Die, Replay, Repeat

Chapter 276 - Captain Fang Xiu

As each one of Fang Xiu’s achievements was announced, the looks of disbelief around the room only grew. 

Most people hadn’t been aware of all Fang Xiu had done. 

During that chaotic battle, Specters had been swarming everywhere, and just surviving had felt like a miracle. No one had the time—or even the mental bandwidth—to pay attention to anyone else’s heroics.

But now, hearing the full list of his accomplishments laid out, it was like listening to a story ripped straight from legend.

Everyone knew that Fang Xiu had somehow foreseen the Pokers' entire plot—many had witnessed that firsthand. But the fact that a mere third-tier psychic had managed to bring down a fourth-tier powerhouse, and not just any fourth-tier but one of the peak captains from headquarters, seemed surreal. Almost like a tall tale.

What most people didn’t realize was that Fang Xiu hadn’t managed this feat purely by strength alone. He’d had a couple of major advantages. 

He was able to project the terrifying form of Taotie, and also, Yan Changshou had already been seriously weakened—First, he’d suffered a nasty injury from the Xuanyuan Sword, and then he’d clashed fiercely with the Ace of Spades.

If Yan Changshou had been at his peak, no one except Fang Moli in all of headquarters could have taken him on. Even then, Fang Moli had only defeated him thanks to the Xuanyuan Sword.

Without that powerful weapon, the debate over Asia's top psychic would still be wide open. 

Yan Changshou’s Specter Gate ability was nothing short of a nightmare. Given enough time, he could summon an endless swarm of Specters to fight at his side. Plus, the man had pushed his limits far beyond human capacity, making it impossible to truly gauge his strength.

So, for those who understood just how powerful Yan Changshou had been, the idea that Fang Xiu had bested him was almost too incredible to believe. But with these feats confirmed by the Director himself, even the skeptics had no choice but to accept the truth.

Of course, some people didn’t need convincing—those who’d been close enough to see Fang Xiu battle Yan Changshou themselves. Others, who were stationed farther off, had only seen Taotie’s appearance and missed the main event. 

Some hadn’t even realized it was Fang Xiu who had summoned Taotie. But those within range had seen it all: Taotie’s descent, Yan Changshou’s defeat. They had no doubts left.

And hearing how Fang Xiu had supported the other captains and predicted enemy attacks so accurately? It finally hit the crowd just how versatile and powerful the ability to foresee the future could be.

To most, future-sight had always seemed like some mystical gimmick, something vague and impractical, like fortune-telling. But Fang Xiu’s foresight was razor-sharp and effective in the heat of battle.

This meant he could anticipate every move his enemies were going to make before they made it. It was like having an in-game cheat code that let him see through every tactic—an actual foresight hack!

There was no doubt left in anyone’s mind that this was the ultimate support ability.

As the crowd stood there, shocked into silence, the Director scanned their faces with satisfaction. He’d shared these details not only to give Fang Xiu the credit he deserved but also to build up his status. 

For Fang Xiu to rise in the ranks as a hero, especially as a mere third-tier psychic, he needed a strong reputation to silence any future critics.

The Director’s voice boomed again, filling the space with even greater gravity. “And finally, here’s the most crucial piece. When headquarters was at its lowest, when Joker had us retreating repeatedly, Fang Xiu did something unimaginable. He found a path forward to the fifth tier, guiding Fang Moli through the breakthrough and turning the battle back in our favor.”

This final announcement sent a shockwave through the room. The entire crowd exploded in gasps and murmurs, unable to contain their awe.

"The fifth tier! The legendary fifth tier!"

Those who hadn't been clued in on the details were completely floored, staring at Fang Xiu like he was some kind of otherworldly force. 

Even the ones who knew about his deeds felt that same awe again—no matter how many times they heard it, it still sounded almost mythical.

“To be able to find a way to reach the fifth tier... from the future... What kind of divine talent is that?”

In a world where breaking through to the fifth tier felt like an unattainable dream, Fang Xiu had pushed someone through that barrier, and had redefined the limits of their era.

It was the perfect embodiment of that saying: “The weak adapt to their environment; the strong reshape it.”

For three days straight, those in the know—especially Li Xiaoru’s circle—had been buzzing about Fang Xiu’s feat. And they hadn’t held back with new titles for him either. Beyond just “The Foreseer,” he was now dubbed “The Master of the Fifth Tier!”

Now, every eye in the room was locked on Fang Xiu, the crowd’s stares practically glowing with admiration. 

This wasn’t just some rank they were talking about—this was the fifth tier, the peak of power everyone aspired to reach.

Fourth-tier psychics, especially, looked at Fang Xiu with burning ambition. But even the third-tiers felt the pull of excitement. 

Sure, Fang Xiu hadn’t yet helped any third-tier advance to fourth, but they weren’t foolish. They figured, 'If he can help someone push through to the fifth tier—that ultimate wall—then helping a third-tier break into the fourth should be a piece of cake!'

Everyone began to think the same thing: if they could just get in Fang Xiu’s good graces, maybe their journey to the higher tiers could be smoother, maybe even all the way up to the fifth one day.

The timing couldn’t have been better. The Director noted the crowd’s enthusiasm and sensed it was time.

With a voice that carried power and gravity, he went on, “In this battle that seemed hopeless, Fang Xiu alone turned the tides, leading headquarters to ultimate victory.”

This was the highest praise possible: to declare that a single person had saved ALL of headquarters.

And yet, no one felt it was an exaggeration. Fang Moli and everyone else who had faced the fifth-tier Joker nodded in agreement. They understood completely—without Fang Xiu, headquarters would have had no hope, no future. Fang Xiu WAS their future.

Riding the momentum of the crowd’s admiration, the Director proceeded to the real reason for this announcement.

“Therefore, after thorough consideration, headquarters has decided to promote Fang Xiu to the position of Captain, filling the vacancy left by the traitor Yan Changshou. Does anyone have an objection?”

The room fell into a stunned silence.

The Director’s words had been so unexpected. No one had foreseen him announcing Fang Xiu’s promotion to Captain then and there.

This was truly unheard of in headquarters’ history—a third-tier psychic stepping into a Captain’s role.

But despite the surprise, no one dared to object. Fang Xiu’s accomplishments spoke louder than any words, and beyond that, his ability to help others break through to the fifth tier left everyone speechless. 

Nobody wanted to get on Fang Xiu’s bad side; they all understood that someday, they might be the ones needing his help.

A few fourth-tier psychics who had had their eyes on the open Captain position were forced to keep quiet, their ambitions checked by Fang Xiu’s feats and potential. They didn’t want to risk alienating him in public, knowing they’d need his support down the road.

Seeing no objections, the Director smiled, clearly satisfied.

By laying out Fang Xiu’s accomplishments and opening the floor for objections, he’d ensured that even those with private ambitions wouldn’t dare to speak up against him.

“Very well. Since there are no objections, then—”

“I object.”

A voice rang out, shattering the silence like a crack of thunder.

Translator's note: So who'd be the new enemy?