Chapter Eight: The Ant Gene!

At this moment, the portly body of the Director of Discipline was wedged among the crowd, his face plastered with a false smile. In his small eyes flickered a hint of smugness, as if he had already envisioned the moment when Chen Yi would step into the roulette of calamity.

“Chen Yi, you know the situation is urgent. We need someone to try that roulette,” he said. “Everyone hopes you can make this attempt for us. Surely you won’t betray the trust of your classmates?” The Director’s voice was thick with insincerity.

Chen Yi sneered inwardly, but outwardly he feigned hesitation. “But… if something happens, how could I deal with it alone?”

The Director quickly reassured him, “Don’t worry, we’ll be right next to you, ready to help. As soon as you go in, we’ll join hands and move closer. That way, if anything goes wrong, we can pull you out in time.”

Hearing this, Chen Yi felt all the more certain of his plan. He deliberately put on a face of reluctant agreement and nodded. “Alright, I’ll give it a try. But you must stay close—don’t let me face the danger alone. If so, I might as well play the hero.”

The Director and the students nodded eagerly, afraid he might change his mind. Even those who had mocked him moments before began to praise him.

“That’s great! I knew Chen Yi wasn’t selfish!”
“See, Chen Yi is our hero.”
“Let’s get started then!”

Standing to the side, Chu Yunxi was deeply worried. No one truly knew what this thing was or what dangers it might hold. What if he couldn’t escape after all?

“Chen Yi, are you really going?” she asked quietly.

He glanced back at her, nodded slightly, and whispered, “Move back when it starts. Stay away. Don’t get involved.”

Hearing this, Chu Yunxi felt a bit more at ease, sensing that Chen Yi had a plan. She began to retreat, keeping quiet so as not to draw attention.

Some students noticed her movements but made no effort to stop her. Instead, they seized the opportunity to ridicule her.

“Hmph, just look at her—afraid of dying.”
“Yeah, she’s only thinking of saving herself at a time like this. So selfish.”
“I saw it all along. She’s not truly loyal to Chen Yi.”
“Wasn’t she just relying on Chen Yi? Now that there’s danger, she’s scared.”
“She acted so noble before. What a joke!”

The mocking words reached Chu Yunxi’s ears, but she bit her lip and refused to respond.

The Director, meanwhile, was watching Chen Yi with increasing satisfaction, even hoping the unknown would destroy him. If that happened, he would become the one to control the situation here—especially since the school was in chaos, and some leaders had already turned into monsters or corpses. His authority was now the greatest in the school, and he was anxious to prompt Chen Yi into action.

He patted Chen Yi’s shoulder, continuing his feigned encouragement. “Don’t worry, we’re all here to support you.”

Chen Yi nodded, his face showing reluctant acceptance, then slowly walked toward the roulette of calamity. The others drew close, appearing ready to help at a moment’s notice.

Just as everyone gathered near the roulette, Chen Yi suddenly seized the student nearest him and forcefully pushed him toward the center of the roulette.

“Devour them!” Chen Yi called, activating the sacrifice.

At his command, an invisible force burst from the roulette, binding everyone together. Those who had mocked Chu Yunxi now screamed in terror, struggling desperately to escape, but it was too late.

“What… what’s happening?!” the Director shouted, his smug expression instantly replaced by terror.

“Let me go! Let me go!” someone screamed, trying to break free from the unseen bonds. No matter how they struggled, the overpowering force held them fast.

Scarlet mist poured from the roulette, morphing rapidly into countless tentacles that ensnared the Director and the other students. The tentacles writhed like living creatures, dragging them inexorably toward the roulette’s center.

“Help! Help!” a few girls cried, tears streaming down their faces.

“No! I don’t want to die!” Voices of utter despair echoed all around.

But their cries were quickly swallowed by the red mist, leaving only an eerie silence.

The tentacles wrapped around them, mercilessly drawing them into the roulette.

The whole process lasted barely ten seconds, yet its imprint was eternal.

Chen Yi stood at the center, watching coldly as it unfolded. When the last person was absorbed by the roulette, the tentacles slowly vanished and the red mist dissipated. The scene returned to calm, leaving only the empty roulette and the lingering scent of blood in the air.

Chu Yunxi stared at the aftermath, terror flooding her body and mind. She crouched in a corner, hands clamped over her mouth to stifle any sound. Those who had mocked her moments before were now gone, swallowed by the red mist, vanished without a trace.

The spectacle shook her to the core; never had she witnessed such cruelty.

Chen Yi turned to her, his gaze calm.

“Are you afraid?”

His deep voice echoed through the empty swimming hall.

Chu Yunxi looked up at his austere face, feeling both fear and a strange comfort. She nodded, then shook her head repeatedly.

“I… I am afraid, but I know following you is right.”

Chen Yi smiled, a hint of approval in his expression.

“Good. You will be grateful for your choice today.”

[Roulette activated successfully]

Blood-red characters appeared above the roulette. As the sacrifice completed, the roulette began to spin slowly.

Chen Yi turned to watch the roulette, his gaze intense. This draw was crucial, determining his future survival. He had missed it in his previous life; this time, he would not repeat the mistake.

“Spin,” he murmured.

The roulette accelerated, displaying a variety of items—some unfamiliar even to him, but most were treasures he recognized and coveted.

At last, the roulette stopped, revealing an array of items to choose from.

Suddenly, one option in the upper right corner caught his attention.

“Ant Gene?”