Charlotte found it hard to believe she would run into acquaintances in this place.

And these acquaintances were none other than her former subordinates—the members of the "Cloud-Splitting Skies Legion"! The man leading them was Cai Ni.

While several years could change a person, Charlotte could still recognize these individuals.

Besides Cai Ni, behind him stood a host of familiar figures! "Commander, is that really you?" Cai Ni stared intently for a long time, still unable to fully believe it was true.

The first shock was the sheer improbability of such a coincidence.

More importantly, Charlotte’s appearance hadn't changed at all since years ago.

If there was any change at all, it was that she seemed even more suffused with womanly charm than before! "Cai Ni, you...

what are you all doing here?" Charlotte asked, momentarily stunned.

The moment she spoke those words, she undeniably confirmed she was indeed Charlotte—the woman who had once led the "Cloud-Splitting Skies Mercenary Group" through countless battles! "Commander, it really is you! Ah, this is too unexpected!" Cai Ni’s voice was thick with emotion.

He turned toward the stunned group behind him. "Everyone, our former Commander is back!" Hearing his cry, the others immediately snapped to attention, surrounding Charlotte and bombarding her with questions: "Commander, where have you been all these years? We’ve been searching for you for ages!" "Commander, why did you leave the 'Cloud-Splitting Skies Mercenary Group' back then? Was there some unspeakable reason?" "Commander, did you come here specifically to find us this time?" "Comman—" Charlotte was nearly overwhelmed by the barrage of questions.

This chance encounter was utterly beyond her expectations, leaving her completely unprepared! Furthermore, Charlotte had always carried a sense of debt toward the members of the "Cloud-Splitting Skies Mercenary Group," as she was the one who had abandoned them all those years ago. "Everyone—" Charlotte finally spoke again, and the surroundings instantly fell silent. "I owe you all an apology.

I abandoned you back then; I’m sorry!" As she spoke, Charlotte bowed deeply to the crowd! This had always been a deep-seated worry for her.

Speaking it aloud now brought a distinct sense of relief.

Although she felt indebted to them, she didn't regret her decision back then.

It was because she followed Zhong Shenxiu that her life had become so rich and varied, and she had truly experienced what it meant to be a woman! Everyone stared at Charlotte in astonishment, the silence stretching unbroken for a long time.

Finally, it was Cai Ni who broke the quiet. "Commander, to be honest, when we first heard you were leaving the 'Cloud-Splitting Skies Mercenary Group,' we were all quite angry.

We felt you shouldn't have made such a huge decision without consulting us.

But so many years have passed, and we have long since forgiven you.

We trust that you must have had your own compelling reasons for deciding as you did!" "That's right, Commander, we stopped blaming you long ago!" "Commander, you don't need to blame yourself; we are all very broad-minded, ha ha!" Listening to their words, Charlotte felt a prickle behind her nose. "Commander, it’s enough that you’re back.

We’ve been wishing for your return; the 'Cloud-Splitting Skies Legion' just isn't the same without you!" Cai Ni continued earnestly. "Yes, Commander, please come back; we miss you all!" "Commander, we’ve all gotten stronger over the years; we definitely won't disgrace you again!" Their words made Charlotte's body tremble slightly.

While she admitted leaving the "Cloud-Splitting Skies Mercenary Group" back then was somewhat impulsive, her heart and soul now belonged entirely to the "Misty Mercenary Group"; returning was simply impossible! "Everyone, I might have to disappoint you!" Charlotte's voice was soft, lacking conviction.

She suddenly regretted not having paired up with Cai Ni; if Cai Ni were here, he would certainly help her out of this awkward spot! The group fell silent again, all looking at Charlotte with puzzled expressions. "Everyone, I am now the Vice-Commander of the 'Misty Mercenary Group'!" As she uttered these words, Charlotte’s gaze suddenly sharpened.

Having made up her mind, there was no need to be timid or hesitant anymore! The moment Charlotte announced this, the atmosphere immediately grew strange.

Disappointment flickered across everyone’s faces, and they stood speechless for a long time.

Just then, a series of howls echoing from the distance shattered the quiet and served as a stark reminder to everyone that they couldn't afford to waste any more time. "Blast it, the effect of the 'Magic Scroll' has worn off!" Cai Ni muttered quietly, turning back to the group. "Everyone, this isn't the time for dawdling.

The Demon Wolves will be upon us soon!" Even without his reminder, they had already realized the situation; their faces changed the moment they heard the howls. "Th—" Cai Ni hesitated for a moment before abruptly changing tack. "Uh...

Charlotte, this isn't a safe place to linger.

Those Demon Wolves are catching up; we must cross the river ahead!" "Demon Wolves?" Unlike the others, when Charlotte heard the words "Demon Wolves," her eyes lit up instantly.

