The Return of the God Level Assassin

"What if it's inside the palace?" Rowan asked back.

"I doubt it. It's fine to use our headquarters as a checkpoint, but letting outsiders to enter the team's private space? That would be over the top. I'm sure the game wouldn't encroach on our privacy like that," Bai Ze explained. "Now, let's go. We don't have much time."

Team Mozu had already discovered their clue for the fourth checkpoint. If any of them had any sense, they'd quickly realize that this place was their next destination. And if that's the case, they'd be here in no time.

Rowan grumbled, but still nodded. He unfurled his wings and flew around the area to look for the clue.

"Let's go, Xiao Jin," Bai Ze said to his cousin.

The two headed straight to their team's warehouse, gathering everything they needed for the ambush. Just as they stepped outside, Bai Ze suddenly received a telepathic message from Rowan.

[I found the clue. It's in the back garden, tucked between the branches of the largest tree.]

An idea flashed in Bai Ze's mind as soon as he heard the message. Without hesitation, he quickly shared it with Luo Jin and Rowan.

"That could work," Luo Jin agreed, already picturing the strategy Bai Ze had just outlined.

He looked up at the timer—only 18 minutes remained before the hour was up. If their teammates weren't delayed, they should have enough time to reach the final checkpoint. But if they could defeat the remaining members of team Mozu here, it would speed up their victory and all but guarantee their win.

"Then, let's do this," Bai Ze said.

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He Zhi Long finally saw the headquarters of Team Yunyue. The palace had sweeping, upturned roofs with red and gold tiles, supported by tall stone pillars. Open courtyards connected the halls, all perched majestically on the mountaintop.

If they weren't in the middle of a competition, he might have paused to admire the palace's architecture. But with the race underway, his sole focus was finding the clue for the final checkpoint.

He flew higher for a better view of the area. As soon as he took it all in, his eyes narrowed. Below, three figures stood in different positions around the palace, forming a triangle with the palace at its center.

"What are they playing at?" Wang Bin said after also seeing the three.

"They probably want to separate us," Zhou Meimei said. "One of them is most likely guarding the clue, while the other two are meant to distract or divide our attention. If we try to engage all three, we'll be spread too thin. They're setting a trap to slow us down, hoping we'll waste time chasing decoys while the real clue stays protected.

We need to figure out which one of them is the guardian and avoid falling into their diversion tactics."

"But what if none of them is actually guarding the clue and it's just hidden somewhere?" Wang Bin asked, his voice uncertain.

"I doubt it," Zhou Meimei replied confidently. "The clue can't be moved, and the game wouldn't risk putting it inside Yunyue's headquarters. It's likely there's a protection system in place to prevent damage to the building, which means the clue has to be outside—where it's accessible but still guarded."

He Zhi Long agreed with Zhou Meimei's assessment, but that didn't mean they should let team Yunyue dictate their moves. Splitting up and facing them one-on-one was exactly what the enemy wanted, and he wasn't about to fall into that trap.

So, he sent a message to the team channel.

[There's no need to play along with their game. I'll set the area around the palace on fire. During the chaos, you two can stealthily check the spots guarded by the gnome and White Marsh. If the clue isn't there, report it to the team channel right away. I'll stay airborne and keep the area burning to maintain the distraction.]

Zhou Meimei and Wang Bin exchanged a glance before speaking at the same time.

"I'll head to the gnome's area," Zhou Meimei said.

"I'll check White Marsh's spot," Wang Bin added.

He Zhi Long then unleashed a steady stream of black and green flames that quickly spread across the area around the palace. The fire moved across the ground, climbing rocks and walls. It formed a wide, dangerous barrier, forcing anyone nearby to keep their distance.

As the flames spread, Zhou Meimei and Wang Bin jumped off He Zhi Long's back. Zhou Meimei quickly headed toward the gnome's position. Wang Bin went in the other direction, making his way toward White Marsh's location.

The moment the two landed in their chosen spots, the ground beneath them suddenly shifted, as if it were tilting. In an instant, their surroundings transformed, as though they had been transported to an entirely different location.

Zhou Meimei knew it was impossible to have been transported, as teleportation scrolls were prohibited in this match. The only explanation was that what she was seeing was an illusion.

Staying calm, she activated her [Spirit Sight], a skill that allowed her to see through deceptions and false realities. As the illusion flickered and distorted, she scanned the area, deliberately ignoring the false images around her. The burning landscape, created by their captain, came back into focus. But what stood out to her wasn't what she saw—it was what was missing.

The gnome was nowhere to be seen!

This could only mean one thing: the gnome had never been here. Which also meant the clue wasn't here either. She was willing to bet Wang Bin was facing the same situation. If that was true, then the clue could only be in the area where the red dragon was located.

She needed to inform their captain immediately.

But before she could do so, she felt a sting in her chest. She looked down and her eyes widened when she saw the small hole there.

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