Chapter 219: If You Had Said So Sooner, I Would Have Acted Sooner!
The chilling aura of the Frostveil Sacred Tree continued to emanate.
Furthermore, the energy accumulating on the surrounding flowers grew increasingly dense.
This was clearly a sign of imminent ripening, fueling the mountaineering team members’ growing anger and impatience.
But facing them were three other teams with a total of seventeen people, while the team with Rahmaan had only five members.
If a real fight broke out, Rahmaan, as a Chosen One, couldn’t really be counted as combat strength. It would essentially be seventeen against four. The odds of winning were far too low.
In this tense standoff, Rahmaan stopped the Goatee Captain and said, “Captain, let’s look for other treasures instead. We’ll leave this place to them.”
The Goatee Captain was somewhat puzzled. Were there any other treasures here?
But seeing the hint in Rahmaan’s eyes, he guessed Rahmaan probably had some plan. He glared at the other three captains, then followed Rahmaan as they gathered their things and walked out of the cavern entrance.
Although the other team members were also angry, they knew starting a fight now wasn’t a good choice. Following Rahmaan’s lead, they all withdrew from the area containing the Frostveil Sacred Tree.
After walking about three hundred meters, the impatient Pompadour Man started feeling reluctant to go further.
They had come all this way; surely they couldn’t return empty-handed.
He asked Rahmaan what his plan was.
Rahmaan put a finger to his lips in a ‘shush’ gesture, signaling them to keep walking a bit more.
Talking here might let the people inside hear.
Once the group had walked roughly seven hundred meters, Rahmaan began to explain: “Didn’t you notice anything odd?”
Seeing everyone looked confused by his question, Rahmaan shared his observations.
First, there was the obvious disadvantage in numbers. They had to acknowledge that.
Next was some deduction based on clues.
On their way, the group had noticed some beasts lurking in the nearby area.
Then there were the ‘tracks’. After entering the area with the Frostveil Sacred Tree, Rahmaan had felt something was a bit off. Taking advantage of the fire-building to ward off the cold, he carefully examined the ground.
He discovered some tracks that didn’t look human. Judging by the marks, they resembled those left by the Polar Ice Serpents they had encountered earlier.
Large serpentine creatures moving across ice leave a distinct trail with scale imprints.
Therefore, Rahmaan inferred, based on the pattern from their journey up, a treasure like the Frostveil Sacred Tree would definitely have a serpentine guardian beast nearby.
There were no signs of any battle at the scene.
Rahmaan concluded that this serpentine guardian hadn’t been eliminated but was hiding.
It could also be inferred that the serpentine guardian’s strength might not be overwhelming; it needed an opportunity to ambush.
This serpentine guardian would likely appear when the Frostveil Fruit ripened and when the teams inside turned on each other.
Rahmaan’s plan was the classic ‘mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind’. By being the last to arrive, they could become the ultimate winners.
If they clashed with the other teams now, even if they won, they’d face an attack from the serpentine guardian.
His reasoning indeed won over his nearby teammates.
Thank goodness Rahmaan had spoken up; otherwise, they would have been in danger earlier.
When it came to life-and-death decisions, the mountaineering team still had to rely on the Chosen One’s judgment.
Rahmaan glanced at the Purple-Eyed Woman and said, “I think I saw you toss a card inside earlier, right?”
This statement caused the Purple-Eyed Woman’s pupils to dilate slightly. Her move had been so stealthy; how had this teammate noticed?
However, she admitted it and explained that the card could connect to the one in her hand, allowing a vague observation of the situation inside.
But the distance couldn’t be too great; if they walked much farther, she wouldn’t be able to see.
Hearing this, Rahmaan already had a plan forming in his mind.
Wasn’t this a golden opportunity?
So, he lied, saying that among the sixteen caves they passed earlier, there should be clues about the serpentine guardian—specifically, the caves where they saw the small animals hiding.
Therefore, Rahmaan suggested they split into two groups.
He and the Goatee Captain would ‘venture’ to search for clues about the serpentine guardian.
