Chapter 168

Chapter 168 They didn’t seek trouble, but trouble came knocking. Moments later, someone pushed open the door of the house and spotted Su Bei and Jiang Tianming resting nearby, “Jiang Tianming? Su Bei?” He instantly grew wary, quickly calling out his teammates and confronting Jiang Tianming, “What are you doing here? Did you see us go in and decide to lurk at the entrance to ambush us?” They wouldn’t accept such an accusation. Jiang Tianming explained calmly, “No, we’re just waiting for our teammates.” “Why wait here and not go into another room? Think we’re idiots? If you’re ambushing, just admit it. Don’t think we’re scared!” They clearly didn’t buy it, especially the red-haired boy who’d first noticed them, speaking with suspicion. Jiang Tianming pointed at the house behind them, calmly noting, “Because this is where we agreed to meet. We even left the door open to avoid others coming in. So, technically, you took our spot.” His words silenced the five. They remembered the door was indeed open when they arrived, thinking it meant the place was empty and safe for rest, free from treasure hunters. They hadn’t realized it was someone else’s base. The atmosphere grew awkward. Finally, their team leader broke the silence, “Since you found this place first, it’s yours.” Finding a house without obvious damage or danger wasn’t easy, but they understood the principle of first-come, first-served. Besides, there was no need to clash with Jiang Tianming’s group over a replaceable rest spot, especially when they might not win. Jiang Tianming didn’t feign modesty—it was their spot. They’d only avoided entering earlier to avoid trouble. Since the other team yielded, he saw no reason to refuse. The potential conflict dissolved peacefully, a rare occurrence. With 11 o’clock approaching, Jiang Tianming started a fire for lunch. On their way back, they’d caught a Nightmare Rabbit and a Nightmare Bird, perfect for a meal. As for the earlier Nightmare Rat, though Nightmare Beasts only resembled animals superficially, eating a city rat tested their mental fortitude. With no food shortage, they didn’t need to force themselves. By 11:30, Si Zhaohua’s trio returned, looking like they’d just fought, with slightly messy hair but no major issues. “Did you clash with someone?” Jiang Tianming noticed their state. Ai Baozhu looked annoyed, not at him but at the idiots they’d encountered. Seeing her too irritated to speak, and Lan Subing too quiet, Si Zhaohua explained, “On our way back, we found a resource point—a nearly mature ‘Qingqing Fruit Tree.’ It was guarded by Nightmare Beasts. After we cleared them, another team jumped out, claiming a share.” The Qingqing Fruit Tree, unique to Different Spaces, bore juicy, delicious Qingqing Fruits. Crucially, for Wood Element Ability Users, it increased their internal wood element. Referencing Wu Mingbai’s qualitative leap after gaining earth element essence, it was clear how valuable boosting elemental content was for elemental Ability Users. Such items were best traded for other elemental items. Though Qingqing Fruits were wood-element, Qi Huang and Wu Mingbai both needed them. Hearing that the team only emerged after they’d cleared the beasts, Su Bei and Jiang Tianming understood—they’d been lurking, aiming to reap the rewards. “That’s not all!” Ai Baozhu cut in, seeing Si Zhaohua continue. If it were just shameless opportunists, she wouldn’t be this mad, “They even looked down on us!” “Why?” Jiang Tianming asked, surprised. By any measure—ability, family, or looks—the trio shouldn’t be mocked. Where was the flaw? Fuming, Ai Baozhu stomped, venting her anger, “They said we couldn’t beat Elvis despite knowing his ability, shaming our school.” How was that shameful? Jiang Tianming struggled to understand. Elvis was Alpha Ability Academy’s strongest. Losing to him wasn’t disgraceful. Besides, only Ai Baozhu truly lost. The other two—one drew, one won. How was that mock-worthy? Su Bei asked curiously, “So, what happened?” Ai Baozhu sneered, exuding confidence, “I can’t beat Elvis, but I can’t beat them?” Lan Subing clarified, “We eliminated them all.” Su Bei and Jiang Tianming nodded in unison. Such trash-talkers deserved elimination. If they hadn’t been, the two would’ve been mad too. “Here’s our haul—Rubber Energy Alloy,” Jiang Tianming showed a piece from his storage ring. Their finds would be pooled and divided later. Si Zhaohua presented a Qingqing Fruit, green and translucent, its outer skin clear, revealing the pulp inside. It contained only pulp, juice, and veins—no seeds, so planting it in a Different Space wouldn’t grow a new tree. Humans hadn’t cracked Qingqing Fruit Tree cultivation or