This characteristic is something no one else possesses!
Even Chen Peiyue, despite her monstrous talent and the fact that she followed several masters without neglecting her own cultivation, might not be able to match Yue Hai in terms of talent in the脉潜方因 (Mài Qián Fāng Yīn).
Li Chonglou was not anxious about Yue Hai because he saw his potential ceiling.
Without resolving his mindset, no matter how strong Yue Hai became in a short period, he would merely be a tool, or even someone else's tool, to put it bluntly!
Only after addressing this issue would Li Chonglou feel at ease imparting the subsequent stages of the脉潜 (Mài Qián) cultivation to him.
Even now, Li Chonglou still held the same belief.
However, regardless of the outcome, the company's matters were considered arranged, and he had also inquired about methods for the underground world. If things proceeded quickly, everyone could depart tomorrow.
To that end, before resting, Li Chonglou had also instructed Zhou Tong to inform them.
"You all choose tomorrow, huh? That's good, the sooner it's resolved, the sooner I can go to the General Bureau."
Li Chonglou sighed in relief. Just as he lay down on the bed, Xiaobai scampered up again.
"Little guy, it's not time for you to follow me yet."
Li Chonglou rubbed the little creature's adorable head. In truth, Xiaobai had played a significant role in the previous Yuan Bei incident. Without its appearance, Chen Pao and Du Tian and the others would not have reignited their fighting spirit, and they might not have been able to hold on until he returned.
If we don't count bringing people, casualties would have been unavoidable.
After Li Chonglou reviewed the surveillance footage, the first thing he did was delete any mention of Xiaobai's existence.
The recordings from the Supervisory Institute's trial were incomplete, showing only Qi Jing's actions. Therefore, everyone else believed that it was Li Chonglou who managed to block Yuan Bei and the other two, unaware that Xiaobai also played a crucial role.
Xiaobai nudged its adorable little head against Li Chonglou's chest, letting out two soft cries with a questioning gaze.
"You want to go in with them?"
Li Chonglou furrowed his brows. Initially, he thought Xiaobai was just acting on impulse and wanted to be with him, but its current behavior was exceptionally serious.
"But I still haven't figured out the situation inside."
Xiaobai directly pushed its head onto his face, rubbing against him with an ingratiating voice.
Li Chonglou still did not give an immediate answer.
Even experts at the seventh level of the underground world had to be dealt with cautiously. He was currently unsure whether the Black Spirit would affect any异兽 (yì shòu - strange beasts/monsters) that went outside.
If it were also contagious, then once Xiaobai went in, it might never be able to come out.
However, Xiaobai seemed determined to go in. Even when Li Chonglou tried to persuade it kindly or adopt a firm attitude, it kept begging.
Having been tired from being in the underground world for so many days already, and having gone in again due to the Supervisory Institute's matters without any rest, Li Chonglou also wanted to have a good rest. Being worn down to the point where he could barely take it, Li Chonglou finally said, "Then wait for me, I'll ask first."
With that, Li Chonglou took out his phone and called Elder Tie.
Currently, the only veteran he trusted who had been inside was Elder Tie. They also had a relationship of mutual benefit, and for Li Chonglou, their relationship was considered stable.
After the call was connected, Li Chonglou did not explain Xiaobai's existence and directly inquired about the outcome for the 异兽 (yì shòu) from the surface world entering.
Elder Tie, being an old hand, instantly understood something: "You've raised 异兽 (yì shòu) too?"
"Cough, sort of."
Elder Tie then said, "People have been raising 异兽 (yì shòu) for a very long time, and there are even specialized professions. This question of yours was explored by people a hundred years ago, and the conclusion they reached was not very good."
Li Chonglou's brows immediately knitted tightly.
"So you're saying that any creature from the outside that goes in has a risk of contagion?"
"That's not necessarily the case."
Elder Tie explained, "Regarding the Black Spirit, the information we currently have is that it only infects humans amongst themselves. As for 异兽 (yì shòu), it seems the Black Spirit is their true energy source. When absorbed, it's digested into their own energy. Have you seen many 异兽 (yì shòu) in the underground world that attack using the Black Spirit?"
Li Chonglou paused for a moment and recalled that he had killed no less than tens of thousands of 异兽 (yì shòu) inside. Although he hadn't stayed long, the wave of beasts alone had reached that number.
And from beginning to end, there wasn't a single 异兽 (yì shòu) that exhibited the presence of the Black Spirit, unlike Hei Zi, whose every technique carried the aura of the Black Spirit.
This was also why, when fighting Hei Zi, no one dared to be careless. Even if they sustained a minor injury, they would immediately expel the Black Spirit aura with their internal energy.
However, if that was the case, why was there still a notion of a not-so-good outcome?
Elder Tie continued to explain, "The trouble isn't the Black Spirit's contagion, but its characteristics. According to the experience summaries of predecessors, although 异兽 (yì shòu) digest the Black Spirit, they also become increasingly wild due to absorbing it, meaning they will lose their reason."
"As you know, 异兽's (yì shòu) intelligence is not high to begin with; they are at most a bit smarter than dogs. As long as there's even a slight factor of rage, it's very easy to trigger a berserk state. Back then, a master known as the Beast Lord was betrayed and killed by his own pet beast after entering."
Li Chonglou finally understood Elder Tie's meaning and couldn't help but feel worried.
Xiaobai could hear their conversation clearly. As Li Chonglou lowered his head to look at it, Xiaobai couldn't help but cry out twice again, its voice clearly carrying a hint of anxiety.
Fortunately, Li Chonglou reacted quickly and muted the call first.
"Alright, we'll talk about it later."
After calming Xiaobai's emotions, Li Chonglou also took the opportunity to tell Elder Tie about his plan to send Chen Pao and the others into the underground world for training.
To his surprise, Elder Tie was very supportive of this.
"As long as you trust them and they are prepared, you can send as many people in as you want. The underground world is short of people, and they would probably be thrilled you're doing this."
Li Chonglou asked doubtfully, "Isn't the underground world a place that cultivators dream of reaching?"
"That's what people say, but the number of skilled cultivators who meet the criteria is limited, right? And the environment in China is still quite good. The number of people willing to make that commitment is actually not that many; it's more about a sense of responsibility."
This was the first time Li Chonglou had heard such a perspective. In his previous thinking, as long as someone was a cultivator, few could refuse the allure of the underground world.
"This matter isn't simple; there's also interference from foreign powers. In short, the people inside have long since lowered the standards. As long as they are trustworthy, even if they are only at the first level, they are welcome."
"However, I must remind you of one thing: you must only send people you truly trust. The Supervisory Institute is very strict about this. If even one person violates the rules, and you brought them in, you will be held responsible! This is not a small matter."
Elder Tie's tone became serious. Li Chonglou had heard about this point when he was inquiring earlier.