"Human puppets encirclement?"
Feng Ninghe knitted her delicate brows slightly, "About how many human puppets are there?"
The cultivator hurriedly explained, "We've already killed quite a few human puppets, but their numbers are simply too great. There are at least a thousand more!"
A hundred human puppets were already a headache.
Encountering a thousand human puppets meant only one thing: escape.
Even Su Hongxiu's expression turned a little grave, "To think there are so many human puppets. Fighting against a thousand of them is no easy feat."
"Please, help us!"
The cultivator was so anxious that tears almost welled up in his eyes, his face flushing red with urgency. "The last shield has been used. They can't hold on much longer!"
Sheng Linglong glanced dismissively at the cultivator. Her fair and delicate face showed a hint of fearlessness. "The third trial is for the capable. If you truly can't win, why insist on fighting? You can simply withdraw from the trial."
"Do you think we don't want to withdraw?"
The cultivator clenched his fists, his face filled with remorse. "Just now, we took out our jade slips to leave the trial together, but the human puppets knocked them out of our hands! The jade slips fell into the human puppet horde, and we don't know where they went."
For cultivators who entered the trial, the jade slip was a life-saving charm.
As long as they had the jade slip, no matter how dire the situation, they could at least preserve their lives.
Losing a jade slip was no small matter.
Feng Ninghe's gaze deepened as she looked at the cultivator before her. "How many people are in your team?"
The cultivator replied without hesitation, "A total of four people were surrounded. I'm the youngest among them. They desperately protected me and told me to leave to seek help from other cultivators."
Feng Ninghe fell silent.
Lives were at stake.
She also wanted to rescue these cultivators from their predicament.
However, rescuing them meant facing a thousand human puppets, and she lacked the confidence to escape safely under such an encirclement.
"Little sister, whatever decision you make, I will support you."
Sensing her hesitation, Feng Linyuan spoke up proactively, gently patting her shoulder. "I believe in you."
Feng Xing also quickly chimed in, "Master, we are not spineless."
Bai Niannian subconsciously looked into the distance. "If something happens to them, their families will worry. I think we can assess the situation and act accordingly. If it's possible, we can help."
Seeing that everyone around her was inclined to help, a hint of a smile flickered across Feng Ninghe's bright face.
They still had their jade slips. If they were truly in danger, they could always withdraw from the trial.
Nan Rufeng's lips moved, her delicate face showing a hint of determination. Her clear female voice slowly declared, "I am also willing to lead my team to assist."
Du Chang looked around, a trace of contemplation in his eyes.
He was unwilling to put himself in danger.
If all the other teams went, and they stayed put, they would be more likely to encounter danger.
If absolutely necessary, he wouldn't mind making a swift exit.
After weighing the pros and cons, he quickly said, "More people mean more support. Even with a thousand human puppets, they might not be invincible. If we can't win, we can always run."
"Brother Du!"
At these words, Sheng Linglong's delicate fair face flushed. A hint of urgency tightly wrapped around her expression. "There are a thousand human puppets! We need to think carefully!"
She was unwilling to risk herself for insignificant people.
She only wanted to take care of herself and pass this trial.
Du Chang turned his gaze to her, his deep eyes carrying a significant meaning. "Linglong, do you think just a few of us can last until the end of the trial?"
He naturally didn't want to act recklessly.
But he was a sensible person. If everyone else went to help, and they were the only ones still exploring, they wouldn't be able to reach the end.
"That doesn't mean we should rush into danger!"
Sheng Linglong said anxiously, "I am from Shengtian Academy. I absolutely cannot disgrace the academy's reputation. No matter what, I must pass this trial!"
Du Chang smiled, a faint smile on his face that seemed somewhat helpless. "Linglong, I will wish you success in passing this trial, and I will not be stuck here either."
His simple male voice seemed to soothe the heart.
Sheng Linglong's uneasy heart finally relaxed a little.
She sighed, indicating understanding. "Brother Du, you have always been sensible. With your words, I have nothing to fear."
She did not forget to glare at the cultivator who had come to report.
The cultivator was too eager to save people to notice Sheng Linglong's actions.
Feng Ninghe quietly looked at the cultivator before her. "Hurry up and lead the way. Let's go save them quickly."
The cultivator quickly wiped away the tears that were about to fall from his eyes and nodded repeatedly in thanks. "Thank you for your help! No matter the outcome, I must express my sincere gratitude!"
Without further hesitation, everyone strode away.
Behind them, a small team remained, hesitating whether to go to their aid.
Lin Yuran said with some trepidation, "I think it's best to protect ourselves, but everyone else has left."
"Yes, it wasn't easy for us to get this far. We absolutely cannot give up now!"
"But they have already left. If we just leave on our own and encounter human puppets that are difficult to deal with, what should we do?"
The other three cultivators discussed amongst themselves.
To safely pass the third trial, they would inevitably need to cooperate with other teams.
Ji Binyu's effeminate face was filled with gloom. After a moment of thought, he finally spoke, "Follow them and act according to the situation. We don't necessarily have to intervene."
Lin Yuran seemed to realize something. He narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice, speaking only loud enough for the two of them to hear. "Binyu, this might be an opportunity for us."
His simple words also reminded Ji Binyu at this moment.
The man's lips curved into an arc, his deep male voice chilling and terrifying. "You are right..."
The cultivator who led the way was named Ye Ze.
He had not joined any academy. Those who teamed up with him were from the same city and had known each other since childhood.
How could Ye Ze disappoint them when these people had desperately protected him, the youngest among them?
"We're here!"
Ye Ze's emotions were clearly a little agitated. He quickly pointed forward.
Not far away, within a thicket of bushes, a phantom shield was protecting four cultivators.
The shield was dim and lusterless, in danger of disappearing at any moment.
Dense human puppets were slamming their massive bodies against the shield. The moment the shield disappeared, these human puppets would charge in!
"So many human puppets."
Nan Rufeng's delicate brows furrowed slightly. She quickly looked around. "Even if we help, we need a plan. Acting rashly will be of no benefit to us."