With Goldwing's monstrous strength, the stone rod on Evan Chu's platform shot out in an instant, and the teleport gate thundered to life once more, echoing through the clearing.
The ancient gate groaned, slowly grinding as it turned, until the other side swung into view and everything fell eerily silent.
Evan Chu's heart leapt as he saw the gate's front face—several stone holes, each big enough for a clenched fist, surrounded by intricate, timeworn patterns.
This must be where the Magic Crystals go! Damn, this teleport gate is a real beast to open. How did those earlier students ever manage it? Bet they couldn't even budge the stone rods on the platforms! Evan marveled inwardly.
Evan's instincts were spot on, but he had no idea there were two ways to unlock the gate. His brute-force method was the quickest and boldest—yet demanded strength that few could ever hope to muster.
Yanking out the button on the platform was one way, but those ancient stone pillars also hid a secret method—far simpler, but so well concealed that almost no one ever found it.
There used to be clear instructions on how to use the gate, but long ago, some scheming students destroyed them out of spite.
At the very top of each pillar, a hidden stone socket waited for a Magic Crystal. If you managed to slot a crystal into every pillar, the gate would open—though who would ever think to climb up there without a reason?
The second method—the one Evan and his crew were using—was to wrench the button out of the platform. But the force needed was monstrous; most students who entered here couldn't even dream of pulling it off.
Evan Chu hopped down from the stone platform, his voice ringing out, "Everyone—get over here! The teleport gate's unlocked and ready!"
Grins broke out all around, joy lighting up every face. "Boss, are you heading back too?" Sterling Yates called out, his voice brimming with excitement.
"Me? I've still got unfinished business here. Don't forget—this is a tournament! I swore to the old dean I'd take first place, and I'm not about to break my word. You all need to head back. The Starstones we earned are worth more than any official prize!" Evan declared, his gaze lingering on Roxanne Lin and the other girls.
Evan Chu's strength was legendary—everyone had witnessed it for themselves. With that terrifying flying beast at his side, it would be a joke if he didn't take first place. No one dared object.
After so many brutal, bloody clashes, exhaustion weighed heavy on every student. All they wanted was to return to the academy, soak away the grime in a hot bath, collapse into a soft bed, and savor their favorite dishes.
Roxanne Lin, Rhea Yang, and Lily Tang all wore stormy expressions. "Linfeng, we're sticking with you! Don't even think about ditching us!" Roxanne shot back, her voice fierce and unwavering.
To Rhea Yang and Lily Tang, Roxanne Lin was already their big sister—after all, she was Evan Chu's fiancée, officially and undeniably.
"Roxanne, enough! Jenny's fate is still unknown, and I have to check the Honors Class sector. If you tag along, you'll only drag me down. Honors Class isn't like Ordinary Class—any one of them could cut you down in an instant.
Who am I supposed to protect if you all come with me? Listen up—go back! I promise you, I'll return safe and sound!" Evan said, deadly serious. This was a test of loyalty and love, but one wrong move could mean death.
The three girls shot Evan icy glares, then turned away in silent protest, leaving him helpless and frustrated. Women—truly impossible to handle.
"All right, everyone form a line—one at a time! Old Bull, you're up first! Don't sweat it—even if something wild happens, I won't forget you! Worst case, I’ll swear off beef forever!" Evan quipped, grinning.
"Boss, I've got luck for days! I'll be waiting for you to come back—three pounds of beef, five pounds of vintage wine, and a mountain of pickled-vegetable beef noodles!" Gus Bullard boomed, half-joking, half-serious.
"Go on, then! You'll be fine!" Evan laughed, genuinely amused by Old Bull's bravado and unexpected wit.
Gus Bullard strode up to the teleport gate, pulled out his Magic Crystals, and slotted them into the stone socket. He turned, flashed a broad grin, and shouted, "Boss, I'll be waiting!" Then, with a confident step, he vanished in a burst of light.
With Gus Bullard gone, the others stepped into the gate one by one, disappearing in flashes of brilliance. Roxanne Lin, Rhea Yang, Lily Tang, and Gabe Goldstone were the last to leave. Tears shimmered in the girls' eyes, tugging at Evan Chu's heartstrings—but there was no turning back.
"Boss, where to now?" Goldwing asked, his eyes gleaming with anticipation as only he and Evan Chu remained.
"Let's sweep the area and see if anything stands out—hidden barriers, weird space ripples, anything unusual," Evan replied, eyes sharp with resolve.
Goldwing's body rippled and expanded, morphing into his true, majestic form. Evan climbed onto his broad back, and with a mighty beat of wings, they soared skyward—piercing straight through the clouds, searching for secrets only the heavens could reveal...
"Jenny, wait for me!" In a wide, echoing valley, a young man dashed after a veiled girl, his desperate shouts trailing behind him as dozens of others raced to keep up.
"Quinn Wu, how many times do I have to say it? Don't call me Jenny! Only Evan Chu gets to use that name. Call me again, and I won't hold back!" The girl spun around, fury blazing in her eyes.
"Always Evan Chu! What's he got that I don't? Looks? I beat him. Family? I'm ahead. Strength? He's just a nobody in the Ordinary Class! Why him?" Quinn Wu spat, his voice thick with jealousy and wounded pride.
"He loves me. I love him. That's all that matters!" The moment Evan Chu's name left her lips, joy blossomed across the girl's face, radiant and unshakeable.
Quinn Wu fell silent, but inside he seethed: Evan Chu, one day I'll make you suffer a fate worse than death!
The rest of the squad caught up, one of them barking, "Quinn Wu, Jenny Sima—stop running off! This forest is crawling with monster beasts and Sea Dragon Academy thugs. You're courting disaster!"
Jenny Sima shot Quinn Wu a glare, then turned to the speaker. "It's not my choice—Quinn Wu just won't quit pestering me. Can you rein him in for once?"
That speaker was Zack Zhao, number one on the Heavenly Dragon Academy Top Ten Experts Ranking—a low-key prodigy who spent every waking hour cultivating. Rumor had it he'd already broken through to Earth Martial Realm Sixth Layer.
Quinn Wu wouldn't dare cross Zack Zhao; Jenny Sima's words left him feeling utterly powerless.
"Quinn Wu, knock it off. You've ticked off Jenny Sima enough on this trip. Do it again and you'll be walking alone in this hellhole," Zack Zhao snapped, his voice cold as steel.
"Understood, Zack. Won't happen again!" Quinn Wu muttered, swallowing his resentment. Against Zack Zhao, all he could do was grit his teeth and bear it.
"It's getting late. We need to find a spot to camp—this cursed forest is packed with danger and fierce monster beasts. Quinn Wu, you're on watch tonight. The rest of you, restore your Starforce—fast!" Zack Zhao ordered.
The group pressed onward. Jenny Sima, the lone girl among them, felt a wave of discomfort and isolation.
"Linfeng, where are you? It's been days since we entered the forest... Did you finish your task and return? Gods, I miss you so much!" Jenny Sima murmured in her heart, longing burning in her chest.
Suddenly, a savage beast's roar tore through the night, freezing everyone in place...
Author's Note: Skipped as non-narrative content.