This is because, for the upcoming Academy Grand Tournament, the "exchange students" visiting the City of Kindling will be led by Charles.
This group, with their invincible strength, swept away almost all the new students in the City of Kindling.
Only two seats remained out of ten.
One was defeated by Huomu with all his might, while the other was barely saved by Suyo.
The secret ruins of the "Tidal Year" create a large number of future powerhouses every time they appear.
The fact that only two of the original ten seats in the City of Kindling remained effectively cut off the path for the rise of the new generation in the City of Kindling.
To put it more bluntly, the decline and destruction of the City of Kindling may have been predetermined when this grand competition came to an end.
After all, Qiji had lived in the City of Kindling for many years and had some affection for the city.
Therefore, there's no need to hesitate about what to do.
It was something that came easily to me.
"Then I'll give you a fifth treasure chest."
Qiji has decided to keep all five of them.
Although he had lost most of his combat power due to the weakening buff, he had simultaneously mastered the most powerful weapon in the Sea of Consciousness—
That is time!
As long as we can hold them off and keep them in the Sea of Consciousness beyond the safe time limit, then even without Qiji's intervention, these people will all perish here.
Although these guys have all reached the third level, even if they die in the Sea of Consciousness, their lives will not be in real danger.
However, if the spirit remains weak for a month or two, it's inevitable.
Let's consider this a way to weaken Huomu and his team's opponents before the big competition.
Kids, this is all the help I can give you.
As for how many seats we can secure...
You guys better do your best!
In fact, even disregarding the competition, from a purely personal perspective, Qiji has every reason to take action.
What if—just what if—one of these people is carrying a high-level fragment that hasn't been fully refined?
Although those Echoer haven't refined their fragments generally won't risk logging into the Sea of Consciousness.
Even if someone dared to log in, they would definitely be carrying a conceptual item capable of solidifying fragments; otherwise, who would dare to risk their life and fortune?
But then again—
Even if all the fragments have been refined, if the Echoer dies in the Sea of Consciousness, there is still a possibility that fragments will be dropped; it's just a matter of probability.
Unless the fragments are "completely solidified".
The so-called complete solidification means that the Echoer uses their own core consciousness as the foundation and specific imagery or conceptual props as a medium to deeply bind the fragments with the spirit.
Once bound, even if the spirit dies in the Sea of Consciousness, this fragment will absolutely not be released.
However, the number of fragments that each Echoer can fully solidify is limited, and is generally positively correlated with their rank.
The higher the grade, the more fragments can be solidified.
So, if we really want to talk about the fastest way to get rich in the Sea of Consciousness...
It wasn't actually about clearing away the Remnant, nor was it about finding a treasure chest; rather, it was about—
Hunting the Echoer.
In order to obtain the two Myth Fragment in the fifth treasure chest, Charles and his companions rushed as fast as they could and finally cleared away the Remnant at top speed, appearing in front of the treasure chest.
Charles sensed the Frequency Mark within his body—
There's still half an hour left, plenty of time!
A confident smile immediately appeared on his face.
Standing in front of the treasure chest, Dorothy was also somewhat excited.
This is their fifth treasure chest today!
This efficiency is unheard of!
It would scare people to death if they heard this!
Dorothy even had the illusion that she was making history.
The girl took a deep breath and was about to reach out to open the treasure chest.
However, the next moment, Charles blocked her way.
"Miss Dorothy, when a high-level treasure chest is opened, there may be accompanying Remnant or even a mental shock."
For everyone's safety, how about I, as the team leader, open this crucial box for everyone?
This can be seen as taking on everyone's expectations and risks!
Charles smiled and spoke politely, as if he were genuinely considering his teammates' feelings.
Upon hearing this, Dorothy inwardly scoffed at Charles's high-sounding explanation.
Taking on the risks for everyone?
I don't believe you for a second!
They're clearly afraid I'll take anything good that's inside the treasure chest, right?
They were just pretending to be generous and magnanimous, saying they'd give me priority in choosing the fragments—thank goodness I didn't believe them!
