The scene changed dramatically this time; they left the city and ventured into the outskirts. Under their feet was fine sand, the surroundings desolate. Breathing seemed to fill the lungs with floating particles.
Looking around, not a blade of grass grew. Occasionally, a venomous scorpion scurried by, quickly burrowing underground.
“Cough, cough!” someone couldn't help but cough. “Why does the environment get worse the further we go?”
The main arena had reached the fifth segment of the race, and the camera positions changed too. The environment initially distracted the students of Di Yi University. But as the camera swept past the competitors' faces, someone quickly recognized a familiar face.
He rubbed his eyes, “Wait, am I seeing things? Why would he compete?”
“Who are you talking about?”
Before he could reply, an announcement over the loudspeaker indicated that Di Yi was about to pass the baton. This time, the camera lingered on the contestant for several seconds.
Once he clearly saw the person's appearance, he was certain he was not mistaken and abruptly stood up.
“Damn! Is that really Shang Yufei?!”
Others began to notice as well.
“What was the school thinking, letting him represent Di Yi in the competition?”
“What if he causes trouble again?”
“Oh no, I can’t watch this.”
The spectator stand became noisy.
The media, with their keen sense of smell, quickly noticed the anomaly. Hearing the Di Yi students discussing their own competitor, they immediately alerted their colleagues, “Keep an eye on this person; this is definitely big news.”
On the racetrack, Shang Yufei couldn’t hear the students' comments. Even if he could, he wouldn’t care.
The weather was terrible, occasionally blowing gusts laden with grit.
Despite starting 38 minutes behind the leader, Di Yi had overtaken dozens of competitors after several rounds. They were now in fifteenth place at the start of this leg.
The sand flew under his feet. His speed was so fast that the rising sand had no time to settle before he was meters away.
Media people snapped photos and marveled, “My God, how many monsters does Di Yi have?”
Just the first preliminary race had seen three rookies fielded, two of whom performed exceptionally well. And that omega, arranged to run the last leg—could he possibly be even more formidable than the first two?
While the Di Yi students worried about Shang Yufei’s potential "outbursts," they had to admit his capabilities.
His speed was even faster than the first runner!
Now at the fifth stage, the road became tougher. The early starters clearly slowed their pace compared to previous segments.
The sandy ground was uneven, and the gusting wind occasionally blinded people. Plus, with the road being overwhelmed by the sand, it was easy to stray off course and lose direction.
In other people’s eyes, haste makes waste; it seemed safer to take this leg of the race a bit more steadily.
Everyone probably would have made the same judgment.
Thus, the runner in fourteenth place slowed down confidently, only to suddenly feel a breeze pass him by.
In the blink of an eye, he dropped to fifteenth place, standing dumbfounded without even seeing who had overtaken him.
“Go Di Yi!”
“Charge!!!”
At this moment, no one cared about their earlier worries. What they saw was Shang Yufei about to set a new record for "Di Yi."
Di Yi had lost in last year’s final, losing the championship. If they could maintain their current level until the end, recapturing the championship might just be possible.
It seemed not entirely impossible.
"Someone else has fallen into the vortex!" the shout came.
The camera panned to capture the athlete ahead. At that moment, one competitor accidentally fell into the mud, half-submerged and continuously sinking.
With no object around to cling to, he had to spread his body flat, trying to slow his descent.
Yet, it was only a matter of time.
After struggling to squeeze into the top ten, was he really going to lose everything at the last moment?
His heart was filled with resentment and sorrow.
The mud stretched across the entire track, and it was indistinguishable before stepping on it.
Once he felt himself sinking, he immediately knew something was wrong and hastily tried to move back. However, this panicked movement only accelerated his sinking.
He did not understand how the athletes who passed earlier had avoided this trap.
For the participants in the thick of it, the answer wasn't clear, but from the spectator seats, it was obvious.
When the previous athletes passed, the path was just a flat road. Clearly, this trap was set randomly by the organizers. The trigger might have been the "thirteenth person" to pass.
The thirteenth competitor couldn't move and the athlete in fourteenth place was quickly approaching.
Bai Yue looked at the figure on the big screen.
Shang Yufei appeared in the frame.
Ahead, there was an unnaturally shaped path. The center was depressed, spiraling the surrounding sand and stones downward.
A person was lying at the edge. Seeing someone approaching, he immediately called out, "You can't get through here!"
Shang Yufei glanced at him.
When he saw the man's face, a flicker of something passed over his features, but noticing the camera hovering above, he quickly hid his expression.
