TDU Chapter 140: Confronting Mortal Dragon

Chapter 140 Confronting Mortal Dragon

After letting the three people go, Qi Xia's expression remained somber.  He was uncertain whether he or Qiao Jiajin was in the right, yet one truth stood clear—he could not allow Tian Tian to kill on his behalf.

"Where are we headed next?" Qi Xia inquired.

Yun Yao, after hearing his question, pulled out a map from her sleeve. It was the very one Chu Tianqiu had given her before their departure. She studied it carefully and then said, "Not far from here, there's a {tiger}. Do you want to check it out?"

"{Mortal Tiger}?" Qi Xia asked.

"Yes," Yun Yao nodded. "During the initial days upon entering End Point, Chu Tianqiu refrains from sending individuals into {Terrestrial}-grade games, as preserving energy is crucial. The real highlights come in the later stages."

"Oh?" Qi Xia paused, "Why is that?"

"After undergoing the earlier trials, the {Reverberatees} will gradually recover in numbers, and at that point, taking part in {Terrestrial}-grade games becomes much less challenging."

"I see," Qi Xia nodded thoughtfully.

"But there are exceptions," Yun Yao continued, "While Chu Tianqiu doesn't place much value on {Dào}, he will still send people to take part in a handful of difficult games in the early days to acquire {Dào}, ensuring that {Passage to Heaven} recruits formidable individuals to lead every team."

Qi Xia’s mind drifted back to the first time he encountered Zhang Shan, leading Ole Lu and Specs into the Terrestrial Ox game. 

"In that case, let's go check out that {Tiger}," Qi Xia said, "I have never been part of a tiger game before."

Qiao Jiajin, now lighter in spirit, grinned. "Swindler lad, {Tiger}—sounds like it’s perfect for me, don't you think?"

"Yes, indeed," Qi Xia nodded, casting a helpless glance at Qiao Jiajin. "You're absolutely amazing, but could you put your shirt on first?"

It was only then that Qiao Jiajin realized he was still topless. In his one-on-one with the bald thug, he had tossed his shirt to the ground, and had yet to pick it up.

"Whoops," Qiao Jiajin chuckled awkwardly, walking over to grab his shirt and put it back on.

...

The group traversed for roughly ten minutes, following the map’s guidance, before veering into a secluded alley, where they at last came upon an Earthly Branch.

But it wasn’t a {Tiger}.

It was something far more terrifying.

‘A dragon…’ Qi Xia narrowed his eyes, muttering under his breath. "What’s going on here?"

Yun Yao, too, seemed puzzled. "Huh… {Mortal Dragon}?" She glanced down at her map and double-checked, where it clearly marked {Mortal Tiger}.

Qi Xia took the map from her, inspecting it closely. The map, though rudimentary in its design, was clear on the key details, including the intersections they should have taken. Yet, despite following the map to the designated location, the game venue they arrived at was Mortal Dragon’s.

"Care to partake in my game? No charge for admission," said the man, his face obscured by a crude-stitched-together mask.

"We can't participate in this game. Let's go," Qi Xia said coldly, turning to leave.

"Wait a minute, Swindler lad..." Qi Xia was stopped by Qiao Jiajin, who asked, "What’s wrong with {Dragon}? How is it different from {Tiger}?"

"I don't know," Qi Xia shook his head. "What I do know is that someone warned me—first, avoid provoking the {Celestial}, and second, never go against {Dragon}."

Though Qiao Jiajin didn’t fully comprehend, he knew to trust his {brain}. "Alright, let's forget about it then."

Just as they were about to leave, they noticed Yun Yao was still standing in place, unmoving.

"Idol, aren’t you coming?" Qiao Jiajin asked.

"I feel this is an invaluable opportunity," Yun Yao stated. "We’ve only faced a {Dragon} once in the city center, so I’m curious to understand what type of game they represent."

"But something about {Dragon} strikes me as profoundly dangerous," Qi Xia said, his eyes narrowing. "I would advise you to reconsider your decision."

"In our case, is it truly {dangerous}?" Yun Yao asked, a bitter smile playing on her lips. "Even if this game leads to death, do you think it's truly dangerous?"

"That—" 

Qi Xia furrowed his brow, feeling that Yun Yao’s point wasn’t without merit. No matter how perilous the games here, they all culminated in death. But now, he realized that {death} was no longer something to be feared. As long as it didn’t involve staking one’s life, all participants were guaranteed absolute safety. Moreover, the game of Mortal Dragon didn’t require admission—meaning there is no potential loss involved.

