The first wave of the shrinking circle seems to be just a symbolic reduction, meant to remind the elite players that the miasma is dangerous.

They need to always be aware of the range of detox gas released by the White Tower to avoid inhaling harmful substances that could injure themselves or harm their teammates.

The reddish-brown gas forms a wall, just a meter away from where Qin Ruqing stands on top of a tree, looking into the distance.

Qirong also stands on the tree top, and the two of them look like skilled experts.

“Sister, shouldn’t we run towards the center? We almost got too close to the miasma,” Qirong suggests.

“It’s fine. I just like to stay close to the toxic zone,” Qin Ruqing replies casually.

Qirong responds, “So what’s our next move? Are we going to ‘herd the sheep’ or ‘pluck the wool’?”

Qi Rong clearly remembers every word Qin Ruqing said.

Look, he can even say ‘herd the sheep’ and ‘pluck the wool’ so smoothly now.

Qin Ruqing gives Qi Rong an approving glance but says, “Neither.”

She sways a bit on top of the tree and continues, “In the second round of the competition, our main strategy is to just survive!”

“Survive?”

“Yes, I’ll focus on surviving in the top spot, and you should aim for the top seven. That way, we’ll both secure our places.”

“But didn’t you keep saying you wanted to become famous?”

“Yeah, and I’ve already become somewhat famous. Now, it’s getting a bit bothersome.”

Constantly worrying about one’s safety makes it hard to enjoy life.

Qi Rong nods, partially understanding, “So, how do we survive? Should we go hunt monsters or take points from other elite teams?”

Qin Ruqing thinks for a moment and says, “Let’s hunt monsters. Our Qin family values peace. As long as they don’t provoke us, we won’t just take things from others.”

“Even if it’s Fang Zhimin?”

Qin Ruqing glances at Qi Rong and then looks ahead, “I’d like to, but they’re probably waiting for us to make a move. We’ll skip that this time.”

Qirong, being perceptive, can tell something unusual is happening from his sister’s cautious attitude, and he senses that something significant might occur in this competition.

Qin Ruqing jumps down from the tree, “We’re too close to the toxic zone here. Let’s move slightly towards the center. You’ll protect me while I look for any large monsters nearby.”

Qin Ruqing finds a smooth rock and sits on it, preparing herself.

Qirong, balancing on one leg, asks:

“Sister, how big of monsters are we looking for?”

Qin Ruqing smiles mysteriously, “Our ranking isn’t low. If we don’t take other people’s points and rely only on killing monsters, how can we avoid starting at the foundation establishment level?”

Starting at the foundation-establishment level?

Qirong is stunned by this description, while Qin Ruqing has already closed her eyes.

Her spiritual sense flows out like waves, seeming even more powerful than last time.

During her search for the demonic beasts, Qin Ruqing did not hold back her spiritual sense at all, unlike her previous cautiousness around people.

This time, she charged recklessly, as if afraid that she wouldn’t alarm any large beasts.

Even Qirong, sitting beside her, could feel the obvious fluctuation of Qin Ruqing’s spiritual sense.

After a while, Qin Ruqing opened her eyes and frowned, “They are all so cowardly… I thought these rampant beasts would rush up to fight me. Perhaps my spiritual sense has advanced to the Golden Core stage, which is too high. Even Foundation Establishment stage beasts instinctively avoid me because the beast world purely respects strength.”

“Isn’t it working? If you ask me, the robbery route is still the quickest way!” Qirong said.

Qin Ruqing glanced at Qirong and stood up.

This child has completely grown astray now.

“I sensed a relatively strong presence, probably at the Foundation Building stage. However, there are quite a few people nearby.

Let’s go take a look first.”

Upon arriving, they indeed saw a large number of people.

It turned out that three family teams had joined forces, wanting to wear down this Foundation Establishment stage demonic beast together and then evenly split the points.

Qirong jumped onto a tree branch and looked in that direction, asking, “Are we going to be the yellow sparrows behind them?”

Qin Ruqing walked straight ahead, “Why be the yellow sparrow when we can directly snatch it?”

Qirong’s eyes flickered, and he followed, “Didn’t you just say our Qin family is very peaceful and doesn’t steal from others?”

Qin Ruqing calmly said, “Yes, very peaceful.”

As they spoke, these people had already noticed them, showing obvious surprise.

After seeing the situation clearly, they shrank together and retreated collectively.

Qin Ruqing showed a harmless smile, “Everyone, don’t be afraid. I don’t want your jade slips, I just want the Foundation Establishment stage demonic beast behind you.”

Why say you don’t want the jade slips in such a magnanimous and courteous manner?

Should we thank you for not taking them?

However, Qin Ruqing’s earlier performance was well-known.

Among these people, the highest rank was only twenty-seventh, and all of them combined were no match for Qin Ruqing alone.

So, even though they knew she was blatantly robbing them, they didn’t dare make a sound.

They cupped their hands and smiled, “If Fairy Ruqing wants it, there’s naturally no reason to refuse.”

As they spoke, they faced Qin Ruqing, did not turn around, and retreated slowly, clearly afraid that Qin Ruqing would attack them from behind.

Qin Ruqing let them be vigilant, only smiling and not making any moves.

When they retreated to a safe distance, they looked at each other and quickly fled.

Qin Ruqing tilted her chin towards Qirong, “See, peaceful and friendly. Did you learn?”

“Peaceful” and “friendly”.

Qirong nodded heavily.

Qin Ruqing’s gaze turned to the Foundation Establishment stage monster trapped in a formation.

Considering how much spiritual equipment Lin Yijun had wasted on formations in the small floating space, it’s clear that operating such high-level formations costs a fortune every second.

Moreover, many of the materials used for the formations are rare and expensive and can be reused.

These people hadn’t even had time to reclaim the formation, showing they were genuinely afraid of her.

“Am I really that scary?” she muttered quietly.

It’s hard for Qin Ruqing to just throw away such valuable things.

She looked around and signaled Qi Rong to dismantle the formation, “Just remove the two formation pieces in the southwest corner.”

Qi Rong followed her instructions but asked, “Won’t the monster come out once the formation pieces are removed?”

“That’s the point!” Qin Ruqing replied.

“A true warrior faces challenges head-on!” Qirong added with a dramatic touch.

Qin Ruqing, seeing Qirong’s puzzled look, chuckled with a hint of annoyance, “You’re confused again. I just want to test my skills against it.”

The Foundation Establishment monster was a wolf, reminding Qin Ruqing of the Green-eyed Wolf King she once encountered in the southern primeval forest.

After the formation dissipated, the wolf stood up slowly, its beastly eyes fixed on Qin Ruqing, its sharp teeth bared.

“Qirong, you stay out of this! I’ll handle it, and you take care of the others,” Qin Ruqing instructed, her fists blazing with flames as she charged directly at the monster.

This violent mage was back to close combat.

As she threw punch after punch, making solid contact, those watching from afar couldn’t help but wince.

“She’s a mage, isn’t she?” one of the confused participants asked.

“Well, maybe Qin Ruqing is skilled in both magic and physical combat?” another guessed.

Some were simply frustrated.

One participant gritted his teeth, “These top geniuses are so annoying. A mage fighting a Foundation Establishment monster in melee combat—where’s the fairness? What about us true physical cultivators? How can we compete?”

“Maybe it’s because of her family’s training,” someone suggested.

“Didn’t you see the special report on Qin Ruqing from Huicui Tower? She’s from the Southern Ridge. Even in the Southern Region, it’s just a small town. I heard her family was only at the entry level at the beginning.”

So, she really made it on her own.