PTYS Chapter 104

Xiao Muyu nodded, then frowned slightly. “If it’s a 49×49 grid, that means there are at least 2,401 rooms, forming countless pathways.

Each room averages three meters, with corridors totaling four meters. While the horizontal and vertical lengths are only about two hundred meters, crossing them would cover tens of kilometers. If we wander aimlessly, we won’t make it in twenty minutes.”

Shen Qingqiu nodded. “So we must choose purposefully. Although I was rash earlier, I unintentionally discovered that if we encounter a blank marker, we can either go straight or turn around. As long as we follow the rules next time, we won’t trigger any traps. In other words, we can navigate towards our desired destination.”

Xiao Muyu was stunned for a moment, then chuckled, “I was so confused; I missed such a crucial point. I thought it was because I was thrown out without direction, so I could choose any path.”

Thinking carefully, they had been moving back and forth in the corridors, changing their direction of travel.

“We can’t waste any more time. Let’s go.”

But Xiao Muyu stopped, then explained to Shen Qingqiu how she had changed her polarity after passing through the room.

Shen Qingqiu was stunned, then her expression darkened. “So, if we walk together, we’ll trigger a trap?”

Xiao Muyu nodded, slightly helpless. She lowered her voice, almost coaxing Shen Qingqiu. “We’ll be fine if we walk separately. I’ll first determine a point, and then we can head there together. We won’t be separated. Okay?”

Shen Qingqiu didn’t speak, her expression still gloomy.

Xiao Muyu, being patient, continued, “No matter how strong you are, you’re still human. We can’t predict what might happen next. We can’t waste your energy on this.

Moreover, you’re injured. Before, I didn’t know, so I had to let you do as you please. But now that I’m here, you mustn’t disregard your own safety.”

Xiao Muyu’s words hit home, making Shen Qingqiu’s mood lighten up.

Shen Qingqiu compromised, revealing a slightly helpless yet obedient expression. “With what you’ve said, from a logical standpoint and from an emotional one, I have no choice but to agree.”

Xiao Muyu’s face reddened slightly, turning away as she responded casually, “How is it from an emotional standpoint?”

“You care about me, and you worry about me. I can’t let you worry, so I have to agree.” Shen Qingqiu’s tone was confident, not caring about the other’s embarrassment.

“Alright, time’s short. Let’s get going.”

Xiao Muyu was truly overwhelmed by Shen Qingqiu’s straightforwardness.

“Where should we go?” Shen Qingqiu quickly caught up.

“The room we found is at left 19, forward 14. Do you remember the two girls who were killed? They weren’t far from the starting point, but they met trouble. I suspect someone altered their polarity.” This explained why they made mistakes.

Shen Qingqiu’s eyes brightened, and she quickly recalled the scene. “At that time, I turned left and triggered a trap. And their direction was…”

“They were two intersections away from us, meaning from the starting point, they were left 10, forward 5, while we were left 8, forward 5.” Xiao Muyu quickly recalled and accurately stated their positions.

“You’re still so smart. My slight advantage pales in comparison to you.”

Shen Qingqiu’s eyes were filled with warmth, her words sincere and slightly proud.

Xiao Muyu, not knowing how to respond to such praise, awkwardly said, “Don’t look at me like a mother looking at her child. You’re already amazing, remembering directions despite all the distractions.”

“You really don’t understand romance. I’m being affectionate and proud, but you say I’m like a mother. Is that appropriate?” Shen Qingqiu spread her hands, glancing at her.

Xiao Muyu couldn’t help but laugh, but seeing Shen Qingqiu looking at her, she pressed her lips together, trying to appear serious.

“Alright, alright, since you complimented me too, I won’t argue. We need to hurry.” She glanced at the intersection ahead, feeling a bit melancholic. “I just said I wouldn’t let go of you, and now we have to separate again.”

Xiao Muyu shook her head. “This is different. I know you’re fine, and you know I’m fine. There’s no need to worry.”

Xiao Muyu looked up at the crossroads and felt a bit lost. “I’m still not sure how to get out, but if we consider ourselves particles in a magnetic field, we need to know our trajectory to escape. I remember a physics problem where, if the conditions were right, particles entering a magnetic field could exit it again.”

“But this magnetic field is too complex. The directions vary in different areas, and some parts are missing. Calculating the exact trajectory seems impossible.”

Shen Qingqiu felt distressed, realizing the difficulty of this challenge. She looked at Xiao Muyu, worried about how she would survive the subsequent levels. How could she protect Xiao Muyu and ensure she left this dangerous place safely?

