"Why did we come so late? My stomach is about to start growling from hunger... and there's no dinner at the cafeteria now," Lin Xianyu complained to Gu Yueyan on the cafeteria stairs.

Gu Yueyan replied apologetically, "Well, there's still the third-floor late-night snack. At worst, this meal's on me."

Lin Xianyu blinked. "Okay, okay. But why didn't you go to Teacher Dong's for dinner today? Instead, you spent the whole day cultivating with me."

"..."

Gu Yueyan deliberately didn't answer, but Lin Xianyu had no intention of letting her off the hook. She was at that gossipy, youthful age—though perhaps it had nothing to do with age. She grabbed Gu Yueyan's right arm and giggled, "Does it have something to do with you not being in the dorm yesterday?"

"It's unrelated!" Gu Yueyan replied extremely quickly. "If you say another word, the treat's off."

"All right, all right." A free meal was more important than gossip, but just a few seconds later, Lin Xianyu couldn't help but ask again, "Then why did you drag your feet coming here when I called you for dinner just now?"

"I was busy earlier."

"You were doing your test papers; did you think I didn't see?" Lin Xianyu was speechless. "I've only heard of people skipping meals to play games, never of someone being so engrossed in test papers they forget to eat..."

Gu Yueyan's expression stiffened, and she turned her head away without replying.

She was simply feeling troubled. She didn't want to go to Teacher Dong's home and see Ren Suo, yet she was also worried that Ren Suo hadn't gone there for dinner either and might have gone to the cafeteria. That's why she intentionally delayed coming until past seven.

This time was neither dinner nor late-night snack time, so Ren Suo definitely wouldn't appear.

Seeing Gu Yueyan like this, Lin Xianyu found it quite novel: to think the class president who always oppressed her would also have such a day. She couldn't resist giggling in Gu Yueyan's ear, "You shameless girl, are you missing a man?"

"No!" Gu Yueyan, annoyed, pinched Lin Xianyu's side, making the latter yelp and surrender.

At that moment, they reached the entrance to the third floor of the cafeteria. Lin Xianyu's eyes lit up, and she raised her hand, shouting, "Doctor Ren!"

Gu Yueyan was stunned. She saw Ren Suo walking out from the third floor, carrying two bags of takeout. He paused, seemingly surprised to encounter them there as well.

Can't I even avoid this?

Gu Yueyan instinctively wanted to turn her head away from him, but that would seem cowardly and rude. So, with immense willpower, she stopped her neck from turning, mustered her courage, and, with her usual demeanor, fixed her gaze on Ren Suo, her eyes wide.

What am I afraid of?

However, Gu Yueyan's hands, hidden behind her back, were restlessly fidgeting.

Still, Gu Yueyan had a plan: as soon as Ren Suo greeted them, she would give a cold snort and walk past him. That would put him in his place, and she wouldn't feel embarrassed either!

Yet, she saw that Ren Suo—that rascal—didn't say a word. He just slightly tilted his head and then... he smiled.

It was a radiant smile, a joyous smile.

Gu Yueyan had known this guy for a month or two, but she had never seen him reveal such a sincere, pure smile that seemed to burst forth from the depths of his heart, as if every cell in his body was leaping for joy.

What was he happy about? What was it that he saw that made him so happy?

As Gu Yueyan thought a little deeper, the 'hmph' she was about to utter got stuck in her throat.

Gu Yueyan still hadn't said anything by the time Ren Suo had walked down the stairs and left.

"Doctor Ren seemed really approachable today... huh?"

Lin Xianyu, having taken a couple of steps, realized Gu Yueyan hadn't followed. She turned around and saw Gu Yueyan standing rooted to the spot, a blush coloring her face.

Pretending she knew nothing, she went over and tapped Gu Yueyan on the shoulder. "Let's go! What are you standing there daydreaming about?"

"Oh... oh." Snapping back to reality, Gu Yueyan quickly explained, "I was just thinking about a question on the test papers..."

"The exams are over; why are you still studying so hard?" Lin Xianyu casually agreed. Turning her head away, she couldn't help but squint her eyes and smile, her face expressing a look that said, 'My sweet darling is so adorable it's sickeningly sweet.'

Meanwhile, when Ren Suo's clone reached the foot of the dormitory building, a Black Cat resting there meowed at him.

The clone stopped and gave the Black Cat a friendly smile.

