Chapter 965: Falling Apart
After those words, the people in the room fell silent once again.
"‘Immortal Art’...?" Earth Tiger looked blankly at Earth Ox, completely bewildered. "What are you talking about, sis...? We're ‘Zodiacs.’ Isn’t ‘Immortal Art’ just ‘Echo’? Brother Sheep told me that ‘Zodiacs’ never ‘Echo.’”
Earth Ox ignored Earth Tiger and once again scanned the room. "We're all in this together. At the very least, we should trust one another. If any of you are carrying an ‘Immortal Art,’ just tell me directly."
Earth Chicken narrowed his eyes slightly, took half a step back, and crossed his arms over his chest. His gaze toward Earth Ox was clearly wary.
Seeing that no one admitted to it, Earth Ox had no choice but to raise her own hand first. "I myself possess an ‘Immortal Art.’ But revealing its type now would effectively expose my identity, so I can't say everything. Anyone else?"
Lying Flat Dog stared at Earth Ox for a long time, as if a thought had struck him.
Just as he was about to raise his hand, Earth Rat quietly extended his paw and subtly pressed it down.
"Chief... how do you usually train those muscles?" Earth Rat asked nonchalantly. "Your forearms are so solid. Planning to become a military dog later?"
"You..."
Lying Flat Dog frowned, not understanding Earth Rat's intent.
They had already laid their cards on the table this openly—was there still something to be wary of?
He knew it wasn't the right time to speak plainly, so he had to go along with Earth Rat for now. He looked up at Earth Ox.
On one side of the room, Earth Rabbit, who had been standing with Earth Horse, hesitated for a moment before slowly raising his hand. "I have an ‘Immortal Art.’”
Everyone turned their heads to look at the towering Earth Rabbit. He had barely spoken since entering the room—and yet he was carrying an ‘Immortal Art’?
If that information ever got out, it would be a death sentence.
"Good!" Earth Ox nodded. "And what ability is it?"
"I am ‘Far..."
"Wait!" Earth Chicken decisively cut off Earth Rabbit's words. He then turned to Earth Ox and asked cautiously, "Do we really need to expose everyone’s deepest secrets the very first time we meet...?"
"Oh...?" Earth Ox thought for a moment before replying, "But this is all part of White Sheep's plan. I'm just following orders."
"Are you saying White Sheep told you to find out everyone's ‘Echo’ type here?" Earth Chicken pressed. "Is that really part of the plan?"
Earth Ox didn't answer directly. Instead, she said to the group, "Regardless, you can trust me completely."
"That doesn't mean we don't trust you," Earth Chicken replied. "It's just that there are too many ‘Zodiacs’ in this room. I suspect it's a mixed bag. We can't just lay everything bare. Stop pushing, or you'll get everyone killed before the plan even starts."
Earth Ox was silent for a moment, then said slowly, "You have a point."
Although no one in the room fully understood what was happening, they could clearly sense a shift in the atmosphere.
They had thought Earth Ox's arrival meant a leader had appeared, but she seemed to have immediately clashed with Earth Chicken.
"Anyway, the general plan is as I've outlined," Earth Ox said. "Everyone go back and make your preparations. The giant bell and the screen could be destroyed at any moment—maybe in a few hours, maybe in the next cycle. In the meantime, I'll be resting in Earth Chicken's room. If any of you want to talk to me about ‘Immortal Arts,’ you can come find me privately."
The people in the room stared at Earth Ox in silence. No one spoke. Taking the hint, Earth Ox gave a polite nod and turned to leave.
Earth Chicken frowned, glanced at the others in the room, and followed her out.
After a long, quiet pause, Black Sheep slowly stood up. "Boring. I'm going back to sleep."
"Huh?" Earth Tiger was startled. "Old Black, don't go! We need to discuss killing ‘Heaven Tiger’! You know how important that ‘Heaven Tiger’ is to me..."
"None of my business." Black Sheep replied coldly, walked out, and slammed the door shut behind him.
"Ah... you stubborn old Black..." Worthless Tiger rubbed his head. "Such a scumbag..."
Everyone in the room had their own thoughts. Earth Rat stood up as well and addressed the group. "Comrades, since the higher-ups have fully issued the plan, we'll go back and implement it thoroughly."
With that, he tugged at Lying Flat Dog beside him. Lying Flat Dog caught on. "Right, right... End of shift. I'm gonna go catch some shut-eye."
The two of them also left the room with grim expressions.
After the others had trickled away in pairs, Earth Horse turned to the tall Earth Rabbit. "Don't be so naive."
"What?" Earth Rabbit was taken aback.
"Now we all know you're carrying an ‘Echo.’ If anyone runs into ‘Heaven Snake,’ you're dead."
"Come on... It can't be that coincidental, right?" Earth Rabbit asked.
Earth Pig stared at Earth Rabbit for a long time before quietly uttering a single word: "Broad...?"
"Wh-what ‘Broad’?" Earth Rabbit stammered. "You... you little..."
"Nothing. Just a wild guess." Earth Pig frowned. "I need to talk to you about something. Can you come with me?"
Earth Rabbit's eyes widened. He quickly glanced around and then nodded emphatically.
The two of them stepped out of the room, leaving only Earth Tiger and Earth Horse inside. After a moment of silence, Earth Horse also opened the door and left without a word.
What had started as a gathering of many had quickly fallen apart after Earth Ox's arrival, as if everyone had uncovered some terrible secret.
Next door to Earth Tiger's room.
Earth Chicken followed Earth Ox inside, closed the door gently behind him, and looked at her with a strange expression.
"What is it?" Earth Ox asked.
"You... what are you really trying to do?" Earth Chicken cut straight to the chase. "What was that ‘plan’ you told everyone about...? Why is it different from what was discussed before?"
"I..." Earth Ox smiled faintly. "What difference does it make?"
"You!" Earth Chicken was about to say more when they both heard a soft knock at the door.
Startled, Earth Chicken walked to the door and cracked it open. It was Black Sheep.
"What is it?" Earth Chicken asked cautiously.
"I forgot to ask you something important. About the ‘plan,’" Black Sheep said.
"About the ‘plan’...?"
"It's not convenient to talk here." Black Sheep frowned and asked quietly, "Can I come in?"
"Alright..." Earth Chicken nodded. He opened the door and stepped back inside the room.
Black Sheep thanked him and walked in, then turned around and closed the door.
Before Earth Chicken or Earth Ox could react, Black Sheep's expression slowly hardened. He reached out and locked the door.
*Click.*
The faint sound made both Zodiacs in the room immediately alert.
"Why did you lock the door?" Earth Ox asked.
"Earth Ox... you've got some nerve... lying right in front of a ‘Sheep’?"
Black Sheep's eyes blazed with murderous intent as he slowly turned around.