Ye Yu silently willed himself to exit. Although he hadn't completely cleared the Mystic Realm this time—marking his first incomplete run—he knew perfection wasn't always attainable. He had done well enough.
But then, a notification echoed in his mind:
"After passing the second stage, unanimous consent is required to exit."
Ye Yu understood. Lying weakly on the ground, he knew neither Feng Yi nor Xiong Houdao bore him any hostility, especially Feng Yi. They would surely agree to leave, especially once they saw how severely injured he was.
"So tired..."
Ye Yu slowly closed his eyes, though he fought to keep them open. His exhaustion was overwhelming.
During his battle with the Rock Stone General, sheer willpower had kept him from passing out—all to endure the second stage.
Just then, Feng Yi and Xiong Houdao were teleported in, now aware of the situation.
Feng Yi rushed over in panic, quickly checking Ye Yu's breathing. Relieved to find him alive, he exhaled sharply.
"We should exit," Feng Yi said. "All three of us need to agree. Ye Yu already has."
Xiong Houdao nodded. His own injuries and exhaustion were severe—he had given his all in the first stage.
Feng Yi slapped himself in self-reproach.
"I'm useless. I couldn't help Ye Yu at all."
Xiong Houdao could see Feng Yi's desperation to assist. Unlike himself, Feng Yi had conserved much of his strength in the first stage, appearing relatively unharmed.
"Your intent is enough," Xiong Houdao reassured. "There'll be plenty of chances later."
At that moment, details of the third stage arrived:
"The third stage is non-combat. Traverse ten kilometers across the Icy Land from start to finish to pass. Success grants triple rewards based on first-stage performance—this constitutes the full clearance bonus."
"A single participant may proceed, while the other two exit. If the participant succeeds, those who exited forfeit the triple reward."
Xiong Houdao was stunned. Triple rewards were substantial—the first stage had been grueling, so the experience points would be immense. Ye Yu's second-stage clearance had already secured them double rewards, and a third-stage success would triple that.
Feng Yi burned with the desire to clear the third stage. Though his own first-stage gains wouldn't be significant even tripled, Ye Yu had fully cleared the first stage. Double rewards were already generous, but Feng Yi wanted Ye Yu to receive triple. He longed to help.
His fists clenched in frustration.
"Damn it! I want to help Ye Yu clear this so badly. I'm still in good shape—I saved my strength for him. But his injuries are too severe. He needs to get out now for Ling'er to heal him. If I drag him through the third stage, he'll be in danger. What a waste!"
Regret and sorrow twisted inside him as he tightened his grip.
"If only Ye Yu's injuries were lighter—if he could hold on longer—I'd take him through the third stage. I'm still in good condition!"
But it was just a fantasy. Resigned, he prepared to exit.
Then, Xiong Houdao spoke:
"Do you want to take Ye Yu through?"
The question jolted Feng Yi. He looked up, eyes reddening, sensing hope in Xiong Houdao's tone.
"Houdao... do you have a way?"
Xiong Houdao nodded, "Yes, there is, but it's too dangerous for you. It's even uncertain whether you can persist through the third trial."
"As long as there's hope, that's enough! Tell me quickly! I must help Ye Yu, my benefactor!" Feng Yi pleaded with desperate eyes.
Xiong Houdao had initially chosen not to mention it, but seeing Feng Yi's profound grief, self-blame, and remorse—his burning desire to do something for Ye Yu—made him waver.
Moreover, Ye Yu's success in the second trial had earned Xiong Houdao double the rewards, filling him with gratitude and a wish to reciprocate.
Xiong Houdao nodded. "Alright. One of my Paw-Paw Fruit abilities allows me to expel a target's injuries and fatigue."
Feng Yi was stunned. Such an overpowered ability? Overwhelmed with excitement, he urged, "Then use it now! Can you do it immediately?"
He was worried, though. Xiong Houdao was also severely injured and exhausted, though not as much as Ye Yu. Clearly, he too had fought to his limits in the first trial.
Xiong Houdao nodded. "I can barely manage it once."
Feng Yi was ecstatic. "Once you expel them, will Ye Yu fully recover?"
That was how he understood it. After all, wasn't Ye Yu's current state due to severe injuries and exhaustion? If both were expelled, wouldn't he be fine? The ability truly defied the heavens.
Xiong Houdao shook his head. "Not fully. I haven't mastered the ability yet—I can't expel all the damage and fatigue. Plus, in my current state, I can only expel one. So, I'll expel Ye Yu's injuries."
Feng Yi nodded eagerly. "Good! Expelling the injuries is best. Even if you expelled his fatigue and woke him up, his severe injuries would still leave him in agony, unable to do anything."
Xiong Houdao continued, "Right now, I can only expel ten percent of the damage Ye Yu suffered in the first and second trials. But ten percent is enough—it'll ensure Ye Yu isn't in mortal danger from prolonged lack of treatment. After expulsion, you can take him into the third trial. He won't be at risk of dying from not leaving immediately."
Feng Yi was moved. "Ten percent? That's still great. Let's begin, then."
Yet Xiong Houdao frowned, hesitating.
Feng Yi asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"
Xiong Houdao warned, "After expelling ten percent of the damage, if no one bears it, the injuries will return to Ye Yu. My condition is precarious—once I use this ability, I must withdraw to receive treatment from my team. So, you'll have to bear it."
Feng Yi understood now. He nodded urgently. "Absolutely! Use it now! I kept myself in good condition precisely to help Ye Yu. I'm glad I did—now the chance has come!"
Xiong Houdao still cautioned gravely, "Ye Yu is immensely strong, with terrifying endurance and resilience. The damage he's taken is monstrous. Even ten percent is extremely dangerous. Even in your near-peak state, bearing this might kill you."
Hearing this, Feng Yi showed not a trace of fear—only a faint smile.
"No matter what, the outcome is good. If I can endure, I'll bandage and treat myself for a while, then take Ye Yu through the third trial. If I can't hold on and die, that would count as withdrawing, and Ye Yu would withdraw too since he's already agreed to it. So either way, it's a good outcome. Come on then."
Xiong Houdao was moved. Feng Yi truly wasn't afraid—he feared no death if it meant helping Ye Yu.
Xiong Houdao sighed softly, "I admire you, but is it necessary? The rewards we've gained already are plenty. Withdrawing would be perfectly fine."
Feng Yi shook his head, "Where there's hope, we must press on. That's how Ye Yu is, and now the hope lies with me. I choose to proceed."
No longer hesitating, Xiong Houdao nodded, "Very well."
Then, Xiong Houdao gently lifted Ye Yu and, standing behind him, placed his bear-like paw on Ye Yu's back, activating his ability.
With a light pat, a faint red, gaseous bear paw emerged—standing two meters tall—and materialized before Feng Yi. He couldn't help but marvel inwardly at such a miraculous ability.
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