The Black Cat completely ignored him, merely stretching out its little paw.

The clone continued to smile.

The Black Cat leaped up, surprisingly hovering in mid-air, and launched a Soul Dispersing Iron Claw attack at the clone. But the clone didn't move, allowing the attack to land.

After attacking for a while, the Black Cat grew tired. It returned to the ground, shook its tail, curled up, and went back to sleep. The clone then went home.

"You're back?" Ren Suo asked without turning his head. "Did anything happen?"

"Met a cat downstairs. Got attacked."

Taking a moment from his busy schedule, Ren Suo turned his head for a look. The clone, who was putting down the food, also turned his head towards him, revealing the scratch marks on his face.

"Ah... I forgot to have you buy it some Spicy Fish Kid," Ren Suo scratched his head. "All right, you continue the general cleaning. Remember to clean the dirt in the crevices with a cotton swab too. And help me wash and dry the clothes and hang them on the balcony outside..."

Ren Suo leaned against the soft sofa, commanding in the tone of an upper-class feudal lord. The clone replied with a "Yes" to confirm the order was received.

But how did the cat reach his face? Did the clone crouch down?...

A trace of doubt flashed through Ren Suo's mind, but his attention was quickly drawn back to the strange creatures in the game.

An entire night passed. The clone, leaving behind only a pile of clothes, disappeared.

After having a late-night snack, Ren Suo finally cleared all the minor creatures in the hall and started fighting the boss.

However, just as the Magicians began the boss battle, people arrived in the hall.

And they were the same people they had met in the previous level!

"Magicians!" Caroline, leading a fully armed group of Watchers, burst into the forest. Upon seeing the Magicians, she shouted, "Him—he's not dead, is he?"

Ren Suo hadn't expected to meet them again in the next hall. After thinking for a moment, he had the red-haired Magician shoot a Holy Light Bullet straight at Caroline.

"His Offering, I will make good use of it."

Caroline's figure seemed to waver for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. As more and more people appeared behind her, Caroline loudly declared, "The Federal Watcher squad is here to support the Mage Under the World Tree!"

"The British Victoria Combat Department is here to support the Mage Under the World Tree!"

"The French Versailles Defense Department is here to support the Mage Under the World Tree!"

"The Mysterious Country Yangtze Troops are here to support the Mage Under the World Tree!"

"..."

Transcendent squadrons from six nations appeared in the level, much to Ren Suo's surprise.

It seemed the level's entrance must be located within a small European country; otherwise, why would so many European Transcendent squads be present? As for the Mysterious Country and the Federation, being global powers, it was normal for them to dispatch forces to guard Secret Realm entrances.

Ren Suo calmly switched between multiple languages, thanking each in their respective tongue, "Thank you for your support, but I need you to listen to the World Tree's commands. Otherwise, your help will only hinder us."

"Federal Watcher Commander Caroline is willing to follow the World Tree's command!"

"Mysterious Country Yangtze Troops Commander Chen Zhishou is willing to follow the World Tree's command!"

After the Mysterious Country and the Federation stated their positions, the other national troops also gradually voiced their agreement, willing to accept the Magicians' commands!

Caroline said, "The World Tree has won the Federation's trust. We will help you eradicate the Demons here... and this is also his wish."

Chen Zhishou also said, "We are very grateful for the Mage's care for our warriors in the Secret Realm. And since the Mage is engaged in protecting the world, the Mysterious Country sees no reason to refuse... Let us fight together!"

Ren Suo knew they had mostly come because they saw anomalies at the entrance of the Secret Realm and knew the Mage was fighting. Perhaps they had signed some profit-sharing agreement, hoping to determine the division of interests based on their battle performance. However, he didn't mind at all—he had also achieved his purpose.

His performances in the previous two levels had finally won him the help of Earthlings!

This was Ren Suo's biggest advantage—his ultimate 'cheat': he didn't have to fight alone!

This was also where the Saint Hand Style's advantages and optimal fighting method lay. The more companions a Magician has, the greater their Healing value. Even if the Magician doesn't follow the Demon Arm Style, they can still achieve sufficient damage output!

Suddenly, black fog surged from the stream in the center of the forest, and a terrifying figure appeared in the beautiful woods.

Ren Suo cracked his knuckles, letting the Magician respond loudly:

"The Mage Under the World Tree has never been far; I stand with you all!"

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