"Old Master Xu, what's wrong?"
Ye Cangtian quickly let go of Tang Xinwan's hand and ran towards Old Master Xu.
"Kid, something big has happened. The Guangming Hall and the Dark Association have joined forces to deal with our China."
"The Dragon Group has suffered countless casualties. I've come to you for a last resort."
"Do you dare to sacrifice yourself with me to serve the nation in distress!"
Old Master Xu was very weak, but his eyes were exceptionally firm.
"What is there to fear..."
Ye Cangtian agreed without hesitation. After all, he was also a hot-blooded young man. Just as he was about to ask about many matters, a voice came from behind him.
Turning around, a masked man in black silently appeared beside Tang Xinwan, holding a dagger to her throat.
"Ye Cangtian, don't think it's that simple."
"You have two choices. Stay and live a peaceful life, and we guarantee not to harm you and Tang Xinwan. Of course, you'll need to provide a pledge of allegiance by taking care of that old man."
"The second choice is to return to the Dragon Group and oppose us, but today you will have to watch your fiancée die before your eyes!"
The masked man in black said fiercely.
Ye Cangtian's expression instantly turned grim. Judging by the opponent's powerful aura, he was at least a Earth-level expert.
Looking at the distance, although it wasn't far, he absolutely could not save Tang Xinwan before the opponent made a move.
Damn it! This damned illusion!
In an instant, Ye Cangtian had judged everything.
The birdsong and fragrant flowers around, as well as the company of his beloved, were all the life he yearned for.
Thinking back to the team selection assessment, it was not difficult to deduce.
On one hand, the life he yearned for, and on the other hand, the crisis in China, where should he go?
This was like his mother and wife falling into water; which one should he save!
Seeing the problem, the answer was not difficult, but facing Tang Xinwan, who remained silent and her eyes still filled with deep affection,
Ye Cangtian hesitated.
If the other party had said a word of plea, he could have been heartless.
But Tang Xinwan did not, she just kept looking at him quietly, as if no matter what decision he made, she would accept it. This still made him waver.
"Answer quickly, if you don't answer in three counts, Tang Xinwan will still die!"
Just then, the masked man urged him again.
Ye Cangtian looked deeply at Tang Xinwan, then without waiting for the countdown, he said directly, "Xinwan, I'm sorry. I will leave with Old Master Xu, but don't worry, I will definitely avenge you, and then I will come down to find you..."
*Pfft!*
As soon as Ye Cangtian's words fell, the masked man swung his knife, severing Tang Xinwan's neck.
Blood sprayed out instantly, and Tang Xinwan slowly fell to the ground. Her gaze still fixed on Ye Cangtian, pure and without any resentment, but she had lost her life.
"No!"
Ye Cangtian roared madly. Although he knew it was just an illusion, he still felt heartbroken.
He rushed forward desperately, and the skull dagger directly pierced the masked man's chest.
Strangely, although the opponent was an Earth-level expert, he was as weak as a paper in front of him, killed in one move.
But Ye Cangtian didn't care at this moment. He held Tang Xinwan's body, his face chillingly cold.
"Do you regret your choice just now?"
"If you could do it all over again, what would you do?"
At this moment, Old Master Xu's figure had walked in front of him, and he asked the suffering Ye Cangtian another soul-searching question.
"My choice remains unchanged!"
Ye Cangtian glanced at Old Master Xu and gritted his teeth, saying fiercely.
He was somewhat annoyed, not by anything else, but by the person who created this illusion to test him.
He was sure that if he had chosen to kill Old Master Xu just now, he would naturally not have passed the Hidden Group's test.
"Is that so? Very good!"
Upon hearing Ye Cangtian's answer, Old Master Xu revealed a gratified smile.
The next moment, Tang Xinwan in Ye Cangtian's arms disappeared.
He thought everything was over, but it wasn't.
Everything around seemed to rewind, returning to the moment of choice.
Old Master Xu retreated to the doorway, and the masked man's knife was again at Tang Xinwan's neck.
At the same time, he was asked the soul-searching question again...
...
Endless illusions.
The content was identical, repeating over and over, continuously forcing Ye Cangtian to make a choice.
Ye Cangtian's eyes were already bloodshot. With each cycle, his heart felt like it was being cut.
He gradually went from initial anger to numbness.
*Crack, crack, crack...*
After an unknown amount of time, the entire world echoed with cracking sounds, as if something was shattering.
Ye Cangtian's slightly dazed gaze seemed to see light, becoming bright.
The surrounding scenes, whether it was the mountains and forests, the villa, or Tang Xinwan and Old Master Xu, all shattered.
The scene shifted, and he returned to the abyss, regaining the feeling of suffocation and coldness.
At this time, he had passed through the dazzling light, and directly below, a glowing gate appeared.
Ye Cangtian struggled to pass through the gate.
The next moment!
The endless abyss was no more. He had clearly swum down through the gate, but he emerged from the lake.
Everything around was like a new world, with mountains, lakes, cities, wilderness, and of course, the most important thing: light.
"Haha, I knew you could pass the second trial, congratulations!"
"From now on, you are also considered a probationary member of the Hidden Group."
As Ye Cangtian was stunned, a voice came from the side. Turning his head, Jian Wusheng was already on the shore, having waited for a long time.
"What was that illusion just now?"
Ye Cangtian showed no joy on his face. The illusion just now was deeply etched in his memory, and it had long accumulated resentment in his heart.
Although he knew it was an illusion, his heart was filled with anger towards this damned illusion.
"That was an illusion test specifically set up by the seniors of the Hidden Group to test one's character and loyalty to China..."
Jian Wusheng explained simply.
Very simply, if both character and loyalty were not up to standard, the test would fail, and one would completely lose the qualification to enter the Hidden Group.
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian nodded, then adjusted his breathing and came to the shore.
"Senior, what is the next assessment?"
"No rush, let me introduce you to the Hidden Group first!"
Jian Wusheng waved his hand and gave Ye Cangtian a brief introduction.
The headquarters of the Hidden Group is located in a secret realm of China.
Of course, the so-called secret realm is actually a ruin, and it is the largest ruin discovered so far, Ruin No. 1!
The entire secret realm is vast, and it's not an exaggeration to call it a world. It's divided into four regions: East, South, West, and North.
The headquarters of the Hidden Group is located in the Eastern region.
At the same time, the Eastern region is the only one among the four regions that is vigorously developed, densely populated, and suitable for human life.
Besides the Hidden Group, there are also some reclusive families, reclusive sects, and some reclusive masters living in the Eastern region.
However, it should be noted that although the Eastern region is a human living area, it does not mean it is absolutely safe.
There are still many cities, secret places, and dangerous areas that have not been fully explored...
"This..."
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian's mouth twitched.
He didn't know how many years the Hidden Group had existed, but he knew that where there were dangers in ruins, there would be treasures.
How many people could resist the temptation of treasures?
And with the strength of the Hidden Group, they haven't even fully explored the Eastern region yet. How vast is the Eastern region?
It probably far exceeded his imagination.
Thinking of this, Ye Cangtian glanced at the other person again and asked, "Senior, what about the other three regions?"