The other two would stay here to protect the Purple-Eyed Woman and monitor whether the Frostveil Fruit inside was ripening.
Then the two groups would communicate using the white cards.
At this stage, the teammates already trusted Rahmaan a great deal and didn’t doubt his words.
The Goatee Captain and Rahmaan walked to the area with the sixteen caves and, relying on memory, found the one with the small animal.
After walking about a hundred meters inside, Rahmaan made a gesture for the Goatee Captain to stop.
Then he recited an isolation spell he had learned earlier from the magic book. Now, when they spoke, no one outside could hear, and even if they had ‘listening devices’ on them, the messages couldn’t be transmitted.
Seeing Rahmaan acting so mysteriously, the Goatee Captain couldn’t help but ask, “What’s going on?”
At this point, Rahmaan dropped the pretense and told the captain about the skinless corpse he had seen on the way.
Upon hearing this, the Goatee Captain also looked stunned.
Because he too had seen a skinless corpse on the way and had suspected something strange had infiltrated the team, which was why he had been so wary initially.
However, as everyone helped each other along the journey, his guard had lowered considerably. In fact, if Rahmaan hadn’t brought it up, he might not have remembered.
“So, what do you think we should do?”
Faced with the Goatee Captain’s question, Rahmaan shared his guesses and strategies.
There were two approaches, but both required acting after dealing with the other teams.
Acting too early would mean losing combat strength, as even the ‘odd’ teammates could be utilized.
The first method: Based on the tests the Chosen Ones had conducted on teammates throughout the journey.
Identify teammates suspected of being the ‘odd ones’, then strike first before they could act.
The second method was more extreme and the approach of most Chosen Ones.
[Rule 8: If all team members die, the mountaineering plan fails, and the mission fails.]
[Rule 9: Mistakenly killing a teammate will result in a curse, permanently losing all senses.]
Since the Goatee Captain was identified, as long as everyone else besides him was eliminated, they would be safe.
These Chosen Ones had a rather ruthless interpretation of the rules, but it wasn’t wrong. As long as they didn’t personally kill a teammate, they wouldn’t lose all senses.
It could be said this round was a high-stakes game. Many had simulated the Dragon Country’s Celestial Master’s understanding of the rules and found this method indeed effective.
As for teammates innocently killed, they didn’t care much. Chosen Ones only needed to survive themselves.
However, before that, as a precaution, Chosen Ones would share some of the snow blocks from their backpacks with the Goatee Captain, telling him to quickly wipe his skin clean with snow if teammates’ blood splashed on him.
Where was the trap in this stage?
During the fight, the ‘odd’ teammate would definitely deliberately splatter blood, getting it on others.
This would cause some degree of corruption or establish a ‘contract’, though it probably wouldn’t take effect immediately.
After the ‘odd’ teammate dealt with the enemies, they could then activate the contract to eliminate the remaining teammates.
Actually, from this, one could also determine with some probability who the ‘odd’ teammate was, depending on the teammate’s acting skills.
“Alright, let’s do as you say.”
After receiving the snow blocks, the Goatee Captain also put them in his backpack.
The reason he agreed to cooperate with Rahmaan was that he wasn’t afraid.
Even if they killed the wrong person, he had ways to deal with Rahmaan.
He wouldn’t actively harm Rahmaan, but Rahmaan posed the least threat to him.
After all, his rules were different from Rahmaan’s.
Moreover, he still had things he hadn’t revealed and had kept a trump card.
If the mountaineering team killed him, they would have no chance of eating the Frostveil Fruit.
At this stage, the vast majority of Chosen Ones were fervently making final preparations.
They couldn’t afford any missteps here; many details had to be managed.
After Chosen Ones and the Goatee Captain reached a consensus, the bolder ones went to find the small animals to see if there were any rewards.
Only after these preparations could Chosen Ones ensure a smooth passage.
And there was one who had already cleared this stage ahead of time.
It wasn’t that he had already exited and settled scores, but viewers felt that this stage was practically a freebie for him, wasn’t it?
