He never imagined that the company would one day become an obstacle to him.
"We're here, everyone, brace yourselves!"
Xiong Da, who was leading the way, suddenly lowered his voice and stopped. Li Chonglou looked up and realized they were on a hillside.
About a hundred meters below, a camp, smaller than Base No. 1, was being besieged by dozens of异兽 (yi shou), with fluctuations of spiritual energy constantly emanating from within.
The scene was grand, with no less than thirty异兽, varied in form but all based on ordinary creatures from Earth, like enlarged wolves, black-furred tigers, and purple bears.
All the异兽 were attacking the camp's perimeter fence with madness, strangely without a sound.
Inside the camp, three distinct battles could be clearly seen, each at a different corner.
Li Chonglou, though he had only witnessed such scenes in the beast's den of Tie Lin, was considered to have seen the world and showed no particular reaction.
Mei Niang turned her head, saw the scene, and couldn't help but ask, "Kid, why are you still so calm?"
Li Chonglou didn't explain. Instead, Xiong Da said, "This shows that Xiao Li is also a seasoned veteran, which is a good thing."
Mei Niang chuckled and asked, "How should we proceed?"
Xiong Da carefully observed the three battlefronts, as did Li Chonglou. At this point, Xiong Da's leadership role became evident.
"On the southeast side, Hei Zi's attack is steady and unhurried, meaning there are definitely ambushes! We'll break through from there first."
Mei Niang, however, frowned.
Among the three battlefronts inside the camp, the northwest corner was the most intense, with at least a three-on-three engagement. The clash of techniques could be felt even from a great distance, but the situation appeared to be a temporary stalemate.
In Mei Niang's mind, this was the place they needed to go first.
With their addition, the battle could be concluded in the shortest possible time, and they could then take over the remaining two battlefronts.
Even if not the northwest corner, it should have been the southwest corner, where the two-on-two battle clearly had the camp's people at a disadvantage, being cornered and forced to defend by the gray-clothed figures.
Xiong Da's suggestion was to reinforce the only one-on-one battlefield where their side held the advantage.
Seeing that Li Chonglou had no objections, as Xiong Da was about to make a move, Mei Niang couldn't help but say, "Xiong Da, why don't we go to the northwest corner first? As long as we take that place, won't the rest be simpler?"
Xiong Da's brow furrowed, whether due to Mei Niang's words or something else, but he patiently explained, "Mei Niang, although that side appears to have the upper hand, with only one person, and considering how fierce the others are fighting, why is he so cautious there?"
Mei Niang's expression froze for a moment, but she quickly replied, "Because they are all waiting for their own people to arrive first?"
Xiong Da shook his head, "No, it's because he also knows there's an ambush there and doesn't dare to make the first move!"
Mei Niang asked, puzzled, "Then isn't it bad to let them remain in a stalemate? It could also stall Hei Zi's ambush."
Xiong Da suddenly fell silent and started moving towards the southeast corner on his own.
Mei Niang immediately became angry and stomped her foot, "I might as well call Niu Da! So stubborn!"
Li Chonglou couldn't stand it any longer and sighed, "Mei Niang, Senior Xiong Da's consideration is correct. The southeast corner is the key to the three battlefronts."
Mei Niang was still unconvinced, "What do you know, kid? You say the southeast corner is the key, then tell me why it's the key?"
Li Chonglou said seriously, "Because of strength."
"Hmm?"
Xiong Da had already started walking away. Li Chonglou could only follow. Although Mei Niang was still unconvinced, she did not act on her own.
"Mei Niang, do you think a true master prefers one-on-one duels or a free-for-all?"
Mei Niang answered without thinking, "Nonsense, of course, it's one-on-one. How can a free-for-all allow for coordinated teamwork?"
"Yes, generally speaking, that's the case, unless it's a well-trained team. But do the other two battles look like trained team fights, unlike the southeast corner battlefield?"
Mei Niang seemed to understand a bit and retorted, "You mean the person in the southeast corner is the key figure?"
Li Chonglou nodded, "For now, yes. However, I can't sense his aura, so I don't know his true strength. But from what I can see, he is definitely a target the invaders are paying special attention to."
Seeing that Mei Niang still hadn't grasped it, Li Chonglou pointed it out directly, "Judging by the rhythm of the battle, with the异兽 attacking from outside and his own companions being besieged from within, do you think such a situation can proceed without haste?"
Mei Niang was stunned and finally understood, but then she was surprised.
"What did you do before, kid? I'm considered an old hand, yet you can see this situation clearer than me?"
Actually, Mei Niang's thinking was similar. Anyone with discerning eyes could tell that the one-on-one battlefield was for a master. However, Mei Niang lacked the combat intuition of Xiong Da and Li Chonglou. In her opinion, since it was the most stable, it should be left for last to assist.
After Li Chonglou pointed it out, she realized that stability in such a situation was the biggest anomaly!
This meant there was indeed an ambush!
Once she figured this out, Mei Niang couldn't help but quicken her pace to catch up with Xiong Da.
"Let's hurry up. They already know there's an ambush, so why should we still be cautious?"
This statement was not wrong. Xiong Da nodded slightly after realizing it, then shot forward like a cannonball with a bang. Li Chonglou and Mei Niang naturally followed suit.
The Sword Master took a light step, dodging the opponent's fire whip. However, the seven-inch silver sword he held dared not be raised.
"Sword Master, give up. We've been planning for three years, and I know all your support, Hong Hai'an will not come."
The Sword Master's expression was solemn, but he did not reply. His opponent was a young man who looked to be only in his early twenties. However, due to living in the underground world for a long time, his complexion was extremely pale.
He clearly didn't look like a normal person!
According to his introduction, he was Guang Xin, a second-generation local born here. His weapon was a long whip made of unknown material. Each strike in the air produced sparks, and the Sword Master could feel its considerable power from half a meter away.
The Sword Master was also an absolute genius in his youth. Even now, at the age of thirty, he was basically at the peak among his peers. But facing Guang Xin, he still felt a considerable amount of pressure.
This guy was truly troublesome.
However, at this moment, the auras of Li Chonglou and the other two entered their senses.
Guang Xin's expression changed drastically.
"Impossible! Hong Hai'an wasn't supposed to support No. 3?"
The Sword Master smiled slightly, "For you creatures who can only operate for a few hours a day and haven't even fully developed your brains, can you guess the intentions of those above?"