This world still respects strength, Li Chonglou couldn't help but sigh in his heart. If he could have advanced one more level back then, and his pulse potential could have progressed further, perhaps he could have even contended with peak power!
"Perhaps I'm overthinking things."
After a satisfying meal, Li Chonglou's expression suddenly became resolute.
"Brother Li, do you have a plan?"
"Sort of. I'll leave things here to you for now. I need to go back."
Li Chonglou stood up. Just moments ago, his previously muddled thoughts had suddenly cleared, allowing him to understand many things.
Taking things step by step might indeed lead to his goals, but it was only a possibility. Life was unpredictable, and plans often couldn't keep up with changes.
And the only thing that could truly keep one stable amidst these changes was strength! Sufficiently powerful strength!
A purple light flashed in Li Chonglou's eyes. Even if he couldn't reach the pinnacle of the world overnight back then, if he could have advanced further, peak power wouldn't have been able to easily relinquish him!
Even if that "Gold Power" was targeting him, China wasn't just home to one peak power. He didn't believe others were foolish!
The two sitting opposite Li Chonglou shivered inexplicably. The moment the purple light flashed in Li Chonglou's eyes, they both instinctively felt an irresistible sense of death.
Brother Li was still Brother Li. Even without his cultivation, his aura alone could instinctively instill fear.
The two exchanged glances, seeing not fear but excitement.
After parting ways with the two, Li Chonglou didn't return to the car wash but first went back near his company.
Zhou Tong had long since secretly acquired the newspaper, and the two were now sitting opposite each other in a small room inside.
"Brother Li, it's good that you're alright."
Zhou Tong sighed. Not long after the company was established, Li Chonglou had become the backbone of everyone. No matter what happened, as long as Li Chonglou was present, no one feared the future!
On the contrary, during Li Chonglou's disappearance, everyone had lived in extreme anxiety, especially Yue Hai and others from the underworld. Every few days, they couldn't help but expend considerable effort to inquire about his whereabouts. The underworld maintained extremely strict information security. If it weren't for something of utmost importance, information wouldn't be relayed between the two sides.
"Brother Li, why don't you inform them first? Yue Hai sent someone to inquire about the situation the day before yesterday."
Li Chonglou didn't answer immediately and instead asked, "How is their strength now?"
This was the first time he had inquired about everyone's situation since his supposed return. Zhou Tong, knowing Li Chonglou's character well, immediately realized his fighting spirit had returned.
This was excellent news!
"Yue Hai's progress is the fastest. He entered the peak of the fifth level a week ago. While I'm not very familiar with this realm, he claims that he's only a step away from breaking through to the sixth level."
Zhou Tong quickly reported on everyone's situation, starting with Yue Hai's progress, clearly indicating his advancement had surpassed everyone's expectations.
Of course, this did not include Li Chonglou.
Among everyone, although Chen Peiyue had the highest talent, in terms of pulse potential, Yue Hai had the edge. After all, one couldn't find another martial arts fanatic in the world who, by simply finding a damaged ancient text, would hide in the mountains for over a decade or two to cultivate!
Next was Chen Peiyue, whose realm had also reached the peak of the fifth level, but she didn't have Yue Hai's confidence of breaking through at any moment.
As for the others, due to their accumulated effort, the four of Eagle Eye had successfully broken through to the sixth level. Elder Du had the strength of the sixth level peak, and the remaining subordinates had all shown rapid improvement in their strength within these past few months.
However, it was still not enough for now.
Li Chonglou fell into thought.
Zhou Tong, as if seeing through his thoughts, pointed out, "Brother Li, in reality, they can all handle things independently now. And for stronger enemies, there's still you."
Li Chonglou suddenly realized. That's right. Although the sixth level was insignificant before top powers, and the seventh or eighth levels might not even catch the eye of peak powers, in terms of stratification, Yue Hai and his team had already surpassed ninety percent of the forces in Shangjing.
Even the strongest numbers were destined to be few!
Therefore, it still depended on him.
Li Chonglou's already made plans became even firmer, and he then began to discuss the true main topic with Zhou Tong.
The primary reason he had taken the risk to call Zhou Tong out this time was to give him some instructions. Shangjing was currently facing internal and external troubles. Everyone was either waiting for an opportunity to fish in troubled waters or watching the top-level power struggles, waiting to pick a side.
Not many people cared who rose or fell anymore; these were just fleeting moments for them.
This was precisely his opportunity!
The only concern now was whether anyone was still watching him. After all, the higher powers hadn't made a move, and the middle-tier forces were mostly observing. They had plenty of time to do what they wanted, unless someone from below broke the deadlock and caused a chain reaction!
"Did you remember everything I told you?"
Zhou Tong nodded with a solemn expression, "Don't worry, I will definitely complete the mission!"
"Good. It's not suitable for me to stay here too long. You go back first. Tell Yue Hai that you're on standby anytime."
Zhou Tong's face lit up, "Does this mean I can tell them you're back?"
"Go ahead. It's good to give them one less worry. Perhaps their strength will improve further."
Li Chonglou smiled. Even though his cultivation was completely lost, he never showed any despair.
His greatest confidence still lay in his pulse potential!
After Zhou Tong left, Li Chonglou first used his Heavenly Eye clairvoyance ability to observe for a while. Seeing no other unusual circumstances, he then set off.
"Little Li, you've finally figured it out?"
Elder An's voice suddenly sounded in his mind, sounding somewhat relieved.
"I've figured it out. Life is nothing but a gamble. Since I have nothing to lose, what's wrong with gambling again?"
"Then what do you plan to do?"
Elder An also became excited. Ever since his cultivation was lost, he hadn't seen Li Chonglou with such fighting spirit. Sometimes, Elder An even felt that Li Chonglou was about to give up his identity as a cultivator.
Although he didn't say it, there was disappointment.
Now, hearing Li Chonglou's firm reply, he was genuinely happy. Moreover, he also believed that with Li Chonglou's luck, there might still be a chance to return to his peak strength!
However, belief was one thing, and he couldn't immediately think of any way for Li Chonglou to resolve his cultivation issue first.
After all, his meridians were completely crippled!
And the direction Li Chonglou was heading was Donghai Island, where he had first taken on a mission for the Execution Department.
There was a special mine there, and within the mine, there was a passage to the underground world that only he knew about. Li Chonglou's plan was very simple: first return to Camp One to find Master Jianwen!