Pillar of Yita

As if sensing Fang Hong’s gaze, the illusion turned its head to look in their direction and nodded slightly to him. Fang Hong actually understood the underlying purpose of the other party’s actions; Milaila’s demi-god artifact had limited power and couldn’t possibly allow everyone to enter the underground at once.

Therefore, those who entered naturally needed to be the strongest. Unconsciously, the members of the Blood Oath Alliance had become the old dragon’s filter, and Fang Hong believed they could not stop everyone because that would not serve Toragotos’s purpose. When the right moment came, it would naturally intervene.

The simplest method would be to directly restore the Puzzle Lock Barrier of Saint Peru Valley.

”Experience does come with age,” Fang Hong thought, simultaneously forming a plan.

Of course, he could not wait until that time; the people from Blood Oath Alliance had definitely already entered the ruins first, and perhaps members of the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team as well. Fang Hong looked around; by then, let alone the seventh level, even the eighth level’s rewards might all be gone.

However, their strength alone was definitely not enough; they were facing an entire large guild in full readiness, but they were not without allies. At least the Rain Listeners were certainly still in the valley—It was unlikely that the Blood Oath Alliance would allow them to go down.

As for leveraging the strength of other adventurers, Fang Hong knew they were unreliable. Instead of relying on them, it was better to rely on his own strength to create a breach in the Blood Oath Alliance’s blockade. At that time, the adventurers inside the valley would not need his guidance and would naturally rush forth.

With a plan in mind, Fang Hong finally spoke, ”Miss Atira, the rewards from this trial are good news for us; just getting a part of them would enable us to proceed with many of our planned activities.”

He looked at Lady Noble, ”Like fulfilling the last wishes of Hilveld’s father—” Hilveld raised her eyebrows, a flash of surprise in her eyes, but she nodded to him in thanks.

Fang Hong continued, ”Of course, it’s our own ship, and its importance to us goes without saying. So, I want to fight for it; considering the value of the rewards from the seventh level, I at least want to obtain one level’s reward.”

”We can,” Atira replied, ”But what’s your plan?”

The Elf Miss had no objections, nor did Big Cat People, and the three trainees followed his lead, as did the newly joined Xiangzi, who was always eager for action, making Fang Hong feel that his team was full of daredevils.

There was no use asking the Papalarians, whose hearts had already soared to the seventh level to reunite with their Tirio Dragon Crossbows.

Therefore, only the opinion of Tainaric remained. But this Lizardman Prince simply gave him a brief look and answered, ”As I said, in the human world, you make the plans. As long as I still breathe, my word stands.”

”Thank you, Tainaric,” Fang Hong nodded. He turned around and asked, ”I plan to find the Rain Listeners first; Xiangzi, can you contact the Lonely White Field?”

”I can, Captain,” Xiangzi nodded, ”I asked already; they are on the ruins square ahead. But without me, it seems the boss of the Lonely White Field is struggling a bit.”

Fang Hong rolled his eyes, deciding to ignore the latter half of the statement.

He added, ”There’s another issue, Atira, Miss Hilveld and her maid, as well as Big Cat People and others, I more or less understand their capabilities, but I’m somewhat unfamiliar with you, Xiangzi, and you, Tainaric—”

He paused, then added, ”Actually, considering the upcoming trials, I’d also like to ask this question. I am an Alchemist; you all know Parker’s occupation; Xiangzi, Tainaric, what are your combat roles?”

A cold glint flickered beneath Xiangzi’s black batwing mask, as if he had been waiting for this question and eagerly answered, ”As you can see, Captain, I am a ruthless killer. Whether it’s men or women, the elderly or children—uh, skip the latter, I don’t kill those who are unarmed...”

”Alright, alright—” Fang Hong hastily interrupted him, not expecting to get any useful information. Instead of listening to this teenager’s nonsensical talk, he preferred to observe for himself later.

Fang Hong then looked at Tainaric, who was much more straightforward and simply silently lifted his Double-Headed War Spear. He was a warrior, and everything was unspoken.

Fang Hong felt like crying without tears; being a captain was truly difficult. Why did other teams have twins who were beautiful and understanding like speaking flowers, while his team was full of eccentrics?

As for the only reliable person being Miss Atira, yet the Elf Miss’s greatest interest was not combat but agriculture and cooking.

As for Big Cat People, never mind—the loud wind explained everything.

He looked at Atira: ”Miss Atira, it’s up to you all to get us into the Trial Grounds.”

The Elf Miss nodded seriously.

Having decided on the plan, the group continued along the exposed slates of the ruins within the forest, encountering people engaged in melee everywhere along the way; the valley was in utter chaos at this moment.

Among these people were many from the Blood Oath Alliance, as well as ordinary adventurers, and numerous ’Hyenas’, the latter referring to those who specialized in killing and looting amidst chaos. These people had a bad reputation everywhere, but there were always those who tirelessly joined their ranks.