Chapter 332 - A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga

**Chapter 332** "Should we tell the teachers about this?" Zhou Renjie asked. Internally, he actually wanted to know who would undertake this mission, but he figured it would seem too self-serving to ask directly. After all, they'd surely discuss it; better to start with something else first. Before anyone could respond, Ai Baozhu interjected, "Of course not. They can't even handle such an important task without failing. If we tell them in advance, who knows what accidents might occur?" Upon learning of the Tri-Academy Base's plan failure, Ai Baozhu lost faith in them. Given that Mu Tieren's research had likely succeeded, they had a rare chance to clear the meteorites, yet the Tri-Academy Base failed to seize it. Her reaction was understandable. Si Zhaohua nodded in agreement. His reasoning differed, however; he believed that if the Tri-Academy Base failed in a previous timeline, there might be internal issues. Rather than risk this, it was better to entrust the mission to reliable classmates. After all, they brought the equipment back, their class conducted the research; completing the mission themselves made perfect sense. The group quickly accepted his viewpoint. They were never ones to strictly follow the rules; given the base's impending failure, they naturally wanted to seize control of their future. Having made a decision, they faced the crucial issue at hand. After a moment of silence, Su Bei spoke first: "There are six barrier stones in total. Who's going to handle them?" "Six?" They were all stunned. It wasn't a secret that there were only five barrier stones. Anyone in the superpower community, if they cared to investigate, could find out. Jiang Tianming and the others had studied this and knew of the five publicly acknowledged stones. Hearing Su Bei mention a sixth stone surprised everyone. Yet none doubted Su Bei's information; his intel was famously accurate within the class. Qi Huang suddenly realized something and chuckled bitterly, "We don't even know where the other five stones are, let alone a sixth. It's possible the base leaders know, but we agreed to act without informing them, right? It's not like we can just get the barrier stone locations from them." "Feng Lan, in your foresight, did you see which places they went to?" Su Bei asked Feng Lan with curiosity. Feng Lan gave him a peculiar look before shaking his head, "My foresight isn't that precise. Besides, in my vision, they only went to five places. Do you not know where those places are?" "My foresight isn't specific either," Su Bei chuckled, shaking his head, and casually produced five teleportation talismans. "I do have teleportation talismans for five barrier stones. As for the sixth, I just have a feeling it might exist." At this point, Su Bei felt uncertain despite his assertion of there being a sixth meteorite, as it was purely speculative without tangible evidence. Even though he identified six people capable of completing the task, those conjectured included himself. Whether the author would assign him a plotline was beyond Su Bei's knowledge. However, he wasn't overly concerned. Even if he guessed wrong, it wouldn't matter. If there were only five major meteorites, the problem would be resolved, which would only benefit him. As for any inaccuracies, well, he'd achieved his goal already—why worry about audience perception? "When did you acquire those five teleportation talismans?" Zhou Renjie inquired, a mix of curiosity and suspicion in his voice. Su Bei replied lazily, "After I realized you all would need them." As he spoke, he glanced casually at a notebook and unexpectedly raised his eyebrows: "Ah, looks like the sixth barrier stone has been found." Surprisingly efficient, perhaps the author was orchestrating behind the scenes. Regardless, Su Bei truly located the position of the sixth barrier stone. It was near one of the existing stones, having gone undetected due to their similar aura. However, the Nightmare Beasts seemed aware, their protective range encompassing this sixth stone. Upon receiving this information, Su Bei immediately grasped the situation. Even without providing this intelligence, someone reaching this area would inevitably discover the sixth barrier stone by chance. With this understanding, he produced a talisman for transportation there: "Let's have two people take on this location." Notably, the Tri-Academy Base had a superpower adept at [Mirror Duplication] capable of replicating machinery. They would each take a device, complete their respective tasks, and together eliminate the