He Yu raised his head and watched the gigantic Blazing Fire Bull charge toward him.

Its body was over six zhang tall, carrying an overwhelming aura of destruction.

Wherever it ran, blazing flames reignited behind it.

Every step left a deep crater in the ground.

Its momentum was unstoppable.

As for He Yu—

Because of the terrible environment and his forced absorption of surrounding energy, although he was still standing, he could barely move.

Let alone fight it.

Even at his peak condition, He Yu lacked the combat power to confront such a monster head-on.

Ling Buchen's expression changed.

Subconsciously, he stepped forward and stood in front of He Yu, staring fixedly at the Blazing Fire Bull.

Duan Yuchen shouted:

“Be careful!”

None of them had expected the boss of this stage to be such a ferocious monster.

And even more unexpectedly—

It had targeted the weakest person present.

He Yu.

Boom!

Boom! Boom!!

Every step of the Blazing Fire Bull seemed to land directly on their hearts.

Within only a few strides, it had crossed the edge of the island and approached He Yu.

The surging flames carried a boiling temperature, like a massive cauldron of burning oil, driving the surrounding heat even higher.

He Yu did not move.

His eyes remained locked on the Blazing Fire Bull.

“ROAR!”

When it was only a dozen meters away, the Blazing Fire Bull lowered its head and unleashed a torrent of fire.

[Bullet Comment: “Fuck fuck fuck! Vote for He Yu!”]

[Bullet Comment: “He Yu already has over 200,000 votes! He's the one refusing to leave!”]

[Bullet Comment: “Has he gone insane?! He's still not leaving??”]

[Bullet Comment: “AHHH—HE'S DONE FOR—”]

The roaring inferno rushed toward He Yu.

Its temperature was even more terrifying than the erupting magma.

It seemed determined to reduce him to ashes.

BOOM—

A deafening explosion erupted.

A hurricane slammed into the incoming flames.

Like an invisible barrier, it blocked the torrent of fire.

The boundary was crystal clear.

On one side—

The blazing inferno.

On the other—

Wanrenzhan, gripping the gigantic Palm Leaf Fan.

One of Wanrenzhan's hands had already become charcoal black.

Yet he still held the Palm Leaf Fan tightly.

At this moment, the scar on his face appeared especially ferocious.

His eyes were bloodshot.

Grinding his teeth, he raised the Palm Leaf Fan high and swung it down again.

“DO YOU THINK I'M DEAD?!”

Attacking the weakling he was protecting right in front of him?

Did the Blazing Fire Bull really think the title “Wanrenzhan” had been earned by backing down?

Whoosh—

An even greater hurricane extinguished the flames.

The Blazing Fire Bull instinctively retreated two steps.

Then it became utterly furious.

The flames around its body surged even higher, displaying its rage.

Although a portion of its fire had been extinguished, the enraged Blazing Fire Bull erupted with even more terrifying power.

Its flaming hoof stomped heavily.

The ground beneath it split apart instantly.

Rock fragments and sparks exploded upward.

“ROAR!”

The Blazing Fire Bull bellowed repeatedly at Wanrenzhan.

Wanrenzhan held the Palm Leaf Fan and swung back again and again.

The stalemate resumed.

No one noticed that the hand He Yu had quietly raised earlier had already lowered again.

The faint redness gathering in his eyes disappeared.

Returning to calmness.

Returning to clarity.

After several exchanges, the furious and violent Blazing Fire Bull gradually regained a trace of rationality.

While attacking Wanrenzhan, it simultaneously split off several streams of fire.

They rushed toward the island.

Toward He Yu.

Toward Ling Buchen and Duan Yuchen.

Without the Palm Leaf Fan, none of them could withstand those torrents of flame.

“Fuck! That's cheating!”

Wanrenzhan cursed loudly.

Immediately redirecting the Palm Leaf Fan, he swung toward the streams of fire.

And the moment he moved—

The Blazing Fire Bull unleashed flames at him.

The broom dodged nimbly.

Unfortunately, part of the enormous torrent still grazed Wanrenzhan.

His entire left leg was burned black.

“Hiss—”

Wanrenzhan sucked in a breath.

The pain turned his face pale.

Dizziness struck him.

His vision darkened.

Without years of battle experience, he would have collapsed right there.

Behind him, Duan Yuchen shouted urgently:

“This won't work!”

“It'll wear you down and kill you!”

The Blazing Fire Bull could breathe fire endlessly.

It kept Wanrenzhan occupied while simultaneously sending torrents of flame at everyone else.

If Wanrenzhan wanted to protect them, he would eventually be exhausted and burned to death.

