Lu Heng checked the time, stood up, and said, "Why don’t I give it a try?"
George Gardner readily agreed, gesturing for him to proceed: "Please."
Lu Heng walked to the front of the crowd, cleared his throat, and began speaking: "I won’t introduce myself, let’s get straight to the point because our time is rather limited.
"No need for everyone to be too anxious, when I say time is tight, I mean that staying here too long might lead to an attack from Bloodline Demons.
"The reason is simple, among the hundred of us, there is a Traitor.
"This information is already clearly provided in the Challenge Task, so I won’t explain further.
"Currently, trying to find the Traitor is virtually impossible unless everyone agrees to undergo Spiritual Torture, but I’m sure few would be willing." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NoveI~Fire.net
The reason the Traitor can hide among Human Recruiters is because their identity cannot be discerned through standard detection methods.
If there is any way to distinguish them, it must be through Spiritual Torture.
However, Spiritual Torture would expose all the secrets of the person subjected to it, and could also damage the mind and brain.
So few people are willing to accept Spiritual Torture.
Moreover, no one can prove that the Caster is not the Traitor.
Several factors combine to make the plan of distinguishing the Traitor through Spiritual Torture unfeasible.
Besides, there’s simply not enough time for individual Spiritual Tortures.
Lu Heng continued, "Due to the existence of a Traitor, the Bloodline Demons already know of our presence and even our location, remaining here much longer will lead to an attack by Bloodline Demons.
"Do not doubt the ability of the Bloodline Clan, nor the Traitor’s ability to relay information, the ways to pass on information are too many."
Upon hearing this, the crowd exchanged glances and agreed on this point.
All the Perceivers present simultaneously heightened their Perception, probing further to ensure no sudden attacks.
Lu Heng surveyed the room and continued, "Next, I’ll share a few pieces of intelligence I know.
"First, Prince Mozines’ succession ritual will take place during the last few days of the Abyss Battlefield.
"Second, the Bloodline Clan is currently facing its most tense phase, besides Mozines’ faction, two other Bloodline Clan factions are against Mozines becoming the new Bloodline King.
"Because once the new king ascends, he will surely purge a group of opponents.
"Third, owing to the presence of the Traitor, the conclusion of this Abyss Battlefield is uncertain, we may not prevent the birth of a new king of the Bloodline Clan, and instead, human elite teams could face encirclement by the Bloodline Clan.
"Danger Level 9 is not merely facing a Bloodline Prince about to become a Demigod.
"There is another crucial piece of information in the Main Quest, which is escaping the pursuit of unknown forces.
"I don’t know what this unknown force is yet, but it should not be Bloodline Demons, meaning another hostile force exists besides the Bloodline Demons."
Lu Heng reached this point, picked up a marker, drew a circle on the map on the wall, and said:
"This is indeed the main city of the Bloodline Demons, the Earth Flame Pillar, also where they are most concentrated, thus, this area is very dangerous.
"Until the situation becomes clear, I don’t recommend approaching the Earth Flame Pillar.
"Of course, our final action is likely to attack the Earth Flame Pillar.
"Therefore, I hope everyone preserves their strength and joins forces for the final moment to stop Mozines’ succession ritual."
After Lu Heng finished speaking, he prepared to dismiss everyone, warning them of a potential Bloodline Demon assault.
George Gardner stood up and took over, saying, "I have a different opinion; I believe we can conduct Spiritual Torture to screen for the Traitor."
Lu Heng certainly knew that Spiritual Torture could identify the Traitor, but executing this plan was impossible.
Thus, wasting time on this issue was pointless.
George Gardner insisted, "I know you’re probably unwilling, that’s fine. Those who want to form an alliance with me must accept Spiritual Torture to confirm their innocence."
These words instantly triggered an uproar throughout the audience.
Because George Gardner’s demand had exceeded the bottom line for most Superpower Users.
Who doesn’t have secrets in their heart?
How could anyone allow others to pry?
Thus, many raised their hands to express their opposition.
George Gardner firmly stated, "To gain my protection, you must accept Spiritual Torture or prove that you are not the Traitor.
"I know some of you are certainly unwilling.
"That’s fine, those who accept Spiritual Torture will naturally be eliminated from suspicion, thus narrowing the scope of the Traitor, making it easier to find them."
Some opposed, while others agreed; whether coerced or willingly, the outcome was the same.
Especially countries stationed with White Eagle Federation troops, they were already accustomed to these unequal conditions, and no matter how excessive George Gardner’s demands were, in the end, they could only agree.
Lu Heng could not accept a Spiritual Torture from the White Eagle Superpower Users, as he had already offered the intelligence he could, he called upon his teammates to rise and bid farewell.
Following him closely were Ren Lidong and several teams hoping to ally with Lu Heng’s group.
Ren Lidong kept up with Lu Heng, continuing to converse, "Captain Lu, I can roughly guess George Gardner’s reason for forcing Spiritual Torture on others, they must be trying to obtain information related to the Reincarnation Source Material."
Actually, Lu Heng had already guessed it, and looked at him with a knowing smile.
Information about "Reincarnation Source Material" had not yet fully spread out; ordinary people were unaware, even most Superpower Users did not know.
However, those appearing here were the elite among humans, each backed by strong organizations and forces.
The Zero Civilization had investigated all Superpower Users who had been to the Zero World in search of the Reincarnation Source Material.
Superpower Users who had accessed the Zero World were not just from Da Xia, there were also Superpower Users from other nations.
Therefore, among top-tier Superpower Organizations, the matter of the Reincarnation Source Material was no longer a secret.
So it was no surprise that Ren Lidong could guess George Gardner’s aim.
Lu Heng tilted his head, looking at Ren Lidong, and asked, "Have you been to the Zero World?"
Ren Lidong shook his head and replied, "No, but someone in our Northern Wolf faction has, so we know about the Reincarnation Source Material. Captain Lu is the head of Dragon Power, surely you know about the Reincarnation Source Material."
Lu Heng nodded, "Indeed, I do know about the Reincarnation Source Material. Are you suggesting George Gardner is looking for it?"
Ren Lidong concealed nothing about the Reincarnation Source Material, hoping to gain more trust this way.
He nodded and replied, "Yes, because I know another piece of information, Bloodline Demons once entered the Zero World as Abyss Summoners and were released back by the Zero World.
"In other words, the Reincarnation Source Material could also be in the hands of the Bloodline Demons, and George Gardner probably knows this information too, so it’s not hard to guess he wants to use this Abyss Battlefield opportunity to seek the Reincarnation Source Material."
Although Lu Heng had long foreseen this reasoning, listening to his analysis still raised his Evaluation of Ren Lidong: "Indeed, the analysis is quite insightful."
Ren Lidong pondered for a moment and asked, "Captain Lu, if our team is willing to undergo your Spiritual Torture, would you allow us to join you in action?"
Lu Heng couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, aware that he was offering a token of loyalty.
Undergoing Spiritual Torture meant eliminating the possibility that they were Traitors.
However, doing so essentially created a hierarchical classification in terms of integrity and trust.
And even if they were willing to undergo Spiritual Torture, Lu Heng could not take them to meet the Supreme Female Demon.
After careful consideration, Lu Heng said, "You don’t need to go to such lengths; rest assured, I trust you, and if there’s any benefit it will surely include you, but the next thing I need to do isn’t convenient to bring so many people."
Ren Lidong was merely expressing loyalty and gaining trust, his goal achieved, he agreed, "Understood, I’ll wait for Captain Lu’s arrangements."