stones. This plan was their foundation; only by surprising the Nightmare Beasts could they succeed. Attempting to complete the mission individually was impossible—it had to be simultaneous. Otherwise, if the Nightmare Beasts reacted, hid the stones, or bolstered their defenses, destruction would become arduous. Seeing Su Bei casually produce another teleportation talisman filled the others with immense respect. Su Bei was truly remarkable, akin to a treasure chest, full of endless information and task-related items. Having such a resourceful teammate was a blessing. With all six barrier stones located, the next step involved selecting the task participants. Su Bei handed five teleportation talismans to Jiang Tianming, keeping one for himself: "I've given you the tools, but you decide who to send. I want a spot—call me when we act." As the group pondered his renewed enthusiasm—providing mission tools and personally joining the task—Ling You's eyes flickered with realization, recalling Su Bei's earlier pursuit of immortality. Was this what he meant? "By the way, Su Bei," Jiang Tianming called before he left, advising, "Try not to go out and hunt Nightmare Beasts for the next few days." Su Bei gestured a casual "OK," then exited the room with Feng Lan. "Do you think... we can change the future?" Feng Lan, always at Su Bei's side, finally broke his silence in Su Bei's room. Previously indifferent to post-vision consequences, the idea of thwarting fate had never intrigued him. Regardless of their success in altering the future, it was all irrelevant to Feng Lan. As an observer, he maintained detachment. But this time was different—humanity's survival and the centuries-long war hung in the balance. Even someone as detached as him felt a ripple of unease. "We will succeed for sure," Su Bei responded without hesitation. After all, within this comic book world, when have protagonists ever failed at saving the world? The profoundness of his statement made Su Bei laugh abruptly, "Doesn't sound like me, does it?" Feng Lan nodded straightforwardly, no hints of tact: "Yes, very certain. It seems truly assured, yet also like you're comforting yourself." Indeed, while inwardly confident that the authors would ensure the protagonists' triumph, Su Bei's spontaneous declaration hinted at underlying doubts otherwise unexpressed. In the following days, Jiang Tianming's side was busy. He first claimed collective injury, excusing the task participants from battle. As assumed, their chosen candidates matched Su Bei's earlier speculation—Su Bei, Jiang Tianming, Lan Subing, Wu Mingbai, Si Zhaohua, and Qi Huang. Those not selected continued their roles. While they couldn't singlehandedly secure victory, their contributions still held significant worth. Next, Jiang Tianming approached Mu Tieren, explaining the situation. He needed Mu Tieren's cooperation in withholding news about his successful research from the leaders and secretly handing over their replicated innovations. Knowing his success from future insight increased Mu Tieren's efficiency substantially. Previously cautious of breaking the machinery—his first independent project—he now moved boldly, decisively on the right track each step. Within merely five days, Mu Tieren completed his research ahead of schedule, obtaining the Reverse Converter. "What do you need from us?" Back in the familiar conference room with the same attendees, Jiang Tianming was the orchestrator this time. Calmly, Jiang Tianming conveyed Feng Lan's foresight results to the leaders and declared their intent: "We want to transform the meteorites ourselves—it’s the most straightforward approach." "No, I won't agree to this." The leader immediately refused. "We appreciate the intelligence you've provided. Once the Nightmare Realm Gate is unlocked, we can source a team from outside, also undetected by the Nightmare Beasts. This loophole can be patched; there's no need for you to take the risk." Beside him, Jiang Yan nodded in agreement, earnestly advising, "You're still students; you shouldn't rush into danger. Compared to seasoned superpower users in terms of experience and abilities, you still fall short..." Jiang Yan couldn't possibly agree to let these students carry out such a critical task. The transformation of the barrier stones was far too significant, and it required the expertise and strength of seasoned superpower users. Furthermore, such dangerous missions were not meant for students; were they supposed to believe that the adults were incapable? However, before she could finish her objections, Jiang Tianming interrupted, "We've already set