The shimmering sign cast an eerie glow on the ground.

“Heh, ever heard of palindrome poetry? If I’m not mistaken, that ‘ST’ signifies interweaving and overlap, much like the ancient palindrome game we have. The start of the next sentence is the end of the previous one. “

“Ah, I get it. It’s two words. “

“COST and STELLA? “

“My English is poor. One of you, explain what that means, will you? “

Some were busy preparing for the oath, while others were busy watching the show, conveniently finding themselves excuses to look occupied. For those unfamiliar with the ritual, studying the flickering sign became surprisingly important.

“If I recall correctly, COST means expense. “

“And the following one carries the meaning of starlight. “

“So that’s it. “

“My friends, ” a man declared loudly, “allow me to call you that one last time, my friends! Please stand at attention! We’re about to begin. “

More than twenty people lined up in a mumbling, fumbling procession. “Alright then, let’s get started. “

The crowd exchanged glances.

“But how do we kick things off? “

“Should we at least have a master of ceremonies? “

“Count me in! ” A burly, tattooed man with a freshly shaved head strode forward from the crowd, huffing lightly. He took a crude homemade cigarette, lit it, and planted it on the ground. “I’ve got this one down. Just chant after me. Come on, first we pay homage to the heavens. “

With a leader emerging, the group followed his lead, kneeling on one knee and raising clasped fists toward the sky.

“Just say your own names along with me. I, Wang Laoba. “

Those behind rattled off their names in a scattered, boisterous chorus. “I, Zhang Laoer. “

“I, Li Shanquan… “

“I, Huang Jinbao… “

“Today, in the presence of heaven, earth, and the divine! “

“Today, in pre… Huh? “

“We pledge to become sworn brothers and sisters of different surnames. “

“Pledge to become… sworn lovers… Hang on. “

Listening to the chaotic uproar behind him, the shaven-headed giant roared with unbridled passion: _”We, twenty-three brothers and sisters, do not seek to be born on the same day, month, or year, but—!

“We… don’t ask to be born on the same day of the same month of the same year… Huh? That ain’t right. “

“Hold up! ” A few of them caught on to what the guy was about to say, and a commotion broke out from the rear: “Cut it out! Pick something else. “

But the burly man, who was thoroughly soaking up the brotherhood-swearing vibe, wasn’t having any of it and roared,

“But we ask to die on the same day of the same month of the same year! “

A group rushed at him and shoved him off the floor.

“This ritual is no good! “

“Do a different one! “

“Your hearts aren’t in it, ” the man said.

“Screw that. If you’re so eager to die, I can start burning paper money for you right now. Stop with your bloody incantation. “

Inside the inn.

As the ruckus from outside filtered in, Xue Qi, accompanied by Bai Yuan, was already heading to the room on the second floor and knocking on the door.

So this is the room tied to that “jealousy ” doorplate, huh.

Xue Qi lifted her eyes to room number 206; it seemed the Weiting Travelers’ Guild was also bracing for someone to throw down the gauntlet. She’d barely submitted her bid for the check-in request ten minutes ago when the reply came.

Normally, the occupants have a three-day window to respond to whether they’ll accept the competitive challenge of the bid. But this time, the guild, worried that those cooped up in the inn might use the time to prepare, allowed the tenant in the room to instantly react the moment Xue Qi submitted her application to the front desk manager.

The door slowly opened, with a force-field light barrier sealing off the inside from the outside.

Inside the room, a bewitching woman with fake eyelashes blinked and leaned against the doorframe with contemptuous, flirtatious fingers in the air, sizing up Xue Qi, who stood outside projecting nothing but gentility.

“Huh, met by chance and already willing to stick your neck out for that man Yang Buchen, little miss? “

Catching that mocking sneer as soon as the door opened, Xue Qi replied with gentle delicacy:

“Still better than your posturing and preening. “

The woman flew into a rage, “You shrew! “

Xue Qi kicked the door wide open; the slowly oscillating force field softened and then instantly hardened, sealing the room off from the others.

The woman slammed the door shut, which bounced off the wall with a bang before clicking closed.

At last, a serious look flickered across Bai Yuan’s face—it was clear that this room was indeed fit for battle. He picked up the silver revolver, felt the bullet inside, and set it down again.

“The guest rooms aren’t exposed to the outside world, so even with those 【Painted Bullets】, there’s no way of breaking through the dazing light. You’ll have to rely on yourself now, beauty. “

With a flick of his wrist, the revolver’s cylinder clicked and spun into place.

From inside the room, a clamor of bangs and crashes soon erupted, punctuated by the original tenant’s incessant screeching. The scene made Bai Yuan think of those TV dramas he’d once watched where the wife and the mistress had it out.

Downstairs.

Yang Zicang was intently studying the room plate marked 201.

Could it be purposeful? The first room, signifying the first day of a month, the very start of life itself, the dawn of a new stage.

“A fresh start. “

How fitting that felt for his present situation.

