A Man's Insanity: A Changing World

"Sigh, we managed to save you!" Jun Haru said. The one he was talking to was Si Yu.

All seven of them were injured. Even though they managed to kill their enemies, Si Yu was poisoned during the fight. However, they hurriedly took him to the healing cultivators of the Mantora Mountain and he was saved.

They were left stranded in the forest of the Mantora Mountain and had to get to the targeted area indicated by the clan. They were allowed to get their injured teammates to the healing cultivators—for healing—who were present across the forest.

They healed Si Yu without even asking the cause.

After that, they continued their journey.

This forest of the Mantora Mountain was quite dense with trees, and right now, there was a dense fog for some reason. This was the reason it was getting quite difficult for them to reach their destination.

On top of that, there were many obstacles to deal with.

…..

They were moving closer and closer to their destination with every passing minute.

"Stop, you cannot pass this area." A voice stopped them.

"Who are you?" Jun Haru asked.

"I am the guardian of this area. I am told to protect this area at all costs. Return before I am forced to separate you guys." The voice replied.

"But, we need to cross this area in order to reach our destination."

"No, you can find another way."

"But, we are in the competition that is being held on the Mantora Mountain."

"Still, no,"

"At least, show us your face."

"I cannot do that either."

Jun Haru urged the voice.

"Anyway, why must we listen to you? It could also be possible that you're a competitor trying to stop us from going any further." Jun Haru smirked.

"How about this, give me one of you and I will let you pass?" The voice asked with a smile.

"Now, that's impossible, we cannot do that."

"Then, you cannot pass."

Both parties went silent.

"What should we do, Jun?" Lei Feng asked.

"Well… we cannot leave anyone here. All of us know what matters here. We just need to think of another way, just follow my lead." It seemed like Jun Haru had a plan.

"No, we cannot listen to you, we are going to pass through if you do not show up." With this, Jun Haru started walking.

The others looked at each other, and then started following Jun Haru.

They had just taken a few steps forward when a figure emerged in front of them.

He was wearing a cloak to completely cover his body.

Jun Haru and the others were alerted. They took a few steps back.

"I told you to stop!" The figure said in a strict tone.

All of them could feel that the figure was very strong.

"How about you leave behind one of you and then you can pass…" the figure said the same.

Jun Haru and the others just stared.

"No, we cannot as I just replied."

"Then you must go back or find another way."

"Fine, we will find another way."

"I am sorry to say this but you cannot do so. The reason is that this whole straight area is protected by me, so in order to pass, you will have to leave one of you behind."

"What the… then why did you tell us to find another way?"

"Because I wanted to play around with you guys, eheh." The figure said with a grin.

Jun Haru and the others were stunned. What was happening here?

"So, make your choice: leave one behind or leave this forest."

"Well, if that's the case, we are leaving. No one among us will remain behind." After saying this, Jun Haru turned around.

He started walking. Soon after, the others also turned around and followed closely.

They had already understood the workings of the competition being held on the Mantora Mountain.

Even though I don't know how, it's working. I am afraid if I decide to leave anyone behind, I will end up losing: Jun Haru thought.

As such, they left.

However, no response came. They tried to look around in order to find another way, but the figure was right, they found him everywhere they went.

Having no choice left, they left the forest.

The round continued, many managed to reach their destination and many failed, along with many dying.

However, something unexpected happened.

"This round was the final round of this competition. Even though many of you were impressive, and many even deserved to win this competition, only one group won. That group is the one that was being led by a kid named Jun Haru."

"What?!" Everyone was left shocked.

"What is happening here?!"

"Weren't they eliminated from the competition?!"

They were flabbergasted as to what was happening here.

"But, how?"

"I thought we were eliminated this time for sure!"

Even Jun Haru and his group were astonished.

"Can we at least ask why they won and why weren't we informed that this is the final round?"

"Simple, this wasn't a competition, but observation. Even if you do say this was a competition, the contents were to observe how much trust you had in your companions, along with seeing if you valued them…"

"In this world, nobody can be trusted as everyone is after something. Finding a true friend is almost impossible. The last test was to see if you would value winning more than your companions or the other way around."

A man, who had a cloak covering his entire body, spoke.

"But, there were a few who didn't leave behind anyone, and directly abandoned the competition, just like we did!" Someone from among the crowd shouted.

"That's why I said many deserved to win… but only one won. The reason was that they didn't even hesitate. As for the others, they all hesitated!" Was the reply and thought: Not to mention that their number was higher than the others. If all seven trusted each other so much, they definitely deserved to win.

This venue was filled with people. At the front stood a person who had his body concealed with a cloak.

"Jun, now even I am curious to see the one you always speak about! I didn't think we would win just like that" Lei Feng said slowly, shocked.

The one he was speaking to was also shocked, even though that person had known Yang Zhai for more than a year and a half already. Jun Haru was left flabbergasted.

!|!*****!*****!|!