What. Harriman’s eyes widened. He hadn't expected anyone harboring such intentions to be in this world. He had just been about to plead with these few people to get them out of this wretched place, only to find out they had come specifically for him!

It took a good half an hour before Harriman could slightly compose himself, asking in a voice that trembled slightly, "Then, can we go back now?"

In his estimation, since these people had managed to reach this point unscathed, they must possess some secret weapon, perhaps even a map of this "ancient tomb." With them leading the way, they could definitely leave this cursed spot!

However, Kaini smiled apologetically. "I can't make that decision; we have to ask our leader!"

"And who is your leader?" Harriman pressed eagerly, glancing toward Shaluo and the others behind Kaini.

In his eyes, Kaini seemed the most likely candidate for the leader, as her demeanor and conversation suggested she was no ordinary person. But since she said that, he had to look for the next possibility!

Thus, his gaze fell upon Shaluo! He felt this woman was also remarkable, possessing an aura of unruffled composure!

"Our leader is this one!" Kaini said, nodding slightly toward Zhong Shenxiu's direction!

Gasp!

The expression on Harriman’s face instantly froze. He never expected the person he considered the least likely to be the leader. This was practically an international joke!

"Miss, you aren't joking with this old man, are you?" Harriman pursed his lips.

"No!" Kaini was uncharacteristically serious.

Yet, Harriman still couldn't accept the fact. Just as he was about to say something more, the middle-aged man from before walked over.

"Hello, my name is Frank. I used to be with the 'Iron Fang Ridge Mercenary Group,' but now only I remain of my company. I'd like to humbly ask if you could take us with you when you leave?" Frank had overheard Kaini and Harriman’s conversation and couldn't help but step forward.

"I cannot make that decision. You should speak with our leader directly later!" Kaini replied with a gentle smile.

Frank glanced down at Zhong Shenxiu, who was currently resting with his eyes closed, and wore an expression of disbelief similar to Harriman’s.

Such a young child—forget being a leader, it was hard to believe he was even a mercenary!

But now, they had no choice but to believe.

The current plight of Frank and his group was extremely dangerous. Monstrous beasts were searching ahead of them, and the passages behind were full of deadly traps, pushing them to the brink of desperation!

"Miss, you may not know this, but there are exceptionally savage demonic beasts in here. I have never seen such strange creatures. If we don't figure out a way to leave soon, they might find us quickly, and then it will be too late to escape!" Harriman couldn't help but interject at this moment.

"Is that so!" Kaini merely smiled, offering no further comment.

Harriman nearly choked on his frustration. He thought, At a time like this, how can they still be so relaxed? Do they think I’m joking?

"Miss, I am not exaggerating in the slightest. Those demonic beasts are truly savage..." Harriman’s words were cut off by a voice before he could finish.

"Old man, you are annoying. Shut up if you don't want to die!" Zhong Shenxiu’s eyes remained closed.

Harriman looked foolishly toward Zhong Shenxiu. He hadn't expected such a small boy to have such a fierce temper! Just as he was about to speak again, Kaini preempted him.

"Alright, our leader is getting angry. Please save whatever you have to say for later!"

Having no recourse, Harriman and Frank had to temporarily retreat to the side.

The "Ethereal Mercenary Group" was now their only hope of escaping this place, and neither wanted to sour relations unnecessarily!

Time passed indistinctly until several strange cries suddenly echoed, breaking the silence!

Instantly, all the mercenaries who had been resting sprang to their feet with a whoosh, their faces turning ashen. The hands gripping their swords began to tremble.

They were all too familiar with that sound—it was the cry of the demonic beasts they called "monsters"!

"It's bad, they are closing in!" Frank’s expression tightened as he quickly directed everyone to prepare for battle.

Although he was a stranger to these mercenaries before, his personal capability had earned their respect, so everyone followed his commands!

However, what left him utterly speechless was that the members of the "Ethereal Mercenary Group" were still resting there, showing no sign of the impending disaster!

"Senior Sister, what was that sound just now?" Lis asked Angelia curiously.

Angelia listened intently for a moment, then finally shook her head, "I'm not sure!"

"Vice-Captain, they look very nervous. Is some danger approaching? Should we also prepare?" Gandalf asked Kaini.

"No need to worry, Little Xiu has his ways!" Kaini replied with a smile.

While they were talking, the strange cries grew louder, accompanied by a deep, rumbling vibration, as if a large group of things was rushing toward them.

