Rules-related weird stories: 4016.

I've been preparing for Chapter 660 for a long time.

[The Astrologer's brushstrokes...] The "High-Ranking Alien Angel" murmured, then suddenly erupted in fury, [...You dare use it?! Get down here!]

The distorted star patterns around the stone bridge vanished in an instant. An indescribable, vast power bound Kuai Hongji, dragging him violently off the star map and slamming him heavily onto the stone bridge.

Immediately afterwards, fleshy tendrils, like spears, pierced through the mist, giving him no chance to resist, and pinned him to the stone bridge.

You think... you have a chance to borrow the power of the stars in front of us?!

The fleshy tendrils wriggled, binding Kuai Hongji into a cocoon-like cage, and slowly lifted him up.

I know your capabilities... I won't let you imprint the stars on me, nor will I tear your body apart to give you a chance to escape...

I will bind you like this, devouring and absorbing every bit of you. I will digest all of you and possess everything you have...

【Ha ha ha ha……】

[For countless years... I've finally... I've finally caught you! Even if—only a part of you!!!]

The "high-ranking alien angel" laughed wildly, the two mountain ranges trembled with a "whoosh whoosh" sound, and countless fleshy limbs seemed to be grinning with their little mouths open as well.

It slowly gnawed at Kuai Hongji's body, completely unaware that the old kerosene lamp that Kuai Hongji had placed on the stone bridge was rolling relentlessly across the twisted bridge towards the art building's lobby...

In fact, it wouldn't even notice a lamp, especially on this bridge surface where many candle-like lights are burning.

As Kuai Hongji's power was continuously absorbed by the "High-Rank Alien Angel," his body began to show a pale white color that did not belong to humans, resembling an old plaster sculpture.

Gradually, one mysterious rune after another began to appear around his body. These runes were as intricate as the stars on a summer night and the surface of a lake rippled by a gentle breeze, yet they made the "High-Rank Alien Angel" chuckle.

[The secret runes of the stars! Excellent! Excellent!!]

I never imagined I could squeeze money out of you in this way!

"Hand it over... then hand it all over!"

Consider this interest on your debt!

More and more secret patterns flew out from Kuai Hongji's body, and he himself was constantly shaking off countless powdery fragments, like aging plaster on a wall...

Finally, amidst the laughter of the "High-Ranking Alien Angel," his body quietly disintegrated, turning into stones that fell heavily onto the bridge...

"Tap, tap, tap, tap..."

Amidst the intricate patterns, four stone spheres fell onto the bridge surface.

【? 】

The "High-Rank Alien Angel" vaguely sensed something was wrong, but couldn't quite put her finger on it.

At the same time, the remaining secret patterns continued to connect with each other, forming a strange matrix like a woven net.

The instant the matrix took shape, a bolt of lightning suddenly ripped through the dark sky, accompanied by a deafening roar, and the entire world turned a ghastly white.

Then, a jet-black beam of light suddenly shot out from the other side of the cliff, as if deliberately guided, and struck the "High-Rank Alien Angel" precisely!

【This…'Netherworld Illumination'?!】

The "High-Rank Alien Angel" roared in terrified fury. Its massive, mountain-like form trembled as if struck by an ancient pine tree. Countless limbs on its body trembled violently, while those limbs closest to the secret runes were all burned to ashes by the black beam of light!

It angrily looked at the source of the beam of light—"Night Watchman-03" on the cliff edge—but couldn't understand what was going on at all!

It looked toward Kuai Hongji on the stone bridge, but Kuai Hongji was nowhere to be found. In the midst of the raging wind and rain, on the battered surface of the stone bridge, only four feathered eyes endured the wind and rain, swaying and rolling.

The water curtain flowed over Yu Tong's surface, as if silently mocking him.

These four feathered eyes were clearly the essence of the four grinning angels that Kuai Hongji had casually slaughtered near the teaching building.

Yin should not do useless work.

He has now made the most of these four feathered pupils.

[Feathered Eyes...? A cicada shedding its shell?]

