The Azure Dragon stared into Qi Xia’s eyes for a long moment before speaking softly,
“Had I known someone like you would appear in the ‘Land of the End,’ I would have chosen to possess ‘Mind Reading’ back then. I’m desperate to know which of your words are actually true.”
“Probably wouldn’t help much,” Qi Xia replied. “Even ‘Celestial Serpent’ couldn’t see through me. Even if you had ‘Mind Reading,’ you wouldn’t gain much advantage.”
“Mind Reading can’t handle you…? How do you do it?” the Azure Dragon asked.
“Simple,” Qi Xia said. “First, you must be able to think of countless things at the same time. When ‘Celestial Serpent’ reads an overwhelming amount of information, it becomes impossible to process—its brain briefly shuts down.”
“But even so… if it could calm itself, it could still sort out all your thoughts,” the Azure Dragon countered. “Even if you were thinking of a hundred things at once, it could take its time to understand your mind.”
“That’s why I have a second safeguard,” Qi Xia said. “From the moment I set foot in this land, I’ve been speculating about the origins and truth of everything. But I have a bad habit.”
“What…?”
“I never draw conclusions,” Qi Xia said. “Every path leads to countless answers, so I deliberately avoid settling on any definitive conclusion. I keep every possibility alive in my mind. It helps me explore more options and confuses ‘Celestial Serpent’s’ judgment.”
“Never drawing conclusions…” the Azure Dragon muttered. “So even if ‘Celestial Serpent’ reads your mind, all it gets are endless questions and uncertain answers.”
“Exactly. That’s why I almost wish you *did* have ‘Mind Reading,'” Qi Xia said with a faint smile. “You could help me think through some questions I can’t answer.”
The Azure Dragon fell silent, studying Qi Xia for a long moment before finally saying, “Qi Xia, no matter what reasons you give, we now have a trust crisis.”
“Oh…?” Qi Xia blinked in confusion. “I’ve laid everything out like this… and you still don’t trust me?”
“I don’t know if you remember, but we’ve made many deals before—yet this time is different,” the Azure Dragon said coldly. “Because now, you meet the conditions to become a ‘Dragon.’ No matter how convincingly you speak, I can’t fully trust you anymore.”
“That’s a shame,” Qi Xia sighed. “The worst thing in a partnership is mutual suspicion.”
The Azure Dragon snorted and turned away. “If you truly don’t want to become a ‘Dragon,’ then fine. Our deal and plans remain unchanged. But from now on, I’ll have to take full defensive measures in case you suddenly betray me.”
“Disappointing to hear,” Qi Xia said. “I suppose I’ll just have to prove myself through action.”
With an irritated flick of his sleeve, the Azure Dragon vanished from the rooftop, and the oppressive silence that had surrounded them dissipated.
Once the Azure Dragon was gone, Qi Xia exhaled deeply, composed himself, and made his way downstairs.
Having waited too long on the rooftop, Chen Junnan grew uneasy and was about to check on him when he ran into Qi Xia descending the stairs.
“Old Qi… been up there a while. Chatting with ghosts and gods again?” Chen Junnan asked, looking up from the steps.
“Something like that,” Qi Xia nodded.
“Y’know, I’d suggest sticking to humans,” Chen Junnan said with a smirk. “Those other things are too unpredictable.”
Qi Xia didn’t respond, only sighed before asking, “Where’s the person I wanted to see?”
“Ah!” Chen Junnan suddenly perked up. “Old Qi, I was just about to ask—you want a wife or what? That woman seems like a perfect match for you!”
He paused for a second, feeling like he’d said something similar before, though he couldn’t recall when.
“Match…?” Qi Xia frowned. “Cut the nonsense. Where is she?”
“Right, follow me.”
Chen Junnan waved him along, leading him to the second floor of the school building and stopping at the very last room in the hallway. He pushed the door open.
Inside, Yan Zhichun stood in a white dress, her back to them as she gazed out the window.
Chen Junnan was about to crack another joke when he noticed the unusually serious look in Qi Xia’s eyes. Sensing the gravity of the moment, he wisely shut his mouth and quietly closed the door behind Qi Xia after he stepped inside.
Hearing the movement, Yan Zhichun turned around and locked eyes with Qi Xia.
After studying his ash-gray, goat-like pupils for a few seconds, her expression shifted—first confusion, then surprise, and finally a slow nod of realization.
“Those eyes… it really is you?” she whispered. “Brother Goat…?”
“Indeed,” Qi Xia confirmed. “When we last met, I didn’t remember who you were. But now it’s different.”
Yan Zhichun took a deep breath, relief washing over her. “What the hell… I really thought you were dead.”
“I don’t die that easily,” Qi Xia said. “Yan Zhichun, you’ve done well all these years. It’s time for the final step.”
“How… do you know I’ve done well?”
“Because the name ‘Extremists’ is too loud,” Qi Xia chuckled. “There’s a woman in the group named Xiao Xiao. During my memory loss, she left quite an impression—she beat Qiao Jiajin and Tian Tian to death right in front of me. That moment filled me with utter hatred for this place and the ‘Extremists.’ That despair came at the perfect time. It’s the result of your relentless efforts, and I’m pleased.”
Yan Zhichun smiled sheepishly. “Brother Goat, you flatter me too much. That ‘despair’ was really just you passing it to yourself across seven years. I was just the middleman.”
Qi Xia nodded. “Also, I quite like the name ‘Extremists.’ It suits a ‘Needle’ perfectly. Speaking of which… do you have your own ‘Needle’?”
“I do,” Yan Zhichun said firmly. “I’ve learned a lot from you, Brother Goat. Whether it’s the ‘Cats’ or ‘Paradise Port,’ I’ve always had my people there.”
“Good,” Qi Xia said. “At dawn tomorrow, I’ll be participating in the ‘Earth Dragon’s’ game. You’ll come with me. And… tell your people to start moving.”
“Understood,” Yan Zhichun nodded. “I’ll arrange everything tonight.”
“All these years… you’ve worked hard,” Qi Xia said solemnly. “Let the upheaval begin.”
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