"Are you sure we don't need to prepare anything?" Gandalf looked worried.

"Rest assured!" Kaini comforted him again.

At this moment, Shaluo and the others all wore grave expressions. Judging by the sound, the number seemed substantial.

"Miss..." Harriman walked over anxiously. "Let's hurry and leave this place; it will be too late if we delay!"

"Are you very scared?" Unexpectedly, Zhong Shenxiu finally opened his eyes. The depths of his gaze seemed to flicker with excitement. If these mercenaries knew his true thoughts now, they would surely be infuriated to death!

"You are the leader of the 'Ethereal Mercenary Group,' correct? We must retreat quickly along the path you took; if we delay those..." Harriman paused midsentence, realizing Zhong Shenxiu wasn't listening at all. Instead, he stood up and started walking toward the sounds.

What was he doing?

Was he trying to greet those monsters?

Heavens, wasn't he walking right into their jaws to be an appetizer!

In that instant, all the mercenaries who were battle-ready were stunned by Zhong Shenxiu’s actions. In their minds, this was nothing more than the recklessness of a newborn calf, indistinguishable from courting death!

In the time it took, a large swarm of green light could already be seen rapidly approaching from ahead, and the strange noises became much clearer!

This green light was emitted by the demonic beasts, making the already gloomy and terrifying ancient tomb appear even more sinister!

"What is that?" Shaluo and the others widened their eyes, staring ahead. They could only see a dense black mass rushing toward them; they couldn't make out the details of their appearance!

In that moment, everyone held their breath, their hearts nearly stopping beating!

Despair was etched onto the faces of the mercenaries. They kept glancing back toward the rear passage, making a life-or-death decision: stay and fight these monsters, or charge into the trap-laden tunnel to escape?

Both choices spelled death, which was precisely why none of the mercenaries moved, instead focusing on the swords in their hands. They were already contemplating that the moment the monsters lunged, they would end their own lives immediately, determined not to suffer the agony of being dismembered!

However, an unexpected scene unfolded before these men. The little girl who had been standing aside also walked toward the monsters!

Good grief, had both children lost their minds? One sacrificing himself wasn't enough; now there was a second one joining the fray!

Ti

Luo Bin walked until she was right next to Zhong Shenxiu, her large, watery eyes fixed straight ahead.

She was different from the mercenaries; she could clearly see what these creatures looked like.

Their bodies were tall, like lions, entirely ink-black, with huge tusks curving outward, constantly dripping saliva. Rows of blade-like protrusions jutted out from their limbs and spines. Their whip-like tails thrashed as they ran, and the ball of green light emanated from these tails!

By the time everyone else could make out the appearance of the monsters, they were less than a mile from Zhong Shenxiu and Luo Bin.

In that instant, the entire hall seemed instantly enveloped in an aura of death. No one dared to move, and no one dared to utter a sound.

Just as everyone braced for a fierce battle, a bizarre scene occurred.

The monsters seemed to sense something, executing an abrupt halt. After sliding forward a few dozen meters, they stopped, observing Zhong Shenxiu and Luo Bin with their sinister, terrifying eyes filled with caution!

Everyone froze, unable to comprehend why the monsters had suddenly stopped. These beasts always lunged to tear and bite without giving anyone a moment to recover!

What was happening this time? Had they developed a conscience?

Demonic beasts are naturally more perceptive than humans, and the more powerful the beast, the higher its acuity. In that precise moment, they had clearly sensed a power so immense it made their very core tremble. They even detected an undeniable scent of danger!

And this aura of danger emanated directly from these two children before them! Although children’s flesh might be delicious, they needed to keep their lives to eat it!

Zhong Shenxiu looked approvingly at these demonic beasts. He had momentarily let slip a sliver of his aura out of excitement just now, and they had managed to detect it. It seemed these beasts already possessed some measure of intelligence!

At this moment, Zhong Shenxiu swept his greedy eyes over the demonic beasts, making them feel utterly uneasy!

The leading demonic beast, perhaps due to its experience, knew that charging forward would be walking into a trap. It raised its head and let out a long cry, essentially signaling: Brothers, be cautious! Let’s retreat quickly!

With that, the demonic beasts turned around and bolted back the way they came!

However, having been noticed by Zhong Shenxiu, could they possibly escape so easily? , for future developments, please log in to Xin, for more chapters, please support the author, support reading! [Ti: Dear reader, the current chapter has reached the last page of this book]