People from such aristocratic families are always good at saying nice things!
However, despite cursing in her heart, Dorothy showed no sign of it on her face.
She nodded slightly, took a half step back, a polite smile on her lips, and said softly:
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Mr. Charles."
Charles nodded in satisfaction, strode forward, and placed his hand on the lid of the treasure chest.
He took a deep breath, entered the password, and slowly lifted the lid of the box—
Then, the ever-present, composed smile on his face froze.
The treasure chest contained no red, no gold, not even a hint of green!
A piece of paper lay quietly inside.
It's paper again!
The rest of the team held their breath the moment Charles opened the treasure chest, bracing themselves for being blinded by the dazzling light emanating from it.
Unexpectedly, "guided by fate," they opened the fifth treasure chest, and inside was—
Is this "guidance of fate" again?
Charles picked up the note with trembling hands.
This time, the reward written on the note was even more amazing:
Three Myth Fragment, plus five Legend Fragment!
You fucking dare to write that?!
Enraged, Charles wanted to tear the note to shreds on the spot.
But the moment I touched it, I couldn't bring myself to do it.
Deep down, I still clung to that sliver of deadly luck.
What if?
What if it really is in the sixth treasure chest?
We've opened all five treasure chests, what's one more?
Seeing Charles clutching the note with an uncertain expression, Dorothy had already realized what was going on and vaguely sensed that something seemed amiss.
"Mr. Charles, there's no time... I think we'd better leave first."
Charles was certainly aware of the time constraints.
But he was unwilling to accept it!
Three Myth Fragment lay before him, just a hair's breadth away from being his...
He had to consider that this might not be his only chance in this lifetime!
Just as he was in a state of great inner turmoil, Wuma Ling, who had been silent in the group, suddenly stepped forward and placed her slender hand on top of the treasure chest.
Loop construction.
In an instant, a phantom image appeared.
But Wuma Ling had rewound the scene from five minutes ago!
A figure wearing a fox mask opened the treasure chest before they arrived.
This so-called "treasure chest" contained none of the Myth Fragment written on the paper!
The moment it was turned on, it emitted a blue light...
Damn it, there are only three blue junk fragments inside!
It fell on the ground and was given to Charles for free, Charles couldn't even be bothered to pick it up!
What's most infuriating is that after taking the items, this guy actually pulled out paper and pen and started scribbling, pretending the treasure chest hadn't been opened...
At this moment, upon learning the truth, Charles simply couldn't believe it!
It was such a clumsy scam...
Such a low-level tactic...
He, Charles Isolde, was actually played like that?!
This is outrageous!
Are you kidding me!
The moment he realized he had been tricked, Charles was furious.
He immediately broke down in his guard and glared at Wuma Ling, questioning her:
"If you have this kind of Echo, why didn't you use it sooner? Did you want to see me make a fool of myself?"
Despite being met with such an unfriendly expression, Wuma Ling's face remained expressionless. She simply explained calmly in a flat tone:
"I must first capture 'his presence' before I can recall his image."
Charles snorted coldly, calmed down, and realized that he had lost his temper.
Although the facts were now before him, he was still unwilling, unable, and afraid to believe them.
He simply couldn't understand how this guy wearing the fox mask managed to do that.
Each time, they would sneak up on them, open the treasure chests, take everything inside, and then leave them clues to the next treasure chest...
How does this guy know which island the next treasure chest will appear on?
And where did this guy get his paper and pen?
It's important to understand that the Sea of Consciousness cannot contain anything from reality.
Unless that guy's paper and pen are "Conceptual Creation"...
But this is such an extravagant gesture!
There's no reason for it!
It's important to know that every "Conceptual Creation" that can be brought into the Sea of Consciousness is a rare item!
I specially obtained paper and pen, along with a fox mask to conceal my identity. Just the three Conceptual Creation that are on display are already out in the open!
Why make such a big fuss just to fool him? To waste his time?
Not good!