In just a few minutes, “Heavenly Gate” was beaten into a steady retreat under the numerical disadvantage.

Due to both sides engaging in close combat, the “conviction” of many “Echo” users was also affected. There was simply no way to release an effective “Echo” within a fraction of a second. The melee had almost become pure hand-to-hand combat between weapons and fists.

In the encirclement, there was a strange young man covered with knife scars on his face who could summon iron shards from other people’s bodies. This troublesome ability allowed him to almost single-handedly hold back Zhang Shan.

Whenever Zhang Shan wanted to make a move, the young man would summon iron shards out of thin air in Zhang Shan’s fists. Those iron shards seemed to be growing from within Zhang Shan’s hands—any movement would cause bleeding.

Unable to release “Heavenly Vigor” for the time being, Zhang Shan was soon covered in blood, barely holding on through sheer brute force alone.

Li Xiangling’s situation wasn’t much better either. Her exquisite spear techniques made her lethality increase, and she was quickly targeted by everyone. After several fearless “Participants” were struck and then grabbed her wooden staff, her weapon was wrenched from her hands. Now Li Xiangling was only relying on her own bare-handed martial arts skills to maneuver among everyone, and wounds were beginning to appear on her body as well.

Counting from just now, “Heavenly Gate” had already lost over seven people.

Fighting while retreating, they were soon forced by numerous “Participants” into a small alley. The situation had reached this point, yet not a single person from “Heavenly Gate” had attempted to escape.

Chu Tianqiu felt the situation was somewhat passive now. He had almost single-handedly blocked all the attacks for the entire “Extreme Path.” Although he could ensure “Extreme Path” was worry-free, he himself probably wouldn’t make it to that “train.”

But at this very moment, would anyone still step forward to help?

Just then, he saw a strange “Zodiac” standing in this alley—a smiling mouse.

This smile made Chu Tianqiu’s brow furrow slightly, and it also made him realize how ridiculous his own thoughts were.

“Heavenly Gate” was already isolated and helpless at this moment. The best-case scenario was that the other side had no reinforcements, let alone anyone stepping forward to help them.

“Can’t retreat any further…” Chu Tianqiu immediately issued orders. “There’s an ‘Earth-level’ behind us!”

Hearing these words, many people turned back to look. That “Earth-level” was indeed smiling at them from their retreat path, but there were simply too many people charging from the front. While they said “can’t retreat,” stopping would mean death.

Both sides’ movements paused for a moment, and the Earth-Mouse on the side laughed with great amusement.

This “keke keke” laughter seemed particularly grating among the many gasping and panting people.

Chu Tianqiu slowly turned his head back and made eye contact with the Earth-Mouse, then also chuckled lightly: “Do you have any advice?”

“‘Advice’—I wouldn’t dare presume,” the Earth-Mouse shook his head. “I was thinking, if you leaders could pay the admission fee before killing each other, then all the performance credits would count toward me. Now it’s truly a pity—all you leaders are drenched in sweat, yet you’re dying for nothing.”

“Ha…” Chu Tianqiu showed a smile and quickly pondered. “Hearing you say that, I suddenly have an idea.”

“Please speak, Leader,” the Earth-Mouse said. “You look the most human-like, so I estimate I can understand what you say.”

“I never thought my words could be understood by a mouse—that’s quite an honor,” Chu Tianqiu said. “If our entire team pays the admission fee, and someone still wants to kill us, you’ll step in to help us, right?”

Hearing these words, the smile that had been plastered on the Earth-Mouse’s face gradually faded. Only then did he realize that the young man before him wasn’t easy to deal with.

“Leader, you jest,” the Earth-Mouse said. “The small shop can only accommodate five people at a time. Moreover, I suddenly remembered today that I have matters at home, so I won’t be receiving guests. I wish you all a meaningful death.”

Chu Tianqiu and Wen Qiaoyun exchanged glances, then both nodded. Wen Qiaoyun immediately took over Chu Tianqiu’s command duties, replacing him.

“Earth-Mouse,” Chu Tianqiu walked to the Earth-Mouse’s side and said with a smile, “You look like someone who can talk business. I have a deal I want to discuss with you—it just depends on what price you quote.”

“Leader, what are you saying?” the Earth-Mouse said. “I’m an ‘Earth-level,’ and you’re a ‘rebel’ that everyone wants dead. How dare you talk business with me?”

“I don’t think an ordinary ‘Zodiac’ would smile upon seeing me,” Chu Tianqiu said. “And you haven’t made a move against me this whole time. Clearly you don’t care for the performance credits from this ‘rebel.'”

“Makes sense,” the Earth-Mouse nodded. “You not only look human, but your thinking isn’t very monkey-like either. What business do you want to discuss?”

“I want to enter the ‘train’ through your ‘door.'”

“Ha…” Hearing Chu Tianqiu’s words, the Earth-Mouse’s mouth visibly stretched to his ears. “What a big joke. You think I’d accept this deal?”

“The only reason a transaction fails is because the price isn’t high enough,” Chu Tianqiu said. “What do you want?”

“I…” the Earth-Mouse narrowed his eyes, his face continuing to show an eerie smile. “This transaction could potentially kill me when I’m otherwise safe, so the price I quote will be very high.”

“No matter what the price, I’ll find a way to meet it,” Chu Tianqiu said. “This is probably my only path.”

“What I want is ‘Heaven’s Will,'” the Earth-Mouse said.

“‘Heaven’s Will’…?”

“For the upcoming time, until the ‘portal’ appears at dusk, I won’t interfere with whether you leaders live or die,” the Earth-Mouse said. “If ‘Heaven’s Will’ allows you dozen or so people to survive from the hands of a hundred people who’ve killed until their eyes turned red, then I’ll agree to bring you alone through the door.”

After hearing this, Chu Tianqiu furrowed his brow slightly and gripped an eyeball in his hand.

“I’ve heard many outrageous prices in my life, but none as outrageous as this one,” Chu Tianqiu murmured. “This price doesn’t sound like it will bring you any benefit.”

“Leader, I don’t need any benefits to begin with,” the Earth-Mouse took a step forward and said with a smile. “For me, at this stage, I only seek insurance. If you want me to venture deep into danger, you must confirm that ‘Heaven’s Will dictates it.'”

“Fine, then I want to bargain,” Chu Tianqiu said.

After hearing this, the Earth-Mouse once again looked at the person before him with increased regard: “You want to bargain with ‘Heaven’s Will’?”

“Yes,” Chu Tianqiu nodded. “If ‘Heaven’s Will’ allows us to survive, I need to bring one more person aboard.”

“Fine, deal,” the Earth-Mouse nodded. “Then Leader, please be careful and watch out for your brains splattering everywhere.”

“You be careful too,” Chu Tianqiu said. “When ‘Heaven’s Will’ appears, don’t be so scared that you scurry away with your head in your hands.”