Chapter 158: Cai Kun Ventures Alone into the Smoke Array

This was exactly what he had hoped to see.

He had fabricated a lie about his war pet on the fly, never expecting that it would so easily dismantle Cai Kun’s coalition. When it came down to it, Cai Kun lacked the temperament and magnanimity of a true leader. He cared nothing for the mental state of his teammates; to him, these impoverished students were merely tools, and because he had paid for their presence, he believed he had the right to dispose of them as he pleased.

The other students watched the exchange between Cai Kun and the mage student with cold eyes, anger churning within them. Each of them looked at Cai Kun with growing resentment and hostility. Already on edge, Cai Kun turned to face them, his expression darkening when he saw their hostile demeanor. "What?" he barked. "Are you all planning to rebel now? Are you itching to argue with me, too?"

The swordsman student, whose temper was already explosive, could no longer restrain himself at Cai Kun’s provocation and prepared to confront him. However, the archer student grabbed him and shook his head. The archer then stepped forward and said to Cai Kun, "There is no point in arguing further. Let's discuss our next move."

He gestured toward the smoke. "The points on the leaderboard for their team are constantly updating. They will likely finish off the beasts in the smoke very soon. Your stalling tactics have become meaningless. Even if you hold a grudge against Wang Chen, you should consider other options." The archer kept his tone as calm as possible, trying not to provoke Cai Kun. "Everything is about to be settled, Cai Kun."

Hearing the archer’s words, Wang Chen nodded inwardly. This fellow had a much sharper mind than Cai Kun and was far better suited for a leadership role. Just as the archer had said, while Cai Kun was busy throwing a tantrum, Wang Chen’s team had quietly overtaken Meng Liwen’s group, climbing to third place. Once Long Wushuang and the others finished off the remaining beasts, they would likely ascend to the top spot.

Cai Kun really should have known when to quit. But logic was one thing, and Young Master Cai never let such things weigh on his mind. As he listened to the archer, his face grew increasingly grim, looking as though it could drip water. Finally, he erupted. "So only you know how to analyze the situation, is that it? You think you're so smart?"

Cai Kun glared at his teammates. "Let me tell you, I have a bone to pick with Wang Chen today! Whether you like it or not, it makes no difference to me!" His veins bulged, and he appeared almost manic.

The archer sensed something was wrong. "Cai Kun, have you been affected by some kind of skill?" He reached out to grab him. "Let A-Qing cast a Holy Light to purify your mind..."

"Get lost!" Cai Kun slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me! I'm perfectly fine!" He declared, "If none of you are willing to help, I'll do it myself!" With that, he headed toward the smoke, with the archer rushing to intercept him.

As the two struggled, Long Wushuang reported over the team channel that he and Tang Ruotong were about to finish off all the beasts. Per Wang Chen’s instructions, they had left one Great Mud Boar behind. Long Wushuang stepped lightly to Wang Chen’s side, watching Cai Kun, who was currently losing his composure.

"Chen, I think your rival has a bit of a mania problem," Long Wushuang whispered.

Wang Chen smiled. "It’s not mania. It’s just his spoiled young master temperament kicking in. He’s used to doing whatever he wants, and he can’t stand it when things don’t go his way in battle." He paused, thinking. "Also, I suspect he’s suffering from a backlash. That brainwashing-like skill he used on Tang Ruotong earlier should have had a backlash after it failed. This guy probably hasn't failed much in his life and has no guard against side effects. The backlash is now amplifying his arrogance and short temper."

Long Wushuang looked incredulous. "People like this actually exist? He doesn't even know to guard himself when using his own skills?"

"To be honest, I find it strange too," Wang Chen said helplessly. "But when I think about how it’s Cai Kun, it somehow feels acceptable."

"Fine, your school has too many 'talents'," Long Wushuang scratched his head. "But why did you leave one Great Mud Boar behind?"

"To mess with Kun-Kun," Wang Chen laughed. "I’m not bold enough to attack other candidates during the University Tournament, so I have to make it look like an accident."

Long Wushuang’s expression hardened. "Is your grudge with him that deep?"

Wang Chen replied calmly, "He is the one who unilaterally held a grudge against me to this extent. I am simply reciprocating. After all, it is only polite to return a gift."

Long Wushuang was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Understood. What do we do?" Looking at Long Wushuang’s resolute expression—as if he would strike down anyone Wang Chen pointed at—a warmth flowed through Wang Chen’s heart. He then began to whisper instructions to Long Wushuang.

...

Outside the smoke, Cai Kun knocked the archer to the ground with a punch and stubbornly charged into the fog. The archer clutched his face in pain, struggling to get up and stop Cai Kun again. The swordsman walked over to help the archer up, saying, "Leave him be. You’ve done your duty; anything else is beyond your obligation."

The archer thought to himself, *If you feel that way, then I’m relieved. I’ve done the bare minimum of what was expected of me.* He only sighed aloud, "Regardless, we are still on the same team. If we can help him later, we should. At the very least, if he gets beaten up by Wang Chen, we’ll need to bring him out of the secret realm for treatment."

The swordsman’s gaze was cold. "We’ll see. Maybe Cai Kun won’t need us at all."

Upon rushing into the smoke, Cai Kun felt as if he had swallowed a razor blade. He realized the smoke wasn't just for concealment; it had an abrasive, damaging effect. *Wang Chen’s methods are truly sinister!* Cai Kun thought. *I must drag him out!*

As he thought this, he tripped over the corpse of a Great Mud Boar. He was overjoyed. Blood mages required blood to cast their spells, and the blood trickling from the boar’s eye sockets was perfect.

"Blood Web!"

Cai Kun formed a strange hand seal, and his body shuddered. The blood flowing from the boar seemed to come to life, swirling and slowly weaving itself into a web of gore. Cai Kun flicked his palm, and the blood web flew out, drifting through the smoke in search of a target. The Blood Web skill could bind enemies and strangle them to death, but using it as a scout was a desperate measure. It was better than nothing.

Cai Kun kept the blood web floating a short distance in front of him, using it as a minesweeper of sorts, and searched slowly for Wang Chen. Suddenly, the web transmitted a sensation back to him; Cai Kun knew something had touched it.

*Could it be Wang Chen?* He felt a surge of joy, though he immediately reasoned it couldn't be that simple. He hesitated, taking a step forward, eager to see what it was. This was the drawback of using the blood web for reconnaissance—it could never truly replace the tactile precision of a living limb.