In Old Gu's office, there were three people seated: Old Gu, the leader of today's trial administrators, Li Changqing, and the man with the narrow eyes whom Old Gu called Jin Zhenhuan.
"Old Gu, should we take care of Li Xiu first?" Li Changqing looked at Old Gu and said.
"Don't rush. Right now, A Fei wants to collaborate with that kid. If we kill Li Xiu now, it'll cut off A Fei's escape route. Don't push her too hard; she might still be of use," Old Gu said with a sly smile.
"A Fei knows the trial project better than we do. What if..." Li Changqing frowned, somewhat disagreeing with Old Gu's idea.
"There's no 'what if.' We must give her hope, but we cannot allow her to truly have hope," Old Gu said meaningfully.
"You mean... to kill Li Xiu before the final trial begins?" Li Changqing suddenly understood Old Gu's implication.
"Keep him for now, give A Fei some hope, so she doesn't fight desperately to the death. We might need her in the future," Old Gu said.
"Understood." Li Changqing nodded with a smile.
"Old Gu, let me deal with Li Xiu when the time comes," Jin Zhenhuan suddenly spoke, using a tone that brooked no argument.
"Director Jin, why do you care about such a person? Though Li Xiu has some cleverness and tricks, compared to the esteemed you, he is nothing. Is it worth dirtying your hands?" Old Gu cautiously probed.
"He owes me a debt, and I want to collect it personally." When mentioning Li Xiu, a strange gleam flickered in Jin Zhenhuan's narrow eyes.
"As long as you're happy," Old Gu readily agreed, smiling as he acceded to Jin Zhenhuan's request.
When Li Xiu woke up, A Fei was already packing.
Soon, the jarring sound of an alarm went off again.
Once again at the Blue Stone Gate, the administrators didn't trouble Li Xiu and A Fei, directly opening the Trial Gate.
Li Xiu entered the Trial Gate with the group, as A Fei predicted, it was an E-level difficulty trial, the lowest difficulty trial.
A basketball hoop appeared in the center of the field. Throwing from the free throw line ten times, as long as one succeeds, the trial is passed.
Even for someone who doesn't play basketball, a few of the ten balls should randomly go in; the trial was indeed very simple.
Li Xiu glanced around and noticed Jin Zhenhuan watching him from not far away, smiling, but his gaze was decidedly unfriendly.
"Who exactly is this guy?" Li Xiu really couldn't recall when he had any interaction with this person.
Yet the look in his eyes seemed to indicate a deep vendetta against Li Xiu.
"Have we met before?" Li Xiu walked directly to Jin Zhenhuan and asked; he had to figure out who this person was.
If this person knew about his Magic Armor Master identity, then Li Xiu was sure he was already in a huge crisis.
"You really don't remember me?" An instant of anger flashed in Jin Zhenhuan's eyes.
"So we do know each other?" Li Xiu searched his memory as he stared at Jin Zhenhuan's face, but still couldn't remember ever meeting this man before.
"World Training Camp," Jin Zhenhuan said, staring at Li Xiu, mentioning the name of a place.
Li Xiu was slightly taken aback, but then immediately recalled.
Back when he was a child, he had gone to the World Training Camp for a trial. It was an institution dedicated to discovering and cultivating Magic Armor Masters.
At that time, Li Xiu passed the World Training Camp's test, showing the potential to become a Magic Armor Master. He also received an invitation to train, but later, Li Xiu did not join the World Training Camp.
This matter was something Li Xiu didn't really care about. If Jin Zhenhuan hadn't brought it up, he would've almost forgotten about it.
Li Xiu frowned slightly; he didn't recall having any conflicts with anyone at the World Training Camp, nor did he remember meeting Jin Zhenhuan.
Of course, even if they did meet, it would be normal for Li Xiu not to recognize him. After all, they were both just kids back then, barely ten years old.
Jin Zhenhuan was likely of similar age; who could recognize what someone looked like after they grew up?
"So you finally remember, right? Yes, I was the one who competed head-to-head with you during the trial, vying for first place," Jin Zhenhuan said, seeing Li Xiu's silence, assuming he finally recalled.
"Was there really such a person back then? I don't remember." Li Xiu suddenly came to a realization but still couldn't remember who Jin Zhenhuan was.
Jin Zhenhuan's eyelid twitched, a murderous intent flashed in his eyes, and after a moment, he suddenly sneered, "It's normal you don't want to remember. Back then, you were the talented youth coveted by the training camp, yet now you've fallen to this state. If it were me, I wouldn't want to recall the past either."
"We don't seem to have any animosity between us, right?" Li Xiu said, looking at Jin Zhenhuan.
The World Training Camp wasn't only recruiting one student. Li Xiu being top in training wouldn't have affected Jin Zhenhuan's admission, and besides, Li Xiu didn't even join the World Training Camp.
"I, Jin Zhenhuan, aim to be the best. Since I couldn't become the best Magic Armor Master, I resolved to become the strongest Trial Taker. It was because of you that I gave up the chance to be a Magic Armor Master and trained myself relentlessly to become the strongest Trial Taker," Jin Zhenhuan stared at Li Xiu with a mocking expression, continuing, "I originally thought there would be a chance to have a rematch with you in the future, but never expected you've fallen to this level. Not only have you failed as a Magic Armor Master, but you also do so poorly as a Trial Taker. I was truly blind back then. If I'd known you'd turn out this disappointing, I wouldn't have given up the chance to be a Magic Armor Master for you."
"It seems that the trial back then had a big impact on you."
"You better not try to provoke me. You should be well aware that your life is in my hands now. If I choose for you to live, you live. If I choose for you to die, you can't survive." Jin Zhenhuan's smile froze on his face as he stared intently at Li Xiu.
"So you're one of Old Gu's men," Li Xiu said.
"You're wrong. It should be said that Old Gu is one of my men," Jin Zhenhuan retorted sarcastically, "Now you should understand who holds the power over your life and death."
"It's you," Li Xiu said calmly.
"You can beg me; maybe I'll give you a way out," Jin Zhenhuan said, his lips curving slightly upward, like one peering down from above.
Li Xiu laughed, "You won't kill me."
"You think I don't dare to kill you?" Jin Zhenhuan's expression turned gloomy.
"It's not about daring. Someone as stubborn as you wouldn't kill me unless you've beaten me first," Li Xiu said.
"You're right, I won't kill you. If I am to kill, it will only be after I've defeated you. Since you're now also a Trial Taker, I'll show you what a real Trial Taker is. I'll ensure you fail so thoroughly in the trial that even in death, you'll have no regrets," Jin Zhenhuan said coldly.