And even without He Yu saying it aloud, Duan Yuchen knew—

He Yu was reaching his limit.

Transferring energy was not an easy task.

Wanrenzhan violently shook his head, forcing his vision back into focus.

He glanced behind him.

Duan Yuchen looked frantic, using defensive equipment to block stray flames and protect He Yu and Ling Buchen.

Ling Buchen was supporting He Yu.

And He Yu—

Although he still appeared calm and composed—

Was very different from before.

His fingers trembled uncontrollably.

His lips had shifted from pale white to faintly blue.

Only sheer willpower kept him standing.

If this continued—

They would undoubtedly lose.

Wanrenzhan gritted his teeth violently.

Then he suddenly threw the Palm Leaf Fan toward Ling Buchen.

“Catch it!”

“Fan the fire!”

At the same time, he pulled out his familiar battle axe.

Raising it high.

He charged straight toward the Blazing Fire Bull.

“He Yu!”

“One last strike!”

An enormous amount of energy surged into Wanrenzhan.

Perhaps because the surrounding energy was fire-aspected, Wanrenzhan felt as though his body were being roasted alive.

But he endured it.

Dragging one charred leg behind him, he lunged forward.

“DIE FOR ME!”

The battle axe grew enormous.

He leaped onto the Blazing Fire Bull's head.

While his own body burned black, he gathered every ounce of strength he possessed and swung downward.

This was the strongest energy He Yu had ever mobilized for him.

This was Wanrenzhan's ultimate strike.

The gigantic axe descended like a phantom.

The wind pressure it generated tore apart the flames covering the Blazing Fire Bull's head.

Nothing could stop it.

Accompanied by a shrill tearing sound—

The axe buried itself deep into the creature's skull.

BOOM!!

A world-shaking explosion erupted.

“ROOOOAAAAAR—”

The Blazing Fire Bull threw back its head and screamed.

Its howl contained not only rage—

But despair.

Its head shook violently.

The charred figure clung stubbornly to the axe embedded in its skull.

Gradually—

From head to toe—

The Blazing Fire Bull began collapsing.

Its movements weakened.

Its head.

Its body.

Its legs.

All transformed into rivers of flame.

Then completely disintegrated.

RUMBLE—

Amid endless thunderous crashes, the Blazing Fire Bull vanished.

And atop its head—

Wanrenzhan, already reduced to charcoal black, fell with it.

“Wanrenzhan!” Duan Yuchen shouted.

Beside him, Ling Buchen shouted at the same time:

“He Yu!”

Wanrenzhan's final attack had been unimaginably powerful.

But the one providing the energy—

He Yu—

Had endured pain no one else could imagine.

After that strike, even his willpower could no longer support him.

His eyes drooped weakly.

Fortunately, Ling Buchen caught him in time.

Otherwise, he would have collapsed onto the scorching ground.

—And touching that ground would instantly tear flesh apart.

“He Yu? Are you alright?”

Ling Buchen hurriedly pulled out a three-star potion.

He Yu pushed it away.

From his dry throat came only two words:

“Put out... the fire.”

Ling Buchen looked at the remaining sea of flames.

Then at He Yu.

His face was full of worry.

But he dared not let go.

“Give it to me!”

Duan Yuchen shouted.

Ling Buchen immediately tossed over the Palm Leaf Fan.

“Quick!”

Duan Yuchen's combat power far exceeded Ling Buchen's.

He was clearly better suited to extinguishing the flames.

Meanwhile, Ling Buchen needed to stay beside He Yu.

Grabbing the Palm Leaf Fan, Duan Yuchen flew into the air and swung desperately.

Without He Yu's support, extinguishing the flames became much slower.

However, with the Blazing Fire Bull gone, the remaining flames had become much weaker.

He fanned desperately toward Wanrenzhan's location.

Sweat poured from his face.

“Wanrenzhan!”

“Are you still alive, damn it?!”

There had been no stage-clear announcement.

Which meant Wanrenzhan most likely...

Duan Yuchen inhaled sharply.

Then swung even harder.

Faster.

Faster!

At this moment, he wasn't thinking about killing.

Wasn't thinking about undercover agents.

Wasn't thinking about advancement.

Wasn't thinking about equipment.

Wanrenzhan had risked his life to save them.

No matter what happened later.

No matter what had happened before.

At least at this moment—

He sincerely wanted to save him.

—At this moment, they were a true team.

—A team with a core and with unity.

“WANRENZHAN!”

“WANRENZHAN!!”

Duan Yuchen shouted while swinging desperately.

Within the sea of fire, a charred silhouette slowly stood up.