transplantation, making the fruits highly valuable. Like Su Bei’s pair, Si Zhaohua’s group brought back Nightmare Beasts. With the fire ready, they ate quickly and headed toward the clock tower. During the search, all five hesitated awkwardly. Exchanging glances, they burst into laughter, realizing they’d all forgotten they could climb high or have Si Zhaohua fly to spot the clock tower, negating the need to split up. At the clock tower, many had gathered. Clearly, they weren’t the only ones with maps—locals likely had more. They just didn’t know how many teams had their specific map. Seeing the five arrive, many looked surprised. Someone blurted, “What are you doing here? Do you also have... mmmph!” Before finishing, a smarter teammate muffled him. If Su Bei’s group had a map, fine, but if not, he’d just spilled their secret. Since they didn’t press, Su Bei’s group didn’t reveal their map either. Pretending to explore the clock tower, they went in, found nothing, and followed the map’s route to their true destination. Not far along, fighting and exclamations echoed behind. Obviously, teams were clashing over map ownership. They felt the school’s cunning intent—setting all starting points at the clock tower to spark conflicts. As exchange students, others didn’t know they had a map. Otherwise, Su Bei was sure they’d have been targeted from the start. Initially, Alpha Ability Academy students were hostile, seeing them as resource competitors. If they knew they had the same map, they’d be livid. “Follow this road 500 meters, then turn left...” Lan Subing read the map softly, sighing, “Good thing it doesn’t use cardinal directions. I’d be lost.” It was midday, the sun overhead, making directions hard to discern. Su Bei was good with directions, trained in orienteering as a kid. The other three nodded, agreeing they disliked cardinal directions. Hearing “east” or “west” forced them to orient themselves—left or right was simpler. “Someone’s here,” Su Bei said softly. The group tensed but kept chatting loudly to mask it. Su Bei continued quietly, “Following us. Maybe they have the same map.” They understood. If it was the same map, it made sense. The group was likely tailing them to capitalize on their efforts. “Do we deal with them now?” Jiang Tianming asked. No objections. They slipped into a corner, creating the illusion their targets had vanished, urging the trackers to hurry. The five trackers panicked, speeding up. At the corner, each felt a feather at their neck’s artery. Though soft-looking, knowing Si Zhaohua’s attacks, they froze, fearing blood would spill. Unable to move, they were easily subdued by Su Bei’s group. Outside, Alpha Ability Academy teachers shook their heads, exasperated. Tracking without courage to face detection, oblivious to being spotted, and not one resisting after being caught. “Need more training,” Joseph sighed, then looked at Meng Huai curiously, “One thing puzzles me. Can you clarify, Teacher Meng?” “What?” Meng Huai asked, puzzled. Joseph adjusted his glasses, “From my observation, our five students showed no flaws. How did Su Bei know they were being followed?” Since they dared track strong exchange students, they weren’t brainless—they had skills. They kept a safe distance during tracking. Unless someone had enhanced hearing, their footsteps were inaudible. Su Bei’s group never looked back, so they shouldn’t have noticed. Yet Su Bei pinpointed the trackers, likely via an ability. Meng Huai raised an eyebrow, surprised Joseph noticed. Su Bei’s Advanced Mental Energy wasn’t a secret in Class S, but outsiders didn’t know. He wouldn’t reveal such a trump card, so he feigned ignorance, “The kid’s good at counter-surveillance. Maybe he spotted something we missed.” Joseph couldn’t tell if it was true, but either way, pressing further was pointless. If true, no need to ask. If false, Meng Huai wouldn’t admit it. With varied thoughts, they watched the screen. Facing the trackers, Su Bei’s group didn’t go easy. Using release as leverage, they took three maps, including their skill book resource point map. Alpha Ability Academy’s maps were enchanted to erase memory of their contents without possession, preventing students from selling map info and spreading resource point knowledge. This suited Su Bei’s group—they could take the maps without worrying about backups, as they’d be useless without the physical map. After taking the maps, they kept their word and let them go. They knew the trackers would spread word of their map, but it couldn’t stay secret forever, so it didn’t matter. The rest of the journey was uneventful until they reached their destination, a small manor where the skill books were likely