Chapter 459: Who will be First?

"When people find themselves in dire straits, banding together for warmth is the usual choice," Zhou Zhang left the shack with a smile.

On the surface, she allowed the captives to meet freely, but secretly, she kept a close watch.

Zhou Zhang was a saint level expert. Her innate strength already surpassed that of Ba Qi, Jian Gui, and the others. The pirates and necromancers fighting each other provided her with an opportunity. She easily took them all down.

Thus, the prisoners split into two factions.

The necromancers led by Jian Gui, and the human pirates led by Ba Qi.

Zhou Zhang arranged it this way not because she had uncovered Jian Gui's plans, but because this was her original intention.

First, let them debate amongst themselves, spreading despair. Then divide and sow discord, isolating them completely. Only then could they be more effectively converted.

As for the outcome?

Zhou Zhang remained unfazed.

Failure was acceptable, success merely a bonus.

If conversion failed, these captives could still serve as nourishment for the deity, they were basically food.

If conversion succeeded, they would become allies.

Even if the necromancers' conversion succeeded, Zhou Zhang dared not entertain thoughts of infiltrating the undead orthodoxy's inner circle. With her strength and standing, she knew far more than the average person and understood the undead orthodoxy possessed formidable methods. Countless factions worldwide had attempted infiltration, yet success remained exceedingly rare.

Zhou Zhang harbored a quiet apprehension toward the undead orthodoxy led by You Shen.

Had Charming Blue Goddess awakened, Zhou Zhang might have had some leverage. But with the Charming Blue Goddess slumbering for years, Zhou Zhang preferred not to provoke them.

Despite her earlier bravado, she remained acutely aware of the stakes.

However, if the human pirates were to convert, it might be possible to infiltrate their ranks.

The Fire Beard Pirates and the undead orthodoxy were both legendary level superpowers. Yet they differed markedly. Compared to the undead orthodoxy's rigorous standards, the Fire Beard Pirates had a low entry threshold with minimal background checks. Anyone Fire Beard deemed acceptable, or who was recommended by his confidants, could generally join.

This recruitment policy had made the Fire Beard Pirates the largest pirate crew on the Main Plane. The combined membership of the other two legendary level pirate crews didn't even reach one-fifth of Fire Beard's numbers.

“Lord Jian Gui...” Xiao Wang Zi's voice was hoarse in the underwater shack.

Jian Gui looked at him. Though Xiao Wang Zi had become a skeleton, Jian Gui could still “see” helplessness and a desperate plea for aid in his features.

Of all the undead present, Xiao Wang Zi relied on him the most.

The primary reason was his mental state. When Xiao Wang Zi became a skeleton, he was very young. Though he was now silver level, this signified only raw power. He lacked experience, his mind still immature. Moreover, he'd developed a habit of relying on others, an undeniably massive weakness.

Second was Qi Ling. Summoned by Jian Gui and serving as his alchemy assistant for years, she'd cultivated obedience. Jian Gui's decision to grant her freedom and allow her to return to aid the Da Ji Clan was a stroke of genius.

Everything unfolded exactly as Jian Gui had anticipated. As a necromancer, Qi Ling was unwelcome among the Da Ji Clan, who even ambushed her. Jian Gui intervened to aid Qi Ling on multiple occasions, earning her profound gratitude and dissolving much of Qi Ling's feelings towards the Da Ji Clan.

Next came Ku Feng. He had outright rejected Jian Gui's summons from the start; his true pursuit lay in the blade path.

Perhaps in life, Ku Feng harbored multiple desires and tangled longings. But after undergoing the baptism of death, he was forged like scrap iron, leaving only the single-minded obsession with the blade path.

Even Jian Gui's debt of gratitude to Ku Feng paled beneath this obsession.

Obsession was crucial.

Recent research by the undead orthodoxy had revealed that the key factor influencing the summoning of ghosts, skeletons, zombies, and other undead entities was this very obsession.

For ordinary beings after death, the stronger the obsession within their soul, the higher the probability of a successful summoning.

The last one was Cang Xu. He was an outsider who had survived the battle at the Underworld River, yet their time together remained brief.

Jian Gui gifted him a silver level body, one naturally equipped with hidden mechanisms. During Cang Xu's unconsciousness, Jian Gui had also tampered with his spirit. Without these measures, Jian Gui would never have trusted him as deeply as he did now.

Compared to the other three undead, Jian Gui actually admired Cang Xu the most.

“He's a talent!”

Especially after Cang Xu's earlier blackmail attempt, which only deepened Jian Gui's admiration.

The reason was simple - Cang Xu's life and death had always been within Jian Gui's grasp.

Without this layer of control, Jian Gui would undoubtedly harbor nothing but malice toward Cang Xu, seeking to eliminate him at all costs.

Watching Zhou Zhang's departing figure, Cang Xu sighed inwardly: “Any scheme or plot pales in the face of absolute power, it will be crushed effortlessly."

This sense of helplessness was all too familiar to Cang Xu.

