C3 The Door of All Beings of the Six Gates of Death

The second team to arrive was from Umoris, led by Kassa, who stepped forward with an outstretched hand.

"It's an honor to meet such a formidable team," he said.

Jiang Hao returned the handshake with a smile. "The feeling is mutual."

With a snap of his fingers, Kassa's team presented a treasure chest that, upon opening, emitted a blinding light.

"Good heavens, it's divine gear dropped by the tenth-floor monster!"

"It might look like a cat's claw, but once equipped, it boosts attack power by at least 50%!"

Despite the allure, Jiang Hao declined the offer.

"Kassa, I'm sorry, but we're not in need of these items."

Jiang Hao's refusal to cooperate with Kassa was clear.

Meanwhile, the Jiang family had arranged for a shipment of supplies to be sent not to Zhou Yi, the team captain, but directly to Jiang Hao. Additionally, a new directive came through the internal comms: Jiang Hao was to be the new team leader, tasked with leading the team to the summit to secure more precious resources for Blue Star!

In this world, land resources were scarce, particularly water, which was often too impure to drink without causing illness. Hence the need for the blue sapphires of Iphario to purify it. These gems, though only used for purification, were among the scarcest resources. There were also exotic fruits that were more satiating and nutritious than regular food. With Blue Star being the most populous nation, such resources were vital.

Kassa attempted further persuasion, but Jiang Lulu interjected.

"We have a treaty not to interfere with resource disputes."

Likewise, they wouldn't so openly form alliances, especially with so many countries watching on the public display!

Thanks to the translation feature on their communication bracelets, everyone could converse without issue.

Zhou Yi was disgruntled at losing his captaincy, but when he expected Jiang Hao to betray their country for the gear, Jiang Hao firmly refused.

This left Zhou Yi with little to do but talk.

"Dividing our forces can be more efficient. Those willing to follow me, come along."

With that, Zhou Yi turned and headed toward the first floor's main entrance.

Upon witnessing this, Lu Zhiyao hesitated briefly before biting the bullet and following Zhou Yi, though she frequently glanced back at Jiang Hao.

Some of them had been Zhou Yi's childhood friends. Despite their hesitation, they followed him.

This prompted feelings of indignation among some.

"Jiang, you're the captain. You haven't even spoken yet."

Jiang Hao raised his hand, signaling for the person to be quiet.

"Let's maintain our original formation, but stay close. If there's trouble, call for help immediately."

With that, Jiang Hao and Jiang Lulu entered the building.

The public chat lit up with a flurry of adoration.

[Umoris - Jiang Hao is so cool, he outright rejected him!]

[Wrapes - Kassa is so beautiful, and he didn't even give her a second glance!]

[Gluaphane - Is this what they call the presence of a great general?]

[Blue Star - Go Jiang Hao! Lead us, Blue Star, to the summit!]

...

In previous years, a few teams had managed to reach the 20th floor, but they were few and far between.

The higher floors were even less conquered.

With each ascending floor, the monsters became fiercer, and the toll on the teams was increasingly heavy.

It was a literal trade of lives for resources!

Yet, with their nation and millions of compatriots behind them, how could they easily surrender?

No team would give up until the very last person.

Upon entering the first floor, darkness enveloped them.

A priest used their skill to illuminate the area with a halo.

Bathed in the eerie green glow of the forest, six doors came into view.

Each door led to a different path, each a route to the second floor.

Quickly, the group made their choices, each selecting a door to proceed through.

Zhou Yi and his followers chose the door to the left.

The others turned their attention to Jiang Hao, instinctively waiting for his command.

Jiang Hao had learned from the system that there were secret passageways on each floor that allowed for skipping levels.

This meant that from the first floor, one could potentially advance not just to the second floor, but all the way to the fifth, and from the fifth to the tenth, and so on.

Of course, the monsters encountered in these shortcuts were tenfold stronger!

"Trust me, follow me."

After finishing his statement, Jiang Hao turned and made his way toward the central door. Each of the six doors bore an inscription, representing the six paths of existence. This meant there was both a door of death and a door of life. Jiang Hao had chosen the door of death, a path historically left unchosen because no team had ever survived to return to the sight of others.

"Jiang, no one has chosen this door in a hundred years," someone said, fear causing them to hesitate and stop in their tracks.

Jiang Lulu, with a heavy cannon in tow, quickly caught up. "I trust my brother," she declared.

Though no one voiced their objections, the crowd on the first floor thinned as the other teams vanished behind their chosen doors. The remaining Blue Star teams exchanged glances, and one, with a determined bite of the lip, followed in Jiang Hao's footsteps. The other four teams turned to pursue Zhou Yi.

To reach the second floor, they had to confront a monstrous centipede. Mutated, the creature resembled a python, its venom capable of inducing convulsions, hallucinations, and ultimately, a death akin to that caused by epilepsy.

Jiang Hao led the way, his ears tuned to the footsteps behind him, aware of how many were following. In his hand, he held a vine-made lamp, its light suspended high enough to illuminate the path for all.

Suddenly, the entire corridor began to shake, and soon, the rock face ahead was riddled with countless black holes. Even tossing a Dragon's Tongue fruit into one revealed no end.

A colossal centipede emerged, spewing venom at the group. Jiang Lulu leapt into action, launching a heavy cannonball that decapitated the beast in a single blow. Yet, the centipede severed itself and resumed its assault, regenerating like an earthworm with endless lives.

Behind Jiang Hao, the Fighters stepped up to intercept, while the Cleric quickly cast protective shields and restored health and mana. The Magician and Swordsman positioned themselves to strike effectively.

Amidst the chaos, Jiang Hao remained composed, searching for a hidden passage. "Jiang, what are you looking for? We can't keep this up," someone called out as the centipedes multiplied, each one regenerating after being struck down, relentless in their attack.

The Swordsman couldn't help but complain.

"I should've stuck with Zhou Yi. At least he wouldn't just stand by and watch us struggle."

The Magician pressed urgently.

"Jiang, if you don't act now, we're all going to die here."

The Fighter launched a flurry of moves, driving the centipedes back several yards, and bellowed.

"Everyone, just be quiet! If you decided to follow Jiang, then trust in him!"

The Swordsman retorted, "Jiang Hao's interaction with Kassa earlier was suspicious. They might have already formed a secret alliance to betray us."

The Fighter snapped back, "Nobody begged you to come along. You chose to follow on your own!"

Jiang Lulu's jumping ability was more of a hindrance than a help in the cramped tunnel.

"Stop bickering," she defended. "My brother is no traitor!"

Just then, the sound of Jiang Hao's voice filled the space.