Xia Yan's words crashed down on every survivor's heart like an invisible mountain.
The entire eerie world was now open to you!
What did that mean?
It meant the cage that had once been oppressive but at least had clear boundaries had been smashed to pieces.
In its place was an endless hunting ground, filled with unknown horrors!
Every human contestant, including the unruly elite soldiers and secret agents, wore barely restrained despair on their faces.
Only Chu He, after his initial shock, had a strange glint flash in his eyes.
Almost instinctively, he connected this to himself.
Could it be...
Because of me?
As soon as the thought surfaced, everything he had experienced over the past two days flashed through his mind like a movie on fast-forward.
He had been in this world for only two days.
Yet everything he had done in those two days had been enough to shatter this world's established understanding.
He had gained an ability that even SSS-Class eerie beings couldn't resist, and used it to make two queen-level beings fall completely under his spell.
He had made them jealous of each other and fight until heaven and earth shook.
Then, so he wouldn't "take his own life," he'd even gotten them to reconcile willingly and reach the absurd understanding that they could "share him."
Something like that hadn't just never happened before. It was probably something no one had even imagined in the long history of the eerie world's invasions.
Chu He looked up, his gaze seeming to pierce the cafeteria ceiling and reach toward the unknown sky.
Was that being watching?
If it had been watching all along, why had it left him alone? Had it failed to notice, or... did it not care enough to interfere?
Or did it think things had gotten more interesting?
Countless questions churned in Chu He's mind.
He let go of the slender waists of Kachi and Xia Yao. Under the two girls' puzzled gazes, he walked straight over to Xia Yan.
"The 'Lord' you mentioned," Chu He said calmly, "can you talk to it directly?"
Xia Yan's rugged face twitched, as if he'd heard the biggest joke in the world. A muffled snort rumbled in his throat.
"Talk to it? Who do you think it is? We just follow the decrees handed down by the Divine Pillar."
"The Divine Pillar?" Chu He caught the term. Xia Nuo had also shouted angrily earlier about burying himself outside some damn Divine Pillar.
Seeing Chu He's puzzled expression, Xia Yan actually took the time to explain. "Every great clan—in other words, what you humans call a 'kingdom'—has its own Divine Pillar. It's where the royal family lives, and the only place where we can establish contact with the 'Lord.'"
He paused and glanced at Xia Yao and Xia Nuo beside him.
"To be considered royalty, a clan needs at least one SSR-Class powerhouse. There's a Divine Pillar in every Divine Hall, and the Lord's decrees are conveyed through it."
Chu He immediately understood.
"Enough talk." Xia Yan's gaze sharpened again as he fixed it on Chu He. "I can't help thinking the Lord's sudden decree has something to do with you, kid."
He stepped closer, and his mountain-like shadow completely engulfed Chu He.
"As for whether changing the rules means the end of the world has come sooner for you humans or you've gained another chance to survive, I couldn't say..."
Xia Yan bared his teeth, the row of them gleaming white. His voice dropped low, carrying an indefinable hint of meaning.
"But for you, perhaps... it's a good thing?"
Chu He was taken aback, his heart stirring.
"Oh? What good would it do me?"
Xia Yan leaned in, his mountain-like shadow covering Chu He. In a voice only the two of them could hear, he drawled, "Want to know?"
Chu He played along perfectly, putting on an eager expression. He nodded earnestly. "Mm-hmm?"
"You really want to know?"
A few smug creases appeared at the corners of Xia Yan's eyes. He seemed quite pleased with Chu He's reaction.
Chu He looked at him with longing, his tone sincere. "Of course, Uncle. I want to know. Hurry up and tell me!"
Seeing Chu He like this, Xia Yan felt absolutely fantastic.
What a rush!
This felt damn good!
So you thought you could steal my family's precious girls! So you thought you could wrap my two nieces around your little finger! So you thought you could make me lose face in front of everyone!
And now, don't you have to beg me obediently?
Xia Yan deliberately cleared his throat and put on an inscrutable air, slowly keeping Chu in suspense.
He still didn't think that was enough. With the air of a man who'd seen it all, he patted Chu He on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Young man, don't be so curious. Sometimes, the more you know, the faster you die."
At some point, Xia Yao had come over. She tugged on Xia Yan's arm and grumbled unhappily, "Uncle! Stop messing around and tell Brother Chu He already!"
Xia Yan waved his big hand, thoroughly self-righteous. "Why should I tell him? Let him explore on his own—that's more fun! A man needs to weather a few storms to grow!"
He savored the long-lost thrill of being in control, and a surge of vengeful satisfaction rose in his heart.
Finally, looking into Chu He's "expectant" eyes, he announced in the mischievous tone of an old child:
"You want to know? Well, I won't tell you! Hahahahaha!"
"..."
The air in the cafeteria seemed to freeze at the sound of his laughter.
Xia Yan watched Chu He's face shift from expectant to stunned, then from stunned to livid, and inwardly laughed with delight.
I've won one back!
At least I've gotten my dignity back today!
However, the anger on Chu He's face lasted barely half a second before ebbing like the tide.
Not only did he not get angry, he slowly broke into his trademark harmless smile.
"Fine."
The single, airy word brought Xia Yan's laughter to an abrupt halt.
"If you don't want to tell me, Uncle, then forget it."
Chu He shrugged, his smile growing brighter, though it didn't reach his eyes.
"Besides, the outside world is huge, full of unknowns and dangers. You're keeping quiet for my own good—you don't want me to worry."
Then he changed tack.
"But don't worry. I adapt quickly, and I'm brave, too."
"Tomorrow, I'll take Yao Yao and Kachi out for a look around, get familiar with the place, and see if there are any chances to 'work and make some money.'"
The smile on Xia Yan's face slowly froze.
As if he hadn't noticed, Chu He continued in a lighthearted, cheerful tone:
"I hear the outside world is pretty chaotic, with all kinds of people around. If we happen to run into someone who doesn't know their place and get into a fight, or if Yao Yao and Kachi find somewhere fun and decide to stay a few extra days instead of coming back..."
He drew out his words and glanced meaningfully at Xia Yan.
"Things you might not be happy to see could happen one after another. Just don't blame me for not giving you a heads-up."
With that, he stopped looking at Xia Yan's face, which was turning purple. He turned around, naturally slipping an arm around each of Xia Yao's and Kachi's slender waists again, and said with a beaming smile,
"Come on, let's head back to the dorm and figure out how to begin our exciting 'otherworldly adventure' tomorrow."
Xia Yan's body went completely rigid.
He stared at the human kid with an arm around each girl, a blissful smile still on his face, his chest heaving violently.
Damn!
That kid was way too good at getting under his skin.
"Lord, please don't make tomorrow's rules too comfortable for that kid!"
Xia Yan prayed silently.
Xia Nuo came over to Xia Yan and said, "Brother-in-law told me to stay here for a few more days. Where am I supposed to sleep tonight?"
Before you continue