Qi Xia lowered his gaze, lost in contemplation. The sole remaining doubt was Chu Tianqiu. Why would he give them an incorrect map? Was it possible that he was even more absent-minded and careless than initially thought?

"Yun Yao, you said you’ve encountered a {Dragon} before, what kind of game was it?" Qi Xia asked.

"It wasn’t me who encountered that {Dragon}, it was Chu Tianqiu," Yun Yao said softly. "He said {Dragon} posed some intellectual questions to him, and he didn’t answer all of them correctly, so he failed."

"Intellectual... questions?" Qi Xia’s pupils flickered with uncertainty. "Yun Yao, surely you cannot be serious?"

"What would I have to gain from lying? This is exactly what Chu Tianqiu said," Yun Yao responded, her voice steady.

Qi Xia fell into deep thought once more, a sense of unease gnawing at him. This was all too bizarre. Among the twelve Earthly Branches, the Dragon was a being of divine origin, endowed with extraordinary power. According to {Mortal Pig}, the Dragon was not to be provoked under any circumstances. Yet their game involved nothing more than an {intellectual questionnaire}?

"Qi Xia, you all stay here," Yun Yao said. "I want to go take a look by myself."

At this point, Tian Tian and Qiao Jiajin looked toward Qi Xia, both wondering what course of action he had in mind.

For Qi Xia, there was no other choice. If he wanted to understand Chu Tianqiu’s true intentions, the only way was to dive headfirst into Mortal Dragon’s game.

Was Chu Tianqiu trying to use the game to eliminate him?

But Yun Yao was with him—what would happen to her if there was danger?

Qi Xia gradually closed his eyes, quieting his mind to its deepest depths, contemplating with a quiet intensity. 

‘Chu Tianqiu... What are you trying to achieve?’

Meanwhile, on the other end, Chu Tianqiu hummed a classical tune, tapping his fingers to the beat. "Qi Xia... What will be your choice?"

The distance between them was vast, yet their thoughts collided with the force of swords meeting in a clash.

It wasn’t long before Qi Xia opened his eyes. "Yun Yao, I’ve made up my mind—I’ll go with you."

"Hm?" Yun Yao turned her head. "There's no need for that. I can go alone."

"No, I'm coming with you," Qi Xia replied firmly. "Qiao Jiajin and Tian Tian will stay here and wait."

Unable to counter Qi Xia's insistence, Yun Yao let out a reluctant shrug and made her way toward Mortal Dragon.

Qiao Jiajin and Tian Tian exchanged a helpless glance.

"The two of us wish to join your game," Yun Yao said to Mortal Dragon.

"Not permitted," Mortal Dragon responded with a shake of his head. "A minimum of four participants is required."

"Four?" Upon hearing this, Qiao Jiajin took a deliberate step forward. "Swindler lad, where do you think you're going without your {fist}?

"Qiao Jiajin, don't be reckless. I have a bad feeling about this game," Qi Xia said, his brow furrowing. "You and Tian Tian stay here. We'll wait for two more passersby."

"No way, I don’t agree." Qiao Jiajin countered, shaking his head. "Let Tian Tian stay here if you want, but if we’re going, we’re going together."

"Stop messing around!" Qi Xia's brow tightened further. "I can’t let anything happen to you again!"

"{Again}?" Qiao Jiajin was taken aback. "Although I don’t get what you’re saying, I feel the same way. I can’t lose my {brain} again."

"What the hell…" Qi Xia was equally confused. "Didn't we agree you'd listen to me? I’m telling you to stay here; stop acting impulsively."

Qiao Jiajin paid him no mind and took a deliberate step forward. "Swindler lad, did you know? A person can survive without {fists}, but if you lose {your brain}, you're as good as dead."

"You—"

At that moment, Tian Tian stepped forward, her voice soft but firm. "Take me along too. I might be of use."

Qi Xia paused, his gaze flickering with hesitation. The thought of putting Qiao Jiajin and Tian Tian in harm's way unsettled him, especially after everything they had endured in the last cycle. However, if the game truly was an {intellectual questionnaire}, the risk seemed minimal, and a few extra participants wouldn't make much of a difference. 

After a brief moment of reflection, Qi Xia raised his eyes and addressed Mortal Dragon. "What is the nature of your game?"

"Team collaboration," Mortal Dragon responded without a moment's hesitation.