Chapter 1656: Chapter 1651: Ecstatic Blooms

Is the premise of harmonious coexistence really bound by powerful ties?

Sha Ming’s statement undoubtedly once again proves that the unspoken consensus earlier was solely aimed at "earning our way up the mountain."

And the prior judgment about the rules hidden within being unpredictable was indeed correct.

Though simply put, one can still hear from Sha Ming’s description the ordeal they went through due to the bonds, and the struggles made for it.

This thing seemed to appear without any warning and was quickly repeated in tacit understanding, pulling everyone down into the same waters.

Though Fu Qian could probably guess the possible condition for its appearance—number of people.

If it can be attributed to simple factors, there’s no need to complicate things aimlessly.

Compared to the digging team, the scale of the group is undoubtedly a noticeable difference.

After acting separately and entering another direction of the Mirror House, because they exceeded a certain number, this team bond was automatically triggered; this is a fairly simple and straightforward explanation.

From this perspective, Miranda and the others seem to have had a blessing in disguise.

If they hadn’t separated before, or if the team had been with more people, they might also have been immersed in this team spirit.

As for why there was such an uneven split in headcount?

It seems strange but is actually not difficult to understand—Elder Huang Leji never wanted to disperse strength.

From such arrangements, it shows that he has a deeper awareness of the potential risks encountered below.

The reason for sending Le Zhan out to lead the team likely lies mainly with Miranda.

Any outsider could see that Blood Lion trio’s return had purposes less than pure.

Then suddenly something goes wrong, someone goes missing.

At this point, the rescue team decisively moves in, with the main goal naturally to prevent Blood Lion from snagging all the benefits should any arise.

But in this process, risk control is also necessary—like Sha Ming and Miranda.

If the trio has any clever plans, like Huang Zhixun’s disappearance being deliberately arranged, these two must be well monitored.

In fact, the weirder the situation, the more they should be viewed separately.

The greatest significance of the small team led by Le Zhan was merely to prevent Miranda from acting alongside Sha Ming, and he clearly overachieved in his task.

As for the evidently more dangerous and difficult Sha Ming, who even discovered the missing person, Old Master Huang kept him by his side.

A reasonable arrangement.

And the effect seems equally good. Under this unexpected shared hardship chain, Sha Ming apparently must consider the implications before making any small moves.

...

Of course, these belong to the category of "thinking everything in a positive light."

And while these thoughts rapidly flashed by, Fu Qian was fully engaged in following Sha Ming’s advice and experiencing his own state change.

Heart filled with joy.

This can be said to be the most fitting description.

You can distinctly feel that, with the heartbeat in his left chest, the skin and flesh are slowly receding.

From surface to inside, layer by layer, ripping and blooming like a flower.

The imagery is so classic that Fu Qian first thought of a scene witnessed in a false history where, upon the evil omen’s successful sacrifice, tree trunks continuously ripped and bloomed.

And indeed, everyone else seemed to experience the same.

This particular transformation in flesh was precisely stirred along that special link.

Creating wounds that neither immune response nor quick healing could counteract.

Undoubtedly, this is what Sha Ming wanted him to feel, yet it’s not the most important part.

The key is that despite existing changes earlier, he couldn’t perceive them from themselves moments ago.

This is more exaggerated than merely letting someone anonymously benefit from a halo of decapitation.

If the source of this effect truly originates from that tree, it somehow feels like the latter not only refrains from being as thoroughly honest as the Night Watchman’s messages but also isn’t simply in a state of instability indiscriminately throwing garbage around. Instead, there’s a hint of refreshing a second spring.

"This thing."

With a backward swipe pointing to his chest, Fu Qian’s gaze finally swept across the faces of everyone, asking casually with no worry about being misunderstood.

"Who was the first this appeared on?"

Team bonds are team bonds, a heart bursting with joy is a heart bursting with joy.

Though both targeted him almost simultaneously, Fu Qian wouldn’t rashly assume the two are one entity.

...

"Dealing with smart people is indeed relaxing!"

And without disappointment, Elder Huang Zhen laughed freely the next moment.

Taking two more steps closer, he unexpectedly tore open his clothes.

Layers indeed blooming, akin to the perfect embodiment of sculpting technique upon flesh.

Even snow-white bones and the pulsing heart beneath could be seen.

Fu Qian’s main concern now was the sculpture style, it had to be admitted the imagery matched the tree somewhat.

"That’s right, this is my gift to everyone."

Seeing all eyes focused on him, Elder Huang Zhen’s smile was even more radiant than the flower on his chest, endeavoring to share this cheerful mood with the others.

"Don’t worry, I acquired it long before entering here, extending only to such an extent now."

"Moreover, I am extremely confident that following this path will never lead to death. On the contrary, it will bring us unimaginable sublimation..."

"The only thing troubling me before was how to share it with everyone, and fortunately, the recent change relieved that anxiety."

Indeed, a fortunate one sheltered even before entering.

This is likely one of the factors why someone of his esteemed status would venture in alongside the team.

Being both a terrifying change and an opportunity for sublimation, unable to sit still makes it reasonable.

Elder Huang Zhen’s passionate speech undoubtedly provided great insights.

And the surprise he brought was not over yet.

"Your Excellency."

Putting his clothes back on, this time his expression turned cold in an instant, looking over.

"I assume the contents just now are enough for you to recognize the situation at hand."

"Regardless of your role or purpose in coming, everyone is now truly bound together, and given the current circumstances, wasting time is clearly inadvisable—share all you know without reservation."

Oh?

It must be said this presentation, accompanied by the elderly visage, carries a certain gravitas.

"But logically, shouldn’t this thing not threaten me?"

"After all, if everyone suffers together, seemingly you can’t do anything to me if I do nothing?"

Unfortunately, as a professional, Fu Qian was not intimidated by the manner and quickly pointed out the logic flaw therein.

"Hehehe... Could it be, although I mentioned the changes on the chest wouldn’t lead to death, I am actually not afraid of death?"

However, Elder Huang Zhen appeared to also possess a knack for logic, almost immediately responding with nonchalance.

And seemingly to prove his words, under everyone’s watch, he turned and walked aside.

There lay a protruding platform, and contrary to his earlier refusal to sit down, he now proceeded step by step up the adjacent ladder.

Accompanied by, were blood flowers spraying from clothes not entirely tidied.

And similarly replicated synchronously on each and everyone.

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