Ji Li gave Yu Guo a long look. After a lengthy silence, he finally said to everyone:
"To some extent, Tiannan Academy of Drama and Tianhai Hotel had certain similarities.
"That Root Ghost controlled a large number of ghosts and established rules to restrain them.
"As long as one was within Tiannan Academy, whether human or ghost, they had to abide by the so-called 'rules.'
"The rules were the greatest difficulty, but also our greatest advantage."
The four of them glanced at one another and listened carefully to Ji Li's analysis, traces of surprise occasionally appearing in their eyes.
Just moments ago, Ji Li had looked unwilling to offer any guidance, yet now he was solemnly giving them his advice.
Ji Li did not respond to their puzzled gazes. He merely took a drag from his cigarette and said softly:
"The campus rules are the greatest killing tool in this mission, and also the key to leaving alive.
"These rules should be under absolute secrecy. I suspect Song Yitong's death was related to her touching upon the rules during the Undercover Investigation phase.
"So intelligence is clearly the most crucial thing in this mission.
"After entering the mission, our identities will change accordingly. While everyone must watch their words and actions, we must also share information with one another.
"When we gather tonight, I will relay this to the other participants as well.
"At the very least, as long as our survival conditions do not conflict, everyone should remain united as much as possible."
This was the first time since arriving at the Seventh Branch that Ji Li had explained mission guidance to his teammates in such detail and so specifically.
Every word he said was important. It was a central summary of the entire mission's operational principles, and guidance