Coercive (1)
Oblivious to the unintended spark he'd ignited in Liu Meng'er, Yun Lintian continued to venture around the grove.
Three days had passed. By the second day, he'd abandoned further point collection, choosing instead to settle near the lake. Today marked the conclusion of the competition's first round, and his place at the top was practically a foregone conclusion.
Buzz—
A sudden brilliance erupted in the sky, followed by Qing Zong's booming voice. "The time has come. The first round is over. All participants, prepare for transport."
A white light instantly enveloped Yun Lintian and all the others within the grove. As the light subsided, they found themselves back on the plaza.
Gazes darted around the plaza the moment they reappeared. A stark realization settled in - many participants hadn't returned, evidently succumbing to the challenges within the grove.