Looking at the message sent by the Hongmao from ten years later in the group chat, a proud smile involuntarily curled on Hei Xiaohu's lips.
His Demonic Sect looked down upon the world, dominating the martial arts realm.
Whether it was strength, prestige, formations, elixirs, or collections of divine weapons, they were all number one in the Central Plains!
He admitted that the Seven Swords led by Hongmao were indeed very resilient, indomitable.
If it were the former stubborn, self-willed Hei Xiaohu, and the Heixin Hu tormented by internal injuries, his mind somewhat unclear, it wasn't impossible for Hongmao to stage a desperate counterattack and overthrow the Demonic Sect.
But…
Even if destroyed, his Demonic Sect was still that invincible Demonic Sect.
How could Hongmao possibly regard other insignificant foes as opponents?
[Young Master of the Demonic Sect: Hongmao, based solely on this sentence of yours, I will do what the Group Owner suggested.]
[Master of the Changhong Sword: Method? What method?]
[Young Master of the Demonic Sect: Naturally, the method to revive your father, Baimao!]
[Master of the Changhong Sword: !!!]
Under the Fountain of Youth, Hongmao looked at the information floating in the void, his pupils instantly contracting sharply.
[Master of the Changhong Sword: Group Owner, what is the method Hei Xiaohu mentioned? Can I do it?]
In the parallel world, Hattori shook his head helplessly.
[Dark Group Owner: Unfortunately, in your timeline, that divine object has already been used by someone. Only in Hei Xiaohu's parallel dimension is it possible to obtain that divine object.]
[Dark Group Owner: That divine object is none other than the natural treasure that once resurrected Ma Sanniang, the Snow Sarira.]
'So it's that!'
The excited expression on Hongmao's face instantly sank.
Ma Sanniang was Amu Xing's mother, and the Snow Sarira had already been used to resurrect her.
Under the entire heavens, it was impossible to find a second one.
[Master of the Changhong Sword: Forget it. In my current state, I have no face to see Father either. Hei Xiaohu, if you can truly revive my father in your timeline, I, Hongmao, am willing to call you a hero. If we meet someday, I will definitely thank you properly.]
[Young Master of the Demonic Sect: Hahahaha! Truly the chivalrous Young Hero Hongmao who values loyalty and righteousness! However, I'm very curious, what major blow did you experience that actually made you think about darkening?]
Seeing Hongmao's message, Hei Xiaohu laughed heartily.
Then, the smile on his face gradually turned to curiosity as he communicated with the group chat via thought.
'What exactly did that Hongmao, who overthrew the Demonic Sect and was once invincible and high-spirited, encounter?'
'What could make him so utterly disheartened that he reached the point of being pulled in by the Group Owner?'
[Master of the Changhong Sword: The ten years after the Demonic Sect's destruction... it's a long story. We, the Seven Swords, experienced many things and encountered many evils worse than the Demonic Sect. But honestly, only this time do I feel as if heaven itself is targeting us, as if we are shrouded in misfortune everywhere.]
Hongmao looked around. The cries of the other five swords were deafening, making him irritable, yet he could do nothing.
He had lost his power, lost his companions.
Even his beloved Lantu by his side was missing.
Since leaving the mountains, even during the time he was tormented by the Blood Demon Madness Pills, Hongmao had never felt as desperate as he did now.
[Dark Group Owner: Indeed, in Hei Xiaohu's timeline, although you Seven Swords had a difficult journey, you were still blessed by destiny. Many times when you faced desperate situations, you could turn danger into safety, find hope in despair.]
[Dark Group Owner: But in your current timeline, Hongmao, it's as if you've been completely abandoned by fate. No, not just abandoned, fate even deliberately toys with you. It forces disasters that shouldn't happen upon you.]
Hattori communicated with his thoughts while sighing with emotion.
The Hongmao in 'Brave Return' had none of the aura of a protagonist left.
Clearly, his martial arts were peerless, his prestige shook the martial world.
But on Phoenix Island, no one could recognize him as the Master of the Changhong Sword.
The Changhong Sword that proved his identity was buried.
Lantu also lost her memory and couldn't contact the Jade Toad Palace in the Central Plains.
The other five swords were basically useless throughout.
After all, after turning into infants, they couldn't do anything.
Hongmao's current situation could be described as the most miserable, desperate, and powerless time in the entire Hongmao and Lantu storyline.
Therefore…
[Dark Group Owner: Since fate is unfair, then fight it to the end. Hongmao, are you willing to embark on the path of darkening and accept my gift?]
Hattori, with a serious expression, sent a message in the group chat.
[Cat Burglar: Here it comes, the Group Owner's soul-stirring speech.]
[This Queen Is So Beautiful: This queen loves watching the Group Owner persuade new group members. Everyone who chats with the Group Owner ends up wavering.]
[True Love Is Agumon: To be honest, the Boss really has our best interests at heart. Darkening doubles strength. Choosing to darken is following your inner thoughts, a necessary condition for stepping onto the path of the strong. Otherwise, bound by all sorts of worldly rules and emotions, feeling stifled yourself, how can you talk about becoming stronger?]
[Master of the Changhong Sword: …]
[Master of the Changhong Sword: Group Owner, what exactly do you mean by this 'darkening'?]
Hongmao looked at the constantly scrolling messages in the group chat and asked, puzzled.
[Dark Group Owner: Darkening has different interpretations for everyone.]
[Dark Group Owner: For you, darkening means abandoning the steadfast adherence to chivalry in your heart and acting as you please. See someone who displeases you? Kill! Encounter something that upsets you? Kill! Anyone who stands in your way, hurts you or your loved ones? Kill them all, spare no one!]
[Dark Group Owner: This is the most suitable path of darkening for you, Hongmao. Kill! Kill! Kill!]
Hattori's overwhelming killing intent seemed to pierce through the screen.
Hongmao, who had adhered to the path of chivalry since childhood, couldn't help but frown slightly, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.
[Master of the Changhong Sword: Why is the Group Owner's killing intent so heavy? I'm just a bit unlucky, encountered more bad people, but that doesn't warrant a killing spree, right? If I randomly meet one or two people on the road who show me a little disrespect, should I draw my sword and kill them?]
At this time, Hongmao had just experienced a drastic change in his life.
The events in 'Brave Return' where he suffered all kinds of humiliation, was trampled upon repeatedly, had not yet happened.
However…
As the Group Owner, Hattori naturally didn't want his group member to experience that pain again.
[Dark Group Owner: Sigh, I know it's useless to tell you this now. First, accept the gift pack. The matter of darkening can be taken slowly later.]
[Dark Group Owner has sent a Newcomer Gift Pack to 'Master of the Changhong Sword'.]
'With the gift pack as a transition, Hongmao probably won't suffer as much on his journey to find Lantu.'
[Master of the Changhong Sword: Group Owner, thank you for your kindness. But judging by the name of this place, your purpose in pulling me in was probably to make me 'darken', right? Sorry, but I, Hongmao, am stubborn by nature and currently has no plans to darken. One who receives unearned reward feels unworthy. Since I have not lived up to your expectations, Group Owner, I naturally dare not accept the gift pack you sent.]
Under the Fountain of Youth, Hongmao bowed respectfully towards the void, sincerely expressing his gratitude to Hattori.
[Dark Group Owner: …]
'Uh…'
Lying on the sofa, Hattori looked at Hongmao's earnest words, feeling stunned.
Since the Darkening Group was established, this was the first time someone had refused his gift pack.