The members of the “Ultimate Path” looked somewhat puzzled at the elderly man behind Yan Zhichun. Though their faces were full of confusion, none dared to act first.
The final target’s display screen was already placed right in front of them—backing out now would be far too regrettable.
Everyone wanted to complete the task assigned by Yan Zhichun as quickly as possible. However, due to the unique nature of the “Ultimate Path” organization, none of them were familiar with their teammates. This meant they had no understanding of their allies’ “Echoes,” nor could they coordinate their “Echoes” effectively. They could only devise tactics from an individual standpoint.
Undoubtedly, this increased the difficulty of launching an attack for each person.
“I told you long ago…” The White Tiger frowned, his expression dark, then scanned the crowd and said, “None of you can do it. Only he can. Why didn’t you listen…?”
Yan Zhichun took a deep breath, stepped forward, and asked, “White Tiger… what is your *stance*?”
“My *stance*…” The White Tiger paused, then shook his head. “Such a long time has eroded all my stances… We have no hope left. We’re doomed to be lost here forever. No wonder even the ‘Zodiacs’ have returned…”
His voice grew hoarser, his entire body trembling.
“Perhaps only a ‘gamble with life’… only by him betting his own life… can there be any hope…” The White Tiger paused, then suddenly added, “But even if he gambles his life, the ‘Celestial Dragon’ is still here… How in the world can we ever break free?”
Seeing this, Jiang Ruoxue stepped forward, tugged at Yan Zhichun’s sleeve, and said in a low voice, “Everyone has their own karma. Don’t mind him.”
Yan Zhichun furrowed her brows. “But I feel like he’ll be a major obstacle for us.”
“What’s the point of guessing? Just ask him directly!”
Jiang Ruoxue cut Yan Zhichun off, reached out, and patted the White Tiger’s shoulder. “Hey, old man! We’re going to smash the display and the giant bell—are you gonna stop us?”
The surrounding crowd gasped at her boldness.
But the White Tiger didn’t seem to care. He silently looked at Jiang Ruoxue, then lowered his head expressionlessly. “The bell and the display… That’s not my duty. I’m only responsible for the ‘Zodiac Slaughter.'”
“So you won’t interfere?” Jiang Ruoxue said. “Great! Old man, step aside—wouldn’t want you to get hit by flying debris.”
Yan Zhichun and Zhou Mo watched the White Tiger warily, ready to act if he made a move to protect Jiang Ruoxue.
But the White Tiger showed no intention of acting. He simply stood there like a withered tree, his face clouded with complex thoughts.
Jiang Ruoxue felt something was off. Though she had set the “cause” in motion, the “effect” wasn’t unfolding as she had hoped.
The White Tiger shouldn’t be giving up.
“Though I say this, I think you’re making a mistake,” the White Tiger shook his head. “If you destroy that display and the giant bell, the two above will surely rage and attack all ‘participants.’ I can’t allow that.”
“What—”
“I can’t protect everyone’s lives and memories, but I can at least protect the display and the bell,” the White Tiger said. “All things considered, you’ll have to turn back.”
On the rooftop, a young man stood with his arms crossed in front of a short, slender girl. Both were looking down at the scene below, sensing something amiss.
The boy had a bowl-cut hairstyle with a long braid at the back, wearing a long robe beneath his leather jacket—none other than Jiang Shi, the “Undying.”
His body had returned to normal, reverting to his youthful appearance.
“Jiu-jie, ah—” Jiang Shi yawned, lazily turning his head toward Bai Jiu. “Should we… help now?”
“Better not,” Bai Jiu shook her head, her twin ponytails swaying slightly. “The White Tiger isn’t our target, and destroying the bell isn’t our mission. This is something the ‘Ultimate Path’ has to handle themselves.”
“Then they might die,” Jiang Shi wiped a tear from his yawn. “Your ‘Liquefaction’ might be useful. Really not helping?”
“Xiao Jiang Shi, I need to preserve my conviction,” Bai Jiu said. “But you… you’ve been yawning nonstop since earlier. Shouldn’t you take a nap?”
“Nah, no need,” Jiang Shi replied. “If I sleep now, I might not wake up. And I’m not *that* tired… ah—”
Watching him yawn repeatedly, Bai Jiu caught the contagious drowsiness and yawned as well.
“Ah—”
“Ugh!!” Bai Jiu quickly shook her head, forcing herself to stop. “Xiao Jiang Shi! You’re making us all sleepy!”
“Eh,” Jiang Shi shrugged. “Once the action starts, we’ll be fine. No matter what, I’ll follow Fifth Brother’s orders strictly this time.”
“Oh~” Bai Jiu smirked. “Who knew such big words could come from such a little guy?”
“As the saying goes—dig deep pits to trap tigers, hang long lines to catch dragons,” Jiang Shi crossed his arms and slowly squatted down. “Since Fifth Brother has spoken, this general shall defend his lord, the migratory bird shall perch high, and today, I swear those divine beasts won’t leave here alive…”
His voice trailed off.
Though the battle hadn’t yet begun, he looked utterly exhausted.
Bai Jiu sighed with a faint smile, then looked across the way. Luo Shiyi and three others stood on the opposite rooftop, their gazes seeking her instruction.
After all, they had noticed the unexpected interference of the White Tiger blocking the “Ultimate Path’s” assault. The situation suggested that all three divine beasts might make an appearance today, and given the “Ultimate Path’s” lack of teamwork, they certainly wouldn’t have prepared tactics specifically for the White Tiger.
Thus, the “Cat” team should take on the task of eliminating the White Tiger, allowing the “Ultimate Path” to proceed.
But after careful consideration, Bai Jiu still shook her head sternly, signaling for Luo Shiyi and the others to stand by.
As the highest-ranking person present, she had to prioritize the survival of the “Cat” team.
If the “Cat” team suffered heavy losses attacking the White Tiger while the Black Tortoise and Vermilion Bird remained unaccounted for, the entire mission would collapse.
So the best course of action was to leave the White Tiger to the “Ultimate Path.”
Bai Jiu continued to watch the scene below intently when suddenly, a commotion broke out among the crowd.
A pudgy middle-aged man weaved through the masses before stopping beside a middle-aged woman.
“Xiao… Xiao Chan!!” Old Lü shrieked in Aunt Tong’s ear, startling everyone nearby.
Aunt Tong turned around in confusion. “Old… Old Lü? What are you doing here?”
“I should be asking *you* that!” Old Lü glanced around nervously. “I saw you leaving ‘Paradise Gate,’ got curious, and followed you. But what the hell is with this crowd?!”
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