Chapter 845: As Expected

Chapter 845: As Expected

Nine Frost nodded. "Given these reasons, Qilin would welcome our challenge. He doesn't care how many will die in an open war. He only wishes to quickly achieve his goal."

"An open challenge offers us several advantages. If we attempt a siege on the base or try to catch them by surprise, Surnamed Li would be at risk, enabling her to foresee and prepare for our actions. In a direct confrontation, however, Surnamed Li's abilities become less crucial. We simply need to avoid targeting her during the fight."

"Moreover, we can choose terrain that favors our attack and retreat, potentially limiting our enemies' Talents."

"That's about it." Nine Frost turned to the others. "I've completed my analysis."

White Rabbit had a newfound admiration for Nine Frost. She eyed War Tiger doubtfully. "Uncle Tiger, you're not claiming you considered all this, are you?"

"Of course." War Tiger smiled shrewdly with a hint of mischief. He shot Nine Frost a wink. "See? That's why he's my deputy!"

"We will be able to make better preparations with an open challenge, but the same is true for the enemy," Zhong He said. "Can we really defeat the Ocean River Union by fighting them head-on?"

"Not in a duel, but a group fight is different. Let's break it down." War Tiger slapped his thighs and strode to the blackboard. The chalk whined as he wrote.

The others in the room shifted their focus to War Tiger, many moving closer.

War Tiger wrote down "Twelve, Nine" and "Union" first. Then he listed six tiers underneath: T0, T0.5, T1, T1.5, and T2.

"For T0, there's Qilin on the Union's side, and Dragon on the Twelve, Nine side." War Tiger wrote the two names as he spoke. Then he struck through Dragon's name. "Unfortunately, Dragon's charging."

War Tiger continued to say and write, "For T0.5, there's none in the Union, and three on our side: Gao Yang, me, and Wang Zikai."

"Bullshit! How can I be anything less than T0?" Wang Zikai protested. He had thought War Tiger would put him in the separate category of God.

"You're the chosen one and will one day become God, Wang Zikai," Gao Yang, unflinching, smoothly lied. "It's only that you've awakened much shorter and need time to come into full power. This tier list is meant to analyze the coming fight. Don't take it too seriously, or it'll be your loss."

"Tsk, fine, fine. God or not, it's all technicalities." Flattered, Wang Zikai let it slide.

"I get Gao Yang at T0.5, but you, Uncle Tiger?" White Rabbit's face scrunched up. "When’s your Killing Expert reaching level 7? We've got this Damage Rune Circuit you can't merge with. Talk about wasted potential."

War Tiger slapped his thigh, eyes gleaming. "Hey, I've got an idea! How about I kill all of you? Might just level me up. Killing Expert's gotta do what a Killing Expert's gotta do, right?"

The room fell silent.

"It's a joke. Just lightening the mood." War Tiger guffawed, but no one else laughed. The atmosphere was suddenly awkward and strange.

"You're not fighting, are you? What's this strategy meeting got to do with you?" Gao Xinxin scoffed. "Unless you're heading to the frontlines? Do that, and I'll make you pork knuckle noodles and dragon foot noodles and whatever you want to eat."

Gregor changed his tune immediately. He rolled up his sleeves, grinning. "Prepare to be amazed by the culinary prowess of the two Chef Gs!"

"Alright, you've got some free time. Meeting's at midnight," War Tiger announced. "And nobody leaves without my say-so, no exceptions. Anyone who does gets treated like a spy."

A chorus of "Yes, sir!", "Understood!", and "Okay" rang out before the group dispersed.

Just then, Heavenly Dog's eyes snapped open on the beanbag. He removed his headphones, staring into space for a moment as if hearing something beyond others' perception.

His eyes reddened as he leapt to his feet. Scanning the crowd, he seemed unsure who to approach with his news.

Finally, he turned to War Tiger. "Uncle Tiger, I just comprehended a new Talent."

"That's fantastic!" War Tiger's face lit up. "Which one?"

Heavenly Dog hesitated before uttering, "Sixty-six."

War Tiger's smile froze. White Rabbit's and Dead Pig's faces fell, their eyes filled with sorrow.

Every Zodiac member knew that number. Serial number 66, Psyche-type: Requiem.

"Good, good. That's... good..."

War Tiger nodded mechanically, his words hollow. He plucked the cigarette from behind his ear and strode towards the study. "I need a smoke."

Gao Yang, however, was pondering something else entirely upon hearing Heavenly Dog's revelation.

He headed for the storage room. "Heavenly Dog, come with me."

"Oh, okay." Heavenly Dog followed without question.

At the door, Gao Yang called out, "You too, Zhang Wei."

Zhang Wei froze, thinking he'd misheard. He pointed at himself. "Me? You sure? I'm in the useless tier..."

"Come," Gao Yang repeated, his tone brooking no argument.

"Right away!" Zhang Wei's face split into a grin as he bounded over, metaphorical tail wagging.