Chapter Sixty-Four: Blue Ants

Du Yu extended a polite invitation to Yun Meng, but his attitude toward Ye Ran and the others was nothing short of blatant contempt. Ye Ran, however, did not take offense; it was Sinclair behind him who bristled with anger, snorting coldly as he strode forward, his beard and hair standing on end.

Yun Meng waved her hand to signal him not to be angry and said, "Du Yu, the Du family and the Yun family are old friends. You and I know each other well—why play games in front of me?"

The Yun and Du families often did business together. Yun Meng had not interacted much with Du Yu, but she understood him well enough. He ranked ninth on the Martial Ranking of Red Maple Academy, but his influence rivaled that of Wang Li, who was first. Such prestige was not something an impulsive brawler could achieve; it belonged to someone who knew how to win hearts, not just provoke others.

His nickname, "Viper," revealed much about his character—he was adept at patience, striking only when necessary, and always lethally. If he provoked someone, there was always a hidden agenda.

Du Yu replied, "Third Miss, my invitation to you is sincere."

"But my provocation toward them is deliberate." He smiled darkly, not denying her words.

"Go back. If you don’t target Ye Ran, I won’t make things difficult for you." She left the rest unsaid.

Du Yu naturally understood the implication: if he did target Ye Ran, all he’d receive was the Yun family’s Third Miss’s retaliation.

"How unfortunate, Third Miss," Du Yu said no more, turning away with Wang Ao Ran to rejoin the Red Maple Academy’s ranks.

"Big brother, who is that girl? She’s not giving you any face," Wang Ao Ran asked curiously. He’d followed Du Yu for a long time, and rarely had he seen him humbled.

Du Yu skewered a charging Gold-Eating Ant and replied, "The Yun family’s Third Miss, Yun Meng from Shali Academy."

Wang Ao Ran said, "Oh, never heard of her. An unknown?"

"Humph, shallow. You only know about famous types like Wang Li, who hogs the spotlight but never acts," Du Yu retorted. Wang Ao Ran chuckled sheepishly, not daring to argue.

"Old Eight, if you really want to make a name for yourself, broaden your horizons. Don’t get stuck on the Martial Ranking—those are just children’s games."

"Got it, big brother."

They fought their way to Samobi Qiu’s side. Du Yu approached the man in the cloak, whispered a few words, and the cloaked man nodded and waved his hand, signaling Du Yu and Wang Ao Ran to return to their formation.

All of this was naturally observed by Ye Ran and his companions.

He couldn’t help but find it odd—why was Red Maple Academy’s team behaving so strangely? It seemed those two cloaked men were the real leaders, their strength far surpassing Samobi Qiu and the others.

Yun Meng spoke softly, "Ye Ran, what should we do?"

In terms of strength and authority, Yun Meng was the most qualified to command, but her question elevated Ye Ran’s position considerably. He understood her intent and felt grateful.

"Elisa, Brother Sinclair, the three of us will form a triangle; Xiao Meng and Yun Meng in the center. We’ll take the passage to the right."

Elisa, Sinclair, and Ye Ran were all warrior-types—Elisa specialized in speed, Sinclair in power, and Ye Ran himself was balanced in all skills. Naturally, Ye Ran took the lead, with Elisa and Sinclair flanking him. Meng Qi and Yun Meng, both adept at spellcraft, occupied the center of the triangle.

"Elisa, Brother Sinclair, defense on the left and right is yours. Xiao Meng, assist Elisa with defense. Yun Meng, help me clear the way."

"Understood."

Sinclair, clad in armor and wielding a war hammer, looked like a towering fortress.

"Elisa, whatever happens, don’t break formation."

Cooperation among five was entirely different from acting alone. If the triangle remained solid, their combined strength would be far greater than the sum of its parts—a qualitative leap. But if even one corner was lost, their power would be drastically reduced. Elisa was a crucial point in Ye Ran’s arrangement.

"I’ll do my best," Elisa replied, clutching her blades and laughing quietly.

Ye Ran nodded, and from his sleeve, a knife and sword emerged, his entire body tensed as he advanced steadily.

A giant ant and a massive lizard lunged at him with a roar. His blade flashed, and the lizard was severed midair, while his short sword pierced the giant ant. Ye Ran flung the ant aside.

The cleaved lizard, undeterred, dragged its bleeding half-body and lunged again. The giant ant, though stabbed through the head, was not dead and shrieked as it attacked once more.

Yun Meng, behind him, swept her palm and two streams of water sent them flying.

Ye Ran pressed forward without pause, the sounds behind him alternately dull and sharp. Sinclair’s war hammer swept powerfully, his aura exuding an unstoppable dominance. Any monster that approached was smashed to a pulp, flesh and blood flying—a gruesome sight.

Elisa was clean and efficient. Raised in a family of sculptors, she knew anatomy—human and animal—intimately. She understood which parts were fatal, which could cripple. Every strike was simple and effective; even if not lethal, the giant creatures would lose their ability to move.

Within the triangle, Yun Meng’s water spells and Meng Qi’s energy supported all sides. Together, they advanced toward Red Maple Academy’s team with little effort.

Ye Ran remained cautious, advancing step by step. The monsters now were larger, more resilient, and more ferocious than before. Lizard, gray rats, and giant ants swarmed more densely ahead.

Red Maple Academy’s three squads seemed to remain in place throughout, their only change being the growing number of corpses. Giant ants and gray rats piled up, forming heaps.

"We’re moving to the second level..."

"Look, a blue ant!"

A surprised voice suddenly called out from Red Maple Academy’s ranks, instantly drawing most eyes.

Amid the dense monsters to the left, a spot of blue flickered, sometimes pressed down by giant ants, sometimes struggling to surface.

This ant was nearly twice the size of the regular giants. Its watery blue shell had a strange beauty, yet paired with its ant form, was terribly grotesque.

A mutated monster?

Red Maple Academy’s students became even more excited—they had come precisely for these mutants, but they were rare in the nest; after half a day, this was the first they’d found.

"Old Eight, cover me!"

"Understood, big brother."

Du Yu darted forward, shielded by Wang Ao Ran. The group led by Mi Fei also rushed in.

Ye Ran and his companions would not let the blue ant slip away either. They shifted their steps, advancing steadily toward it. Their method was safe but slow, and Du Yu’s group was less than ten meters from the blue ant before Elisa, behind Ye Ran, gave a quiet laugh and suddenly leapt forward.

"Elisa..."

Ye Ran’s heart jumped in alarm.

As he turned, he saw her silhouette sweep overhead, and a gap appeared beside Yun Meng.

Switched computers at noon, then it broke in the evening—been fixing it until now... Wishing everyone a happy New Year’s Day.