In his previous life, Chen Bugu survived not only by understanding how to seek advantages and avoid harm, and by knowing when to be sensible and back down, but also largely by relying on his barely presentable archery skills.
This was also why Chen Bugu was able to skillfully use the Lianxin Crossbow the moment he came into contact with it.
However, compared to a crossbow, Chen Bugu preferred a bow.
Although a bow requires longer practice time than a crossbow, consumes more physical strength, and even relies more on the user's own strength for penetration, a bow has one advantage that a crossbow cannot match: continuous firing!
An excellent archer can fire three arrows in a second, while a crossbow would require a much more cumbersome mechanism to achieve this, which would greatly affect an archer's flexibility.
In his previous life, Chen Bugu could easily shoot three or four arrows in a second.
It could be said that the bow was Chen Bugu's destined weapon.
Therefore, if the starfall weapon in the secret realm beneath them at this moment was a bow, Chen Bugu would find it very difficult not to be tempted.
He looked up at everyone, his tone calm but firm.
“I must go to the secret realm below. My suggestion to part ways here is not just for Liu Shifu, but for all of you.”
“I initially thought about having Lin Lin at least come with me, as her healing abilities could provide me with more chances to survive. However, I reconsidered several times along the way; perhaps I wouldn't even be able to protect myself, let alone her.”
“The things below are very important to me, but only to me. You all have family, friends, and loved ones; there’s no need to risk it with me.”
“We’ve made it this far. From now on, no matter what choice everyone makes, we will all be partners.”
After Chen Bugu finished speaking, he left time for the others, quietly walked aside to feed Amon, and also took the opportunity to recover the mental energy he had consumed earlier when intimidating Jiang Sisi.
Old Liu and the others exchanged glances, but no one spoke.
However, everyone understood that speaking or not speaking at this moment was not important; making the right choice was the key.
A few minutes later, everyone walked back to Chen Bugu, and Old Liu was the first to speak.
“I’m sorry, Chen Bugu, I need to stay here and wait for my family. If they don’t appear, I will leave through that cave and continue searching.”
Old Liu looked apologetic; he was not a saint.
He had already lost one family member, and for him, family was always the first choice.
Next was Wang Bin, who smiled somewhat awkwardly and scratched his head.
“Sorry, Bu Gu, it’s not that I’m disloyal, but I’m also very worried about my parents. I want to wait with Liu Shifu.”
Chen Bugu smiled; he could understand. If it were him, he would probably make the same choice.
“Chen Bugu, I’ve also decided to wait with Old Liu. We’re not as strong as you, so it’s good to have someone to look out for each other.”
Lin Ye was the last to speak, his voice the most natural, unlike Old Liu and Wang Bin, whose first words were apologies.
Chen Bugu nodded and looked at the others, but saw that none of them spoke.
“What about you?”
Bai Ting responded to Chen Bugu, but this answer clearly exceeded Chen Bugu’s expectations.
“With you.”
Based on his understanding of Bai Ting, Bai Ting should have been the first to choose to leave in such a situation.
“Why? This isn’t a trade. Gambling your life for my gain doesn’t sound like you.”
“Besides equivalent exchange, merchants also value investment.”
Bai Ting’s answer was still clean and concise, which surprised Chen Bugu for a moment, then he understood.
“What about you all?”
Chen Bugu then looked at Yan Kuan, Lin Lin, Lin Xiaoxiao, and Han Badou.
“You said I could provide you with more chances to survive. I have an energy shield, and I also have my sister. I don’t need your protection, so I’m going too.”
“If Lin Lin goes, I’ll go. Otherwise, I’m afraid you’ll abduct Lin Lin.”
Lin Lin and Lin Xiaoxiao expressed their stances one after another.
“When you tricked me into becoming a blacksmith, I said I felt it was interesting to follow you, and I’m an orphan, so I don’t have to worry about family.”
Yan Kuan spoke of his background for the first time; no one had known he was an orphan before.
