Chapter 103: Request for Help

Exactly!Though he hadn't been with them long and barely recognized anyone, he'd been observing on the way. If he wasn't mistaken, those who had just been clamoring and forcing him to venture into the Moon Sea were mainly the leaders of various factions.

So you want to stir up trouble? You like hitting people when they're down? Fine, let's all go together. Let's hurt each other.

The leaders of the various factions immediately fell silent. Crucially, their own sect members also remained quiet, with no one stepping forward to speak on their behalf.

Zhu Jingtang looked at Shi Chun with a hint of resentment. "I didn't hit anyone when they were down. Why did you drag me into this?"

However, there was nothing Shi Chun could do; he couldn't exclude anyone. He could only inflict indiscriminate damage.

Indeed, well said.

To Guan Wen, most of what Shi Chun had just rambled on about was nonsense. What truly moved him was the statement that other forces might have seen the meteor shower, and these hundreds of Insect Extremity Crystals might not necessarily fall into their hands, especially since Xuanzhou's deployment around the Moon Sea was not yet complete.

He had originally hoped for more people to go in and search for the Insect Extremity Crystal meteorites that had just fallen. However, since no one was willing, he had reluctantly assigned only two newcomers who hadn't fully integrated yet.

Now, seeing Shi Chun's well-reasoned words actually subdue a group of people, it was a pleasant surprise for him. With a convenient excuse laid out, how could he not seize the opportunity? He decided immediately: "Alright, it's settled then. The leaders of the various factions will go with Brother Wang and Brother Gao, and I, along with the other brothers, will remain as backup."

The leaders of the various factions were on the verge of speaking but held back. Some were already cursing inwardly: "We agreed with your decision, we spoke up for you, and now you, Guan, have switched sides and are defending *them*! You're truly despicable!"

Seeing Guan Wen make such a decision, Shi Chun's eyebrow twitched slightly, and a hint of coldness appeared at the corner of his lips. His gaze darted to the pouch hanging from Guan Wen's waist, while he outwardly agreed: "Brother Guan is truly wise! We will certainly not disappoint!"

Without waiting for others to agree, he agreed on everyone's behalf.

Wu Jinliang also grinned and exclaimed: "Brother Guan is so wise! Forget hundreds of Insect Extremity Crystals, we might even find over ten during this trip!"

That flattery was well-placed and very effective.

Guan Wen was amused and gave him an approving look. He truly hoped that the big man's auspicious words would come true, that they would find over ten at once, which would greatly surprise his senior sister later.

Acting independently, away from the main group, was precisely the time to demonstrate his true capabilities, and he was eager to make a significant contribution.

The leaders of the various factions succumbed in a silence that was almost deafening.

They had repeatedly insisted on going, and now that it was their turn, they couldn't backtrack. Shi Chun had publicly confirmed it with them multiple times, blocking all their escape routes, even the option of having fellow sect members take their place.

In Shi Chun's own words, "A bunch of bastards! How dare they trick me!"

Of course, if anyone were to shamelessly refuse to go, discarding even the slightest pretense of decency, that would be another matter entirely.

Ultimately, the leaders of the eleven factions, under the gaze of everyone's 'blessings,' stood with Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang at the edge of the basin, facing the vast, mysterious land.

"Stay close to me later," Shi Chun instructed Wu Jinliang, scratching his right eyelid, which felt itchy.

Wu Jinliang nodded with a chuckle, knowing that Shi Chun's right eye had a special ability that might prove useful at a crucial moment.

This was precisely why Shi Chun dared to accept the challenge; he placed his hopes on his right eye, trusting it to help him avoid danger at critical junctures.

While the eleven faction leaders were still dispirited, Shi Chun glanced at them, smiled slightly, and unhesitatingly took charge as their leader. He called out, "Everyone, follow me! Let's go!" Then, he took the lead, soaring into the misty forest within the basin ahead, fearless and displaying a true leader's demeanor.

"Brother Zhu," Wu Jinliang said, patting Zhu Jingtang's shoulder before also leaping away with his great saber.

The eleven leaders exchanged glances. Since things had come to this, they could only comply. One by one, they took flight and headed into the mysterious basin.

The more than forty people led by Guan Wen quickly stepped forward to where the others had just stood, watching the figures disappear into the dim night sky, having clearly forgotten their original purpose for coming.

Shi Chun, descending through the faint mist, didn't land directly. Instead, he first perched on a large tree and let out a whoosh with a whistle.

Wu Jinliang, descending nearby, quickly reached out for a branch, swinging like a monkey before lightly dropping beside him.

The two hid silently and motionlessly on the dark branches, merging with the tree, watching as people continuously landed on the ground to their left and right.

As the first scouts, they didn't land themselves, instead inducing the others to land first.

Taking advantage of this pause, Shi Chun circulated his vital energy, activating the extraordinary vision in his right eye. He looked around but didn't detect anything unusual. The eleven figures below, however, were clearly visible.

Within his range of vision, he also didn't detect any Insect Extremity Crystals.

It wasn't that he hadn't considered using his right eye's ability to search for Insect Extremity Crystals during the Heavenly Meteor Shower Convention. It was simply because the method was unreliable. The Western Extremities region was too vast, and Insect Extremity Crystals were extremely rare. If he were to continuously use this method, he would likely exhaust his vital energy and die.

His right eye's ability couldn't be used continuously; his body couldn't handle it.

He just didn't know the density of Insect Extremity Crystal distribution within this Moon Sea.

After confirming there were no anomalies around and that the people below were fine, Shi Chun nudged Wu Jinliang with his elbow, and only then did the two jump down.

