128: hard choice

At this point, Gerry's supporting belief system completely collapsed, and she burst into tears.

Lolonia was the same.

She had never been so scared and helpless.

If Gerry hadn't been there, she would have broken down long ago.

Hugging Gerry and Lolonia tightly, Ouro only then noticed how disheveled his wife was.

Her exquisite clothes had been torn into strips by some unknown force.

Spots of crimson stained them, creating a strange beauty.

We survived?

Our family survived?

While relieved, Ouro felt a sense of powerlessness.

He couldn't do anything against the powerful and dominant Awakened.

Perhaps, it was time for a change!

Ouro made up his mind; he would also become an Awakened!

He needed to gain the power to protect his family, at least.

Thinking of this, Ouro looked into the distance.

He had to make a choice between the city and Lin Tianwei.

Two directions represented two choices.

To be honest, Ouro had always followed news about the Awakened.

He had also heard a little about the so-called Awakening Potion.

The reason he hadn't acted yet was because he couldn't bear the terrible consequences of a failed Awakening.

Even with the assistance of the Dawn No. 1 Nutrient Solution, made from Mad Cow milk, the success rate of Awakening was only around 30%.

Without the assistance of the Dawn No. 1 Nutrient Solution?

Relying solely on one's body, the success rate of Awakening would not exceed five percent.

But this was still the best choice for those with no other options.

A five percent success rate was higher than the success rate of most high-return projects.

For a time, the entire America was in a state of alarm, with everyone on edge.

Whether or not to consume the Awakening Potion became a choice every free person urgently faced.

It even became an internal competition.

After all, judging from Ouro's experience, the Awakened had already become independent from ordinary people, existing as superior beings.

Those who were once considered trash, if they gambled on the 5% success rate, could instantly become superior.

And then step on others.

This imbalance of mentality was unacceptable to anyone.

They could only gamble, hoping to hit that 5% probability.

Or they could spend all their money to buy a bottle of Dawn No. 1 Nutrient Solution to increase their Awakening success rate.

Madness.

Loss of reason!

For a time, corpses littered America.

The police here were no longer busy maintaining order but busy collecting the rapidly decaying bodies.

Furthermore, Awakened who suddenly gained power no longer feared them and launched crazy retaliations.

A war filled with terrifying smoke of gunpowder silently began.

It was only by using heavy firepower that this riot was barely suppressed.

The entire America, in another way, achieved a significant reduction in population.

In less than a month, while a large number of Awakened were born, over thirty percent of the population was also lost.

The invisible blade is the most deadly.

Profit is the most murderous knife!

Ordinary water, when purified, could yield valuable Awakening Fluid.

Such terrifying profits were enough to make everyone choose silence when faced with this situation.

They let it be, or even fanned the flames, allowing the Awakened incident to escalate.

After a moment of hesitation, Ouro still looked towards the warehouse where Lin Tianwei was.

Since he couldn't escape, he would choose to fully integrate.

The fact that he let his wife and daughter go showed that Mr. Tiger's credibility was very reliable.

Moreover, the successful Awakening of the German Shepherd also indicated that Mr. Tiger definitely had a more reliable Awakening method than Awakening Fluid.

A method that could give people a higher Awakening success rate, a one hundred percent Awakening success!

Whether from a profit or emotional perspective, this was the most correct choice.

After comforting Gerry and Lolonia, Ouro left his villa.

He was going to make a gamble that could change his entire life.

Without hesitation, Ouro walked directly into the warehouse where Lin Tianwei was.

Unexpectedly, the scene he saw along the way was even more chaotic than he had imagined.

Traces of fear, as if carved by countless blades, covered the entire road.

Given such a terrifying situation, his wife and daughter actually survived?

Ouro's steps became even firmer.

This was the most correct choice.

This would be a broad and prosperous road.

Before long, he arrived near the warehouse.

As the center of the storm, it was even more desolate here.

