Su Li shook his head. "I'm not trying to scare you, just giving a detailed analysis. Every day that passes could bring new changes. Of course, what I just said is only one possibility. There's another scenario: those leaders might think they've already secured control over Zifeng Tower and become complacent, unwilling to risk their lives to level up further. That possibility can't be ruled out either."
Ding Longyun was confused by Su Li's words. He scratched his hair and asked, "So, are we going today or not? Do we go now, or wait until tomorrow for them to come to us?"
Gong Xiao glanced at Xu Haishui and said, "I doubt Xu Haishui wants to wait another night. One more night means that girl Zhang Ying suffers another day."
Hearing this, Xu Haishui's eyes suddenly reddened. "Miss Gong is right. I can't bear to let Zhang Ying endure another day of torment. I wish I could fly over and save her right now."
At Xu Haishui's words, Ding Longyun declared loudly, "Good, that's the spirit! Su Li's analysis just now was spot on. We can't wait until tomorrow and let them level up again. Let's take them on today while we're all at level 5."
Now at level 5 with a solid foundation, Ding Longyun spoke with newfound confidence. As long as their levels were comparable, he had no fear. He was full of confidence for this battle.
Gong Xiao glanced at him. "Brother Ding, don't get overconfident. Think about it—we just reached level 5, but those four were already there yesterday. Another day has passed, and we don't know what level they've reached. It's likely they're still at level 5, but we should prepare for the worst and not be too optimistic. Besides, everyone has mastered the Source Arts. Who's to say they don't have even more powerful techniques?"
Ding Longyun chuckled. "Gong Xiao, don't boost their morale and deflate ours. Even if we can't handle it, we still have Su Li. My faith is in him. I reckon he can take on two level 5s alone. Even if they've reached level 6, I believe Su Li can handle it. Don't forget, when he was still level 4, he beat Chen Xiangyu, who was at level 5."
Hearing this, Gong Xiao had nothing more to say. She respected Su Li too much to argue.
Su Li spoke up. "Gong Xiao is right. Since we've decided to go now, we need to be fully prepared and not let our guard down. After all, Xu Haishui's information is from yesterday. Another day has passed, and we don't know the situation today. We can't be sure if anyone else has reached level 5. In short, we can be confident, but not careless."
"Don't worry, I'm just talking big. I know this battle can't be taken lightly." Ding Longyun nodded seriously.
"Good. Let's head back first. I'll change clothes, and then we'll set off. We can make it to Zifeng Tower before dark." Su Li looked at the sky, estimating that by the time they reached the tower three kilometers away, dusk would be falling.
The water at night was far from safe. By heading to Zifeng Tower in the dark, they were cutting off their retreat, ready for a fight to the death.
"Xu Haishui, do you have a specific plan?" Gong Xiao looked at him.
Xu Haishui said, "I have a rough idea. When we get close to Zifeng Tower, we can dive underwater and sneak in. They won't suspect anything if they see me, and the same goes for Brother Su and Brother Ding. There are over thirty people in Zifeng Tower, and not everyone knows each other. They'd just think you're strangers."
Gong Xiao let out a soft breath. "It seems Zifeng Tower has formed a faction, but it's loosely organized. That makes things easier."
Xu Haishui continued, "The only trouble is Miss Gong and Miss Xuehui. Since you're women, if they see you, it'll definitely draw attention—maybe even chaos. There are only five women in Zifeng Tower, and everyone knows that. If you show up, they'll know you're outsiders."
Gong Xiao raised an eyebrow. "How do we solve that?"
Xu Haishui replied, "I've already thought about it. I suggest we split into two groups. The three of us men will operate in the open, while you two women stay hidden. Try not to be seen, and you can support us from the shadows. Even if a conflict breaks out, they won't know how many of us there are, which could shake their confidence."
Gong Xiao's brow furrowed. "Doesn't Zifeng Tower have any lookouts?"
Xu Haishui said, "Yes, they're divided into day and night shifts, four people per shift. Each watches one direction—both for outsiders and to spot any monsters approaching. Apart from Tao Bingjun and his group, others take turns. So we can't get too close; we need to enter the water early."
Gong Xiao nodded slightly. "And then? What's the specific plan?"
Xu Haishui continued, "Zifeng Tower has 38 floors, with eight above water. The 30th floor is partially flooded, so people actually occupy floors 31 to 38."
"The top floor is Tao Bingjun's territory. He's the most mysterious. Even Chen Xiangyu and the others listen to him. We suspect he's the strongest among them and the one we need to watch out for most."
"The 37th floor is for storing supplies. All important items are there, and ordinary people aren't allowed in."
"The 36th floor is where the other bastards—Wang Zhensheng, Sun Wenbo, Li Wei, and the now-dead Chen Xiangyu—live. Again, no one else is allowed."
"The 35th floor houses relatively important people, like the deaf-mute engineer Yan Fang I mentioned earlier, and the close confidants of those bastards—their loyal followers."
"The 34th floor is for activities like cooking and eating. Below that, floors 33, 32, and 31 are where the rest of us live."
Su Li nodded thoughtfully, already forming a mental map of Zifeng Tower's layout.
Gong Xiao asked, "And the five women you mentioned? Where do they stay?"
Xu Haishui's face flushed with shame. He bit his lip slightly before answering, "They're mostly on the 36th and 38th floors. Of course, those confidants on the 35th floor, if they earn merit or flatter well, might get a taste too. Those guys are in cahoots with the bastards, even more detestable than the four beasts. If Tao Bingjun and his crew are animals, then those so-called confidants are scum and filth."