Luo Shiyi looked up at Bai Jiu and Jiang Shi on the opposite rooftop.
Then, he raised his index finger and thumb to his lips and let out a sharp whistle.
The two glanced up, only to see Luo Shiyi signaling in the distance.
His hand signs were unmistakable—**”The ‘Extremists’ are losing.”**
The “Extremists'” mission had two phases, and this was only the first. With just a hundred-strong team already suffering casualties, if the “Cats” didn’t intervene soon, the entire plan would crumble from the very first stage.
Bai Jiu tugged at her ponytail, her expression grave as she scanned the crowd below, quickly spotting Saturday—who was also clad in black leather—among them.
Saturday stood at the center of the crowd, whispering something to Jiang Ruoxue while pressing a finger to her ear, seemingly relaying tactical instructions via **”transmitted speech.”**
**”Sixth Sister hasn’t spoken,”** Bai Jiu said. **”I’m still in charge here. Follow my orders.”**
She signaled back to Luo Shiyi: **”Stand by.”**
Luo Shiyi could only shake his head helplessly.
He understood Bai Jiu’s reservations—they could risk their lives for the mission’s objective, but not for the mere label of “Extremists.”
Even if the plan failed spectacularly and the White Tiger single-handedly slaughtered every “Extremist,” the “Cats” would have to pretend nothing had happened and return to prison to live out their lives.
Bai Jiu wasn’t just responsible for the mission—she was responsible for every “Cat.” Attacking the White Tiger was out of the question.
She surveyed the plaza’s exits. The earlier deafening roar had faded, but now every pathway was crowded with people.
Though the swirling sand and colossal tree obscured their view of the center, small groups were already forming, ready to strike at any moment.
The situation was growing dire. The **”Black Tortoise”** and **”Vermilion Bird”** were supposed to handle rule violations among the **”Zodiacs”** and **”Participants.”** But now that the Participants were openly fighting a Divine Beast, which of the two would intervene?
Why hadn’t either of them shown up yet?
A gnawing unease settled in Bai Jiu’s chest. Past experience suggested that no Divine Beast would step in to stop this slaughter. Would the Black Tortoise and Vermilion Bird even appear?
Meanwhile, the White Tiger, fueled by an overwhelming **”conviction,”** wielded his left hand to control the giant tree while his right unleashed explosive flames. A tempest howled around him, keeping the hundred-strong force at bay.
Since the “Extremists” had never coordinated before, their disjointed attacks barely scratched him.
Within seconds, more bizarre **”echoes”** manifested—torrential rain and thick fog joined the sandstorm, only to be dispersed by the White Tiger’s gales. The battlefield was in chaos.
Dr. Zhao, Lin Qin, and Xiao Xiao braved the elements, circling the plaza until they reached the back of the giant clock.
Jiang Shi, stifling a yawn, peered through the thinning fog at them. From their elevated position, the “Cats” had a clear view of the unfolding chaos below.
Two figures were entering the plaza from the outskirts, about to collide with Dr. Zhao’s group. Just as Jiang Shi leaned in to watch, a tangle of black wires dangling from a utility pole blocked his line of sight. The messy coils draped over the street, obscuring the scene entirely.
The two groups rounded a corner—and froze.
**”Han Yimo…?”** Dr. Zhao blurted.
**”Old Zhao!”** Han Yimo’s face lit up. **”You’re really here! What the hell is going on?”**
Dr. Zhao and Lin Qin glanced at Han Yimo’s companion—Zheng Yingxiong.
So, the two had made it here from the **”Cangjie Chess”** arena.
**”Your match ended?”** Dr. Zhao asked. **”Wasn’t it a ‘life-or-death wager’? How did you survive the Azure Dragon? Unless—”**
**”Don’t even ask!”** Han Yimo cut in. **”That guy cheated. Now he’s fighting the Black Tortoise.”**
**”What?!”**
**”What’s happening here?”** Han Yimo scanned the apocalyptic surroundings. Their intrusion into the plaza had stirred the crowd waiting on the sidelines.
**”This plan is way too dangerous…”** Dr. Zhao muttered, shaken. **”You shouldn’t have come, man. Now that you’re here, you can’t leave.”**
**”Relax,”** Han Yimo said confidently. **”Protagonists rarely lose. Even if it looks like they’re losing, they’ve already won in the grand scheme.”**
**”Huh…?”**
**”But seriously—what’s the plan?”** Han Yimo pressed. **”And what’s with this messed-up weather?”**
He noticed the absurd concentration of natural disasters in such a small area. The **”Land of Finality”** barely had wind—so why were there downpours and dense fog?
**”They’re trying to destroy the giant clock and the screen,”** Dr. Zhao explained grimly. **”Every ‘echo’ is being thrown at it, but that White Tiger’s blocking them. So now they’re attacking him instead.”**
He quickly summarized the situation, but Han Yimo’s expression shifted to panic.
**”What’s wrong?”** Dr. Zhao asked warily. **”Don’t overthink it—they’re working on a solution.”**
**”The ‘White Tiger’… is on the same level as the ‘Black Tortoise,’ right?”** Han Yimo asked. **”You’re telling me we’re attacking a Divine Beast?!”**
**”Pretty much,”** Dr. Zhao admitted. **”We wouldn’t have to if he weren’t shielding the ‘Extremists.'”**
**”Oh no…”** Han Yimo paled. **”This isn’t right. The plot’s moving too fast! The big battle’s already started, and I barely did anything! Where’s the buildup? The emotional weight?!”**
**”What the hell are you babbling about?”** Xiao Xiao snapped.
Lin Qin sighed. **”You’re here now, aren’t you? That counts as participation.”**
**”Well… yeah,”** Han Yimo conceded—then jolted. **”Wait! If they keep attacking the White Tiger, we’ll get dragged into it!”**
**”Dragged in how?”** Dr. Zhao frowned.
**”The Black Tortoise!”** Han Yimo yelled. **”She’s the enforcer for ‘rule-breaking,’ right? If Participants attack a Divine Beast, isn’t that a violation?”**
Zheng Yingxiong’s nose twitched—the scent of **”calamity”** was overwhelming.
**”She’ll come!”** Han Yimo cried. **”If they don’t stop… the Black Tortoise will show up!!”**
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