Hesitating, he asked, "Can you pull me out? I don’t want to be eliminated just like this."
Competitors from military schools were rivals, normally without reason to help each other. His warning was an attempt to curry favor, but he held little hope for a positive outcome.
If that failed, he would have to resort to a last-ditch effort.
However, just as he finished speaking, he saw the black-haired young man approach, grab his collar with one hand, and lift him out with a forceful yank—effortlessly pulling him from the mud.
Not to mention the competitor's weight, the constant downward pull of gravity alone was formidable. Any slip could have pulled both down.
Yet, this person had easily rescued him?
The commentator exclaimed, "That's Di Yi for you, formidable in both speed and strength. And such noble character, willing to lend a hand even in a competition..."
Before he could finish, the black-haired young man hoisted the athlete up and threw him across to the other side.
The thirteenth competitor felt as if he had escaped the dragon's den only to enter a tiger's lair. He had wanted to thank the man, but now he inexplicably found himself mid-air. The next second, he was sinking into the mud again.
But this time, he was on the edge. He managed to grasp the ground with both hands, preventing himself from being pulled further down. Still, it looked like it would take some time to free himself.
He was covered in dirt and gravel, struggling laboriously.
Suddenly, a shadow passed over his head, blocking the blowing sand. When he regained his senses, the young man who had rescued and then thrown him was already landing steadily and continuing to run forward.
Not even sparing him a glance.
"!!!"
The thirteenth competitor suddenly understood something.
Laughter erupted from the spectator seats.
"He’s using the guy as a pathfinder."
"I was slightly moved just a moment ago..."
"Ha ha ha ha."
The commentator's remark about "noble character" had barely left his mouth before he swallowed it back and shifted topics, "Let’s check on the other athletes."
Visibility decreased further along the route.
Gravel swirled with the wind, and the air occasionally filled with a strange scent. Sounds of whale calls were sporadically heard.
This wasn't near the sea; why were there whales?
"Shang Yufei!"
Suddenly, someone called his name. Shang Yufei instinctively looked back and saw it was the competitor struggling in the mudslide.
They were already far apart, the other's voice barely carrying over.
Although he didn't know why this person knew his name—and he wasn't interested—he glanced back only briefly before continuing onward.
Seeing that Shang Yufei ignored him, the man paused, then tried a different tack: "Are you Bai Yue's senior?"
Shang Yufei stopped in his tracks.
Seeing that this approach worked, the man pressed on: "I really don't understand why someone like you would compete for team honor. Are you trying to set an example for your juniors?"
"Do you know what those people in the stands are saying about you? Even if you help them win, what’s the use? They still insult you, saying you disgrace Di Yi!"
By the time he reached his final point, he saw that Shang Yufei had turned around and was walking towards him.
With a smirk, the man said, "If I were you, I'd deliberately lose this match. Since that's what they think, why not show them?"
Shang Yufei stopped a few meters away, hands in his pockets, looking down: "What’s your relationship with Bai Yue?"
Eh? Was that the focus?
The competitor was taken aback, not expecting this. He then said, "I can tell you, but first, you have to pull me up."
Shang Yufei's gaze shifted to the school emblem on the other's shoulder.
Normally, he wasn’t interested in military schools and couldn’t recognize which emblem belonged to which school. However, he remembered this particular one because he had seen it recently.
Nanhai Military School.
The school of an omega who had been clinging to Bai Yue the other night.
And this person, not only did he know Bai Yue's identity, but he also seemed aware of the animosity between him and Di Yi, deliberately stirring up trouble with his words.
"First a warning," Shang Yufei narrowed his eyes, "Don't casually use Bai Yue's name."
The competitor was intimidated by his gaze but tried to remain composed: "Why? Isn’t a name meant to be used?"
Shang Yufei stepped forward, closing the distance.
The organizers soon noticed the anomaly. Competitors from two military schools were stopping in the same place, showing no sign of elimination.
The camera shifted back, capturing both figures amidst the swirling sand—one standing on the track, the other stuck in the mud.
Di Yi students were perplexed.
"What’s he doing, why isn’t he running?"
"Damn! Don't get provoked into action so easily!"
"I thought I was seeing things... never mind, forget I said anything."
The competitor in the mud noticed the camera was on them again, laughing: "Look, the camera's back on us. Seeing you standing still, what do you think they’ll say about you? Is it worth it for these people? You’re just a tool they're using!"
Shang Yufei, uninterested, replied irritably: "You’re really annoying, you've been nagging since the start. When did I ever say I was competing for these idiots?"
