Chapter 26: Yaoxing Academy 26 Part 1

Lu Zhou’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as he shoved through the crowd and rushed forward.

At the same time, the plummeting Xun Ji tightly gripped the Safety Rope with both hands. With a forceful twist of his waist and abdomen, he folded his upper body and kicked fiercely against the outer wall.

The downward momentum came to an abrupt halt. Xun Ji leaped upward, grabbing the nearest gear. He then stepped rhythmically along the rotating gears like ascending an escalator, finally stabilizing his position.

After the crowd’s continuous screams, a collective sigh of relief erupted, followed by thunderous applause.

“Young Master Xun, keep going!”

“Young Master Xun, you’re amazing!”

The host, dressed as a rabbit mascot, cutely patted its head and spoke into the megaphone toward the audience: “Ah oh, I forgot to announce the hidden rule! The gears on the outer wall rotate randomly, so challengers, be careful!”

The host cupped its face with its paws, acting cute toward the booing audience below, but suddenly felt a strong force from above. The bulky mascot costume lost balance and toppled to the ground.

Lu Zhou yanked the pink rabbit ears, his black pupils fixed on the comical cartoon headpiece, his expression chillingly cold.

“Why didn’t you announce such a dangerous rule beforehand? Stop the competition now and let him come down.”

“Ow, ow, ow! Classmate, let go!” the host cried out, pinned immobile by the force.

“Classmate, don’t worry. The Safety Rope and Protective Gear have all been inspected and are guaranteed safe!” The host patiently persuaded him. “The gears have also undergone special anti-slip treatment, eliminating the effects of the recent heavy rain.”

Seeing Lu Zhou unmoved, the host continued: “How about we ask the challenger’s own opinion?”

He brought the megaphone to his mouth and shouted toward the three challengers on the Bell Tower’s outer wall: “Students currently challenging, if you want to withdraw midway, just signal me anytime!”

Among the three, the student trailing at the end reacted timely to the gear rotations and wasn’t greatly affected. He was now full of vigor, chasing after Xun Ji, clearly with no intention of quitting.

The previously leading student fared worse. Like Xun Ji, he had been flung off by the rotating gears. Though he barely stabilized, exhaustion from prolonged climbing left him dangling midway, unable to jump to the nearest gear despite several tries. Helplessly, he made an X-sign overhead, signaling his surrender.

Xun Ji heard the commotion below and twisted his head for a glance, spotting a pitiful pink rabbit pinned to the ground, wriggling helplessly.

That person looked somewhat familiar.

“Why is Lu Zhou bullying the host?” he curiously asked the System. “Can you hear what they’re saying?”

【Host, the Protagonist looks down on you and wants you to stop the competition!】 The System hurriedly relayed the earlier conversation to Xun Ji.

Xun Ji found it amusing. “He’s not looking down on me; this is…”

Xun Ji pondered, then a word popped into his mind:

“Protecting the master.”

He felt it sounded a bit off. Had he done too many Daily Tasks? Lu Zhou’s little dog image seemed deeply ingrained in his heart.

【Does Host want to do Daily Tasks?】 The System asked expectantly.

Truth be told, Xun Ji did feel like it. Daily Tasks are harmful, he sighed inwardly. Not only had Lu Zhou grown accustomed to being his little dog, but Xun Ji himself seemed to have grown accustomed to being Lu Zhou’s master.

The gears stopped rotating, but Lu Zhou remained in a standoff with the host.

Xun Ji rested in a gear recess against the wall, pulled out his mobile phone from his pocket with one hand, and dialed a number.

“What’s Young Master Xun doing?”

“He seems to be making a phone call…”

“What’s so urgent that he has to call while dangling in mid-air?”

The crowd buzzed with discussion, but Lu Zhou heard none of it. His hand trembled slightly as he answered the call, suddenly looking up to stare intently at the golden figure on the outer wall.

“Xun Ji, are you okay? Don’t be scared. I’ll get them to let you down right now.”

Xun Ji met his gaze from dozens of meters away, his voice laced with amusement: “Little Dog, why are you so naughty? Biting people the moment Master looks away.”

“This isn’t the time for jokes.” Lu Zhou’s brows furrowed tightly.

No Daily Task prompt sounded. Xun Ji felt a twinge of regret but also expected it. At some point, his words no longer humiliated Lu Zhou.

“Lu Zhou,” his voice turned gentle yet firm, “let him go and wait obediently for me.”

Without waiting for a reply, he hung up.

The rest of the climb proceeded without further peril. Xun Ji focused, quickly grasped the gears’ rotation pattern—climb a stretch, rest a stretch—and reached the summit just before his strength gave out.

The crowd erupted in fervent applause and cheers. In high spirits, Xun Ji waved hello to the holographic image atop the Bell Tower. He could now confirm it was indeed a Phoenix.

Countless cameras focused on the golden-haired youth high above, faithfully capturing the moment.

Atop the Bell Tower, the exterior featured a massive clock face, while the interior was a semi-open room. Xun Ji glanced around, found the Mechanical Elevator button, and pressed it.

A rumbling mechanical whir sounded as the elevator slowly descended.

This elevator, unsealed on all sides for safety, was normally off-limits to students and stayed at the Bell Tower summit. Many envied its retro styling and thrilling Observation Elevator vibe. Now, thanks to the Star-Plucking Championship, they could finally experience it.

Amid the envious gasps from the onlookers, Lu Zhou and the other three ascended slowly via the elevator to the rooftop and entered the top room.

Xun Ji sat cross-legged on the ground, still lazily bound with the Safety Rope he hadn’t bothered removing. Seeing them arrive, he waved a card in his hand: “The final stage’s question.”

But Lu Zhou ignored the card, strode straight to him, squatted down, and coldly began patting him all over.

“Lu Zhou!” Yan Qian fumed and stomped. “What kind of hooligan are you?!”

Lu Zhou ignored him entirely, asking Xun Ji in a low voice: “Are you hurt? Anywhere uncomfortable?”

Xun Ji caught his hand and replied patiently: “Not hurt, no discomfort, just a bit sore from the exertion.”

Lu Zhou immediately lifted one of his legs straight and massaged it with even pressure.

Yan Qian had seen plenty scheming to curry Xun Ji’s favor, but never so blatantly. Fuming and anxious, he stomped, gritted his teeth—if you can’t beat them, join them—circled behind Xun Ji, pinched his shoulders, and feigned calm: “Young Master Xun, let me help you too…”

“Get lost!” A chilling glare shot toward him.

Yan Qian’s hand shook. He wanted to retort but dared not. Yet yielding felt even worse; this junior was like a bandit, utterly disregarding the unspoken rules.