“You don’t oppose killing ‘Zodiacs’?” This answer was somewhat beyond Yun Yao’s expectations. “Isn’t your ‘Extreme Path’ supposed to protect this place?”

“Yes…” Yan Zhichun nodded. “But gambling on the death of Earth Level ‘Zodiacs’ is quite an interesting game. I won’t interfere—please do as you wish.”

After hearing this, Yun Yao narrowed her eyes. After pondering for a while, she sighed. “I won’t comment on your ideas. As you said, I’ve already ‘Echoed.’ Even if you really wanted to kill me, it wouldn’t matter.”

After hearing this, a trace of disappointment flashed through Chu Tianqiu’s eyes. Then he also smiled bitterly and released his grip on Yun Yao’s hand, nodding. “So be it, Yun Yao. You may go.”

After hearing this, Yun Yao held the Earth Snake’s head in one hand and took Tiantian’s hand with the other. “Tiantian, do you want to come with me?”

Tiantian looked somewhat dazed at the people in the room. Truthfully, she wasn’t familiar with a single person here. Now that the only familiar person, Yun Yao, was leaving, where else could she go?

Wandering seemed to be her destiny.

Tiantian had long sensed in her heart that there couldn’t possibly be a place in this world where she could live peacefully, whether in the real world or the “Land of the End.” These past few days had been far too comfortable—it was time for that to end.

After thinking for a long while, she spoke. “Yun Yao, I… I’ll go with you. There’s no place for me here.”

Yun Yao nodded, then looked around at everyone in the room and asked, “Does anyone else want to come with me?”

The people in the room, having witnessed today’s farce, not a single one could immediately respond. Although Chu Tianqiu’s behavior was somewhat strange, Yun Yao’s actions seemed even more extreme to them.

No matter what major incident had occurred, the current Chu Tianqiu had fully displayed all the qualities of a leader. He could kill “Earth Level Zodiacs,” he could use unfathomable “Echo” abilities, and he even had ways to provide everyone with food.

Under these circumstances, Yun Yao’s announcement to withdraw on the spot was somewhat inappropriate. After all, she wasn’t just an ordinary “Participant”—she was one of “Heaven’s Mouth’s” deputy leaders.

When a “deputy leader” of an organization wanted to take people and leave, it basically announced the organization’s fracture. So after comprehensive consideration, no one spoke up.

Seeing that no one answered after a long while, Yun Yao nodded.

“That’s fine.” She said. “I’ll eventually find like-minded companions. Everyone, we’ll meet again if fate allows.”

Yun Yao desolately gripped the Earth Snake’s head. Just as she was about to walk out the door, a voice rang out from the corner of the room.

“Sister Yun Yao…”

Yun Yao stopped in her tracks and slowly turned back to look at the dark-skinned girl.

“I… I also want to go with you…” Li Xiangling said softly.

“Li Xiangling…?”

Yun Yao had never imagined that in this room, the only one supporting her would be an unfamiliar girl. Although they had known each other for a long time in “Heaven’s Mouth,” she had never participated in any game with her. She only knew that she didn’t like to talk much and that her “Echo” ability wasn’t outstanding.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” Li Xiangling nodded. “The night ‘Heaven’s Mouth’ was invaded, Brother Qiao and I fought until the very last moment. I understand the tragic situation better than anyone. If I continue staying here, I’ll only constantly recall what happened that day…”

Although Li Xiangling didn’t fully explain everything, Yun Yao still nodded. After all, outside the window was still a pile of Li Xiangling’s corpses.

That night, she had witnessed the entire “Heaven’s Mouth” being slaughtered to the last person. She had held on until the final moment, or rather… she couldn’t even die.

Was all of this the work of Chu Tianqiu’s “copying”?

“That’s fine, Little Li. Come with me.” Yun Yao wanted to step forward and take Li Xiangling’s hand, but was suddenly blocked by Chu Tianqiu.

His tone was ice-cold as he said, “Yun Yao, you and Tiantian can leave, but Li Xiangling cannot.”

This single sentence caused both Yun Yao and Li Xiangling to show puzzled expressions.

“What…?” Yun Yao said with a frown. “Whether Li Xiangling stays or leaves should depend on her own wishes, right?”

“No.” Chu Tianqiu shook his head. “Everyone in ‘Heaven’s Mouth’ can stay or leave according to their own will, except for Li Xiangling.”

Everyone in the room looked at the two of them. Yan Zhichun was even more amused, stroking her hair with a smile, feeling that this trip to “Heaven’s Mouth” might yield quite a lot of intelligence.

After hearing this, Li Xiangling also asked with a puzzled expression, “Huh? I, I can’t leave? Why is that? My… my ability isn’t that important…”

“Your ability is critically important.” Chu Tianqiu slowly stood up. “Yun Yao, if you try to take Li Xiangling away, I will disregard all our past feelings and stop you at any cost.”

“What…?” Yun Yao frowned. “Chu Tianqiu, what else are you hiding that you haven’t told us?”

“Since it’s something I’m ‘hiding,’ I didn’t say it before, and I won’t say it now either.” Chu Tianqiu’s eyes looking at Yun Yao became crazed again. “Li Xiangling absolutely cannot leave. Even if she turns to dust, it can only scatter before my eyes.”

The atmosphere in the room wasn’t right. Chu Tianqiu was clearly somewhat enraged. Everyone had never seen Chu Tianqiu display such an expression.

It seemed that Yun Yao’s withdrawal hadn’t affected him much, but the three words “Li Xiangling” were his bottom line.

Why was this?

Taking advantage of everyone’s hesitation, Chu Tianqiu turned back to the young man behind him and said, “Jin Yuanxun, take Li Xiangling away.”

“Understood, Brother.”

As soon as the words fell, the sound of bells rapidly came from afar. Everyone looked and saw that Jin Yuanxun had closed both eyes—at this moment, he had already disappeared like a ghost from behind Chu Tianqiu.

Yun Yao reacted immediately, shouting “Be careful!” But before the words had fully left her mouth, Jin Yuanxun had already appeared behind Li Xiangling, preparing to lock her joints in reverse.

His flash movement was very strange. He didn’t emit light like in movies, nor did he have any movement trajectory. It was as if he had always been standing behind Li Xiangling, and was now simply reaching out to grab Li Xiangling’s arm.

Feeling her right hand being grabbed, Li Xiangling’s expression immediately turned cold. Her entire body twisted in midair, instantly breaking free from the reverse joint restraint. Then in midair, she extended a foot and kicked toward Jin Yuanxun’s chest.

Jin Yuanxun had never fought with Li Xiangling before. He never expected that the girl he hadn’t taken seriously would have such exceptional skills. He hastily extended both hands to block this kick at his chest.

This move was powerful and heavy, causing Jin Yuanxun to retreat several steps.

“Although I don’t know what’s happening…” Li Xiangling’s hands slowly separated as she assumed a combat stance. “But if you think you can make me submit with force… you’re underestimating me far too much.”