"Those guys, they should just stay in the stands, sucking their thumbs and drinking milk."
His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but it clearly reached the ears of Di Yi students through the big screen.
Idiots? Sucking thumbs and drinking milk? Was he talking about them?
Everyone was stunned.
"As for you..."
Shang Yufei raised his right foot, gently placing it on the competitor’s hand. With just a little pressure, he could force the man to let go and sink completely into the mud.
"No!"
The Di Yi lounge erupted into noise. Although they knew Shang Yufei was probably very angry, actually making a move would mean breaking the rules!
His previous action of "testing the waters" had actually saved someone, so it wasn’t considered an "attack on a competitor."
But if his actions now caused the other to sink completely, it could be ruled as a violation.
They were so close to the end; they hoped he could restrain himself.
Everyone internally prayed.
Suddenly, the man slightly lifted his gaze. His emerald eyes pierced through the cold screen, seemingly fixing on someone.
Then quickly, he averted his gaze.
Due to his rebellious nature, aside from those drawn to such traits, few omegas paid attention to Shang Yufei's appearance. But now, seen through the big screen, they couldn’t help but admit his striking looks.
Just a fleeting glance stirred their hearts. Omegas and begas in and out of school blushed.
Shang Yufei moved his foot away and stood firm on the sandy ground, looking down at the man: "You continue to struggle in this pile of mud."
"Ugh!" The competitor's face showed resentment.
Dropping that remark, Shang Yufei turned and ran forward.
Noticing the camera followed him, he turned back, facing the lens, his brows slightly raised: "You watch closely ." With that defiant declaration, Shang Yufei charged ahead, his figure cutting through the swirling sands and leaving a trail of stirred dust behind him. His focus was clear, his determination palpable, and the camera capturing every powerful stride.
The commentators, momentarily silenced by the unexpected drama, quickly resumed their narrative, their voices tinged with a mix of awe and speculation. "Looks like Shang Yufei isn’t just fighting against the competitors, but also against the expectations and commentary from the stands," one remarked.
The audience watched, riveted as Shang Yufei resumed his relentless pursuit of victory, his actions on the track sparking discussions about loyalty, rivalry, and individual strength amidst collective scrutiny. His earlier confrontation seemed to ignite a new fervor in him, his pace quickening as if to outrun not just his competitors but the shadows of doubt cast by onlookers.
Meanwhile, the competitor he left behind in the mud managed to haul himself to firmer ground, but the delay cost him precious time. Mud-streaked and visibly frustrated, he looked towards the advancing figure of Shang Yufei, a complex mix of admiration and resentment in his eyes.
Back in the stands, the mood shifted as the crowd processed Shang Yufei's blunt words and bold actions. Some murmured in agreement, recognizing the strength it took to not only compete but also to confront and redefine the terms of one's participation. Others debated his tactics and temperament, wondering if his brazen demeanor would affect his standing or the team's morale.
As the race neared its climax, the energy was palpable, with all eyes on Shang Yufei and the looming finish line. The stakes were higher now, not just for victory in the race but for a deeper vindication—proving that one's worth and resolve could transcend the petty confines of rivalry and spectator judgment.
The commentators summed up the situation as Shang Yufei neared the end, his silhouette a stark contrast against the dusty backdrop: "Whether or not he wins today, Shang Yufei has undoubtedly left a mark on this competition, challenging not just his rivals but the very narrative that surrounds them."
"Ah ah ah ah ah!"
The audience burst into screams. Unlike before, this time it was all from omegas and betas, exceptionally sharp, all revealing an uncontrollable girlish enthusiasm.
"What's his name, is he also a new student this year?"
"Seems like he's a sophomore! Why didn't he appear last year, oh no, I'm so frustrated!"
However, most alphas looked displeased, especially the students from Diyi. In their view, the man's look and tone were an unmistakable provocation.
And then there was that line—"Just suck your thumb and drink milk," which was truly insulting!
But some couldn't help but chuckle: "That's just his character, quite amusing, really."
"Yeah, and he's not breaking any rules."
For many others, as long as the outcome was good, everything was good.
Bai Yue stared intently at the large screen. By then, the camera had pulled back, shooting the players from directly above.
Then, the sound of the broadcast came.
"The handover will begin shortly, please, the sixth runner, enter the virtual training field.".
"Repeating, the handover will begin shortly, please, the sixth runner, enter the virtual training field."
He shifted his gaze and followed the crowd indoors.