Chapter 549: The Whirlpool

I agreed to Chu Tianqiu’s request.

Thinking about it carefully, it’s terrifying. While I agreed to Qinglong’s demands, I also attempted to infiltrate the conflict between Chu Tianqiu and Qi Xia. The power disparity in the game between the four of us is far too vast, isn’t it?

It feels like I’m licking blood off a blade’s edge, or charging at powerful monsters with nothing but a rusty knife. If they accidentally graze me while tearing into each other, I’ll be shattered to pieces in an instant.

In this shapeless whirlpool, how can I possibly escape unscathed?

Fortunately, at least for now, Chu Tianqiu’s plan and Qinglong’s plan partially overlap.

Qinglong wants Chu Tianqiu and Qi Xia to fight, and Chu Tianqiu also hopes I can deliberately expose a weakness to Qi Xia.

From this perspective… as long as I fulfill what both of them expect of me, I might barely be able to navigate between them.

This feeling genuinely sends chills down my spine.

Neither Qi Xia nor Qinglong—I can’t see through either of them.

Now, even Chu Tianqiu’s eyes are veiled in mist.

As I’ve said, I’ve always been an ordinary person. There’s no way I can compete with these natural-born monsters. But I’ll do everything within my power.

Either I find a way to destroy this place, or this place destroys me.

In the days that followed, I worked hard to play the role of Chu Tianqiu, while the real Chu Tianqiu hid himself in the refuge he had built inside a grave.

“Paradise Port” was also different from before.

Though the people here still followed my instructions, they seemed to have lost their “souls.” Two years ago, “Paradise Port” was nothing like this—back then, everyone had a driving motivation, and you could see the light in their eyes.

Now, that light is gone.

Even Zhang Shan is no longer as full of vigor as he once was.

Though many don’t remember what happened before, the deep-seated “despair” remains, lingering in everyone’s hearts, never fading.

If I had to name someone in “Paradise Port” whose eyes still hold a glimmer of light?

Naturally, it’s Yun Yao.

The light in her eyes burns brighter than anyone else’s. She wants to escape more fiercely than anyone, and her resolve is unshakable.

In the second cycle, following Chu Tianqiu’s instructions, I waited where Qi Xia and his group would appear and directly invited them to join “Paradise Port.”

The plan went even smoother than I expected.

After all, my portrayal of Chu Tianqiu was flawless—I used his signature smile and his refined, amiable demeanor to face everyone.

When they arrived at “Paradise Port,” I immediately sent Zhang Shan to restrain Qiao Jiajin, successfully provoking Qi Xia.

But I didn’t expect Qi Xia to have changed too.

The old Qi Xia, though brilliant, would always extend a helping hand to those around him. In my memories, he would never knock someone to the ground at the slightest disagreement.

Yet this time, he immediately raised a brick, ready to kill me—this “Chu Tianqiu”—on the spot.

There’s a sense of despair in Qi Xia now, one I’ve never seen before. It makes him ruthless. Even just his gaze alone is enough to make me feel bone-chilling despair.

What happened to him?

Just days ago, when he was sitting in that taxi covered in blood, he asked me, “Are you awake now?”

That Qi Xia, who cared so much even for a stranger, now stares at me with icy eyes, gripping my neck with a brick in hand.

I was gone for only two years—why has everyone changed?

What happened to Chu Tianqiu?

What happened to Qi Xia?

These two powerhouses were significant enough to make Qinglong personally intervene—just to watch them fight?

**”Chu Tianqiu, what the hell are you pretending for?”** Qi Xia asked.

**”Pretending…? What do you mean?”**

I forced a smile, but my heart was racing. Why does he think I’m pretending?

What’s wrong with this man? Can he see through me?

His cold gaze remained fixed on me as he continued, **”I don’t care if you’re the leader of ‘Paradise Port’ or some god ruling this place—why provoke me?”**

**”I… How have I provoked you?”**

A single sentence from Qi Xia made my hair stand on end. Does he actually know something… or is he just bluffing?

Why did he suddenly mention “the leader of ‘Paradise Port'” and “a god ruling this place”?

My mind grew increasingly chaotic. It felt like I was the only one left in the dark in this game.

These three are far too powerful—I’m no match for any of them. I have a sinking feeling… I might already be trapped in someone’s “scheme.”

But whose scheme is it?

Qi Xia’s?

Chu Tianqiu’s?

Qinglong’s?

He kept tossing that brick in his hand, his eyes brimming with murderous intent. I truly felt like he was about to kill me.

But I haven’t even met Qinglong yet. If I die now, I might not revive.

After all, he never promised me the status of a “participant” in this cycle. If I die, it’s over.

In that case… what should I do?

Countless thoughts raced through my mind, and a desperate idea surfaced.

Wait… There might still be one last path I can take.

I’ll come clean to Qi Xia right now.

Since I can no longer navigate between them, I’ll align myself with one side. If Qi Xia learns of Chu Tianqiu and Qinglong’s plans, his nature alone could throw this place into chaos!

**”Wait—! Listen to me! I have reasons for doing this!”** I shouted, hoping that if he hesitated even slightly, I’d tell him everything.

But Qi Xia was still Qi Xia—he always exceeded my expectations.

**”Too bad you didn’t tell me your reasons earlier,”** he replied coldly. **”The one thing I hate most in life is surprises. No matter how shocking your ‘truth’ is, I’m still going to smash your skull.”**

He really was going to kill me.

Thankfully, Yun Yao stepped in, grabbing him and desperately trying to reason with him.

But by then, I was genuinely terrified of Qi Xia. He wasn’t the same as before…

The old Qi Xia always had a crowd of followers wherever he went. But now, his eyes were sharp, and he only had Qiao Jiajin by his side. His followers had dwindled—what happened?

Just when I thought Yun Yao had talked him down, he raised the brick again.

**”Since we all revive when we die… I’ll just smash your skull this time. Consider it a lesson—don’t mess with me in your ‘next life.'”**

**”No… I can’t die yet—”**

I really can’t die, Qi Xia. You can’t do this.

Even if the real Chu Tianqiu could die this time, I can’t!!

I’ll disappear for good!!

As panic consumed me, the brick struck the ground beside my ear, kicking up a cloud of dust.