143: Only through cooperation can we achieve a win-win situation?

Boom—!

Lu Yuan felt a sudden explosion in his mind.

He was like them?

A survivor?

From an unknown world?

He subconsciously glanced at the system panel that only he could see.

Identity: Card Continent Citizen / Earth Human (Hidden)

The hidden Earth Human identity!

So… this was the key!

This was the real reason he could have the system, ignore card quality restrictions, and sense the rule fragment!

"Chirp! Chirp!"

Seemingly sensing Lu Yuan's intense emotional fluctuations, the Flame Sprite beside him cried out uneasily, rubbing its small head against his pant leg, trying to comfort him.

And the seven or eight Flame Sprites around them also flew over, surrounding Lu Yuan, their head flames flickering, emitting worried "woo woo" sounds.

Bedrock watched this scene, surprise flashing in his eyes.

"It seems these Little Fellows also recognize you."

"Little Friend Lu Yuan, there’s no need to panic, and no need to doubt."

"This is a good thing."

"For you, for us, the Tinder, for these Flame Spirits unwilling to be enslaved, and even for the countless worlds that have been completely crushed and devoured by the Alliance…"

"This is a glimmer… of hope."

Lu Yuan took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm his turbulent emotions.

He looked at Bedrock and said:

"So, the Tinder organization has many… survivors like me?"

Bedrock nodded, then shook his head.

"Yes, but not many."

"The universe is vast, with more than hundreds of millions of worlds? Although the Alliance's tentacles are spread across the star sea, those who can miraculously escape the catastrophe of world destruction and successfully infiltrate the Card Continent, integrating into this system, are ultimately rare."

"Every one of them has experienced countless trials and tribulations and carries deep-seated grievances."

"We, because of our common identity and goal, came together and formed the Tinder."

"The purpose, you should already know."

Lu Yuan was silent.

Break the cage, seek revenge, liberate.

"Then why are you approaching me and telling me all this?"

"Just because I'm also a survivor?"

Bedrock smiled.

"This is, of course, one of the most important reasons."

"Among peers, trust is more easily formed."

"Secondly, it's because of your potential."

He scanned Lu Yuan with undisguised admiration in his eyes.

"To possess such strength and temperament at such a young age, and more importantly, you seem to be hiding a greater secret… For example, the origin of your two gold cards is probably not as simple as you told Sun Libang, is it?"

Lu Yuan's pupils constricted slightly, but he didn't respond.

Bedrock didn't mind and continued, "We need powerful strength, and we need more like-minded partners."

"And you, Lu Yuan, are qualified to become our true core member!"

"Of course," he changed the subject, "the more direct goal is for the flame heart crown before us."

"It is difficult for you alone, or for the current strength of our Tinder here, to smoothly take this treasure under the nose of the Old Flame Spirit and amidst the possible subsequent interference from the Alliance."

"We need to cooperate."

"Cooperate?" Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow.

"How to cooperate?"

Bedrock's gaze once again fell upon the flame heart crown, heavily bound by elemental chains.

"It's very simple."

"You are responsible for using the fragment to weaken and even break these elemental chains."

"I am responsible for dealing with other potential troubles, such as… the attitude of the Old Elf, and the Alliance forces that might pursue us after we leave the secret realm."

"After it's done, we can discuss the ownership of the flame heart crown."

"At the very least, we can ensure that it does not fall into the hands of the Alliance and become their tool for continued slaughter and enslavement."

Lu Yuan looked at Bedrock, his mind quickly weighing things.

Bedrock's proposal sounded very fair.

But the Tinder organization was too deep.

He didn't even know Bedrock's specific position in the organization.

Moreover, the flame heart crown was so precious; would Tinder really be willing to share it with him?

"How can I trust you?" Lu Yuan asked directly.

"And how can you trust me not to claim the crown for myself after breaking the elemental chains?"

Bedrock chuckled at the question.

"Little Friend Lu Yuan, you still underestimate the flame heart crown too much."

"As the core origin of a world, it has already developed rudimentary sentience."

"It will choose its own master."

"Even if the elemental chains are removed, if you don't gain its recognition, you won't be able to truly control it, and you might even suffer its backlash."

"Otherwise, why would those big figures in the Alliance go to such lengths?"

"Spending a large amount of financial and material resources to create these elemental chains, pursuing the heart of rules?"

"To be honest, if you weren't here, I would indeed have means to break these chains and could forcibly gain the crown's recognition through some secret methods."

"But this would cause great harm to me and the organization, and I would absolutely not use it unless it was absolutely necessary."

"Now that I see you, and their recognition of you, this is undoubtedly a more secure plan!"

"As for trust…"

The smile on Bedrock's face faded a bit, and his expression became solemn.

"We are of the same kind, Lu Yuan."

"We have common enemies, common… family grudges."

"In this cruel world, this is the strongest bond between us."

"Besides, do you think you have any other choice now?"

Bedrock's last sentence was spoken with great determination.

"I can take you out!"

"'Out' refers to the secret realm!"

"I don't know why you appeared here, but I know that once that Old Elf comes in with the fragment, both you and I will definitely be in grave danger."

"I still have a secret method to forcibly escape this realm! What about you?"

"I also don't want to see the organization's talent perish…"

Lu Yuan fell silent.

He could guarantee he wouldn't die, but he indeed couldn't leave.

What if he was killed and the 7-day limit was exceeded when he turned into an egg?

Where would he ultimately go then?

Indeed, he seemed to have little room for choice.

Regardless of whether Bedrock's words were true or false, at least on the matter of liberating the flame heart crown, their goals were consistent.

And he truly needed to leverage the Tinder's power to learn more about this world, about the Alliance, and even… about Earth.

He didn't believe he was a survivor of Earth!

Lu Yuan finally glanced at the system.

He firmly believed… Earth was not that weak!

"Alright."

"I agree to your terms."

"Other matters can be discussed later."

"I do indeed need a way to escape this place."

Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Bedrock's eyes, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

"It's a deal!"

...