A rough, ruined voice emerged:

“I'm... not dead yet...”

“Why... the fuck... are you yelling...”

During the final second before losing consciousness, Wanrenzhan had seriously considered—

Leave?

Spending votes would allow him to exit.

He had enough votes.

He had already been preparing to use them.

Then he touched something else.

The seven-star potion.

The one He Yu had given him.

As expected of a seven-star potion.

As long as someone still had a breath left—

They could recover.

Wanrenzhan stood up slowly.

His entire body resembled a lump of charcoal.

His original appearance was completely unrecognizable.

But when he stood—

It felt as though the entire world was singing for him.

Even the flames seemed dimmer.

Seeing him alive—

He Yu.

Ling Buchen.

Duan Yuchen.

All three visibly relaxed.

Duan Yuchen rushed forward happily, extinguishing flames while carrying Wanrenzhan back onto the island.

Ling Buchen helped He Yu stand.

Wanrenzhan hung over Duan Yuchen's shoulder.

Pulling at the corner of his mouth, he mocked:

“Weakling.”

“You're too useless.”

“You nearly passed out just from getting a little warm.”

—Clearly He Yu had collapsed from energy depletion.

Yet Wanrenzhan deliberately twisted the story.

He Yu lifted his eyelids.

Expressionless.

“Charcoal.”

“Very ugly.”

Wanrenzhan: “...”

Immediately he exploded.

“I SAVED ALL OF YOU!”

“I'M A HERO!”

“SHOW SOME GRATITUDE!”

He Yu nodded.

“Stupid.”

“But reliable when it matters.”

Wanrenzhan exploded even harder.

“WILL YOU DIE IF YOU DON'T CALL ME STUPID?!”

“Even becoming charcoal couldn't shut your mouth.”

“HEY! HEY! HEY!”

Listening to them, Ling Buchen smiled.

His gentle features made the smile especially pleasant.

In a warm voice, he said:

“This is nice.”

“We're all still alive.”

Carrying Wanrenzhan, Duan Yuchen also smiled.

—Yes.

This was nice.

The fifth stage was over.

And all of them were still alive.

The livestream comments scrolled rapidly.

“I don't know why, but my emotions are really complicated all of a sudden.”

“After watching so much killing, seeing them like this feels nice too...”

“Wuwuwu, this is so good. The team has two strong members and two weak ones, but the weak ones don't drag anyone down. He Yu is even the strongest support. It's great.”

“Suddenly feeling a little sad. This is still a deathmatch competition. They'll eventually have to fight each other...”

“Not eventually. The voting phase starts immediately after Stage Five.”

...

The rewards from this stage were extremely generous.

Not only did everyone receive equipment, but after extinguishing Inferno Hell's flames, they discovered several herbs growing amidst the fire.

Within the Federation, they were known as—

Blazing Fire Grass.

One of the precious ingredients used in potion-making.

Duan Yuchen carried Wanrenzhan in front.

The seven-star potion was still working.

His body was rapidly recovering.

Wanrenzhan cursed nonstop:

“Fuck!”

“I did the most work!”

“Why are we splitting everything evenly?!”

Duan Yuchen grinned.

“Didn't we let you pick first?”

“Even He Yu gave way to you.”

The Blazing Fire Grass had been distributed with one each going to Duan Yuchen and Ling Buchen, while He Yu and Wanrenzhan received two each.

Among the four pieces of equipment, Wanrenzhan chose first.

Then He Yu.

Then Duan Yuchen.

Then Ling Buchen.

Wanrenzhan remained dissatisfied.

“That weakling He Yu always picks useless junk anyway!”

“What difference does first pick make for him?”

“I'm talking about the Blazing Fire Grass!”

He had chosen the strongest combat-power ore.

Meanwhile, as usual, He Yu had chosen non-combat equipment.

A seven-star potion.

The same seven-star potion he had previously given away.

He had obtained another one immediately afterward.

As for combat equipment—

He Yu never even glanced at it.

Wanrenzhan complained about this several more times.

Duan Yuchen laughed.

“If there's a bargain, I'll take it.”

“Why shouldn't I get a Blazing Fire Grass?”

“Who forged the Palm Leaf Fan you used?”

Wanrenzhan answered expressionlessly:

“He Yu.”

Duan Yuchen: “...”

He choked.

Coughing awkwardly, he said:

“Whatever.”

“We're a team. Resources should be distributed properly.”

“And besides, who's carrying you right now?”

He knew perfectly well that he had benefited.

In fact, they had all benefited from He Yu throughout the previous stages.

But this was a deathmatch competition.

One moment of carelessness could cost a life.

