The inspector’s words pulled Bai Youwei’s thoughts away from Yu Chaohui for the moment.

Because the labyrinth mattered greatly.

Not only could the labyrinth yield puzzle pieces, it could also improve physical conditioning — which was crucial in a game where physical strength was the primary advantage.

Very often, the difference between victory and defeat came down to running a little faster, jumping a little farther, hitting a little harder.

And every one of these kings would be desperate to improve as quickly as possible before the first battle arrived — and to increase their puzzle piece counts as fast as they could.

Bai Youwei looked around, and sure enough, she could see the change that had come over everyone’s faces.

Even Yan Qingwen wore a more serious expression than usual.

The rabbit-headed inspector’s voice came gently, unhurried: “You have just finished the qualifying round and certainly need rest. Recruiting allies also takes time… In that case, labyrinth access will open in seven days.

The rules of the labyrinth remain the same as before. The first group to clear it will receive 5 pieces, the second group 3, and the third group 1.

Seven days from now, whenever you’re ready, simply find me to activate access.

Of course, you may also choose not to go. After all… if you die in the labyrinth, you won’t be able to continue participating in the Labyrinth War.”

Bai Youwei pressed her lips together.

How could anyone possibly choose not to go?

Even if there were no Labyrinth War, she would go in regardless.

She reached out and operated the glowing interface panel in front of her, selecting “20.” A confirmation screen appeared, informing her that the battle marked “20” required a minimum of 10 participants.

Bai Youwei pressed confirm without a second thought.

The glowing panel instantly dissolved into a mass of light, which wound itself around her wrist like a luminous bracelet, sealing firmly against her skin.

The light band imprinted on her wrist shimmered faintly — bearing the king’s mark, a countdown to the first battle, the required number of participants, and her current puzzle piece count.

All the information was clear and precise.

“Farewell, everyone…” The inspector’s voice was gentle as a soft breeze. “You will return to the location where you were before the qualifying round began. But kings — next time, you will return directly to your own territories.”

Every player vanished from that vast white expanse.

Only the beams of light on the satellite map remained, drifting and flowing like scattered sparks.

……

Bai Youwei and Shen Mo found themselves back on the highway roadside.

Du Lai was still there.

Teacher Cheng was still there too.

When the others had all emerged from the game together and then suddenly vanished, the two of them had been badly frightened. Not daring to leave, they had stayed close by and waited for everyone to return.

Now, seeing Bai Youwei’s group suddenly reappear out of nowhere, Du Lai and Cheng Weicai stood dazed for a long moment before coming back to their senses.

Fu Miaoxue let out a cry and threw herself into Du Lai’s arms.

Tan Xiao caught sight of Cheng Weicai and was equally emotional: “Old Cheng! I’ve been absolutely starving these past few days! Is there anything to eat?”

Cheng Weicai nodded repeatedly and hurried to the car to get food. “There’s instant noodles, just a moment, they’ll be ready soon…”

Without Bai Youwei’s doll house, Cheng Weicai had been living off the supplies in Shen Mo’s car.

He didn’t eat much, and the houses nearby a bit further off could supplement provisions, so the past few days had been more or less manageable. What had been difficult was not knowing why Bai Youwei and the others had suddenly disappeared — not knowing whether they were alive or dead — leaving him in a constant state of anxious dread.

Teacher Cheng bustled about and boiled a pot of instant noodles, then found a spicy ham sausage, sliced it thin and added it in to cook alongside the noodles. The air filled with the fragrant scent of spiced pork.

Everyone except Fu Miaoxue filled a bowl, and they all gathered around the fire. At last, they began to talk about everything that had happened since their disappearance —

The qualifying round. The Labyrinth War. And the labyrinth that was about to open in seven days.

—