When Zhang Yangqing led his team to the area with the Frostveil Sacred Tree, he naturally saw the other three mountaineering teams as well.
Here, the plot was similar for Chosen Ones.
While Zhang Yangqing and his team were warming themselves by the fire, the other three teams approached menacingly.
Were they panicked? Other viewers couldn’t tell, but the several teammates in Zhang Yangqing’s team didn’t even stand up!
It wasn’t that they were slacking off; they just felt it was unnecessary.
At this stage, according to the normal plot, the Goatee Captain should step forward.
In the eyes of most Chosen Ones, he was the reliable pillar.
But in Zhang Yangqing’s team, both the Goatee Captain and the other teammates believed Zhang Yangqing was the absolute pillar.
If he couldn’t handle it, wouldn’t them standing up be redundant?
Facing the aggressive crowd, Zhang Yangqing stood up and asked, “Gentlemen, is there something you need?”
As a member of the Warosa tribe native to the Land of Eternal Winter, the Blue-Faced Captain looked at Zhang Yangqing and declared righteously, “You outsiders, what right do you have to come to our Permafrost Lands?”
“Oh, that’s what this is about? Well, that’s easy to handle.”
Zhang Yangqing thought they were going to say something else. If you had said so sooner, I wouldn’t have acted sooner!
Since you’re seeking death, why should I be polite?
With that, he formed a single-handed seal.
Viewers who saw Zhang Yangqing forming the seal knew he was about to start controlling his power.
As he channeled the spiritual energy between heaven and earth…
Instantly, the void trembled, divine might washed through!
Boom!
The entire Warosa tribe exploded into misty blood, painting the two adjacent mountaineering teams in a riotous, vibrant red.
In a mere instant, the powerful Warosa mountaineering team was completely annihilated.
They didn’t even have time to perceive fear; their deaths were that sudden.
Zhang Yangqing patted his hands together in satisfaction, then smiled at the two stunned teams beside him and said, “Do you have anything to say?”
This sentence terrified the two teams. They had just felt that terrifying heavenly might and were already scared out of their wits.
Seeing the fate of the Warosa tribe, how could they dare say anything?
That horrifying scene had them questioning reality—could someone really be this formidable?
Forget fighting Zhang Yangqing; many didn’t even have the courage to look at him, keeping their heads bowed.
Everyone in the two teams shook their heads like rattles, fearing this outsider might give them a tap and they’d be done for.
Seeing their silence, Zhang Yangqing continued, “If you have something to say, just say it. We can discuss anything, after all, I’m a reasonable person.”
Goodness, this guy certainly used a negotiating tone while doing murderous deeds.
By eliminating the problematic people, wouldn’t all problems be solved?
The main idea was to find a way to solve problems at their root. That was Zhang Yangqing’s logic.
Staying silent didn’t seem like a solution either; angering the other side also meant death.
So, the Pale-Faced Captain of the Corpse-Burial tribe mustered his courage and said, “Oh, my purpose for being here isn’t as crude as theirs. I just think the feng shui of your spot isn’t great; it’s rather damp. I suggest you move to our area. Don’t worry, we’ve already cleaned up our spot.”
The Pale-Faced Captain of the Corpse-Burial tribe immediately distanced himself, indicating they weren’t familiar with the deceased.
The originally threatening, supportive words in his mouth came out as flattering, ingratiating lines.
Seeing this, the Ghost-Faced Captain of the Specter tribe quickly chimed in, “Our Specter tribe isn’t as impolite as those people either. We are a warm and hospitable clan. Seeing you’ve come all this way, we’ve prepared good wine to warm you up. Don’t worry, it’s all fine, home-brewed wine!”
Hearing this, before anyone else could react, the Goatee Captain was speechless.
Wasn’t your Specter tribe the most exclusionary and least hospitable?
How come, in front of our team’s big shot, you’re changing your clan’s rules?
You have no principles at all! The Goatee Captain expressed strong disdain.
This was also why the Goatee Captain and the other teammates couldn’t be bothered to stand up.
