Chapter 1261: Conflict

The back was covered with countless wounds, and at that moment, only one of them held an eyeball that wept tears of blood.

Most of the wounds had begun to fester and rot. Fortunately, Earth Snake’s enhanced body allowed him to endure the excruciating pain without collapsing.

Xiao Ran gasped at the sight of his back, lightly covering her mouth as she muttered under her breath, “Ugh… so disgusting.”

She had never liked snakes to begin with, and now she was even more convinced. To her, every “snake” here was just plain weird.

“What’s the big deal?” Celestial Snake calmly wiped his hands. “My ‘modifications’ weren’t as refined back then. They’ve improved now.”

He draped the towel over the arm of a nearby “furniture” and patted it lightly.

“Besides, this kid’s ‘grafting’ skills have gotten much better,” Celestial Snake added. “Is that really so hard to understand?”

White Snake turned his head slowly, his pale profile facing Celestial Snake. “So… if you perform the same transplant surgery on me again, you’ll succeed this time, Teacher?”

Celestial Snake adjusted his glasses, his brow furrowing slightly. He had a nagging feeling that White Snake’s mood was off today.

“It depends on the specifics,” he replied. “Why bring this up now? Turn around and let me see your eyes.”

“Isn’t there an eye on my back?” White Snake pointed. “Can you tell what I’m thinking just by looking at it, Teacher?”

Celestial Snake paused. “No.”

“What a shame,” White Snake said coldly as he turned fully toward him. “Your proudest skill can’t even deliver this good news to you.”

He took slow, deliberate steps forward, his voice hoarse. “My most respected teacher… I’ve come to tear you apart.”

A chill ran down Celestial Snake’s spine, but he quickly steadied himself. Studying White Snake’s eyes, he realized the man wasn’t lying.

Xiao Ran, already dressed, retreated to a corner. She couldn’t care less about their feud—she just hoped it wouldn’t drag her into it.

“So, you’re the ‘rebel’…?” Celestial Snake frowned.

“Yes,” White Snake nodded. “Even if I weren’t, I’d still find a way to kill you.”

“Wait—” Celestial Snake raised a hand. “You know we ‘Celestials’ are forced into this too. None of us actually want to die for those two. Can’t we talk?”

White Snake’s brow twitched. “What are you saying…?”

“I surrender!” Celestial Snake blurted. “I really don’t want to die!”

…

*Thud.*

Celestial Rabbit dropped to her knees before Earth Rabbit, her panic only growing. “I don’t want to fight you! I just want to go back to the real world… What’s wrong with that? Why do I have to die?”

Earth Rabbit, towering over her, hesitated at the sight of the middle-aged woman kneeling before him.

“Have I ever hurt anyone? Killed anyone?” Celestial Rabbit’s voice trembled. “I’m a ‘Celestial,’ but I’ve done nothing! Why should I die?”

Her questions stabbed at Earth Rabbit’s conscience, making him waver.

He had never seen Celestial Rabbit on the “train,” nor had he heard of her killing anyone.

Maybe she was telling the truth—that she’d been asleep for decades and only just awakened yesterday.

Would it be unfair to kill her now, when she knew nothing?

If Earth Rabbit really thought about it, his true enemy on the train was Celestial Rat.

His “Echo” had been discovered by Celestial Rat by chance, and since then, he’d been blackmailed into broadcasting every game with “Farcast,” or else Celestial Rat would expose him.

Though he hadn’t been collared like Earth Rat, he’d still become Celestial Rat’s dog—forced to livestream his games as a joke while Celestial Rat controlled him through speakers installed in his “Penglai” game zone.

If that was the case… maybe Celestial Rabbit didn’t need to die. Should he go after Celestial Rat instead?

“Hey, lady, get up…” Earth Rabbit frowned. “This is making things awkward.”

“Do you believe me?” Celestial Rabbit quivered. “I really just woke up… I don’t even know what to do now…”

“I believe you.” Earth Rabbit nodded, helping the shaking woman to her feet. “In that case… would you consider joining us?”

“Joining you…?”

“We’re planning to take down every ‘peak’ here,” Earth Rabbit said. “Whether they’re ‘Celestials’ or the ‘Twin Dragons.'”

“I… I can’t…” Celestial Rabbit shook her head hesitantly. “I told you I don’t want to interfere. I won’t side with anyone. I just want to live.”

Earth Rabbit sighed. “That’s a shame. You’re a ‘Celestial’—a strong asset.”

“I… I don’t trust you at all. ‘Not interfering’ is the most I can offer… Just go.” Celestial Rabbit insisted. “You’re already badly hurt. Why waste time convincing me?”

Earth Rabbit touched the wound on his chest and exhaled. “Fair enough. Sorry to bother you.”

He turned and walked to the door, reaching for the handle—when suddenly, a strange noise echoed behind him.

*Click-clack.* Like metal scraping against metal.

Before he could react, a cold sensation pierced his chest.

He looked down slowly to find a crude iron needle protruding from his torso, a single drop of blood sliding off its tip.

Celestial Rabbit stepped up behind him, her voice now steady and icy—completely different from before.

“I said I don’t trust you at all. How dare you turn your back on me?”

“You—” Earth Rabbit tried to speak, but a metallic taste flooded his throat.

“You wanted to kill me but hesitated. Now it’s my turn.”

Earth Rabbit swung his fist backward with all his strength, but Celestial Rabbit dodged effortlessly. The needle was yanked out, splattering blood across the floor.

When he turned, he saw Celestial Rabbit’s finger—now fully metallic, elongated into a rough iron spike.

Clutching his chest, Earth Rabbit struggled to breathe. Wherever that needle had pierced, it had crippled him instantly.

He bent forward, his vision darkening.

Why… why had it come to this?

After enduring for so many years… why had he hesitated at the last moment?

“…Turtles really do live the longest,” he murmured.