Chapter 1331: The Vastness of Heaven

Tianlong slightly furrowed his brows and softly asked, “What are you talking about?”

“Ah…” Earth Monkey froze for a moment, “Sorry… we… don’t know what’s going on right now…”

“Mind your own business,” Tianlong said pointedly. “The situation is special now. All the ‘Zodiacs’ are under observation. As long as you behave, there’s still a chance for survival.”

Earth Monkey and Earth Rooster immediately lowered their heads, as if something hidden deep in their hearts had been exposed. They didn’t dare utter another word.

Tianlong ignored them and, led by Qinglong, walked toward the door leading to the “Sun.”

Stepping outside, the foul-smelling wind of “Taoyuan” rushed into their nostrils, yet the two seemed unfazed as they stepped onto the ground.

They moved forward step by step while Qinglong shook his head helplessly. “Tianlong, you should know… any ‘Zodiac’ appearing near the ‘Locomotive’ at this time is suspicious.”

“So what?” Tianlong replied nonchalantly, walking ahead. “From their perspective, even the ‘Celestials’ have died, yet Bai Yang hasn’t won. The rebellious ‘Earth-level’ Zodiacs are now in panic, but they remain fiercely loyal. If we can bring them under our command, we can quickly restore order.”

“I see…”

Tianlong then shifted the topic. “So, how badly are you injured…?”

“I…” Qinglong pursed his lips, feeling the matter was too embarrassing to admit.

How could he explain being cornered by three “Participants” and a tree?

“Someone as accustomed to ‘leaping’ as you now willingly walks with me. It seems all your ‘Faith’ is shaken.” Tianlong chuckled lightly. “Did Bai Yang really push you this far?”

“Bai Yang…” Qinglong’s gaze darkened. “He’s nothing but a complete fraud. We almost died there…”

“But the scales tipped in our favor again,” Tianlong said. “No matter how dangerous it seemed this time, we pulled through.”

“Yes…” Qinglong exhaled deeply. “If you hadn’t awakened, who knows which way the scales would have tilted?”

“It’s fine. The sun will rise as usual today,” Tianlong said with a faint smile. “Because we are the will of heaven. No one can shake you or me.”

The two slowly approached the eerie stone platform. Tianlong extended a finger and lightly touched the “Energy Storage” eyeball at its center.

The eyeball trembled violently, as if absorbing an incredibly precious nutrient. Tianlong’s “Faith” surged into it in that instant.

The immense “Faith” was like filling a balloon with a lake—within seconds, the eyeball turned crimson. A tremor shook the ground as “Dissolution” erupted from the “Sun,” spreading across all of “Taoyuan.”

Distant screams, cries, and pleas echoed through “Taoyuan,” just like every normal cycle.

Other than the stench of “Taoyuan” growing slightly worse, nothing had changed.

Tianlong’s complexion paled slightly, but he seemed long accustomed to this state.

He pressed a hand to his chest, his breathing growing labored. Though weakened every time, this was the first time breathing had become difficult.

Something had felt off since waking this time. Day after day of awakening in this place had likely taken its toll on his body.

How many more times could he “Dissolve” these people?

“Every time I wake, I get the chance to speak with you—proof that I haven’t gone mad,” Tianlong said with a bitter smile. “Qinglong, do you look forward to my awakenings?”

Qinglong remained silent, head bowed.

“Tell me… how many in all of ‘Taoyuan’ truly look forward to my awakening?” Tianlong pressed.

“Enough. You and I are the rulers of ‘Taoyuan,'” Qinglong said. “You *will* awaken. It has nothing to do with ‘wanting’ anymore.”

Tianlong nodded, listening to the distant screams before abruptly changing the subject. “Do you remember why I once told you a cycle lasts twelve days?”

Qinglong glanced distractedly into the distance, as if unwilling to answer. “No.”

“Twelve is the infinite number of heaven and earth,” Tianlong said, gazing at the sky. “‘Heaven, Earth, and Man’ are all governed by twelve—twelve years in a cycle, twelve months in a year, twelve hours in a day. But something is missing…”

“What are you getting at…?” Qinglong sighed. “That the universe lacks a rule to carry ‘twelve days’?”

“Don’t you think so?” Tianlong replied. “We’ve filled that gap, bearing ‘twelve days’ alone. Since this place mends the universe’s flaw, it lives up to the name ‘Taoyuan.’ No matter what, we’ve done something good.”

Qinglong hesitated, then nodded. “That may be true… but…”

“Twelve Heavenly Stems, twelve Earthly Branches. Twelve Zodiacs, twelve lunar phases.” Tianlong turned to him with a hint of excitement. “Qinglong, do you remember what I told you? The emperor’s crown has twelve tassels, each strung with twelve jade beads. ‘Twelve’ is the will of heaven. What we do aligns with it.”

“The will of heaven…”

“Twelve days in a cycle, twelve ‘Celestial’ overseers, twelve ‘Participants’ and ‘Zodiacs’ per room.” Tianlong took a deep breath. “Ten days bring the end, yet two remain illusory. Isn’t all of this in accordance with heaven’s will?”

“I understand, but I fear…” Qinglong clenched his teeth. “Some people might disrupt this ‘will.’ Perhaps the ‘twelve’ we’ve set has already been altered…”

“If there really is a disruption…” Tianlong’s expression darkened. “Then we’ll fix it ourselves. If heaven wills it, we obey. If not, we make it so.”

Qinglong studied Tianlong discreetly. After unleashing such immense “Dissolution,” his rationality seemed to be slipping away.

Tianlong steadied his breathing. “Qinglong, half my task after awakening is done. Before I sleep again—while I can still speak clearly—do you have anything to say to me?”

Qinglong remained silent for a long moment. “No.”

“Fine.”

Tianlong nodded indifferently and turned back toward the “Train,” with Qinglong following.

They navigated the chaotic corridor to the “Locomotive” room and sat at the round table.

“Qinglong,” Tianlong called again. “A new batch of ‘Participants’ should soon appear in the ‘Interview Rooms.’ Do you have anything to say to me?”

Qinglong didn’t understand why this question kept resurfacing. Unable to guess Tianlong’s intent, it was best not to answer. He shook his head.

“No.”

“Then I’ll speak.” Tianlong reached out and turned the table, aligning Celestial Pig’s lifeless head with himself. “How many more times do you plan to try?”

“What…?”

Tianlong didn’t look at Qinglong, only at the head on the table, its eyes wide open in death.

“Qinglong, without your secret help, how could so many have boarded the ‘Train’? How many more attempts will you make?”