Chapter 941: A Perfect Life
Sky Serpent frowned and lifted his eyes, casting a pleading look through his black-rimmed glasses at a young man across from him who was so fat his neck was nearly invisible.
This man was none other than Sky Dog.
Sky Dog kept his head deeply lowered, staring at the tabletop as if he couldn't see a thing.
Sky Serpent knew that if Azure Dragon had any plan, Sky Dog would be the first to hear about it. Now, if the rest of them wanted to save themselves, they could only try some small moves right under Azure Dragon's nose.
Sky Dog reached up and scratched his chubby cheek. At that moment, he too lifted his head, meeting Sky Serpent's gaze directly.
Sky Serpent raised a hand as if to adjust his glasses, but in truth, he was blocking Azure Dragon's line of sight. Then he furrowed his brow sharply at Sky Dog.
"Don't ask me... I can't say..." Sky Dog's "inner voice" transmitted directly into Sky Serpent's mind.
Hearing this, Sky Serpent's expression grew even more anxious. Unfortunately, he couldn't speak openly. He kept signaling Sky Dog with his eyes, hoping the other would understand how critical this moment was.
"This matter is too big... I advise you not to pry either... We'd better focus on staying alive." After sending this second "inner voice," Sky Dog immediately lowered his head, avoiding Sky Serpent's gaze.
"Damn it..." Sky Serpent cursed inwardly. "So you're not going to stand by Heavenly Dragon anymore either..."
Azure Dragon watched Sky Serpent's behavior and gave a light chuckle. Then he slowly stood up, and at that same moment, Sky Serpent straightened to his feet as well.
Azure Dragon left his chair, and Sky Serpent left the round table. Step by step, the two moved closer to each other, drawing the sidelong glances of the many other "Heavenly" members present.
Sky Serpent looked at Azure Dragon with a terrified expression. He appeared to be struggling, yet he had utterly lost control of his own hands and feet.
They stopped when they were less than half a meter apart.
Sky Serpent's frame was ultimately thin and small. Though he looked a few years older than Azure Dragon, his silhouette seemed like that of a child.
"Sky Serpent, look me in the eye," Azure Dragon called out.
Hearing this, Sky Serpent wanted to lower his head, but found himself firmly restrained.
Azure Dragon chuckled softly: "Look me in the eye and tell me what I'm thinking."
Sky Serpent was helpless. He could only squeeze his eyes shut tightly. It was as if demons and monsters stood before him, making him utterly afraid to eavesdrop on the other's thoughts.
If he were to discern what was in Azure Dragon's mind... how could he possibly survive?
Sky Serpent knew that the only skill he had cultivated over all these years was the ability to keep his gaze shifting and uncertain. It wasn't that his mind was troubled—it was a lingering aftereffect of his long conversations with Azure Dragon and Heavenly Dragon.
No matter how curious he was about those eyes, he must never, ever pry.
Seeing Sky Serpent in this ridiculous state, Azure Dragon grinned again.
The next second, Sky Serpent's mouth was forced open, and his tightly shut eyes were pried open. Their gazes collided in that instant.
The moment he saw Azure Dragon's eyes, Sky Serpent began trembling uncontrollably.
"Sky Serpent, what am I thinking?" Azure Dragon asked.
"You... you..." Sky Serpent was stunned for a long moment before finally speaking. "You want to kill me..."
"Exactly right. If you pull any more tricks, this won't just be a thought anymore." Azure Dragon warned. "Understand?"
"I... I... I... I understand."
Hearing Sky Serpent's agreement, Azure Dragon instantly broke into a smile and released the "Heart-Seizing Gaze" that had been pressing down on the other's body.
"Good that you understand. Even brothers must settle accounts openly. Sit down now." Azure Dragon said with a beaming face. "We've all worked together for decades. How could a little thing like this cause friction?"
Sky Serpent nodded his head like a pestle pounding garlic, then hurried back to his seat.
Now he no longer dared to casually eavesdrop on the thoughts of those nearby. After all, he had clearly read Azure Dragon's mind—a murderous intent could not be hidden.
At that moment, the atmosphere in the room was suffocating. Sky Ox, off to the side, kept glancing at the clock in the center of the table.
"Why isn't anyone talking?" Azure Dragon asked again. "Am I that scary?"
"What do you want us to say...?" Sky Ox crossed her arms over her chest, the muscles in her arms bulging visibly.
"Want to talk about what you were all doing before you came here?" Azure Dragon laughed maniacally. "I suspect one of you is a liar. How about we find them together?"
The air fell silent again for a few seconds.
"Are you joking..." Sky Ox stammered. "The same trick you used to fool us decades ago... you're using it again...?"
"Hahaha!" Azure Dragon couldn't help laughing. "Think about it... how interesting is that? You all voted to throw out the 'sheep,' and from then on, 'sheep' represented 'lying.' If 'Paradise' had its own history, I'd definitely record this anecdote."
"But we're not as naive as we were back then." Sky Ox continued. "That kind of rule won't fool us."
"Sky Ox... it seems you harbor quite a grudge against me." Azure Dragon turned his head and looked coldly at her. "But everything you have today is because of me. Why not consider being grateful?"
"But you tricked me!" Sky Ox said. "If I had known that 'returning to reality' only meant sitting here dreaming forever, how could I have ever agreed?! If I hadn't been seduced by your lies, why would I have managed that bunch of 'ants' that are neither human nor ghost?!"
"Sigh, don't be angry." Azure Dragon smiled. "No wonder you were the first to wake up among everyone. Did you realize it was a dream long ago?"
"What do you think...?" Sky Ox replied, a hint of despair in her voice. "Under your manipulation, I not only 'returned to reality,' but also had a flawless, smooth-sailing life."
"Isn't that great?!" Azure Dragon laughed heartily. "Heavenly Dragon really knows his stuff! He gave you exactly what you wanted most! What's wrong with that?!"
The others around the round table fell silent, especially Sky Pig and Sky Rabbit, who had only just awoken.
This kind of "life" was hard to describe.
In the decades of the dream, every decision they made had been correct.
Every investment they made inevitably yielded massive returns. Every job they took brought meteoric promotions. The lottery tickets they casually bought won jackpots. The friends they randomly made on the street turned out to be billionaires.
Not only that, but their families were always in perfect health, free from illness or disaster. The love they sought came easily and perfectly.
Those who craved fame soon became adored by millions. Those who wanted wealth amassed fortunes with ease.
Even knowing it was a dream, how many would be willing to wake up?
Within just a few years, some of the "Heavenly" members gradually noticed the strangeness. They began to doubt their own lives, and their dreams started to collapse at an accelerating pace.
From the first "Heavenly" member who awoke, these people split into two groups: the "Heavenly Zodiac" and the "Dreamwalkers."
By unspoken agreement, they did not disturb any of the "Dreamwalkers," waiting only for them to wake of their own volition.
And those "Heavenly Zodiac" who had awakened would occasionally visit the dream just to see the family members they missed.