Could the Iron-Blooded Clan's mothership, along with its subordinate vessels, still catch up to the remaining four individuals after pursuing the two unfortunate souls?

That answer was something everyone knew in their hearts: highly unlikely.

Because the technological gap between the two sides wasn't that vast, and they were only "a mere" 2.7 million kilometers from the Little Eagle Base. For interstellar travel across the vastness of space, 2.7 million kilometers is negligible. It's like a Porsche Cayenne will certainly outpace a Jialing 125 motorcycle in a straight race. But if you force the Cayenne to first drive several kilometers in the opposite direction, and then try to catch the Jialing 125 while limiting the pursuit distance to just ten kilometers, then clearly, the Cayenne will reach its limits. After all, the Jialing 125 isn't a horse-drawn carriage; both are products of the same era's technology.

Fang Senyan had long understood this point, so why did he propose capturing the Iron-Blooded Clan's ship back then? It was because he regarded the entire team as "his own people" when making that suggestion.

What was the difference between Fang Senyan's proposal and the plan for the "Excavating Wasp Probes to return separately"?

The biggest difference was that Fang Senyan’s proposal, built on pooling everyone’s strength, was the only potential way for everyone to return safely. However, the drawback of this proposal was that it carried the risk of total annihilation for the entire team.

The latter proposal, on the other hand, was steeped in the spirit of "when disaster strikes, everyone flees for themselves." Two unlucky fellows were certain to die, but the rest of the group stood a high chance of escape.

Once their desires were satisfied, without question, everyone's mindset shifted. The nascent Steel Toughness team instantly fractured, dissolving into scattered dust. History is filled with such examples; otherwise, no one would have lamented and recorded in the annals of history that "it is easy to share poverty but difficult to share prosperity."

Although Fang Senyan excelled at planning and strategy, he could never fully penetrate the most complex thing in this world: the human heart. Fang Senyan didn't even make a final effort because he had already found their ultimate answer in their eyes.

So, Fang Senyan didn't attempt any useless maneuvers. He stated plainly, "Then let's return to Mushroom Rock."

As Fang Senyan spoke, his consciousness naturally sank into the special Wasp aircraft within the team’s shared space. A cold smirk touched the corner of his lips as a thought flashed through his mind: Gathered together, I am the leader, the core. If we fight separately, do you think I can’t survive?

Evidently, Paul, who specialized in metal control, was somewhat taken aback by Fang Senyan’s swift concession. He couldn't help but ask, "Sailor, didn't you suggest capturing the Iron-Blooded Clan's ship?"

Fang Senyan smiled. "Doing that alone is tantamount to suicide."

But at that moment, Aldaris quietly interjected, "How about two people?"

Just as Fang Senyan was about to reply, Ronnie abruptly stated, "Three people."

Fang Senyan shrugged. "Whether we capture the ship or return directly, many risks are almost identical. If we choose the Wasp Probes, two people are guaranteed to be caught, meaning a 33% mortality rate for each person. If three people attempt to seize the ship, the death rate exceeds 80%. So, stop hesitating. Let's depart."

What followed required no further elaboration. Following the markings and route indicated by Android No. 1, the group accurately reached the migration path used by the Spotted Cattle, Great-Hoofed Sheep, and Horned Horses.

These massive creatures, usually quite docile unless provoked, did not mind the occasional riders, especially when those passengers helped clear the bothersome biting insects. The horseflies, ticks, and other parasites here had mutated to be particularly aggressive, causing significant distress to the giants.

Thus, when the herd stopped to drink, the few Spotted Cattle being ridden felt no sense of being taken advantage of; instead, they eyed their peers warily, fearful that they might steal the "prey" resting upon their backs.

The Spotted Cattle charged across the plains swiftly. Despite the overcast sky, less than five hours later, Fang Senyan and the others spotted the sharply rising silhouette of the plateau—cliffs so jagged and steep they would pose an extreme challenge even to professional mountaineers. But for this team, thanks to Bokhan, it was merely a matter of a flick of his fingers, and a climbable path shot straight upward.

