Hearing the name "Steel Rhino," Ingrid’s body noticeably flinched. She knew the "Steel Armored Rhinos" were fiercely unified, and if such a massive disturbance was occurring now, how many "Steel Armored Rhinos" would there be? “Amy, calm down, explain clearly. Are they really ‘Steel Armored Rhinos’? About how many?” Ingrid shook the trembling Amy in her arms with force. “S-so many, over… over a hundred of them…” Amy’s shaking intensified.

And just then, the “rumbling” sound grew louder and louder, as if waves were crashing in from all directions!

Seemingly sensing the arrival of their kin, the restrained little “Bronze Armored Rhino” began to bellow, “Moo, moo, moo!” Soon enough, even louder “moo” sounds echoed from afar, continuous and incessant! “This is bad! This ‘Steel Armored Rhino’ is calling its companions. Stop it from making noise immediately!” Ingrid was startled, realizing the gravity of the situation. “Captain, we can’t restrain it at all. Should we kill it?” a member urgently inquired. “Absolutely not!” Ingrid’s expression shifted drastically, and she hurriedly stopped them.

They were in a perilous situation; killing this “Steel Armored Rhino” now would only further enrage the approaching herd of “Steel Armored Rhinos,” making their chances of survival even slimmer! What should they do now?

Ingrid appeared calm on the surface, but internally, she was already filled with anxiety. A direct confrontation with the "Steel Armored Rhino" horde meant they would be crushed into pulp upon the first clash! “Captain, let’s retreat from here quickly!” a team member suggested.

Ingrid remained silent. It wasn't that she didn't want to retreat; it was just that no matter how fast they ran, they couldn't outpace the frantic gallop of the "Steel Armored Rhinos." A blind retreat would only lead to needless deaths for her team members, and she didn't want any of them to die! I must be calm… I must stay calm!

Ingrid took a deep breath. Everyone’s life now rested entirely in her hands; she had to devise a plan quickly!

Her gaze inadvertently swept over Angelica and Leng Xiangxue, whose faces showed expressions of excitement. Her heart jolted—why weren’t they nervous at all?

“Senior Sister, what should we do?” Jamie suddenly darted in front of Angelica, asking somewhat fearfully. Even their captain was at a loss; what hope did she, a young mage with little worldly experience, have!

At this moment, it wasn't just Jamie; everyone’s gaze focused on Angelica. She seemed to be their last hope! Angelica wore a look of mild helplessness, thinking to herself that she had clearly told them to leave earlier, but they hadn't listened, and now they were asking her!

Despite this thought, these were still her junior schoolmates. She couldn't just stand by and do nothing, especially since their presence was starting to become a hindrance. After a brief moment of contemplation, Angelica said, “Gather together now!” Gather together? What was she planning? Did she intend to fight the “Steel Armored Rhinos” head-on? Don’t be ridiculous!

Ingrid released Amy from her embrace and was about to object to the suggestion, but Angelica spoke again, “Hurry!” There was an irrefutable authority in her tone!

While Ingrid was stunned, everyone else quickly assembled beside her. Angelica was, after all, their senior sister and one who had created miracles before; they dared not voice any dissent!

Although no one spoke, they all looked at Angelica with pitiful eyes, their expressions seeming to convey: Senior Sister, we can’t possibly fight that many ‘Steel Armored Rhinos’!

Angelica didn't speak either. It was less that she was looking at the crowd and more that she was waiting for something! The “rumbling” grew closer, sounding as if it were right beside their ears.

Time ticked by, each second feeling like an eternity. The sound of trees snapping and shattering could now be heard clearly!

So many “Steel Armored Rhinos” charging forward blindly was undoubtedly like countless heavy tanks sweeping a carpet of destruction! Under their iron hooves, not just trees, but even solid rock would be shattered into fragments! Finally, Angelica’s eyes suddenly lit up—the moment she was waiting for had arrived!

Before anyone could react to what was happening, a glowing scroll appeared out of thin air, and then every member of the “Luoxia Troop” seemed to break free from gravity and lifted into the air! Amidst their screams, they rose higher and higher!

Following this, Angelica adopted a fighting stance, and a sword emanating chilling frost appeared in Leng Xiangxue’s hand! Sisters united, their sharp force surpasses metal!

As for Ingrid and the others soaring high above, once they reached a certain altitude, they stopped rising. A massive sphere of light enveloped all of them, like an enormous balloon!

