A Top Scholar in Everything

This mining site mostly consists of single-story buildings. The only two-story house, normally the contractor's sleeping quarters, has now been vacated for Baiyu and his team's accommodation.

The night was eerily quiet at the mine.

Occasionally, the cries of stray cats and dogs mixed with the sound of crickets sent chills down one's spine.

Around midnight.

Baiyu awoke from a dream, his palm slowly reaching for the cold grip of his gun beneath the pillow, lying still on the bed.

About eight meters away at the door.

A black figure stood there.

Motionless.

It just stood at the doorway, like a corpse.

No breathing, no heartbeat, silently gazing in Baiyu's direction.

For those unaware.

It might appear as if they were playing a game of statues.

As seconds ticked by.

The figure began to move, step by step, toward Baiyu's bedside, walking with steady determination.

The atmosphere reached a chilling peak.

In that instant.

Baiyu swiftly drew out Shark Kiss, snapped it up, and the dull click of the firing pin resounded, as if a dormant beast had awakened in the room, firing a bullet of terrifying power.

Bang!

A burst of blood splattered in mid-air.

A non-human groan echoed from the darkness, and the shadowy figure withdrew like a beast, leaping out of the window with an astonishing speed.

Although Baiyu could catch up using Blood Escape.

He didn't act recklessly.

Click.

The lights in the room came on.

The gunshot had alerted everyone in the villa.

Meng Siyu, dressed in tight-fitting attire, emerged, her firm legs in leather boots clicking on the floor.

He Chenghai and the others quickly exited their rooms as well.

"It ran away, not sure what kind of monster, took a bullet from me."

Baiyu pointed at the room door, with a huge hole from the bullet, saying, "It jumped out the window, first check if there are any other casualties, seems like one of you is missing."

Meng Siyu furrowed her eyebrows, her cold eyes scanning the surroundings.

Indeed, a team member was absent.

It was the member responsible for medical support, specializing in healing spirit techniques, nicknamed Black Leather.

He Chenghai's face changed, he briskly walked to Black Leather's room, kicking the door open, finding a shriveled corpse twisted like a mummy on the bed.

Although the face was unrecognizable.

But judging by the clothes and body proportions.

It was indeed their teammate!

A Tier Nine Peak Martial Artist, majoring in Support Element spirit techniques, had died silently in the room, without even a sound.

A shiver rushed through everyone's hearts.

If it wasn't for Baiyu's Blood Worm warning, the shadow might have never been detected.

This matter was too bizarre.

"Black Leather!"

Boom.

He Chenghai punched the wardrobe beside him, his eyes burning with rage: "Survived so many life-and-death situations in the Spirit Realm, yet dies in Zenith City, what a joke."

It was evident.

Their relations were very good.

At this moment, not only He Chenghai.

Meng Siyu and the other man named A'an also looked extremely upset.

Baiyu sat on the sofa, saying, "I suggest reporting this matter, the situation has clearly escalated beyond our control."

"No way!"

He Chenghai, eyes red, said coldly: "I know what you're thinking, going back to report to the school is indeed the safest route. But, if we report, our mission would automatically fail, and we've already lost a teammate.

Black Leather is dead.

Do you understand?

We must avenge him!

The power of that ghostly thing isn't really strong, that's why it only dared to sneak an attack on the weakest among us!

In a direct confrontation, it's definitely not our match."

He Chenghai clenched his fists tightly.

He was not blinded by anger, but confident in his and the others' capabilities.

Meng Siyu is Tier Eight.

They are all Tier Nine Peaks.

Given their affluent background, they're well-equipped, making it understandable why they'd choose this course of action.

"Suit yourselves. I'm not joining this gamble with death."

Baiyu stood up, stretching lazily, lowering his voice: "I'm someone who values my life."

"Baiyu, don't you have a shred of sympathy? We are classmates!"

A'an tightened his fist beside him.

"Sympathy?" Baiyu turned around with a wry smile: "We may be classmates, but I'm not going to risk my life for someone I just met.

I've given my suggestion.

As for you.

Whether you want revenge or whatever, it doesn't concern me much."

Meng Siyu frowned: "But we are at least undertaking a mission together."

"You don't need me, do you?"

Baiyu remained unmoved.

He turned and walked out of the hall, leaving the trio in the room, their expressions fluctuating.

...

A crowd had gathered outside the villa.

The contractor, sweating profusely, stood by with the foreman Han, leading a group of miners holding lamps, each wearing a terrified expression.

"There has been a slight problem, this matter is somewhat troublesome."

"I suggest you report this incident to the Anomaly Bureau directly, or hire High Level Bounty Hunters."

Baiyu spoke honestly.

But the person in charge looked indecisive.

Baiyu knew exactly what he was thinking.

If reported to the Anomaly Bureau, the mining site would be immediately sealed, a loss the small contractor couldn't bear, potentially bankrupting him.

The compensation for the previously dead workers alone had pained him enough.

Hiring bounty hunters.

Firstly, to quickly resolve the incident, a hefty price would be required. Secondly, there's no guarantee top-tier individuals would take on such tasks.

"Is it really that serious?"

The person in charge was somewhat unwilling: "Even you guys can't handle it, then..."

"Sir, what exactly happened inside, was there any casualties? Did you notice the characteristics of that monster?" asked foreman Han nervously.

Baiyu gave him a deep look, about to speak.

But then He Chenghai emerged from the villa's balcony, face grim, voice lofty: "One of our companions died, as for the monster, no traces were left.

However.

We did injure it.

We will not leave until the monster is resolved, rest assured everyone!"

Baiyu frowned.

Reassured, the mining site manager visibly relaxed, offering a grateful smile: "Thank you, sirs, I'll cover all your expenses."

He Chenghai cast a cold glance over the crowd, turning back into the villa.

Baiyu, however, did not linger, pushing through the crowd, leaving under puzzled gazes.

From the second floor window of the villa.

Watching Baiyu's back disappearing without a pause, A'an punched the wall: "Cowardly scoundrel, he really left!!"

Meng Siyu sighed.

Indeed, his relationship with them wasn't too profound, not helping was within reason.

"He's gone, let him be. When we complete the mission and return, he'll pay for this. Abandoning teammates and fleeing, his name will be nailed to the Martial Arts School's pillar of shame!"

He Chenghai's eyes flickered with malice.