Previously, there wasn't, because after the fusion, they entered a consumption period. This period meant they could not return. In other words, once soul fusion occurred, reincarnation was inevitable, and this period would only last for a few months at most.
But now it was different. With the功石 (gōng shí - merit stone) in hand, any creature killed here would produce a residual soul. As long as there were enough residual souls, they could remain in the space indefinitely!
However, Elder An still refused.
"Let's discuss this later. For now, the number of residual souls you can obtain is unstable, and there are already three waiting for your energy. Add me to the count, and we might not be able to attend to everyone."
This was indeed logical, so Li Chonglou abandoned the idea.
But the situation with Xiong Da and the other was still unresolved.
Li Chonglou had considered capturing some treasure hunters and interrogating them, but he also worried it might attract the attention of the main Black Soldier forces, so he had taken no action.
"Sigh, I'm really conflicted."
Scratching his head, Li Chonglou paced back and forth in the cave. Just then, he felt the same sensation of being pursued as he had yesterday.
"No way, discovered again? Can all Black Soldiers detect me?"
Li Chonglou's heart leaped. As early as yesterday, when he overheard the conversation between the two Black Soldiers, he had a slight suspicion.
However, the peace from yesterday until now had made him momentarily overlook it.
Now, that sense of crisis resurfaced, and undoubtedly, his guess was correct!
"Might as well take this opportunity to understand it thoroughly!"
A glint flashed in Li Chonglou's eyes. Since entering, he had been cautious due to the limited information he possessed.
Now that reality was forcing him to make a choice, he felt a sense of liberation!
About a kilometer away, three unlucky individuals were heading in Li Chonglou's direction while discussing amongst themselves.
"So many Black Souls gathered together, could it be someone broke out?"
"How is that possible? Team One and Team Three are still guarding there, even their camp commander couldn't get out!"
"Something unusual is afoot, perhaps it's a different kind of treasure!"
The last sentence was what prompted the three of them to come, and when the Black Soldier mentioned it again, their eyes lit up, and they quickened their pace.
"All the treasures this time have been snatched by others. If we still can't find anything after the Black Spirit period ends, we'll be laughed to death when we go back!"
"I hope our luck isn't too bad this time."
As they spoke, the three drew closer, and they could already see the place where the Black Souls were gathered.
A dark shadow suddenly flashed across their field of vision.
"Be careful!"
One Black Soldier at the peak of the fifth level shouted alertly and quickly reached for his waist.
There was a signal stone there, used by their scattered teams in times of danger. With a slight squeeze, it would emit something like fireworks into the sky.
This thing could be seen clearly from kilometers away, even in broad daylight!
Of course, among the Black Soldier forces, signal stones were usually only possessed by temporary captains, and each person had only one.
Li Chonglou was, of course, unaware of these details, but this did not stop him from focusing his gaze on this temporary leader, as he was the strongest among the three.
Sneak attacks were often most effective on the first strike, so he had to target the strongest enemy!
Shadow Step, Straight Punch!
The Black Soldier leader grunted, rolled his eyes, and immediately lost consciousness.
Li Chonglou did not kill him, but merely struck his acupoints, causing him to fall into a stupor.
It was only then that the other two reacted.
"Someone attacked, be careful!"
The two quickly scattered, trying to escape to the left and right. Even their strongest captain was no match for the opponent in one move, so why wouldn't they flee now?
Shadow Step!
Li Chonglou swiftly caught up to another and acted with the same speed. His cultivation level was already one level higher than theirs, and with the effect of the residual souls, his combat power after soul fusion had already reached its full potential.
Dealing with mere fifth-level enemies was still effortless for Li Chonglou.
The last Black Soldier was also knocked unconscious by Li Chonglou in a different direction ten seconds later.
However, after completing all this, Li Chonglou did not immediately hide them. Instead, he returned to the hiding place of Xiong Da and the other, digging them out from beneath the soil in the deep pit.
He had no choice. To resolve the three individuals quickly, without raising suspicion or giving them time to react, he had to use the most crude method and bury them underground.
After all, cultivators wouldn't die from being buried for a short period, at most, some soil would get into their nasal cavities…
"Two seniors, please excuse me."
Li Chonglou calmly used his internal energy to clear their nasal cavities before bringing the three unconscious Black Soldiers back.
To prevent any accidents, Li Chonglou first completely sealed the acupoints of the three before beginning to wake them up one by one for interrogation.
The result was extraordinarily smooth. When the Black Soldiers realized they had fallen into someone else's hands, they became extremely compliant, answering almost every question asked, only seeking to be spared.
It was then that Li Chonglou learned why they had been able to track him continuously.
"So, you mean that in your eyes, we are like searchlights, visible no matter where we go?"
The interrogated Black Soldier nodded honestly and said, "As long as they appear within our line of sight, they are clearly visible. Black Souls are most fond of gathering around outsiders like you."
"Your souls are like the essence of life to them, possessing a natural attraction."
Li Chonglou's brows furrowed tightly. "Why can't I see them? I can't even sense them?"
The Black Soldier countered, "Can you sense the existence of Black Spirits?"
Li Chonglou's eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you saying that these Black Souls and Black Spirits are the same kind of substance?"
"You could say that. In general, we cannot see Black Spirits, only sense their existence, much like normal people perceive air. But Black Souls are the condensed form of Black Spirits."
Li Chonglou finally understood. This meant that whether he brought the two with him or not, there was no concealment whatsoever during the Black Spirit period!
"Is there any way to break this?"
The Black Soldier shook his head. "As far as I know, unless one actively accepts the Black Spirit, or hides within the camp, there is no other way."
Li Chonglou's brow furrowed deeply. However, this was only one side of the story, and perhaps there was a turning point in the accounts of others.
Just as he was about to knock the Black Soldier unconscious, the latter spoke first.