Chapter 189
Chapter 189
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 189 – Lan Qi Always Considers His Opponent
An hour had passed since the Shadow World challenge began.
Lan Qi lightly touched the rough stone wall with his icy fingers. The sting at his fingertips kept him alert.
Accompanied by the howling cold wind and the faint trembling of prisoners in other cells, the chains bit tighter into his wrists, the shackles scraping painfully, nearly numbing his hands.
Every pore in his body resisted the cold—but in vain.
“So cold…”
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, feeling the cold air spread through his lungs, then slowly exhaled a white mist. Every tremor, every heartbeat felt like a struggle against the unending cold.
As time passed, Lan Qi began to get used to the icy environment, though his muscles stiffened and his thoughts slowed.
It was hard to imagine if he had to remain in this prison—would the cold and despair become his only companions through a silent, long night?
Although Adams had chosen this Shadow World fairly.
After all, Lan Qi had said he would accept any type of challenge.
Yet considering their respective strengths, a head-on clash to the end would definitely result in mutual destruction.
“Adams…”
Finally, Lan Qi spoke helplessly from the wall next to Adams’ cell:
“If we keep enduring like this, and insist on a winner, I’m afraid it will hurt our relationship.”
Soon after:
“What’s wrong, Lan Qi? Already feeling weak? I trust you’re not the type to give up halfway, right?”
Adams laughed with a hint of mockery.
On the left side, Adams’ cell wasn’t easy either.
Although he had stocked some supplies like Lan Qi, after an hour of survival without using them, frost had already formed on his face.
He had never underestimated Lan Qi.
On the same tier, with magic cards sealed, his basic cold resistance was stronger.
But Lan Qi excelled at analyzing information and strategizing; he could likely acquire more supplies from prisoners in other cells.
Adams had decided that no matter what Lan Qi said, he wouldn’t trade. Lan Qi was cunning and persuasive—a potential threat in resource manipulation.
As long as Lan Qi didn’t gain an advantage in supplies, Adams was confident he could outlast Lan Qi in willpower and determination, honoring the spirit of the contract and defeating him convincingly.
Lan Qi paused for a moment, sensing Adams had misunderstood him.
“I always act without regret. You can trust my sense of contract.”
Lan Qi said calmly.
Their voices carried through the thick wall, slipping into the corridor and neighboring cells.
“Then no more words. Whatever you say won’t shake me.”
Adams forced a small smile.
He had anticipated Lan Qi would try to engage him in a mental game, using strategy to gain an advantage—but hadn’t expected him to start so soon.
Lan Qi fell silent for a moment. Then:
“In that case… I’ll let you win.”
After saying this, the voice stopped abruptly.
“Wait—what?”
Adams was stunned, shouting outside the bars.
Yet no response came from the neighboring cell.
“…Lan Qi?”
Adams couldn’t comprehend the situation at first.
Lan Qi’s mysterious desire for victory left him puzzled.
Was this person really indifferent to winning and losing? Rumor had it that Lan Qi’s temperament was inscrutable.
Even Adams hadn’t imagined anyone would surrender outright in a school-representative challenge—making purely rational decisions without a trace of emotion or ego.
After a moment, Adams exhaled slowly, finally accepting the situation.
Lan Qi had likely realized that he couldn’t defeat Adams with brute strength or willpower in this Shadow World. Choosing to stop at the right moment adhered to the principle of friendly competition.
Lan Qi’s demeanor and mindset impressed Adams.
No wonder he was a genius capable of defeating the Destruction Saintess Adelis under dire circumstances.
“Wait…”
Just as Adams considered leaving the Shadow World to escape the torment, he furrowed his brows.
He placed his hand against the wall, ear to his palm, and listened carefully with eyes closed.
After a while, faint but perceptible movements came from the neighboring cell!
Adams’ eyes widened in disbelief.
“Lan Qi, you despicable bastard!”
He shouted angrily next door.
This guy could do anything! He almost fell for the trick!
…
At Jera Memorial Plaza, students fell silent.
This was so typical of Lan Qi.
He had pretended to have surrendered, secretly remaining in the Shadow World, intending to trick Adams into leaving!
After all, the real winner would still be determined by Shadow World scores witnessed by all Sage Institute faculty and students.
If Adams had almost believed it, once Lan Qi emerged, he could just say:
“Did you really believe everything said in the Shadow World? A verbal surrender doesn’t count—it’s just a reasonable tactic. We still follow the rules.”
Adams would be speechless.
Lan Qi was clearly exploiting both psychological tactics and loopholes in the contract.
Though his feigned surrender seemed shameless, it was likely his only viable method for a smooth victory.
“If Adams were less perceptive, it could’ve ended just now.”“Some lawyers are like that—trick you verbally first, then enforce the contract.”
A former victim fighter on the stone steps said indignantly.
Every time they recalled elder sister Zirvini crying, they regretted never recognizing Lan Qi’s true nature in the Fighter’s Soul dojo.
Because of Lan Qi, Zirvini had given up the Martial Soul entirely—no persuasion could bring her back, and they could only wish her success in law school…
“But… Lan Qi’s trick was noticed by Adams, alerting him. Next time it will be even harder to fool him. What will Lan Qi do?”
Other students discussed, puzzled.
Within the Shadow World prison, Lan Qi and Adams couldn’t see each other.
But the live feed clearly showed their expressions.
Adams still had energy, while Lan Qi was nearly frozen. He couldn’t endure a true brute-force showdown.
Lan Qi had magical potential, but with cards sealed, he couldn’t even cast a Level 1 Fireball, let alone heal or warm himself.
Among all Sage Institute students, only Lan Qi’s situation was this extreme.
For him, the decisive moment was fast approaching.
Any heavyweight maneuver had to be used now!