Chapter 751: The Trap
Although Zhang Shan's "Heavenly Walk" granted him a constitution on par with the "Earth Grade" when activated, the Azure Dragon before them could effortlessly kill any "Earth Grade" participant.
From that perspective, it seemed "Heavenly Walk" alone was insufficient.
But Chu Tianqiu also faced an unprecedented challenge... could he truly swallow multiple "Echoers'" eyeballs in an instant?
Seeing the two fall silent once more, Azure Dragon could only speak up: "I've finished. Now it's your turn to answer my question. The two of you have been stirring up trouble on this rooftop for quite a while, and I've heard every single word you've said clearly... Was it all just to lure me out?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Tianqiu smiled and replied, "I wouldn't dare claim that. We knew such matters couldn't be hidden from you, so we simply spoke them out loud."
Azure Dragon extended his pinky finger to scratch his ear, then swept his smiling gaze across Chu Tianqiu and Qi Xia. Soon, he grinned, revealing his teeth: "But speaking of which... 'Madman' and 'Endless Vitality' are indeed somewhat interesting. This combination is more intriguing than any I've seen before..."
"Interesting?" Qi Xia raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. "So, based on your extensive experience, do you think the two of us can succeed?"
"I can only say it's not bad," Azure Dragon nodded. "After waiting so long, there's finally some entertainment to be had. These two ants not only want to crawl into my eyes, but they've even learned the ants' supreme immortal techniques. One can temporarily pretend to be a 'human,' and the other can revive more ants. How amusing."
"So that's how you see it?" Qi Xia said. "Then you've gone through all this trouble for two ants, just for some entertainment?"
"What else would it be? I've lived far too long; it's time I allowed myself some amusement."
"How strange," Chu Tianqiu laughed. "As you just said, you and the Golden Dragon could easily find plenty of 'entertainment' at any moment. Why would you go to such lengths? Besides, you opened the 'Silence'—what exactly are you planning?"
"Oh?" Azure Dragon grinned. "And what do you think I'm planning?"
"You want the Golden Dragon's life," Qi Xia said bluntly. "You need the two of us as helpers."
Hearing this, Chu Tianqiu slowly turned his head to look at Qi Xia. He felt Qi Xia's statement was far too bold.
Even if Azure Dragon's true purpose was to kill the Golden Dragon, this was not the place to lay it out so plainly.
After all, the three people before them each had their own agendas; they could only use each other.
Otherwise, even if they truly overthrew the Golden Dragon, neither he nor Qi Xia would escape—Azure Dragon would surely silence them.
"That's right."
Azure Dragon mused for a moment, then nodded without any evasion. "I do want the Golden Dragon's life. I want him dead."
Chu Tianqiu hesitated upon hearing this: "But you clearly possess strength comparable to the Golden Dragon's. Why do you need our help? If you truly want to kill him... you should have had plenty of opportunities, right?"
"The situation between me and the Golden Dragon is rather complicated..." Azure Dragon said. "To prevent the two of us from attacking each other... he established a bizarre rule. This rule not only makes it completely impossible for me to kill him, but it has also turned both of us into monsters that are neither male nor female. So I have no choice but to rely on outside help."
Only then did the two realize that Azure Dragon's appearance was indeed somewhat strange. If one said he was a man, he carried a hint of femininity. If one said he was a woman, he possessed a touch of masculinity.
Coupled with his long, dark-green hair and a robe that concealed his figure, the two couldn't determine Azure Dragon's gender at all.
"Don't say 'outside help,'" Qi Xia shifted his tone and said. "We're on the same side now."
"No, no one is on my side," Azure Dragon shook his head. "Not even now. Although I am using your hands to kill the Golden Dragon, that doesn't mean we are allies. If at any point in advancing the plan something doesn't suit my liking, I might kill you both directly."
"Since we're not allies, you still helped us," Qi Xia said.
"No, Qi Xia. It was you who helped me," Azure Dragon said.
"How did I help you?"
"I can sense that the Golden Dragon seems to have... fallen into some kind of trap yesterday."
"Trap...?"
Chu Tianqiu turned his head to look at Qi Xia.
"I don't know how you managed it," Azure Dragon continued. "But you've indeed bought yourselves some time. The Golden Dragon's awakening has been delayed again. I feel that this is the opportunity for all of you."
"You..." Qi Xia slowly narrowed his eyes upon hearing this. "Is that true...?"
"True," Azure Dragon said. "He must have overused his 'Conviction,' but I don't know exactly how much longer he'll sleep. So do whatever you want to do."
Hearing Azure Dragon say this, Qi Xia suddenly felt something was wrong.
The fog before him thickened. The path that had vaguely emerged now retreated back into the mist.
Azure Dragon's appearance today carried an intense sense of dissonance, and even Qi Xia himself couldn't pinpoint where it came from.
This dissonance made him hesitate to act rashly for the time being.
"What's wrong? Isn't this good news?" Azure Dragon asked.
"I'm not sure," Qi Xia narrowed his eyes and shook his head. "The Golden Dragon only awakens on the tenth day. He has been sleeping all this while, yet he can still sense what's happening here."
"Yes," Azure Dragon nodded.
"Then won't he be even angrier when he wakes up?" Qi Xia asked. "How could he possibly let me off?"
"Because the Golden Dragon is lenient enough with you," Azure Dragon said with a smile. "Since you're standing here safe and sound right now, it means he won't make a big fuss over you."
Upon hearing these words, Qi Xia finally realized where the problem lay.
Azure Dragon was fanning the flames. Today, he seemed somewhat impatient.
Why, after such a long time of cold observation, was Azure Dragon so eager in this cycle?
Though he knew nothing of the full picture, Qi Xia's subconscious kept sending him signals of danger. He had been gambling for decades, winning more than losing—he absolutely must not take risks at the final moment.
"Azure Dragon, I'll ask you one last time," Qi Xia said. "Do you think the two of us can succeed?"
"Do you want the truth or a lie?" Azure Dragon countered.
"I want the first thought that flashes through your mind," Qi Xia replied.
"Ha, if you put it that way... I feel a bit regretful," Azure Dragon laughed maniacally. "Because standing here are two 'men,' which makes this very difficult."
Qi Xia's brow furrowed upon hearing this. Even though he had partially recovered his memories, he still couldn't quite understand what "two men" meant.
"Why is it difficult because you're two 'men'? Does escaping this place... require two 'women'?" Qi Xia asked.