After listening to Du Yunzhi’s explanation, Ling Chen had more or less understood a bit about this mysterious clan. However, he still had many unanswered questions in his heart. Just as he was about to ask again, he heard Du Yunzhi speak: "You’ve asked me so much, shouldn’t you let me ask you something now?"
"What do you want to know?"
"How many years has He Honggang been alive?"
"He should be just over a hundred years old."
"Over a hundred years?" Du Yunzhi nodded and said, "Then he’s still quite far from triggering the second stage of evolution. The most talented member of our clan triggered the second stage of evolution when he was over two hundred years old, but unfortunately, he couldn’t make it through."
"Lady Du, what are the requirements to trigger the second stage of evolution?" Ling Chen asked curiously.
"Actually, it’s quite simple; it’s just an accumulation of strength. After you’ve gone through the first stage of evolution, your strength will grow slowly every day. Compared to others, the only difference is the speed; some people grow rapidly and can trigger the second stage of evolution in just over a hundred years. In our clan, there is a specific evaluation standard, and once his strength is about enough, we will prepare him to undergo the second stage of evolution."
"Since the second stage of evolution is so dangerous, why not abandon it?" Ling Chen asked.
"That’s impossible," Du Yunzhi said, "This kind of evolution is not controlled by humans, no matter what methods you use, you cannot stop the increase in strength. The only choice you have is to complete the evolution."
"Lady Du, since your clan has a history of hundreds of years, has anyone among you successfully completed the second stage of evolution?"
"Yes." Du Yunzhi nodded without hesitation and said, "Actually, you’ve already met that person."
"I’ve met him?" Ling Chen was taken aback and quickly recalled the people he had met before. Suddenly, his heart moved, and he said in surprise, "You wouldn’t be talking about the person who injured me, right?"
"That’s right, it’s him. Although he successfully went through the second stage of evolution, he encountered a small issue during the process, so the evolution cannot be considered a hundred percent successful, only half-successful."
"Half-successful?" Ling Chen asked curiously, "What’s the difference?"
"His strength increased significantly, but he lost his self-awareness and is now like a puppet, only able to follow orders. He is considered the most powerful warrior in our clan. If he had appeared a bit earlier, you all wouldn’t have been able to leave." As she said this, Du Yunzhi’s tone was filled with strong confidence.
After pausing, she continued, "When you invaded the ancestral tomb, did you steal a corpse?"
"Yes." Ling Chen nodded, admitting candidly, "He Honggang wanted to take it back for research."
"Our guardian clan’s mission is to protect the ancestral tomb and prevent these secrets from leaking. If possible, we don’t want to stain our hands with too much blood, so I’m giving you a chance to stay alive. As long as you have He Honggang return the corpse, I’ll let you go immediately. How about it?"
Hearing this, Ling Chen couldn’t help but smile bitterly. Easier said than done, since that thing has fallen into He Honggang’s hands, it probably wouldn’t be given up easily. Besides, their relationship with He Honggang is just a temporary collaboration, not friendship. Why would he help you?
Seeing the bitterness on Ling Chen’s face, Du Yunzhi frowned slightly and asked: "Why, are you unwilling?"
"It’s not that I’m unwilling, but that I can’t do it, unless you let me out, then maybe there’s a chance."
Du Yunzhi shook her head: "That’s impossible. What if you escape? However, I can let you contact the outside world, how you do it is your own business."
"Alright," Ling Chen thought for a moment and agreed, "I’ll give it a try."
Seeing him agree, Du Yunzhi took out a phone from her body and placed it on the table, then turned to leave. At the door, she stopped and turned back to say, "I know people like you have deep schemes, but I advise you not to play any tricks, or don’t blame me for being rude."
As the stone room’s door closed, Ling Chen got up and walked to the table, picking up the phone and quickly dialing a number.
"Hello! Bro, it’s me." Hearing Ling Gengqiu’s voice on the other end, Ling Chen quickly said: "Where are you now?"
"Beijing." With that, Ling Gengqiu asked in surprise, "Did you escape?"
"How could it be so easy, they want me to figure out a way to get the corpse He Honggang stole, only then they’ll release me. Bro, where are He Honggang and the others, are they still with you?"
"They left a long time ago, we’ve been back in Beijing for almost three days."
Three days? Ling Chen was slightly startled, he had been unconscious for so long. "Bro, can you still contact He Honggang?"
"Can’t find him, after we arrived in Beijing, he just left with his people without saying anything. Besides, the number he used to give us is no longer reachable. Initially, I wanted to get some information about Qiu Nanshan from him and then find a way to rescue you. By the way! All your brothers have come to Beijing, and also Tong Zhentian and his people, everyone is very concerned about you after knowing what happened. I’m now discussing plans to head to Qiu Nanshan with them."
"Bro, there’s no need to bother coming to save me," Ling Chen said, "If you really come, not only won’t you be able to save me, but everyone might get caught up." After realizing the powerful strength of the guardian clan, he had no hope in Ling Gengqiu’s rescue plan anymore, it was purely a death mission.
Just as his words fell, a familiar voice suddenly came from the other end of the phone: "Sixth Brother, are you alright? Don’t worry, Big Brother will definitely find a way to rescue you."
"Big Brother..." Ling Chen smiled slightly, feeling a warm sensation in his heart.
"Since you’re all friends and family of Ling Chen, I might as well make it clear." At this point, a third voice came from the phone, it was Du Yunzhi.
"Within ten days, return the corpse that He Honggang stole, if you can’t do it, then prepare to collect Ling Chen’s body. Also, I’m warning you, don’t think about sneaking into Qiu Nanshan to rescue him, if I discover your whereabouts in Qiu Nanshan, I will execute him immediately. Remember! You only have ten days, cherish them."
After finishing, the call was directly cut off.
Damn! Ling Chen cursed inwardly, no wonder Du Yunzhi was so confident in giving him a phone, turns out it was bugged, and she had been eavesdropping on their conversation.
Ten days... Thinking of the deadline given by Du Yunzhi, Ling Chen silently shook his head, fearing that he might be finished.
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