CHAPTER 353: CHAPTER 353: PERSUASION, A DIFFICULT CHOICE_1

"So that’s how you finagled your way into becoming a co-monarch?" Wang Linchi was somewhat aghast. Compared to his own behind-the-scenes maneuvering, Ye Tian’s actions were entirely open and above board, becoming a co-monarch of the Black Tooth Empire with honor and dignity.

He then led an army to attack the White Claw Empire and won the battle, naturally enlisting the Revolutionary Party as his support during the process.

As for the young emperor, after Ye Tian took over Claw Cliff, he was sent to the Black Tooth Empire. He certainly wouldn’t be killed, but he would be imprisoned for life.

The Black Tooth Empire was now, in reality, controlled by Ye Tian, not the Black Tooth Emperor.

This was primarily because the military, government, and finances were all in Ye Tian’s hands. Thus, after annihilating the White Claw Empire, the entire second underground level fell under his control.

"That’s nothing compared to you. The Illusionary God Mushroom is an incredibly treacherous thing, yet you managed to deal with it," Ye Tian stated. How he knew was simple: a Zi Guang’s Avatar that had been by his side suddenly disappeared one day, and he had no idea what had happened.

After much investigation, he discovered that it wasn’t just that one Zi Guang’s Avatar; other Avatars had disappeared too.

Then, he heard about the upheaval in the White Claw Empire.

Ye Tian immediately identified Wang Linchi as the one capable of causing such a massive disturbance.

Upon further inquiry, he found it was an unsolved case. That directly confirmed it for him. With Wang Linchi’s kind of insidious methods, if he hadn’t done it, who else could have?

"I feel like you’re misunderstanding something." Wang Linchi sighed. He realized Ye Tian didn’t seem to have any intention of falling out with him, acting as if they were still good friends.

This made Wang Linchi somewhat perplexed; Ye Tian seemed far too unconcerned.

"Forget it. So, what are your plans next?" Wang Linchi didn’t intend to dwell on this. He had come to terms with it. Even with Destiny on his side, he couldn’t compare to Ye Tian. After all, his Destiny was his own, while Ye Tian also had the world’s blessing. It was quite normal that he couldn’t measure up in terms of quality.

"Reorganize the second underground level, develop the first underground level, and fight our way back to the surface within three months to counter-attack the Game System!" Ye Tian declared resolutely.

Wang Linchi pondered for a moment, then said, "That’s too difficult. You can’t win."

"The Game System’s scale is far greater than yours. Even if you join forces with the Fallen Players and the NPC resistance, you are no match for It."

The gap between them was simply too vast; there was no chance of victory.

"Whether we can win or not, we’ll only know after we fight." Ye Tian knew full well there was no chance of winning. He sighed and said, "There isn’t much time left. Otherwise, why would I be in such a hurry?"

As the Erroneous Sin continued to destroy the world, if they didn’t act soon, there would be basically no salvation.

"It’s not that there are no other options," Wang Linchi said suddenly.

Ye Tian didn’t feel any joy hearing this. Every time Wang Linchi offered an idea, especially concerning such major events, it was inevitably accompanied by a storm of blood.

"Let’s hear it. If it’s suitable, we’ll go with your method," Ye Tian didn’t refuse. Wang Linchi’s ideas might be cruel or insidious, but most of them were highly feasible.

"Turn the underground world into a part of your Erroneous Sin—everything, including the Elemental Giants and Lizardmen. At that point, your power will encompass the entire underground world, and only then can you contend with the Game System."

"You should also know that the Game System controls the surface world and has partitioned off numerous dungeons to plunder power from other Erroneous Sins."

"This is your only chance."

"Desperate times call for desperate measures!"

Wang Linchi’s words made Ye Tian frown deeply, lost in thought.

He had to admit, the method Wang Linchi proposed was indeed excellent, offering a far greater chance of success than his plan of rallying the Elemental Giants and Lizardmen for a counterattack.

The key to victory was the Game System. As long as he could cause the Game System to crash, the rest would hardly pose a threat.

"I... this..." Ye Tian hesitated. What had been a multiple-choice question had now become a single-choice one. Choosing between humanity and the world, or the Alien Races... A solution that satisfied both might exist, but not now. And a solution past its time was no different from useless.

"You can take your time to think. There’s no rush."

"But you must be quick, otherwise..." Wang Linchi’s two sentences were contradictory, yet not. Ye Tian had three months. However, if he couldn’t make up his mind within those three months, it would basically be too late.

"How confident are you?" Ye Tian asked.

