Chapter 871: The Decree of Cause and Effect

Hold on… Old Sun actually bought it?

This was the first time I told a member of the “Extreme Path” that they’d have some connection with White Aries in the future. Turns out, it’s not just me… Would White Aries actually talk to them too?

But I quickly realized—White Aries is already a “Zodiac,” and in the future, he might even become a “Land-level Zodiac.” It’s entirely possible that one day, they’d all cross paths with him in a game. That wasn’t hard to understand at all.

“But you said I’m just some ordinary guy…” Old Sun suddenly spoke up again. “How the hell would someone like me ever get close to someone that powerful?”

Hearing that question, I was caught in a dilemma.

This was like a quiz show with prizes on the line.

If I took the prize and walked away now, Old Sun would become a member of the “Extreme Path.” But if I kept talking, there was a chance he’d eventually decide everything I said was a lie.

Given that… should I keep gambling?

“Old Sun… what’s your ‘Echo’?” I asked.

From here on out, I’d decide whether to bet on “Causality” based on his value.

“What’s gotten into you, kid?” Old Sun gave me a puzzled look. “Just a second ago, I thought you were sharp… Now you’re all over the place. I’m ‘Original Object,’ didn’t I show you in that Earth Pig game earlier?”

With that, he reached out and clenched his fist in front of me—but his hand was empty.

He seemed a little embarrassed, steadied himself, and tried again.

Still nothing.

“Damn it… why isn’t it working?” Old Sun scratched his head, then looked up at me in confusion. “Where’d my stuff go?”

Like I said, I’ve never been able to handle overly extroverted people.

His tone made it sound like I’d stolen whatever was supposed to be in his hand.

“What the hell… can’t grab anything… Ugh! Anyway, it’s ‘Original Object,’ alright?” He looked up at me with an indifferent expression, which somehow made *me* feel awkward.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, completely baffled by this “vanishing Original Object.” Unfortunately, my memories hadn’t fully returned, so I had no idea how strong this guy’s “Echo” really was.

“Try again,” I said.

Old Sun nodded and gave it a few more attempts in front of me. He kept reaching out, clawing at the air in a way that looked a little ridiculous—like he was trying to grab something, but his hands remained empty.

“Ah, hell, where’d that feeling go?” Old Sun was getting impatient. “Why can’t I grab anything anymore?”

I could tell his “Echo” was pretty much inactive now. He’d started doubting himself.

Since he was such a weak “Echo-user,” maybe I could afford to gamble one more time.

Starting now, I’d place my bet on “Causality.”

“Old Sun, maybe stop trying for now. What was it you asked me earlier?” I said.

“Earlier…?” Old Sun paused, withdrawing his hands from the air before answering. “I… asked how someone like me could ever get close to someone that powerful?”

“Right,” I said. “Want me to take a guess? Guess how you’ll meet this person in the future.”

“Sure,” Old Sun nodded. “You’re sharper than me. How do you figure I’ll run into him?”

“Maybe you’ll have some connection in a game.”

I placed my bet.

“Oh, yeah, that makes sense,” Old Sun nodded again. “Can’t think of any other way, really.”

He bought it.

First round—narrow victory. Time to raise the stakes with “Causality.”

“If I’m meeting someone that strong, it must be a pretty tough game, huh?” Old Sun pressed.

I thought about it for a second. If it was a game designed by White Aries, of course it wouldn’t be easy.

“Probably pretty hard,” I upped the ante.

“Figured,” Old Sun said. “You know this guy?”

“Of course,” I doubled down.

“No wonder…” Old Sun let out a bitter laugh. “He’s one of us ‘Participants,’ then?”

“No, he’s a ‘Zodiac,'” I answered without thinking.

“The hell?!” Old Sun shot to his feet. “What did you just say?!”

My eyes widened slowly. Something was wrong. But the words were already out—where had I slipped up?

Every single gamble up to this point had landed right… but one straightforward truth had blown my cover?

“He’s a ‘Zodiac’? Kid, you’re messin’ with me, aren’t ya?”

“Huh…?” I was momentarily stunned.

“How the hell would I ever get close to a ‘Zodiac’ in a game? Those things are out to kill us!” Old Sun looked furious, like he’d been played. “You think you can be friends with someone who wants you dead?! Should’ve known you were full of it. Wasted my damn time listenin’ to your nonsense!”

I was suddenly lost…

Wait a second—Old Sun believed there’d be someone who could change this place. He believed he’d have some connection with that person in the future. He even believed the games wouldn’t be easy.

But he *didn’t* believe that person was a “Zodiac”?

Did that mean… the person *wasn’t* a “Zodiac”?

If not a “Zodiac,” then what *was* he?

My mind went blank with confusion. Something didn’t add up.

Wasn’t Brother Goat the one who was supposed to change this place?

“W-Wait… Old Sun…” I stood up too, baffled. “Don’t go yet… I still have something to tell you…”

“Enough!” Old Sun waved me off. “Knew this was fishy from the start. The more you talk, the crazier it sounds. You’re like some damn cult. Quit wasting my time.”

With that, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Another failure. But I didn’t even think about chasing him—I was too damn confused.

Brother Goat… *wasn’t* a “Zodiac” in the future?

But what else could the “Zodiac” path lead to?

A mix of excitement and dread hit me… Could Brother Goat really have become something beyond human, just like he said—through self-suggestion?

A monster…?

But that didn’t make sense either. If he was a monster, how could he have ever exchanged words with Old Sun?

Just as my brain was working overtime, I heard a faint rustling outside the door—like a voice I hadn’t heard in ages was speaking to Old Sun.

They were talking about something.

Before long, Old Sun came back inside, grinning at me.

“Hey, kid! Why didn’t you explain the whole ‘logic’ of it earlier? Would’ve saved us both some trouble!”

I froze, not even getting a chance to respond before Jiang Ruoxue—who I hadn’t seen in five years—stepped out from behind Old Sun with a mischievous smirk and waved.

“Hi!”