After confirming the light sphere would not rupture, everyone turned to look in the direction of the billowing smoke. Upon seeing it, all their faces changed dramatically!

“This… this is the full power of an ‘Eighth-Tier Magical Beast, the Bronze Armored Rhino’?” Ingrid’s sword-holding hand began to tremble uncontrollably.

Though she knew a hundred or more "Steel Armored Rhinos" possessed formidable power, witnessing their destructive force firsthand still left her shaken! It was terrifying; such a violent charge was seemingly invincible! “Heavens, what is the Senior Sister doing?” someone gasped out loud.

This reminder made everyone recall that Angelica and Leng Xiangxue were still below and hadn't ascended. Wouldn't that mean…?

The scene that followed was unimaginable. Everyone strained to look down, vaguely seeing the stationary figures of Angelica and Leng Xiangxue, who stood like two statues! “Senior Sister—Senior Sister—run, it’s dangerous!” someone started shouting desperately.

Due to their angle, they could only see a cross-section of the scene below, unable to make out the expressions on Angelica and Leng Xiangxue’s faces—they looked like two hungry wolves spotting ready prey! “Senior Sister—Senior Sister—” the cries continued relentlessly, and Ingrid’s heart leaped into her throat.

Time seemed to stop in that instant, yet the "Steel Armored Rhinos" did not halt their charge. They grew closer and closer to Angelica and Leng Xiangxue: one thousand meters, five hundred meters, three hundred meters, one hundred meters, fifty meters…

At this critical juncture, an astonishing scene unfolded! The two senior sisters in their view vanished into thin air! Not a single one of those many eyes saw where they went!

“What happened?” Ingrid’s body jerked as if her soul had been struck! “Ah! Look, what is that?” Jamie’s voice suddenly rang out.

Following the direction of her finger, they saw flashes of strange white light flicker amidst the rolling dust and smoke. Then, one by one, the "Steel Armored Rhinos" were flung away in bizarre postures!

They were certain they were flying, as the cumbersome bodies of the “Bronze Armored Rhinos” were lifted several meters off the ground before slamming heavily back down!

The sight before them was like a close-up shot from a thrilling movie, continuously shocking the hearts of every spectator!

The sounds from below kept coming but didn't last long. In less than a minute, silence returned to the area! Only the lingering dust proved this wasn't an illusion! “W-what happened?” someone inevitably asked a question that sounded utterly foolish.

While everyone was still dazed, they began to slowly descend back toward the ground. By the time they landed again, most of the thick dust had dissipated!

Looking at Angelica and Leng Xiangxue diligently collecting the "Steel Armored Rhinos," everyone’s minds went blank, their mouths agape, swallowing copious amounts of dust!

All around them lay "Steel Armored Rhinos" scattered haphazardly in various positions, many of them covered in thick layers of ice!

After about five minutes, Angelica and Leng Xiangxue finally finished collecting all the "Bronze Armored Rhinos" on the ground. They divided them equally—each received just over one hundred and ten beasts, a bountiful haul! “Th-that…” Seeing Angelica and Leng Xiangxue approaching, Ingrid tried to ask something but couldn't form the words.

Angelica was in a good mood. She walked up close to Ingrid and stated flatly, “You want to spar with me, is that it? Then let’s begin!” With a loud clatter, Ingrid sat down hard on the ground…

$ $ $ $ Still in the “Forest of No Return,” but this time the location was deeper inside. Several troop members were moving forward cautiously, led by a woman with a slender figure.

Judging only by the back of the woman, she stood about 1.8 meters tall. Her reddish-brown hair was coiled up. She wore absolutely no armor, only casual clothes—and they were extremely short, exposing her thighs and waist! Her skin was somewhat tanned but smooth as a black pearl, giving her a wild aura.

However, the mercenaries following behind dared not harbor any improper thoughts. Their lives were entirely in this woman’s hands; without her guidance, they might have already lost their lives!

Furthermore, there was another crucial reason: this woman’s identity was extraordinary—she was someone who had returned from the "Z-War"! Those personnel who returned from the "Z-War" alive were exceptionally powerful! “Pay attention now, do not make noise unnecessarily!” The woman suddenly turned around, her voice somewhat icy.

What was most striking was that the pupils of her eyes were unlike those of a human; they were exactly like those of a hunting falcon!

The group held their breath, showing perfect cooperation!

But just then, a voice sounded out—somewhat immature and laced with a hint of mischief:

“What happens if we do make a sound?”

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