Since the first appearance of Tianhu in the corridor, the other “Celestial-level” beings had gradually begun to emerge as well.
The numerous “Earth-level” beings in the corridor were so terrified at the sight of the elderly Tianma and Tianshu crossing through that they didn’t dare to breathe.
As they walked forward, they casually slaughtered any “participants” in their path. None of these “participants” had ever imagined that the “Celestial-level Zodiacs,” who stood at the pinnacle of this place, would have such harmless-looking faces. No one had thought to flee in advance.
All they knew was that a pair of elderly figures had begun clearing out every “participant” from one end of the corridor—their methods brutal, their power overwhelming, leaving ordinary “participants” utterly defenseless.
“This is truly strange…” muttered the elderly Tianma as she strode forward, clutching a bloody human head in her hand. “Why are there so many people?”
Without a word, the elderly Tianshu pressed a hand to his chest before swiftly snapping the neck of another “participant” in front of him.
“Who knows…” he grinned, baring his few remaining teeth in an ugly smile. “Might as well vent some frustration.”
“There are too many people… I hope my little Hu hasn’t been snatched away…” Tianma said with genuine worry. “Human traffickers have always been such a headache. Without me holding his hand, my precious little tiger doesn’t know his way around.”
“Doesn’t know his way?” Tianshu shot her a disdainful look. “There’s only one path on this ‘train,’ after all.”
“But he’s just a child! What does he understand?” Tianma sighed. “I’ve always treated him like a treasure. I’m afraid he won’t be able to handle this kind of situation.”
“Oh, ‘won’t be able to handle it’?” Tianshu scoffed. “That ‘precious little tiger’ of yours feasts on corpses every day. What exactly are you trying to raise—a wolf?”
“Now, that’s not fair…” Tianma glanced at Tianshu. “Can’t you see how scrawny my little tiger is? He’s never grown properly. If he finally found something he likes to eat, why not let him have it?”
“Ha.” Tianshu bared his teeth, his wrinkles stretching into a grotesque grin. “I used to feel a little sorry for you when I heard you missed your grandson. But now, I feel even sorrier for your *real* grandson in the outside world.”
“You—” Tianma’s expression instantly darkened. “What kind of nonsense are you spouting…? Tianhu *is* my grandson.”
“Fine.” Tianshu nodded. “My mistake. Clearly, you’re the one destined to live in ‘Paradise’ forever.”
“Speaking of which, where are *your* underlings?” Tianma retorted irritably. “Always bragging about how strictly you manage them, yet I don’t see a single one now?”
“They wouldn’t dare not come,” Tianshu said. “I’ve already sent word. Instead of worrying about me, you should be more concerned about that ‘precious grandson’ of yours who shares no blood with you.”
Their conversation ended on a sour note as they split up, each continuing their slaughter of “participants” along the corridor. The blood pooled like mud, staining the entire carriage red.
Not only were the “participants” terrified, even the “Human-level” Zodiacs retreated in fear. Many had never seen a “Celestial-level” before and couldn’t comprehend what was happening.
To some of the “Human-level” beings, it even looked as if the “participants” were slaughtering each other.
Meanwhile, Earth Rat led Chu Tianqiu, Qiao Jiajin, and Zhang Shan down the corridor when they spotted the two elderly figures slowly approaching in the distance.
“Ah…” Earth Rat paused. “Looks like the higher-ups have come to ‘check tickets’ on the train.”
He turned to the trio and grinned. “Gentlemen, did you buy your tickets?”
Qiao Jiajin squinted at the two figures. “That old woman looks familiar… Is she ‘Celestial-level’?”
“Exactly.” Earth Rat nodded. “The old lady is Tianma, the old man is Tianshu—and my urge to betray you has just peaked.”
“*This* is the peak?” Chu Tianqiu chuckled.
“Well, not exactly.” Earth Rat shook his head. “Calling it a peak now would be premature. There are more ‘Celestial-level’ figures behind them, and above them, the ‘Twin Dragons.’ My urge to betray you will only grow stronger and stronger.”
Zhang Shan couldn’t help but laugh. “Damn. So what’s your plan? Turn on us now?”
“Of course not.” Earth Rat grinned, flashing his rodent-like teeth. “You gentlemen are decent people—capable, intelligent. I won’t betray you here. To ensure I *never* get the chance, I suggest we part ways now.”
With that, he stepped aside and stood before a door.
“Go hide in this room,” Earth Rat said. “I’ll clear the path. Let me handle those two. Once they’re gone, you can head to the front of the train—it’s not far.”
Chu Tianqiu’s smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. “That makes no sense… If we’re fighting ‘Celestial-level’ opponents, the three of us could help. We’ve come this far together—why would you stay behind alone?”
“No, no, you’re overstepping.” Earth Rat waved his hand. “Such trivial work isn’t worthy of your esteemed presence.”
The three exchanged puzzled glances, unsure if Earth Rat was boasting or mocking them.
“Two of you will face the Azure Dragon, one will face the Heavenly Dragon—I could never compete.” Earth Rat grinned. “A nobody like me is better off dealing with ‘Celestial-level’ trash. Save your strength for the real bosses.”
“Are you sure?” Chu Tianqiu frowned. “That’s *two* ‘Celestial-level’ opponents.”
“Of course.” Earth Rat nodded. “Besides, this was the plan all along—every rebel ‘Zodiac’ takes on their ‘Celestial-level’ counterpart. Since it’s Tianshu, he’s *my* responsibility.”
“‘Counterpart elimination’?” Chu Tianqiu paused. “Spreading out the fight to weaken them before taking on the ‘Celestial-level’… That doesn’t sound like Qi Xia’s plan.”
“Oh? You caught that? Didn’t fool you, huh?” Earth Rat laughed. “‘Counterpart elimination’ is just a stinky, silent fart—disgusting when you hear it, puzzling when you don’t. Right?”
“I wouldn’t know.” Chu Tianqiu shook his head. “If there’s no ‘counterpart elimination,’ why throw yourself to your death?”
At this question, Earth Rat’s expression darkened, his demeanor shifting so drastically that it felt as if he’d become a different person.
Qiao Jiajin, growing anxious, chimed in, “Yeah, big rat, just tell us what’s going on. Aren’t we friends now?”
The word “friends” seemed to shatter something in Earth Rat’s expression, peeling away an invisible mask.
“Sir,” he said quietly, “that might be the least funny thing I’ve ever heard in ‘Paradise.'”
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