Han Zhan slightly lifted his gaze, his tone determined.
This attitude made Li Wu pause for a moment.
"The Great Chiefâs intention is for us to hold Jiuli, not to counterattack."
Arenât you working a bit too hard?
According to Li Wuâs original idea, keeping the invasion of monsters from the gray fog away from these hundred or so people was enough.
One should eat as much as oneâs bowl can hold; he still had this awareness.
"Chi You said that all the chieftains and sages have already joined the battlefield."
"Weâve been inside the gray fog for so long and havenât seen any other Jiu Li Warriors."
"You mean... you want to find them, help them escape and break through?"
Only by killing Fenghou can we completely break through.
But as far as Li Wu knows Han Zhan, he doesnât seem like the kind of person who sacrifices himself for others.
Making this decision should not be the result of a hot head.
"I want to make a deal with them."
Han Zhan said no more.
The Guiding Car he mentioned was quickly assembled under the Ability of the Nuwa Stone of Heavenly Origin.
Once again, the crowd gathered at the village entrance, outside where everything was filled with gray fog, and faint roars echoed from it.
"Lord Han... after careful consideration, perhaps... we should stay here."
Suddenly, an elder from the Jiuli Tribe stood out and spoke to Han Zhan.
Many people gathered behind him.
"Is this what you all think?"
When Han Zhan cast his eyes, many of them lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.
"Lord Zhan, this is our choice, you shouldnât interfere, right?"
The elder stepped forward and continued.
Their thoughts were simple; it was hard enough to survive, why risk entering the fog to die?
No matter how strong Han Zhan is, would he care about their lives at a critical moment?
This is a very real problem.
Many people thought similarly to the elder; they didnât want to continue taking risks with Han Zhan.
"The village is temporarily safe now, but it doesnât mean the walking corpses wonât continue to invade later. Are you sure you wonât follow me?"
"Yes, we are sure."
"Alright, I wonât force you to follow me. Those willing to stay can gather here."
Han Zhan pointed to the other side.
With his concession, many Jiuli peopleâs minds started to waver.
Previously hindered by Han Zhanâs strength, they didnât dare to speak; now that he had spoken, there was no reason to hesitate.
For a moment, many Jiuli people swayed, leaving the team to stay behind.
The originally hundred-plus group instantly lost nearly fifty to sixty people, leaving only about forty willing to continue following Han Zhan.
The little girl saved earlier was surprisingly among them.
"Han Zhan, you..." Li Wu looked at this scene, feeling ashamed.
But fear of death is human nature; even if Han Zhan saved their lives, most people didnât feel it deeply.
Because Han Zhan killed too swiftly.
They likely didnât even see clearly.
"Is it really alright?"
"Not everyone is choosing to stay; some still want to follow."
Han Zhan shrugged indifferently.
The danger would definitely increase exponentially upon entering the gray fog; if they couldnât trust fully, even a small mistake could lead to extinction.
Human hearts are unpredictable; rather than letting the dissenters blend into the team, itâs better to let problems arise early.
This is Han Zhanâs true thought.
Once the crowd settled again, under Han Zhanâs signal, Li Lingzhen stepped out holding a transparent, black heart-shaped stone.
"Though I promised you could freely leave the team, I wonât interfere."
"I did save you; thatâs undeniable. Iâm not a philanthropist overflowing with kindness, so Iâll be collecting some corresponding rewards from you."
This was said to those choosing to stay.
Han Zhan respected peopleâs choices, respected their destiny, but based on not wasting principles, he would collect the due rewards.
"I need everyoneâs Heartâs Blood, donât worry, it wonât affect your health. After absorbing it, Iâll heal you immediately."
"No way! How can you do this?"
"This is naked revenge, revenge for us not leaving with you!"
"You say absorb, and it will be absorbed?!"
The elder who spoke earlier immediately shouted as if winning the first verbal confrontation.
"Yes, if I say absorb, itâll be absorbed, why not?"
Han Zhan no longer politely dealt with these greedy Jiuli people; after saying this, he walked forward.
Li Lingzhen behind him activated the Demon Godâs Heart, releasing a powerful suction, making those choosing to stay helpless to resist.
Lines of blood extended from their hearts, absorbed into the Demon Godâs Heart.
In the instant of absorption, threads of white emerged from Li Lingzhenâs fingers, connecting to them.
Originally pale-faced due to the extraction of Heartâs Blood, the Jiuli Clan People regained their rosy complexions.
The process was quick.
After this, Li Lingzhen turned around and walked towards Han Zhan, finally joining him shoulder to shoulder, entering the gray fog.
"Letâs go." Li Wu looked at the Jiuli Race members choosing to follow him and those unwilling to leave.
He finally sighed, shook his head, said nothing, and led forty-some Jiuli Clan People into the fog.
In the village.
The Jiuli elder who caught his breath covered his chest and took deep breaths.
His eyes glared venomously at the direction Han Zhan left.
"Hmph, you will definitely die inside the gray fog; I curse you!"
Just as he finished speaking, the fog ahead suddenly stirred violently.
A moonbeam broke free from the fog, striking the elder, sending him flying.
The elder was pinned against a wall a hundred meters away.
"Noisy."
Inside the fog, Han Zhan casually sheathed his sword, expressionless, glanced at the direction indicated by the Guiding Car.
"Letâs continue in this direction."
"Lingzhen, stay in the middle, Li Wu at the rear."
With those troublemakers and dissenters gone, the team under Han Zhanâs command was more orderly.
As time passed.
Hidden walking corpses and beasts in the fog, seeing someone daring to enter, couldnât restrain themselves.
Before long, two figures on Corpse Leopards lunged from the fog.
Swoosh, swoosh!
Bright moonlight flashed, and the next second, the Corpse Leopards and walking corpses were beheaded.
Han Zhan suddenly lifted his head, looking into the fog.
The fog swirled and churned intensely.
"Letâs go; it seems someone needs our help."