Chapter 115: Fifth Tier

By chance, Fang Tang gleaned a bit of intelligence from Liu Yiran’s words, and he was delighted. He increased the output of his Magma Armor, cheerfully becoming a living heater. But the outside temperature kept dropping. Even with Fang Tang’s senses dulled by half, he could still hear the cracking of the frozen pond’s surface.

As they chatted idly, the fourth debuff settled upon them all. Fang Tang withdrew from the conversation, forced into silence as a mute listener. The Tongueless could only move their lips, unable to utter a sound.

Since Xu Lin, Tameng, and Su Mang all hoped to use this opportunity to advance to the fifth tier, the group had to endure a little longer. Notably, Fang Tang gradually adapted to the state of chaos; at least he could move again, so the sparring duties with Tameng were temporarily handed over to him. With the protection of Steel Guardian and the power of the Bear, Fang Tang’s strength now surpassed Tameng’s, hinting at him replacing Xu Lin as the team’s second strongest member.

After all, Boss Fang was wealthy and powerful, armed with a full set of top-500 sequences—even Liu Yiran felt a twinge of envy.

An hour after the sixth debuff took hold, Xu Lin and Tameng’s evolution levels finally began to rise. Progress was slow, though; to reach the fifth tier, they’d need perhaps two more debuffs. Fang Tang’s evolution was catching up to Xu Lin’s as well—fourth tier, seventh stage—and he could likely break through to the fifth tier soon.

The thought that everyone in the team would reach the fifth tier after this mission filled Liu Yiran’s face with a growing smile.

“It’s so cold!” Su Mang hugged herself tightly, trying to nestle closer to Fang Tang. Fang Tang had already set his Magma Armor to its maximum output, which could normally melt copper, but now it only kept the ice shelter at about minus ten degrees.

“In the Extreme Temperature Zone, the nighttime cold is near absolute zero—it can rival the Extreme Cold Armor. Survive this stretch, and we’ll greet a crisp morning,” Liu Xu said, donning her Extreme Cold Armor and grasping Su Mang’s hand. After several days together, the three women had grown exceptionally close.

“Sugar, again!” Tameng clapped Fang Tang on the shoulder with a broad grin. Fang Tang rolled his eyes but stood up and stretched.

Thud, thud, thud…

Inside the icy shelter, the sound of fists meeting flesh echoed continuously. Fang Tang and Tameng faced off in the center, trading blows without holding back. Liu Yiran and the others circled around, watching with amusement.

“Sugar’s gotten stronger and stronger,” Su Mang said in amazement. She recalled how, when they’d first met days ago, Fang Tang had been just a third-tier rookie, and now he could overpower Tameng. It felt like a lifetime ago.

Xu Lin smiled. “Fang Tang learns very quickly. He studies Tameng’s and my fighting styles and forges his own. I’ve never seen such a newcomer, not even…”

He stopped abruptly, his expression shifting, then forced a smile. “If Old Gao saw Fang Tang, he’d surely take a liking to him.”

Su Mang’s smile faded, and she nodded silently, saying no more.

Liu Yiran tucked her hands into her sleeves and looked at them, eyes twinkling. “In the future, when we’re in the Twisted Rules again, don’t dwell on such mood-dampening things. Not even the gods can save you from that.”

“My mistake!” Xu Lin nodded apologetically.

Su Mang took a deep breath, steadied herself, and, picking up a chocolate stick, began nibbling as if to eat away her gloom.

“Sister Su, where does Big Brother Tameng buy his snacks? I’d like to pick some up for later,” Xie Ling asked curiously, chewing a piece of jerky.

Su Mang’s hand paused mid-air, and she eyed Xie Ling oddly. Then she replied, “That’s not a place for children. When we’re back, ask your Brother Xu to bring you some.”

“Oh!” Xie Ling responded, then remembered Xu Lin’s mention of the Red Pavilion, blinking at him. “Brother Xu, are these snacks from the Red Pavilion?”

“Ahem!” Su Mang choked, her beautiful eyes darting as she shot Xu Lin a glare.

Xu Lin spread his hands, feigning innocence—it had just slipped out before, and he hadn’t expected the little one to remember so well.

He gave an awkward laugh. “Yes, if you want, I can bring you some from the Red Pavilion, but you mustn’t go there yourself.”

Xie Ling immediately understood what kind of place the Red Pavilion was, her cheeks reddening as she muttered, “They sell snacks in places like that?”

“For playing with, perhaps?” Liu Xu asked inopportunely.

Xu Lin, for once, blushed and managed a wry smile. “No, it’s just a lawless place—even the garrison can’t interfere. You’d best stay away; it’s dangerous.”

“We won’t go.” At the mention of a lawless zone, Xie Ling glanced nervously at Fang Tang. If she could be kidnapped even in the Cradle World, what hope would there be in a no-man’s-land?

Thud!

With a muffled groan, Tameng rubbed his belly. “Sugar’s progressing too fast—even without using his sequence, he can tie with me. Next time, I’ll probably lose.”

Fang Tang rubbed his nose and mouthed silently that when he reached the fourth tier, he’d allocated skill points to agility and strength, which was why he could now match Tameng.

Xu Lin’s eyes lit up, as if he’d found a kindred spirit. “You’re aiming for the Vanguard path too?”

Fang Tang waved a hand. “Pentagon Warrior—my sequence talents boost all my attributes.”

Xu Lin instantly deflated, losing interest. “Pentagon Warriors are all monsters.”

Because of the various debuffs, none of them dared sleep, so they waited patiently for their evolution levels to rise.

When the seventh debuff descended, Xu Lin reached fourth tier, ninth stage, and Fang Tang reached fourth tier, eighth stage, catching up with Tameng and Su Mang. Liu Xu and Xie Ling hurried to catch up and found themselves at fourth tier, seventh stage.

Such a powerful lineup made Liu Yiran overjoyed.

Four hours later, the eighth debuff arrived. Xu Lin’s eyes lit up with excitement. “I’ve broken through!”

“Really?” Fang Tang and the others brightened—after so long, their patience had finally paid off.

Liu Yiran patted Xu Lin on the shoulder, her silence more eloquent than words.

When the ninth debuff struck, Fang Tang, Tameng, and Su Mang exchanged glances. Fang Tang sensed two additional skill points.

Without hesitation, he invested the points in speed and strength.

Feeling his power surge, Fang Tang’s heart stirred.

“I can stand again!”

“Ah, how I envy you, Sugar!” Xie Ling gazed at them with admiration, fists waving eagerly. “Sister Liu Xu and I will reach the fifth tier soon too!”

Liu Xu shook her pale face. “I’m afraid I can’t make it this time.”

“Why not?” Xie Ling asked, puzzled.

Liu Xu moistened her cracked lips. “The new debuff is Bloodlust. You have to drink blood to maintain your body’s functions, or you’ll keep losing life force.”

As soon as she finished, something green flew toward her—it was a green cap. She turned to Fang Tang, only to find him collapsed on the ground again, mouth open but silent.

“Sugar, are you alright?”