The dust finally settled.
Chu Meng was gone.
The crowd dispersed.
The wind gently moved through the rocky pass like nothing dramatic had just happened.
Chen Linjian stepped forward first, composed as always.
"Nie Li," he said with a faint smile, "that was impressive. Turning defense into advancement… I underestimated you."
Nie Li nodded calmly. "Just a small trick."
Shisui gave a short nod as well.
"Your combat fundamentals are solid. You didn't panic even under the overwhelming pressure."
That was high praise coming from him.
Nie Li smiled slightly. "Thank you."
Behind them—
Karma had somehow climbed onto a small rock and was cupping his hands like a street vendor.
"Alright! Payout time! Who bet on Librarian Mode?! I accept spiritual stones, rare herbs, and emotional damage receipts—"
Ye Ziyun's eyes twitched.
A very visible anime tick mark appeared.
Karma continued loudly:
"Don't be shy! The house takes only ten percent! I'm very reasonable!"
Several students awkwardly avoided eye contact.
One guy slowly tried to sneak away.
Too late.
Ziyun marched over.
Pinch.
She grabbed Karma's nose between two fingers and yanked downward.
"OWOWOWOWOW—!"
His goggles tilted sideways. The whistle bounced against his chest. The stick clattered to the ground.
"ZIYUN! I CAN'T BREATHE! THIS IS A NATIONAL TREASURE NOSE—!"
She dragged him off the rock by his face.
"You were taking bets?!" she snapped.
"I call it—ow—economic observation—OW!"
She stopped, spun him around, and pointed a finger at his forehead.
"You are unstable. Reckless. And completely shameless."
Karma froze.
The wind blew dramatically.
The background shifted to a soft pastel scolding aura.
Cut to—
Karma sitting seiza-style on the ground in front of her.
Goggles still on.
Whistle hanging.
Stick placed respectfully beside him like a surrendered sword.
Head lowered.
Tiny shadow lines over his face.
"…sorry," he whispered.
Ziyun crossed her arms.
"You stopped me from stepping in."
"…it was the final round…"
"You were enjoying it."
Long pause.
"…a little."
She leaned closer.
"A little?"
He shrank slightly.
"…a lot."
BONK.
She flicked his forehead.
"Idiot."
In the background—
Chen Linjian looked away politely.
Huan Lanruo covered her mouth, shoulders shaking with laughter.
Shisui stood quietly.
"…He deserves it," he said calmly.
Karma peeked upward dramatically, eyes watery.
"Et tu, Shisui?"
Ziyun grabbed his ear this time.
"Don't drag others into your nonsense!"
"Ow ow ow ow— surrender! I surrender!"
She released him with a huff.
Karma remained sitting properly for a few seconds longer.
Then slowly raised his hand like a classroom student.
"…may I stand now?"
Ziyun glared.
"…yes."
He immediately sprang up like nothing happened.
Goggles adjusted.
Whistle straightened.
Stick retrieved.
Energy restored to 100%.
"Alright everyone! Emotional damage resolved! Let's continue the expedition!"
Ziyun's tick mark reappeared.
He froze mid-step.
"…walking quietly," he corrected, lowering his volume instantly.
The group resumed moving.
Behind them, faint laughter echoed through the rocky path.
And for once—
Karma walked slightly behind Ziyun.
Very slightly.
The expedition continued through the narrow canyon path.
But today—
The main attraction was no longer Nie Li.
It was Shisui.
And his ongoing battle against… Huan Lanruo.
Karma noticed it instantly.
He slowed his pace.
Adjusted his goggles.
Whispered dramatically:
"Oh ho… new episode unlocked."
—
Lanruo suddenly appeared beside Shisui with perfect timing.
"Shisui, you must be tired," she said softly.
She held out a small wrapped snack.
"I prepared this earlier."
Shisui paused.
"…Thank you."
He accepted it politely.
Karma leaned toward Nie Li and whispered loudly enough for three rows to hear:
"Phase One: Nutritional Assault."
Nie Li ignored him.
Lanruo watched Shisui eat with shining eyes.
"…Is it good?"
"Yes. It's good."
He gave a small, gentle smile.
Lanruo internally:
He smiled.
Externally:
Her aura bloomed.
Behind them, several male students clutched their chests.
"Why is he getting treated like that…"
Another muttered:
"If someone offered me food like that I'd awaken instantly."
Karma scribbled in the air with his stick like a commentator.
"Crowd morale decreasing. Envy levels rising. Subject Shisui remains unaware."
—
Ten minutes later.
Lanruo again.
"Shisui, you're sweating."
Before he could react—
She stepped closer.
Very close.
And gently lifted a napkin toward his forehead.
Shisui froze.
The background turned dramatic.
His inner thoughts:
I would rather fight a Gold Rank demon beast.
But outwardly—
"…Thank you."
Kind. Calm. Polite.
Lanruo dabbed his forehead carefully.
"There."
Karma dramatically clutched Chen Linjian's shoulder.
"Is this allowed in public?"
Chen Linjian sighed.
"…I cannot interfere."
"You're like his brother!"
"…I value my life."
A group of girls whispered nearby.
"Lanruo is so bold…"
"He looks so gentle with her…"
Another boy whispered bitterly:
"If that was me, I'd faint."