It had long lost its original orderly appearance.

However, this dilapidated warehouse was an eternal nightmare in the hearts of countless people.

Those black laborers dared not even approach it.

Fearing that they might accidentally provoke the terrifying creature hidden within.

And be eaten alive.

Lin Tianwei watched Ouro, who was walking towards him step by step, with great interest.

Lin Tianwei knew why he had come to him.

But he was very curious to see what price the other party could offer.

A price sufficient to move him.

Then, upon entering the warehouse, Ouro immediately prostrated himself, kneeling down and reverently saying:

"Mr. Tiger, please grant me strength."

"In return, besides my wife and daughter, this entire farm will be your private property."

"You can kill at will and dictate their fates."

After speaking, Ouro looked at Lin Tianwei with hopeful eyes.

Hoping the other party would agree to his request.

This was the only thing he could do.

But then he heard Lin Tianwei slowly say: "What you offer holds no temptation for me."

"Even without your permission, I can still achieve that."

"You don't actually think I need your authorization before I do things, do you?"

In this mutated world, power was the greatest authority, so how could Ouro not know this?

However, he had no other option, as this was all the assets he possessed.

If even this couldn't attract Lin Tianwei, then only despair awaited him.

Perhaps he should try those extremely low-probability Awakening Fluids?

Just as Ouro made up his mind, Lin Tianwei spoke, saying:

"However, seeing as you are somewhat sensible, I am willing to give you another chance."

"Go and recruit more people here, preferably forming a village or a small town here."

"I will grant you power based on your performance."

More people?

Ouro looked at Lin Tianwei with some confusion.

Why did he need more people?

Suddenly.

He thought of a very terrifying possibility.

To be raised, and then become his reserve food?

Although this possibility was low, it was also the most likely one.

He suppressed the terror in his heart.

A powerful being could already raise humans like cattle and sheep.

Just as humans once domesticated cattle and sheep as their food.

Ouro said hesitantly: "Although I really want to help Mr. Tiger with this."

"But you really overestimate me; I completely lack this ability."

To this, Lin Tianwei said noncommittally: "You don't, but I do."

"How about the Awakening Fluid formula?"

"I believe that with this, as long as you're not an idiot, you should be able to easily accomplish what I ask within the given time."

The Awakening Fluid formula?

Ouro looked at Lin Tianwei in horror.

He never imagined that Lin Tianwei would possess such a terrifying weapon.

At the same time, possessing the Awakening Fluid formula also meant he could no longer refuse Lin Tianwei's demands.

Unless he intended to directly break ties with Lin Tianwei.

And Ouro knew, just by thinking about it, that the outcome would definitely be terrifying.

Fortunately, he had already prepared himself sufficiently before coming.

He immediately said: "Yes, if I have the Awakening Fluid formula, I can bring more people to Mr. Tiger."

"Once these people enter Mr. Tiger's territory, they will no longer be able to do as they please."

Ouro firmly believed that Lin Tianwei had the ability to control everything.

Once those people came, it would merely be like sheep entering a tiger's mouth.

After a moment of hesitation, Ouro said: "However, I'm afraid I won't be able to guard the Awakening Fluid formula."

How could such a terrifying weapon not attract the covetousness of others?

Especially since Ouro was just an ordinary farmer.

He was also an ordinary person, and looked very easy to bully.

This risk was even less than robbing a bank.

Lin Tianwei said indifferently: "With me here, you don't need to worry about such things at all."

"However, your strength is too weak; you won't be efficient enough in handling things."

"Since you've agreed, I'll just demonstrate how to make Awakening Fluid for you."

And so, under Ouro's gaze, Lin Tianwei actually began to boil water.

The terrifying crimson-gold flames, even from a distance of three or four meters, still made Ouro feel the terrifying high temperature.

Sweat.

It dripped down his forehead, drop by drop.

However, what shocked Ouro was that...