"I don’t know. I’m just giving you a suggestion." Wang Linchi had no confidence at all. He only knew that the Game System was Mythology level, while Ye Tian was Legendary level.

To win, you had to be at least the same quality as your opponent; otherwise, what was the point of fighting?

Legendary level only had a 50% amplification limit, while Mythology level had 100%. That was a half-strength difference. How could they fight that?

Therefore, the best solution was to raise Ye Tian’s Error Soul Seed to Mythology level quality; only then would he have the strength to fight.

Ye Tian now occupied the underground world. If he steeled his heart, he could definitely succeed in advancing.

The downside was that the Elemental Giants and Lizardmen would have to be sacrificed.

"You’re not confident either. Then this is tricky," Ye Tian murmured.

If Wang Linchi had been confident, Ye Tian could have refused, because that would mean Wang Linchi still had a backup plan. However, Wang Linchi’s lack of confidence meant he too was powerless, and Ye Tian could only rely on himself to fight desperately.

"Think it over carefully. If you figure it out, inform me in advance so I can get out of here." Wang Linchi stood up, patted Ye Tian’s shoulder, indicating he should think it over carefully, then rose and left.

Reaching the doorway, Wang Linchi suddenly stopped, turned back, and said, "Lend me your tiger robe for a bit. I’m going to the Black Tooth Empire to gather some knowledge."

"You really are..." Ye Tian, who was deep in thought, was somewhat exasperated by this, finding Wang Linchi’s words too blatant.

As for gathering knowledge, Ye Tian didn’t mind. Knowledge isn’t something unique, after all. Wang Linchi would probably just take a look and wouldn’t be so malicious as to destroy it directly. He trusted Wang Linchi in that regard.

For instance, the Magic Enchantment Techniques of the White Claw Empire were very well preserved in the Blade Palace.

At that time, he would just need to transfer a batch of Enchanters from the Black Tooth Empire, and they could quickly rebuild and take over the Enchantment Workshops of the White Claw Empire.

Ye Tian had originally thought he had a decent chance of winning by combining the Smelting Techniques of the Black Tooth Empire with the Magic Enchantment Techniques of the White Claw Empire, and then arming the Elemental Giants with the results.

But after Wang Linchi’s words, he was now somewhat at a loss.

He was getting stronger and improving, but would the Game System remain stagnant? No, It was actually getting stronger even faster than him. If he proceeded according to the original plan, failure was inevitable. A war of attrition? He wanted one, but the world simply couldn’t hold out that long.

Does it mean I really have to abandon them? Ye Tian felt increasingly conflicted.

Between humanity and the world on one hand, and the Elemental Giants and Lizardmen on the other, he naturally leaned towards the former two. He had indeed transformed into an Erroneous Sin, but he had retained his human self and still considered himself human.

Otherwise, why would he be striving so hard?

"I think it’s indeed time to make some choices," the Fate Devil God chimed in at the opportune moment.

"You think so too?" Ye Tian’s thoughts had already begun to sway.

The Fate Devil God didn’t answer, instead letting Ye Tian make his own choice. The reason was simple: sacrificing the Elemental Giants and Lizardmen wouldn’t guarantee a 100% victory over the Game System; it would only give them a chance to win.

Wang Linchi, who had left, naturally overheard Ye Tian’s quiet words; his senses were exceptionally keen.

Fate Devil God? I didn’t expect it to have survived until now. Wang Linchi naturally knew this wasn’t Ye Tian talking to himself but conversing with someone.

Wang Linchi didn’t continue listening. There was no point, and he wasn’t in the habit of eavesdropping.

He planned to make a trip to the Black Tooth Empire and then return to check on Zi Guang’s situation.

He wasn’t worried that Ye Tian might discover the third underground level. Even if discovered, it wouldn’t matter. Wang Linchi wasn’t actually too concerned about Zi Guang. The other party had a way to escape, and so did Wang Linchi. As long as he didn’t covet the other’s benefits, he would naturally stand firm and resolute.

Halfway there, he spotted a purple mushroom in a corner by the roadside.

"An Illusionary God Mushroom? How did it grow here?!" Wang Linchi was somewhat aghast. Is Zi Guang starting an invasion?

"Of course, I’m here to find you." A faint purple light flickered on the Illusionary God Mushroom, and it continued, "Quickly come to the third underground level. I’ve made a new discovery."

After delivering its message to Wang Linchi, the Illusionary God Mushroom rapidly collapsed and began to decay.

Wang Linchi watched this scene, momentarily speechless.

"Then I’ll make a trip. Let’s see what kind of scheme Zi Guang is brewing," he finally mused.