Chapter 9: A Combination That Was Expected, Yet Beyond Reason

At daybreak, the Outer Sect Square was already crowded with a large group of outer sect disciples.

Lin Xiao squeezed himself into the middle of the crowd, a position inconspicuous yet giving him a full view of the scene.

The atmosphere was exceptionally lively—after all, this was the first major drill since the disciples’ enrollment, carrying a mix of excitement and curiosity. He, however, was somewhat distracted.

Strange to say, this so-called team battle training had no mention at all in the original game.

Was it an unknown hidden storyline for him?

Or some world-line change brought about by the second playthrough?

This feeling of being out of control made him uneasy.

The disciples gathered in small groups, buzzing with discussion about the upcoming content.

But Lin Xiao paid no attention to what they were saying.

His ears automatically filtered out the nonsense, his worried gaze always locked onto the slender, light purple figure at the edge of the crowd.

She stood alone, head down, as if nothing on the field had anything to do with her.

The wind blew, and a few strands of loose hair brushed against her fair face.

She raised her hand to tuck them behind her ear, the movement natural.

“Silence!”

A loud shout rang across the square.

Steward Wang of the Outer Sect Deacon Hall stepped onto the platform, his expression stern.

Behind him followed a deacon disciple carrying a large wooden box.

“The sect’s minor competition is approaching. To hone your practical cooperation skills, this team training will be in groups of four. Enter the outer perimeter of the Misty Hidden Forest to hunt low-level demon beasts.”

He paused, scanning the crowd below.

“There are only three rules. First: safety comes first. Second: do not go deep into the middle or rear sections of the Misty Hidden Forest. Third: no infighting, no framing fellow disciples. Anyone who violates these rules will have their cultivation廢除 and be expelled from the sect!”

The field fell silent after the rules were announced.

In the front row, Lin Xiao caught a glimpse of Lu Renjia’s lips twisting into an unfriendly smile.

Just then, Steward Wang gestured to the disciple behind him.

“Now, draw lots to form teams.”

The disciple placed the wooden box in front of the platform and opened the lid, revealing densely packed bamboo slips, each carved with a number.

“When your name is called, step forward and draw a slip. Those who get the same number form one team.”

The drawing began. Disciples stepped up one by one, reached into the box, pulled out a slip, called out the number loudly, and moved to the corresponding team area.

“Zhao Dayong!”

“Number seventeen!”

“Qian Erge!”

“Number seventeen! Hey, Senior Brother Zhao, we really have fate!”

“Sun Sanjin!”

“Number seventeen! Coming through!”

Lin Xiao heard these three names and his eyelids twitched.

‘These three were comic relief in the game. Birds of a feather flock together?’

He was about to mock fate’s arrangement when—

“Lin Xiao!”

Hearing his name, he stepped forward.

He casually reached into the box and grabbed one.

Flipping it over: seventeen.

“…Number seventeen.”

“Good! Team seventeen is complete. Stand over there!”

The deacon disciple pointed to the west.

Lin Xiao walked toward the team seventeen area.

Zhao Dayong and the other two had already enthusiastically greeted him.

“Junior Brother Lin!”

Zhao Dayong slapped him on the shoulder with force that nearly made Lin Xiao stumble.

“We really have fate! I’m Zhao Dayong, third layer of Qi Condensation, minor achievement in the Lingxiao Art!”

“Qian Erge! Peak of second layer of Qi Condensation, good at light-body techniques!”

Qian Erge even bounced a couple of times, kicking up dust.

“Sun Sanjin, second layer of Qi Condensation, specializing in… observing enemy situations!”

Sun Sanjin seemed unable to think of any other specialty.

Lin Xiao forced a dry smile.

“Lin Xiao, second layer of Qi Condensation. Please guide me.”

Internally, he added, ‘Specializing in coding.’

“Aren’t you the one who was distracted during the induction ceremony?”

Qian Erge seemed to recognize him.

“That’s right, the very same.”

Lin Xiao showed a professional fake smile, speechless.

Zhao Dayong was clearly satisfied with this team—one third layer, two second layers, and another… also second layer.

He immediately began arranging formations, and Qian Erge and Sun Sanjin nodded repeatedly, impressed by their leader’s decisions.

Lin Xiao didn’t care.

He nodded absentmindedly while keeping his eyes glued to the drawing platform.

Over a dozen teams had already drawn, yet Lu Renjia and her group of three hadn’t been called.

And Xiao Luoyi stood quietly at the edge of the crowd.

“Lu Renjia!”

Lu Renjia walked up, her fingers circled inside the box, then pulled out a slip.

She glanced at it.

“Number nine.”

Unsurprisingly, her two lackeys also drew number nine.

Steward Wang frowned but said nothing.

“Xiao Luoyi.”

Xiao Luoyi stepped onto the platform.

She reached out to grab a slip from the box.

“Wait.”

The disciple holding the number box stopped her, then shook the box thoroughly.

“For fairness, the numbers need to be shuffled. You can draw now.”

Xiao Luoyi paused for a moment, then reached in and pulled out a bamboo slip.

She looked at it, paused for one second, then raised her eyes to Steward Wang.

Her voice was calm.

“Number nine.”

Murmurs rose among the crowd—not surprise, but knowing whispers.

Everyone knew Xiao Luoyi was often bullied by Lu Renjia.

Most people adopted an attitude of “better to avoid trouble,” treating it as gossip over a meal.

This team composition was obviously rigged.

Steward Wang’s frown deepened.

His gaze lingered on Lu Renjia’s face, then swept over her two lackeys, and finally landed on Xiao Luoyi.

After a moment, he waved his hand.

“Team nine is complete. Stand to the east.”

Xiao Luoyi lowered her eyes and walked toward the east area.

Lu Renjia and her two cronies were already waiting there.

Seeing Xiao Luoyi approach, Lu Renjia put on a fake smile.

“Junior Sister Xiao, we really are fated!”

Her words dripped with smugness.

“We ended up in the same team. Don’t worry—once we’re in the forest, your senior sister will take good care of you.”

She bit down on the words “take care” with particular emphasis.

Xiao Luoyi stiffened.

She lifted her head and stared at Lu Renjia expressionlessly, saying nothing.

For a brief moment, Lu Renjia felt a chill, but her bullying nature soon overpowered the instinctive fear.

Probably thinking that once inside the forest, she could carry out her plan and make Xiao Luoyi suffer no matter how capable she was, Lu Renjia’s mood lifted.

She magnanimously forgave Xiao Luoyi’s glare.

Her two lackeys crowded in.

“Junior Sister Xiao, don’t worry. Stick with us, and we’ll keep you safe.”

“Who knows, you might even get a decent score, hehe.”

Xiao Luoyi didn’t respond.

She just lowered her head.

Lin Xiao watched it all.

He had to find a chance to warn the junior sister to be careful.

“Alright, teams are formed!”

Steward Wang’s voice rang out again.

“Each team, prepare. In half a stick of incense, enter the Misty Hidden Forest from the designated entry points! Remember, you must return before sunset. Results will be judged based on the drops from the demon beasts you hunt. Now, dismiss!”

The crowd stirred.

Teams gathered together for final preparations.

Zhao Dayong was already spouting tactics, spitting everywhere.

Lin Xiao listened half-heartedly, his gaze occasionally drifting to Xiao Luoyi.

Lu Renjia’s three-person group huddled together, muttering something, occasionally shooting malicious looks at Xiao Luoyi.

Xiao Luoyi stood alone at a slight distance, showing no sign of being on the same team as the other three.