C60 How Is This Possible? This Is Not Real!!

Zhang Xing's level hadn't risen, yet his mastery of magic had soared to new heights. It could be said that among those under twenty, none could match him. After breezing through the challenge of 432 Fire Lizards on the 27th floor, he chose not to press on. "Reaching this point should guarantee me a win of 100,000 gold coins," he thought to himself. With a thought, Zhang Xing exited the Skysplit Tower. "Why are there so many people out here?"

Simultaneously, a door shimmered with light, and Teddy emerged from the tower. His face was alight with excitement, having conquered the twenty-second floor and slain half the Fire Lizards on the twenty-third. His recent triumphs meant he could climb at least two spots in the rankings, and securing fifth place seemed well within reach. Zhang Xing, he was certain, wouldn't have made it past the 22nd floor.

"Zhang Xing, you're out too?" Teddy approached, brimming with pride.

"Yes," Zhang Xing responded nonchalantly, his gaze fixed on the dense crowd, his expression one of confusion. Teddy mistook it for the dejection of defeat.

"Don't lose heart over a failure. You're young, with plenty of opportunities ahead," Teddy chuckled. "But now's the time to pay up. Hand over the 100,000 gold coins, not one coin short!"

Their exchange was overheard by the nearby teachers and students, who couldn't help but give Teddy peculiar looks.

"Oh, I nearly forgot about that," Zhang Xing said, his face lighting up with excitement. He rubbed his hands together and added, "Senior Teddy, are you sure your head's on straight?"

"It's the loser who pays—that's the rule of the game. Right, everyone?" he laughed, the crowd joining in with their own chuckles.

Teddy's lips curled into a sneer, his voice dripping with condescension. As he saw the teachers and students around him sharing in the mockery, his smugness grew.

"Zhang Xing, are you really going to welch on a bet in front of all these witnesses? You're the one who set the stakes. Cough up the money, now!"

Zhang Xing shot back, "Take a good look behind you."

Teddy's gaze followed Zhang Xing's thumb to the Skysplit Tower looming behind them, and he was dumbstruck.

"No way!"

"It's a hoax!"

After a few seconds of shock, Teddy erupted.

"Come on, classmates, you've got to tell me those numbers on the tower are a joke, right?"

"Instructor Solina, this isn't happening, is it?"

"Instructor Tina, even if he's that skilled, he couldn't possibly pull this off. You're all in on this prank, aren't you?"

The students, witnessing Teddy's meltdown, quickly sidestepped him, offering no response.

Despite his frenzy, Teddy stopped short of physically accosting the instructors to demand answers.

From the expressions on the instructors' faces, he could discern a mix of sympathy, a touch of scorn, and even revulsion.

"No way, just no way..."

Teddy whispered to himself, unable to accept the reality before him. He cast his eyes once more towards the instructors and his peers.

Yet, the revelation he so desperately sought did not come. How he wished someone would assure him it was all a farce!