Pandora floored the accelerator, yet still could not close the gap on Xiao Feng. She glanced back at Soil Dog in surprise. "Why is it that I can never catch up to him?"
Soil Dog chuckled softly. "Same vehicle, same driving skill, same road conditions—and your machine even has the edge. So why can't you catch Xiao Feng? There's only one explanation…"
With the air of a sudden revelation, he continued, "It's because the total weight of the passengers in our car outweighs theirs. Got it?"
Pandora furrowed her brow sharply, then shot Soil Dog a piercing glare. "You're the heaviest one here. You can get out now."
Sensing an ominous shift, Soil Dog scrambled to the back of the vehicle. "Don't make me push you out. If you do, I swear I'll blow this car to smithereens with a missile—do you believe me?"
"Damn it! You threaten me? Are you looking to die?" Pandora was taken aback that Soil Dog dared speak to her so boldly.
But having traveled with Xiao Feng for a long time, Soil Dog understood his leader's style and had gradually been influenced by it. Confident, he settled in the rear, staying safely beyond reach of Pandora's razor-sharp blade—which he greatly feared; a single strike would cleave him in two.
"Bastard," Pandora cursed under her breath, focusing once again on the road, abandoning any hope of overtaking Xiao Feng.
Ahead, Xiao Feng drove leisurely, glancing at Gui Yao beside him. "I have a question for you."
Leaning back, Gui Yao relaxed, unafraid of death, savoring the rush of speed and the passing scenery. Lazily, he asked, "What is it?"
"Who else knows about your supernatural abilities?"
Crossing his arms, eyes fixed forward, Gui Yao smiled knowingly. "You want to know where I come from, don't you? Curious about my true identity?"
Xiao Feng smiled. "No wonder you became the bandit leader—truly sharp-witted. Tell me then…"
"Ha, the Shrine," Gui Yao said indifferently. He already understood they stood on the same side now, so there was no need to conceal anything from Xiao Feng.
The moment Xiao Feng heard "Shrine," he slammed on the brakes with a screech—the tires grinding against the earth as thick smoke billowed up. The jeep skidded nearly fifty meters before halting, its heavy frame preventing it from flipping.
Behind Xiao Feng, Pandora yanked her steering wheel sharply, then swung it back with precision, carving a graceful arc as she surged past Xiao Feng's vehicle, coming to a stop just ahead.
Gui Yao gripped the dashboard tightly, seatbelt secured, narrowly avoiding being thrown clear.
But Rush was less fortunate. Thrown violently by the force of inertia, his body was hurled out of the open-topped jeep.
Xiao Feng lunged, grabbing Rush's ankle just in time, preventing him from being flung away and possibly disfigured.
"Damn it, Xiao Feng! What the hell? You scared the crap out of me!" Rush scolded.
Xiao Feng tossed Rush into the back seat and turned to Gui Yao. "You said 'Shrine'—the Shrine in North America, right?"
Gui Yao nodded. "Yes, that's right. You might not believe it, but I used to be a member."
Xiao Feng was stunned beyond belief. He never imagined encountering a former Shrine member in this forsaken corner of Asia. Yet Gui Yao's supernatural powers proved he was no ordinary man.
"The Shrine only has seven members, right?"
Gui Yao chuckled. "Looks like you know your stuff. But you don't know why the Shrine exists. You think it's just those seven you know about—Zeus, Hera, Ares, Poseidon, Apollo, Athena, and Hades? Those are only the visible faces. In the shadows, the Shrine has many more members—I don't even know the full count."
Xiao Feng frowned, hearing this for the first time. "So the Shrine isn't just those seven…"
Gui Yao laughed. "You really know your Shrine history."
"Let me tell you—some days ago, I was captured by the Shrine and subjected to brutal torture. If it weren't for my healing abilities, I wouldn't be here now. Pandora and the others rescued me, and we completely obliterated the Shrine. Zeus, Hera, Hades, Ares, and Poseidon—they're all dead. Apollo's whereabouts are unknown, and Athena remains in my custody. I thought the Shrine was finished."
Gui Yao shook his head. "You're impressive to have brought them down this far, proving your strength. But don't forget—do you know what Zeus's ability is?"
Xiao Feng pondered.
At that moment, Athena approached, her eyes blazing with anger. "Why'd you slam on the brakes like that? I almost crashed into you, you know!"
Xiao Feng waved her off without looking. "Don't interrupt. I'm discussing something important with Gui Yao." Then to Gui Yao: "Zeus's ability—I remember now. He can emit a white light that resurrects the dead."
"That's right. Resurrection is Zeus's power. Think about it—if he can bring others back, wouldn't he have left himself a safeguard to return as well? I'm certain Zeus isn't truly dead… and those others you mentioned likely have been revived too."
Xiao Feng stared in disbelief. "No way…"
"Why not? You don't understand Zeus, or why he leads the Shrine."
After reflecting briefly, Xiao Feng nodded, then turned to Soil Dog. "What you said makes sense, but I still don't understand—who exactly are you?"
Pandora and Rush looked toward Soil Dog.
He smiled wryly. "I'm no longer with the Shrine, so I might as well tell you."
Pandora froze upon hearing Gui Yao was once a Shrine member. "No way… you really were with the Shrine?"
"So-called 'Seven Gods of the Alliance,' right? Actually, they have a shadow organization called the Seven Terrors… and I was one of them."
Xiao Feng's eyes widened. "There's also a Seven Terrors?"