45: Chapter 45 Are they really getting ready to leave?

Meanwhile.

In the Thunder Ruins, amidst a desolate, rocky landscape.

"Huff… huff…"

Zhou Tianren's designer shirt was soaked through with sweat, clinging tightly to his body.

His originally meticulously styled hair was now disheveled, sitting on his forehead like a bird's nest.

Li Shan, Wang Yuan, and the others following behind him wore equally helpless expressions.

In the past, when they entered a dungeon, they always had a clear objective.

Before entering, they would have memorized the dungeon map, knowing exactly where to go once inside.

But this time, they were looking for people in a dungeon.

And it was a multiplayer dungeon with a massive map at that.

Heaven knows where to find Chen Xi and the other two!

And so, led by Zhou Tianren, the group wandered aimlessly through the Thunder Ruins for several hours.

At this moment, Zhou Tianren was still walking in the lead.

He trudged through the piles of rubble, cursing with every step:

"Damn it! Why is this ghost place so big!?"

"Is that bastard Chen Xi a rat? How is he so good at hiding!?"

"Young Master Zhou… please slow down, watch your step."

"Slow down your head!"

Zhou Tianren turned around and unleashed a torrent of abuse, venting all his frustration on the group:

"You can't even find a single person! What's the use of keeping you useless bunch around!?"

"I paid so much money to hire you, is it for you to come here and take a walk!?"

The more Zhou Tianren thought about it, the angrier he became. In a fit of rage, he kicked a pebble at his feet.

The force was too great, causing his toe to ache and making him grimace in pain.

Qi Huan and the others behind him wanted to laugh but didn't dare.

After holding it in for a long time, Qi Huan finally managed to squeeze out a sentence to divert attention:

"Young Master Zhou, is it possible… they are afraid of running into us, so they are deliberately hiding?"

Zhou Tianren let out a cold snort, but the gloom in his eyes did not diminish at all:

"Hmph! What a bunch of losers. I don't know what kind of love potion Xiao Xiao took to be so devoted to that guy!"

"However, even if he hides in a rat hole, I will dig him out today!"

Just as Zhou Tianren was making his threats.

Qi Huan, who was walking at the very front, suddenly stopped in his tracks.

His eyes narrowed as he pointed toward a patch of mist not far ahead.

"Young Master Zhou! Wait!"

"Look over there! Is that them!?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Tianren's spirits lifted, and he quickly looked in the direction Qi Huan was pointing.

Sure enough, a few hundred meters away, on the only path leading to the dungeon exit, three figures were walking along, chatting and laughing.

Although they were quite far away, that unique configuration of two girls and one man, along with that figure that made Zhou Tianren's teeth itch with hatred…

He would recognize them even if they turned to ash!

"Heh…"

The exhaustion on Zhou Tianren's face instantly vanished, replaced by an extremely sinister smile.

He licked his dry lips, his eyes filled with murderous intent:

"All that searching was for nothing, yet here they are!"

"Chen Xi… I've finally cornered you!"

He waved his hand abruptly, lowering his voice with a chilling tone:

"Qi Huan! Use the mist! Don't let them discover us!"

"Yes!"

Qi Huan understood immediately, waving his magic staff and chanting under his breath.

"Shadow Veil!"

A faint layer of gray mist, almost blending in with the surrounding environment, instantly shrouded Zhou Tianren and his group.

Their figures became indistinct within the mist, and their presence was perfectly concealed.

"Follow them!"

A playful and cruel glint, like a cat toying with a mouse, flashed in Zhou Tianren's eyes as he led the others to silently tail Chen Xi's group.

The distance between the two sides closed bit by bit.

Watching Chen Xi in front, who was still chatting and laughing without any awareness, the killing intent in Zhou Tianren's heart boiled over.

He turned his head and whispered instructions to Li Shan, Wang Yuan, and the others behind him:

"Listen to me!"

"This is a multiplayer dungeon; it's normal for people to die here!"

"Once they start fighting monsters, you all attack immediately!"

Zhou Tianren made a throat-slitting gesture, his expression ferocious:

"Focus on that Chen Xi, and hit him with everything you've got! Beat him to death!"

"If anything happens, it's on me! I'll take responsibility if he dies!"

Li Shan and Wang Yuan exchanged glances, both seeing the ruthlessness in each other's eyes.

With Young Master Zhou's guarantee, what did they have to fear?

"Understood! Just watch, Young Master Zhou!"

"We'll make sure he regrets coming into this world!"

The group rubbed their hands in anticipation, their weapons already faintly glowing with skills, ready to strike the moment Zhou Tianren gave the order.

However.

Just as they had been tailing them for a while, preparing to find the best moment to strike.

Qi Huan, who was responsible for maintaining the mist, suddenly frowned.

"Young Master Zhou… something… something doesn't seem right."

"What is it? Stop acting mysterious!" Zhou Tianren asked impatiently, his eyes fixed on Chen Xi's back.

"Look at the direction they are walking…"

Qi Huan swallowed hard, pointing at the path Chen Xi's group was taking, his tone becoming uncertain:

"They… they don't seem to have any intention of stopping to fight monsters."

"This road… it seems to be heading straight for the dungeon exit!?"

"What!?"

Zhou Tianren was stunned and quickly looked closely.

At this look, he was completely dumbfounded.

Ahead, not far away, the blue-glowing portal was already clearly visible.

And Chen Xi and the other two were walking with happy strides, showing no signs of stopping, heading straight for the portal.

"No… no way!?"

Zhou Tianren's eyes were about to pop out of their sockets, an incredibly absurd feeling welling up in his heart.

What time was it?

They had wandered around inside for half the day and hadn't even gained a single thing.

This Chen Xi… is he leaving already?!

What did they come in for? A sightseeing trip?!

"Quick! Stop them! Attack! Attack now!"

Zhou Tianren was completely panicked. He didn't care about sneak attacks anymore, dispelling the mist and rushing forward.

If Chen Xi entered the portal, he would be back at the school.

At school, even if he was the Vice Principal's son.

If he physically assaulted someone, the punishment would not be light.

"Damn it! Chen Xi! Stop right there!!"

Zhou Tianren cursed furiously while sprinting.

Unfortunately, it was all too late.

Just as Zhou Tianren rushed out of the mist and was still a few dozen meters away from Chen Xi.

Chen Xi seemed to sense something. At the very last moment before stepping into the portal, he turned his head slightly and glanced in Zhou Tianren's direction.

In his eyes, there was a hint of confusion, and a hint of… mockery, as if looking at an idiot.

Then.

A flash of light.

The figures of Chen Xi, Li Murou, and Su Xiaoxiao stepped directly into the portal, right before Zhou Tianren's desperate and furious gaze.

Space ripples shimmered, and the three figures vanished without a trace.

Leaving only the blue light vortex, which continued to swirl slowly.

"…"

Zhou Tianren maintained his charging posture, freezing less than ten meters away from the portal.

The shout he had let out just now had resulted in nothing but silence.

This feeling of powerlessness, like punching a cotton ball, made him almost vomit blood.

"DAMN IT!!!!"