Chapter 263

"Words are meaningless," Xu Jintang said, remaining rational.

The Reform Society has always been elusive, and there is no guarantee that what they say is true.

Moreover, even if the conflict between the five military academies and the Federation is truly deep-seated, it is not something that a student like her can control.

"Don't think it's none of your business." Shi Anyu saw through Xu Jintang's thoughts and continued, "If you don't listen to me, everyone in this simulated battlefield is likely to be in grave danger."

Xu Jintang kept his head down and didn't say anything.

"The operating principle of the simulated battlefield is to temporarily separate a person's consciousness from their body, allowing participants to fight within the simulated battlefield as conscious beings. This method can indeed allow participants to unleash their full potential without suffering fatal damage, but all of this is contingent on the core system responsible for protecting the conscious being functioning normally."

Xu Jintang pursed her lips, slowly raised her eyes, and asked, "You mean, someone tampered with the simulated battlefield operating system?"

Shi Anyu nodded. "That's right. If the operating system of the simulated battlefield is interfered with, everyone here could potentially go into a state of brain death."

If what he said is true, then there's no point in continuing this league; survival is the most important thing.

Xu Jintang's expression was no longer as relaxed as before.

How can I be sure you're not lying?

Shi Anyu smiled slightly, "I have no reason to lie to you. Besides, you can try to kill me right now, and you'll find that you can't kill me at all."

Xu Jintang showed no mercy and decisively activated his supernatural power.

Several ice chains emerged from beneath his feet, binding Shi Anyu tightly.

Shi Anyu did not resist, her face showing a relaxed expression as she waited for Shi Anyu to make her move.

Xu Jintang immediately unleashed the Attack Inscription in his hand, its precise strike aimed at Shi Anyu's fatal spot.

If everything goes smoothly, this move should be enough to eliminate Shi Anyu from the simulated battlefield.

However, the attack blade pierced through Shi Anyu's chest, yet he was not eliminated.

Shi Anyu still wore a gentle smile. "In the time leading up to the league, the Reform Society was developing an operating system that could counter the simulated battlefield. Just half a month ago, we succeeded. This operating system allows us to remain invincible when entering the simulated battlefield."

Game cheating hacks?

Xu Jintang hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Shi Anyu, "What do you mean by telling me this?"

"I know your strength is not that simple." Shi Anyu stepped forward, stood in front of Xu Jintang, and bowed slightly. "To expose Jing Hongyi's conspiracy, I need your help."

At this moment, outside the simulated battlefield.

The satellite cameras responsible for broadcasting the battlefield footage were at that moment showing another intense battle between two teams that had just met.

Both teams were cautious, and after only a minor skirmish, they went their separate ways.

When the camera switched back to the Leikedasi team, Xu Jintang had already finished talking with Shi Anyu.

No one knew what they had just talked about.

Song Tianqi and his team, who were on guard, kept their eyes on the other side and didn't notice what had happened between the two.

Then Xu Jintang's cursing voice rang out. "Don't push your luck! Do you think you can insult the reputation of the Leikedasi First Military Academy like this?!"

Upon hearing this, Song Tianqi immediately activated his supernatural ability as a conditioned reflex.

Nine clusters of Scarlet Flame appeared around him.

Jiang Shiyi immediately summoned the Superpower Rocket Launcher and began bombarding the enemy.

"No need to waste energy fighting them." Xu Jintang quickly leaped onto a nearby pile of stones. "Let's go!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Jintang turned around and ran away into the distance.

Seeing this, the others followed suit, and in no time, the figures of Leikedasi and his group of five disappeared from sight.

"Captain," Wang Qian approached Shi Anyu and lowered her voice, "Did you tell her everything?"

Shi Anyu hummed in agreement. "Continue with the plan."

Inside a cave in the forest.

The crackling sound of burning firewood continued, and a warm current gradually spread to the surroundings.

Yan Yuting warmed his hands by the fire, and said indignantly, "Grande Military Academy is too arrogant! They have no sincerity at all in wanting to cooperate with us, and they actually want them to be the boss and make us their lackeys?"

"Exactly! They don't take us seriously at all." Song Tianqi clenched his fists, his face full of anger.

Jiang Shiyi sat quietly by the fire, saying nothing.

Xue Zhongqi stared at Xu Jintang and continued to ask, "So now we've made an enemy of Grande, should we just fight them whenever we see them?"

Xu Jintang shook his head, "There's no need. Our goal is to win the championship; it would be a waste to spend too much energy targeting them."

"The outside temperature is probably already below minus ten degrees Celsius," Yan Yuting said worriedly, looking out of the cave. "First there was the earthquake, and now this extreme cold. It feels like even if we survive this, there will be other disasters to come."

It's impossible to survive in temperatures below -10 degrees Celsius.