Lin Tianwei was not doing anything else with such terrifying flames, but boiling water.

Under the terrifying high temperature, a pot of water was quickly evaporated by Lin Tianwei's flames.

Only a tiny bit remained.

In the pot, it shimmered with an eerie light.

It swirled without wind, constantly flowing, as if some terrifying creature was swimming within it.

Ouro's eyes were filled with shock.

This, this, this?

The behavior of this puddle of water was identical to the Legendary Awakening Fluid.

In other words, Awakening Fluid was directly refined from water.

Boil water, evaporate water, and you could obtain a dose of Awakening Fluid.

Even if this formula were revealed, no one would believe it.

Before Ouro could ponder why Lin Tianwei knew such an outrageous formula, he heard an authoritative voice:

"Drink it!"

This was Lin Tianwei's merciless command.

Drink it directly?

Ouro's eyes were filled with terror.

If he remembered correctly, the Awakening Potion had a death rate as high as 95%.

Drinking it directly would be even more terrifying than a near-certain death for him.

However, this was Lin Tianwei's command.

Ouro's gaze became resolute, and he unhesitatingly drank the still-hot Awakening Fluid.

It must be said, the vitality of Black Fiend blood was truly high.

Even after high-temperature boiling, there was no sign of decay.

Instead, due to increased concentration and a burst of vitality, it possessed an even more terrifying Infection ability.

Hot.

Hot.

Hot!

The Awakening Fluid in his mouth, like lava, began to corrode Ouro's body.

Like a flame igniting fuel, it instantly set Ouro's body ablaze.

Even his consciousness began to burn.

This time, the Awakening Potion caused a chemical reaction in Ouro's body.

It granted him incredibly terrifying changes.

Even the air around him began to distort.

Corresponding to this was Ouro's terrible condition.

His body began to rapidly dehydrate.

He was being drained, becoming something akin to a mummy.

He couldn't even move.

However, in Ouro's eyes, besides pain, there was more determination.

He couldn't die!

He had to live!

He absolutely had to live!

But even the strongest will is useless in the face of an insoluble situation.

If Lin Tianwei didn't act soon, Ouro would only meet the fate of death.

Before me, even the Grim Reaper must yield!

Without hesitation, Lin Tianwei commanded Black and White to use the power of life.

At the same time, he turned on the faucet himself, beginning to replenish Ouro's moisture through physical means.

With the two methods combined, Ouro's body finally improved somewhat.

Like a shriveled sponge, he began to absorb external moisture, replenishing his body.

This Awakening took a full twenty minutes.

Throughout the entire process, Ouro endured endless pain.

Yet, even in this situation, Ouro didn't cry out once, which made Lin Tianwei look at him with a new appreciation.

Next, they needed to see the results of the Awakening.

Whether Ouro had become one of the lucky ones, Awakening a powerful ability of his own.

Half an hour.

An hour.

Two hours.

It was a full two hours before Ouro recovered from the Awakening.

Before he could even feel the powerful strength contained within his body, Ouro knelt down again and said to Lin Tianwei:

"Thank you, Lord, for the gift of power. I feel excellent now."

"I am confident that I can bring enough food for you, Lord."

"I will definitely ensure your growth, Lord."

Ouro was not a fool.

From Lin Tianwei's size, which was noticeably smaller than an average adult tiger, he deduced that Lin Tianwei needed a large amount of energy and food.

He immediately promised.

At the same time, he looked at Black and White with some surprise.

He never imagined that this adorable creature was also Lin Tianwei's treasure.

Although its combat power was ordinary, just by virtue of that terrifying white light, which could assist in Awakening, it was a one-in-a-million treasure.

One must know that the Ismail Institute's Dawn No. 1 nutrient solution, which they boasted was priceless, could only raise the success rate of Awakening to 30%.

With Black and White.

It was equivalent to having controllable Awakening.

Even a terrifying army of Awakened that could be mass-produced indefinitely.

