Of course, this is not absolute, after all, there exist beings even more monstrous than fiends in this world, or perhaps, high-tech devices that can disregard ancient restrictions!
Thus, Mo Xinghe instinctively drew his fiend sword and observed with concentration.
"Indeed, it's a good place, and with so many cultivators, it seems we're going to make a fortune this time."
The speaker wore black robes, their entire body shrouded within, with only the gray wolf emblem on their chest to signify their identity.
"You are from the Gray Wolf organization. How did you manage to get in here?"
Mo Xinghe was greatly alarmed.
Four men in black robes emerged slowly from different directions, and following closely behind them, Yao Yuesheng and Wu Liti were instantly struck with panic.
The emblems on these individuals were different from those of ordinary Gray Wolf organization members; the emblems were golden!
Mo Xinghe was naturally aware of the Gray Wolf organization's hierarchy. White represented ordinary cannon fodder, gray signified live subjects who had accepted Mandara genes but whose awakened abilities were slightly weaker. Blue indicated more powerful live subjects, and purple could be considered the core strength.
And gold represented the 'Eight Kings'!
Although Mo Xinghe was shocked, his own side's strength was not weak. He said in a low voice, "Heh, it seems we have quite some prestige. Four of the Eight Kings appearing at once, you truly think highly of us."
One of the lean, black-robed men whispered, "There's no other way. Your cultivation, Sect Leader Mo, necessitates our vigilance. However, these remaining shrimp, we don't take them seriously."
"What an arrogant tone!"
Wu Liti was about to draw her saber, but Mo Xinghe stopped her.
"Don't be rash. We don't know what kind of special abilities these fellows possess. Rushing forward would be seeking death."
"Sect Leader Mo is right. The shrimp should stay put and not advance rashly."
"Right, I heard that the way you measure a person's strength is something like Qi Refining Realm, Foundation Establishment Realm, and then Enlightenment Realm. I wonder, what realm would our true qi be considered?"
As soon as the words fell, the four men simultaneously released their true qi, their terrifying aura pressing down like thick clouds upon the three of them!
Mo Xinghe, Yao Yuesheng, and Wu Liti's expressions instantly turned extremely grim. The level of true qi displayed by these four, while not yet reaching the Enlightenment Realm, was already at the peak of Foundation Establishment Realm. Coupled with the Eight Kings possessing extremely potent special abilities, almost every one of these four individuals possessed the combat capability to contend with an Enlightenment Realm expert!
"Peak Foundation Establishment Realm. The four of you truly live up to being the Eight Kings. Your strength is formidable and awe-inspiring."
Mo Xinghe had to admit that if a real fight were to break out, even the top disciples of the four great sects would likely be captured by these four acting in concert.
"Awe-inspiring? We are merely the latter four of the Eight Kings. Look at your pale faces; already so terrified?"
The lean man's laughter was like an old erhu.
The forest trembled, withered leaves danced wildly, and even the biting cold air swirling around them seemed to dance along.
...
At this time, the two individuals at the center of the Dragon Pool had become one. Han Ling Shuang could no longer endure the tempering of spiritual energy due to her physical condition.
In the pool, only Ren Yuanhao remained.
Just then, he seemed to hear a very distant voice.
"It's been a long time since I've encountered a strange person like you~"
Ren Yuanhao did not need to infuse true qi into Han Ling Shuang, and resisting the cold of the Dragon Pool by himself was still quite effortless.
"A strange person? I'm just a loser."
Ren Yuanhao still referred to himself as a loser. After all, at his age, with no savings and being heavily in debt, well, strictly speaking, he wasn't even worthy of the label of "loser."
"Young people's words are confusing. I'd like to know, you have a question you want to ask me right now."
The voice was sometimes near, as if right beside his ear, and sometimes far, as if across the horizon.
"Please ask, but don't ask me if I have a girlfriend. Anyone who asks me that question will make me angry."
"Hahaha, you brat, such a strong man like you, would you lack women around you? Guess if I believe that?"
Ren Yuanhao thought to himself, senior, whether I have a girlfriend or have women around me is different. A girlfriend is someone you can pursue, but women cannot be touched casually, okay?
"Alright, I'm not joking with you. I want to ask you, what is the one thing you regret most in your life?"
Ren Yuanhao thought to himself that he had too many regrets. For instance, not properly chasing girls during his school days, not experiencing thrilling love, and even more regretful, there were so many women presented before him, and he actually held back~
No, he didn't actually regret these things. His deepest regret, and what pained him the most~
Like Cheng Li, Ouyang Rui, the Snake Woman~
Ren Yuanhao felt a pang of sadness and said, "Regrets? There are plenty. To summarize, it's probably not being able to protect those I wanted to protect."
The elder chuckled slightly, not in mockery, but in approval.
"Very good. A person's life is always spent in regret. Those people you thought you could walk with for a lifetime might just drift apart on some calm and breezy day, wouldn't they?"
Ren Yuanhao felt deeply touched, "The people I wanted to protect in this life, if I'm being honest, there are only so many. But I found it too difficult. Sometimes, for the greater picture, one has to make difficult choices. People cannot stagnate in overly comfortable places~"
"Yes, you thought you could protect those few people with your power, you gave up on the arduous journey, gave up the lone wolf life. Ultimately, comfort will completely consume you."
Ren Yuanhao said in a low voice, "Perhaps."
The aged voice came again from the distance, "Then, the second question, what is the reason you crave power?"
"The reason for becoming stronger, it couldn't be to be invincible in the world, right?"
"That's a very good reason. Some people become stronger precisely for that empty fame."
Ren Yuanhao laughed, "I've never had such a thought. The meaning of my existence is probably to save thousands of girls in the world, to keep them away from suffering. I am the most perfect boyfriend in the world!"
"Hahaha, little fellow, your ambitions are not small. So, your reason for becoming stronger, ultimately, is to protect, or as you said, to protect those you wish to protect, is that correct?"
"That's right. I believe that no matter what kind of special abilities, secret techniques, cultivation methods, swordsmanship, or saber techniques exist in this world, the ultimate outcome is to protect those they want to protect, and guard the places they want to guard. This is my original intention."
As soon as Ren Yuanhao finished speaking, the aged voice instantly vanished, as if everything that had just happened was merely his ravings.