One of Pegasus’s hands gripped Earth Horse as she had been “teleporting” at high speed through the corridor for quite some time.
They had entered and exited numerous rooms, yet there was still no trace of Sky Tiger. Despite her deep concern for Sky Tiger, Pegasus couldn’t help but feel that something was off.
Entering yet another empty room, Pegasus finally lost her patience. She slowly released Earth Horse’s hand, standing still with a wary expression as she asked:
“Still haven’t found my precious grandson?”
“No…” Earth Horse shook her head helplessly. “I remember he was definitely in one of these rooms… How could he have disappeared?”
“This is already a ‘Human-level’ room.” Pegasus scanned the cramped, narrow space. “How could my precious grandson possibly be here…?”
“Oh…?” Earth Horse chuckled softly before locking the door. “So this is a ‘Human-level’ room? No wonder it’s so small. With just the two of us inside, there’s barely any room to move…”
Pegasus clasped her hands behind her back, frowning at the strange “Zodiac” before her. “You seem rather odd, young one… What are you planning?”
“Oh, yes.” Earth Horse nodded, taking a slow step forward despite her injuries. “There’s a secret I need to share with you privately. It wouldn’t be appropriate if outsiders were listening.”
“A secret?”
“About you and Sky Tiger. Someone wants both of you dead.” Earth Horse’s expression turned grave. “If we delay, it’ll be too late.”
“What…?” Pegasus stiffened. “Who wants us dead? My precious grandson just learned to walk… Have these people gone mad? Even the elderly and children aren’t spared?”
“I’ll tell you.” Earth Horse took another step forward, gently grasping Pegasus’s arm. “The one who’s gone mad… is me.”
Pegasus’s eyes widened. The next second, a deafening explosion erupted inside the room. Though Pegasus had been wary of this strange young woman, she never expected her attack to be so terrifying.
Something detonated violently in the confined space. Pegasus couldn’t even tell where she was injured, only scrambling to dodge before feeling a chilling numbness in her lower body—she could barely stand.
The walls cracked under the immense force of the blast, sending both women crashing into the walls behind them.
Two severed limbs flew through the air, splattering blood across the room.
Agony finally registered in their minds, and they screamed simultaneously. But the room was too cramped—there was no escaping the shockwave. It rebounded off the walls, slamming both of them back to the ground.
As the dust settled, Pegasus slowly lifted her head, spotting the severed limbs lying in the center of the room—an arm and a leg.
Gritting her teeth, she touched her lower body, only to find one of her legs completely torn off. Blood gushed across the floor. Earth Horse wasn’t faring any better—one of her arms was shattered, while the other hung limp from her shoulder. She slumped against the wall, barely conscious.
Pegasus realized the force of this attack surpassed even ordinary explosives. Even “Detonation” shouldn’t have been able to instantly sever the limbs of two physically enhanced individuals.
“You…” Pegasus propped herself up on the ground, seething. “Sky Snake has the ‘Twin Flowers’… Blowing off my leg is pointless. You’re just throwing your life away…”
“Hah…” Earth Horse hung her head, leaning against the door. “Damn old hag… Golden Monkey sends her regards.”
—
Sky Monkey and Sky Rooster’s room.
All four stood panting, covered in wounds.
Sky Rooster and Sky Monkey were originally a handsome young man and a beautiful young woman, but now their eyes, lips, and noses were marred by identical injuries—mirror images of each other.
“Rooster…” Sky Monkey said angrily, “Aren’t you going to use your third ability yet…?”
“My third ability…?” Sky Rooster blinked, his expression darkening. “You think we’re in this situation because I haven’t used it?”
“You said… your third ability is what got you this far, securing your ‘Celestial-level’ status. But you treat it as your trump card, refusing to show it even to me.” Sky Monkey wiped blood from his lips. “If you don’t use it now… we’re in for a brutal fight.”
“I…” Sky Rooster fell silent, his handsome face flickering with hesitation.
“HAHAHAHA—oh my god, this is hilarious.” Earth Monkey leaned against the wall, laughing loudly. “Little Sky Monkey… he definitely *can’t* show you that third ability.”
Earth Rooster turned to him. “Oh? You figured it out?”
“Yeah, this is just too funny.” Earth Monkey grinned. “I can’t wait to see when these lovebirds finally turn on each other.”
“Turn on each other…?” Sky Monkey sneered. “How could an ugly old man like you understand our bond? Physical beauty is humanity’s most lethal advantage—it can even surpass abilities. After all, the world’s best resources always favor the beautiful.”
Earth Rooster frowned in disdain. “You’re even crazier than I am… Sure, I care about looks, but I’m not blind to the heart.”
“So that’s why you brought this *hideous* monkey to pick a fight with us?” Sky Monkey laughed mockingly. “Dear sister… I truly pity you…”
“Are you seriously trying to insult us?” Earth Rooster ruffled her feathers. “I think *you’re* the one who’s confused. This ugly monkey and I came in arguing, but the longer we fight, the better we sync. Meanwhile, you two lovebirds just keep getting angrier at each other. Gonna start fighting soon?”
“You—” Sky Monkey’s rage flared. “Wouldn’t you be furious if someone barged into your home and attacked you? And you brought this *monstrosity*—as a fellow Monkey Zodiac, I’m mortified!”
“What’s wrong with an ugly monkey?” Earth Rooster shot back. “You’ve got a pretty rooster, but he’s not doing much, is he? In a real fight, my ugly monkey’s outperforming him. Because while you two pretend to get along, this ugly monkey and I would *die* for each other. Could you say the same?”
“Die for an ugly monkey… I don’t know what kind of spell you’re under.”
“Hold on—” Earth Monkey finally cut in. “I thought you two were just bickering with each other, but damn, every insult’s aimed at *me*?”
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