What was pride compared to survival?

Nothing.

The two continued arguing while walking.

At the back of the group—

Ling Buchen carried He Yu.

Keeping some distance from the others.

He Yu said quietly:

“I can walk myself.”

Ling Buchen smiled honestly.

“Rest.”

“Recover your strength.”

“We still have one more tough battle ahead.”

—Leaving Inferno Hell meant entering the voting phase.

—Wasn't that a difficult battle?

He carried He Yu steadily forward.

He Yu was very light.

Compared to Wanrenzhan and the others, Ling Buchen was considered weak.

But in reality—

He was not weak at all.

After increasing his combat power, carrying He Yu was effortless.

"Weak" was only relative.

Compared to the current people of Blue Star, Ling Buchen's physique was extremely strong.

He Yu did not insist.

The Inferno Hell stage had drained him badly.

Even if he could walk, it would be difficult.

Half-closing his eyes, he quietly adjusted his condition.

Ling Buchen glanced at the two people still arguing ahead.

Then suddenly spoke softly.

“After we leave, I'll use an Advancement Card and withdraw.”

He Yu's eyes snapped open.

His sharp gaze landed on Ling Buchen's profile.

Ling Buchen's side profile was gentle and refined.

Feeling He Yu's gaze, his smile did not change.

“You take care of yourself.”

“Stage Six will probably be even harder.”

He Yu spoke calmly.

“When did you know?”

Ling Buchen answered:

“After Stage Two.”

He Yu looked at him.

Ling Buchen continued carrying him steadily.

His eyes faced forward.

His steps remained smooth.

Not the slightest bump.

Making things very comfortable for He Yu.

Suddenly, He Yu smiled.

“I actually guessed.”

“You helped me several times.”

There was no need to mention the voting.

Several times, Ling Buchen had deliberately guided conversations along favorable directions.

In Stage Three, Ling Buchen had voluntarily proposed teaming with Zhante.

He had probably realized He Yu wanted to team up with Wanrenzhan.

If Ling Buchen suggested it instead, it would attract less attention.

Some things never needed to be stated directly.

Competition matters.

Blue Star legends.

Even without exchanging looks, they could understand each other's intentions.

He Yu was the undercover agent.

Only Ling Buchen had figured it out.

Ling Buchen smiled.

“They underestimated you.”

“Your intelligence exceeds their understanding.”

He Yu curved his lips.

“And they underestimated you too.”

[Bullet Comment: “...What are they talking about? Why can't I understand anything?”]

[Bullet Comment: “I think Ling Buchen figured out He Yu is the undercover agent!!”]

[Bullet Comment: “Then why is Ling Buchen leaving? What secret language are they speaking?!”]

He Yu said:

“You could wait a little longer.”

Ling Buchen's eyes curved into crescents.

His expression remained warm.

But he did not answer.

Obviously—

That was a refusal.

He Yu froze slightly.

Then he smiled as well.

—Ling Buchen knew what he intended to do.

—And respected that decision.

He Yu handed him the shrunken Palm Leaf Fan.

“Returning it to its owner.”

“Take care.”

The equipment had originally belonged to Ling Buchen.

Even after being reforged, it still belonged to him as long as he remained alive.

Ling Buchen paused.

Then accepted it with one hand while still carrying He Yu with the other.

“I will.”

“See you again.”

“See you.”

The four emerged from Inferno Hell.

To travel from Stage Five to Stage Six, they had to climb upward step by step until reaching the mountain summit.

Only then could they challenge Stage Six.

But before that—

They faced their final vote.

Duan Yuchen put down Wanrenzhan.

Ling Buchen lowered He Yu.

All cooperation.

All assistance.

Ended at this moment.

This was ultimately a deathmatch competition.

Now—

They were about to turn against one another.

No one would show mercy.

Showing mercy meant risking their own lives.

Duan Yuchen spoke first.

“Now we vote for the undercover agent.”

Ling Buchen held an Advancement Card between his teeth and waved.

“Then this has nothing to do with me.”

“Goodbye, everyone.”

Then he vanished.

Neither Duan Yuchen nor Wanrenzhan found it surprising.

Leaving now made perfect sense.

After eliminating the undercover agent, only Stage Six remained.

Neither Wanrenzhan nor Duan Yuchen needed Ling Buchen anymore.

They certainly would not protect him.

They might even help eliminate him.

Leaving now was cautious.

But not wrong.

Wanrenzhan snorted.

“Coward.”

Then his expression sharpened.

Immediately he shouted:

“I vote for Duan Yuchen!”

Almost simultaneously, Duan Yuchen declared:

“I vote for Wanrenzhan!”

