A bizarre and terrifying experience; I messed up the dungeon world.

The code name at the very top is still "Ying".

"Where did you get these?"

"Collected from different dungeons," Shen Mo said. "Some dungeons' hidden rewards aren't items, they're information."

At this moment, Zhao Qiang and Xiong Batian returned. Upon seeing Shen Mo standing next to Zhou Lang, Zhao Qiang noticeably slowed his pace.

"Who's this?" Zhao Qiang walked up to Zhou Lang and asked in a low voice.

"We just met," Zhou Lang said.

Xiong Batian stared directly at Shen Mo, sizing him up: "Which guild are you from?"

"No union. Go it alone."

"How could you have survived this long working alone?" Xiong Batian's tone held a hint of scrutiny.

"I was lucky." Shen Mo's answer was perfectly tactful.

Zhao Qiang pulled Zhou Lang aside: "Brother Lang, this guy's background is unknown. We just came out of the dungeon and he just walked up to us, what a coincidence!"

"His intelligence is accurate," Zhou Lang said.

"Intelligence does not equate to the trustworthiness of a person."

"I know. That's why we'll let him play first, and then we'll play ours. If he's up to something, we'll be able to tell."

Zhao Qiang was still worried, but Zhou Lang had already made his decision, so he couldn't say anything more.

Over the next few days, the five of them split up. Shen Mo was indeed quite capable—his understanding of dungeon structures was far deeper than most players', and he could extract crucial information from details that ordinary players overlooked. With his help, the outline of the X Guild gradually became clear.

This guild was once the strongest organization in the game, but it fell into obscurity after its founder, "Ying," left. Interestingly, there are no records of "Ying" dying or being eliminated—she left voluntarily, and was the only one to do so.

What's even more interesting is that she later came back, starting over with a new identity.

Han Yingying had a headache three times when she saw these materials.

The third time, she went back to her room alone. Zhou Lang noticed, but didn't follow. Some things are best left for the person involved to process.

That night, Han Yingying sat on her bed, clutching a token that had somehow appeared in her pocket. The token was black, with an "X" engraved on the front.

Memories flooded back like water bursting its banks.

She remembered. Almost everything.

Establish a guild. Recruit members. Clear dungeons one after another. Level up to the maximum. Find a way to leave. Leave. And then—

Then there was nothing.

She doesn't remember why she came back. She doesn't remember what happened in between. She doesn't remember who made her lose these memories.

The only certainty is that she founded the X Guild. Her identity in this game carries far more weight than the name "Han Yingying".

She sat there for a long time.

In the end, she put the token away and didn't go looking for Zhou Lang.

It wasn't that she didn't trust him. It was that she hadn't figured out the timing of these memories returning—it was too coincidental. So coincidental that it was unsettling.

The next morning, a new notice appeared on the bulletin board in the transit hall.

[Special Announcement: Given that players "浪里个浪" and "韩莹莹" both achieved the highest rating in consecutive dungeons, the system has exceptionally granted them qualification for the Guild Tournament preliminary round, allowing them to directly participate in the next Guild Tournament.]

Zhao Qiang was the first to see the announcement, and when he ran back to report the news, his legs were practically shaking: "Brother Lang! You and Han Yingying can directly participate in the guild competition!"

"A guild competition?" Zhou Lang asked, munching on a compressed biscuit. "What's that?"

Shen Mo, who happened to be nearby, explained, "The Guild Tournament is the only way to access the SSS-level dungeon. Guilds that make it to the finals automatically gain the right to open the SSS-level dungeon. It's only held once a year, and there are very few spots available."

"How do you know so much?" Xiong Batian asked.

"Because I also qualify for the competition," Shen Mo said. "I got it six months ago, but I haven't used it."

"Waited for half a year?" Zhao Qiang found it unbelievable.

"If there's no suitable team, going there will only be suicide."

Zhou Lang swallowed the biscuit and asked the crucial question: "How many people are needed for the guild competition?"

"A minimum of five people. Each union will participate as a unit."

Five people. Zhou Lang counted—himself, Han Yingying, Zhao Qiang, Xiong Batian, and Shen Mo. Exactly five.

But here is the problem.

"Zhao Qiang, Xiong Batian, and Su Ming—" Shen Mo looked at a female player who was calibrating a weapon not far away, "The three of you are not qualified. According to the rules, you need to complete at least three SS-level dungeons to participate in the guild competition."

The female player named Su Ming walked over. She was someone Shen Mo had brought over a few days ago. She didn't talk much, was efficient, and had a calm look in her eyes. Zhou Lang's first impression of her was that she was "usable," and his second impression was that she "wouldn't cause any trouble."

"I've completed an SS-rank once," Su Ming said. "I still need two more."

"I haven't done it even once." Zhao Qiang's voice weakened.

Xiong Batian coughed and said, "Me too, it's my first time."

In other words, Zhao Qiang needs three attempts, while Xiong Batian and Su Ming each need two. The registration deadline for the guild competition is in twenty days, which isn't much time.

"Then let's go brush it up," Zhou Lang said. "Han Yingying and I—"

Before he could finish speaking, a system notification popped up in front of him.

[Note: Player "浪里个浪" has qualified for the guild tournament preliminary rounds and is prohibited from participating in any SS-rank or higher dungeons until the tournament concludes.]

The same prompt appeared in front of Han Yingying.

Zhou Lang stared at the line of text for three seconds, then looked up and exchanged a glance with Han Yingying.

There was something new in both of their eyes.

The rules stopped them. Especially when they needed to help their teammates. This didn't seem like a coincidence; it seemed like someone—or something—was deliberately separating them from their teammates.

"There's something wrong with these rules," Han Yingying said.

"The rules have always been flawed," Zhou Lang said, leaning against the wall. "But this time it's even more obvious."

Shen Mo glanced at him but said nothing. He then took a slip of paper from his pocket, on which was written: "Rules are not static, nor are the things that set the rules."

"When did you write it?" Zhou Lang asked.

"Six months ago." Shen Mo put the note away.

Zhou Lang didn't press the matter. Everyone has their own secrets; he was no exception, Han Yingying was no exception, and this person named Shen Mo was no exception either.

Since he and Han Yingying couldn't go, Zhao Qiang and the others would have to go on their own.

"The three of you go together." Zhou Lang called Zhao Qiang, Xiong Batian, and Su Ming together. "SS-level dungeons are dangerous, but you're not newbies anymore."

"Brother Lang, are you serious?" Zhao Qiang's legs were trembling.

"It's normal for you to be shaking now; you won't have time to shake once you're inside."

Xiong Batian pounded his chest: "Don't worry, I'll take care of him."

Su Ming nodded in response.

Zhou Lang rummaged through his inventory, pulled out a dagger and a glowing orb, and tossed them to Zhao Qiang: "The dagger is a reward from the last dungeon, and the orb can illuminate a ten-meter radius in the dark. Don't waste it."