The eleven people on the ground were wary of their surroundings. They wanted to take out their sandalwood gold lighting devices but didn't dare, fearing it would attract danger. Hearing movement above, they looked up and saw Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang descending. The group immediately looked displeased.

Even Zhu Jingtang couldn't help but complain in a low voice: "Brother Wang, I didn't offend you, did I? Was it necessary to lump everyone together like that?" Shi Chun didn't respond to the jab. Instead, he loudly announced, "Everyone, come over, I have something to say." Although the crowd was displeased with him and didn't consider him qualified to be their leader, nor had they acknowledged him as such, they instinctively gathered to see what he wanted.

Wu Jinliang, meanwhile, stood guard beside Shi Chun, wary of the group. Having often ambushed others themselves, their vigilance in this regard was very high.

Once everyone had gathered, Shi Chun addressed Zhu Jingtang: "Brother Zhu, you've seen our strength. I'm not boasting... Let me ask you a question: Do you think all eleven of you combined could defeat the two of us?"

Zhu Jingtang was somewhat bewildered, unsure why this guy was bringing this up now. Did he want to fight? Did he want to take on eleven people because they had hit him when he was down earlier?

The other ten also quickly became alert.

Shi Chun actually had no other intention; he was just flaunting his power, a reminder and a warning: "Don't think we're afraid of you just because you have more people."

After this subtle intimidation, Shi Chun didn't wait for a reply. He casually continued, "Enough about that, let's talk business. Do you all think it's safe for a dozen or so of us in this Moon Sea?"

"Isn't that obvious?" Some remained silent, glaring with cold eyes, while others, disgruntled, spoke up: "Now you're worried about safety? Who was it that insisted on dragging us down here in the first place?"

Shi Chun ignored the sarcasm and continued: "Do you think it would be safer with more people?"

Everyone exchanged bewildered glances, not understanding. Zhu Jingtang asked, "Brother Wang, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Shi Chun rephrased: "If you encounter danger and call for help, will your fellow sect members come to your aid?"

"Will they come?" The others exchanged uncertain glances.

Shi Chun added: "Our own brothers are reliable, but I'm worried that Guan Wen fellow isn't. So, why don't we test it? If they really come, it'll be safer for all of us to search for the Insect Extremity Crystals together. With more help, once we find those crystals, we can quickly retrieve them and leave this place as soon as possible. Delays only lead to complications; it's better to be quick than to drag it out."

His words seemed to make some sense. More people naturally meant more safety, and the issue of whether Guan Wen would send aid if they encountered danger was indeed a valid concern.

However, no one spoke.

As everyone pondered, Shi Chun tilted his head and said to Wu Jinliang: "You have a loud voice."

"Alright!" Wu Jinliang chuckled, then unleashed a spell, raising his voice to a booming shout: "Help! Help! Quick, help! Come and save us!"

His voice was indeed loud enough, echoing through the mountain forest.

The eleven leaders were thrown into a frantic panic, unsure whether to stop him or remain silent. They feared that instead of attracting rescuers, they might draw in the dangers of the Moon Sea.

However, they adapted quickly. "It wasn't us who shouted," they thought. "If questioned later, it has nothing to do with us."

After a brief moment of panic, everyone pricked up their ears to listen, eager to see if aid would come. They were indeed very interested in that answer.

Above the basin, at the edge of the cliff, a group of people's expressions changed dramatically. In the quiet night, the echoing cries for help were very clear.

They had just gone in and already encountered danger? Even the usually calm Guan Wen was greatly alarmed. "Is the Moon Sea really that dangerous?"

"Brother Guan!" someone called out, urging him to order a rescue.

Guan Wen, however, frowned and remained silent. The problem was that they had encountered danger without any sounds of struggle. What kind of danger was this? Unknown dangers were the most terrifying, and as the leader, how could he easily risk everyone's lives?

"Help! Come quickly! Help!" The mournful cries for help continued.

"Let's go, we're going!" Someone couldn't hold back any longer. He shouted to his fellow sect members and immediately flew with them towards the source of the cries.

"We're going!" Others followed suit. Soon, everyone had left.

There was no other way. Those sent by their sects as leaders held a certain status and position within their respective factions. If they didn't go to their aid, they would have difficulty explaining themselves upon their return.

"You all..." Guan Wen hesitated, wanting to tell them not to go but couldn't bring himself to say it. He could only watch helplessly as they left.

Looking around, in the blink of an eye, no one was left beside him. He was the only leader remaining, all alone.

This had never happened since entering the Western Extremities arena. It felt as if the authority that came with being a Suyuan Sect disciple had suddenly become ineffective, and the situation had spiraled out of control.

The cries for help had stopped, and there were no sounds of fighting. What on earth had happened? Was the Western Extremities Moon Sea truly this terrifying?

The problem was that he was left alone, and he didn't know what had happened to everyone. How would he explain it back home? He could fabricate a reason, but what if someone made it back alive?

After much hesitation, he pulled out the metal pinecone from the pouch at his waist...

In the mysterious mountain forest, the eleven leaders had reunited with their fellow sect members. 'Joyful reunion' was hardly the right phrase; 'perplexed and unsettled' was more accurate.

Shi Chun stood there, chuckling coldly: "Everyone, do you see? Do you see? That Suyuan Sect member is truly despicable, that fellow Guan is truly despicable. If something really happened to us, don't even dream that he would come to rescue us. In his eyes, we're nothing but disposable pawns, our lives as worthless as grass!"

Wu Jinliang cursed angrily: "Beast!" No sooner had the words left his mouth than a whooshing sound came from above. Everyone looked up, and Shi Chun let out another chuckle: "Well, well, here they come!"