In the room, almost all the “Zodiacs” except the Earth Horse rushed forward, pinning the Earth Tiger to the ground.
The table was overturned, food scattered everywhere, and two chairs were even smashed to pieces.
Colorful hands from various animals pressed down hard on the Earth Tiger’s mouth, as if trying to suffocate him alive.
The Earth Tiger’s actions had been far too shocking, leaving everyone momentarily at a loss.
Was it better to flee now… or just hand him over directly?
“Mmgh…!” The Earth Tiger struggled to breathe, flailing his arms wildly, but the others ignored him, staring blankly at the door instead.
Though it was just an experiment… this one was far too bold.
If they truly angered the Azure Dragon, their deaths would come in an instant.
From what they knew of the Azure Dragon, he wouldn’t even bother listening to pleas for mercy—he’d simply kill everyone in the room as swiftly as possible.
Apart from the Earth Tiger’s muffled cries, the only sound left was the stunned heartbeat of the others.
The Azure Dragon possessed “Teleportation.” If he had really heard those words… he’d likely appear within a second.
The door would be blasted open, and all the “Zodiacs” would be wiped out.
Yet, after waiting for dozens of seconds… why hadn’t he come?
Could he really not hear…?
“Are we… about to become ‘ants’?” the Earth Pig asked mournfully. “Will the promises we made with our friends… never be fulfilled?”
None of the “Zodiacs” responded, silently waiting another three minutes before confirming that there was no movement at the door.
Not only was there no oppressive sense of the Azure Dragon’s arrival, but even the “Celestial Dog” hadn’t been dispatched.
After a moment of silence, they slowly released their grip on the Earth Tiger’s mouth.
“Ugh! Why the hell did you cover my mouth?!” The Earth Tiger shoved them away. “What did I tell you?! Their ears are all deaf! Believe me now?”
The “Zodiacs” stood up, half-convinced, half-skeptical. No matter how they looked at it, the situation was absurd.
They had previously deduced that “Zodiac infighting” went unpunished… but now, even openly cursing the Azure Dragon on the “Train” was ignored?
Then what was the point of the “Train”? Just a place for the “Zodiacs” to live?
The Earth Tiger got up, righted a chair, and sat down. “What’s with all the nervousness? I was the one who said it—if anything happens, I’m the one who’ll get punished.”
“Ugh…” The Earth Dog rubbed his temples. “But we’re all in this room. Do you really think the Azure Dragon has the patience to hear our explanations before executing us?”
He shook his head, feeling utterly exhausted.
The Earth Mouse glanced at the Earth Dog, then turned to the Earth Tiger. “See that, Boss Tiger? Even the dog shakes his head at your plan.”
“Wait—hold on.” The Earth Dog frowned. “Who exactly are you insulting with that?”
“Don’t worry, I’m not targeting anyone—because I’m not insulting a person.” The Earth Mouse waved a hand, picking up another chair. “I just hope our reckless ‘Tiger Leader’ could be a bit more cautious. Even the fence-sitters are scared stiff.”
“Damn it, practice reveals the truth!” the Earth Tiger bellowed. “If we just keep guessing, how will we ever know? You think I’m the Sheep Brother or something?”
“Who the hell would mistake you for the Sheep Brother?!” The Black Sheep stood up, his expression fierce. “You can be reckless all you want, but why drag us into your death wish?”
“Stop… just stop… my ears are about to explode…” The Earth Dog waved his hands weakly. “Can’t you just sit down and talk properly? This is exhausting. What kind of curse made me join you people…?”
The towering Earth Rabbit, unsure how to handle the chaos, grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and sidled up to the Earth Horse, who had remained mostly silent.
“Want some seeds…?” he offered tentatively.
Up close, the Earth Rabbit realized that the Earth Horse, despite being female, was nearly as tall as him—both standing at roughly six feet three.
Was it due to the “Horse” trait… or was she naturally that tall?
Her right foot was wrapped in thick bandages, yet she chose to stand by the wall rather than sit.
“No, thanks,” the Earth Horse replied coldly, glancing briefly at the Earth Rabbit’s bandages before turning away as if she hadn’t seen them.
“Uh… it’s pretty lively in here,” the Earth Rabbit tried again.
“Yeah.”
Silence fell between them as they watched the commotion unfold.
The Earth Rabbit felt like he had a special talent—killing conversations with anyone.
“Lazy mutt!” the Earth Pig snapped irritably. “What kind of talk is that? ‘What curse made me join you’?! We’re bonded companions! That kind of talk is just… just ‘mourning the rabbit’s death’!”
“Wait… is that even how you use ‘mourning the rabbit’s death’…?” The Earth Dog frowned. “Instead of being melodramatic, why not read a book?”
“Hold on…” The Earth Rabbit munched on seeds. “I don’t get it. Why is the rabbit dead all of a sudden?”
“What does it matter if I read or not?!” The Earth Pig ignored him, glaring at the Earth Dog. “You looking for a fight? Who gave you the right to talk to me like that?”
Since all the “Earth-Level Zodiacs” were equals, no one could issue orders in the room, and soon, chaos erupted again.
Just as the argument reached its peak, a faint, polite knock echoed through the door.
*Knock knock knock knock knock.*
The clamor died instantly, the fear of the Azure Dragon surging back into their hearts.
*Knock knock knock knock knock.*
“Oh, damn,” the Earth Tiger’s massive head twitched. “So he wasn’t ignoring me… just delayed?”
The Earth Mouse and the Black Sheep exchanged glances, swallowing hard…
Since when was the Azure Dragon… this polite?
“A real man owns up to his actions!” The Earth Tiger roared, marching toward the door. “This team doesn’t need me anyway—I was just eliminating an option for everyone!”
Shrugging off attempts to stop him, he yanked the door open, raising his head defiantly.
The next second, a flurry of slaps rained down from outside, all landing squarely on the Earth Tiger’s big, furry face.
Though the blows weren’t heavy, they sent him stumbling backward.
When the others saw who had entered, they fell deathly silent.
“Didn’t I tell you to keep it down?!”
A sharp, piercing woman’s voice screeched at them.
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