In less than ten minutes, the familiar scenery of the Mushroom Rock plain reappeared before them. Recalling the confusion and panic they felt upon first arriving just a few days prior gave everyone a sense of unreality, as if an age had passed. Fang Senyan, however, remained serious. "If I'm not mistaken, this area has already become the territory of another type of formidable creature. We must be extra cautious now. The previous zones were either marked as dangerous by the ship or were situated along migration routes teeming with thousands of Spotted Cattle. Even though our scent is masked, let’s proceed quietly."

The others readily accepted Fang Senyan's words and nodded in agreement.

However, just then, an indescribable sensation washed over their bodies again. Immediately following, they all groaned and clutched their arms. Blood was visibly and bizarrely seeping from their skin. Then, the mark—the mark that served as their talisman, or more accurately, the sign identifying them as prey to the Iron-Blooded Clan—began to melt away!!

"We've been found." Compared to the panic of the others, Fang Senyan was the first to recover. He took a deep breath and stated gravely, "Prepare for battle. The closest place we stashed the aircraft is still over ten kilometers away; we won't make it airborne in time. I believe the Iron-Blooded Clan, who have been searching for us for a long time, are already impatient and eager to see us!"

Fang Senyan’s logic was undeniably sound, yet he noticed Paul sneer dismissively. This expression seemed to have just bubbled up from his mind, or perhaps had been suppressed for a long time, finally erupting.

But precisely because Fang Senyan’s words held truth, the already fractured team made a final assembly. Fang Senyan stood at the forefront as usual. However, after coldly glancing at the damaged Iron Golem beside him, he suddenly turned to Paul and asked, "Do you want to die?" Fang Senyan uttered these words calmly, yet everyone sensed an extremely terrifying aura emanating from his body. Daldanian, in particular, found his hands trembling involuntarily.

Paul’s facial muscles twitched, but his eyes held a wolfish defiance: "What do you mean?"

Fang Senyan stepped forward. "Do I need to spell it out for you? Are you holding this scrap in front, hoping we all die together? Fine, I’ll grant your wish first?"

Paul sneered, "But I don't have any other puppet golems. Do you know how much these things cost?"

Fang Senyan pointed at him and said slowly, "And do you know how much I spent being the MT, the main damage dealer, the auxiliary support, and the summoner?"

Paul was instantly silenced, but a vicious glint appeared in his eyes. Just then, however, he noticed Aldaris shifting toward his left, while Ronnie had completely vanished from his field of vision.

His allies, Bokhan and Daldanian, also appeared distinctly displeased. Paul’s facial muscles twitched again. Taking a deep breath, he began chanting a spell to summon a new Iron Golem. This was Fang Senyan’s dominance; whenever he wished, he could force anyone to bow before him!

Less than two minutes after Paul completed his summoning chant, a flash of light suddenly appeared in the distant sky. Immediately following, a truly indescribable vessel flew toward them at high speed, appearing as if it were smashing through the firmament to arrive.

The ship resembled a beetle with a very large abdomen, albeit equipped with tail fins, thrusters, and other auxiliary components. Upon spotting Fang Senyan and the others, the ship approached rapidly with a movement that seemed slow but was actually fast, and then, with startling audacity, it dove straight towards them!

The ground parted before the Iron-Blooded Clan's vessel like the surging waves of the ocean. The ship hurtled straight at Fang Senyan and the others with an air of arrogance and cold indifference, only stopping when it was ten meters away.

Next, white gas jetted from a hatch on the side, which then slowly opened. A line of Iron-Blooded warriors filed out. Fang Senyan noticed that their masks were slightly larger and bore marks corroded by Xenomorph acid blood. They wore weapons resembling plasma casters on their belts—standard equipment for Iron-Blooded elite soldiers. Finally, an Iron-Blooded warrior draped in a gray cloak descended the ramp.

Grayback Belon!

His patience was nearly exhausted; he had come personally to witness their demise, as that would signify his respect for these individuals.

Or rather, he respected not the people themselves, but the intelligence and strength they displayed during their escape!

"Your performance has surprised us," Grayback Belon's voice came through the translator to everyone present. "Therefore, before your deaths, you have earned the right to leave your names behind. Your skulls will be collected by our warriors as trophies, and your names will be engraved on a plaque below, becoming a part of our honor."