"Why should we speak of righteousness with foolish humans like yourselves? Guarding a treasure vault without daring to make a move. If it weren't for your obstruction, we would have already dominated the world!"
The captain retorted, "Nonsense! From what I know, among the Black organizations in the underground world, our Huaxia is the weakest. Even if everything were completely open, how could you possibly fight against them?"
The middle-aged man's expression changed slightly, and he said coldly, "I've heard about this from the elders in my clan. In terms of strength in the surface world, Huaxia is considered top-tier. As long as you all become one of us, why should we fear mere异族 (Yi Zu)?"
Speaking of this, the middle-aged man finally revealed his true intentions, changing the topic and continuing, "I advise you to make a decision quickly. Join us now, and I will not only help you kill this mother beast, but you can have its carcass afterward."
"It's better to live miserably than die with dignity. You should understand this principle, shouldn't you?"
Li Chonglou, hiding at the cave entrance, suddenly understood. No wonder the Black guy only blocked the people there; a little more pressure would have easily wiped them all out.
The faces of the Little Knife team also changed slightly, but they weren't too surprised.
For humans, the Black's first choice was assimilation. Only when assimilation was impossible would they resort to killing, a fact known to all teams.
The mother beast of the异猪兽 (Yi Zhu Shou) was also at the peak of the sixth level. However, compared to humans,异兽 (Yi Shou) had inherent physical advantages. For the same attack, even if it broke through their protective shields,异兽 still had powerful bodies to withstand it. Humans, on the other hand, were at a significant disadvantage.
Therefore, even though the Black team hadn't delivered the killing blow, the side facing the mother beast's relentless assault was in a precarious situation.
"Captain!"
After blocking the mother beast's attack once more, the burly man, whose entire arm felt alien, couldn't help but speak. At this moment, not just him, but everyone else dared not voice their opinions.
When facing death, principles and bottom lines often become flexible. When confronted with the scrutiny of their conscience, given the opportunity, people would shift the burden onto others.
And now, that "other" was the captain of the Little Knife team.
The fate of the entire team rested on his shoulders. The pressure was undeniable, and his heart was in turmoil.
This was a path of no return. Once they chose to become Black, they would have to live in this underground world forever. Given the current strength of both sides, it was almost impossible for the Black to escape.
Choosing to become Black meant starting life anew, with their past lives almost irrelevant. In such a state, even if they were alive, were they still truly themselves?
Seeing that the captain was slow to make a decision, the middle-aged man added fuel to the fire, "At this point, don't you understand? As long as people are alive, there is hope. Death turns one to dust! Can't you decide whether you want to live or die?"
The Black were familiar with humans, but humans were even more familiar with the Black. The benefits of becoming Black were something the middle-aged man felt didn't need to be elaborated on; everyone knew them. What he needed to address was their restless conscience.
Becoming Black meant that in the future, they would turn their blades against their former friends, compatriots, and even family! This was where their conscience lay!
In Li Chonglou's opinion, the middle-aged man's approach was brilliant. Using life and death to pressure conscience; what was conscience worth in the face of death?
And that saying, "As long as people are alive, there is hope." The Black couldn't break through humanity's blockade now, but who knew what the future held? If they truly waited for that day, when everyone became Black, what would be the difference between Black and humans?
Indeed, after the middle-aged man finished speaking, the captain of the Little Knife team made his decision in less than ten seconds.
"Alright! I agree!"
The middle-aged man's face lit up with sudden joy, while Li Chonglou, hiding at the cave entrance, frowned deeply.
If the Little Knife team became Black members, his Heavenly Soul Grass would be in vain. Initially, he found it difficult to deal with either side alone. Once they joined forces, even if he asked Old Lin and the others to contribute all their energy, they would still be unable to cope.
Seeing that the Little Knife team members were about to willingly accept the Black Spirit, Li Chonglou asked in his mind, "Old An, shall we take a gamble?"
Old An understood Li Chonglou's intention and stated directly, "How much confidence do you have?"
"If you're asking about the Heavenly Soul Grass, I don't know. But if you're asking about the win rate, it's 100%!"
Old An was decisive, "Give me three seconds. Remember, you only have half a minute. Any longer, and Old Lin and the others won't be able to hold on."
"No problem."
After briefing Old An, Li Chonglou immediately shouted towards the Little Knife team inside, "Captain, I'm here to save you!"
He couldn't wait for three seconds. Even if it meant using the riskiest method, he had to stabilize the Little Knife team first.
As expected, after Li Chonglou spoke, the Little Knife team's actions immediately paused, and both the middle-aged man's group and the Little Knife team's gazes turned towards him.
"Little Li?"
The faces of the Little Knife team members showed little joy, but rather more confusion and bewilderment.
In their eyes, Li Chonglou was only at the fifth level. Anyone from the Black side could easily hold him off, making him of little use to them.
In their view, Li Chonglou appearing at this moment was no different from seeking death.
Two seconds.
Just as the Little Knife team expected, a Black individual at the sixth level from the middle-aged man's side stepped forward to meet him.
"What did you do to Ah Wen!"
The charging Black was visibly agitated, clearly familiar with the one Li Chonglou had killed earlier. Li Chonglou offered no reply.
He swung his fist simultaneously.
One second.
A sixth-level cultivator facing someone below the fifth level. As they were about to collide, Li Chonglou's figure suddenly flashed, instantly disappearing from everyone's sight.
Although the Little Knife team members no longer held hope for Li Chonglou, their human instinct caused them to pause their absorption of the Black Spirit. The middle-aged man's group also focused their attention entirely on Li Chonglou. They only needed to deal with the mother beast.
In reality, this was also a prime opportunity for a counterattack. While it might not be enough to kill all of the middle-aged man's group, they could at least take one or two down with them.
However, the Little Knife team members had no intention of making a move.
It was as if Li Chonglou's appearance was merely a minor interlude for them. After everything, things would proceed as they were meant to.
Shadow Step!
Li Chonglou's figure suddenly appeared in front of the middle-aged man, his gaze fixed directly on him.
The middle-aged man's expression was extremely grim. His face had changed to this state upon hearing the Little Knife team members call out Li Chonglou's name.
"You killed Ah Wen?"
To his surprise, this was merely a fellow who hadn't even reached the fifth level aura. The middle-aged man didn't take Li Chonglou seriously at all.