It was precisely people like Li Mingbo who made one feel that there was still hope and light in this world.
Therefore, Ye Ningze had a good impression of such people. Moreover, to put it bluntly, even if Ye Ningze lost the power to suppress Li Mingbo one day, Li Mingbo would never betray Ye Ningze. Thus, such a person could be Ye Ningze's subordinate.
However, the most crucial issue was how to completely subdue him. Ye Ningze was quite clear in his heart.
Guys like this inherently possessed a certain rebellious spirit. To subdue them, one either had to rely on pure martial force or completely shatter their inner will.
But achieving either of these was not easy.
Ye Ningze did not choose to deal with Li Mingbo using these two methods immediately. Instead, he curiously examined a weapon in their hands.
Obtaining weapons in secret realms was quite common. These weapons were often relics of ancient civilizations.
No one was entirely sure of their specific effects, but it was certain that they usually contained powerful offensive or defensive capabilities.
Some weapons even possessed special functions and might. Ye Ningze believed that the two groups of people before him were fighting over this uniquely shaped weapon.
As for what kind of efficacy this uniquely shaped weapon possessed, that required further exploration.
Ye Ningze believed that no one present had the time to explore the weapon's purpose.
So, he snatched the weapon before him and began to play with it absentmindedly.
In the secret realm, everything belonged to the capable. Therefore, Ye Ningze's act of plundering their weapon did not elicit any resentment from them.
After all, one had to bow their head when under someone else's roof. To put it plainly, even their lives were in Ye Ningze's hands, and they understood the master-servant dynamic.
Li Mingbo looked at Ye Ningze and said coldly,
"You've taken the weapon. Can you spare our lives now?"
Ye Ningze, however, shook his head faintly, smiled slightly, and then said,
"What, do you think that by handing the weapon over to me, you can just leave this place with impunity?"
"You must understand that this is a secret realm, not the Sun Base. Even if I kill all of you, it would be justifiable."
Indeed, if Ye Ningze truly harbored murderous intent and decided to kill them all there, no one would have any grounds to seek trouble with Ye Ningze.
This was because, in the secret realm, all events that transpired would be nullified once they returned outside.
Therefore, within the secret realm, people could freely engage in killing and plundering. It was not uncommon for everyone to be wiped out for the sake of a treasure.
However, if anyone dared to bring these matters up to attack another party outside, the Sun Base would not stand idly by.
The reason was simple: any form of combat within the secret realm was considered reasonable. If one feared encountering such situations, the best course of action was not to participate in the secret realm.
This was fundamentally an opportunity for tempering oneself. If an individual had not experienced the trials of life and death, they could not possibly become a master.
By the same logic, most of those who participated in this secret realm training did so with a resolve to die.
Otherwise, how could the desired effects be achieved? In a nutshell, this was another world.
In this world, there were no legal or moral constraints. All that existed was the most basic law of the jungle: survival of the fittest, elimination of the unfit.
Therefore, even if Ye Ningze killed them all, no one would trouble Ye Ningze. They lacked the right, and certainly not the strength.
Because if anyone dared to seek trouble with Ye Ningze over this matter, they would inevitably face reprimand from the Sun Base.
Thus, Li Mingbo knew that their fate might not be good. Li Mingbo finally proposed a condition.
That was to allow the youngest member of their team to leave this place safely.
This young man was only in his twenties and had already become a Great Martial Artist, possessing boundless potential.
Li Mingbo hoped that Ye Ningze would spare his life. This could be considered Li Mingbo's final plea.
Upon hearing Li Mingbo's final request, Ye Ningze's face was filled with mockery. He then said to Li Mingbo,
"Should I call you naive or childish? Don't you understand your current predicament? What right do you have to negotiate with me? If I want you to live, you live. If I want you to die, you die."
Ye Ningze's final words completely extinguished Li Mingbo's last hope. To be honest,
He was just trying his luck. He hadn't expected to encounter someone so ruthless.
Li Mingbo closed his eyes in despair, awaiting the arrival of death.
However, after waiting for a long time, death still did not come. So, Li Mingbo opened his eyes.
What he saw was a face full of smiles, constantly looking at him. Li Mingbo didn't know what the other party meant.
But he was utterly enraged:
"If you have the guts, give us a quick death. I'm not asking you to spare us anymore, but by mocking us like this, aren't you afraid of retribution one day?"
Ye Ningze then said to Li Mingbo with a mocking tone,
"Are you in such a hurry to die? Does life hold no value in your eyes?"
Li Mingbo was furious, thinking, isn't that stating the obvious?
If I could live, why would I humble myself before you, endure your mockery, and even have my last shred of dignity stripped away?
Ye Ningze smiled faintly and then spoke,
"Actually, I never intended to kill you. I just want to make a deal with you. I want to exchange your lives for your loyalty. Are you willing to make this deal with me?"
Li Mingbo naturally understood the meaning behind Ye Ningze's words. He was asking them to serve him in exchange for a reprieve.
Li Mingbo fell into complete silence. Li Mingbo was not afraid of death, but his teammates were present.
So, he scanned the faces of everyone present. Finally, Li Mingbo gritted his teeth and said to Ye Ningze,
"How do I know if you're telling the truth or not?"
"Do you think you have a choice? Your only choice is to believe my words."