"Are you alright, Yan Yan?"


    Luo Yan smiled. "Yes, I''m fine. Sorry, I wasn''t able to reply on the team channel."


    "No, that''s fine. I''m just d that you''re alright," Shen Ji Yun said, visibly relieved.


    Luo Yan raised a brow and teased. "Why, is Brother Ji Yun worried that I won''t be able to defeat that snake guy?"


    "That''s not it. I''m just worried that the guy might have tried something strange," Shen Ji Yun said, his voice tinged with concern. "He didn''t... do anything weird, did he?"


    Luo Yan understood Shen Ji Yun''s worry, especially since they were a couple. That guy, Zephyr, had given off some seriously strange vibes yesterday. As his boyfriend, it was only natural for Shen Ji Yun to react this way.


    "He didn''t. He''s just a battle maniac," he assured the other. "Honestly, the fight might''ve dragged on even longer if it weren''t for that sudden tremor. What was that all about, by the way?"


    "It''s the bomb Draeken threw after I defeated him."


    Luo Yan nodded. So, the vice-captain of team Mozu was also here. "Do you think another member of team Mozu is lurking around here?"


    "I doubt it. No captain with good judgment would waste extra manpower just to interfere with the enemy when the main objective is to secure the clue and reach the next checkpoint."


    Luo Yan agreed with Shen Ji Yun''s point. Speaking of clue and checkpoint. "I think we should quickly go and follow Sister Yuqi."


    Shen Ji Yun nodded, and the two of them quickly rushed out of the cave path. As they did, Su Yuqi shared the clue for the fourth checkpoint on their team channel.


    [To reach the heart of the inferno''s core, seek the zing pit where foes guard the door. A dark dragon''s mark reveals the way, and beyond it, mes and shadows sway.]


    Luo Yan narrowed his eyes, studying the clue. It felt oddly familiar, yet something about it seemed unfamiliar at the same time.


    As he was thinking, Su Yuqi sent another message.


    [I think it''s team Mozu''s headquarters.]


    Reading that, Luo Yan''s eyes widened. That''s it! That''s why the clue felt familiar! Team Mozu''s headquarters were located inside a volcanic crater. He remembered it from his research on the headquarters of teams participating in the final tournament, especially since the quarter-finals followed an ''Amazing Race'' theme.


    He had considered the possibility that the game might send them to those locations, but his encounter with Zephyr hadpletely pushed that thought aside. Now, with Su Yuqi bringing it up, everything suddenly clicked into ce.


    Noctis: [I agree! The clue is definitely pointing to their headquadters. Nice catch there, Sister Yuqi.]


    Morganite: [It''s the one that fits the clue the best. At least, I think that''s the case.]


    YUN: [If it''s really the headquarters of team Mozu, then their fourth clue is most likely our headquarters.]


    Luo Yan nced at Shen Ji Yun as he read the message. He agreed with the conclusion. What were the chances that the clue for the next checkpoint just happened to lead to the enemy team''s headquarters? It was clearly a deliberate move by the game. This also meant it was highly likely that team Mozu''s clue for their fourth checkpoint would point to their own headquarters.


    White Marsh: [Wait- does this mean we could just head to our headquarters and ambush them there?]


    YUN: [Yes. So, you and Luo Jin should go there now.]


    Since team Mozu hadn''t found their clue yet, Bai Ze and Luo Jin would have enough time to prepare an ambush. Being on their home turf gave them a significant advantage. It was the perfect setup.


    White Marsh: [Already on our way.]


    As the message appeared on the team channel, Shen Ji Yun and Luo Yan had already exited the ice cave. Without missing a beat, Shen Ji Yun leaped into the air, transforming into his Qilin form, while Luo Yan swiftly jumped onto his back.


    Then they made their way to the headquarters of team Mozu.


    ----------


    Bai Ze and Luo Jin, riding on Rowan''s back, were now heading toward their headquarters. Bai Ze felt relieved to finally have a clear destination after wandering aimlessly while searching for team Mozu''s third checkpoint. It was a relief to finally know where they were going.


    "Do you have any ideas for the ambush?" Bai Ze asked, ncing at Luo Jin.


    "Something that won''t wreck our headquarters," Luo Jin replied. "If we can use anything from the warehouse, that would be ideal."


    As Luo Jin spoke, an idea suddenly sparked in Bai Ze''s mind.


    "Listen, I have an idea."


    ----------


    He Zhi Long growled. Even when not in his xie long form, that growl still almost instantly shook the surroundings. He no longer cared if those members of team Yunyue, who might be following them, heard him or not. He was just that angry and frustrated.


    It wasn''t just because they still hadn''t found the clue for the fourth checkpoint. What really pushed him over the edge was the sequence of events: first, Liu Jun was suddenly eliminated, and right after that, the announcement came that team Yunyue had found their clue. Then, not long after, Su Yu was eliminated as well. How could he not be frustrated?


    "Captain, let''s calm down, okay?" Wang Bin said. "It''s not like we already lost."


    "Hey, doofus, if you have nothing good to say, just shut up," Zhou Meimei said.


    "What, I didn''t say anything wrong."


    "Enough, both of you," He Zhi Long snapped, unable to hold back any longer. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. Losing his temper wouldn''t help the situation. "Just focus and find the clue," he said, his voice more controlled.


    The two nodded and diligently resumed their search for the next checkpoint''s clue.