Karma raised his hand like a classroom student.
"Excuse me, sir," he called to Shisui, "are you alive?"
Shisui gave him a side glance.
"Yes."
Karma nodded solemnly.
"Blink twice if you need rescue."
Shisui did not blink.
Karma gasped dramatically.
"He refuses extraction."
Lanruo again drifted closer.
"Shisui, do you need water?"
"…I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Absolutely sure?"
"…Yes."
"Completely sure?"
"…Lanruo."
"Yes?"
"…I am certain."
She smiled sweetly.
He said my name.
Behind them—
Karma whispered to Ziyun:
"He's fighting for his life."
Ziyun giggled.
"Big brother Shisui looks troubled."
Indeed—
Shisui's expression remained perfectly composed.
But there was the faintest stiffness in his shoulders.
The faintest recalculation in his eyes.
Like he was analyzing a battlefield.
Maintain distance.
Do not offend.
Remain polite.
Meanwhile—
Lanruo pulled out another snack.
"Try this one too."
Shisui looked at the sky briefly.
Gold Rank demon beast sounds easier.
"…Thank you."
Karma dramatically wiped fake tears.
"Such sacrifice. Such bravery."
Chen Linjian rubbed his temple.
"This is painful to watch."
"It's beautiful," Karma corrected.
"This is peak entertainment."
Nie Li walked slightly ahead, observing silently.
How could a great man like Shisui not even handle a girl?
He shook his head internally.
Combat genius. Social novice.
Karma suddenly leaned over and whispered to Nie Li:
"Lesson number one: always pretend to tie your shoe and retreat."
Nie Li gave him a flat look.
"You're the last person who should give advice."
Karma placed a hand on his chest dramatically.
"I am a master of escape tactics."
Ziyun's eye twitched.
"Really?"
He coughed.
"…sometimes."
Lanruo leaned closer again.
"Shisui, will you walk beside me?"
"I am already beside you."
She beamed.
Karma clutched his whistle.
"This man has no idea what he just did."
A random student whispered:
"I wish I had his problems."
Karma immediately turned.
"Trade accepted. Step forward."
The student retreated instantly.
At one point Lanruo lightly grabbed Shisui's sleeve to avoid a rock.
The entire male population froze.
Shisui stiffened slightly—
But still smiled gently.
"You're steady," she said softly.
"…I try."
Karma slapped his own forehead.
"He's too kind. This is why he's losing."
Shisui finally turned to Karma.
"I am not losing."
Lanruo blinked.
"Losing what?"
Karma immediately blew his whistle.
"Nothing! Nothing at all! Continue walking!"
Ziyun burst out laughing.
Even Chen Linjian couldn't hide a faint smile now.
Shisui exhaled quietly.
The journey continued.
Lanruo remained beside him.
Attentive. Bright. Unintentionally overwhelming.
Shisui remained calm.
Polite. Gentle. Internally exhausted.
And at the very back—
Karma walked backward again, goggles on, whispering like a sports commentator:
"Today's match: Shisui vs Feelings.
Current score: Feelings leading."
Shisui closed his eyes briefly.
Gold Rank demon beast. Definitely easier.
In the following two days, Nie Li continued traveling with the team while refining the soul power he had absorbed from Chu Meng.
The canyon finally opened up.
Ancient stone pillars rose from the earth like broken teeth. Vines crawled over cracked walls.
The air shifted—older, heavier.
They had arrived.
"The ruins…" Chen Linjian said quietly.
Everyone instinctively grew serious.
Even the usual chatter faded.
For once—
Even Karma stopped walking backward.
He stepped forward slowly.
The wind brushed his hair.
Then—
Very ceremoniously—
He removed the whistle from around his neck.
He took off the goggles.
Held both in his hands.
Closed his eyes dramatically.
"Thank you for your service, mates."
He bowed slightly… to the whistle and goggles.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
One student whispered, "Is he… thanking equipment?"
Karma placed the whistle gently inside his dimension ring.
The goggles followed.
"You have witnessed ego clashes, romantic warfare, and financial operations," he murmured
solemnly. "Rest well."
Ziyun stared at him.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
Her expression said only one thing:
He's gone insane.
"…Karma," she said flatly.
"Yes?"
"…Are you alright?"
He looked at her, perfectly serious.
"Ziyun."
"Yes?"
"This was a long journey."
"…That's why you're thanking your whistle?"
"It carried emotional weight."
She blinked.
Chen Linjian looked away.
Lanruo covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Shisui quietly said, "…I understand."
Everyone turned to him.
He added calmly, "Equipment that survives chaos deserves respect."
Karma pointed dramatically.
"See? He gets it."
Ziyun pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I can't believe I'm surrounded by this."
Nie Li walked past them toward the ruins entrance, calm as ever.
"We should focus. The ruins won't clear themselves."
Karma instantly straightened.
Expression shifting.
Playfulness dimmed—just slightly.
He rolled his shoulders.
"Alright."
His tone changed—lighter, but sharper.
"Showtime's over."
The wind howled faintly through the broken arches.
Dust swirled across ancient stone.
The atmosphere turned tense.
Karma glanced once more at the ruins.
Then grinned faintly.
"New stage," he whispered.
And this time—
No goggles.
No whistle.
Just him.