Survival Showdown

MMP!

This guy definitely wasn't from the Elite Academy—just as he'd thought, not a single word he said could be trusted.

Good thing he hadn't believed him either...

Du Ge cursed under his breath and asked, "Ninth Brother, weren't you from the Elite School? Back then, you said you'd find a way to transfer me from the Civilian School to the Elite School..."

"Seventh Brother." Feng Jiu looked helplessly at Du Ge and said, "I admit I lied to you before, but this time I'm really laying my cards on the table. You're a good guy, and I was planning to cling to your leg and break into the Simulation Field's top ten!"

"But I really am from the Civilian School," Du Ge said.

"Seventh Brother, at a time like this, stop pretending!" Feng Jiu shook his head and laughed, raising the Roast Chicken in his hand. "What's this?"

"Roast Chicken!" Du Ge said.

"Want some?" Feng Jiu asked.

Du Ge shook his head.

"Busted!" Feng Jiu took a big bite of the Roast Chicken, chewing as he spoke. "At the Civilian School, you eat bland, greaseless Synthetic Meals every day. How could you not even flinch at the sight of a delicacy like Roast Chicken? Only you elite brats, who feast on rich food day in and day out, would be so indifferent to the Simulation Field's cuisine.

Your eyes don't lie. No matter how well a Civilian School student acts, they can't be as calm as you in front of food! Which Civilian School student, upon first entering the Simulation Field, wouldn't gorge themselves? Yesterday, when you fed me those pastries, I already noticed—you really don't treat food like it's precious!"

Holy crap!

Even Roast Chicken counted as a delicacy, and everyone ate Synthetic Meals...

What kind of world was this outside?

Du Ge had once looked forward to the real world, always fantasizing that a civilization capable of creating such a lifelike game as the Simulation Field would be super advanced in technology.

But in that instant, his longing faded. The real world didn't seem as wonderful as he'd imagined—it seemed harsh...

He wondered if the person he'd possessed was a civilian or an elite.

"You elite brats already have it good enough, why do you have to compete with us? It's not even an important exam—what's the harm in letting us have the top ten? In the end, you're the ones who enjoy the rewards anyway..."

Maybe stirred by painful memories, Feng Jiu's tone suddenly shifted into a long, bitter complaint. But when he saw Du Ge silent for so long, he realized he'd been venting to the wrong person. He gave a dry laugh and awkwardly explained, "Seventh Brother, I'm not talking about you. You're a good guy, willing to genuinely teach me things. I mean those elite brats who don't treat us civilian students like people. You're different from them..."

Was the rift between civilians and elites really this severe?!

Du Ge frowned slightly, thinking to himself. The top ten in the Simulation Field—it wasn't just about glory; it probably decided your fate.

"Seventh Brother, don't be mad. This is what I wanted to tell you. When you go out there, you need to disguise your identity. Don't be as flashy as the Feng Manor." Feng Jiu said, "In the Simulation Field, a lot of civilian students hate elite students. They'll drag you down even if it means getting eliminated themselves. With your obvious elite demeanor, you're a shining target out there, easy to ambush."

"Mm, I get it. Thanks." Du Ge nodded. If before he'd been treating it like a game, now, understanding the truth of the Simulation Field, he decided to take it seriously.

He wasn't sure if his identity outside was elite or civilian.

If he was elite, no problem. But if he was civilian, the top ten ranking might change his fate.

He didn't want to go out and eat Synthetic Meals...

"Why thank me? Without your guidance, I wouldn't have grasped the meaning of Taotie. Consider this me repaying the favor." Feng Jiu shrugged and smiled. "I'm not an ungrateful person. If possible, I still want to fight for a spot in the top ten. I hope Seventh Brother won't go for the kill when we meet."

"I won't. Is my Keyword 'Maintain'?" Du Ge laughed. "Ultimate maintenance means staying true to the end."

"If the Feng family really captures Simulation Field contestants, how do you plan to deal with them?" Feng Jiu glanced at Du Ge. "You're not going to maintain them too, are you?"

"If they can be maintained together, of course I will." Du Ge smiled. "More hands make lighter work. Since Civilian School students can't eat well outside, staying longer in the Simulation Field lets them enjoy it more. Why fight and kill? We can unite some people, eliminate others first, and then settle the top ten spots internally..."

Feng Jiu swallowed his food, looked at Du Ge, and asked, "Seventh Brother, is this your real thought?"

"Yeah!" Du Ge said. "You just said it—Elite School students have everything. Why compete with you for the top ten? I'm different from them. I'm generous. It's best if we can all play together."

Feng Jiu shook his head and laughed. "Alright, I'll stay in the Feng Manor to clean up for you and pass on your goodwill to others. If they accept it, we'll all play together. If they don't, or if they come after me, I'll deal with them. Don't blame me then..."

"Mm. I won't blame you." Du Ge's face was indifferent, but inside, a storm was raging. This conversation with Feng Jiu had revealed too much information, completely overturning his understanding of the Simulation Field.

So this so-called Simulation Field was nothing but a brutal screening machine.

It wasn't a competition between elite and civilian students—it was everyone fighting everyone, all for the top ten...

Three thousand people, fighting for ten spots. No wonder the eliminated never came back.

Damn!

This was insane!

A thousand troops crossing a single-plank bridge.

This was just like Earth's civil service exam!

No wonder the teacher said, "Don't reveal your Keyword." No wonder Feng Jiu had tried to set him up at the start. No wonder Feng Jiu was so desperate.

It all clicked.

Du Ge felt a wave of relief. Good thing he'd shown Feng Jiu goodwill and gotten truly useful information in return.

Otherwise.

With his mindset of treating the Simulation Field like a game, if he'd gone out there to roam, he'd probably have taken a huge loss...

"Seventh Brother, anything else you want to tell me?" Feng Jiu asked.

"No. Handle the Feng Manor affairs as you see fit." Before coming, Du Ge had indeed had plans regarding the Heavenly Demon. But after learning the truth of the Simulation Field, he knew none of those plans would work. The top ten spots were a glaring bait, meant to drive everyone to kill each other.

Rather than waste effort on empty arrangements, it was better to focus on cultivating his Keyword and come out on top in this brutal Chicken Dinner Game.

Well!

He had already taken the lead.

Now he just had to hold onto that lead to the end.

Feng Jiu turned and left, his figure receding as he walked and ate. Du Ge stood rooted to the spot for a long time, needing to digest the new information he'd just received.

The true purpose of the Simulation Field left him utterly shaken.

And Feng Jiu was still the same Feng Jiu as before—he hadn't turned into an idiot.

Sharp observation, restraint, using a chicken leg as a final test of his identity, hiding his Advanced Skill...

It was even possible that making himself stink in the morning was deliberate—to make him disgusted enough to let him stay at Feng Manor instead of venturing out together. He couldn't have been unaware that attribute growth would sharpen the senses.

Even the later goodwill might have been further camouflage, meant to put him off guard.

After all, Feng Jiu didn't know he was a transmigrator. The information and kindness he'd offered—things everyone should know—he'd used them to curry favor!

Every move, every step, was calculated!

If one Feng Jiu was already this shrewd, there were hundreds more like him out there. A pack of wolves. One misstep and they'd devour him, leaving not even a bone.

Du Ge let out a silent sigh, reminding himself of his new identity. He had transmigrated. He was no longer that carefree Earthling with nothing to worry about.