413 Hidden Rules

Qin Huai paused, then said, “There’s a flaw in the plan…The expectation of single-handedly eliminating everyone else in a massive fight is unrealistic. Because once there are enough people, the massacre will cease, and everyone will be assigned to various arrays.”

Fang Huo slapped his forehead. “How did such an important thing slip my mind?” He looked despondent as he added, “It seems we were overly eager that we overlooked such a simple loophole.”

Qin Huai remained silent. Clearly, the stress had gotten to everyone, causing them to miss this important issue. Now, this loophole had just occurred to him.

A wave of despair began to wash over him. How could he possibly eliminate everyone in one fell swoop? The challenge seemed to have just amplified.

“Regardless,” Fang Huo declared, “Brother Zhou, whenever you need my help, just call for me. Even if I’m millions of miles away, I’ll rush to your side.” He pounded his chest. The act of having his life saved wasn’t something he would forget easily.

“Next, I plan to continue my hunt for those old lunatics. Would you like to join me, Brother Qin?” Fang Huo invited.

“I’ll pass for now. Recently, I’ve had some breakthroughs in understanding the ancient scripture,” Qin Huai declined politely. There were only one or two of the old lunatics left, which shouldn’t pose much of a problem for someone as capable as Fang Huo.

After parting ways, Qin Huai’s gaze turned intense. His body shook, and the long sword strapped to his back suddenly sprang into action. A fierce roar escaped his lips.

Just then, another familiar voice echoed out, “Brother Zhou, hold on! Please wait, Brother Zhou!”

A frantic Yang Tianhan emerged from the bushes. “It’s me… Yang Tianhan!” he shouted, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

The sword that had been airborne now plunged into the earth, leaving only the hilt visible.

“Oh, it’s Brother Yang,” Qin Huai feigned surprise, asking, “Has Big Brother Yang also entered a level-one array?”

Yang Tianhan chuckled. “Didn’t Brother Zhou also enter a level-one array?” He rubbed his hands together, grinning. “Truth be told… I, Big Brother Yang, have already reached the visceral prefecture realm.”

“Visceral prefecture realm?!” Qin Huai exclaimed in disbelief. He immediately bowed in respect and said, “I pay my respects, Senior Yang!”

Yang Tianhan frowned. “What are you doing, Brother Zhou? If you bow like this, won’t we be like strangers?”

“That… is true,” Qin Huai replied, feeling a bit uncomfortable. “Then I’ll continue addressing you as Brother Yang.”

“That’s more like it,” Yang Tianhan said with satisfaction. “Earlier, I saw you deep in conversation with an expert like Fang Huo… You two seem to have a close relationship?”

“To be honest, we once fought alongside each other, so we are more or less acquainted,” Qin Huai replied sincerely.

“Oh?” Yang Tianhan’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. After some hesitation, he asked, “What’s your opinion on Xiang Mingfeng’s proposition?”

“That proposition?” Qin Huai shook his head. “It won’t work. It’s unrealistic to expect to eliminate everyone in an instant.”

Yang Tianhan smiled. “Actually… they are missing a crucial piece of information. There are hidden rules in this world related to the massacre.”

“Really?” Qin Huai was instantly intrigued. “Please, do share more, Brother Yang!”

Cautiously, Yang Tianhan scanned their surroundings before leading Qin Huai to a secluded corner. “In reality, a similar massacre occurred twenty years ago, led by those deranged old lunatics. They initiated an onslaught from the illusion realm that swept across our world.”

He paused, glancing around once again, before continuing, “I discovered it by accident and trailed them to observe. They were ruthlessly efficient in their killing, yet… the massacre concluded rather slowly. It took about a day, even though, given their speed, it should have ended in four to six hours.”

Qin Huai studied Yang Tianhan. “So, you’re suggesting…”

“My theory is that if we manage to eliminate enough people within a short span of time, we’ll trigger the illusion realm’s hidden rules. This would temporarily halt the previous division of the array, allowing it to conclude only after everyone has finished fighting.”

Yang Tianhan’s revelation hit Qin Huai like a bolt from the blue. “But how did you figure out that it would wait until everyone finished fighting?” Qin Huai asked.

“Because I survived till the end, only to be slain by a prominent figure from Wuji Mountain,” Yang Tianhan confessed.

“But still… this doesn’t meet the criteria of killing everyone single-handedly,” Qin Huai observed, scratching his head in confusion as he looked at Yang Tianhan.

“There is a way,” Yang Tianhan countered, smiling. “Just as Xiang Mingfeng gathered everyone to discuss leaving the bronze realm, wouldn’t there be an opportunity if we did the same?”

Qin Huai’s eyes sparkled. “You’re absolutely right, Brother Yang! With the groundwork from the last meeting, if we call another one, everyone is likely to assemble. Even if someone had ulterior motives, they would wait until after the meeting to act. So, with careful planning, we could actually fulfill this requirement?”

Yang Tianhan smiled, visibly relieved. “Exactly! That’s what I’m saying!” He then leaned in closer to Qin Huai, anxiously murmuring, “I’m only sharing this with you. Please, don’t tell anyone else. I believe you deserve this opportunity…”

Qin Huai was taken aback, stammering, “But Brother Yang, why don’t you seize this opportunity yourself?”

“If I were twenty years younger, I certainly would… But now, I’m old. All I wish for is to leave this world and reunite with my wife. Then, I want to see my dear mother…” Yang Tianhan’s voice choked as tears welled in his eyes.

“Don’t worry, Brother Yang! I won’t disappoint you,” Qin Huai asserted, his voice resolute. “I’ll find Xiang Mingfeng and ask him to arrange another meeting.”

“Great!” Yang Tianhan clapped Qin Huai’s shoulder. “I’m counting on you.”