Under the watchful eyes of Chu Tianqiu and Qin Dingdong, the two “Zodiacs” collided violently on the spot.
The impact was deafening, like a car crash. The Mole’s stature was no match for the Ox’s towering frame, and after just a few clashes, he was forced to retreat step by step.
Chu Tianqiu knew that, as the two of them had said, it was difficult to determine right or wrong from their respective standpoints—yet neither would back down.
What surprised him was that the Mole, who had always seemed so indecisive, was now silently holding his ground against the Ox, as if his bottom line had been trampled.
**”What ‘cat and mouse’ game…?”** The Ox gritted his teeth, pressing down on the Mole’s fist. **”Aren’t you just a dog on a leash? Forgot to wear your collar today, so now you’re biting?”**
**”Hah…”** The Mole sneered. **”Hard to say which of us is really the ‘dog on a leash.'”**
As the two clashed in a brutal, no-holds-barred brawl, Zhang Shan turned to Chu Tianqiu. **”What’s the plan…? Do we jump in or make a run for it?”**
Chu Tianqiu opened his mouth to give an order, but after a slight hesitation, he shook his head. **”‘Heaven’s Might’ is yours. Do what you think is right.”**
**”Right thing?”** Zhang Shan paused, then grinned. **”Do you even have to ask? We’re just walking down the hall when this big bastard jumps us. Damn right I’m gonna hit back—holding back now would be unbearable.”**
**”Good.”** Chu Tianqiu nodded. **”I’ll wait here for you.”**
Without hesitation, Zhang Shan strode forward, stepping into the fray as if the two “Zodiacs” were nothing more than background noise. The Mole was being relentlessly cornered by the Ox, forced into a desperate exchange of blows.
Zhang Shan ignored the chaos, moving behind the Ox and grabbing his collar in one swift motion.
The Ox barely registered the sudden tightening around his neck before his entire body was yanked upward—his feet leaving the ground.
Before he could react, his back slammed into the floor with a thunderous crash.
The impact left him dazed. Even among the “Earth-level” Zodiacs, few could lift and throw him like this.
**”Had enough yet?”** Zhang Shan muttered. **”What’s with this endless brawl?”**
The Ox lay sprawled on the floor, staring up at Zhang Shan in disbelief. He had seen Zhang Shan many times before but never recalled him possessing an “Echo.”
*How is this possible? Does “killing a bear” not even require an Echo anymore?*
Meanwhile, Zhang Shan realized the true power of his “Heaven’s Might.” With this body, he might just be able to go toe-to-toe with an “Earth-level.”
The only problem was its limited duration—he had to end this quickly, or the aftermath could be disastrous.
**”You—”**
The Ox struggled to rise, but Zhang Shan didn’t give him the chance. A sharp kick to the chest sent him sprawling again, and Zhang Shan immediately pounced, raining down blows.
Though his attacks seemed wild, each strike carried lethal force. The Ox could only flail in defense, barely managing to block.
The Mole watched in stunned silence. He had suspected this “Participant” might possess something like “Brute Force” or “Divine Strength,” but he never expected to see someone *mounting* the Ox and beating him senseless.
Zhang Shan pinned the Ox, hammering his fists into his skull like he was subduing a trapped beast.
This was the first time he had ever unleashed his full strength without restraint—every punch meant to kill. But even so, the Ox’s reinforced body might still endure it.
The Ox curled his arms protectively, yet each strike felt like a meteor impact. Though his body barely held, the floor beneath his head shattered from the sheer force.
Zhang Shan’s combat instincts were razor-sharp. He alternated strikes—left, right, left, right—forcing the Ox into a defensive rhythm, then shattered it with a devastating uppercut to the jaw.
A classic tactic to break an opponent’s guard. The Ox had no time to react—physically or mentally.
His massive frame was launched backward, skidding across the wooden floor before tumbling uncontrollably down the hallway, finally coming to a stop in a motionless heap.
The Mole stood frozen for a long moment before finally approaching Zhang Shan. **”Boss… is this what they call ‘rolling the hell out’?”**
Zhang Shan flexed his aching right hand and rose, advancing step by step. “Heaven’s Might” was still active—he had to ensure the Ox was completely neutralized.
His initial success had been due to seizing the initiative. Though their strength and size were comparable, combat often came down to momentum. Once one gained the upper hand, they could dominate the entire fight.
In evenly matched battles, victory hinged on cunning, strategy, and ruthlessness.
Zodiacs lining the hallway watched in silence. The “Human-level” were visibly shaken by Zhang Shan’s ferocity, while the “Earth-level” remained pensive—some crossing their arms, others leaning against doorframes. Their expressions varied, but none intervened.
As Zhang Shan walked, he glanced toward a distant figure—another “Zodiac” being beaten into the ground.
Squinting, he recognized a white-furred tiger pummeling its opponent.
The tiger, seemingly exhausted, lifted its head and looked in Zhang Shan’s direction. The distance was too great to read its expression.
Shaking off the distraction, Zhang Shan refocused on the Ox, whose mouth was now filled with blood, his eyes glazed and unfocused.
*Can’t stop yet…*
He bent down and delivered one final, brutal punch to the Ox’s skull. The sheer force of the blow sent a shockwave through the air—yet still, no one stepped forward.
A “Participant” killing a “Zodiac”? As long as it wasn’t *their* life on the line, who would risk their neck for another’s suffering?
This was the “Land of Endings.” To climb higher, one had to step over corpses.
Those who couldn’t grasp that truth would never become “Zodiacs.”
The floor beneath the Ox’s head caved in, his skull sinking deeper with each strike.
Chu Tianqiu finally stepped forward, gripping Zhang Shan’s arm.
**”Zhang Shan, he’s unconscious,”** he said softly.
Zhang Shan paused, his expression unreadable. His right hand was drenched in blood.
**”It’s over.”** Chu Tianqiu’s voice was firm. **”He won’t get up.”**
Zhang Shan remained still for a long moment. His mind felt strange—under the effects of “Deep Echo,” fragments of memories that shouldn’t exist began flooding in.
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