He did not leave immediately, as he was worried about Xiong Da and the other two. He also wanted to know what benefits the kid had gained.
The process did not take long. After about ten minutes, Hua Zi woke up with a look of regret on his face.
"What a shame. If it had lasted a bit longer, I could have definitely broken through to the fifth level in one go!"
Hua Zi clenched his fists secretly. Even so, if he were given a little more time, he was confident in advancing to the sixth level!
This was the benefit of the Sea of Consciousness!
In just over ten minutes, he had easily overcome many cultivation realms that had stumped people for most of their lives. This was a benefit that no amount of money could buy!
"You're awake? Get up and get to work then."
A calm voice suddenly sounded. Hua Zi then realized that Li Zhonglou was still there.
"Uh, thanks."
In the world of cultivators, even if the other party acted unintentionally and not with malicious intent, they were still considered benefactors. The concept of karma and reincarnation was their greatest belief.
Therefore, Li Zhonglou's unintentional act was a kindness to him, an act that was enough to change his attitude towards Li Zhonglou!
However, Li Zhonglou did not respond and got up to leave.
It was only after Li Zhonglou disappeared into the cave that Hua Zi got up from the ground. He then looked at Xiong Da and the other two with a complex expression.
"Who owes whom a favor this time is a bit unclear."
Hua Zi sighed deeply.
Although he had lost an informant in this incident, it was insignificant in terms of his cultivation realm!
As long as his strength was sufficient, establishing another informant would be easy. Conversely, if he left his informant there and could not improve his own strength, he would never be able to utilize them effectively.
Over time, he might even be kicked out.
With a complex expression, Hua Zi sat down beside the two and then glanced at the treasure that had not yet been picked. In fact, he already had an idea in mind.
After Li Zhonglou left the cave, he immediately paid attention to the Black Souls around him.
As soon as he first interacted with Hua Zi, he had guessed that he might possess a special constitution that did not attract Black Souls. Of course, this specialty was likely related to Old Lin and the others.
That was why he dared to make that decision.
Otherwise, if Black Souls constantly surrounded him wherever he went, it would be a surefire way to get himself killed!
And now, under his deliberate observation, there were indeed no Black Souls appearing around him.
This meant his guess was correct!
"Thank goodness, thank goodness."
Li Zhonglou grinned and immediately used his movement technique to disappear from the spot.
While Hua Zi was away, his condition had already recovered to its peak. As long as he didn't engage in any overly intense battles, he could fully endure the remaining time!
Moreover, he had heard from Hua Zi that the number of treasure spots within the safe zone was limited. In other words, it was first come, first served!
Meanwhile.
At the North Port of the East District in the Third World.
The three bridges connecting to the North Port were still bustling with traffic. On the middle lane, an old man suddenly appeared.
"Hello, sir. Do you have a pass?"
When the queue reached him, the old man took out a document from his embrace.
"Please contact your supervisor for me."
The staff member responsible for the checkpoint's expression immediately changed. He then nodded respectfully and picked up the phone.
Soon, a胖子 (pàngzi - fat person) rushed over.
"Hello, leader. Do you have any instructions?"
The old man chuckled, "I can't accept being called 'leader.' I'm not part of your Wu family. You can just call me Old Tie."
The person who arrived was Old Tie, who had rushed over from the General Bureau.
He had first gone to the Wu family to understand the general situation before rushing over.
The胖子 dared not show any disrespect and said with a slight stoop, "Old Tie, senior, you speak too highly of me. Without your General Bureau, no matter how strong our Wu family is, we are merely a passing trend. The overall situation in Shangjing still depends on your leadership."
This seasoned veteran in his position was different. The flattery pleased Old Tie, and his expression even softened.
"Alright, no need for more flattery. Take me below. You should have been informed by your superiors, right?"
The胖子 nodded quickly, "Old Tie, senior, please rest assured. My boss had already instructed me to receive you well. Please follow me."
Then, the two of them got into a special car and headed straight towards Red Coast without any stops.
However, the special car did not drive directly to the ship but stopped outside Red Coast first.
"Old Tie, senior, it was your regulations that divided the zones back then. With my authority, I can only escort you this far. Afterward, professional mercenaries will take you."
Old Tie nodded. He was aware of this rule and had been to the underground world before. In his youth, he loved hanging out in places like this, so he knew his itinerary from the beginning.
Regarding the "professional mercenaries" mentioned by the胖子, he knew they were the Red Coast.
After getting out of the car, the胖子 respectfully bowed and then drove away. Old Tie, however, looked at the familiar entrance with a look of nostalgia.
"Since retiring, it seems I haven't been back. I wonder if much has changed inside."
Old Tie muttered to himself and then stepped forward.
In the dark alley, his footsteps echoed around him.
Soon, two gatekeepers came into his view.
"Huh, someone else is coming?"
"Strange, why are there so many new faces these past two days?"
As the two were speaking, Old Tie's figure emerged from the darkness, and their expressions suddenly froze.
"Wait a minute! This old man looks so familiar?"
Old Tie recognized the two and grinned, raising his hand to greet them, "Xiao San, Xiao Si, long time no see. You're really still in this line of work."
"Damn it! It's Heavy Cannon!"
The expressions of the two changed drastically, and they turned to leave without a word!
But the next second, a steady hand had already grasped their shoulders.
"It's been so many years, old friends. Do you really need to react like this when we meet?"
The bodies of the two immediately stiffened, and then they slowly turned their heads.
They revealed identical smiles, which looked more like crying than a smile.
"Brother Heavy Cannon, we had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai back then. Please be magnanimous and forgive me."
One of the men clasped his hands together, showing an expression of supplication. The other man's reaction was similar, but since the words had been spoken first, he could only nod in agreement.
Old Tie, however, maintained a kind smile throughout.
If an outsider were present at this scene, they would be utterly astonished due to the extreme incongruity.
"You two really. So much time has passed, how could I possibly still hold it against you?"