"Since they thought it was unfair of us, the direct disciples of Grandmaster Wei, to use the gondola to quickly reach the Academy," An expression of pure, unadulterated, wicked delight unsubtly painted Death's face.

This made everyone tense, an ominous feeling settled into those who were wrong's stomach. ​​

What in the world are their ears made out of?!

"Then we'll gladly join these children journey through the forest. Besides, it wouldn't look good on us seniors to let our newcomers go alone without supervision." He folded his arms and nodded to himself, as if he was doing them a favor.

Lillie deadpanned at Death's theatrical antics. How she was drag along with his ploy was a blur.

All she know was that she was patiently standing in the queue with Ethan and then suddenly, Death and—surprisingly—her new friend, Han Taiyi, yanked her towards the field.

Lillie wasn't aware of what was happening and hadn't heard anything from the enrollees; Ethan was distracting her.

Don't ask.

Han Taiyi was ashamed of herself for being lured by the devil's flute. But this is a once is a lifetime opportunity.

She'll never know if there's another chance for her to see Grand Disciple Life display her prowess.

"Grand Disciple Death, please, if you could kindly be lenient just this once and forgive these young ones for their ignorance."

"I wonder why Master Kang would ask for forgiveness when nothing is there to be so apologetic about?" Death tilted his head with an innocent smile. "We were simply acting on good will for these youngsters. The forest is really dangerous, after all. It would be a shame if the Academy would lose those who has potential."

The enrollees shudder, interpreting Death's words to be very much like he's hinting their foreseen doom.

Was he planning to incite revenge and make it look like an accident?

Master Kang was about to persist but was interrupted when Death added, "I also heard that the Academy set up games for everyone, and the prizes are quite generous. Coincidentally, my card is running low on points."

Ah, so that's what he's really after, Lillie, Ethan, Han Taiyi, Chu Lizheng thought blandly.

"I see..." Master Kang, understanding Death's character with his years in the Academy, was relieved to know that the white-haired man was just after the points and not the enrollees life.

Death is a strange man. Sometimes, it's as if he's wearing his emotions on his sleeves, easy for many to read him. But you really can't be certain on what truly lies under those smiles.

"If that's the case, I would not delay you from your excursion. Best if you start running now, or would you prefer to wait for these young ones?"

"We've prolonged more than enough time. We'll accept Master Kang's advice and move out first." Lillie stepped in before Death could answer.

"Good. I pray for your safeties." Master Kang nodded. "And may I bid this Grand Disciple with a warning before parting; the forest has been altered tremedously in your absence. Expect countless surprises along the way."

"I thank this honorable Master for his guidance." Lillie shook her hands that were in a palm-holds-fist pose before facing her group and said, "Let's go."

She swore in her mind that this was really the last time she'll humor her Senior Brother's escapades. In spite of that, Lillie's also aware that this promise is less likely to be kept.

***

Not even an hour has passed when they entered the dark forest, figures in black assaulted them from out of nowhere.

One of the figures leapt from a tall tree, holding a silver pole.

The figure swung his pole right in between Lillie and Ethan, successfully splitting them up in different directions to avoid the blunt weapon that was about to hit them.

More figures jumped out from the shadows and simultaneously attacked each of them.

Lillie was separated farther from the group as her opponents tried their best to isolate her, thinking that they would have the upper hand to defeat her due to their number.

This must be one of the surprises and changes Master Kang mentioned.

While they fend off the assailants, who're probably teachers, Death explained that if they make the boss appear, he or she will award them a map where the treasure—in this case, points—was hidden.

Han Taiyi and Chu Lizheng's synchronized counterattacks manage to knock out five of the teachers slash assailants.

Wondering why there seem to be only a few who were attacking them, they got their answers when they look ahead.

Ahh, so they were focusing more on the stronger ones first before them, the puny ones.

Rude.

They saw the rest of the assailants attacking the Grand Disciples.

To say the least, the Sun students weren't surprised by what comes next.

Motionless bodies littered around Life and Death. And said individuals didn't seem to lose a single breath nor break a sweat as they continue dancing and rendering their opponents unmoving in their wake.

Han Taiyi was frozen in her place, so much in awe at the scene before her.

The action movies she watched before paled in comparison to this one.

Then, her eyes fell at Shengming's husband. Her eyes widen when she saw that he, too, had quite the amount of unmoving bodies at his feet.

Jun Jihuo's movements flow with the Grand Disciples' rhythm as if the three of them had choreographed it together.

Moments later, when Lillie was about to knocked out her 20th body, a figure in white changsan [1] robe appeared.

The white robed figure grabbed her wrist to stop her from pressing her opponent's pressure point.

"Enough. This group has defeated most of my team. Though, considering two of you are Grand Disciples, we expect nothing less." The white robed figure removed his mask and revealed a man's handsome yet mature features, appearing to be in his late 30s.

A few wrinkles marred the corner of his eyes and mouth, but it only added to his charms.

"Accept this as a sign of our surrender. This act as a map, and it will lead you to the treasure." He said, handing his mask to Lillie before disappearing from their view.

Distracted by the white robed man, it was not only by the end that the group realized that the bodies around them disappeared as well.