The discussion had drifted far. In reality, the concerns of Elder An and Li Chonglou were the same.
Even if he retreated, joining the Black Ones would offer a way out, but he would absolutely refuse to choose it!
He had experienced human nature from a very young age and dared not gamble, even with himself.
However, Elder An directly addressed this, saying, "Don't worry. Since I told you to withdraw from the fusion, I naturally have a way to ensure it won't affect you. Just do as I say."
En Si hesitated but nodded, his gaze shifting to the others.
If even one person had objected at this point, he might have reconsidered. Trust was trust, but it wasn't blind faith!
Unfortunately, reality was akin to blind faith. Except for him, the person directly involved, no one else showed any inclination to step forward. This meant Elder An's word was final.
Seeing this, En Si no longer dwelled on it. If they weren't worried, would his own worry make him seem like a weakling?
He decided to act immediately. Before withdrawing, En Si, returning to his fused consciousness, reminded Li Chonglou.
"Little Li, Elder An said he will personally fuse. I'm withdrawing first."
He truly just offered a reminder, and in the next second, En Si directly withdrew from the soul fusion.
Li Chonglou, as the true owner of the body, hadn't even had time to react with an expression.
What was going on? Was Elder An going to take over? But Elder An had never fused with me before, would there be enough time?
The moment En Si withdrew, the surrounding Black Spirits surged in like water from a breached water tank, finding the only escape route and pouring in madly!
After all, without the fusion, he couldn't use his internal energy. Relying solely on controlling his muscles was insufficient to resist the invasion of the Black Spirits!
This was no longer a matter of simply not breathing. The Black Spirits were like crocodiles in murky water; even if you didn't provoke them, as long as you were in their territory, they would actively attack!
Not to mention the insurmountable pursuers behind him.
It could be said that the moment En Si withdrew from the fusion, the mysterious expert behind him and the frenzied Black Spirits rushed towards Li Chonglou like a tidal wave!
"This time it's truly over."
Although he couldn't see what was happening behind him, Li Chonglou could instinctively feel the fatal threat.
No, there was still a glimmer of hope!
Just as despair set in, Li Chonglou suddenly remembered that he could still use the potential within his脉潜 (mai qian - likely referring to some internal energy reservoir or latent ability) to forcefully break through the seal of the curse!
The last time, the aftereffects were too severe, causing him to subconsciously ignore this option. But compared to a life-or-death crisis, those minor aftereffects were nothing!
However, just then, a familiar feeling surged back. He had lost his internal energy, but it was now rapidly rising like a tide.
The surging Black Spirits were instantly met with fierce resistance, rebounding instantly. Ripples even appeared outside Li Chonglou's body.
"Elder An?"
The one capable of producing such an effect was naturally Elder An, who had already connected.
However, in addition to the Black Spirits, there was also a Black One expert of terrifying power. Elder An couldn't explain much and could only shout immediately.
"Engage him for now!"
Is he crazy? I only have sixty percent of my strength, how can I possibly engage him?
Despite being filled with doubts, Li Chonglou's body responded obediently, turning and throwing a punch.
Offense, after all, was the best defense!
If Elder An had a solution, this punch would be more practical than defense. If Elder An had no solution, the outcome would be the same whether attacking or defending!
Li Chonglou's almost monstrous combat talent was once again fully displayed. In such a critical situation, an ordinary person would only think of defending to buy more time.
But he was the complete opposite!
At the same time, this punch also bewildered the man.
"Is this guy desperate?"
In his eyes, someone with only sixty percent strength daring to attack him was as laughable as an ant challenging an elephant!
After the laughability came a surge of anger at being looked down upon.
The man's eyes suddenly turned cold. Compared to his casual first strike, this time he used thirty percent of his power.
With the same fist, this time he intended to crush the opponent in the way the opponent was most confident, smashing him into a pulp!
The man's fist was more than twice as fast as Li Chonglou's. Li Chonglou's fist had only extended halfway when the opponent's had already arrived.
However, faster than this was a surge of mysterious power that suddenly emerged from within.
"This..."
Even for someone as experienced as he was, a hint of bewilderment appeared at this moment.
This power, too strong, too abundant!
So much so that he had no idea what the outcome of this punch would be!
Li Chonglou's bewildered look, in the man's eyes, seemed like provocation.
Even in a duel between equally matched experts, one dared not have the slightest distraction. Now, facing him, he still had the mind to think about other things?
The man's gaze turned completely cold, but he did not increase his strength. He was confident that with this thirty percent of his power, no matter what secret technique the opponent used, they would not be able to withstand it!
However, the next second, his expression froze.
Boom!
The air waves generated by the massive collision flattened everything within a ten-meter radius, even snapping the towering trees in half, sending them toppling towards the two men.
Rumble.
With another deafening sound, the figures of the two men were completely engulfed.
But in the next moment, an even more terrifying aura repelled all the debris, and the man's tall figure reappeared.
"This guy definitely has a big secret!"
His eyes narrowed tightly, staring ahead. That was precisely where Li Chonglou had escaped moments before the trees fell!
At the same time, a hundred miles away in a certain direction, Li Chonglou was fleeing madly with a face full of shock.
"Old An, what's going on? Where did this power come from?"
"Kid, escape first. We can't hold on for long, and that person isn't using his full strength at all."
Elder An's voice indicated that Li Chonglou's situation was still dire. He quickly regained his composure and continued to frantically employ the Shadow Step!
His speed now was several times faster than before. However, the aura behind him still locked onto him relentlessly, never falling more than a hundred meters behind.
"Elder An, this won't do. Are there any other options?"
"First, find a way to get out of the hundred-meter range. I have another trick to temporarily fake your death, but the distance can't be too close, and it's best to find a suitable location."
Yes, if a trick like faking death was used in the wrong place, even if it could temporarily escape someone's lock, they could easily find you with a simple search!
"A suitable location..."
Li Chonglou glanced into the distance. The terrain here seemed uniformly similar.