"You're still not familiar with each other yet—this place is yours now.""We'll stand guard outside until the Blood Moon descends and you enter the game."
With that calm statement, Pei Tianyuan left the siheyuan together with An Xinning. Inside the courtyard remained thirteen people—ten men and three women—all participants of the National Fortune Game.
Chen Xiao instinctively felt that this number was no coincidence. Thirteen was most likely the exact quota set by the game itself.
"Zhou Xun! Over here!"
A clear female voice suddenly called out.
Chen Xiao turned his head and saw a girl he did not recognize at all. She had striking, exotic features—sharp and three-dimensional—with skin as smooth as fine white jade. Her thick hair cascaded over her shoulders, threaded with several delicate braids.
Chen Xiao immediately guessed—this girl must be someone from Zhou Xun's past.
He walked over slowly.
"I didn't dare recognize you earlier," the girl said excitedly. "I can't believe you're here too!"
"Just trying my luck," Chen Xiao replied lightly.
She laughed. "Trying your luck and you still made it? Haha—just kidding. Wait… your voice?"
Chen Xiao sighed. "I'm practicing voice mimicry. In the apocalypse, every skill counts."
She nodded naturally. "That makes sense. You've really changed a lot in the past two years. I was worried about you…"
"You know, we came to the capital's military region together from our hometown. Now we're both entering the National Fortune Game—our old principal would be so proud!"
Chen Xiao forced a stiff smile. "Yes… he would."
He couldn't continue the conversation. He genuinely didn't know this girl at all. Who would have thought Zhou Xun had such a close hometown friend in the military region? And neither Pei Tianyuan nor An Xinning had warned him about this.
"A Yao," Chen Xiao noted silently. That must be her name.
"A Yao, once we're inside the game, you have to be careful," he said cautiously. "Even if my ability is strong, I can only look out for you so much."
Her bright eyes swept over him carefully from head to toe.
Chen Xiao couldn't help thinking—Zhou Xun really had good fortune. A childhood friend this beautiful.
He smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I'll be careful."
"A Yao, is this the hometown friend you always talk about?"
An unpleasant voice interrupted.
Three people walked over, led by a young man in a black jacket. His build wasn't bulky, but his body was compact and powerful, radiating restrained strength.
"Gu Liao, let me introduce him," A Yao said enthusiastically. "This is Zhou Xun. You saw his ability earlier—his defense is extremely strong. He's another powerful asset for Huaxia!"
Gu Liao didn't even glance at Chen Xiao. His eyes were fixed on A Yao's chest.
It was undeniable—A Yao wasn't just beautiful; her figure was outstanding. At 1.65 meters tall, her curves were full and striking.
"A Yao, no need to exaggerate," Gu Liao said indifferently."We all saw his ability.""But how strong would he be without that bright lamp?"
"He's not like us. You're the military region's most outstanding speed-type Awakened. Don't waste your hometown feelings on him."
A Yao was about to argue when Chen Xiao spoke first.
"A Yao, no need to explain," he said calmly. "We'll know the truth once we enter the National Fortune Game."
Gu Liao burst into laughter. "Haha! Not bad—you've got guts. I only heard Chief An had a lackey. Never thought a lackey would dare step into matters of national fortune!"
Chen Xiao's eyes turned cold as he took a step forward—but A Yao grabbed him tightly.
"Zhou Xun… don't be impulsive. Listen to me, okay?"
She looked up at him with watery eyes, even biting her lip slightly.
It was an expression that easily awakened a man's protective instinct.
More importantly, Gu Liao had said something critical: the military region's most outstanding speed-type Awakened girl.
A speed-type talent.
That was exactly the kind of awakened ability Chen Xiao had been searching for.
The irony was painful—her hometown friend, Zhou Xun… had already died by his hand.
"Gu Liao, his strength isn't that bad," A Yao insisted. "And I know Zhou Xun well—he's reliable!"
She clutched Chen Xiao's sleeve tightly.
Chen Xiao gently patted her head. "You're right. I'm reliable. Stay close to me once we're in the game."
From behind Gu Liao, a man with a hooked nose stepped forward."Zhou Xun, you're not worthy of A Yao's ability. Why bring trouble upon yourself?"
From the other side, a dwarf barely one meter tall squinted at him."If you keep pestering A Yao, I'll kill you before we even enter the game."
As soon as the words fell, a cold voice echoed through the courtyard.
"Who are you planning to kill?"
The dwarf's face changed instantly. He turned around and smiled obsequiously."Oh—Captain Cao! I was just joking. Scaring him a bit, that's all."
Cao Linxuan stepped forward.
He walked up to A Yao and smiled gently. "Don't worry, A Yao. With me as captain, no one will die—including Zhou Xun."
The dwarf hurried to flatter him. "That's right! The Thunderclap Divine General's name alone makes Sakura Country and the Euro Alliance tremble!"
Gu Liao's expression darkened.
He disliked Cao Linxuan's style. He had always liked A Yao—who wouldn't? But Cao Linxuan was handsome, powerful, and never lacked women. Competing with him was pointless.
Resentment burned in Gu Liao's chest, but he didn't dare voice it.
"Gu Liao," Cao Linxuan said casually, "you don't look well."
"Ah—no, no," Gu Liao replied quickly. "Just ate too much this morning."
"Hm."
Cao Linxuan smiled faintly. He understood Gu Liao's thoughts perfectly—that remark had been a warning.
Turning toward Chen Xiao—without meeting his eyes—he said, "Zhou Xun, A Yao is a good girl. Think carefully."
Chen Xiao smiled calmly. "No need to worry. A Yao and I are much closer than you think."
It was a deliberate provocation.
Everyone froze—including A Yao.
Wasn't Zhou Xun always low-key? Why was he suddenly so bold, even daring to challenge the third Divine General?
A Yao hadn't expected this change either—but she didn't refute it. After all, they'd known each other since their teens.
"Hmph."
Cao Linxuan said nothing and turned back toward the flickering white light.
Gu Liao sighed. "A Yao, think carefully. The National Fortune Game isn't a joke. Even a strong team can't guarantee survival."
Seeing that she still refused to yield, his heart ached. He turned and left.
When the others had gone, A Yao exhaled softly and looked at Chen Xiao.
"Zhou Xun… why do you feel different all of a sudden?"
Chen Xiao smiled, stepping closer and bending slightly to meet her gaze."Different?"
She grinned. "You're more domineering now. I don't know if that's good or bad."
She was genuinely happy for him.
Chen Xiao didn't answer.