During his life, Batian led a powerful squad exploring the desert.
Despite encountering numerous dangers along the way, their formidable strength allowed them to overcome every obstacle.
They had envisioned exploring the entire desert region and expanding the Dark Association's territory.
However, everything changed when they reached the heart of the desert.
They were unexpectedly transported into a secret realm, this place.
Here, they encountered countless powerful demons and monsters.
The squad members, who had suffered no casualties until then, began to fall one by one.
Nevertheless, relying on human intelligence and the power of teamwork, they fought their way to the Dark Palace and successfully reached the main hall.
Upon reaching the main hall, Batian was left with only two companions: Baihe and Hei Hu.
Following this, they engaged in a fierce battle with the Lord of Darkness.
The fight was earth-shattering, and though Batian managed to heavily wound the Lord of Darkness, he was ultimately slain by him.
Upon waking again, Batian found himself in the central hall, transformed into a ghost serving the Lord of Darkness.
"Senior, did you never attempt to resist?"
After hearing Batian's words, Ye Cangtian remained silent for a moment before slowly asking.
Batian's gaze fell upon Ye Cangtian's mask. After a brief silence, he replied, "I tried, but I was no match for him!"
"Then, if we join forces, would there be hope?" Ye Cangtian asked again.
"Hahaha, what a joke!"
"With you lot? Are you kidding me! Let alone the other two Earth-level executives, they don't even qualify to participate!"
"Just you, a quasi-Heavenly realm sixth-level expert, and another at the quasi-Heavenly realm first-level, are barely stronger than ants before the Lord of Darkness!"
Hearing Ye Cangtian's words, Batian burst into mocking laughter. Such strength, in his confrontation with the Lord of Darkness, would have had no impact whatsoever.
What? Quasi-Heavenly realm sixth-level?
Hearing Batian's words, Hong Mo looked at Po Xiao in shock. He was acutely aware of his own strength, being merely at the quasi-Heavenly realm first-level.
Therefore, the quasi-Heavenly realm sixth-level must refer to Po Xiao.
It was only then that Hong Mo truly realized Po Xiao's terrifying power.
He had known he wasn't Po Xiao's match before, but in his estimation, the gap between them wasn't significant.
However, upon learning Po Xiao's true strength, he understood that Po Xiao had been planning from the time they were in Jieyin City, not exerting his full power.
This was to make him complacent!
Should he and Po Xiao have any conflicts or disagreements in the future, he could suffer a significant disadvantage just based on cultivation alone!
Ye Cangtian's expression also turned grim. The strength he had meticulously concealed had been revealed by Batian in a single sentence, making it difficult to leverage it for future schemes.
This was not the worst of it. The worst was the current situation.
It was uncertain whether the Batian before them was friend or foe, and from Batian's words, an even more terrifying Lord of Darkness awaited them.
Under normal circumstances, their chances of survival were practically zero.
But for Tang Xinwan, and for Huaxia, Ye Cangtian could not give up.
In the next moment, he glanced at Batian again and said slowly, "Senior, you must be tired of this kind of life. Although our strength is insufficient, we are willing to fight alongside you!"
"Forget it."
Batian shook his head and said indifferently, "If you go to the main hall, you will surely die. If you are willing to stay and serve the Lord of Darkness, I can guarantee your lives.
Furthermore, after your death, I can plead for you to become Ghost Kings or Ghosts, thereby obtaining eternal life. You might as well consider it!"
Ye Cangtian's expression changed drastically. Although the other party still held some regard for their past camaraderie and father-son bond, he understood that Batian was no longer the Batian of old.
The man was still a cruel and bloodthirsty ghost, and all his actions served only the Lord of Darkness.
Thinking this, he spoke, "Senior, do you want Hong Mo to suffer the torment you have endured all over again? Do you truly wish for Hong Mo to be enslaved by the Lord of Darkness for eternity, just like you?"
"This..."
This statement caused a slight shift in Batian's gaze.
After countless years of enslavement, he knew the suffering intimately.
He had also contemplated ending his own life several times, but ultimately lacked the courage. He still owed Hong Mo and the Dark Association an explanation, which was why he had persevered until now.
"Hong Mo, I give you a choice."
After much deliberation, Batian's gaze finally settled on Hong Mo.
At his words, Ye Cangtian and the others also turned their attention to Hong Mo. They held their breath, knowing that Hong Mo's decision was a matter of life and death.
If Hong Mo decided to stay, they would have only two options: either fight to the death with the opposing side, with the high probability of perishing,
or, like Hong Mo, be enslaved by the Lord of Darkness.
But if Hong Mo chose to resist, they might have a sliver of hope, as Batian might help Hong Mo once out of fatherly affection.
"Father, have you suffered all these years?"
Feeling the gaze of everyone, Hong Mo did not answer immediately but instead asked.
However, the Batian opposite him remained silent.
Seeing this, Hong Mo understood everything.
After a moment of hesitation, he slowly said, "I recall Father once taught me that a man should stand tall and be unparalleled in the world! If I have to choose, I would rather die than serve the Lord of Darkness!"
Hong Mo's voice was not loud, but his eyes revealed a firm conviction.
Regardless of life or death, he did not wish to be enslaved. Moreover, the person who enslaved him had enslaved his father for countless years, and such hatred also forbade him from being enslaved.
"Foolish!"
"I have explained the situation and the disparity in strength clearly. Why do you still make such a foolish choice!"
Hearing Hong Mo's words, Batian spoke harshly.
But in the next second, his face broke into a hearty laugh.
"Good, good, you are indeed my son, Batian! Since you have decided, your father will help you this once!"
As he spoke, Batian flashed to Hong Mo's side, clapped him on the shoulder, and his eyes showed a look of relief.
Hong Mo, in turn, threw his arms around his father's legs, his body trembling, tears streaming down his face.
He had waited for this moment for a very, very long time.
On the other side, witnessing the reunion of father and son, Ye Cangtian and the others breathed a sigh of relief. This hurdle had been overcome, and they now had hope for survival.
After all, Batian was a Heavenly realm expert.
With Batian present, they at least had the capital to challenge the Lord of Darkness.
After a long pause, seeing the father and son separate, Ye Cangtian stepped forward hastily. "Senior, you are most familiar with the Lord of Darkness. How do you think we should deal with him?"
Hearing Ye Cangtian's words, Batian fell silent. His gaze swept over everyone, finally returning to Ye Cangtian.
"Honestly, I still stand by my previous assessment. Even if all of us go together, there is no hope."
"Those two are mere ants before the Lord of Darkness, vulnerable to a single blow, and will perish in an instant. As for Hong Mo and you, it wouldn't be difficult for him to kill you..."
"However, since you would rather die fighting than be enslaved, with such determination, it is worth a try..."
Batian said slowly, finally offering his advice.
He suggested that Lan Yue and Zi Long would be better off staying, as going or not going made no difference and held no meaning.
If they went together, they might become a burden.
It would be better to wait for the outcome here. If they succeeded, the two would be safe, but if the outcome was the opposite, they could await their doom.
However, just as Batian's gaze fell on Hong Mo, before he could decide whether Hong Mo should participate, a majestic voice boomed.
"Batian, I have given you and your son ample time for reunion. Since you have decided to rebel, stop dawdling!"
"After all these years, I am also eager to stretch my limbs!"
"Furthermore, don't bring that weak son of yours; he's not worth a dime. I, however, am very interested in that other quasi-Heavenly realm expert. Bring him along!"