Forget three teams with seventeen people attacking together; even if a hundred and seventy more came, in the eyes of their god-like teammate, it would be over in one move.
After all, he had rampaged through the powerful Eternal tribe.
What level are you all at, coming here looking for trouble?
Next, an even more jaw-dropping scene unfolded for the viewers.
On the screens from the Dragon Country, a scene of harmony appeared.
Everyone sat around the bonfire, singing and dancing.
Not only was there fine wine and roasted meat, but Specter tribe members also performed dances for entertainment.
To be honest, if one didn’t know better, they’d think Zhang Yangqing was on vacation in the Strange Tales world.
Those who knew could confirm: Zhang Yangqing was on vacation!
It formed a stark contrast with the tense, scheming scenes of other Chosen Ones.
It also proved a fact: if you are weak, your opponents will be fierce and vicious, wanting to devour you.
If you are strong, your opponents become exceedingly warm and hospitable, even singing, dancing, and entertaining you with fine wine and food.
After resting a while, Zhang Yangqing seemed to remember something. He asked everyone to wait here, saying he’d go out for a bit and return soon.
At this stage, other Chosen Ones couldn’t make excuses too stiffly, or it would arouse suspicion from the ‘odd’ teammates.
Zhang Yangqing had no such need. He just said it; who dared ask why? Who dared ask where he was going?
Not only that, the others had to smile and ask if he needed help.
Help naturally wasn’t needed, but since the Frostveil Sacred Tree hadn’t ripened yet, he first went to check on the small animals to see what hidden rewards there were.
Next, viewers began to feel dizzy.
They only saw a blurry afterimage flash by. Such a long distance, and Zhang the Celestial Master arrived in a moment?
While other Chosen Ones were still searching for the small animals, the creature was already in front of Zhang Yangqing.
This left viewers dazzled, feeling like they were on a rollercoaster.
“Holy crap, how is Zhang the Celestial Master so fast? The screen blurred!”
“Could it be that Zhang the Celestial Master has been slowing down all along to accommodate the other teammates’ speed?”
“I feel like if Zhang the Celestial Master ran at full speed, he might reach the summit on the first day?”
“No problem, but skipping the process would mean hardly any rewards. That’s the difference between just clearing and achieving a perfect clear.”
Many viewers agreed. If the goal was merely to clear, Zhang Yangqing wouldn’t need to go through so much trouble.
In the eyes of Dragon Country viewers, Zhang Yangqing went to the Strange Tales world to unlock many challenges for their benefit.
Thinking of this moved many viewers.
Actually, they overthought it. Zhang Yangqing just didn’t want to go out to work.
After all, as the presiding Celestial Master, his daily duties were numerous.
He wasn’t just the leader of Dragon Tiger Mountain; he was renowned worldwide.
The people seeking an audience with him were as numerous as fish in the river, truly countless.
He couldn’t just sleep in the back mountains all the time and refuse to see anyone.
That would make many think he was aloof and unapproachable.
In the Strange Tales world, he could openly tell everyone he wasn’t refusing meetings; he was simply busy!
When Zhang Yangqing reached the small animal, initially looking at its silhouette, he thought it was some kind of weasel. But upon closer inspection, the fur seemed off, and the tail was very thin.
To be precise, it resembled an elongated rat.
This rat stood on its hind legs, with large ears and twitching whiskers.
It looked completely non-threatening but moved with great agility.
When a Chosen One approached, it spoke human language to them.
If the Chosen One answered its question correctly, it would go fetch a treasure for them.
The treasure was in one of the dozens of small holes behind it.
Probably also to prevent Chosen Ones from acting recklessly.
In this stage, the one who suffered the most torment was probably the Red-Robed Cardinal Gregorio from Pasta Country.
Because the questions from this elongated rat were utterly absurd.
Its questions revolved around the same dozen or so themes.
“Do you know who my father is?”
“How did my mother die?”
“Was the fur on my grandfather white or black?”
Hearing these questions…
To be honest, Gregorio gritted his teeth, the corner of his mouth twitching.
