Chapter 116: The Night of No Return

Cradle World, Sector L04489.

A surge of blue light shimmered at the spring, and in an instant, Fang Tang and his companions appeared.

"Finally, I can speak again!"

Fang Tang was so exhilarated that he almost wanted to recite a poem on the spot.

Willow Catkin took off her green hat and handed it to Fang Tang. "I really don’t know how to thank you this time."

Fang Tang accepted the hat with a casual wave. "No need for thanks between us."

Willow Catkin couldn’t help but laugh, gazing at Fang Tang with a deep and lingering look.

Liu Yiran clapped her hands to draw everyone’s attention. "Keep your time-freezing rings on. I’ll head to headquarters to collect your rewards. With everyone now promoted to the fifth tier, there’s a handsome bonus waiting."

"Twelve hours from now, we’ll enter the Gate of Evolution again."

"Yay!"

Xie Ling hugged Su Mang, bouncing with excitement.

Liu Yiran drove away, and Fang Tang’s group, familiar with their surroundings, found their way to the hotel. Each booked a separate room, agreeing to meet in the restaurant an hour later.

Though they’d nibbled on some snacks in the extreme climate zone, after more than a day of alternating cold and heat, those were long since burned away.

After washing up, Fang Tang stepped out, still damp, and collapsed straight onto the bed.

A message on his phone made him spring up, dress quickly, and head downstairs to the restaurant.

Xu Lin and Ta Meng were already there; only Su Mang and the other two women had yet to arrive.

He thought to himself—it made sense; after all, women always took extra time to freshen up.

"Tang Tang, after dinner, how about heading to the Red Pavilion together?" Ta Meng rubbed his heavy bear-like paws, grinning foolishly.

Fang Tang was speechless.

So eager? No time to rest?

Xu Lin chimed in at just the right moment. "We’re all people who dance on the edge of death. We made it back this time, but who knows about the next. We have to seize our pleasures while we can."

Fang Tang nodded in sudden understanding. "Don’t forget me… Will there be any beauties?"

"Everything you want is there. Any style you like, they have it," Xu Lin replied with a mysterious smile.

Fang Tang’s eyes lit up, giving an approving look only an old rogue could muster.

As they chatted idly, Su Mang and the other two women arrived in succession, and the dishes began to fill the table.

During the meal, Liu Yiran entered, distributing several envelopes to Fang Tang and the others.

"The fifth tier is a watershed in the Underworld. To reach it means you’re now stronger than over eighty percent of its denizens. The Explorers never skimp on rewarding capable team members.

But don’t let it go to your head. The stronger you become, the greater the dangers you’ll face. Severe Distortion is now open to you—be prepared to meet true challenges."

Fang Tang weighed his envelope—it was satisfyingly heavy, coins clinking inside. It wasn’t the generous bonus that pleased him most, but the opening of Severe Distortion to them.

The more time he spent with Liu Yiran’s group, the more he understood what Severe Distortion truly meant.

Strength—and death.

Many had fallen there, especially Explorers. The ranks had thinned drastically in recent years, all lost to Severe Distortion.

Last time, Liu Yiran’s team had been reduced just so—caught in Severe Distortion.

Just as Fang Tang’s first venture into the Distorted Rules was supposed to be a mild one, but they were accidentally thrust into Moderate Distortion and nearly didn’t make it out.

Liu Yiran’s group entered Moderate Distortion, but by chance ended up in Severe. That’s why their fourth-tier team lost so many members.

"Severe Distortion, I’m almost looking forward to it!" Fang Tang was brimming with excitement, full of youthful audacity.

Liu Yiran only smiled, took her cutlery, and joined the team in their meal.

"By the way, Captain, how is Zhao Xiaoxiao?" Fang Tang suddenly remembered her and asked curiously.

Liu Yiran smiled. "She agreed. Though timid, she’s a true money-grubber. Cold Mountain promised her a substantial reward, and that was enough."

Fang Tang nodded in understanding and didn’t press further.

The group ate and drank, laughing together. Afterward, Ta Meng gave Fang Tang a sly wink, his expression ambiguous.

Fang Tang shuddered inwardly—he hadn’t expected someone as burly and honest as Ta Meng to harbor such hidden depths.

And yet—he liked it!

How could he possibly refuse Ta Meng’s invitation to the Red Pavilion?

So, Fang Tang, Xu Lin, and Ta Meng stood up together, declaring, "We’re done eating. Time to walk it off."

"Tang Tang, where are you all going?" Xie Ling asked curiously.

Willow Catkin, sharp-eyed, just shot Fang Tang a fierce glare and kept eating in silence.

Su Mang spat softly and replied to Xie Ling, "Going to do things all men like to do."

"Oh!" Xie Ling nodded, understanding at once, and said nothing more.

Fang Tang couldn’t explain, so he merely smiled awkwardly and, under Liu Yiran’s meaningful gaze, followed Xu Lin and Ta Meng out of the hotel.

They climbed into Ta Meng’s car and arrived at an entertainment district carved into the Underworld.

Ta Meng navigated easily to a bar called The Point of No Return, tossed a card to the attendant, and found a booth for them.

"Tang Tang, it’s your first time here. Take a look and order whatever you like—don’t be shy!" Ta Meng grandly handed Fang Tang a price list.

Fang Tang glanced over it and his pupils contracted.

It wasn’t that the drinks were expensive—quite the opposite, they were shockingly cheap.

A booth for three hours was just one gold coin, and beer was unlimited for the same price.

All at once, Fang Tang was filled with confidence.

Perhaps he wasn’t so poor after all.

No, in fact, he’d never really been poor.

Fang Tang smiled. "Since it’s my first time, I wouldn’t know what’s good. I’ll just have what you’re having."

"I only drink the hard stuff!" Ta Meng gave a hearty laugh, handed the menu to the server, and ordered, "Three bottles of 'Intoxication to the End,' plus some fruit and jerky."

"Certainly!" The server took the menu, nodded, then leaned close to whisper in Ta Meng’s ear: "Would you like to set the mood? We have a new batch in—shall I bring them over for you to choose?"

"Absolutely!" Ta Meng’s eyes lit up. He patted the server’s shoulder and slipped a gold coin into his breast pocket. "Pick out a few pretty ones."

"Right away!"

The server grinned, bowed slightly, and scurried off backstage.

Soon, a voluptuous middle-aged woman sauntered over, hips swaying, followed by a line of strikingly dressed women.

"Mr. Ta Meng, you haven’t visited us in days," she teased, giving his shoulder a playful pat. When she saw Fang Tang, her eyes sparkled.

"This handsome young man must be your friend? He’s quite the looker. Any interest in working here? The pay’s not bad."

Fang Tang’s eye twitched; he only gave a slight smile, saying nothing.

Xu Lin stifled a laugh. "You dare try to poach the captain’s man?"

At the mention of the Explorers, the woman glanced at Ta Meng, her smile growing wider. She eagerly beckoned the women behind her to line up properly.

"Gentlemen, these just arrived today—haven’t even been trained yet. Still in their original state," she said, almost seeking praise as she looked at Fang Tang, only to find his expression calm, even cold.

She was puzzled, not understanding Fang Tang’s displeasure, so she couldn’t help but ask with curiosity:

"Young man, is something wrong?"