Throughout his years, he had endured countless similar experiences.

This was a world belonging to the strong.

The foundation of power lay in the bloodline.

Wisdom was merely an embellishment. Without the backing of strength, it could only appear hollow and feeble.

"Deceptive Disguise spell proved reliable. I'm only iron level yet disguised as silver level. Though captured by Zhou Zhang, she didn't see through it. Had she, my ‘treatment’ would likely be far harsher than this."

Cang Xu swiftly scanned his surroundings, noting he was among the calmest present.

For he still had a way out.

"Zhou Zhang's intentions aren't hard to guess. For her proselytizing, forcing us to convert is perfectly normal."

“No matter which undead she chooses, she's guaranteed to win.”

“This is a severe test of Jian Gui's leadership. It could very well shatter this little undead clique!”

Cang Xu finally fixed his gaze on Jian Gui.

The atmosphere inside the shack was heavy and stifling.

Whoever was chosen as the first would face an extremely high probability of death.

The reason was simple - time was too short!

Whether converting faith or fabricating memories, both required time.

The more time, the better.

Though all were undead beings, they weren't burdened by negative energy corrosion and retained normal cognitive abilities.

Their obsessions fueled an intense will to survive. Perhaps this was why obsession became the most critical factor in summoning success.

“Jian Gui is currently the safest.”

“If we were to choose someone, his strength, past favors, and the immense influence shaped by his experiences would prevent him from being targeted.”

"Moreover, Zhou Zhang would place the gold level individuals last. If the gold level converts, the Charming Blue Church stands to gain the most."

"Their gold level strength gives Jian Gui and Ba Qi greater leverage to be courted!"

"But precisely because of this, Jian Gui's influence will be drastically reduced..."

Cang Xu pondered deeply: “Apart from Jian Gui, the others have roughly equal chances of being chosen.”

“Because none possess irreplaceable value.”

As this thought formed, Cang Xu suddenly sensed the others' gazes subtly shifting toward him.

A realization struck him: “No, the most likely candidate to be chosen... is me!”

The reason was obvious.

Cang Xu was an outsider.

Though they'd fought together in the Underworld River, compared to the time spent with Xiao Wang Zi, Qi Ling, and Ku Feng, Cang Xu was the least familiar among them.

Outsider and insider were relative concepts.

Compared to the others, Cang Xu was undoubtedly an outsider.

“Being chosen as the first to be teleported... isn't so bad either!”

After communicating with the fishman youngster, Cang Xu already knew the Deep Sea Monster Fish was hidden within the Ocean Mother Nest.

“Meeting up with the commander early means I can start crafting the memory crystal making device sooner.”

"This might be a good opportunity. I've been struggling to find an excuse to ask Jian Gui for the intermediate inheritance." Cang Xu's mindset was positive, even tinged with a hint of anticipation.

But at that moment, Jian Gui spoke, “We're all on the same side.”

“Sacrificing any one of us is not what I want to see!”

His gaze slowly swept around the group.

Xiao Wang Zi, Qi Ling, and Ku Feng, all caught in his stare, were deeply moved.

Jian Gui had long bestowed favors upon them, frequently coming to their aid. His words carried such weight that none of them doubted his sincerity for a moment.

Jian Gui's final gaze settled on Cang Xu's face: "Compared to the others, Xu Jia spent the least time with us. But after the battle in the Underworld River, I've come to accept him. He's one of us, just like the rest."

Cang Xu flinched in surprise, then his face flooded with emotion.

Jian Gui's tone grew grim: “It's all because we were too weak, we fell into Zhou Zhang's hands!”

Resentment flared across their faces.

Yes, the true villain who had them turn against each other, the one who sowed discord was Zhou Zhang!

Jian Gui shifted his tone: “We must bury this hatred deep within us and survive at all costs. Only then might we find the chance to avenge our comrades!”

Silence fell over the group.

The situation forced their hand. No matter how furious they were, would hating Zhou Zhang change anything?

Reality was brutal. The strong set the rules, and they had no choice but to play Zhou Zhang's game.

Jian Gui took a deep breath: “Therefore, I have a proposal for this selection.”

All ears perked up immediately.

Jian Gui stated: Whoever lags furthest behind in fabricating their memories would be the first candidate sent to the teleportation blood sacrifice.

After hearing this selection method, the group exchanged glances. None voiced objection.

Forging memories was their only escape route, but the workload was immense. Only through division of labor and collective effort could they succeed.

Whoever lagged behind in forging progress was the least contributor to the group. Sacrificing them would be justified. For the others, eliminating the worst performer was far more acceptable than eliminating those who had contributed more.

“It seems Jian Gui is also an excellent leader,” Cang Xu remarked, gaining new respect for him.

Though hypocritical and secretly laying traps in others, Jian Gui had demonstrated remarkable political acumen in this crisis.

Not only had he defused Zhou Zhang's provocation and calmed the group, but he had also turned external pressure into leverage, accelerating their escape plan.