Earth Monkey stared at Earth Tiger with an expression of utmost complexity.
Everything seemed to align with Qixia’s predictions—except this so-called “Chosen One,” Earth Tiger, was acting far too recklessly.
The floor had been violently split in two, the cracks spreading relentlessly forward.
Earth Tiger turned back to Yan Zhichun, pointing at a distant figure and saying, “See that big, dark, stupid-looking guy over there?”
“That’s…?”
“Go. Find him. I’ll stand guard here—let’s see who dares lay a finger on you.” Then, Earth Tiger glanced at the people behind Earth Monkey and added, “Anyone else who wants to go, do it now. The window’s closing.”
“Thank you,” Yan Zhichun said.
“Kid, drinks are on me when this is over,” Old Sun chimed in.
“Alright, get moving.” Earth Tiger waved them off. “Tell that black sheep I’ve got some trash to take out before I see him.”
Old Sun, Yan Zhichun, and Jiang Ruoxue exchanged glances before slipping through the crowd, rejoining their squad and sprinting toward Black Sheep’s location.
Once the “Extremists” were gone, Earth Tiger turned to the remaining, faceless “Participants” and barked, “I don’t care why you’re here or who you answer to. Right now, you follow my lead.”
The crowd fell silent, lining the corridor and watching him intently.
“Anyone who wants to rebel, step forward in an orderly line.” Earth Tiger jabbed a finger toward Black Sheep’s direction. “That way, you’ll find ‘Ants,’ ‘Celestials,’ and even the ‘Twin Dragons.'”
The crowd hesitated, weighing their options.
“For those with second thoughts—who want out—” Earth Tiger pointed the opposite way. “Head straight that way. Don’t stop for anything. At the end, there’s a Human Dragon guarding the exit. He can’t hold all of you back. Understood?”
With a few sharp commands, Earth Tiger had sorted the chaos into order.
“Whichever path you pick, I won’t stop you,” he added. “But don’t clog this place up. We’ve got work to do.”
As he spoke, his gaze flicked toward the so-called “exit,” where a loathsome figure was approaching, flanked by a swarm of “Human-level Zodiacs.”
“Earth Dragon…” Earth Tiger smirked coldly, addressing the crowd. “If you’re leaving, stick to the sides. Walk in the middle at your own risk.”
Earth Dragon’s arrival was met with resistance—Human Monkey and a group of “Human-level” Zodiacs, all Earth Tiger’s students, stepped up behind him.
The tension between the two sides was palpable, a storm about to break.
“Earth Tiger… have you lost your mind?” Earth Dragon’s lizard-like face twisted in a sneer. “Do you even realize what you’re doing? The White Sheep is gone, and you still dare—”
Before he could finish, Earth Tiger lunged, driving a brutal kick straight into Earth Dragon’s chest. The force sent him flying backward with a thunderous crash.
“Enough yapping.” Earth Tiger landed with a scowl. “Back then, when you bullied us, the Sheep had our backs. Did you forget that now *I’m* the ‘Earth-level’?”
Earth Dragon, still on the ground, clutched his aching chest. He hadn’t accounted for Earth Tiger’s recent promotion—this was going to be messy.
With both wielding “Brute Strength,” it came down to raw power.
“Get up. Quit playing dead.” Earth Tiger sneered. “The Sheep gave you face before, but I’ve got no patience for that. If you don’t stand now, I’ll kick your head next.”
——
Black Sheep stood in the corridor, Earth Tiger’s declaration of rebellion ringing clearly in his ears. His brow furrowed.
One crisis after another. He’d been waiting for Earth Tiger to regroup, to strategize freeing the “Ants” before taking on Sky Tiger.
But now, Earth Tiger was already brawling with someone in the distance. The situation was spiraling out of control.
The old man beside Black Sheep noticed his rising fury and shrank back, too afraid to speak.
“Damn it… One of these days, I’ll kill him,” Black Sheep muttered.
The old man glanced at the fallen Centaur’s body. There was no doubt Black Sheep meant it—if things had escalated to murder, his relationship with that loudmouthed tiger must be beyond repair.
If even the Zodiacs were this divided, what hope did the “Extremists” have?
Just then, three more “Extremist” squads arrived, bringing the total to four.
“How many squads total?” Black Sheep asked.
“Eight,” the old man answered, then corrected himself. “No, seven. Rumor is one squad’s doomed from the start.”
Black Sheep recalled the mention of a “Death Gate.” So, before the battle on the “train” even began, the Zodiacs had already suffered losses.
But who had been wiped out?
——
Earth Pig, hearing Earth Tiger’s voice from afar, turned to look. They were still far from the crowd, but the fight had already begun.
“You all go ahead,” Earth Pig said to the “Cat” squad, Detective Li, and Su Shan. “I’d just be dead weight.”
The group hesitated but nodded. His condition made further combat impossible.
“Stay safe. Your body’s been swapped—don’t let anyone notice,” Detective Li warned. “It’s chaos out there. Lock yourself in your room and don’t come out, no matter what.”
“Got it.” Earth Pig agreed, but frustration burned in his eyes.
How helpless he felt.
They’d spent years planning, biding their time. Earth Pig had even grown his nails long to hide his “Spirit Touch” ability.
But now, just as the operation launched—just as they finally moved—
He’d crossed paths with Vermilion Bird and lost his “Brute Strength” body.
What good was this frail shell, armed only with “Spirit Touch”?
If given the choice, Earth Pig would’ve preferred death at Vermilion Bird’s hands. At least then, his life would’ve ended in glory.
“Just… be careful—”
He looked up, but the squad had already sprinted off.
Of course. Time was short—who had moments for tearful goodbyes?
Lips trembling, he whispered two words nobody heard:
“…Stay safe.”
With a stiff wave at their retreating backs, Earth Pig turned and trudged toward his room.
Just as he reached for the door, a white-feathered hand blocked his path.
He turned—standing beside him was a male Earth Rooster.
“STAY SAFE!!” Earth Rooster bellowed. “YOU’RE WITH THE REBELS, RIGHT?! AAAAAH!!”
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