off." "What?" Both adults in the meeting room were bewildered, momentarily unable to grasp what he meant. They were still present, weren't they? How could they have set off already? The next moment, they watched as the figures of Su Bei and the others gradually faded from their seats. It was only then they realized the figures they had been conversing with were mere illusions! The real Jiang Tianming and his team had already embarked on their mission to transform the barrier stones! While Li Shu was left explaining the situation, Su Bei and the others had already used their tools to teleport close to the barrier stones. The teleportation talismans they used were random in their landing spots, assured only to be near the stones. To prevent any immediate danger, such as being teleported right in front of a Nightmare Beast, Su Bei generously provided each team member with an invisibility talisman. As long as they could approach the barrier stones while invisible, use the converter to encapsulate them, and then use Lei Ze'en's teleportation balls to return, the mission could be perfectly executed. Each person received only one invisibility talisman to control the mission's timing. They relied on a narrow window; everyone needed to execute their task almost simultaneously. High-level Nightmare Beasts shared vision, so if one person completed their task first, the other beasts would respond almost instantly and guard the barrier stones closely. Thus, with just one teleportation talisman, everyone had to complete their mission within nine minutes before returning together. Additional talismans would only amplify risks and potentially endanger everyone. Su Bei teamed up with Jiang Tianming to go to the location with two barrier stones. It was expected that if Su Bei had not intervened, Jiang Tianming might have uncovered the final stone anyway. Yet Su Bei couldn't just rely on Jiang Tianming's protagonist aura; what if the author planned a storyline twist here? He had to ensure he fulfilled his own plot arc; failure was not an option when his ultimate goal was at stake. "Are we all here?" Jiang Tianming whispered softly as they activated their invisibility. Everyone checked in via mobile phones, showing their surroundings through their screens. Su Bei had mandated this; he required everyone to initiate video calls, directing the lens at themselves. This allowed him to monitor their fate compasses, ensuring no anomalies occurred. With certainty, Su Bei felt reassured. Their fate compasses were stable, the main needle pointing upward, the smaller one slightly left, suggesting no hurdles in completing their tasks. The area they arrived at appeared initially unremarkable, a simple stone forest. But a slight mental scan revealed anomalies. Su Bei frowned: "This stone forest is alive." Indeed, a living stone forest. He could even perceive its heavy breaths, an outward manifestation of a Nightmare Beast. The barrier stones were known to resemble two-meter-tall black stones, indistinguishable among the forest of similar stones. Upon hearing Su Bei mention the living nature of the stone forest, Jiang Tianming quickly deduced, "Both barrier stones can't be within the stone forest." Living stone forests implied they housed Nightmare Beasts. Defeating them would naturally expose the stones. Furthermore, two stones in one location would negate the reason for hiding two stones together. "I'll take the obvious one; you find the hidden one," Su Bei agreed, subtly adjusting Jiang Tianming's luck to its peak to assist in locating the concealed stone. Jiang Tianming hesitated: "But my luck is usually bad." In fact, it wasn't just bad; it was notorious. Even Jiang Tianming, as a comic character, knew his luck was abysmal. Each mission invariably carried unforeseen consequences due to it. Jiang Tianming recognized this weakness courtesy of Su Bei's initial observation, opening his eyes to his streak of ill fortune. "Is my luck any better?" Su Bei nonchalantly responded, "I've improved your luck. You'll definitely find it." Locating the hidden stone would undoubtedly require a protagonist's touch, something unattainable for an expendable character like himself. Unable to outright mention Jiang Tianming's protagonist aura, Su Bei played the luck card. Hearing this, Jiang Tianming felt reassured. Without further analysis on why Su Bei wasn't seeking the hidden stone, he ventured off, phone in hand. Su Bei, meanwhile, watched the fate compass above the Nightmare Beast's head, contemplating his moment to strike. His fate powers were unparalleled; with a simple adjustment of the needle, the forest beast