【Damn it...damn it!!】

In just one night, the "High-Rank Alien Angel" was attacked once by the combined attack of the quantum giant clock "Sanctuary" and the ancient lamp "Netherworld Illumination" when Lin Yi's will leaped. Now, it was summoned by Kuai Hongji's matrix to receive a black light from "Netherworld Illumination". After being thwarted twice, it was so angry that it was powerless and furious once more. Then, it slunk away and disappeared into the layers.

The closer it gets to reality, the weaker its power becomes. In such places, it is still very wary of the power of the "Night Watchers," unlike the "Starry Night" layer, where Lin Yi can recklessly infiltrate Tian Bufan's will.

……

Art building, cliff.

"Night Watchman-03" glanced at the ancient lamp "Mingzhao" in his hand with a puzzled look, then looked at the stone bridge.

"How could... a beam of light suddenly slash past?"

He reached out and touched the ancient lamp, "Mingzhao".

"No power loss...?"

The already strange phenomenon now seemed even stranger...

……

May 12, X023, 1:02 AM, Art Building, beside the stone bridge archway.

The old kerosene lamp rolled off the stone bridge with a "clatter," and Kuai Hongji's figure slowly emerged from the dark gray mist.

If you look closely, you'll see that his palm never left the old kerosene lamp.

Those four feathered pupils not only became substitutes for the aura attached to him, but he also engraved them into a lightning-attracting matrix to treat the "high-level alien angel" to a barbecue.

"A mere trick, barely enough to torment Old Lin in his idiotic state... You think you can deal with me...?"

"We need to practice more."

Kuai Hongji carried an old kerosene lamp and walked into the art building.

After passing through the corridor, he quickly arrived at the lobby of the art building.

Now, many art students are sitting in the hall, just as Lin Yi had seen before. These art students are sitting quietly in front of their easels, but their will is already fighting among the layers.

Kuai Hongji did not disturb them; in fact, he didn't even look at them much.

Upon entering the art building lobby, his attention was immediately drawn to the World Tree artwork titled "Living Towards Death".

He walked past the art students and slowly approached the World Tree.

"..."

After a moment of silence, a rare glimpse of other emotions appeared in his gloomy eyes. It was complex, as if he was reminiscing about something, missing something, or pondering something.

He slowly raised his hand and placed it on the huge platform in front of the World Tree, then gently stroked the stone platform with his palm, as if sensing something extraordinary. After a moment, he released his hand and continued moving until he reached the signpost anchored by a wooden stake.

"Nothing has changed at all..."

He muttered something to himself, checked the direction of the observatory, and then shifted his gaze slightly, seeing the Obsession Sculpture Corridor.

After thinking for a moment, Kuai Hongji glanced at the clock in the lobby of the art building, confirmed the time, and then walked towards the Obsession Sculpture Corridor.

The Obsession Sculpture Gallery is located between two massive pillars, which are filled with Western architectural sculptures, while the gallery itself is filled with bizarre and painful sculptures.

As he approached the Obsession Sculpture Corridor, fragmented, low murmurs filled with pain and obsession floated like drifting cotton wool, encircling him as he drew near.

Even an art teacher might not be able to easily take in all of such a voice, but Kuai Hongji accepted it without batting an eye.

【...fanTome...】

【fan...Tome... fRa... for...RidEn...】

【fanTome... fRa forRidEn...】

One by one, the sculptures of obsession came to life amidst the floating light and shadows, like tortured victims descending from ancient stone walls, taking on the posture of giants, and slowly moved toward Kuai Hongji.

On May 12, X023, at 1:16, Kuai Hongji carried an old kerosene lamp. In the orange-yellow haze, the sculptures of obsession exuded a cultish aura, as if they had returned from hell, and it seemed that at any moment, Kuai Hongji would be smashed flat by the fists of the obsession sculptures.

Facing these obsession sculptures, Kuai Hongji's face remained as gloomy and indifferent as ever. He waved his hand slightly, as if parting the floating clouds in front of him, dispelling the eerie atmosphere in the corridor of obsession sculptures.

At the same time, streaks resembling the trajectories of stars floated out of his hands like flying flowers, carving themselves onto the walls of the Obsession Sculpture Corridor, which were covered with the marks of chisels and axes.

