Song Qi first glanced at the locked door in front of him, then at the group to his left, before finally deciding to approach Chen Junnan.
Though the Earth Rabbit would overhear their discussion, if even *he* didn’t know the plan, how could they proceed with the game?
“Leader…” Song Qi whispered as he stepped closer, “Do you know how many times better a rabbit’s hearing is than a human’s?”
“You’re overreacting,” Chen Junnan scoffed. “If I remember right, it’s only about three times better. Why?”
“Three times…?” Song Qi paused. “Then why can he hear *everything*?”
“Hear everything…?” Chen Junnan frowned slightly. “You mean his hearing—”
“Exactly,” Song Qi nodded. “So from now on, watch what you say. Every word we utter could lead to our downfall.”
The others’ expressions darkened at his words.
A towering man… with the hearing of a rabbit?
Chen Junnan lowered his head, silent for a moment, before shrugging indifferently. “After some thought, the game’s rules are already transparent. There’s no hidden mechanic left to uncover. And in a situation like this, we only have two or three viable strategies. Even if the Earth Rabbit knows, we *have* to act—otherwise, we stand no chance of winning.”
Though the idea sounded perilous, the group knew Chen Junnan wasn’t wrong.
Escape games weren’t won by *strategy* alone. Sooner or later, they’d have to confront the hunter head-on.
“True,” Song Qi conceded after a moment’s thought. “In that case… let’s just say it outright.”
Chen Junnan nodded. “Right now, I need you to let that rabbit out.”
On the other side, Cui Shisi relayed the same message to Jiang Shi.
Song Qi looked stunned, while Jiang Shi merely yawned.
“The reason?” Song Qi asked. “Did the previous tactic fail?”
Chen Junnan gave a brief explanation of the hidden rule behind *Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea*, and Song Qi quickly noticed the various tools carried by the others.
“So… the flute hanging around the Earth Rabbit’s neck is necessary for our escape?”
“Exactly.” Chen Junnan grinned, then raised his voice. “Am I right, you damn rabbit?”
The Earth Rabbit leaned against the wall inside his room, smirking coldly but offering no reply.
So what if they’d figured out the rule of *Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea*?
Those meant to die would still die. There was no way all six of them would make it out alive.
“That does complicate things,” Song Qi muttered gravely. “Don’t open Jiang Shi’s door yet. Let the rabbit come through mine.”
“Yours?” Chen Junnan studied Song Qi’s resolute stance—it almost seemed like he’d intended to sacrifice himself from the start.
“Right,” Song Qi confirmed. “Leader, this is a perfect opportunity. I’ve never tested my power against a *Zodiac* before. As one of the strongest offensive *Echoes* in the *Endgame*, if I can take down an Earth-level…”
Before anyone could respond, another yawn echoed from the opposite side.
“Brother Seven…” Jiang Shi wiped his drowsy eyes. “I was thinking the same. I wanna see if a *Zodiac* can actually kill me. As one of the most unkillable *Echoes* in the *Endgame*, I wanna test my limits too.”
“…” Song Qi knew Jiang Shi wasn’t bluffing—he genuinely wanted to experience an Earth-level attack firsthand. After a brief pause, he relented. “Fine. We’ll both open our doors and let the rabbit choose.”
“Good, good.” Jiang Shi folded his arms and nodded vigorously. “If he doesn’t hit me soon, I’ll fall asleep…”
Once the two settled on their roles, Song Qi turned back to Chen Junnan, lowering his voice. “But, Leader…”
“Speak up!” Chen Junnan barked. “What’s there to hide now? Worried the rabbit *won’t* hear you?”
Song Qi chuckled wryly and shook his head. “Alright, alright. What’s the plan after we release the rabbit? Without a strategy, how do we take the flute?”
Chen Junnan scratched his head. “Hey, Xiao Song… when you go all out, can you avoid hitting your teammates?”
The question made Song Qi realize Chen Junnan’s intent—and that his answer would disappoint him.
“Forget *teammates*…” Song Qi laughed. “If I truly lose control, the first one to die will be *me*. I’m *Detonation*—human bodies aren’t built to withstand explosions.”
“Damn. That intense?” Chen Junnan raised a brow. “Guess you’re better off solo…”
“Right.” Song Qi nodded. “The rest of you can stick together. Just leave one person in the room next to mine.”
“Next to yours…?”
“Exactly.” Song Qi explained, “I tested it earlier. If the door’s open, we can toss items from our room into the next one. It’s not against the rules, and the rabbit won’t interfere.”
“Oho…” Chen Junnan grinned mischievously. “Then grabbing the flute just got a whole lot easier…”
After a moment’s thought, he addressed the group. “Plan’s set. Aside from me, Xiao Song, and Xiao Jiang Shi, the rest of you will search for the last hidden *artifact*.”
“You’re staying too?” Jiang Shi, now sitting cross-legged, yawned again. “What good will *you* do here?”
“I’m sticking with you,” Chen Junnan said. “I wanna see what this *Undying* thing of yours is all about.”
“It’ll scare you to death,” Jiang Shi snorted before another yawn overtook him.
With roles assigned, the three would hold off the Earth Rabbit while the others searched rooms *Ten* and *Fourteen* for the final artifact.
“Leader…” Cui Shisi hesitated, casting a worried glance at Chen Junnan. “We’re heading out now. Be careful.”
“Don’t worry,” Chen Junnan smirked. “With me here, you *definitely* shouldn’t feel at ease.”
“Got it.” Cui Shisi nodded, then blinked. “Wait, what did you just say?”
“Just go.” Chen Junnan waved dismissively, exchanging a look with Song Qi and Jiang Shi before the two locked their doors one final time.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage