Chapter 1177: Betting on Heaven's Will

In just a few minutes, "Tian Tang Kou" was forced into a steady retreat due to the enemy's overwhelming numbers.

With both sides engaged in close-quarters combat, the "belief" of many "Echoers" was disrupted, making it impossible for them to cast effective "echoes" in a split second. The fight devolved into pure melee, relying solely on weapons and fists.

Amid the encirclement, there was a peculiar young man covered in knife scars. He could summon iron pieces onto others, and this tricky ability allowed him to hold off Zhang Shan almost single-handedly.

Whenever Zhang Shan tried to strike, the young man would make iron pieces appear out of nowhere on Zhang Shan's fists, as if they were embedded in his skin, causing him to bleed with every movement.

Unable to unleash "Tian Xing Jian" for the time being, Zhang Shan was soon drenched in blood, relying purely on brute strength to keep going.

Li Xiangling was in no better shape. Her expert marksmanship had made her a prime target, and several fearless "participants" managed to disarm her by grabbing her weapon with sticks. Now, she was fending off the crowd with her bare hands and feet, wounds starting to appear on her body.

From the beginning of the skirmish, "Tian Tang Kou" had already lost more than seven members.

As they fought and fell back, they were quickly cornered in a narrow alley. Despite the dire situation, not a single member of "Tian Tang Kou" attempted to flee.

Chu Tianqiu felt the situation was turning against them. He was essentially shielding the entire "Ji Dao," keeping it safe, but at this rate, he might miss that "train."

But who could possibly come to their aid at this moment?

Just then, he spotted a strange "Zodiac" figure standing in the alley—a smiling rat.

This grin made Chu Tianqiu furrow his brow, and it also made him realize how ridiculous his hopes were.

"Tian Tang Kou" was completely isolated here. The fact that the enemy had no reinforcements was already the best they could hope for, let alone anyone stepping in to help.

"We can't retreat any further..." Chu Tianqiu immediately issued the order. "There's a 'Di Ji' behind us!"

Hearing this, the group glanced back. The "Di Ji" was indeed watching them with a smile from their retreat path, but the onslaught from the front was too intense. Saying "we can't retreat" was one thing, but stopping meant death.

As they were about to reach the rat, Zhang Shan summoned a burst of energy, grabbed a "participant," spun around on the spot, and hurled him into the crowd, knocking down the surrounding attackers.

The action paused briefly, and the rat stood nearby, laughing delightfully.

That "hehehe" laughter stood out sharply amid the gasps of the exhausted fighters.

Chu Tianqiu slowly turned his head and locked eyes with the rat, then smiled lightly and said:

"What advice do you have?"

"'Advice'? I wouldn't dare claim that." The rat shook his head. "I was just thinking, if all you leaders paid the ticket fee before fighting, the performance points would all go to me. What a shame—now you're all sweating bullets and might die for nothing."

"Ha..." Chu Tianqiu smiled as he quickly pondered. "Hearing you say that gives me an idea."

"Go ahead, leader." The rat said, "You look the most human out of all of them, so I might actually understand what you say."

"Didn't expect my words to be comprehensible to a rat—guess that's an honor." Chu Tianqiu continued, "If our whole team pays the ticket fee, and someone still tries to kill us, you'll step in and help, right?"

The rat's smile faded gradually upon hearing this, realizing the young man in front of him was no easy mark.

"You're joking, leader." The rat said, "My shop only allows five people at a time, and besides, I just remembered I have some business at home. Not serving anyone today. Wishing you all a proper death."

Chu Tianqiu and Wen Qiaoyun exchanged a glance, then both nodded. Wen Qiaoyun took over command from Chu Tianqiu, relieving him of his duties.

"Di Shu." Chu Tianqiu walked up to the rat and said with a smile, "You seem like someone who can do business. I have a deal I want to discuss—just name your price."

"Leader, what are you talking about?" The rat said, "I'm a 'Di Ji,' and you're a 'rebel' that everyone wants to take down. How dare you try to make a deal with me?"

"I don't think an ordinary 'Zodiac' would smile at me." Chu Tianqiu said, "And you haven't made a move against me, which means you're not interested in the points from a 'rebel' like me."

"Makes sense." The rat nodded. "You not only look human, but your thinking isn't like a monkey's either. What kind of deal do you have in mind?"

"I want to use your 'gate' to get on the 'train.'"

"Ha..." The rat's mouth stretched wide in laughter. "What a joke. Do you think I'd accept that deal?"

"The only reason a deal falls through is if the price isn't right." Chu Tianqiu said, "What do you want?"

"I..." The rat narrowed his eyes, his face still bearing that unsettling smile. "This deal could put my safe life at risk, so my price will be very high."

"Whatever the price, I'll find a way to meet it." Chu Tianqiu said, "This might be my only path."

"I want 'Tian Yi.'"

"'Tian Yi'...?"

"From now until the 'teleportation gate' appears at dusk, I won't interfere in whether you leaders live or die." The rat said, "If 'Tian Yi' allows your group of over a dozen to survive against a hundred bloodthirsty attackers, then I'll agree to take just one of you through the gate."

Chu Tianqiu frowned slightly upon hearing this, fiddling with an eyeball in his hand.

"In my life, I've heard plenty of outrageous prices, but none as wild as this." Chu Tianqiu muttered, "It doesn't seem like this would benefit you at all."

"Leader, I don't need any benefits." The rat stepped forward, smiling. "At this stage, I only seek some insurance. If you want me to venture into danger, I need to be sure that 'Tian Yi decrees it.'"

"Fine, then I'll haggle." Chu Tianqiu said.

The rat looked at him with newfound respect. "You're haggling with 'Tian Yi'?"

"Yes." Chu Tianqiu nodded. "If 'Tian Yi' lets us survive, I need to bring one more person along."

"Deal." The rat nodded. "Then take care, leader—watch out for your brains getting splattered."

"You watch yourself too." Chu Tianqiu said, "Don't scurry away in panic when 'Tian Yi' shows up."