Earth Tiger’s ten students turned around one after another, put on their masks, and faced the “cargo hold,” appearing as if they were about to enter.

After roughly ten seconds or so, a slightly plump Earth Horse walked over. While stretching lazily, he casually glanced at the several “human-level” members by the entrance, then asked softly, “What’s the situation now?”

After hearing this, Man-Monkey paused for a few seconds, slowly turned around, and said to Earth Horse, “We’re not entirely sure… We rushed over here as soon as we received the message. We ran into Heavenly Ox at the entrance, and she said the situation has changed—we shouldn’t take action just yet.”

“I see…” Earth Horse sighed helplessly. “Things keep changing every moment. What are we supposed to do?”

Before long, about a dozen “human-level” members and two other “earth-level” members began to appear.

They didn’t look very motivated, gathering here in a lazy, scattered manner, yet they surrounded Man-Monkey and the others in the center, then started discussing what had just happened.

“That was so exaggerated…” said a Man-Rabbit. “I was just about to return to my room when I suddenly heard the ‘amplification.’ The sound was so loud.”

“I heard they’re not letting us through the door now?” said a Man-Dog.

“I don’t know. It seems like they want us to wait by the entrance.”

“So does anyone know what’s going on with the ‘participants’ today? Why did this huge group of people board the ‘train’? What are they trying to do?”

A cacophony of voices began to rise. Inside Man-Monkey’s mask, a bead of cold sweat trickled down, because such a simple lie could be exposed at any moment.

Fortunately, none of these people knew each other, and no one could prove that she was lying.

Man-Monkey stood in front of the door, her back to everyone, using her thin body to block the entrance, hoping in her heart that the battle in the “cargo hold” would end soon.

But even if it ended, what then?

There were three “earth-level” members guarding the entrance. After the people below killed Heavenly Ox, it would be difficult for them to have any remaining combat strength to fight their way out from here.

“What are we doing just standing here?” Earth Horse spoke impatiently. “Didn’t Heavenly Ox say to break down the door? Why haven’t you acted yet?”

After hearing this, Man-Monkey paused slightly, turned around, and said in a low voice, “But Heavenly Ox just said not to take action for now. I’m afraid that if we break down the door, there will be problems. You’re ‘earth-level,’ and she’s ‘heavenly-level.’ We can only prioritize following her orders.”

“That’s not our concern.” Earth Horse shook his head. “Everyone heard Heavenly Ox say to ‘break down the door.’ I’m just following orders. Even if there really is some change in the plan, only a few of you heard it—it has nothing to do with us. If something goes wrong, you’ll bear the responsibility yourselves.”

“You…” Man-Monkey paused. “Then… we could at least give her a bit more time, right? Right now…”

“What time are we still giving her at this point? You all know Qinglong’s temperament.” Earth Horse shook his head. “I can’t risk my own life. Whoever continues to block the door will be treated as a traitor and killed along with the rest.”

Earth Horse’s single statement shattered Man-Monkey’s tactics. Their side had ten “human-level” members, while the opposing side had more than ten “human-level” members and even three “earth-level” members. Under these circumstances, protecting a door from being broken down was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

She slowly stepped aside, and the other students of Earth Tiger followed Man-Monkey’s movements and moved to the side as well.

Man-Monkey slowly lowered her head. She knew that if she wanted to protect this door now, the only method was to divert the enemy’s firepower.

And the most convenient target to divert here was herself. In other words… as long as she attracted enough attention, no one would focus on that door anymore.

“Everyone…”

Man-Monkey raised her head, just about to speak, when she suddenly saw the door being knocked open and a man in a black leather jacket came rushing out recklessly.

While running, he shouted loudly, “All right, all right! I fucking killed Heavenly Ox! Retreat quickly!”

Under everyone’s stunned gazes, that man passed through the numerous “zodiacs” at the entrance and ran toward the depths of the corridor.

“Damn it!” Only then did Earth Horse realize something was wrong. He hurriedly chased after the man. “Stop!!”

Several “human-level” members also followed at this moment, and Man-Monkey’s heart leaped into her throat.

It seemed that she and that man had chosen the same tactics, but he seemed a bit too reckless.

Drawing away an “earth-level” member with a mortal body was no different from suicide.

Because the door had been opened, everyone could see at a glance that there were other “participants” still standing behind the door, led by a middle-aged woman with a bewildered expression.

The middle-aged woman clearly hadn’t coordinated tactics with the leather jacket man. At this moment, she just stood there in a daze, facing the large group of “zodiacs” in front of her without moving.

Although they were facing each other at close quarters, the middle-aged woman was inside the door, and the numerous “zodiacs” outside were slightly wary—no one dared to step forward.

“Hey…”

From among the “zodiacs” emerged a tall Earth Rat wearing a collar. His suit didn’t fit quite right and was just symbolically draped over him. While loosening his muscles and bones, he said in a deep voice:

“If you’re all too scared to enter, then make way. I’ll go.”

He pushed past several people beside him and stood directly in front of the door. Man-Monkey’s heartbeat continued to accelerate. She stared at Earth Rat’s movements, preparing to pounce and attack the moment he launched his assault. Although she might not be able to protect the door, this was the last effort she could make.

“Tell our people to prepare to attack…” she said in a very small voice to the Man-Dog beside her.

“We’ve been waiting impatiently for a long time…” Man-Dog replied.

“It’s all right, child. I don’t mind dying here.” The middle-aged woman spoke while slowly walking out from inside the door, standing calmly in front of everyone, blocking all the “zodiacs.”

This completely unguarded attitude left even the tall Earth Rat momentarily confused.

“Child, you can kill me. The Mother Goddess will forgive your actions here.” She continued speaking to Earth Rat. “I’ll stand right here and watch you kill me without averting my eyes.”

Man-Monkey paused slightly, feeling that this middle-aged woman was thinking the same way she was. All they could do now was use every ounce of strength to delay time and protect the door from being damaged. At this moment, she was prepared to offer up her own life, so… did she need to save her at this time?

After listening, Earth Rat paused for a moment, sizing up the woman before him from top to bottom, and soon revealed a contemptuous cold smile.

“You, a mere ‘participant,’ dare to talk tough in front of me. Are you perhaps expecting some miracle to happen?” Earth Rat took a step forward, extending his thick, sturdy arm. “Since you’ve opened your mouth yourself, then go die.”

With that, he swung his arm toward the middle-aged woman’s face. At this critical moment, a Man-Pig behind Earth Rat suddenly rushed forward and knocked Earth Rat hard to the ground.

“Xiao Chan, run!!” That Man-Pig roared loudly.

“Attack!!” Man-Monkey also shouted at this moment.