Chapter 506: Resurrection

The deduction in his mind was starting to take shape, and Qi Xia began to speculate further about Earth Horse’s motives.

As a “Zodiac,” why would she go to such lengths to convey Wen Qiaoyun’s story to him?

What benefit did she stand to gain from this?

At this point in his reasoning, Qi Xia hit a slight mental block, feeling as though he was missing some crucial clues.

He knew that “Zodiacs” and “Participants” had always been opposing factions—two of the most conflicting forces on this land.

Even if Earth Horse genuinely wanted to express admiration for someone, given her personality, it would likely be through gritted teeth.

She would never say something like, “Even Wen Qiaoyun failed.”

“Because you have no reason to hope for Wen Qiaoyun’s success…” Qi Xia stroked his chin again. “Which means, as a ‘Zodiac,’ you inadvertently spoke words that would only come from a ‘Participant’s’ perspective… So someone else must have told you to say this? A Participant…?”

Qi Xia recalled how Qiao Jiajin had dismantled Earth Horse’s game mechanisms in an instant using “Lawbreaker.” This suggested that long ago, those mechanisms must have been created by someone using “Echo.” In other words, a “Participant” had once helped a “Zodiac,” since “Zodiacs Never Echo.”

The simplest explanation was that Earth Horse had sought help from one or more “Participants” in the past, incurring a debt of gratitude, and her current actions were her way of repaying that debt.

“These two games I’ve participated in have been incredibly enlightening.”

Qi Xia gave a slight nod, realizing that what he needed most right now was information.

Since he couldn’t control his memories, his only hope lay in gathering intelligence. Every Earth-level game provided a wealth of information.

He knew he was different from other Participants—he only needed a sliver of intel. Whether it was a single sentence or a fleeting glance, he could use it to piece together the full picture.

“The moment I fully understand the ‘Land of the End,’ that will be the beginning of its downfall.” Qi Xia lifted his gaze to the dull yellow sun hanging in the crimson sky, as if speaking to someone unseen.

And on that sun, thin black lines were always present, spreading inward from all sides.

*Click.*

The door of the building in front of him opened, and Qian Wu emerged with his team. This time, Qian Wu appeared as a young man.

He and the others behind him didn’t seem injured, though they all looked somewhat weary. It appeared the game they had participated in wasn’t physically demanding but rather mentally taxing.

“Big Brother Wu!”

Members of the “Cat” team hurried forward, visibly relieved once they confirmed everyone was unharmed.

Qian Wu hadn’t expected two teams to already be gathered here, many of them injured. His expression darkened immediately, and without even pausing to greet anyone, he rushed forward to check on them.

“Big Brother Wu, we’re fine!” Chou Ershi of “Gale” waved his hand. “You need to check on Brother Qiao first—he’s in bad shape!”

Qian Wu moved to Qiao Jiajin’s side and examined his body.

His arms were fractured, ribs collapsed, and his body was riddled with what looked like bullet wounds and minor burns. The injuries were severe—had Qiao Jiajin not been far more resilient than most, he would’ve been dead by now.

Seeing Qian Wu’s movements, Qi Xia took a few steps forward. He had never witnessed Qian Wu’s healing abilities firsthand, and this was the perfect opportunity to observe.

Qian Wu didn’t make any grand gestures. Instead, he simply scanned the group, as if searching for something, and soon locked eyes with Luo Shiyi.

“Shiyi.”

“Coming, Big Brother Wu.” Luo Shiyi immediately understood and stepped forward, extending his hand.

Qi Xia watched from a short distance away. The man named Luo Shiyi bore some resemblance to Qiao Jiajin in build, though he was slightly slimmer.

Qian Wu reached out with his right hand and touched Luo Shiyi’s arm. In an instant, his own form shifted, becoming identical to Luo Shiyi’s.

Qi Xia frowned, observing closely as Qian Wu released Luo Shiyi’s hand and then placed his left hand on Qiao Jiajin. The unconscious man’s body began to transform instantly.

The entire process happened in the blink of an eye. Before Qi Xia could even fully grasp what was happening, Qiao Jiajin’s fractured arms had healed, and all his wounds had vanished.

Qi Xia now had a rough understanding of “Twin Flowers.”

Qian Wu seemed to act as a “medium,” using his ability to alter either his own or another’s physical form to achieve healing.

Though it was called healing, it was more akin to reconstructing the body—he copied one physique onto himself, then replicated it onto another.

Despite not being an overwhelmingly powerful ability, “Twin Flowers” had unexpectedly potent effects in Qian Wu’s hands.

Qi Xia recalled the first time he had met Qian Wu—then a slender woman—who had single-handedly “treated” all the team members’ severed hands. That must have been due to this very ability.

But then… what did Qian Wu truly look like?

Though Qi Xia now had some grasp of Qian Wu’s ability, one critical mystery remained unsolved—

Qian Wu’s “trump card.”

The true power of “Twin Flowers” wasn’t just in altering physical forms at will, but in its ability to evade the “great reshuffle” orchestrated by “Heavenly Dragon” and “Azure Dragon.”

Aside from the Zodiacs, Qian Wu retained his memories for the longest duration—all thanks to this so-called “trump card.”

Unfortunately, Qian Wu had always refused to reveal it, leaving Qi Xia in the dark.

In just a minute, Qian Wu had healed all the injured members of the group, and Qiao Jiajin and the others slowly began to stir.

“Bloody hell…?” Qiao Jiajin blinked and examined his “brand-new” body, visibly bewildered. “Where are my scars? Why do I look so scrawny now?”

“Who are you calling scrawny?” Luo Shiyi scowled. “You got revived using *my* body, and you’re still complaining?”

“Huh? So I’m in ‘Painless’s’ body now…?”

“*Forgetful*!!” Luo Shiyi snapped. “Don’t think just because you saved us that I won’t curse you out—who the hell is ‘Painless’?!”

Qian Wu chuckled and walked over to Qiao Jiajin, nodding. “This was the only way for now. Next time you’re revived, your body will return to normal. Just focus on staying alive—you can’t afford to fall here.”

“Oh… Alright then…” Qiao Jiajin mumbled, still dazed.

Seeing that everyone had regained their spirits, Qian Wu was about to relax—but then his brow furrowed.

“Where’s Eighteen?”