would fall. There was no hurry for Su Bei. Awaiting the nine-minute mark to eradicate the beast and transform the barrier stone was all it took. Other lesser Nightmare Beasts populated the vicinity, but the stone forest beast was the strongest. With swift enough action, Su Bei could bypass these minor creatures entirely. The group's pact was to commence once everyone had located their stone, and among the six, Jiang Tianming's initial task was the most challenging. Uncertain of the stone's whereabouts, his only clue was its absence in the forest's center. Or could it be? The realization struck Jiang Tianming, urging, "Can you see if there's a sixth barrier stone beneath the stone forest?" Though Wu Mingbai couldn't manipulate earth elements through screens, a swift scan was feasible. Unfortunately, Wu Mingbai initially couldn't see beyond the obstruction posed by the stone forest beast, requiring its defeat before seeing below. To bet or not? That was the question. Winning would bring universal closure—others would convert five stones, and Jiang Tianming could then address the sixth. But losing meant alerting the beasts without uncovering the sixth stone. The Nightmare Beasts could arrive at the battlefield within minutes, complicating matters. "Is my luck really that good now?" Jiang Tianming texted in their group chat to Su Bei, unsure due to his invisibility of Su Bei's location. [Su Bei: Yep, go with your gut.] Resolved, Jiang Tianming instructed them to initiate the assault on the beasts. Once Su Bei defeated the stone forest beast, he planned to unearth the elusive sixth stone. Under his lead, the team mobilized swiftly. They'd prepared during their invisibility, setting up positions, and commenced combat with a strong advantage. Yet none could match Su Bei's swiftness. With a mere adjustment of his fate compass, combined with an instant skill, the stone forest beast fell in under five seconds. Preserving energy, since Jiang Tianming needed space to seek the sixth stone, Su Bei eliminated not just the forest beast but two nearby advanced beasts in one go. A shattering cacophony enveloped the scene as the stone columns collapsed, save for one central black pillar—undoubtedly their target. As Su Bei approached the barrier stone, Jiang Tianming, already in touch with Wu Mingbai, urged him to inspect beneath the battlefield for the sixth stone. Advanced Nightmare Beasts were child's play for Wu Mingbai, capable of swiftly locating the desired object: "An eastern corner of the forest, beneath the piles of rubble." Su Bei, not hastening the meteorite's conversion, joined in the excavation. Wu Mingbai was accurate; within five meters, they unearthed the sixth barrier stone. "Great, now we've found all six stones!" Even Jiang Tianming, usually composed, couldn't help but show a hint of joy. Now, they just needed to wait for the others to secure their respective stones, and they could act in unison. The reason for the coordinated action was Jiang Tianming's suspicion that these meteorites might have traps, such as activating a defense mechanism when one is destroyed, or immediately summoning Nightmare Beasts upon their destruction. Out of caution, it was best to carry out a synchronized operation. No one faltered; each swiftly approached their target. Aside from Su Bei, who dealt with eliminating the Nightmare Beasts, the others only aimed to get close to the stones, a task far less demanding. They employed tactics like diverting attention, luring away forces, and creating distractions—each employing their own clever strategies to successfully reach the stones. With the second phase of the mission completed, Jiang Tianming gave the order. Everyone restrained their excitement and took out their devices. Upon contact with the stones, the machines automatically began absorption and conversion. But mere seconds later, a mechanical voice echoed through the area: "Insufficient earth element concentration. Conversion cannot be completed. Please increase the earth element content in your devices immediately." Everyone's excited expressions froze. Insufficient element concentration? Conversion impossible? What now? The only one who could increase the earth element concentration was Wu Mingbai, but he couldn't be everywhere at once to "refuel" each device. Meanwhile, countless Nightmare Beasts closed in from all directions at incredible speed. If they couldn't solve the problem immediately, their only option would be to evacuate quickly. The converters couldn't teleport twice consecutively, meaning they couldn't even bring the stones back with them. What should they do now?