Chapter 769: Idol

Following the guidance of the two maps, Qi Xia arrived at this dimly lit alley.

It was hard for him to imagine that a “Zodiac” would set up their game arena in such a hidden corner.

In the shadowy corner of the alley, a seemingly lethargic “Earth Dog” was leaning against the wall, looking as if he was dozing off.

He was shirtless, wearing only a suit jacket, revealing the clear definition of his muscles.

Qi Xia slowly walked forward, blocking the only beam of light, and stood right in front of the Earth Dog.

The Earth Dog lazily raised his head, gave Qi Xia a brief glance, and then lowered it again as if he hadn’t seen him.

The reaction instantly piqued Qi Xia’s curiosity.

Whether this person was a former teammate or someone from “Tianlong” or “Qinglong,” he shouldn’t have reacted like this.

His expression suggested he had never met Qi Xia before.

“Hey,” Qi Xia called out. “Look up at me.”

The Earth Dog slowly furrowed his brow, lifting his hound-like face with visible annoyance.

“You’re pretty bold,” the Earth Dog replied. “Do you talk like this to other Zodiacs too?”

“Interesting,” Qi Xia said softly. “You don’t recognize me?”

“Do I need to?” the Earth Dog countered. “Were you one of my past victims?”

His response genuinely seemed like he had never seen Qi Xia before—an outcome Qi Xia hadn’t anticipated.

This Earth Dog appeared on “Qinglong’s” map, was present in the “Rebellion” room, and even had someone relay a message to Qi Xia. How could such a person not recognize him at all?

“Buddy,” the Earth Dog continued, lifting his sleepy eyes, “You’re not some veteran, are you?”

“Hmm?”

“If you are, don’t waste my time slacking off,” the Earth Dog waved his hand dismissively. “You know I’m a ‘Dog,’ and a ‘Dog’s’ game can’t be played alone. Go bother some other Zodiac, just not me.”

“So I can leave?” Qi Xia asked again.

“Unless you plan on staying here to chat with me,” the Earth Dog replied.

“Yes, I’d actually like to talk.” Qi Xia walked over and sat down beside him.

The Earth Dog looked increasingly baffled by this man’s behavior. He could only fish out a coin from his pocket and say, “How about we flip a coin? If you win, I’ll give you a ‘Dao,’ but you have to leave. Deal?”

Qi Xia found this Earth Dog rather amusing, so he nodded. “Fine.”

The Earth Dog placed the coin between his thumb and flicked it into the air, catching it on the back of his hand before covering it with his palm. He then slowly moved it in front of Qi Xia.

“I can’t lose this game,” Qi Xia said. “The coin started heads-up, rotated sixteen and a half times in the air before you caught it.”

“So?”

“So you’ll lose.”

“I don’t want to win anyway,” the Earth Dog replied. “I just want you to take the ‘Dao’ and leave.”

“Then do you understand what I mean by ‘lose’?” Qi Xia said. “I’ll say heads.”

The Earth Dog slowly uncovered his hand—the coin was tails.

“Didn’t you say you saw…?” the Earth Dog asked.

“Maybe I guessed wrong?” Qi Xia shrugged.

“I’ll give you another chance.”

The Earth Dog flipped the coin again, catching it mid-air.

“Heads-up launch, nineteen full rotations,” Qi Xia said. “I’ll say tails.”

The Earth Dog couldn’t shake the feeling that this man’s reasoning and final guesses didn’t quite match, but he could only frown and uncover his hand.

The coin was heads.

“Oh, wrong again,” Qi Xia said.

“You’re doing this on purpose…?” The Earth Dog finally realized the source of his unease. “You can clearly track the coin’s movement, yet you keep choosing the wrong answer?”

“Exactly, so I don’t want the ‘Dao,'” Qi Xia smirked. “I just want to talk. You and I could flip coins all day without costing you a single ‘Dao.'”

“First time I’ve seen something this interesting,” the Earth Dog said, pocketing the coin. “So who are you?”

“I’m Qi Xia—a life worth a few pastries and some fruit.”

“Hmm…?” The Earth Dog gave Qi Xia a long look before his eyes slowly widened in realization.

Only now did Qi Xia confirm that the Earth Dog’s earlier indifference wasn’t an act—he genuinely had never met him before.

This changed everything.

If this “Dog” wasn’t a former teammate… what about the others?

“Your expression is interesting,” Qi Xia said. “We’ve really never met?”

“Nope, never seen you.”

Qi Xia narrowed his eyes.

The Earth Dog then corrected himself, “But you’re my idol!”

“Idol?” Qi Xia frowned. “Since when?”

“Of course, back when you were the White—” The Earth Dog suddenly cut himself off, grabbing Qi Xia’s arm. “Come with me!”

Qi Xia followed the Earth Dog into his game arena, where the latter immediately locked the door behind them.

Now Qi Xia saw that the arena was a glass shop filled with various types of pristine, spotless glass.

The Earth Dog led him to the center, where five massive glass chambers stood—one in each cardinal direction and one in the middle.

They entered the central chamber, and the Earth Dog shut the door. Only then did Qi Xia notice the soundproofing strips on all the doors, cutting off nearly all contact with the outside world.

After ensuring the door was locked, the Earth Dog called out, “Brother White Ram?”

“Hold on,” Qi Xia raised a hand to stop him. “You truly never met me before?”

“Honestly, I rarely lie,” the Earth Dog said. “If I were good at deception, I’d have become a ‘Sheep’ long ago. But people are hard to fool, and sheep are hard to be.”

“Then who were you in a room with before?” Qi Xia pressed.

The Earth Dog thought for a moment before answering, “I can tell you, but it’s risky for me. So I need to verify your identity first.”

“Oh?” Qi Xia sounded intrigued. “How?”

“If you really are Brother White Ram, you should solve my game at a glance,” the Earth Dog said. “I’ll explain the rules, and you tell me the solution.”

Qi Xia nodded. “Go ahead.”

The Earth Dog pulled out several sticks and began detailing the rules of his “Year of Calamity” game. Before he could finish, Qi Xia raised a hand to stop him.

“I know the solution,” Qi Xia said. “The four chambers represent the ‘Four Seasons,’ and the ‘Seasons’ must coordinate. This game only needs one smart player.”