Yang Zicang addressed the lobby manager, “I want to challenge that guest. “

“That guest is rather unique. Are you sure you truly intend to challenge them? “

“What makes them so unique? “

The lobby manager, whose face was as smooth as snow-white porcelain, assumed an expression of contemplation, triggered by a subtle shift from his eyes and the corners of his mouth. His glass-like pupils turned to the corpse on the floor, which emitted not a hint of bloody smell.

“The tenants inside are somewhat similar to the two you filled in before. “

Yang Zicang pondered this.

Was he supposed to challenge a corpse?

No, this lobby manager only said “somewhat similar ” — it didn’t absolutely have to be exactly what he had planned. The Weiting Travel Merchant Association couldn’t be so foolish as to place a corpse in a room, waiting for those who were trapped by them to easily obtain residency qualifications.

“Haven’t those people finished their sworn brotherhood ceremony yet? “

He Yishu, handsome and elegant, arrived at the counter.

Yang Zicang looked at this young man, who seemed like a wealthy scion.

“Is there such a custom on your mother’s side? “

“Ah, well… ” The man contemplated for a moment. “Swearing brotherhood, hmm… I’ve only ever seen it in movies. “

Another burst of commotion came from outside, as if they had just vetoed another plan.

“That’s not the key point. ” He Yishu said. “Do you know how to deal with Room 201’s challenge? “

The text on the sign on the wall fell into the eyes of both men.

—… That day, I was born. I was curious about everything around me, but also feared this strange world….

Bai Yuan descended from upstairs, approaching Yang Zicang’s side. In his hands, he carried a pair of gardening shears used for trimming branches.

“How did you come down on your own? “

“Their fight? I can’t really stick my hand in there. “

Yang Zicang stared at the man he hadn’t seen in half a year—now reappearing like an uncannily accurate guide. Since a Full Moon Angel-level expert had expressly arranged for this man to come assist him, he must have shared some insight or instructions.

However, those who knew of his existence here, aside from the 41st Assessment Judge, were only Dwight Croft and Zhao Anlong. So, it seemed probable that someone Zhao Anlong knew had ordered Bai Yuan to arrive by his side and provide help? The probability felt low. Who could it be?

“Well, take a look at Room One here. Any suggestions? ” Yang Zicang asked.

“Heh heh, aiming for ‘Heroic Flash,’ decisive? Though to be honest, I’ve got high hopes for you. ” Bai Yuan tapped the blades of his shears against the reception counter.

“‘Heroic Flash’? ” Radiance? Yang Zicang and He Yishu, the Eurasian men, both turned his head toward him looking. In particular, this Eurasian man gaped at Dai Guan, astonished with utmost surprise at the sound of seeing “Glow Spark, ” emitting with a voice from “Heroic Flash. “

“Room Out-of. Gentlemen, Room several ways. ” That Shuffles of feet came the harsh steps pulling along line blur of voice as man breaches the Host—door entrance, flailing for ’ n urgent scrap of pass-message?, ” shouting – “Gimme just are on a piece big piece of Ziao Er Guan Moths ” to graced paper, speed-draw me “Turn Shield ” Asport to those. Ah, why young friend; ya think not joust, handsome count gentleman join again that beats beating precisely together handful comp:.. at ｛**there core current to Twenty The X tie list rises number “friends we! I’ve got it beaten already totaling your member shall hit full… hhaaa all of.. any Road among world, oh third year years big board true battle stage finally having < now score becomes built that if come shall our neat pile O set mark they: yes . ” together in Twenty … “Check!!; plus.. and twenty perfect to these or Three. _” …… Score brings our hand bound third number … Second then binding .

“I’ll be there in a moment. ” He Yishu handed the paper and pen handed over by the lobby manager to this person, then looked at Bai Yuan, “Brother Zilong, from what you’re implying, does this inn have something special to do with ‘Heroic Flash’? “

Yang Zicang glanced at He Yishu. As expected of someone well-educated since childhood; ordinary people really wouldn’t make so many associations at first, at most they’d just think this incident might give birth to a ‘flash’ this time.

Bai Yuan smiled at the lobby manager before saying:

“This inn possesses the ‘Divine Gate,’ meaning the so-called ‘Divine Status.’ So when you fully take control of the inn, it will naturally produce a ‘Heroic Flash.’ “

“I had guessed as much before, and it really exists! “

“And… ” Bai Yuan glanced at the noisy crowd outside, then at the refined young man beside him, and said leisurely with a hint of mystery:

“Anyone who stays here, if a flash is born, the inn will automatically record one copy. “

Yang Zicang felt his head buzzing.

The wealthy young man beside him also changed expression. “Is this true? “

But the lobby manager behind the counter remained indifferent, as if listening to something perfectly natural.

“There’s actually a place like this? ” Yang Zicang muttered softly.

“Of course there is. “

So that’s it—this is divine status, the power of the Divine Gate.

“Then, I want to ask. ” Yang Zicang stared at Bai Yuan. “Who exactly sent you to help me acquire this inn? Why are they helping me? “

This was already a level of generosity beyond what Zhao Anlong could afford.

“You’ll know later. ” Bai Yuan let out a sly, “Hee hee, ” and said, “I can pick one room to call my own, right? ” From now on, I guess we’re teammates. _”

“Of course. ” Yang Zicang nodded.