# Chapter 673: Shattered Dreams
When the Earth Monkey heard the words "herd effect," he ultimately revealed a bitter smile.
That was right. In this game, who wasn't a "liar"?
"What a 'herd effect'..." The Earth Monkey's eyes dimmed again as he looked at Qi Xia and asked slowly, "So did you ever tell the truth in this game?"
"There were times. Quite a few, actually."
Qi Xia answered while holding his forehead, then Tian Tian came to his side, pulled out a tissue, and handed it to him. After thanking her, Qi Xia wiped his blood-stained face with it.
"Now that the game is over... I still really want to ask," the Earth Monkey furrowed his brow. "Qi Xia, do you actually want to get out?"
Hearing this question, Qi Xia once again revealed a puzzled expression.
"Why would I not want to get out...?" Qi Xia was also curious about the Earth Monkey's words. "Is this question worth asking twice? If I didn't want to get out, why would I be standing here before you?"
"So you're not lying about that." The Earth Monkey seemed somewhat relieved. "Qi Xia, you'd better not disappoint me... otherwise, I swear I'll take everyone down with me."
"Oh...?" Qi Xia felt his mind was still dizzy and couldn't quite grasp the Earth Monkey's meaning for a moment.
"Old Qi... Old Qi, come here a second."
Chen Junnan reached out and patted Qi Xia on the shoulder, then helped him up and brought him to sit beside Zheng Yingxiong, who was nearby.
"What's...?"
Chen Junnan naturally had a lot to say too, especially after seeing that bizarre Earth Rat. His mind was absolutely stuffed with questions, and for a moment, he didn't know where to start. After hesitating for a long time, he slowly spoke:
"Old Qi, I suspect... you've fallen into a strange whirlpool right now."
"Be more specific."
Chen Junnan organized his words and continued: "Earlier, we followed your instructions to provoke the 'Zodiacs.' That's pretty much done now, right?"
Qi Xia listened and nodded seriously.
"Do you think those people are reliable?" Chen Junnan asked again.
"What do you mean..."
"Remember before this game started, I told you why I came here," Chen Junnan said.
"Yes, you said an 'Earth Rat' sent you."
"But do you know what that big rat told me?" Chen Junnan lowered his voice as much as possible and whispered in Qi Xia's ear, "He said this Earth Monkey is the 'Heavenly Dragon's' right-hand man..."
His tone was especially strange, as if he himself didn't know who to believe anymore.
But when he looked at Qi Xia's expression, he found no surprise at all.
"Old Qi... you don't mean to say you already knew about this, do you?"
Qi Xia listened and nodded helplessly. This claim coincided perfectly with what the "Azure Dragon" had said.
The "Azure Dragon" had also taken out a map back then and told Qi Xia that these eight people were all the "Heavenly Dragon's" trusted subordinates.
Could it be that there was something wrong with the word "trusted subordinate"?
No matter how he looked at the Earth Monkey before him, he didn't seem like one of the "Heavenly Dragon's" people. If anything... he seemed more like one of their own.
After all, when Qi Xia mentioned the words "Heavenly Dragon," the Earth Monkey didn't shout or show fear like other "Zodiacs." Instead, he immediately told Qi Xia to shut up.
But why would both the "Azure Dragon" and the "Earth Rat" share the same story?
Qi Xia had originally thought that what the "Azure Dragon" revealed was extremely confidential information, yet even an ordinary Earth Rat possessed the same intelligence.
Could it be that information about these eight people was common knowledge among the "Zodiacs"?
"Chen Junnan... what do you think?" Qi Xia asked. "Do you believe these people are really 'trusted subordinates'?"
Chen Junnan slowly lowered his head. The Earth Rat's words kept echoing in his ears at this moment.
*"Chen Junnan, I'm the teammate in your room."*
"Old Qi... why do you think there are eight people...?" Chen Junnan raised his head with a complicated expression, as if he had a lot to say.
"Eight..." Qi Xia slowly narrowed his eyes.
"Do you think these eight people... could be your..."
"Stop," Qi Xia said. "That's far enough."
He raised his hand to interrupt Chen Junnan, but Chen Junnan knew that given his understanding of Qi Xia, he had already guessed everything he was about to say.
Qi Xia's eyes flickered rapidly, as if he was processing this complex information.
A room where everyone had always survived... seven years of hiding for everyone...
Eight "Zodiacs" drifting outside.
All the clues pointed to one unbelievable answer.
But could this answer really be spoken openly?
Qi Xia looked up toward the Earth Monkey. Now all his questions could only be answered by the Earth Monkey. He needed to ask the Earth Monkey clearly immediately, because there were still three "Zodiacs" to meet...
Every minute was precious now.
He forcefully stood up, intending to speak with the Earth Monkey, but suddenly felt the world spinning around him.
This dizziness was stronger than any before. He felt his vision suddenly turn pitch black, his entire body losing all balance. Walls from all directions seemed to fly toward him, and he had no idea where to dodge.
In a daze, it seemed like someone reached out to support him, but his body still collided with something.
Then came noisy shouts, flitting chaotically past his ears. Although he could hear them talking, he couldn't understand a single word.
Qi Xia only felt himself lying down, lying in a very comfortable place. Every blood vessel in his body slowly relaxed, and the dizziness in his brain pulled his entire body downward.
Falling into a bottomless abyss.
The people sitting around quickly helped Qi Xia to the side. Zheng Yingxiong's nosebleed had mostly stopped, and he gave up the sofa he was sitting on. The others helped Qi Xia lie down on it.
"Something's not right..." Chen Junnan frowned. "Someone help me. Get Old Qi to sit up."
"What...?" Xiao Cheng and Tian Tian beside him were a bit confused.
"Don't waste time. Help him sit up first. He said he can't lie down."
Chen Junnan quickly draped one of Qi Xia's arms over his own neck. Qiao Jiajin also came forward to help. The two of them, one on each side, helped Qi Xia up.
Qi Xia's head hung low, as if he was already fast asleep.
"What the hell is going on..." Chen Junnan touched his own head. "Old Qi doesn't seem to have a fever either..."
Qiao Jiajin felt Qi Xia's forehead, then picked up an old pencil from the table beside him. He broke it in half, found a piece of scrap cloth, and carefully tied it around Qi Xia's pinky finger.
They had expected this to hurt Qi Xia awake, but judging by his peaceful expression, he looked like he was sleeping—or more like he was dead.
"This..." Xiao Cheng carefully examined Qi Xia's face, then turned back to ask the others, "May I ask... has Brother Qi always been this lethargic?"
"What do you mean?"
"I want to confirm whether he has a drug addiction or something else..."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Chen Junnan frowned. "Have you ever seen an addict this smart? Old Qi must be sick today..."
Xiao Cheng sighed after hearing this and said, "Then may I ask... where did Brother Qi sleep last night?"