The two cast their votes instantly.

Without hesitation.

Their eyes met.

The atmosphere became explosive.

No trace remained of the harmony from Stage Five.

Now—

Each wanted the other eliminated.

Out of the corner of his eye, Wanrenzhan glanced at He Yu.

Hurrying him to vote.

Duan Yuchen sneered.

“He Yu is already on my side.”

“You think you can still threaten him?”

—As Duan Yuchen's support, He Yu stood with him.

Neither of them feared Wanrenzhan.

Wanrenzhan's scarred face looked savage.

“Hah!”

“You think your lies fooled He Yu?”

“Duan Yuchen, you're the undercover agent!”

“You silenced Harvey!”

“You got rid of Siya and Qiao Yuan too!”

—As Wanrenzhan's support, He Yu stood with him.

Neither feared Duan Yuchen.

Duan Yuchen: “???”

At this point he was still reversing the accusation?

Glaring, he sneered.

“In Stage Three, you separated from He Yu. Then Siya was eliminated.”

“In Stage Four, I personally saw you and He Yu force Qiao Yuan out.”

“And Qiong was driven away by you too.”

“You can't deny it.”

Wanrenzhan's expression became vicious.

“Absolute bullshit!”

“You're still acting?”

“I gave you time to run!”

“Don't mistake kindness for weakness!”

“In Stage Four I never even saw Qiao Yuan!”

“If you're going to lie, at least make it believable!”

Duan Yuchen said:

“I personally saw—”

Then suddenly—

His pupils contracted.

He whipped his head toward He Yu.

“Why haven't you voted yet?”

Although he asked the question—

His eyes already contained shock.

And suspicion.

Still clinging desperately to the hope that he was wrong.

He Yu smiled brilliantly.

Standing there in white robes.

Face pale.

Body thin.

Looking completely harmless.

Yet his smile sent chills down the spine.

Duan Yuchen looked at him.

Then looked at Wanrenzhan.

Stepping backward several times.

Disbelief filled his face.

“No...”

“No way...”

“How could it be?”

—He finally understood.

Back in Stage Three, something had flashed through his mind.

But he had failed to catch it.

Now—

He finally caught it.

Instance hint:

The undercover agent knows more information.

Finding Siya and the others required neither special communication methods nor overwhelming combat power.

Only a maze map.

And—

Qiao Yuan was eliminated immediately after revealing that he had seen He Yu speaking with Earlie.

So what Qiao Yuan saw—

Was real.

Qiao Yuan knew the truth.

The undercover agent had to silence him.

Duan Yuchen had been blinded by the illusion.

He had never connected the clues.

—He Yu was the undercover agent!

The truth was almost impossible to accept.

He stumbled backward in despair.

Wanrenzhan sneered.

“Hah!”

“Exposed now, aren't you?”

“I'm telling you, He Yu has seen the light.”

“He trusts me.”

“He doesn't trust an undercover agent like you.”

“Stop trying to—”

“SHUT UP!”

Duan Yuchen lunged forward, trying to punch him.

Wanrenzhan kicked him away.

“Don't even think about attacking!”

“He Yu!”

“Vote for him already!!”

Duan Yuchen: “...”

He slapped the back of Wanrenzhan's head.

“Idiot!”

“Haven't you figured out who the undercover agent is yet?!”

“This is all your fault!”

“You've been covering for the undercover agent the entire time!”

“If it weren't for you, how could he have hidden so deeply?!”

Wanrenzhan: “???”

Clutching his head, he looked utterly confused.

“What the hell?”

“Aren't you the undercover agent?”

“At this point you're still trying tricks?”

Duan Yuchen was nearly hyperventilating.

He didn't want to talk anymore.

He only wanted to smash Wanrenzhan's skull open.

So he punched him again.

And again.

—You couldn't kill teammates.

But fighting wasn't against the rules.

Normally Duan Yuchen couldn't move Wanrenzhan at all.

But Wanrenzhan was still badly weakened.

He couldn't suppress Duan Yuchen easily.

The two immediately started wrestling.

Duan Yuchen grabbed his clothes.

Wanrenzhan pinned him down with one leg.

Then shouted toward He Yu:

“He Yu!”

“Vote for him!”

“This undercover agent is still lying!”

“Don't listen to his nonsense!”

Duan Yuchen looked utterly broken.

His face twisted.

Then he growled:

“Not afraid of god-tier enemies.”

“Terrified of pig-tier teammates.”

“Wanrenzhan—”

“I NEVER WANT TO BE ON A TEAM WITH YOU AGAIN!!”

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