Chapter Seventy-Two: Turning Hostile

Everyone was puzzled by Fang Nian’s words.

“Day and night?”

Fang Nian nodded and explained, “Yes, as we accelerate forward, the difference in time zones also speeds up, so this gap gradually shrinks. As the daylight grows longer and the night shorter, the cold zone will disappear, like hibernation.”

“But it hasn’t vanished entirely. It’s still following us, devouring each carriage in its path, only it hasn’t yet turned icy. When our train passes beyond the gap between day and night, the cold zone will reappear.”

“At that point, it might not be just one carriage that freezes.”

Most of the group listened to Fang Nian’s explanation with bewildered expressions, unable to grasp the meaning of day and night stretching and shrinking. Yet the final explanation was far more alarming. According to Fang Nian, they might already be caught in the cold zone’s snare.

When the cold zone emerges again, they could lose half the train or more, which was a terrifying prospect.

Du Ruo understood Fang Nian’s words and immediately began calculating data on her three-dimensional watch. Her face quickly turned grim. Jin Jinghui noticed Du Ruo’s expression and fear flickered in her eyes.

“Ruo, what’s wrong? Is our situation that dire?”

Du Ruo nodded without hesitation and sent them a timer to their phones. The countdown showed eight hours remaining.

“Based on my calculations, the cold zone will reappear in eight hours. When it does, we must reach a carriage at least ten kilometers away to survive.”

“Ten kilometers? How long is this train? I remember Brian’s diary mentioned it.”

“Ten point two kilometers.”

Jin Jinghui was stunned. “What? That means we have to reach the very first carriage of the doomsday train within eight hours to stay alive?”

Du Ruo nodded quietly. It was true—they didn’t have much time. Even running ten kilometers would take more than an hour, not to mention climbing.

Moreover, since the first chamber had been so difficult, encountering more treacherous environments ahead would only make rescue harder.

Hearing this, everyone realized it was time to set out—every minute was precious.

Yet a dilemma remained before them: the two tunnels. Xiao Xueluan, after analyzing their trajectories, concluded that both tunnels were open, but each led to a different room.

If all five chose the same tunnel and encountered a trap, it could mean total annihilation. But splitting up meant losing the support of other professions, making their actions more limited.

Faced with such a difficult choice, Guo Ji and Fang Nian spoke almost simultaneously.

“Split up.”

“Go together.”

The two offered completely opposite ideas. Guo Ji wanted to split up and explained, “Going together is too dangerous. If we all fall into a trap, we could be wiped out. We must divide into two groups, one strong and one weaker. I’ll take Ruo on the left, and you three take Fang Nian on the right. This way, even if you’re eliminated, we two can keep moving forward and clear the level.”

Jin Jinghui, Xiao Xueluan, and Xu Dong looked unhappy, but didn’t argue. Fang Nian, however, was displeased and finally couldn’t help questioning Guo Ji.

“You think you’re strong?”

Everyone was stunned by Fang Nian’s retort. They had never expected the always humble Fang Nian to challenge Guo Ji so fiercely. The atmosphere turned tense and silent.

Guo Ji hadn’t expected Fang Nian’s challenge either, but a sly smile curled on his lips. He had long wanted to teach Fang Nian a lesson but never found the opportunity, since Fang Nian had never offended him.

Now, the chance had come.

Guo Ji rolled up his sleeves and looked provocatively at Fang Nian.

“What, do you want to take my position as captain?”

The group knew that when Guo Ji wore such an expression, he was truly angry. If it were anyone else, they would have backed down already. Despite his usual calm demeanor, Guo Ji could be very fierce when provoked.

In terms of combat, even someone as burly as Xu Dong struggled against Guo Ji, let alone the frail Fang Nian.

But to everyone’s surprise, Fang Nian didn’t seem afraid of Guo Ji. Facing his provocation, Fang Nian took off his shirt and, without even looking at Guo Ji, spoke.

“Captain? Who chose you? Did we vote? It’s always been a self-appointed title, hasn’t it?”

Guo Ji was taken aback, and so were the others. They hadn’t expected Fang Nian to truly dare such a confrontation, and his words instantly enraged Guo Ji.

Guo Ji stopped talking, his tensed muscles bulging and veins popping. He threw a punch straight at Fang Nian’s face.

Jin Jinghui and the others were dumbfounded by the sudden attack.

“What’s happening? They’re really fighting? And Guo Ji’s punch gives Fang Nian no chance to retreat!”

Xu Dong, a warrior himself, knew the force behind Guo Ji’s punch and broke out in a cold sweat for Fang Nian. He didn’t want Fang Nian to get hurt, but there was no denying the likelihood of disaster.

“Fang Nian is doomed this time. Brother Guo is truly angry. That punch could shatter a massive boulder. With Fang Nian’s physique, even if he survives, he won’t be able to hunt anymore.”

Fang Nian was indeed surprised. Guo Ji truly lived up to his reputation as the hunting god of District 16—his skills were formidable, and his punch was powerful. If Fang Nian tried to take it head-on, he wasn’t afraid, and could absorb the blow, but he needed to teach Guo Ji a lesson.

“A tiger doesn’t show its claws, and you think I’m Hello Kitty?”

Fang Nian didn’t dodge Guo Ji’s fierce punch. Instead, he stepped forward and threw a punch of his own.

Everyone was stunned, even Du Ruo, usually composed, widened her eyes in shock. Having grown up with Guo Ji, she knew just how hard his fists were.

If Fang Nian dodged, Guo Ji would likely hold back a bit when the punch’s wind grazed Fang Nian. But if Fang Nian confronted him head-on, Guo Ji would not hold back at all.

So, as Du Ruo pictured them striking each other, she couldn’t bear to watch and shouted,

“Stop!”

With that, Du Ruo rushed forward to try and intervene, but it was already too late.