The Knights of the Round Table’s plan had failed, and instead, they had lost even more people. But that wasn’t the most critical issue. The worst part was that all those who had been sacrificed were assimilated into Shadow Figures. In an instant, the number of Shadow Figures within the Asylum grew larger and larger.

Lancelot’s heart grew increasingly agitated. After thinking it over, he still chose to report everything happening here to Yang Xinxin. After all, they had no better ideas at the moment and could only rely on the other team.

After receiving Lancelot’s message, Yang Xinxin became even more certain that her thoughts were correct. Zhang Yi ordered everyone not to make any moves, but at the same time, he reminded them all not to forget to keep their eyes fixed on every direction, including the ceiling and the floor. Because they still couldn’t determine whether these things could attack from those two directions.

Yang Xinxin rested her chin on one hand, sinking deep into thought. “Ordinary attacks are completely useless against the Shadow Figures, but Rule Three said: only by eliminating all mental patients can the game end. That means it must be possible to erase them, just using a special method.”

Just then, Batu’s voice echoed in everyone’s ears once again. “Everyone, please don’t panic. My task is only to trap you all for twenty-four hours. Once the time is up, this place will naturally disappear. And those who were assimilated won’t die. So, if you want to avoid any accidents, just quietly follow the rules and keep your eyes on those mental patients for twenty-four hours.”

Hearing Batu’s words, although everyone sneered outwardly and denounced his ill intentions, inwardly, they all breathed a huge sigh of relief. If their lives weren’t in danger, then even the worst outcome was acceptable.

Zhang Yi let out a cold laugh. “This is just a cheap psychological trick! Besides, can you really trust the words of an enemy? If we let our guard down and lose our lives, it’ll be all over.” He wasn’t about to gamble his own safety on whether someone scheming against them would keep their word.

For now, however, Zhang Yi truly had no better solution. This kind of brain-burning game would have to rely on the sharpest mind, Yang Xinxin, to break the deadlock.

Just then, Yang Xinxin suddenly lifted her head. Her obsidian-like eyes shimmered with brilliant light. “The fragments of the rules are slowly coming together, but there are still a few things I need to confirm.”

Zhang Yi looked at her with a gratified expression. “Got any ideas?”

Yang Xinxin walked forward slowly. At the center of the corridor ahead, two massive Shadow Figures blocked their path. “Let’s find out by trying!”

Her body began to emit a faint white glow. Moments later, a colossal angelic projection appeared behind her. The tall angel bore six wings—the most revered archangel in Western mythology. The three pairs of wings were red, blue, and black, symbolizing lust, punishment, and hatred. Yang Xinxin’s ability was rule-based, codenamed [Desire Angel], a dangerous power capable of manipulating people’s hearts.

“Since these things are products of a rule-based ability, what would happen if I countered them with the same type of ability?” Yang Xinxin slowly raised her fair right hand, pointing a slender finger at one of the Shadow Figures. “My ability is also absolute. Anyone struck by my arrows must obey my command. So now, let’s see whose rules are stronger!”

As she spoke, the Desire Angel’s left hand conjured a longbow. It plucked two red feathers from its wings, transforming them into arrows, then drew its bow and shot them at the two motionless Shadow Figures. The Desire Arrows silently pierced into the Shadow Figures’ bodies.

Yang Xinxin stared at them and issued her command. “Come here.”

But after she repeated it three times, the Shadow Figures remained completely unmoved.

Zhang Yi let out a long sigh and murmured, “Looks like their rules are stronger.”

Yang Xinxin replied calmly, “After all, this is their home turf. It’s only natural that his ability is stronger. But I wanted to see how much of an impact my ability would have on his rules.” She turned back to glance at Zhang Yi. “Brother, open your Dimensional Gate in front of me.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yi immediately realized what Yang Xinxin was planning. “You want to lure them into entering my Dimensional Space?”

Zhang Yi’s Dimensional Space could actively store inanimate objects, but it couldn’t collect living beings or objects with anomalous energy on its own. However, if they entered willingly, that was a different story. “Are you planning to close your eyes, lure them into attacking you, and then have them enter my space?”

Yang Xinxin replied, “That’s only part of it. There’s something more important I need to verify. That is, just how much influence my Desire Arrow has on them. In theory, anyone struck by my Desire Arrow would never attack me.”

Zhang Yi understood her plan and nodded. “Got it.” He immediately activated Manifold Phenomena, forming a cube-shaped barrier that completely enveloped Yang Xinxin. Then he had the others slowly avert their gazes. Once ready, he said, “Xinxin, it’s time.”

Yang Xinxin closed her eyes. The next moment, when she opened them, the two Shadow Figures were standing right in front of her, just outside the Dimensional Gate, but refusing to step inside its range.

Zhang Yi frowned. “Can they sense the Dimensional Gate?” If so, that would be terrifying.

But Yang Xinxin didn’t think so. A smile curled at the corners of her lips. “Brother, we’re one step closer to figuring out its movement patterns. But I still need to run another experiment.” She looked behind her. “I need a test subject.”

Though she phrased it nicely, in truth, she needed a sacrificial guinea pig. Without a word, Chodak ordered one of his bravest soldiers to step forward.

The Desire Angel behind Yang Xinxin reached out again, plucking two more feathers from its body. This time, however, the feathers transformed into pink arrows, their arrowheads even shaped like hearts. “Cupid’s Arrow! It makes the two people struck fall in love with each other, causing them to protect one another and creating an absolute rule that prevents them from harming each other.”

As she finished speaking, the Desire Angel shot the rule-based arrows at the soldier and one of the Shadow Figures. Then, Yang Xinxin ordered the soldier to step forward and repeated the procedure: having everyone else look away from that Shadow Figure. She then made the soldier close his eyes and waited to see what would happen next.

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