She was still in the middle of a competition, and she hadn't secured any rewards yet.

These Demon Wolves were undoubtedly a perfect appetizer for her! "What rank are they? How many?" Charlotte asked, her voice betraying barely concealed excitement. "Sixth-Rank Demon Wolves, the Wind Path Wolves! About a hundred of them!" Cai Ni’s voice trembled slightly as he spoke.

If it were just a few Sixth-Rank Demon Wolves, they wouldn't be much of a threat, but a hundred of them was terrifying.

Even a Ninth-Rank Magic Beast would flee from that many wolves, let alone the likes of them! If they hadn't possessed a "High-Grade Magic Scroll," they might well be feasting fodder for these wolves right now! The terror of the "Forest of No Return" was not an undeserved reputation! Upon hearing his answer, the light in Charlotte's eyes burned even brighter.

A hundred Sixth-Rank Demon Wolves—good heavens, think of the points that represented! With this single haul, she wouldn't have to worry about finishing at the bottom! "Charlotte, this isn't the time for talking; hurry up and come with us!" Cai Ni urged anxiously.

As the wolf howls grew closer, the hearts of the group pounded harder! "Don't worry, I came here specifically for them!" Charlotte smiled faintly, instantly regaining her usual confidence.

Cai Ni nearly fainted at her words, testing her cautiously in a stammering voice: "Ch-Charlotte, you...

you aren't planning on facing those Demon Wolves all by yourself, are you?" Charlotte nodded, then said something that immediately turned everyone to stone! "Rest assured, I can handle as many Demon Wolves like this as show up!" Charlotte offered the group a reassuring look.

However, that look had no effect, as everyone’s minds were currently short-circuiting; no one noticed her expression.

Good heavens, she said she could handle as many as came? Did she even hear what I just said? That was a hundred "Sixth-Rank Demon Wolves," the Wind Path Wolves! While they stood there somewhat bewildered, Charlotte seemed to recall something and suddenly turned back to say, "Oh, right, here, take these.

Don't interfere in a moment!" With that, she tossed over a dozen "High-Grade Magic Scrolls" to Cai Ni and the others! Cai Ni didn't react at first, simply catching them, but when he saw clearly what he held, he gasped sharply.

Good heavens, these were the limited-edition "High-Grade Magic Scrolls" from the "Darkness Syndicate"—and there were so many of them! It was no wonder he was shocked, as his entire group could barely afford one standard "High-Grade Magic Scroll," and they had already used that one in their initial skirmish with the wolves! To suddenly possess this many supreme magic scrolls felt like a dream! If only they knew that Charlotte’s magic ring contained over a thousand "non-marketable magic scrolls," what expression would they wear then! Compared to those, these "High-Grade Magic Scrolls" were nothing to Charlotte! "Ch-Charlotte, this...

this is..." Cai Ni's tongue was practically tied; the "High-Grade Magic Scrolls" in his hands were threatening to stop his heart! "These are for you.

Use a 'Protection Magic Scroll' first to shield yourselves; I will finish this quickly!" Perhaps due to being overly stunned, Cai Ni remained frozen stupidly, showing no inclination to move.

Charlotte had no choice.

She tossed out another scroll this time activating it directly.

She didn't want these people distracted.

Once a protective barrier enveloped Cai Ni and the rest, Charlotte ignored them.

Charlotte could now clearly sense the Demon Wolves speeding toward them; the blood in her veins was beginning to boil uncontrollably! Come on, big sister will give you a good time! A somewhat perverse expression was beginning to spread across Charlotte's face, looking as if drool was about to escape.

This, surely, was another influence from Zhong Shenxiu! ("Why do you always blame me?"—Zhong Shenxiu protests.

["Protest invalid! Gaha~" — a more lewd response from the fox.]) In just a short moment, the sound of "rumble, rumble" grew intensely close—the sound of a hundred wolf paws striking the earth, a sound imbued with pure menace! In a matter of mere breaths, a pack of wolves could be seen charging toward them like a gale, each one baring its fangs and claws, unspeakably ferocious! Those sinister eyes combined with claws and teeth as sharp as steel blades made one’s blood run cold just looking at them, let alone fighting them! The "Wind Path Wolf" is a type of magical beast that gives many mercenaries headaches because they are Wind-elemental, incredibly fast, and capable of unleashing powerful Wind Blades, making them formidable opponents.

But what truly frustrates fighters is their exceptionally strong coordinated group attack; they always surround their prey first, then execute rapid pincer movements from the flanks! However, this pack of "Wind Path Wolves" was certainly in for bad luck this time, for standing before them was a woman of incredible power...

Charlotte’s gaze grew increasingly fervent, and finally, her body moved!