Chapter 1331: The Vastness of Heaven
Tianlong frowned slightly and asked in a low voice, "What are you talking about?"
"Ah..." Earth Monkey was startled. "Sorry... we... don't know what's going on..."
"Mind your own business," Tianlong said with hidden meaning. "The situation is special now. All 'Zodiacs' are currently under observation. As long as you behave well, you still have a chance to survive."
Earth Monkey and Earth Rooster quickly lowered their heads, as if they had been exposed for something hidden in their hearts, and dared not reply.
Tianlong ignored them and, led by Qinglong, walked toward the door leading to the 'Sun'.
Stepping out, the rancid wind of 'Taoyuan' rushed into their nostrils. The two walked onto the ground as if they felt nothing.
They stepped forward one by one. Qinglong shook his head helplessly. "Tianlong, you should know... at a time like this, 'Zodiacs' appearing near the 'locomotive' are not clean."
"So what?" Tianlong walked ahead, speaking casually. "From their perspective, even the 'Heavenly level' is dead, but Aries didn't win. Those 'Earthly level' who participated in the rebellion are now in a state of fear for their lives, yet they are extremely loyal. If we can find a way to bring them under our command, we can soon establish a new order."
"I see..."
Tianlong changed the subject and asked, "So how badly are you injured?"
"I..." Qinglong bit his lip, feeling that this matter was somewhat hard to speak of.
How could he say that he was cornered by three 'participants' and a tree?
"You, who usually rely on 'Teleport', are now willing to walk with me. It seems your 'faith' is unstable," Tianlong chuckled lightly. "Did Aries force you to this point?"
"Aries..." Qinglong's gaze gradually darkened. "He is a complete liar. We nearly died here..."
"But the scales have tilted in our favor again," Tianlong said. "Although it seemed so dangerous this time, we still pulled through."
"Yes..." Qinglong let out another long sigh. "If you hadn't woken up, perhaps this time the scales might have tilted in another direction."
"It doesn't matter. The sun will rise as usual today," Tianlong laughed softly. "Because we are heaven's will. No one can shake you and me."
The two slowly approached the strange stone platform. Tianlong extended a finger and gently touched the 'energy storage' eyeball in the center of the platform.
The eyeball on the platform seemed to have come into contact with extremely precious nutrients, suddenly beginning to tremble violently. Tianlong's 'faith' also poured into it at that moment.
The immense 'faith' was like filling a balloon with a lake. In just a few seconds, it flushed the eyeball red. With a tremor under their feet, the 'Separation' facing the entire 'Taoyuan' burst forth from the 'Sun'.
Countless distant screams, cries of surprise, and pleas for help rang out in 'Taoyuan', just like every normal cycle.
Except that the entire 'Taoyuan' would be a little more foul than before, nothing changed.
Tianlong's complexion began to turn slightly pale at this moment, but he seemed to have long been accustomed to this state.
He reached out to cover his chest, his breathing becoming somewhat difficult. Although he became weaker every time, this was the first time his breathing was labored.
After waking up this time, something seemed off all along. Waking up day after day in this place might have affected his body.
How many more times could he 'separate' these people?
"Every time I wake up, I have the chance to talk to you, to prove that I am not insane," Tianlong said with a bitter smile. "Qinglong, do you look forward to my awakening?"
Qinglong looked down and said nothing.
"Tell me... how many people in the entire 'Taoyuan' look forward to my awakening?" Tianlong asked again.
"Don't overthink it. You and I are the masters of the entire 'Taoyuan'," Qinglong said. "You will definitely wake up. That has nothing to do with 'wanting' or not."
Tianlong nodded, listening to the distant screams, changed the subject, and asked again, "Do you remember what I once said about why one cycle is twelve days?"
Qinglong looked into the distance nonchalantly, as if unwilling to answer: "I don't remember."
"'Twelve' is the infinite great number of heaven and earth," Tianlong said, looking at the sky. "'Heaven, earth, and man' are all governed by 'twelve': a cycle of twelve years, a year of twelve months, a day of twelve hours. Among these... what is missing?"
"What are you trying to say..." Qinglong sighed. "Are you saying that heaven and earth lack a rule that can carry the 'twelve days'?"
"Isn't that the case?" Tianlong said. "We have filled the defect in the universe, carrying the 'twelve days' alone. Since this place can make up for the defect in heaven and earth, it is worthy of the name 'Taoyuan'. No matter what, we have done a good deed."
Qinglong paused slightly upon hearing this, then nodded. "Although the logic is like that... but..."
"The twelve earthly branches and the twelve central qi, the twelve zodiac animals and the twelve lunar phases," Tianlong turned around with slight excitement. "Qinglong, do you remember what I told you? The emperor's crown has twelve tassels, each tassel strung with twelve jade beads. 'Twelve' is heaven's will. What we do is to follow heaven's will."
"Heaven's will..."
"The cycle of heaven and earth lasts twelve days, with twelve 'Heavenly level' managers, and each room has twelve 'participants' and 'Zodiacs' in total," Tianlong took a deep breath. "Ten days are the end, but two days are illusory. Isn't all this following heaven's will?"
"Although I understand, I'm only afraid..." Qinglong gritted his teeth. "The appearance of some people might disrupt this 'heaven's will'. Perhaps the 'twelve' we set has already changed..."
"Even if there really is some change..." Tianlong's expression darkened a bit. "Then we will make up for it ourselves. If heaven's will is so, we will follow it. If heaven's will is not so, we will make it so."
Qinglong glanced at Tianlong without moving. After releasing this astonishing 'Separation', his rationality seemed to be gradually fading.
Tianlong steadied his breath and said, "Qinglong, half of my mission after awakening is complete. Before I fall asleep again, while I can still communicate normally, do you have anything to say to me?"
Qinglong was silent for a long time. "No."
"Alright."
Tianlong nodded, turned around and walked back to the 'train' without concern, and Qinglong followed closely.
The two walked through a messy corridor to the room at the 'locomotive' and sat down beside the round table.
"Qinglong," Tianlong called again. "The new batch of 'participants' should be appearing in the 'interview room' soon. Do you have anything to say to me?"
Qinglong didn't know what the repeated appearance of this question meant. Since he couldn't fathom the other's intention, it was better not to answer. So he only shook his head and said:
"No."
"Then I'll speak," Tianlong reached out and rotated the table so that the head of Tianzhu faced him. "How many more times are you going to try?"
"What?"
Tianlong did not look at Qinglong, only at the unblinking head of Tianzhu on the table.
"Qinglong, without your secret help, how could so many people have boarded the 'train'? How many more times are you going to try?"