He felt this damned rat was deliberately making things difficult for him.
How the hell should I know what color your grandfather’s fur was?
And how could I, a human, possibly know about your parents!
If you asked common sense questions, I could guess, but these? How am I supposed to answer?!
After a few minutes, Gregorio was breathing heavily.
His colleagues in the Church were afraid he might kill the rat and urged him to calm down.
Seemingly remembering something, Gregorio took a deep breath.
[Rule 4: If a small animal asks you questions, you may try to answer or not answer, but you must not answer incorrectly.]
This rule told Chosen Ones they absolutely must not answer incorrectly.
This was the Ten-Thousand-Zhang Ice Cavern. If they answered wrong and the rat caused the cavern to collapse, what then?
Since he didn’t know, Gregorio simply decided not to answer.
If he didn’t return soon and the Frostveil Fruit ripened, and others ate it, he’d be in big trouble.
Hidden rewards were nice, but Gregorio didn’t want to get stuck here.
So, filled with frustration, he left the place.
It wasn’t just Gregorio who was tormented; most Chosen Ones found this stage extremely frustrating.
Many even felt that to pass this stage, they must have triggered some special side quest earlier to get the answers.
They hadn’t triggered it, so they couldn’t provide answers and couldn’t pass.
The vast majority of Chosen Ones left the place regretfully.
Seeing this, viewers thought that with Zhang Yangqing’s temper, he would definitely kill the rat.
Others might not dare, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t.
But when they switched to the Dragon Country’s stream, they saw Zhang Yangqing had passed!
This stage wasn’t actually difficult. After hearing the damned rat ask a few questions, Zhang Yangqing knew what to do.
He directly drew a golden circle in the air with his finger. It looked dazzling and radiant, emitting a sacred, immortal glow.
Then Zhang Yangqing counter-asked the rat, “Do you know what this move of mine is called?”
The rat shook its head and said, “No.”
Zhang Yangqing continued, “Then do you want to know?”
The rat nodded and said, “Yes.”
Zhang Yangqing then told it “Golden Light Mantra,” and thus passed the stage.
This was about understanding the rules. Don’t just listen to it ask you questions; take the initiative to make it want to ask you questions. That fulfills the rule’s condition.
Zhang Yangqing wasn’t omniscient either; how could he know so many bizarre answers?
But since the rule mentioned it, there must be a way to solve it.
It just depended on whether the Chosen Ones understood the rule’s meaning.
Most Chosen Ones took it literally, and the rat got the first move in asking.
They only focused on answering, not thinking to ask back.
Moreover, time was limited. Chosen Ones didn’t have time to search for answers and could only give up the reward, returning to the Frostveil Sacred Tree area.
It wouldn’t be worth risking total failure for this reward.
Seeing this, viewers seemed to gain a new understanding of Zhang Yangqing.
“I apologize. I always thought Celestial Master Zhang only solved things with force, overlooking that he’s also top-tier in other aspects.”
“Holy crap, rules can be understood this way? But it seems correct. Who would know those rat’s questions? Unless you dig up its family grave!”
“I really underestimated Celestial Master Zhang too much. A true master is a master.”
“This is what you call a hexagon-shaped powerhouse! A true all-rounder!”
Zhang Yangqing’s performance not only made Dragon Country viewers proud but also left haters from other countries with nothing to criticize.
In other stages, they could awkwardly claim the Dragon Country Celestial Master relied on brute force. Here, their own country’s Chosen Ones couldn’t pass, while the Dragon Country Celestial Master solved it quickly. There really wasn’t much luck involved.
They didn’t even know how to stubbornly argue.
In this stage, Rahmaan, the Chosen One from Pyramid Country, had a slight advantage.
Because Pyramid Country itself had many riddles; he had studied this area deeply.
After about eight minutes of the rat’s questioning, he reacted. He also posed an interesting question.
As long as he captured the rat’s attention, it would ask back.
Chosen Ones who answered correctly received a flute the rat fetched from a hole.
