Cheng Xing was stumped by the sudden question from Two-Dot.
Why ask such a question in this situation?
"Oh? It seems you don't know, but this investigator lady seems to know."
Cheng Xing's reaction fell into Two-Dot's eyes, and he quickly made his judgment, speaking calmly.
Regarding Two-Dot's actions, the other One-Dots were itching to act, but restrained themselves due to Two-Dot's authority, not making any further moves.
Everyone else also looked puzzled, wondering why this person suddenly started talking to himself.
However, some people looked at each other and slowly retreated.
"Now's the time! Retreat quickly!"
Seizing the opportunity, one of the C-Class talent teams instantly broke away from the main group and ran towards the base.
This sudden scene caught Zhao Li and the others off guard.
"A bunch of idiots, still foolishly listening to him."
"Staying alive is the most important thing!"
...
When Zhao Li and the others reacted, this team had already disappeared into the abandoned street, vanishing from everyone's sight, which made their faces turn ashen, but more than that, they regretted not seizing the opportunity.
Then, strangely, the One-Dots did not move; instead, they let out chilling sneers.
"How foolish."
Two-Dot, who had been interrupted, had an ashen face beneath his mask; his eyes flashed with brilliant light.
The next moment, two massive dark figures broke through the shopping mall's roof and charged in the direction where those people had run, moving so fast that almost no one could see what they were.
Cheng Xing and Su Yanran's expressions were grim; they both saw clearly that they were two E-Class Blood Mantises!
Before long, four dark figures, with the sound of rushing air, shot out from the street and landed between Two-Dot and Cheng Xing's group.
The arrivals were precisely the C-Class talent team that had escaped earlier, but at this moment, their legs were twisted beyond recognition, and the immense impact had left them on the verge of death.
"Cough cough, excuse me, I was interrupted. Let's continue."
Two-Dot tidied the corner of his clothing and spoke very politely.
This person's behavior and speech were not like a ruthless executioner but rather like a very humble and well-bred scion of a family.
However, combined with the constant wails from the four people, everything seemed chilling.
"Who can tell me, what is the fastest way to level up?"
After speaking, Two-Dot deliberately turned to look at Zhao Li and his group, continuing in a gentle voice:
"If someone answers correctly, I can let him go."
...
"Kill Disaster Beasts!"
"No, it's forming smaller groups to kill Disaster Beasts!"
"Take a leveling bus! Find someone to carry you!"
Hearing there was a way out, everyone disregarded everything else and spoke up, vying to be first.
The reason for their eagerness was that the two Blood Mantises that had chased the fleeing team had already returned and were eyeing them menacingly not far behind.
Against F-Class Blood Mantises, they still had a fighting chance, but those were E-Class Blood Mantises; theoretically, only 5 or more E-Class Adventurers could contend with them, let alone two.
Listening to their answers, Two-Dot shook his head in disappointment, then looked at Cheng Xing and said word by word:
"Killing Disaster Beasts, whether in a team or solo, is not the fastest way. To level up quickly, you can only kill people, kill Awakeners!"
As soon as these words were spoken, there was complete silence.
Even Cheng Xing, who had some psychological preparation, felt his pupils constrict when he heard this answer.
Instantly, he recalled Su Yanran's previous words.
"Awakeners, unless absolutely necessary, do not kill other Awakeners."
"So that's it. The way Awakeners gain experience is not just by killing Disaster Beasts, but also by killing other Awakeners."
This was why Su Yanran had stopped him from killing Liu Gu, fearing he would discover this secret.
The so-called Fallen are Awakeners who level up by killing people.
"What do you mean by killing people is the fastest?"
But Zhao Li and the others hadn't reacted yet and asked blankly.
"It's simple. The experience you gain from killing Disaster Beasts is fixed, but by killing Awakeners, you can absorb all of their experience!"
"Do you know what this means?"
"It means that if a Level 1 Awakener kills a Level 10 Awakener, he will directly level up to Level 10!"
Two-Dot's words seemed to possess an invisible magic, bewitching everyone present.
As soon as these words were spoken, Cheng Xing clearly felt the grip on his arm, held by Su Yanran, subtly tighten considerably.
She had already guessed Two-Dot's purpose in saying so much.
After all, S-Class talent Awakeners are highly valued by any force.
Because when it comes to leveling up, people with higher talents are more easily tempted.
The danger posed by an F-Class Fallen and an S-Class Fallen can be said to be worlds apart.
"If you don't believe me, you can ask this investigator from the Awakener Management Bureau."
Two-Dot's tone shifted, directing the spearhead towards Su Yanran.
As soon as the words "Awakener Management Bureau" were spoken, the faces of the One-Dots behind Two-Dot instantly changed, and they immediately stared fixedly at Su Yanran.
The Jueguan Bureau was their sworn enemy, the force responsible for capturing, managing, and annihilating Fallen like them.
"Awakener Management Bureau? What's that?"
"Isn't she an investigator from the Adventurers' Guild?"
...
Unlike the Fallen, who were on high alert, Zhao Li and the others looked puzzled, having never heard of it.
"Controlling Disaster Beasts to besiege Adventurers, and then using the Disaster Beasts to feign Disaster Area expansion to cover up the truth, you must be the Killing Cult's S-Class newcomer—Ling Zhong, right?"
Seeing her identity exposed, Su Yanran no longer hid anything and revealed Two-Dot's identity.
There were multiple factions among the Fallen; wearing a cylinder mask was the Killing Cult's symbol. Combined with his abilities, his identity was not difficult to guess.
"I didn't expect to be so famous, but your Jueguan Bureau has confidentiality agreements, so I presume you haven't told him your identity, have you?"
Ling Zhong spoke unhurriedly, as if victory was already in his grasp.
"As long as you join our Killing Cult, all these experience packages can be yours."
"Five Level 10 experience packages, six Level 9 experience packages, plus various others—this experience is enough for you to reach Level 13."
"With your talent, you can break through Level 20 in less than half a year!"
Ling Zhong's words were full of temptation for Cheng Xing, but to the others, they sounded like a death notice.
The One-Dots behind him also became displeased; if they shared these experience packages, all of them would be able to reach Level 10 and put on Two-Dot masks.
At this moment, almost everyone looked at Cheng Xing. Zhao Li and the others looked ashen; the conditions Ling Zhong offered were too tempting, and they didn't think Cheng Xing would refuse.
Su Yanran also looked worried and was about to speak but was stopped by a raised hand.
"I think you're wrong."
Cheng Xing said indifferently, as if he had not been swayed at all.
"What's wrong?"
"The fastest way to level up should be to solo Disaster Beasts that are higher level than you."
Cheng Xing stated his answer lightly.
What about killing people being the fastest way to level up? Clearly, killing monsters is.
His answer clearly made Ling Zhong pause for a moment.
Soloing higher-level Disaster Beasts—he recognized every word, but when combined, he was a little unfamiliar with them.
......