After driving for over an hour, they arrived punctually at the practical activity site at half past eleven.
They had always heard it would be in the mountains, but they hadn’t expected it to be three interconnected peaks.
Shen Yuqing tilted his head slightly, holding his bag as he gazed at the entrance ahead. He turned and said, “Looks like we’re in for a rough few days.”
Song Wangzhuo pressed his lips together and nodded. Everyone was gearing up to fight for a spot in the top ten, so the competition in the early rounds was bound to be fierce.
At that moment, the academy rolled out a massive LED screen displaying the rules for the event.
Shen Yuqing quietly read through them and got the gist.
Before entering, each participant would receive a gun and a vest.
The guns were loaded with paintballs; five rounds per gun, plus ten additional rounds as backup. If a paintball hit the vest, the person struck would be immediately eliminated.
There were also safe zones within the mountains. If someone ran out of paintballs, they could replenish their supply there though the quantities were limited.
Even without paintballs, however, it didn’t matter participants could directly seize others’ ammunition or take the guns and paintballs from eliminated classmates.
All in all, it sounded like a lot of fun.
The only catch was that once inside, the school would activate signal jammers. Whether it was a smart device or a phone, only the most basic functions like the clock and compass would remain accessible.
Still, those two features would be more than enough inside.
“Now, you’ll have time to form teams. Those who’ve already grouped up can head to the entrance to collect your supplies.”
The principal’s voice boomed from the loudspeakers.
Shen Yuqing snapped out of his thoughts and glanced around. Sure enough, people were already forming small clusters.
Every time a hundred people gathered; they would be allowed to enter in batches. Although there was a ten-minute cooldown period after entering, those who went in earlier would have more time to prepare.
If they wanted to advance to the next stage, the sooner they entered, the better whether for scavenging or setting up ambushes.
The minimum team size was four, though, so he and Song Wangzhuo still needed two more members and they couldn’t be too weak, either. If they got eliminated, he and Song Wangzhuo would be dragged down with them.
Just then, a familiar voice called out to him: “Qing-ge! Yuqing!”
Shen Yuqing and Song Wangzhuo turned to see Lin Sui and Song Lejin walking toward them, followed by Lin Sui’s two usual lackeys.
Shen Yuqing’s eyes met Song Lejin’s for a brief moment before both coldly looked away.
Lin Sui approached and slung an arm around Shen Yuqing’s shoulder. “I’ve been looking for you forever. Come on, let’s team up.”
Shen Yuqing’s gaze swept over the others. Truthfully, he wasn’t keen on teaming up with Song Lejin especially since all of Song Lejin’s previous schemes had failed. If he had any new plans, this practical activity would be the perfect opportunity.
Regardless of whether Song Lejin intended to act, though, Shen Yuqing wanted to keep Song Wangzhuo as far away from him as possible.
“I’m already teamed up with Song Wangzhuo,” Shen Yuqing said. “Looks like your group is full, so you should go ahead.”
Lin Sui glanced at Song Wangzhuo. He knew Song Wangzhuo was now Shen Yuqing’s shadow, so he had already discussed the possibility of him joining their team with Song Lejin beforehand.
Everyone had agreed.
Lin Sui tightened his grip on Shen Yuqing’s shoulder. “I figured as much. We’ve already talked it over we’re just waiting for you two now.”
Shen Yuqing still wanted to say something, but Lin Sui casually remarked, “Let’s go, let’s go! Our best chance is being among the first to enter. I made a bet with my sister if I make it into the top 200, she’ll buy me a supercar!”
Lin Sui wrapped an arm around Shen Yuqing and pulled him toward the entrance. After a few steps, he glanced back at Song Wangzhuo and said indifferently, “Song Wangzhuo, keep up.”
Shen Yuqing tried to resist, but when he turned his head, he saw Song Wangzhuo had already followed.
Helpless, he looked at Lin Sui. “At least let me talk to Song Wangzhuo first.”
Lin Sui reluctantly released him. “Hurry up.”
Shen Yuqing nodded, then glanced at Song Lejin before walking over to Song Wangzhuo. “Do you actually want to team up with them? If not, we can find others.”
After all, Lin Sui and his followers had bullied Song Wangzhuo to some extent before. He was worried Song Wangzhuo might feel uncomfortable.
