Perhaps it was due to gradually becoming familiar with the situation. During combat, the four individuals, including You Yiku, were visibly improving at a rapid pace.
What started as movements that could still be followed eventually became increasingly difficult to track. Henry and the other two eventually resigned themselves to the fact that You Yiku's strength had far surpassed theirs.
Before the fourteenth battle, Henry proposed stepping down as captain, but You Yiku was the first to object.
"My current strength is all thanks to you saving my life, Brother Henry. Please don't mention such things again."
The address of "Brother Henry" sent shivers down his spine, and he immediately shut his mouth, not daring to speak further.
As the battles progressed, the four individuals' coordination became increasingly seamless, and the sense of mutual appreciation grew stronger.
However, the reluctance to part ways as they approached the end also began to brew.
Finally, after the last battle concluded successfully, the group faced the slowly descending stone wall, falling into a profound silence.
But they were not sentimental people. Before leaving, Henry spoke first.
"Let's try to avoid encountering each other in Iron Forest if possible. Even if we do meet, unless it's absolutely necessary, I won't make the first move."
This was their last effort for the sake of their camaraderie, and everyone nodded silently.
Then, Henry added, "But I hope if it truly comes to that, none of you will hold back."
After saying this, Henry left without looking back. Whether he could truly act upon those words was unknown to anyone.
Following this, the group exchanged no further words, proceeding directly to the third yellow house.
Here, they were issued new kilogram bombs according to their numbers, and the little girl was taken away by another staff member.
Before she left, Li Chonglou confirmed that she would be safe, and only then did he let her go.
Finally, it was time for the five of them to part ways.
However, without a single word exchanged, they separated.
Only after all four had disappeared from his sight did Li Chonglou let out a soft sigh.
He now understood the true meaning behind this competition.
The first stage was to allow a group of strangers to adapt to each other. The second stage was to rapidly foster camaraderie among them. The third stage directly reversed this, turning their teammates, with whom they had shared life and death, into enemies.
This truly tested human nature.
"They are cultivating people into ruthless killers."
Li Chonglou smiled. It was no wonder that those who survived this competition were recognized by various high-ranking officials.
Because here, the cowardly and indecisive would largely perish, never reaching the end.
And for an expert, these were the greatest and most fatal flaws.
However, none of this had any impact on Li Chonglou. With his current state of mind, this mere competition could not affect him in the slightest.
Moreover, the Iron Forest competition was only one of his planned objectives; he had two more destinations.
As long as he completed these three objectives, he would no longer be obstructed by Lin Qianqian's senior brother upon his return to Shangjing.
Thinking of this, Li Chonglou's gaze instantly turned cold.
In Shangjing, it was the first time he had so blatantly been subjected to power play. Such a thing would absolutely not be allowed to happen again.
Just as Li Chonglou was about to depart for the final stage, the Iron Forest, the little white creature in his arms suddenly struggled and leaped onto his shoulder, then bared its teeth and glared in a certain direction.
Xiao Bai's unusual reaction caught Li Chonglou's attention. Following the direction of Xiao Bai's threat, his brow immediately furrowed.
Because in that direction, there was another Death Claw.
It was also following behind a man, though its size was several times larger than Xiao Bai, and its fur was not white but a pale yellow.
The man had clearly also noticed Xiao Bai and was walking directly towards them with his Death Claw.
As soon as they approached, the man said with disdain, "What a failure of a white-haired one. Your luck is too bad, or perhaps it's a case of like attracting like?"
Li Chonglou's brow immediately knit together, wondering if this guy was out of his mind. He usually chose to ignore such nonsensical provocations.
After all, the current setting was not convenient for combat, and there were staff members standing behind them. If their bombs were triggered, it would be disastrous.
So, Li Chonglou ignored the man and moved away in another direction with Xiao Bai.
However, he did not expect the man to be relentless, saying, "As expected, a coward. It's best not to meet me in the Iron Forest, or that trash on your shoulder can serve as nourishment."
Li Chonglou suddenly stopped, turned, and looked at the man.
"Oh? You mean they can devour each other and grow?"
The disdain in the man's eyes intensified: "You don't even know this? How can you have obtained a divine beast?"
Divine beast? Li Chonglou glanced at Xiao Bai on his shoulder, who was still growling a warning.
"Idiot."
Li Chonglou chuckled softly and turned to leave.
Of course, the "idiot" was not directed at Xiao Bai but at the man's mention of a divine beast.
Because in his understanding, Death Claws were far from reaching the status of a divine beast.
Unless, as an adult, it achieved a breakthrough similar to You Yiku's, perhaps then it could barely reach that level.
The man behind him was now radiating killing intent.
"Just pray you don't meet me after entering, or I'll show you a fate worse than death!"
This time, Li Chonglou didn't even turn his head, simply taking Xiao Bai from his shoulder and holding it close.
He said calmly, "If you ever act so clueless again, you won't need to follow me anymore."
His tone was extremely placid, but Xiao Bai felt his emotions, immediately收斂 its expression and shrunk into Li Chonglou's embrace.
The partially exposed little expression was full of grievance.
The third stage, the Iron Forest, was not a place that could be traversed in a day or two. Therefore, Li Chonglou was not rushing his journey at this moment.
Instead, he was looking for a place to stay.
To enter the Iron Forest of the third stage, one first had to find a settlement and join a hunting team as a mercenary to qualify for entry.
This was a mandatory requirement from the organizers. Furthermore, each hunting team could only have one participant, meaning it was impossible for anyone to encounter their former teammates or acquaintances within these hunting teams.
However, Li Chonglou now realized that finding a settlement seemed to be not so easy.
Because after the third yellow house was an endless plain.
As far as the eye could see, apart from the grass, no other buildings were visible, not even a single animal.
Seeing that the sky was already darkening, Li Chonglou frowned slightly.