Tianshe furrowed his brows and raised his eyes, casting a pleading gaze from behind his black-rimmed glasses toward a young man across from him who was so fat his neck was almost invisible.
This person was Tiangou.
Tiangou kept his head deeply lowered, staring at the table as if he couldn’t see anything else.
Tianshe knew that if Qinglong had any plans, Tiangou would likely be the first to hear them. If they wanted to save themselves now, they could only resort to small maneuvers under Qinglong’s watchful eye.
Tiangou scratched his chubby cheek and finally lifted his head, locking eyes with Tianshe.
Tianshe pretended to adjust his glasses, using the motion to block Qinglong’s line of sight before glaring sharply at Tiangou.
*”Don’t ask me… I can’t say…”* Tiangou’s *”thoughts”* directly echoed in Tianshe’s mind.
Tianshe’s expression grew even more anxious, but he couldn’t speak aloud. He could only keep shooting meaningful looks at Tiangou, hoping the other would understand the urgency of the situation.
*”This matter is too big… I advise you not to pry… Our priority now is survival.”* After sending this *”thought”*, Tiangou immediately lowered his head again, avoiding Tianshe’s gaze.
*”Dang it!”* Tianshe cursed inwardly. *”So you’re not planning to side with Tianlong either…”*
Qinglong chuckled softly at Tianshe’s expression before slowly standing up. At the same time, Tianshe stiffly rose to his feet as well.
Qinglong stepped away from his chair, and Tianshe moved from the round table. Step by step, they closed the distance between them, drawing the attention of the other *”Celestials.”*
Tianshe stared at Qinglong in terror, his body trembling as if struggling—yet he had no control over his own limbs.
They stopped less than half a meter apart.
Tianshe’s slight frame made him appear childlike next to Qinglong, despite being a few years older.
**”Tianshe, look into my eyes,”** Qinglong commanded.
Tianshe tried to lower his gaze but found himself frozen in place.
Qinglong smirked. **”Look into my eyes and tell me… what I’m thinking.”**
Tianshe had no choice. He squeezed his eyes shut, as if facing demons he dared not glimpse into.
If he truly saw Qinglong’s thoughts… how could he possibly survive?
Over the years, the only skill Tianshe had truly mastered was avoiding direct eye contact. It wasn’t a mental issue—just a survival instinct from years of dealing with Qinglong and Tianlong.
No matter how curious he was, he *must not* peek into those eyes.
Qinglong grinned wider at Tianshe’s pitiful state.
The next second, Tianshe’s mouth twisted into a forced smile, and his tightly shut eyes were pried open. Their gazes collided.
The moment he saw Qinglong’s eyes, Tianshe began trembling uncontrollably.
**”Tianshe, what am I thinking?”** Qinglong asked.
**”You… you…”** Tianshe stammered before blurting out, **”You want to kill me…”**
**”Exactly.”** Qinglong nodded. **”If you keep scheming, it won’t just be a thought anymore.”** He smiled. **”Understood?”**
**”I… I… I understand…”**
The moment Tianshe conceded, Qinglong’s grin widened, and the invisible pressure binding Tianshe—*”Soul Snare”*—lifted.
**”Good. Even brothers must settle accounts clearly. Sit.”** Qinglong gestured warmly, his tone suddenly cordial. **”We’ve worked together for decades—why let petty disputes divide us?”**
Tianshe nodded frantically before scurrying back to his seat.
Now, he wouldn’t dare eavesdrop on anyone’s thoughts. He had *seen* Qinglong’s mind—and a murderous intent was impossible to hide.
The room’s atmosphere grew suffocating. Tianniu kept glancing at the clock in the center of the table.
**”Why so quiet?”** Qinglong asked. **”Am I that terrifying?”**
**”What do you want us to say…?”** Tianniu crossed her arms, muscles flexing visibly.
**”How about telling me what you were all doing before coming here?”** Qinglong chuckled darkly. **”I suspect one of you is lying. Should we vote them out?”**
The air thickened with silence for several seconds.
**”What kind of joke is this…?”** Tianniu muttered. **”The same trick you pulled decades ago… and now you’re doing it again…?”**
**”Hahaha!”** Qinglong burst out laughing. **”Think about it—isn’t it hilarious? Back then, you all voted out the *‘Sheep’* as the *‘liar.’* If *‘Paradise’* had its own history, I’d immortalize that moment.”**
**”But we’re not as naïve as we were then,”** Tianniu retorted. **”Those rules won’t fool us now.”**
**”Tianniu… you seem to hold quite a grudge against me.”** Qinglong’s smile vanished as he turned a cold gaze on her. **”Yet everything you are is because of me. Shouldn’t you show some gratitude?”**
**”You *lied* to me!”** Tianniu snapped. **”If I’d known *‘returning to reality’* meant being trapped in an endless dream, I would’ve never agreed! If not for your deception, why would I waste my time managing those wretched *‘Ants’*?!”**
**”Now, now, no need for anger.”** Qinglong’s grin returned. **”No wonder you were the first to wake up. Did you realize it was all a dream early on?”**
**”What do you think…?”** Tianniu replied bitterly. **”Under your control, I not only *‘returned’* but was given a flawless, effortless life.”**
**”And what’s wrong with that?!”** Qinglong laughed. **”Tianlong truly delivered—he gave you all exactly what you desired! How is that *not* good?!”**
The table fell silent, especially for the recently awakened Tianzhu and Tiantu.
Such a *”life”* was hard to describe.
For decades in the dream, every decision they made was *right.*
Every investment skyrocketed, every job led to meteoric success, every lottery ticket was a jackpot, every random acquaintance a billionaire.
Their families were eternally healthy, free from illness or hardship. Love came effortlessly, perfectly.
Those who craved fame were adored by millions. Those who sought wealth amassed fortunes overnight.
Even knowing it was a dream—who would *want* to wake up?
But within a few years, some *”Celestials”* began noticing the unnatural perfection. Doubt crept in, and their dreams started crumbling.
From the first *”Celestial”* who awakened, the group split into the *”Celestial Zodiacs”* and the *”Dreamwalkers.”*
An unspoken agreement formed—no one disturbed the *”Dreamwalkers,”* allowing them to wake on their own.
Those who awoke occasionally revisited the dream to see loved ones they missed.
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