Meng Huaichuan smiled. "I figure you still want to play on your own. Then we'll each go our separate way. If we really run into each other in the game, let's not throw ourselves into disarray. Whether it's the Azure Cloud Examination or anything else, it's only a temporary victory or defeat. There's no need to fight to the death. Look at me—I swore before coming in that I'd be a Fate-Divider, but after truly understanding the dangers of this Eerie Ground, I only want to be someone lying on the ground. Do whatever you want. I just want to walk out of here alive."
"You can really let it go?"
Meng Huaichuan curled his lip. "No matter how great the benefits of the Azure Cloud Examination are, they're not worth trading my life for. Let's be clear first: if you're really going to snatch something, tell me in advance. I don't want to fight you lot over it."
Song Baige smiled. "The mighty Nanxiang Marquis has started employing military strategy?"
Meng Huaichuan pointed at the people beside him. "Ask them if you don't believe me. We've already changed our strategy—preserving ourselves comes first, competing for results second. Don't tell me your brains still haven't turned around."
Li Qingxian and the others looked toward Shen Xiaoyi, Lin Zhenyuan, and the rest. They all nodded lightly.
"Indeed. That is our current policy as well," Li Qingxian said.
"That's more like it! Let's go. Once the Azure Cloud Examination ends, we'll have a good meal and chat properly."
On the narrow road, the crowd stretched into long lines. The two groups each walked along their own right side, following the street in different directions.
A large stretch lay empty between them.
After they had gone some distance, Good Fortune Born turned to