At that time, what they would face would no longer be a routine pursuit and encirclement,

but a full-scale strangulation from the entire vast, tight, and potentially ultimate-power-hiding Enforcement Officer system. Its intensity would far exceed any previous encounter.

"Lord! Benefactors!" Just then, a commotion came from outside the stone chamber.

Several representatives of the Desert Kingdom survivors, who were on guard outside the canyon and among the first /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ to be rescued, rushed in led by the elderly man. Their eyes were red, and regardless of the dust on the ground, they all knelt down.

"We heard! Those god-damned Enforcement Officer, their roots were actually here!"

The old man's tears flowed freely, his voice trembling with agitation.

"They plundered our land, drained our vitality, and forced us to bow to those cold stone statues, offering up our remaining hope and reverence... It was all to feed the demons behind them!"

He suddenly looked up, a light of determination bursting from his cloudy eyes as he looked at Bai Cheng: "Lord! You are the one who repelled the Eye of the Sand and brought us the first ray of dawn!

Please, save us, and save the other races who are still suffering! We are willing to build statues for you, worship you for generations, and dedicate all our faith and gratitude to you!

We are willing to guarantee with the lives of our entire clan that you are the savior worthy of our following and faith!"

The other survivors also kowtowed one after another, echoing with sobs, vowing to give everything to establish faith for Bai Cheng and help her gain the power to fight against the powerful enemies.

Seeing this, Yu Nian's heart softened.

She was naturally straightforward. Seeing these suffering natives pleading so sincerely, and thinking that if they could really gain the power of faith through this, they might be able to improve their strength faster to fight the enemy, she subconsciously wanted to agree.

"Wait." A slightly cool hand gently pressed down on Yu Nian's wrist.

It was Leng Ningxue.

Her ice-blue eyes swept across the excited crowd and then looked at Bai Cheng. There was no warmth in her eyes, only absolute rationality: "This is a serious matter and needs careful consideration. We should discuss it internally first."

After saying that, she brooked no argument and pulled Bai Cheng along, gesturing with her eyes to Qingniao, Zi Yuan, and Yu Nian (though Yu Nian was still a bit reluctant),

as well as Lu Duo (who nodded gently), as they walked together toward a secluded corner on the other side of the stone chamber, separated by a temporary energy barrier.

The barrier blocked out external sounds.

Leng Ningxue let go, her gaze sweeping over everyone as her cold voice rang out in the small space:

"Have you thought clearly about what it means to accept their faith?"

She paused and said word for word: "First, the equivalence of rights and responsibilities.

If we accept their worship and absorb their power of faith, it means we officially take on the responsibility of 'protectors' or even'saviors'.

Not only must we protect them from subsequent retaliation by the Enforcement Officer, but we must also be responsible for their survival and development.

We will be bound to this land and these people."

"Second, a total declaration of war.

As Bai Cheng analyzed, this is seizing the core interests of the Enforcement Officer system.

Once we start building statues and spreading faith, we will have no more room for maneuver. We will enter a state of total war to the death with the entire Enforcement Officer system—including the potential Emperor-level existences behind it.

This is no longer evading pursuit, but actively attacking the enemy's heartland."

"Third, the enemies in the shadows.

Besides the Enforcement Officer on the surface, don't forget that the leaders of the Twelve Zodiacs and their other generals are plotting in the dark.

If we build a faith stronghold here with great fanfare, we will undoubtedly become the most conspicuous target, potentially drawing a joint encirclement from both the overt and covert top-tier forces."

Leng Ningxue's gaze finally landed on Bai Cheng's face:

"The power of faith might indeed be one of the keys to breaking through to the King-rank, but the price of this path is being tied to the fates of countless living beings and facing the most terrifying enemies with no way back.

Are you, are we, really ready?"

The stone chamber fell into silence.

Only the faint sound of the survivors' sobbing could be heard from outside the energy barrier.

Bai Cheng closed her eyes, and scenes from her journey flashed through her mind: the desiccation of Chao Yin Island, the pink mist of the Emerald Sea, the deathly silence of the Desert Kingdom, the despair and pleading in the eyes of the survivors... She also saw the cold aircraft of the Enforcement Officer, the eerie statues, the merciless assassinations by the Zodiac generals, and the mad leader Atum spoke of who tried to use all things as fuel to reach the Emperor-rank.

After a long time, she opened her eyes, and her silver pupils were filled with clarity and determination.

"Ning Xue is right. This isn't just about gaining power; it's a heavy choice, a war with no turning back."

Bai Cheng's voice was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable strength.

"But, we already have no way back, don't we? From the moment we decided to pursue the truth and oppose the Abyssal Echo and the atrocities of the Enforcement Officer, conflict became inevitable.

The only difference is whether we continue to passively evade and launch sporadic counterattacks, or actively stand up, draw a battle line, and gather strength."

She looked at her companions: "If the power of faith is truly the key to reaching a higher realm as speculated, then the beings behind the Enforcement Officer will never allow others to share the spoils.

Even if we don't act, they will hunt us down to eliminate the threat. Rather than waiting to die passively, it's better to take the initiative. As for the responsibility..."

Bai Cheng looked at the kneeling figures outside the barrier, her gaze deep: "I have no intention of becoming a savior, nor can I carry the fate of all living beings.

But if our battle happens to win a slim chance of survival for these oppressed people, if they voluntarily entrust their faith to us, then... I will accept this power.

Along with the protection they hope for, I accept it all. This isn't a trade, but... walking side by side on the path of fighting a common enemy."

She paused and added: "Of course, the specific method must be careful. The statues don't necessarily need to be grand, and faith doesn't need to be forced.

We can guide them to place their faith in concepts like freedom, resistance, and hope, while we are the practitioners and guardians of these concepts.

This way, even if we leave in the future, they can maintain an independent spiritual core."

Yu Nian crossed her arms, excitement flashing in her eyes: "I've long found those pretentious statues an eyesore. If we're going to fight, let's fight big!"

Zi Yuan's fingertips brushed over her scabbard, a sharp curve hooking the corner of her mouth: "To be an enemy of the entire system? That suits Zi Yuan just fine."

Although Yu Nian was emotional at first, she calmed down after hearing the analysis, her gaze becoming firm.

"If this is the only way to protect them and protect ourselves... I support it. I will use my power to bring vitality back to this land."