Even if they could temporarily keep warm by activating their mental energy, their mental energy would be exhausted over time, making it impossible for them to withstand the extreme cold.

"Let's rest for a bit." Xu Jintang closed his eyes, leaning his head against the stone wall behind him. "Let's observe and see what happens."

There was indeed no better way at the moment, so everyone could only hide in the cave to keep warm and rest.

Xu Jintang's breathing gradually became lighter, and he looked as if he had fallen asleep.

In reality, her mental consciousness was in complete chaos.

"What are you afraid of? With me here, I'll lead you straight out of the simulated battlefield!" Jin Xiaobao's arrogant voice was exceptionally clear.

"Don't be impulsive. Your consciousness has already been pulled into the simulated battlefield system. Although Thunder Dragon King and I can protect your consciousness and pull you out, this will expose my presence," Ice Soul Dragon added.

The Thunder Dragon King transformed into a dragon, its body wreathed in dense arcs of electricity, and its dragon form moved nimbly back and forth within the sea of consciousness.

After circling twice, he suddenly stopped. "Just remember, no matter what happens, Brother Long and I will protect you. With this guarantee, there's still a lot you can do."

The three of them had overheard the conversation between Shi Anyu and Xu Jintang.

Ice Soul Dragon calmly replied, "In this situation, all the three of us can do is cover for you. But the price we pay is that it will expose our presence, which could make things even more unfavorable for you. So until the most critical moment, we can only remain still."

Xu Jintang understood his meaning and nodded in agreement. "Okay, thank you for your hard work, all three of you."

As his consciousness returned, Xu Jintang took a deep breath, sat cross-legged, and gradually entered a meditative state.

Not long after, footsteps came from outside the cave entrance, accompanied by a chaotic commotion:

"The outside temperature has already dropped to almost 20 degrees Celsius, and it looks like it's going to continue to drop. There are no heating supplies available, so it seems we can only rely on our willpower to tough it out."

"Let's hide in the cave first, then we'll discuss a plan."

The sound immediately put Xu Jintang and the others on alert.

Song Tianqi was the first to stand up, quickly activating his supernatural power to summon the Scarlet Flame Orb.

"Who!"

"Damn it, there's someone in the cave!" the first boy to rush into the cave shouted, immediately activating his superpower and assuming a defensive stance.

The others who arrived later were stunned for a moment, but after they came to their senses, they immediately lined up in a row.

"Captain, they're from Leikedasi." The boy who recognized Xu Jintang and his group whispered in An Xinran's ear.

An Xinran frowned, subconsciously gripped the magical sword in her hand, and took a half step back.

The two sides reached a stalemate.

Finally, Xu Jintang spoke first, "If I remember correctly, you are from the Red Star Military Academy?"

Red Star Military Academy was one of the stronger and higher-ranked teams in previous leagues, and has maintained a stable seventh place for two consecutive seasons.

Seeing that the opposing team did not immediately start fighting, An Xinran gestured to her teammates, signaling them to retreat first.

The team members temporarily put away their magical weapons and retreated behind An Xinran to await orders.

"The temperature outside suddenly dropped, and we couldn't stand it anymore. We happened to see this cave and decided to come in to take shelter, but we didn't expect there to be people inside," An Xinran explained briefly.

Xu Jintang slightly raised the corners of his lips and immediately gestured, "Do it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Song Tianqi and his group immediately launched a full-scale attack.

"Blazing Flames of the Nine Heavens!"

Nine balls of Scarlet Flame hurtled precisely toward the enemy. Due to their incredible speed, the two team members standing in front were directly struck by the Scarlet Flame and fell to the ground.

An Xinran's face darkened, and she immediately swung her longsword, "Neon Sword Blade!"

Both sides immediately unleashed their full firepower.

The five members of the Red Star Military Academy were indeed quite strong overall, but they were still far inferior to Xu Jintang of freaks. Before long, An Xinran and her group of five were defeated and fell to the ground.

Xu Jintang approached An Xinran suddenly knelt down An Xinran helped her up. "Are you alright? Come and warm yourself by the fire."

An Xinran taken aback by the warm welcome.

Song Tianqi and the others were also confused about what Xu Jintang meant. After exchanging glances, they all looked bewildered.

Xu Jintang smiled at An Xinran, "Don't misunderstand, I have no hostility, I just want to talk to you about cooperation."

An Xinran frowned, "Cooperation?"

"Look, the format of this league is clearly not suitable for individual play. At least in the early stages, cooperation will definitely be more beneficial," Xu Jintang continued with a smile. "I sincerely want to cooperate with you."

Why didn't you mention cooperation when you made your move? An Xinran's lips twitched, somewhat speechless.

However, in terms of strength, they were indeed inferior to Xu Jintang and his group of five. Since they had already become defeated opponents, there was no benefit in continuing to resist.