"Playing pretend all the time is useless... With a major battle imminent, it's time for you to contribute your remaining strength."

As the secret runes were inscribed, the previously restless sculpture of obsession gradually calmed down, then slowly returned to its place, and soon returned to tranquility.

After arranging the secret patterns, Kuai Hongji turned and left the Obsession Sculpture Corridor.

However, he did not immediately set off to the observatory to meet Mao Feiyang. Firstly, Mao Feiyang had not yet returned from the "principal's office" at this time, and secondly, he had another task—a "side mission" that he was responsible for carrying out.

He skillfully turned into a corridor inside the art building and then began to move around.

Not long after, he arrived in front of the gallery.

Without any sign of following the rules or hesitating, Kuai Hongji, carrying an old kerosene lamp, stepped into the gallery.

A sinister mist rolled through the gallery, and as soon as he entered, all the candlelight flickered, as if they were extremely unwelcoming to his arrival.

It's hard to tell whether the gallery doesn't welcome the "dormitory manager with an old kerosene lamp," or... "Kuai Hung-Chi."

Kuai Hongji ignored this and kept moving forward. Finally, he stopped in front of an oil painting.

This painting depicts a desolate cemetery, with tombstones leaning haphazardly. The sky is blood red, and the dark clouds resemble the claws of a demon, as if they are about to tear the painting apart and burst forth.

Before the painting, the fog thickened, seemingly forming the outline of a human figure.

Kuai Hongji looked at the painting and slowly said, "Good news, the principal will eventually return, and you won't need to take that step."

Before long, the human figure became much more realistic, transforming into a slender figure that resembled Kuai Hongji but was very capable. However, it still appeared and disappeared with the movement of the mist.

The figure remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, "I have been preparing for this for a long time."

Kuai Hongji narrowed his eyes and tentatively asked, "It seems... this good news has turned sour? Or has your thinking changed?"

"You are the biggest beneficiary of the principal's return."

The figure said, "I know, of course I know, I understand the stakes better than anyone else."

"If the principal comes back safely, I won't have to step in. I can still survive, continue to observe and experience the world in the darkness, learn and grow..."

"To be able to continue to protect the campus, both inside and out, like a shadow alongside him..."

"But!"

The figure's voice suddenly rose a few decibels.

"But... I've been preparing for this day for a long time."

The tone then dropped by half again.

"It really has been... a very, very long time."

Amidst the drifting mist, it seemed as if a pair of eyes were fixed on Kuai Hongji, filled with obsession and... madness.

"Even a shadow that has stood in the darkness for a long time will one day hope to see the sun for the first time."

"I also want to... look up at the sun, even just once."

Kuai Hongji narrowed his eyelids and slowly looked at him: "Willing to... be reduced to ashes?"

"No matter what! I'll be reduced to ashes!" The figure nodded firmly.

Kuai Hongji looked at him without saying a word.

He looked firmly at Kuai Hongji, also remaining silent.

Their eyes met, and the air seemed to stand still.

"You gave the Obsession Sculpture Corridor a chance," the figure said in a deep voice. It had already sensed Kuai Hongji's attitude, but still wanted to try one last time.

Kuai Hongji remained silent, and to outsiders, it looked as if he were carefully examining the painting with an old kerosene lamp in hand.

a long time.

He slowly said, "You're right."

"Hmm?!" The figure was moved, and even the mist began to sway.

Kuai Hongji continued, "With a major battle imminent, you deserve a chance too."

"Even a moth drawn to a flame can ignite a tiny spark."

"Since it was your decision... then, on behalf of us, I respect your choice."

"The principal won't be back immediately... and you will have this opportunity to experience the 'principal's' authority." Kuai Hongji paused, "...make the most of it."

"Thank you..." the figure said solemnly.

"Thanking me is useless. As long as you have a clear conscience," Kuai Hongji said, then walked deeper into the gallery without looking back.

"'A clear conscience...'" The figure stared at Kuai Hongji's back for a long time before slowly disappearing.

In the shadows somewhere in the gallery, a little girl holding a music box silently observes everything that is happening.

(End of this chapter)