Chapter 352: The One Who Cannot Leave
"You don't object to killing the 'Zodiac'?" This answer was somewhat unexpected for Yun Yao. "Isn't your 'Extreme Path' supposed to protect this place?"
"Yes..." Yan Zhichun nodded. "But betting on killing an Earth-level 'Zodiac' is a rather interesting game. I won't interfere. Please, go ahead."
Yun Yao squinted her eyes after hearing this, thought for a moment, and then sighed. "I won't comment on your thoughts. Like you said, I have already 'Echoed.' Even if you really want to kill me, it doesn't matter."
Upon hearing this, a trace of disappointment flickered in Chu Tianqiu's eyes. He then smiled bitterly and released his grip on Yun Yao's hand, nodding. "Very well. Yun Yao, you may go."
Yun Yao, still holding the serpent's head with one hand, reached out her other hand to Tiantian. "Tiantian, do you want to come with me?"
Tiantian looked dazedly at the people in the room. To be honest, she didn't know anyone here well. The only person she was familiar with, Yun Yao, was also leaving. Where could she go?
It seemed that drifting was her destiny.
Tiantian had long suspected that there was no place in this world where she could live a stable life, whether in the real world or in 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 while, she spoke. "Yun Yao, I... I'll come with you. There's no place for me here."
Yun Yao nodded, then looked around the room and asked, "Does anyone else want to come with me?"
The people in the room had witnessed today's farce, and none of them could respond immediately. Although Chu Tianqiu's behavior was somewhat strange, Yun Yao's actions seemed even more extreme to them.
No matter what major events had occurred, Chu Tianqiu had fully demonstrated his qualifications as a leader at this moment. He could kill an "Earth-level Zodiac," use the unfathomable "Echo," and had the means to provide food for everyone.
Under such circumstances, it was rather inappropriate for Yun Yao to announce her departure on the spot. After all, she was not just an ordinary "participant" but also one of the deputy leaders of "Heaven's Gate."
When a "deputy leader" of an organization wants to leave with some people, it essentially signals the dissolution of the organization. Therefore, after careful consideration, no one spoke up.
Seeing that no one answered after a long time, Yun Yao nodded.
"Very well," she said. "I will eventually find like-minded companions. Farewell, everyone."
Clutching the serpent's head, Yun Yao was about to step out of the door when a voice sounded from the corner of the room.
"Sister Yun Yao..."
Yun Yao stopped in her tracks and slowly turned to look at the dark-skinned girl.
"I... I want to go with you too..." Li Xiangling said softly.
"Li Xiangling...?"
Yun Yao had never imagined that the only person in this room who would support her would be a girl she barely knew. Although they had known each other at "Heaven's Gate" for a long time, she had never participated in any game with her. All she knew was that Li Xiangling didn't talk much and that her "Echo" ability wasn't outstanding.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure." Li Xiangling nodded. "On the night 'Heaven's Gate' was invaded, Brother Qiao and I fought until the very end. I know better than anyone how tragic it was. If I stay here, I will only keep reliving that day..."
Although Li Xiangling didn't explain everything, Yun Yao still nodded. After all, there was a pile of Li Xiangling's corpses outside the window.
That night, she had witnessed the massacre of everyone at "Heaven's Gate." She had held out until the very last moment—or rather... she hadn't even been able to die.
Was all of this caused by Chu Tianqiu's "Copy"?
"It's fine, Xiao Li. Come with me." Yun Yao reached out to take Li Xiangling's hand, but was suddenly stopped by Chu Tianqiu.
His voice was icy cold. "Yun Yao, you and Tiantian can leave, but Li Xiangling cannot."
These few words made both Yun Yao and Li Xiangling look confused.
"What...?" Yun Yao frowned. "Whether Li Xiangling stays or leaves should be up to her, shouldn't it?"
"No." Chu Tianqiu shook his head. "Anyone in 'Heaven's Gate' can come and go as they please, but Li Xiangling alone cannot."
Everyone in the room turned to look at them. Yan Zhichun, with a smile on her face, even brushed her hair back, feeling that this trip to "Heaven's Gate" might yield a lot of information.
Li Xiangling also looked puzzled. "Huh? I… I can't leave? Why? My ability isn't that important..."
"Your ability is absolutely crucial." Chu Tianqiu slowly stood up. "Yun Yao, if you try to take Li Xiangling away, I will disregard all past bonds and stop you at any cost."
"What...?" Yun Yao furrowed her brow. "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." Chu Tianqiu's gaze at Yun Yao once again turned manic. "Li Xiangling absolutely cannot leave. Even if she were to turn to dust, it can only scatter before my eyes."
The atmosphere in the room grew tense. Chu Tianqiu was clearly agitated. No one had ever seen him wear such an expression.
It seemed that Yun Yao's withdrawal had no effect on him, but the name "Li Xiangling" was his bottom line.
Why?
While everyone was hesitating, Chu Tianqiu turned to the young man behind him. "Kim Won-hoon, take Li Xiangling away."
"Understood, hyung."
As soon as he finished speaking, the distant sound of a bell rang out. Everyone looked over to see Kim Won-hoon close his eyes and disappear from behind Chu Tianqiu like a phantom.
Yun Yao reacted first and shouted, "Watch out!" But before her words could finish, Kim Won-hoon had already appeared behind Li Xiangling, ready to lock her joints in a reverse grip.
His movement was very strange. He didn't shine like in the movies, nor did he leave a visible trajectory. It was as if he had been standing behind Li Xiangling all along and was simply reaching out to grab her arm now.
Feeling her right hand seized, Li Xiangling's expression turned cold. She spun in midair, instantly breaking free from the reverse joint lock, and then extended a leg to kick Kim Won-hoon's chest.
Kim Won-hoon had never fought Li Xiangling before. He hadn't expected the girl he had underestimated to be such a skilled fighter. He quickly raised his hands to block the kick.
The strike was heavy and powerful, pushing Kim Won-hoon back several steps.
"Although I don't know what's going on..." Li Xiangling slowly spread her hands apart, assuming a fighting stance. "If you think you can make me submit with force... you've underestimated me."