Chapter 1303: Your Moment

“Did Qi Xia tell you to activate Tian Ji Shi Ke?” Lin Geng still felt there were many unanswered questions about this matter. “Why did you do it? Were you two working together?”

“It wasn’t exactly a collaboration,” Tian Gou replied. “But as I said, I just want to live. Although I haven’t had much contact with him, I’ve known for a long time that crossing Bai Yang wouldn’t end well.”

Lin Geng sensed that Tian Gou had been subtly influenced by Qi Xia, even though they had never met. All this time, Tian Gou had been aware of everything Qi Xia had been doing.

He might be the only one who knew Qi Xia’s complete plan.

“So, were you threatened?” Di Gou nodded. “Ge Yang must have known you wouldn’t die, so he prepared this task for you from the beginning.”

“It’s not quite a threat,” Tian Gou shook his head. “He knows I can hear him, and I know he knows. It’s a complicated feeling, like cooperation but also a one-sided announcement. But I want to survive, so I had no choice.”

Di Gou thought for a few seconds and asked, “Did Ge Yang tell you that activating Tian Ji Shi Ke right now would end this war?”

Tian Gou was silent for a long time before answering, “He promised me that if I did it, I could live.”

Everyone felt that this statement was strange.

If this plan ensured Tian Gou’s survival, what about everyone else?

Just then, Yan Zhi Chun and Jiang Ruo Xue hurried over from a distance. Seeing that Lin Geng, Xiao Xiao, and Zheng Ying Xiong were all safe and sound, they breathed a sigh of relief.

Lin Geng and the others also felt more at ease, as the arrival of Duo Xin Po increased their chances of defeating the two Sheng Xiao in front of them.

Lin Geng then relayed the next plan to them, which immediately made their hearts pound with anxiety.

Activate Tian Ji Shi Ke right now?

Instinctively, everyone turned their gaze to Yan Zhi Chun, as she was likely the only one who could judge whether this absurd plan made sense.

Yan Zhi Chun stared at Tian Gou for a long time before slowly asking a question:

“Activating… whose Tian Ji Shi Ke?”

Tian Gou didn’t answer immediately and instead asked, “Are you Yan Zhi Chun?”

“Yes.”

Tian Gou swallowed hard, then pointed at Yan Zhi Chun, saying word by word:

“Yours.”

“Mine…?” Yan Zhi Chun felt the situation becoming even stranger. “What kind of joke is this? Activating my Tian Ji Shi Ke? I’m a Can Yu Zhe. How could I activate something like that?”

“Tian Ji Shi Ke is just a name,” he said. “Theoretically, any Xian Fa can trigger it. Bai… Qi Xia told me himself that if you’re still alive, I should take you through that door to add the final touch to this rebellion, and he’ll ensure my survival afterward.”

“This is getting more ridiculous,” Yan Zhi Chun furrowed her brow and grew wary of Tian Gou. “When people think of Tian Ji Shi Ke, they imagine death and slaughter. Why use my name to activate it?”

“Death and slaughter? No, no, no,” Tian Gou shook his head, his fleshy face trembling slightly. “As I just said, death and slaughter are just one possible outcome of Tian Ji Shi Ke, but that’s not the reality. Its purpose is simply to spread Xian Fa. Whether people die depends entirely on what kind of Xian Fa the activator imparts to it.”

Yan Zhi Chun found it hard to believe Tian Gou, given their previous animosity.

But this was Qi Xia’s arrangement. From another perspective, would Qi Xia really do something to harm a Can Yu Zhe at this point?

Seeing that no one believed him, Tian Gou quickly added, “If you don’t believe me, come with me inside the Men. You’ll understand once you’re there.”

Yan Zhi Chun and Jiang Ruo Xue looked toward the door deep in the corridor. It seemed even more hidden than the Huo Cang. Where could it lead?

“Everyone,” Tian Gou called out, “I’ve told you everything I can. I just want to live, and with so many of you here, I have no reason to deceive you. Taking you to activate Tian Ji Shi Ke fulfills Bai Yang’s demand and saves my life. That’s all.”

Jiang Ruo Xue glanced at Zheng Ying Xiong, who nodded. Although Tian Gou no longer carried the scent of lies, Di Gou still did.

“So, what lie did you tell?” Lin Geng asked Di Gou. “Are you deceiving us?”

“Of course not.” Di Gou shook his head. “How could you have such malice toward someone who just likes to slack off and take it easy? I did have some thoughts of my own, but after hearing Tian Gou’s explanation, they’re gone. Let’s move forward as an unbreakable team from now on.”

With that, he turned and headed toward the door deep in the corridor, with Tian Gou hesitating for a few seconds before following.

“No good,” Zheng Ying Xiong sighed. “The scent is strong. He’s still lying.”

Yan Zhi Chun cautiously watched Di Gou’s back and exchanged glances with the others. “Don’t worry, Ying Xiong, we’ll keep an eye on him.”

Everyone followed them, and it wasn’t long before they reached the door.

Yan Zhi Chun had Xiao Xiao and the other Ji Dao members guard outside the door, while she took Jiang Ruo Xue, Lin Geng, and Zheng Ying Xiong inside.

The moment Tian Gou reached out and opened the door, a blinding white light flooded their eyes, and Zheng Ying Xiong suddenly covered his mouth and nose.

Jiang Ruo Xue quickly pulled Zheng Ying Xiong aside and cautiously peered into the door.

Inside, it seemed to lead to a strange space. It was the dark night just before dawn, with vast expanses of yellowish-white land stretching endlessly underfoot.

Seeing Zheng Ying Xiong’s reaction, Yan Zhi Chun sniffed the air but detected nothing unusual outside the door. Just the ordinary scent of Zhong Yan.

“Everyone, don’t close the door, or things could get complicated,” Tian Gou said, turning back to them. “Follow me.”

He stepped into the strange space, with Di Gou close behind. Yan Zhi Chun, Lin Geng, and Jiang Ruo Xue hesitated for a few seconds before following. Xiao Xiao tried to hold Zheng Ying Xiong back, but he didn’t care about his own discomfort and rushed in after them.

As soon as they entered this land, everyone felt something odd. The ground beneath their feet wasn’t hard; it was like stepping on a watery membrane with a firm elasticity.

A foul-smelling breeze blew around them, making the entire area feel vast and putrid.

Far in the distance, a small dark silhouette stood on the ground, resembling some long-abandoned workbench.

Other than that, there was nothing else here.

Gazing at this endless, empty expanse, Yan Zhi Chun murmured:

“Where are we?”

Tian Gou extended his two hands, slowly closed his eyes, and whispered:

“Tai Yang.”