Just thinking about it was terrifying.

Feeling the vibration in his control, Lin Tianwei's eyes showed a hint of surprise.

It seemed Ouro had Awakened a rather good ability.

To cause resonance in the target through sound, increasing the credibility of his words.

It was similar to a small trick of charming people.

Although the boost to combat power was very low, it was the best Talent for a diplomat.

In that case, sending Ouro to carry out the tasks he assigned would be even more assured.

Of course, such a small trick was basically useless against an existence like Lin Tianwei, who had strong Mental Power and firm will.

Thinking of this, Lin Tianwei said, "Go bring more creatures."

"Provide them with Awakening Fluid for free."

"Help them become stronger."

Only stronger targets, such as Awakened creatures, could provide Lin Tianwei with enough energy.

Not to mention the Talent fragments that could be extracted.

These were indispensable resources for Lin Tianwei's growth.

This was also why he would actively spread Awakening Fluid.

Although it had a death rate as high as 95%.

Anyway, those who died were Americans, and Lin Tianwei wouldn't have any psychological burden.

What's more, those who received Awakening Fluid for free would not consider Lin Tianwei a demon.

Calling him an angel who came to save them would be closer to the truth.

Ouro fell silent.

This seemingly friendly tiger was simply a murderous demon.

One must know that ordinary Awakening Fluid only had a 5% success rate.

Although Black and White had the ability to increase the success rate of Awakening, even reaching 100%.

But Ouro would not be naive enough to think that Lin Tianwei would choose to help these ordinary people Awaken.

In other words, he would kill 95% of his followers.

Such a terrifying death rate made Ouro feel a little unbearable.

However, when he thought of his family.

When he thought of the price he might pay for losing Lin Tianwei's protection, or for turning against him.

Ouro had no choice but to agree to the request.

He immediately said, "Lord, your command is my goal."

"Trust me, I will complete it excellently."

Ouro's pitiful humanity, under Lin Tianwei's constant manipulation, had completely lost its self.

He had become the perfect tool.

This was also why Lin Tianwei chose to come here.

A person with unbreakable bonds is the easiest to manipulate.

If not of our kind, their hearts must be different!

The same thing, done by Ouro, and done by Lin Tianwei himself, would have vastly different effects.

Even if it was just to lure more creatures over, Lin Tianwei deemed it worth investing some effort.

"Let's start with those around us."

"There are enough creatures in this farm."

This time, Ouro no longer struggled.

He readily accepted the command, saying, "Lord, please rest assured."

"Soon you will have enough high-quality food!"

Lin Tianwei nodded in satisfaction.

His efforts had finally reached the time of harvest.

Looking into the distance.

Lin Tianwei secretly thought, but before the complete harvest, perhaps he could still gain some food that came to him willingly.

—

Not far from the farm.

Leopoldo and Talov gazed into the distance.

Especially when they sensed Lin Tianwei, their hearts beat a little faster.

It was there.

There was a terrifying Tiger King.

Worth a terrifying 500 million mane.

No one could refuse such a temptation.

Thinking of this, Talov said, "How are you prepared?"

"This enemy will surely be a tough one."

"If we don't go all out, we might be the ones who die."

As if waiting for this moment, Leopoldo roared loudly, "Ready!"

"This time, we are determined to completely destroy the Tiger King and avenge Galina."

Looking at the indignant Leopoldo, Talov was very satisfied.

Leopoldo was already the tank of the team.

Plus, he had a grudge against Lin Tianwei.

He only needed to subtly provoke him with his Mental Power to achieve the desired effect.

Leopoldo would certainly fight the Tiger King to the death.

Having such a tank at the forefront was a definite advantage for his team, whether for offense or defense.

However, just as Talov was about to lead his Awakened team to attack Lin Tianwei.

He heard dense footsteps.

This meant that humans were approaching his location.

Someone else, just like him, had set their sights on the valuable Tiger King!