heartless.

[Ding—!]

[Shenfeng Squad has detected a withdrawal request from member 'Chen Xi'. Captain 'Lin Feng', do you agree?]

Lin Feng's gaze didn't even linger on the prompt box for more than half a second before his index finger stabbed hard at the "Agree" button.

Immediately after, a second notification tone sounded.

[Ding—!]

[Warning: After this member leaves the team, the connection between you will be completely severed. You will no longer be able to share experience and information, nor will you enjoy team skill attribute bonuses. In large-scale dungeons or PVP zones, each other's attack skills will deal full damage to the other. Do you confirm?]

Lin Feng once again clicked "Agree" without hesitation.

[Ding—!]

[Operation confirmed. Member 'Chen Xi' has officially left the team. Current Shenfeng Squad member count: 4/5]

After completing all this, Lin Feng glanced contemptuously at Chen Xi, his gaze as if looking at a pile of discarded trash.

He sneered, "Hmph, at least you're sensible."

Almost at the same time, the system's notification tone rang in Chen Xi's mind as well.

[Ding—!]

[You have left Shenfeng Squad. Your current status is: Free Agent.]

After receiving this message, there were no more ripples in Chen Xi's heart.

He didn't even look at the four people again; he turned around and walked toward the door without looking back.

Chen Xi's back was resolute and lonely, as if he intended to completely abandon everything from the past month in this empty room.

Just as he passed by Zhang Xinyu, she suddenly spoke in an incredibly sincere tone:

"Brother Xi... Although, although we aren't teammates anymore, we're still classmates and friends, right?"

As she spoke, a perfectly measured look of sadness and reluctance appeared on her face, as if she were the one most heartbroken over Chen Xi's departure.

This performance made Chen Xi's forward steps come to an abrupt halt.

He slowly turned his head and looked Zhang Xinyu up and down with a gaze reserved for fools, his eyes filled with undisguised absurdity and sarcasm.

"What did you say?"

"You kicked me out, stole my things, and now... you still want to be friends with me?"

A cold arc curved at the corner of Chen Xi's mouth: "

How do you have the face to say such words? If you're going to be a whore, do you feel you must also set up a memorial arch for your own chastity to make it complete?"

"You!"

Zhang Xinyu's face instantly turned the color of pig liver, and the tears in her eyes could no longer be held back, streaming down. Only this time, it wasn't an act, but genuine shame and fury.

"Chen Xi! Who the hell are you calling a whore!?"

Fang Yue, who had been protecting Zhang Xinyu, roared at Chen Xi with bloodshot eyes.

He lunged forward in one stride, his clenched fist even emitting a faint glow of Frost Battle Qi.

"Xinyu is kind enough to want to continue being friends with you, and you're this ungrateful, spewing filth!?"

Facing the aggressive Fang Yue, Chen Xi didn't even bother to lift an eyelid. He just glanced at him disdainfully and squeezed out a few words through his teeth:

"Heh, a whore and a dog, a match made in heaven for eternity."

"You're looking for death!"

Fang Yue's rationality was completely ignited by those words.

He let out a roar, and his frost-wrapped fist was about to smash into Chen Xi's face!

"Stop!"

At this critical moment, Lin Feng's cold voice rang out.

He grabbed Fang Yue's wrist, bringing Fang Yue's attack to a sudden halt.

"Alright, Fang Yue, don't be impulsive!"

Lin Feng's eyes were gloomy, but his mind was exceptionally clear:

"Private brawling is strictly forbidden on campus. Once discovered, you'll be disciplined and have team points deducted!"

He glanced at the expressionless Chen Xi and sneered:

"This kid is clearly trying to provoke you, intentionally trying to get our Shenfeng Squad points deducted. Don't fall for it. It's not worth lowering yourself to the level of this trash."

Hearing the words "points deducted," Fang Yue's anger was like having a bucket of cold water poured over it, instantly extinguishing most of it.

