After confirming there were no other issues in the surroundings, I climbed back up through the crack.
By this time, Number Five had largely recovered and was sitting and chatting with Number One.
Seeing me approach, Number Five quickly stood up.
"Brother Ye..." Number Five hesitated, seemingly unsure of what to say.
"If you want to come with us, that's fine, but there are some things I need to tell you..." I had no intention of making it difficult for him. "We're only here to help each other, so we are all equal, and everyone needs to work, to labor..."
"Mhm!" Number Five nodded.
"Also, I hope you're not following me for any ulterior motives. If you're looking for an opportunity to kill me, unless you can strike a fatal blow, you'll die a terrible death!" My expression was exceptionally serious.
Number One chimed in to ease the tension, "Brother Ye, Number Five, he..."
"What do you say?" I ignored Number One and turned my gaze to Number Five.
"Understood, Brother Ye!" Number Five nodded.
"Then we'll head back first. After you've recovered and gotten used to life here, I'll help you lift... the curse!" I thought for a moment and decided it was better to use their terminology.
"Thank you, Brother Ye!" Number Five nodded.
We then searched the surroundings and found an exit through the gap where we had cut down the willow tree.
However, this exit was in the opposite direction from where we had entered.
After a rough estimation of the direction, we headed straight for the city.
I then left a marker at this location.
The spring water there hadn't been completely depleted. I'd find time to bring more water bottles and refill them.
By the time we returned to the camp, it was completely dark, and many people had already gone to rest.
I told Number Five to bunk with Number One for the night and that his accommodation would be arranged tomorrow.
When I returned to my room, I was surprised to find Lin Chun, Luo Yaqin, Number Three, and Number Four all in my room, along with a stranger.
Glancing at the stranger, I immediately recognized him, "Number Two?"
Upon hearing my words, Number Two turned his head, hesitated, and then nodded, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his face. "Brother Ye..."
I didn't say much. It seemed these guys were ready to join me now.
The next day, after waking up, I took some time to remove all their curses and then focused my attention on Luo Yaqin.
"How do you feel now?"
In the room, Luo Yaqin nestled in my arms, her expression gentle. Hearing my question, she looked up, "I feel very comfortable, and my strength seems to have increased a lot..."
"That's right!" I said with a smile. Cultivating the Shepherd God Technique initially enhances physical fitness, and later one can gradually improve combat effectiveness.
For me, whether Luo Yaqin had combat power was not important. What I needed was for her to be able to protect herself, and that was enough.
"Is this state of ours really normal?" Luo Yaqin asked with some confusion.
"Of course!" I said with a smile. "And I plan to have everyone cultivate!"
"This..." Luo Yaqin looked at me. "Will it be very difficult?"
"Don't worry, it won't be!" I said with a smile. "I'll handle these matters, you don't need to worry about it!"
"Mhm!" Luo Yaqin nodded.
As I stepped out of the room, I saw Lin Chun waiting by the door, his face full of excitement.
"Let's go, we need to talk..." I said.
Lin Chun nodded eagerly.
On the way, I happened to run into Number One and asked him to get a few water bottles and go back to our previous location to collect all the spring water.
I wasn't worried about him keeping any for himself; after all, I had a good grasp of things.
"Brother Lu..." On the beach, Lin Chun said excitedly, "I can feel my strength increasing significantly now. The power in one arm is at least five hundred jin!"
"That means you're on the right track!" I said with a smile. "Continue cultivating at this pace, and can you feel the presence of Shepherd God Power now?"
"Yes!" Lin Chun nodded. "I can feel this power slowly condensing within me. Although the speed of increase is slow, it is indeed growing..."
"That's enough!" I nodded. After a moment's thought, I took out a little of the spring water. "Drink some of this and try to cultivate..."
Lin Chun took the spring water and drank it with reverence.
The moment it entered his mouth, he suddenly opened his eyes. "Brother Lu... this thing... this..."
"How is it?" I asked with a smile.
"Let me try first!" Lin Chun said, without any further ado, and sat down beside me, immediately entering a cultivation state!