hidden. Two teams were already there, facing off at the entrance. “This map was ours first. We got it on the event’s first day, so we should explore now,” a boy from Team A said confidently. Team B laughed at his flawed logic. A twin-tailed girl crossed her arms, “Funny. If it’s as you say, why didn’t teachers give each map to one person? They gave multiples to spark competition.” “But we got the map first and found this place first. You’re behind, so you explore after us,” the boy from Team A persisted, backed by his three teammates. Their brazen attitude made Team B question their own morals. Su Bei’s group, eavesdropping, was equally baffled. Who talks like that? “Wait, something’s off,” Jiang Tianming noticed. “Why does that team only have four people?” His words alerted them. Team A had only four. Though teams could be three to five, most maxed at five for an edge. Suddenly, a girl ran out of the manor, nodding to Team A, who smirked confidently. Team B, shocked, then enraged, realized, “You were stalling us!” “Deception’s fair,” the boy who spoke first said smugly. “You can’t get in now. Go find other resource points. Don’t waste time. You know Maria’s ability.” He’d trashed his image with nonsense to stall. It worked—the resource point was theirs. Skill book resource point! Thrilling! “Know this Maria?” Si Zhaohua asked, curious about her ability. Su Bei did, “I’ve seen her in the Special Track, but not in Class 1.” Not Class 1 meant her ability wasn’t top-tier. Yet Team B deflated at the boy’s words, clearly thinking they couldn’t enter. Knowing further struggle was futile, Team B left after harsh words. Team A hurried into the manor to search for skill books. Once they left the entrance, Su Bei’s group approached. Lan Subing tentatively reached out, then understood why Team A said Team B couldn’t enter—her hand hit an invisible barrier! “A Barrier?” Lan Subing’s eyes widened, then she activated her ability, “[Break]!” She dared test it because even if detected, their abilities feared no one. Worst case, they’d fight across the barrier. It might block entry but likely not abilities, especially Su Bei’s unstoppable one. The air rippled briefly but returned to normal. Lan Subing shook her head, dejected, “Can’t break it. This barrier’s strong.” “If it were that easy, they wouldn’t have left,” Jiang Tianming comforted, touching the barrier. It felt like glass but turned elastic under attack, absorbing blows like a needle in the sea. As an Attack Track member, Si Zhaohua was dissatisfied, lips pursed, “This level of defense, and she’s not in Class 1?” Jiang Tianming had a guess, “The ability’s strong but flawed. She was gone long, likely setting it up. It’s not instant and can be interrupted.” “So, should we find another point?” Ai Baozhu asked. They had two other maps, but time wasted here might mean those points were already looted. Su Bei shrugged, “Let's wait here. They’ll come out eventually.” Killing for treasure was within rules. Team B left, unsure they could beat Team A. Su Bei’s group had no such concerns. It was viable—already targeted for their map, robbing Team A was no big deal. Eliminating them would end it. But they might not exit via the main gate. Si Zhaohua could fly to monitor, but Team A could spot him and stay inside. If they didn’t come out, they’d get half the loot—with skill books, it was worth the trip. But Su Bei’s group, waiting here, would lose out. As the protagonist team in a shonen manga, they weren’t that ruthless. Though Su Bei’s plan was feasible, they didn’t immediately adopt it. “Barrier...” Jiang Tianming pondered. Barrier abilities were niche, and breaking them was advanced knowledge, taught in second or third year, so they hadn’t learned it. But they had a barrier Ability User! Jiang Tianming looked at Ai Baozhu, “Can you activate your ability and try merging it with this barrier?” Ai Baozhu’s [Gorgeous Domain] was a Barrier Ability, similar to this one, both able to block entry under certain conditions. If they shared similarities, could they merge? Jiang Tianming wasn’t sure, but it was worth a shot. Ai Baozhu blinked her pink eyes, glitter sparkling cutely, “I’ll try.” She stepped back, activated her ability, and a pale pink light curtain appeared. Notably, everyone thought [Gorgeous Domain] was pink, but during an arena match, Mu Tieren attacked to end it quickly, not seeing the domain, and got repelled. They learned [Gorgeous Domain] could change colors—black, white, or transparent. Ai Baozhu preferred pink for deception, so it usually appeared pink. Initially, the barriers repelled each other—hers couldn’t enter. Undeterred, she adjusted her domain. Soon, the barriers began to merge!