He glared fiercely at Chen Xi and reluctantly withdrew his fist.

"Let's go." Lin Feng patted Fang Yue on the shoulder, then spoke to everyone in a deliberately raised voice:

"Let's hurry to the VIP Reception Room on the third floor. We have an appointment with our new teammate soon! We must hold a grand and solemn welcome ceremony for him!"

As he spoke, he deliberately cast a contemptuous glance at Chen Xi, the provocative intent being self-evident.

Chen Xi's steps faltered slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed through his heart.

They had actually found a new teammate so quickly?

It seemed Lin Feng kicking him out was indeed premeditated.

Seeing that his words had successfully caught Chen Xi's attention, the smugness on Lin Feng's face intensified. He continued in a boasting tone, word by word:

"Our new teammate is the former number one on the leaderboard, the Ace DPS of the Nightfall Squad—Yan Zidong!"

"Yan Zidong!?"

As soon as this name was mentioned, not only Chen Xi, but even Fang Yue and Sun Lin nearby showed shocked expressions.

"Captain Lin! Did you... did you really reach an agreement with Yan Zidong!?"

Fang Yue's eyes were instantly replaced by wild joy and admiration, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

Lin Feng smiled with supreme confidence, enjoying the admiring gazes of his teammates:

"Of course! Otherwise, why do you think I was in such a hurry to free up a spot in our squad?"

"Great! This is great!"

Fang Yue rubbed his hands in excitement. "I heard that 'God Yan' is the absolute core of the entire Nightfall Squad and is recognized as the strongest freshman Fire Mage! With him around, our efficiency in clearing dungeons will probably multiply several times over!"

Lin Feng's gaze once again turned toward Chen Xi's back as it was about to disappear out the door, and he said in an extremely mocking tone:

"Naturally. With one less trash who can only throw cards from the back and one more god-tier powerful DPS, I believe our Shenfeng Battle Team has a great hope of charging for the number one spot on the leaderboard next month!"

So that was it.

Hearing this, all the doubts in Chen Xi's heart were resolved.

He had heard long ago that a few days ago, the top-ranked Nightfall Squad met with an accident while challenging a high-difficulty dungeon.

Their captain was severely injured and remains unconscious to this day, leading to the dissolution of that once glorious team.

Several core members of the team immediately became hot commodities that major battle teams were scrambling for.

It seemed Lin Feng had seized this opportunity to successfully extend an olive branch to Yan Zidong, the Ace DPS of the Nightfall Squad, and had received his confirmation.

No wonder they were so impatient and merciless in kicking him out.

However, upon hearing this news, Chen Xi didn't feel much of a stir in his heart.

Jealousy? Resentment?

None at all.

He just found it laughable.

These fools didn't know yet.

Exactly what kind of exaggerated attribute boosts his cards provided them.

Without looking back, Chen Xi stepped out of the Stronghold's main gate and walked toward the school's Administration Building.

He had more important things to do.

Watching Chen Xi's back as he completely disappeared at the end of the corridor, the oppressive atmosphere finally eased slightly.

Sun Lin, who hadn't spoken until now, couldn't help but ask Lin Feng in a low voice:

"Captain Lin... is what we're doing... a bit too heartless? After all, Brother Xi... he really did help us a lot. Without him, we wouldn't have made it this far."

Her voice carried a hint of unease and guilt.

Hearing this, Lin Feng's expression darkened, and he swept a cold glance over her.

"Heh, heartless?" He sneered, his tone filled with unquestionable cruelty:

"Sun Lin, remember this: at our Jiang University, survival of the fittest is the eternal truth! A useless support like him is only fit to be used as a stepping stone. Now that he has no more utility, kicking him out is the most normal and correct choice!"

His voice echoed in the empty room, carrying a cold authority.

Then, he looked at everyone and waved his hand:

"Alright! Don't let a piece of trash ruin our mood! Everyone, come with me to the third floor and get ready to welcome our ace!"