“Don’t worry, everything will work out,” Xiao Muyu reassured. “I don’t believe the fourth level can trap me. Room 409, a 49-room arrangement, positioned at 19 and 14. If the two girls appeared at 10 and 5, they likely went through a nearby room, probably at 9 and 4.”

Shen Qingqiu was surprised. “So you think there’s a loop at positions with 9 and 4?”

“It’s just a guess, so we need to head to 29, 24, or 24, 29.” Xiao Muyu had a clear target, and they had no other options.

To avoid triggering traps by walking together, they chose to go in opposite directions. Xiao Muyu turned left at the first intersection while Shen Qingqiu went straight, gradually separating.

They stayed in contact through the group chat, confirming they could still communicate despite the distance.

Xiao Muyu followed Shen Qingqiu’s advice, adjusting her route in the corridors to control her path. Despite their different polarities, their general direction was correct.

When Xiao Muyu reached left 28, forward 16, she received several urgent messages from Chen Kaijie.

“Xiao Team, Xiao Team…” Chen Kaijie’s anxious voice came through.

“Chen Kaijie, how are you? Where are Su Jin and Xiao Zuo?”

Chen Kaijie almost cried. He took a deep breath and choked out, “We got separated. I’m with a teacher from Class Seven. We found a loop and got dragged into a room. When we came out, they were gone. I don’t know where they are.”

Chen Kaijie was on the verge of breaking down. They had narrowly escaped death several times. Along with Su Jin and Zuo Tiantian, they encountered many students, most of whom panicked and ran, activating several doors and releasing monsters, forcing the trio to flee constantly.

Most of their cards were useless. Only Chen Kaijie’s non-lethal frying pan and Zuo Tiantian’s wall-building card were helpful. The latter’s ability to build walls every thirty seconds saved them multiple times.

“Chen Kaijie, can you remember how you got to your current position after leaving that room? How many intersections did you pass?”

Chen Kaijie tried to recall. “I can’t remember exactly. I could only go one way at first, like there was a boundary. If that’s the reference, I walked right about 13 or 14 times, then straight for over twenty intersections. I also saw Ms. Shen’s cloud markers several times.”

Xiao Muyu guessed that different areas were separated by barriers, explaining why they couldn’t contact Zuo Tiantian and Su Jin. But since she and Shen Qingqiu split, and she was transported to the far left, they could now communicate.

If divided into four zones, with 49×49 rooms and 25 as the boundary, Chen Kaijie had crossed this boundary into their area, indicated by the cloud markers.

“Chen Kaijie, head toward position 24. I’ll come to you. Qingqiu, where are you?”

“Left 30, forward 25. I can’t see Chen Kaijie.”

“He must be at position 24.”

Xiao Muyu moved through three more intersections, reaching left 30, forward 24. She saw two people, Chen Kaijie and the teacher, and ahead was Shen Qingqiu.

Chen Kaijie spotted her, shouting, “Xiao Team, where’s Ms. Shen?”

“She’s in the next row. Move toward us. Muyu, stay put.” Shen Qingqiu instructed Xiao Muyu to prevent looping.

Shen Qingqiu adjusted her route and reached Xiao Muyu. Chen Kaijie brought the teacher over.

Both Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu were stunned to see the middle-aged man with half his hair missing. They exchanged glances. “Physics teacher?”

His glasses were broken, and he looked teary-eyed. “Xiao Muyu, Shen Qingqiu, you’re alive. Thank goodness.”

He held a physics exam prep book tightly, looking comical. “Teacher, what’s that?” Xiao Muyu pointed at the book. The teacher, embarrassed and scared, stammered, “I was solving a physics problem when I was pulled here. I was calculating a magnetic field problem, then got thrown in here. Now I need to find a way out. It’s terrifying.”

Shen Qingqiu extended her hand. “What problem? Can I see it?”

The teacher opened the dirty book, mumbling, “Is this karma for setting tough questions? I just picked some problems for you. I was working on a magnetic field question, and now I’m stuck in one. It’s a nightmare.”

Shen Qingqiu and Xiao Muyu saw the physics problem, partially obscured by blood. The question was clear: Under what conditions can a particle enter and exit a mixed magnetic field?

The system voice suddenly spoke, freezing the teacher.

“Warning: Players have not activated the quiz materials. Magnetic field cutting will commence in three minutes.”

Their hearts pounded. What did that mean?

Xiao Muyu glanced at the question—number 24—and the page number—29.

Author’s Note:

This chapter feels off. I’ll revise it when I have time.