“Chen Dage, my brain tells me I shouldn’t go with you, but sometimes I’m also a person who follows his heart, so wherever you go, I go.”
Han Badou’s attitude was actually the easiest for everyone to guess.
After listening, Chen Bugu smiled. He had thought only Han Badou would go with him, but he didn't expect so many others in the end. This made him feel a long-lost warmth, like spring.
Even if they chose to stay, Chen Bugu would truly not blame them, because making it this far was already precious.
But Chen Bugu understood that a truly dedicated battle team, belonging to him, had finally formed at this moment.
Chen Bugu bowed deeply to the people in front of him to show his gratitude.
Afterward, Chen Bugu explained the information about leaving this place to Old Liu and Lin Ye.
If they couldn't wait for their families and also couldn't wait for his group to emerge from the secret realm, they could leave through the hole in the center of the platform.
The method of leaving was simple: just jump down like Jiang Sisi and the others.
The hole led to a place called the Zero Realm, also known as the “Zero World.”
The Zero Realm was a vast continent divided into five major regions, corresponding to east, west, south, north, and central. Based on the characteristics of different regions, people generally called them “East Island, West Wilderness, South Marsh, North Land, and Central Land.” They would fall into a lake in the northwest of the Central Land.
Chen Bugu had Lin Ye summon the Submersible Goat in advance so they wouldn't be caught off guard when they fell into the lake.
The Submersible Goat was a medium-sized goat-like magical beast that Lin Ye could summon after breaking through to Black Iron Four Star. This magical beast had its four limbs transformed into fin-feet, and a one-meter-long fish tail trailed behind it, making it extremely fast in water. Although called a goat-like magical beast, its head actually resembled a salamander, with only two short goat horns stubbornly proclaiming its species.
After leaving the lake, they would find themselves in a huge V-shaped rift valley. As long as they walked towards the direction of the sunrise for half a day, they would see a small town.
In this town, they could continue to search for their families or find a place to stay and wait for them.
As he spoke, Chen Bugu took out three yun ling fruits and a large piece of starfall crystal from his ring and handed them to Lin Ye, telling them that once they reached the town, they could find a human faction called the Unyielding Hall. They could use three yun ling fruits as a self-recommendation fee to join, which would temporarily ensure their safety.
Additionally, Chen Bugu specifically emphasized that the Zero Realm was different from Earth; that world had not only humans but also other intelligent races, so he advised Lin Ye and the others to act carefully and try not to provoke them.
If things really went wrong in the town and they couldn't stay, they should run southwest of the town. About a dozen kilometers in that direction, there was a patch of abandoned buildings where they could wait.
After saying that, Chen Bugu also handed Amon to Lin Ye. Amon was only Black Iron Two Star and currently didn't have much combat power. Bringing it to the secret realm wouldn't help and could easily lead to accidents, so it was better to give it to Lin Ye and the others for now.
Old Liu, Lin Ye, and Wang Bin were all Black Iron Four Star, so if they acted carefully after descending into the Zero Realm, they should be fine for a short period.
After Chen Bugu finished his instructions, Old Liu took out the Lianxin Crossbow from behind him again.
“Chen Bugu, take it. You need this weapon more.”
Chen Bugu thought for a moment, then refused.
“Liu Shifu, let’s wait until we meet next time. You must return it to me then, exactly as it is.”
“Then you must come back! I’m still waiting to drink with you!”
“No problem, Liu Shifu, I’m also waiting for you to introduce your daughter to me.”
The two men smiled at each other, completing their blessings and farewells in their own way.
After everything was settled, Chen Bugu, Bai Ting, and the others came to the edge of the platform, looked at the surging green water below, nodded to each other, and then one by one, leaped down.
The moment he jumped, Chen Bugu heard a whistle.
He looked back and saw Old Liu standing at the edge of the platform, blowing his red whistle.
Chen Bugu remembered that Old Liu had said it was a lucky whistle, and he always blew it before setting out.
The meaning: safe return!