On the other side.
Dugu Ling looked at Ye Cangtian, then at Cang Lang, and finally towards the castle, falling silent.
She really wanted to investigate, but Ye Cangtian's words were very realistic, and she couldn't help but consider them.
"It seems the title 'Cowardly Girl' given to you by Spirit Heroine is quite fitting."
"You're too much of a coward, especially for a member of the Hidden Organization."
Everyone held their own opinions, creating a stalemate. Cang Lang knew the key issue was Ye Cangtian, so he deliberately used taunting words.
"The ruins of Huaxia are fraught with danger. How long will you all survive charging in like this?"
Ye Cangtian's gaze turned sharp, his expression exceedingly grim, and he continued, "Also, what's your purpose in constantly instigating everyone to go?"
"I just need teammates!"
Cang Lang glanced at Ye Cangtian and said indifferently.
This guy's words were truly watertight!
Ye Cangtian muttered inwardly. Perhaps he was being too sensitive, always suspecting Cang Lang of having ill intentions towards Dugu Ling.
This time, he had also deliberately put Dugu Ling in danger.
But Cang Lang's words, as it turned out, had no real issue.
The implication was that he himself wasn't entirely confident facing the secret realm, thus needing to unite with teammates.
To everyone else, this was greed for the treasures within the castle, a normal reaction that he couldn't refute.
"How about… how about we go and explore the castle…"
"If there's danger we can't resist, we can retreat then…"
Dugu Ling finally spoke, but her tone had softened significantly, sounding more like she was discussing it with Ye Cangtian.
"I agree!"
"I agree…"
As Dugu Ling's voice fell, the team members raised their hands one by one in agreement. Ye Cangtian's expression turned resigned.
He wondered, if there was danger they couldn't resist, would retreating still be an option then?
However, he didn't voice these thoughts, merely nodded slowly, indicating his agreement.
There was no other way. Everyone else agreed, and even if he objected, countless other reasons would likely await him. These guys clearly wouldn't turn back until they hit a wall.
Seeing that Ye Cangtian had finally agreed, Dugu Ling instantly became excited.
She quickly began to organize rest and meals, replenishing food and water, and then led everyone towards the castle.
…
The three-story castle, viewed from the outside, was majestic, grand, and luxuriously decorated.
Boom boom boom…
As they approached the castle gate, the stone statues on either side turned their heads, drew giant stone swords, and began to advance towards the team, making the ground tremble.
"Whoever kills one gets the credit, charge!"
Seeing the white crystals on the statues' chests, the team members immediately charged forward.
On the other side, neither Cang Lang nor Dugu Ling made a move.
There were only two stone statues, the gate guards, likely the weakest beings in the secret realm.
If over 30 people couldn't handle these, then there was no point in proceeding further.
Besides, they really didn't care about the two small spirit stones.
The reason other members fought so fiercely was because of their own low strength; this was their chance to show off, as they wouldn't have much to do later.
If they didn't perform well now, how could they have the nerve to ask for a share of the spoils later?
Indeed, under the围攻 (wéigōng - encirclement and attack) of the crowd, the guards were soon dealt with, and they formally entered the castle.
…
Perhaps due to the loud sounds of battle at the gate, everyone stopped as soon as they entered the castle.
What greeted their eyes were warriors clad in full armor, their eyes blood-red, exuding endless ferocity, like emotionless killing machines.
"These… are these all desiccated corpses?"
"To think that ancient people had such evil existences!"
Seeing the armored guards, Dugu Ling's expression turned grim.
Although these guards wore armor, they were emaciated, their skin dull and lusterless, as if all their bodily fluids had evaporated.
They were almost identical to the desiccated corpses of legend.
"They should be puppets."
Ye Cangtian pointed to the faintly glowing crystal on the guards' armor and said calmly.
He had been to quite a few ruins and secret realms, so he was no stranger to these things.
"What they are doesn't matter, the key is how we get past them!"
Dugu Ling looked troubled.
There were over a hundred guards alone, a significant number, and they were clearly stronger than the stone statues at the entrance. She didn't dare to make a rash decision.
"What other way is there, of course, we fight our way through."
"Team members, stick together. Try not to participate in the attack. Leave the rest to the three of us."
Ye Cangtian gave Dugu Ling an exasperated look and made simple arrangements.
Judging by the medium-sized crystals on their chests, these puppets were at least of Xuan-level strength.
In small numbers, team members might be able to kill one or two by surrounding them. But once they formed a larger group, it would be something these team members couldn't resist.
Therefore, to minimize casualties, Ye Cangtian could only have the team members huddle together for warmth.
"Okay!"
Dugu Ling responded, and the team members subsequently gathered together.
As per Ye Cangtian's arrangement, he, Dugu Ling, and Cang Lang formed a triangular formation, attacking and covering each other.
However, at this moment, Cang Lang seemed to be disobeying orders, instead retreating a few steps and gathering with the other team members.
His intention was clear: since the team members could protect themselves, so could he.
Why should he exert himself only to have the benefits distributed to everyone?
"Cang Lang, you were the one who proposed continuing the exploration and needing teammates. Now, when it's your turn to fight, you cower. It would be better if you just left!"
Ye Cangtian's words were quite impolite. He had already harbored resentment towards Cang Lang.
Earlier, in the forest, Cang Lang had acted on his own and shown extreme disregard for his teammates, and now it was the same.
If this guy didn't step forward now but deliberately conserved his strength, was he scheming something?
Ye Cangtian certainly wouldn't allow such a thing to happen.
"Don't speak so rudely!"
"I'm worried that if I'm too far from them, I won't be able to save them in time if danger arises!"
Seeing that everyone's gaze had become noticeably strange, especially as the team members were all looking at him, Cang Lang paused for a moment before explaining.
"However, since you have an opinion, then forget it."
Saying this, he stepped forward a few paces, positioning himself on the outer perimeter of the team members.
He had indeed intended to conserve his strength, as the castle had three floors, and who knew what dangers lay ahead. The more strength he conserved, the greater his chances of obtaining treasures later.
But now that he had been discovered, he could only put on a brave face and step forward. He couldn't possibly incur the wrath of the crowd, could he?
Heh!
Listening to Cang Lang's words, Ye Cangtian revealed a look of disdainful amusement.
If Cang Lang knew how to protect teammates, pigs could climb trees! He wouldn't have lost so many people before!
He thought this in his mind, but Ye Cangtian did not expose Cang Lang.
It was pointless, and unity was needed now!
The surrounding teammates were not fools. The contemptuous glint in their eyes already explained everything, but they dared not say anything, nor could they.
The puppet guards in the corridor were already charging towards them.
The next moment, a fierce battle was about to break out.