Song Wangzhuo understood Shen Yuqing’s concern, but finding another team would waste too much time.
“It’s fine,” he said. “Let’s go in together. Besides, with more people, the chances of elimination are lower.”
With six of them, three would need to be eliminated before the entire team was out. If they were careful, they could even overpower others with sheer numbers.
Seeing Song Wangzhuo was willing, Shen Yuqing could only nod. “Then be careful.”
At least only the first stage required teamwork. Once they got past that, things would be easier.
But that meant they had to clear it quickly.
Shen Yuqing’s gaze fixed on the mountain as he mentally mapped out their route.
The long-absent system chimed in: [Actually, sticking together isn’t bad, Host. Weren’t you always looking for a chance to expose his true colors? This might be a good opportunity.]
Shen Yuqing took a deep breath. [That’s true, but what if there’s danger?]
[Host, I believe in you! Plus, I’ve stored up a lot of energy lately I can help you in critical moments!]
Thanks to Pei Yiyan’s rut, Shen Yuqing had been stuck indoors, giving the system plenty of time to recharge. Now, it felt invincible!
[Keep an eye on Song Lejin’s movements too.] Shen Yuqing’s gaze lingered on Song Lejin, walking ahead.
An overwhelming sense of unease gripped him, as if something terrible was about to happen.
The six of them reached the entrance just in time they were the last group allowed in.
After receiving their guns and vests, they marched into the mountains.
It was still the cooldown period, so everyone around them chatted and laughed.
Shen Yuqing studied the map they’d been given each person had one. Once the crowd thinned, he asked, “Any ideas?”
Lin Sui, also examining the map, declared, “We’ll crush them all! Charge straight through!”
His alpha instincts flared up the moment he held the gun, itching to take down everyone in sight.
Shen Yuqing sighed. “There are thousands of people. You think one bullet can take out a hundred?”
A reckless charge was out of the question.
They’d have to find another way.
The six of them hid in a secluded spot, but their numbers worked against them crowding together made them an easy target.
The two followers dutifully scanned their surroundings, guns raised, watching for ambushes.
The other four gathered together, and Shen Yuqing said, “There are too many people right now. A head-on clash wouldn’t be meaningful, and we might even get taken out instead.”
No sooner had he spoken than a gunshot rang out in the distance. Someone had fired.
Then the announcement came: “Remaining participants: 1,999.”
“Damn, that was fast. Not everyone’s even fully in yet,” Lin Sui said, turning to Song Lejin. “Lejin, don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”
Song Lejin smiled. “Okay.”
Shen Yuqing said, “I have an idea.”
The other three turned their attention to him.
“We should make a run for the finish line right now,” Shen Yuqing proposed.
Just as Lin Sui was about to speak, Shen Yuqing continued, “Everyone’s in chaos right now, so they’ll be clustered at the foot of the mountain, engaging in a massive free-for-all. The further ahead we go, the fewer people we’re likely to encounter if we don’t run into anyone at all, even better.”
Lin Sui hesitantly said, “But I still want to wreak havoc. Besides, eliminating others will help us accumulate points. The top ten rankings are based on elimination counts.”
So, they needed to build an early lead in eliminations.
Shen Yuqing countered, “With so many people, the free-for-all will start, and paintballs will be used up quickly. They might even run out of ammo by the end. If we go ahead, we can also secure the safe zone early.”
Song Wangzhuo understood Shen Yuqing’s plan. “You want to set up an ambush at the finish line?”
Shen Yuqing snapped his fingers. “Exactly. It takes some time to open the checkpoint. If we get there early and set up, we can eliminate opponents right before crossing the line.”
Once they crossed, they’d automatically pass the first stage, and any paintballs hitting them afterward would be nullified.
“That’s all I’ve thought of for now,” Shen Yuqing said. “If no one has objections, we’ll proceed with this plan. If anything changes along the way, we’ll adjust.”
“I agree.”
Shen Yuqing looked at Song Lejin, surprised that she was the first to agree.
With Song Lejin on board, Lin Sui wouldn’t argue, and neither would his two followers.
Shen Yuqing turned to Song Wangzhuo.
Song Wangzhuo said, “Your call.”
He trusted Shen Yuqing.
