"The teleportation array to leave here is at the bottom of the sea on the western coast of the island. There's a reef shaped like an old man. Dive near it, and you'll see the teleportation station underwater."
Wang Lian paused and continued, "I'm not from the Wang Family of Tianqiu, just an insignificant person in the family. But as long as you don't kill me, I'll reward you handsomely once we're out."
"Are you reminding me to kill you?" Chen Guan saw through Wang Lian's thoughts. Even if Wang Lian's family wasn't the Tianqiu Wang Family, it wouldn't be an ordinary family.
Wang Lian's face looked a bit grim. Coming here was her last gamble, and she came with the resolution that failure meant death. Now, everything was over. Given Chen Guan's character, if she tried to use some malicious means against him considering her family's background, it would be worse than death for her. It would be better to die quickly now.
That's why Wang Lian subtly reminded Chen Guan that letting her go alive might lead to revenge, acknowledging that she was ready for death.
If Chen Guan really killed her, it wouldn't matter unless the Wang Family found out. But as long as they did, Chen Guan wouldn't meet a good end either.
If there were witnesses, the Wang Family would definitely uncover the truth. That's why Wang Lian was so quick to reveal the location of the teleportation array to leave. She hoped more than Chen Guan that Gongsun Zhuo and Qin Ziyu would leave alive.
Unexpectedly, her plan was still seen through by Chen Guan.
Chen Guan had no time to say more to Wang Lian because the situation with Qin Ziyu was already very bad. Yan Zhi and Qin Ziyu were barely holding on, both showing varying degrees of injury. The Water Burial Buddha was slaughtering wantonly, with increasingly violent attacks.
"Chen Guan, give Qin Ziyu the Spiritual Energy Capsule. This is our only chance now," Gongsun Zhuo reminded from the side.
"The side effects of the Spiritual Energy Capsule are too severe. Qin Ziyu is already overexerted. Taking it might strain his body further, damaging his foundation and making future achievements difficult," Chen Guan pondered.
"But if we can't kill the Water Burial Buddha, none of us will survive," Gongsun Zhuo said helplessly.
Chen Guan didn't respond, just looked at Qin Ziyu in battle. Qin Ziyu's body was already scratched in several places by the Water Burial Buddha's nails, clothes stained all over with blood, looking alarming.
However, Chen Guan could see these were superficial wounds, scary but not fatal. But fighting for so long and losing so much blood, his strength was clearly waning. Being killed by the Water Burial Buddha was only a matter of time.
Yan Zhi's situation was slightly better than Qin Ziyu. With thick skin and the Secret Spirit's stamina beyond that of human cultivators, Yan Zhi's combat power was notably better than Qin Ziyu's.
Now Chen Guan had two choices: use the Spirit of the Cheerleaders on Yan Zhi or Qin Ziyu.
Previously, the Spirit of the Cheerleaders boosted Yan Zhi, raising its quality and growth rate. Later, Chen Guan tried applying the Spirit of the Cheerleaders again on top of that but found the words used to motivate it before had little effect.
Trying other motivational words also had limited success, but there was still some effect, suggesting the Spirit of the Cheerleaders still worked on Yan Zhi, and it wasn't completely unmotivatable, likely a resistance-like reaction.
The previous encouragement was too strong, and to achieve further effects, stronger words or compliments more to Yan Zhi's liking might be needed to significantly boost its power.
Unfortunately, Chen Guan couldn't come up with better words to motivate Yan Zhi.
In comparison, motivating Qin Ziyu seemed somewhat easier.
Qin Ziyu hadn't been affected by the Spirit of the Cheerleaders before, and Chen Guan understood why.
In the Warring States, motivation came easily, but for Yan Zhi it was difficult. For humans, it was the same; some get inflated with a couple of compliments, while others remain unmoved by flattery.
Yan Zhi and Qin Ziyu were clearly the latter; motivational words needed to resonate with them to activate the Spirit of the Cheerleaders.
"Even without using the Spiritual Energy Capsule, it's not impossible to kill the Water Burial Buddha. You're really underestimating Qin Ziyu. He's the strongest student in our academy, one of only two in the world to master the Purple and Cyan Qi Profound Skill." Chen Guan discreetly tried to motivate Qin Ziyu with the Spirit of the Cheerleaders.
He didn't give Qin Ziyu the Spiritual Energy Capsule mainly because he wasn't sure if Qin Ziyu was willing to take it. If he was willing, Chen Guan had no objections.
But Chen Guan understood human nature; many would rather face death than pay a personal cost to save others. He didn't know what kind of person Qin Ziyu was.
"I don't mean to underestimate Ziyu, but in this situation..." Gongsun Zhuo smiled wryly and didn't continue.
If Qin Ziyu still had the capacity, he wouldn't be in this situation.
Chen Guan kept observing Qin Ziyu, finding his words still weren't working. The compliments evidently couldn't activate the Spirit of the Cheerleaders on him; his willpower was far beyond normal.
"What kind of compliment truly touches his heart?" Chen Guan pondered hurriedly, needing a quick solution, or Qin Ziyu's fall would leave Yan Zhi defenceless.
"Give me the Spiritual Energy Capsule." Qin Ziyu, in the midst of battle, coldly spoke up.
Chen Guan was slightly startled, not expecting Qin Ziyu to ask for the Spiritual Energy Capsule actively. This was the best current option, so Chen Guan naturally wouldn't stop him.
About to find an opportunity to toss the Spiritual Energy Capsule to Qin Ziyu, he heard Wang Lian sneer from the side, "Are you sure about giving Qin Ziyu the Spiritual Energy Capsule? In his current state, taking it will trigger severe side effects, damaging his foundation, or even hindering future awakenings. He possesses the Purple and Cyan Qi Profound Skill. Do I need to tell you his status in the Qin Family? You ruin him with the capsule; will the Qin Family spare you? If I were you, I wouldn't let him use the Spiritual Energy Capsule."
Chen Guan's hand paused slightly as he prepared to throw the capsule. He understood why Wang Lian said these words—not for his good, but to make him hesitate and fear giving Qin Ziyu the capsule.
Qin Ziyu was already on the verge of collapse; the situation could change instantly. The Water Burial Buddha could kill Qin Ziyu any moment, and any hesitation might mean his sudden death, dooming everyone. Wang Lian wanted to drag them down with her.
But what Wang Lian said made sense. Even if Qin Ziyu didn't blame Chen Guan, would the Qin Family spare him?
Even if the Qin Family let him go, they would surely investigate his background first, checking if someone intentionally framed Qin Ziyu.
Though Chen Guan didn't intend to ruin Qin Ziyu, his family situation couldn't withstand scrutiny from those with ill intent. If anything were found, it'd be troublesome.
"I'll bear this myself. It has nothing to do with you." Qin Ziyu remained calm emotionally, his voice steady despite the dire situation.
"Hurry, give it to him!" Seeing Chen Guan hesitate, Gongsun Zhuo urgently urged him from the side.