If Li Chonglou had suggested another method, the two might still have believed it, even if it were a little more outrageous. But involving internal energy was a basic principle of cultivation. How could they possibly believe it?
However, just as Li Chonglou said, there was no other way. Half an hour later, Xiong Da could no longer bear it. With a pale face, he quickly let Mei Niang take over.
Li Chonglou immediately said, "Senior Xiong Da, don't waste time. Recover quickly."
Xiong Da didn't speak. Even if Li Chonglou hadn't said it, he wouldn't give up until the last moment.
Thus, he immediately sat down and began circulating his cultivation technique.
Everyone's recovery method was different, but generally, they weren't vastly dissimilar. If Li Chonglou's method were to be made public, it would be no less than the emergence of a divine cultivation secret.
Mei Niang's strength difference was also evident at this time. Although both were at the fifth level, Xiong Da could last for half an hour, while she started to feel overwhelmed after only about twenty minutes.
"It's over! The longer I hold on, the faster my energy is depleted. I can only last about five more minutes!"
Mei Niang couldn't help but let out a cry, a mix of apology and unwillingness.
Li Chonglou could sense her unstable emotions. After thinking for a moment, he spoke, "Mei Niang, let me take over first. You two should focus on recovering."
As he said this, he released his internal energy, pushing back the not-so-thick layer of soil. Mei Niang no longer cared about her pride and immediately sat down.
Time trickled by. In the blink of an eye, another half an hour passed. Xiong Da had recovered about seventy percent of his internal energy. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Li Chonglou's voice.
"Senior Xiong Da, continue resting. I'll call you if I can't hold on."
Xiong Da's expression froze. He instinctively asked, "Little Li, are you really okay? Don't force yourself."
He suddenly worried that Li Chonglou was just stubbornly enduring for the sake of face. If that were the case, and they couldn't switch in time, forget about three rounds, they would be utterly finished the next second!
However, Li Chonglou's voice remained steady, "Don't worry, I'll call you when I'm close to collapsing. This is a matter of life and death. I wouldn't trade my life for face, would I?"
That's exactly what I'm worried about!
But since he could still speak with such clarity, it meant Li Chonglou wasn't acting recklessly. Xiong Da immediately felt relieved and continued to meditate.
In a flash, another ten minutes passed. Xiong Da finally felt his internal energy return to its peak. But he suddenly jolted.
Damn it! I was so focused on recovering that I forgot to ask!
Just as Xiong Da was about to speak, Li Chonglou's voice reached him in time: "Senior Xiong Da, are you done? Then you can take over. I need to rest too."
His voice was still steady. Xiong Da also realized something was unusual.
"Little Li, can you see me?"
Li Chonglou blinked in surprise and denied it, "No, I sensed your movements and guessed."
What a flimsy excuse!
But Li Chonglou didn't give Xiong Da time to react, urging, "Are you done, Senior? Will you take over now?"
Xiong Da responded with an "Oh" and quickly released his internal energy, while Li Chonglou secretly withdrew his own.
With the potential laid out, his consumption would always be lower than others.
Not to mention, having already opened all the acupoints in his body, the sheer quantity of his internal energy was several times that of others at the same level! From the first test, Li Chonglou knew he could last about an hour and a half.
This was even in a quiescent state.
If it were during combat, this time would be extended countless times!
Not long after Xiong Da took over, Mei Niang also opened her eyes. After listening to their conversation, the worry in her heart finally subsided.
"It seems that lasting half a day isn't that difficult."
As the saying goes, when it rains, it pours. Just as it was Mei Niang's turn to take over, a beam of light suddenly penetrated the soil above.
Generally, when people in darkness see light, it signifies hope. But the moods of the three were completely opposite.
"It's over! Is heaven trying to destroy us? My energy consumption has accelerated again!"
Mei Niang's cry pulled reality into the abyss.
This beam of light did not represent hope, but rather that the soil above had been blown away!
Just seconds later, Mei Niang cried out again, "No! My energy consumption has more than doubled! I can't hold on much longer!"
It had only been a few minutes? Xiong Da couldn't help but despair, "We're less than a third of the way through. We're completely finished this time."
Mei Niang's temper flared up. Unwillingly, she said, "At worst, I'll join Blacky! I don't want to die!"
Just as she was about to give up, Li Chonglou's voice intervened to comfort her, "Don't rush. Let's stick to the plan. I might be able to hold on a bit longer."
Their expressions froze simultaneously. Xiong Da asked, "Little Li, are you serious? This has doubled the speed. Even if I take over, I'll only last about ten minutes at most."
"How will we know if we don't try?"
In the dim space, two faint sounds of swallowing could be heard.
On the other side, Camp No. 3.
Less than a minute after Li Chonglou and the other two burrowed underground, dark clouds surged above the camp. Jian Shi, as the temporary manager of the camp, decisively ordered everyone to activate the spirit shield.
This was an invisible protective barrier, the same one that had repelled the异兽 from the camp earlier. However, the barrier now glowed with a faint blue light, as if pushed to its limit.
After a while, the blue light on the outside began to waver. Jian Shi ascended to the highest point of the camp, gazing in the direction of Li Chonglou and the other two, his brow furrowed.
"Those three, they're likely in grave danger..."
After a period of silence, Jian Shi suddenly sighed and took out a walkie-talkie.
"Connect me to headquarters."
Static crackled from the walkie-talkie, and after a moment, a deep male voice responded.
"Is there a situation?"
Jian Shi replied calmly, "The Death Storm has suddenly arrived. The one assigned from above to go to the forbidden area is likely gone."
The person on the other end of the walkie-talkie fell silent for a good while before saying, "Understood. Then, someone else will handle the traitor. Just notify the Wu family."
"Okay."
If Li Chonglou were present, he would be absolutely shocked. Because in their conversation, his mission to capture Wei Yin was actually assigned by the higher-ups of the headquarters!
It wasn't, as he had speculated, that the Wu family wanted to use him to deal with a traitor and therefore gave him a series of green lights!
About another half an hour passed, at the dispersed organization of the Imperial Capital Headquarters.
Elder Tie was enjoying his time lying in an old armchair. For some reason, his mood suddenly sank.
"What is this? Did something happen?"