Chapter 890: Mood

I found a building and sat inside, waiting for the next day to come.

The night was long, and I flipped through the “Advanced Botanical Atlas” that Earth Serpent had given me. Come to think of it, this seemed to be the first book I had obtained on my own since arriving in the “Land of the End.”

I don’t know how others might feel about it, but for me, it was a pretty nice gift.

Though I would never have chosen something like a “Botanical Atlas” when buying or borrowing books myself, it wasn’t bad to pick up some knowledge here.

Ever since meeting White Sheep, the speed at which I gained knowledge from talking to him far surpassed reading books. It seems I’ve grown lazy—I shouldn’t have stopped reading.

This book was indeed packed with too much academic content, making it difficult for someone like me, who barely knows anything about botany, to digest.

Every plant had its Chinese name, Latin name, morphological features, pictures, and uses. When describing flowers, it even included the fancy “language of flowers” for reference.

I mimicked White Sheep and spent the entire night reading. During that time, I tried hard to forget what I was doing, immersing myself in the world of plants. By dawn, I didn’t feel the slightest bit tired—though my neck and shoulders ached from looking down for so long.

I packed the book away and headed to White Sheep’s venue under the morning sun, intending to ask for an extended leave. If he agreed, I’d return the book to Earth Serpent in the afternoon and embark on my own journey.

For over four years now, I’d come here almost every single day. I’ve grown much stronger, and now I wanted to do something for myself.

Thanks to Jiang Ruoxue, I realized I’ve become more decisive than before.

“Elysium Bank” was just as terrifying and powerful as ever, running smoothly without needing any “Zodiac” to oversee it.

At the outermost gambling tables, gamblers played among themselves, fully accepting wins and losses.

The moment a white light flickered, bets were placed. With a “Zodiac” known to be present, no one dared to renege. The rules were simple: lose, pay up; win, collect.

Losing every last cent was still infinitely better than being beaten to death by a “Zodiac.”

After all, White Sheep—who had been reading in his room just a second ago—would appear behind anyone who questioned the gambling results in the next instant.

A single glance from those eyes was enough to scare someone witless.

The “Lottery” and “Bank” operations were even more hands-off. White Sheep only occasionally met with a few “big clients.”

The standard for a “big client” was depositing eighty “Dao” at once—a sum only the most renowned powerhouses in the “Land of the End” could afford.

“Brother Sheep,” I found him in his office. He wasn’t reading today, just spacing out.

I called his name a few times, but he didn’t respond.

Strange… it was still morning…

I remembered White Sheep only spaced out in the afternoons. Had he started doing it in the mornings too?

“Brother Sheep…?” I called again softly.

His eyes were open, but his gaze was vacant, staring straight ahead.

Forcing someone awake from hypnosis or sleepwalking could have serious consequences, but I couldn’t just leave without saying goodbye.

As I hesitated, I suddenly thought of Jiang Ruoxue.

Hadn’t she already taught me a way?

I stepped forward, scanning White Sheep’s surroundings before settling on the desk in front of him.

I reached out and knocked firmly on the surface.

*Knock knock knock!*

Though White Sheep didn’t wake, his expression shifted slightly—it really worked.

*Knock knock knock!*

I knocked again, and White Sheep snapped out of it, looking at me in confusion.

His eyes first drifted to my clothes, then to the tattoos on my hands. Just as his expression grew puzzled, he finally looked at my face.

In an instant, his expression cooled.

“Yan Zhichun…?”

“Yes, Brother Sheep. Did I cause any trouble?”

“No.” He quickly glanced around, as if trying to place himself.

A few seconds later, he stood and walked to the bar in his office, stocked with alcohol and coffee powder—likely gifts from “big clients.” But White Sheep had said he didn’t drink, so these were probably for entertaining guests.

“Care for a drink?” he asked.

“No, thanks. I’m here to ask for leave,” I said. “About one cycle’s time. I won’t be able to come see you.”

White Sheep nodded without refusing.

“You seem in good spirits,” he remarked.

“Yeah…” I smiled. “I’ve figured a lot of things out. I’m ready to stop being passive and start pursuing what I want—like going after my life’s goals.”

“Good.” He nodded. “Is one cycle enough? If not, you can take longer. You’ve already helped me plenty. No need to push yourself too hard now.”

“Brother Sheep…” I smiled and asked a question I’d been holding back. “How have you been lately?”

“Me…?”

“Honestly… you seem happier too,” I said. “Is it because this game’s making you rich? You don’t seem as burdened as before.”

“How to put it…” He poured himself a glass of water and took a sip. “This game is unfolding exactly as I envisioned. There’s nothing particularly joyful about it.”

“Then…”

“If anything’s affecting my mood… it’s probably the handful of insufferable students I’ve taken on. They’re a constant nuisance, but… it’s not a bad feeling.” The corner of his mouth lifted slightly—I actually saw him smile.

Good heavens, a miracle.

“Students…?” I nodded, feigning composure. “So ‘Earth-Level Zodiacs’ take students too?”

“At first, I found it troublesome,” he admitted. “I rejected countless ‘Human-Level Zodiacs,’ wanting to stay alone. But Earth Dragon told me that if an ‘Earth-Level Zodiac’ refuses to mentor, it violates the rules. After all, the ‘Zodiacs’ need successors. So I randomly picked three unwanted Human-Levels.”

“Wait… what?”

As absurd as it sounded, it was so very White Sheep.

“Turns out, they’re kind of interesting,” he continued. “I’d almost stopped eating altogether, but sitting with them at the table and exchanging a few words every day… it’s not bad.”

My earlier guess was spot-on. White Sheep was mistaking this shared time for the feeling of “family”—something he lacked most.

Even if they were just a bunch of unwanted misfits, as long as White Sheep could talk to them, bonds would naturally form.

I was genuinely happy for him.

Before I could say “congratulations,” though, his tone shifted.

“But… these days will have to end eventually, won’t they?”

“End?”

“All feasts must conclude.” His voice was calm. “With attachment comes vulnerability. With vulnerability comes pain. One day… someone will threaten me the same way I’ve threatened others.”

“But you’re strong,” I countered. “Why would someone truly powerful fear threats?”

“What if I forget them?” he asked.