Sword Master senior?
Li Chonglou glanced at the silver sword in the man's hand, deep in thought.
What struck him as odd was that only Xiong Da had this reaction, while Mei Niang's expression was also tinged with confusion, clearly indicating that only Xiong Da recognized the person.
This explained why he had been able to identify the key figure on their side so quickly. Li Chonglou grumbled inwardly, having initially assumed Xiong Da had recognized him through analysis.
The Sword Master nodded at Xiong Da, then turned his gaze to Li Chonglou. "Kid, was that Shadow Step you just used? Who taught you?"
Li Chonglou bowed slightly. "Senior, I learned it by chance."
Xiong Da was his senior, and someone whom even Xiong Da addressed as senior. It was only proper to be polite.
The Sword Master's eyes narrowed slightly, but he asked no further questions, merely remarking, "At this age, your strength is not bad. You're a talented individual."
He then turned to Xiong Da. "Let's go, we'll clear out the trash first. Your mission isn't just here."
Xiong Da was stunned.
"Sword Master senior, what does that mean?"
The Sword Master turned around, sheathing his long sword at his waist. "The Camp Master's daughter has been captured and is in Restricted Zone Three."
Xiong Da's expression changed drastically, but the Sword Master had already hurried towards another battlefield.
Mei Niang, sensing something was amiss, stepped forward and asked, "Xiong Da, what does he mean? Have you been to Zone Three before?"
The latter part was a rhetorical question, but Xiong Da answered it nonetheless. "I have, I was with Sword Master senior. And the Restricted Zone Three that senior mentioned is one of Hei Zi's bases."
Li Chonglou had heard the term "Hei Zi" multiple times from their conversations, understanding it to be a general term for those invaders. The mention of a base, however, made him vaguely suspect something.
Mei Niang's face also shifted, mirroring Xiong Da's earlier reaction.
"So, we have to help out in Restricted Zone Three next?"
Before Xiong Da could respond, Mei Niang continued, "Are they crazy? Little Li is entering for the first time, what is the captain thinking?"
"No, even without Little Li, I wouldn't agree. I might want blood crystals, but I need to be alive to spend them! What can the two of us accomplish relying on just ourselves?"
Mei Niang was utterly bewildered. The other two battlefields were not a concern, as the Sword Master was present, so the two of them weren't in a hurry to rush over.
Xiong Da remained still, clearly pondering the issue.
Their organization differed from the General Bureau; there was no absolute authority within it. While everyone adhered to rules and followed arrangements during unified operations, those had to be normal arrangements!
For an operation that demanded such a great risk without clear reason, both of them had the right to refuse directly.
After a while, Xiong Da finally spoke. "Mei Niang, why don't you take Little Li back to find the captain after we're done with Zone Three? They should be at Camp One."
Mei Niang frowned. "And you? Are you going?"
Xiong Da nodded seriously. "There are two reasons. The first is that it's the rule. Since the captain arranged it, he must have his reasons. The second is that when I first came to Zone Three years ago, the Camp Master helped me a great deal. I can't ignore this matter, for both moral and ethical reasons."
Li Chonglou suddenly interjected, "Excuse me for interrupting, but who is this Camp Master you're referring to..."
Mei Niang directly replied, "The owner of the camp. The Camp Master has the highest authority in the entire camp."
Li Chonglou nodded and said something that surprised both of them.
"Senior Xiong Da, I'll go with you."
Mei Niang looked at Li Chonglou in astonishment. "Kid, do you know what you're saying? Do you understand what a Restricted Zone is?"
Li Chonglou shook his head.
Mei Niang was speechless. "That's Hei Zi's lair. Do you really think all Hei Zi are like those you just killed?"
Li Chonglou didn't respond, staring at Mei Niang. She then revealed another piece of information. "The Restricted Zone is outside the safe zone. Once we leave the safe zone, we'll become like those few we just fought, and they will be in their prime!"
Li Chonglou's eyebrows immediately shot up. "Mei Niang, are you saying they weren't born like this? They only became this way after entering the safe zone?"
If this were true, then whether to go to the Restricted Zone really required serious consideration!
Even though Old Lynn and the others wanted more residual souls, as Mei Niang had said, their own safety had to be ensured first!
However, Mei Niang's next sentence made him roll his eyes.
"Not entirely. Before Hei Zi enters the fifth level, they are indeed not very intelligent. This is generally true."
Li Chonglou was somewhat speechless. "Then what's there to be afraid of? They wouldn't have people at the seventh or eighth level, would they?"
Mei Niang nodded. "You're actually right about that. Hei Zi's bases will have at least one powerhouse at the eighth level guarding it."
Li Chonglou turned to Xiong Da and said, "Senior Xiong Da, I was just joking. I'll still go back with Mei Niang. No, I'll go find the captain."
Both of them rolled their eyes simultaneously. Xiong Da explained, "Actually, it's not as dangerous as you imagine. Although there are eighth-level enemies, the Camp Master is also at the eighth level. The Camp Master's guards also have eighth-level strength. We should be facing enemies of the same level."
"At least on our side, the fifth level is still the main force."
Li Chonglou finally breathed a sigh of relief. Otherwise, even if Old Lin An and Old Lynn had both spoken, he would never have chosen to go.
However, even so, for Mei Niang, the risk was too great.
"If you're going, you two go. I haven't lived enough yet. There are still so many beautiful women in this world."
Mei Niang said this and turned to leave. Xiong Da was not surprised by this and even actively explained to Li Chonglou, "Little Li, Mei Niang is not someone who fears death, otherwise she wouldn't have reached this point. It's just that she's waiting for someone else, and she's afraid that person won't find her if she dies."
This sounded like juicy gossip, and Li Chonglou's interest was instantly piqued. Just as he was about to ask, Mei Niang, without looking back, said.
"Xiong Da, I have Xiao Xiu's contact information."
Xiong Da's expression changed drastically. He touched his forehead and followed her.
This was clearly a form of blackmail. Li Chonglou stroked his chin. Who was this Xiao Xiu?
Even if they were going on a mission, they had to help the Sword Master clear out Zone Three first. The three of them followed the direction the Sword Master had left and soon arrived at a two-on-two battlefield.
Upon seeing the Sword Master, the Hei Zi side understood everything instantly. Without a word, they turned to flee, but their will outstripped their ability. They didn't get ten meters before they were intercepted and killed one by one.
"Lord Sword Master!"
Two men wearing the same dark green camp uniforms bowed respectfully to the Sword Master. The latter then ordered, "Clear out the mutated beasts outside first."
Afterward, he led Xiong Da and the others towards the final battlefield.