The comments said I was deeply affectionate, I just added points by using an alternate account.

It's embarrassing to admit, but even now, Lord White Tiger still doesn't know what kind of person this kid is.

Just as his superpower doesn't belong to any known type in the world.

He had done a background check; Chen Guan was just an ordinary orphan, both his parents were dead, he had no sister or house, and he relied on subsidies from China to go to school.

His social relationships were extremely simple; he was always reclusive and had no relatives or friends. His black iron coffin and the origin of the person inside it were completely unknown.

Perhaps Zero and Boss know, but even if they did, they wouldn't tell him. Zero and Boss are quite mysterious even to their subordinates; they only issue orders without explaining the reasons.

Baihu's respect for his subordinates' privacy and his curiosity about Chen Guan's past are not contradictory.

Why would a student who seemed a bit green at first glance step onto the Guiyuan Group's ship without hesitation?

Moreover, it's highly unusual that the boss, who practices mysticism, already knew about it. The boss's attitude is also strange.

Here it comes, the classic pressure. Baihu is trying to figure out Aguan's stance completely.

[Coffin door! Hold on, don't let the old fox trick you into revealing anything.]

[Coffin Bro: Guess?]

"Because you, the Origin Group, are like me, people walking in the dark."

"You have grand goals, to save the world, or rather, to preserve the world in your own way."

He paused, then changed the subject: "I don't have such lofty ideals."

He didn't actually know what Baihu and his group's purpose was in gathering them; he was just taking a gamble because Baihu and his group didn't seem like the kind of people who would destroy the world.

Based on the usual pattern of shonen manga, it's either the end of the world or the salvation of the world.

It's just like how time travelers in fantasy worlds always love to blow up the sky and cause chaos.

The white tiger leaned forward slightly, as if listening attentively.

"My goal is simple." Chen Guan raised his hand and patted the black coffin behind him, making a dull sound.

"To survive, I don't care about the means or the rules."

His gaze was fixed on the white tiger without flinching.

"Whether it's the Great Wall or the Superpower Association, they have too many rules and regulations, too many things to consider. In the light, there are some things that cannot be done."

"But you are different."

"You operate in the shadows, asking no questions about background or past, only about results. This suits me well. Besides, is it too late for me to back out now?"

Baihu was taken aback by Chen Guan's words, then chuckled softly, his chest trembling.

He leaned back into the sofa, crossed his legs, and resumed his lazy demeanor.

"Quit?" He repeated, drawing out the words, "You're right, Chen Guan. Once you're on this pirate ship, it's not so easy to get off. The Guiyuan Group isn't a revolving door where you can come and go as you please."

"Whether what lies ahead is a burnt-out ruin or a thunderous despair, you must taste the end of the world with us."

His gaze fell on the stack of self-criticisms on the corner of the table.

"Besides, haven't you already made your choice through your actions?"

[I could feel the oppressive aura emanating from the White Tiger even through the screen.]

[It's over, Coffin Bro's trapped. From now on, he's destined to work for the villainous organization.]

[I disagree with the comment above. Chen Guan is a very complex character. He doesn't belong to any faction; he's only loyal to his own heart and will dedicate himself to himself.]

A good chef can cook a meal in a single sentence.

Chen Guan didn't reply, and for a moment the only sound in the office was the soft tapping of Baihu's fingers on the sofa.

We don't care about your motives.

Baihu broke the silence first: "Just like you said, we only look at the results. If you want to survive, you need power, you need resources, and you need a stage where you can unleash your potential. The Great Wall can't give you these, but the Guiyuan Group can. You've already experienced that."

He said sincerely, "We never make empty promises to our subordinates. We will give you whatever you want. I just need you to grow as quickly as possible, at least to the level of that little girl from the third platform, before you are qualified to participate in some things."

The white tiger stopped and observed Chen Guan's reaction.

The boy in black remained calm, his pale face showing no sign of emotion.

Chen Guan raised his eyes and looked at Bai Hu.

"I will try my best." His voice revealed neither joy nor dislike.

The white tiger stroked its chin and casually said, "Let me tell you my story. Before I became the white tiger, I was just a clown."

After observing Chen Guan's expression for a moment, he laughed and said, "That's right, it's the clown you're thinking of, the circus clown."

When Baihu mentioned his embarrassing past experiences, he seemed completely unconcerned, as if he were talking about someone else's story.

"At that time, I was only at level five. It was Zero and Boss who approached me and gave me a summoned beast as a gift."

"Thus began the legend of the White Tiger. With the boss's tireless help, I quickly became who I am today. There are not many humans in this world who can defeat me."

"Just kidding, non-humans are the same."

"I'm getting off-topic. What I mean is, what the boss gave me back then wasn't just a summoned beast." The white tiger's voice carried a hint of reminiscence: "It was a ticket, a ticket to step onto a bigger stage and see the true face of this world."

He leaned forward, his lazy eyes reflecting the image of Chen Guan.

"Now, I'd like to give you one too."

Before he finished speaking, he took out a palm-sized black wooden box from the inside pocket of his trench coat.

The box was entirely black, without any patterns, yet it emitted a faint fragrance.

He pushed the box to the center of the table, towards the coffin, and opened it.

"What's inside here, the Great Wall can't give you, Huaqing can't give you, and the Superpower Association can't give you either."

Chen Guan's gaze fell on the things inside, and Tongzi, ever the sensible one, offered his assistance.

[High concentration of life energy detected... Analyzing...]

【Item Name: Soul-Nourishing Wood Heart】

Rank: Red

[Effect: Contains pure life and soul energy, which can slowly repair damaged spirit and purify the polluted source of life.]

Chen Guan's fingers, gripping the hem of his clothes, tightened for a moment.

This is exactly what the main body needs most. As a bystander who has witnessed everything, the White Tiger knows all too well what he needs.

"What is the price?" Chen Guan raised his eyes and looked at Bai Hu.

"I like your directness." Baihu's smile deepened. "The price, just like you said before, is your future. We invest in you, we bet on you, and when we need you, you'll have to pay us back with interest."

He stopped smiling and his expression became serious.

"At that time, you may lose everything you have now."

The white tiger shifted its gaze slightly, looking behind Chen Guan with a hint of regret.

"Actually, you can't go back to being an ordinary person anymore. You can only choose between the person behind you and your current life."

Upon being pointed out by Baihu, Chen Guan's heart sank.

He was well aware of this.