Even if Zhang Shan didn’t retain his memories, he had heard that the “Extreme Path” were a bunch of lunatics.
But this group was simply too insane.
“Why must we settle this in a game?” Zhang Shan asked.
“Because there’s a ‘referee,'” Xiao Xiao said with a smile. “If we kill you in the game, the other members of ‘Paradise Gate’ won’t have any reason to retaliate, right?”
Qi Xia felt more and more uneasy as he listened.
“W-wait…” He raised his head in confusion. “Are you using *me* as the bet in this wager?”
“Exactly,” Xiao Xiao nodded.
“What do you take me for?” Qi Xia snapped. “Even if you win, so what? I don’t want to join you—do you not understand that?”
“If you refuse, we’ll kill you every time we see you. Unless you plan to hole up in ‘Paradise Gate’ forever and never step out, you’ll just rot here over and over again,” Xiao Xiao said with a laugh.
Qi Xia gritted his teeth in frustration at these maniacs, but he had no idea how to stop them.
Yun Yao thought for a moment before asking, “And if *we* win? Will you leave Qi Xia alone from then on?”
Xiao Xiao paused briefly before replying, “If you win, I promise we won’t use force to abduct him again.”
That answer made Zhang Shan’s expression darken.
“Dang it! Are you playing word games with me?” He frowned. “You won’t use force, but you’ll try other methods, huh?”
“This is the biggest concession the ‘Extreme Path’ has ever made,” Xiao Xiao said with a smile. “So, what’ll it be? Endless slaughter, or a one-time showdown?”
Yun Yao considered carefully. She knew exactly what the “Extreme Path” was like.
If they refused, Qi Xia would likely never have a peaceful day again.
“What game do you propose?” Yun Yao asked.
“I know there’s a newly constructed ‘Earth Tiger’ game at the intersection up ahead—three versus three, untouched so far,” Xiao Xiao said. “At dawn tomorrow, we’ll settle it there. How’s that?”
“‘Tiger’…?” Qi Xia hesitated before whispering to Yun Yao, “What kind of game is ‘Tiger’?”
“It’s more relaxed than ‘Ox’ despite being a physical challenge, gentler than ‘Rooster’ despite being combat-oriented, and less reliant on teamwork than ‘Dog’ despite being a group game,” Yun Yao explained.
She gave three comparisons, all seemingly highlighting the “Tiger’s” shortcomings, but Qi Xia sensed something unusual in her words.
“So… ‘Tiger’ is a game that combines physicality, combat, *and* teamwork?”
“Exactly.”
Noticing their hushed discussion, Xiao Xiao interjected, “Let me make one thing clear—Qi Xia himself isn’t allowed to participate. Otherwise, we can’t go all out. If he joins, the match is void.”
Yun Yao and the others exchanged glances but didn’t respond.
“Accept or refuse—just give me your answer,” Xiao Xiao pressed.
There wasn’t much of a choice to make.
Yun Yao knew full well that Qi Xia’s abilities were extraordinary. If they wanted to escape the “Endless Labyrinth,” they had to keep him in “Paradise Gate.”
But was it worth risking a reckless confrontation in the “Earth Tiger” for that reason?
“Who will you send?” Yun Yao asked. “Just the three of you?”
“That’s none of your concern,” Xiao Xiao replied. “You can field your strongest lineup—we won’t interfere.”
Hearing this, Yun Yao turned to Qi Xia and whispered, “What do you think?”
“Do I have a choice?”
Qi Xia found the whole situation nauseating. A bunch of lunatics had gained supernatural abilities, and their sole purpose was to harass him, hoping he’d turn into one of them.
But then again…
Wasn’t this also an opportunity?
“Paradise Gate” and the “Extreme Path” would clash openly—without him having to lift a finger.
The stronger side would be obvious at a glance.
It was the perfect chance to observe both factions’ tactics while staying out of the fray.
“Do *you* want to accept?” Qi Xia asked.
“Chu Tianqiu isn’t here, so the decision is mine,” Yun Yao said. “We *have* to keep you.”
“Then just agree,” Qi Xia said dismissively. “If you lose, the next time we meet, I’ll greet you with a hearty ‘Long live the Extreme Path.'”
“You’re insane.”
Yun Yao rolled her eyes before turning back to Xiao Xiao. “Then it’s settled. At sunrise tomorrow, we meet at the ‘Earth Tiger’ game up ahead.”
The group dispersed under an odd tension.
With such high stakes, Yun Yao had no choice but to lead everyone back to “Paradise Gate” immediately to discuss their next move.
Chu Tianqiu listened to their account with an extremely grave expression before promptly summoning all available “Paradise Gate” members for an emergency meeting in one of the classrooms.
With some members out participating in other games, only a little over ten people were present.
“‘Earth Tiger’?” Old Lü asked. “Has anyone here played it before?”
Silence.
“Zhang Shan has,” Chu Tianqiu said. “He’s well-suited for ‘Tiger’ games.”
“Really?” Zhang Shan had no memory of it.
“Yes. This time, you’ll lead the team,” Chu Tianqiu nodded. “For certain reasons, we can’t afford to lose Qi Xia, so I’m counting on you.”
“No problem,” Zhang Shan agreed. “But who should I pick as teammates?”
Chu Tianqiu scanned the room before realizing the second-best candidate wasn’t there. “Qi Xia has a teammate named Qiao Jijin. Bring him too.”
Qi Xia stiffened. “Qiao Jijin? Why?”
“Why?” Chu Tianqiu glanced at him. “Because he’s now a member of Paradise Gate and should follow orders. Besides, his combat skills are exceptional—a perfect fit for ‘Tiger.'”
Qi Xia wanted to refuse, but then he remembered—today, Qiao Jijin had gone out with Lin Qin.
And Lin Qin would definitely find a way to touch him.
That meant Qiao Jijin’s chances of “echoing” would skyrocket. The “Earth Tiger” game was the perfect opportunity.
The “White Tiger” had once said that escaping this place hinged on Qiao Jijin’s abilities.
But what about *safety*…?
Qi Xia glanced up and caught sight of Zhang Shan’s towering figure.
Suddenly, he felt he was overthinking things.
If Qiao Jijin and Zhang Shan *together* couldn’t win this “slaughter” game, then Xiao Xiao might as well be invincible.
Teaming Qiao Jijin with Zhang Shan was even safer than pairing him with Qi Xia himself.
But who would be the third member…?
Qi Xia started calculating—what was this team missing?
Chu Tianqiu mused aloud, “A shame Jin Yuanxun isn’t here…”
But even if Jin Yuanxun *were* present, the situation wouldn’t be ideal. His personality was too similar to Zhang Shan and Qiao Jijin’s.
After a pause, Chu Tianqiu’s gaze landed on a wiry, dark-skinned girl sitting in the corner.
“Li Xiangling,” he called.
“Here!” The girl stood up like a gust of wind.
“After some thought, you’re the best fit,” Chu Tianqiu smiled. “Two reckless men in a team might have flaws—you’ll make up for them.”
The girl grinned sharply and gave a practiced martial artist’s salute. “Understood!”
Qi Xia took a closer look—her palms and the backs of her hands were covered in calluses.
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