"Hey. Didn't you say you'd arrange seats for us? Where are they?" Zhong Shenxiu's voice cut through the quiet.

The waiter snapped back to attention. He quickly forced an apologetic smile and addressed the crowd in the hall, "Esteemed guests, has anyone finished their meal? Could I trouble you to perhaps..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Cai Ni abruptly interjected, "Here, we're finished over here."

As he spoke, he subtly signaled his group members, who immediately understood, rose, and moved aside. Although they had vacated the seats, they made no move to leave; their eyes remained fixed on Xia Luo with undisguised wonder.

If this had been in the past, they would have rushed forward to exchange pleasantries with Xia Luo, but now, her status was vastly different. They all felt hesitant, especially upon seeing the strangers surrounding her. This made them wary of acting rashly, as one thought dominated their minds: Could these people be from the 'Misty Mercenary Group'? If he could, he desperately wanted to leave a good impression on this 'Hawkeye' senior!

The smooth cooperation between the two parties surprised even the waiter, who had expected to have to argue for some time. He never imagined things would resolve so easily.

Finally, Zhong Shenxiu and his party were seated. They ordered a few simple dishes and began to eat. The 'Cloud Splitter Mercenary Group' and the 'Crossed Swords Mercenary Group' stood silently not far away, looking for all the world like personal guards for Zhong Shenxiu's group.

"Cai Ni, are you all truly finished?" Xia Luo asked with a touch of concern. After all, a significant portion of the current 'Cloud Splitter Mercenary Group' was composed of her former subordinates, and she didn't share the same reservations.

"We... we're finished," Cai Ni managed with an unnatural smile.

Xia Luo smiled back, said no more, and focused on her meal.

The clatter of bowls and chopsticks resumed. Although the surrounding diners had stopped staring at Zhong Shenxiu's group, hushed discussions began to bubble up.

"Hey, who are these newcomers? They feel important, don't they?"

"They look completely unfamiliar. Never seen them before."

"Could they just be putting on a show, trying to get our attention?"

Xilai En paid no mind to the whispers. What he truly wanted to know was why Cai Ni had been so shocked. Could it be that Cai Ni also knew 'Hawkeye' senior?

Faced with Xilai En's questioning gaze, Cai Ni merely whispered, "Don't ask anything now. We'll talk later!"

Cai Ni was currently battling the shock and excitement churning inside him. A bold, audacious idea flashed through his mind, causing his heart to nearly stop. He now had an eighty percent certainty that the people eating with Xia Luo were other members of the 'Misty Mercenary Group.' If that were true, could they leverage their connection with Xia Luo to forge an alliance with the 'Misty Mercenary Group'?

The very thought of forming an alliance with the legendary, incomparably powerful 'Misty Mercenary Group' was enough to make any mercenary tremble with irresistible, suffocating excitement!

The meal didn't last long; perhaps only fifteen minutes before Zhong Shenxiu's group stood up to pay. Cai Ni and Xilai En naturally followed behind, each lost in their own complicated thoughts.

Once they reached the street, although many people were still around, they were no longer the center of attention. Cai Ni hesitated, then seemed to gather immense resolve before walking up close to Xia Luo and quietly asking, "Xia Luo, are these your companions?"

Although his voice was soft, Xilai En heard it, and his expression visibly froze. What did he just call her? Xia Luo? Could it really be that...

Xilai En finally realized something, and horror began to dawn on his face. His entire body trembled slightly, whether from excitement or fear, no one could tell.

"These are my companions. They aren't... They are people we just met," Xia Luo replied, gesturing toward the members of the 'Falling Sunset Mercenary Group.'

Cai Ni didn't look at the 'Falling Sunset Mercenary Group.' He now had one hundred percent confirmation that Zhong Shenxiu and his group were the 'Misty Mercenary Group.' Even though he had prepared himself mentally, the confirmed answer still brought forth a wave of astonishment!

However, the truly astonishing moment was yet to come!

As they walked, Zhong Shenxiu suddenly stopped and addressed the group with a clear smile playing on his lips, "We currently have four mercenary groups here. Are you interested in forming an alliance with us?"

When Cai Ni heard this, he was completely stunned. He had just been agonizing over how to bring up the subject, and now Zhong Shenxiu had brought it up first—exactly what he had hoped for!

"I... I agree!" Cai Ni's voice trembled noticeably. He had a strange feeling, an instinct that this young man looked incredibly familiar, as if they had met before?

"I, I agree too!" Xilai En's excitement at that moment was no less than Cai Ni's. Putting aside the fact that he had already deduced the identities of Zhong Shenxiu's group, the presence of 'Hawkeye' senior alone was enough to make him agree! That was a 'Battle Personnel,' and he had personally witnessed Rachel annihilate a magic insect—undoubtedly a powerhouse among the strongest!

"We have no objections either!" Ingrid quickly chimed in. Although she didn't know the identity of the 'Misty Mercenary Group,' she had witnessed the monstrous capabilities of Angeliya and Leng Xiangxue, powers that she knew she would likely never surpass in her lifetime!

The alliance was settled almost instantly, seemingly finalized with that much ease.

"Angeliya Senior Sister, I still don't know what your mercenary group is called?" Jamie suddenly darted in front of Angeliya, asking in a tone laced with a touch of playful familiarity.

"Misty Mercenary Group," Angeliya stated without concealment.

"What did you say?" Jamie seemed to think her ears had played a trick on her and asked again, though the earlier cheerfulness had vanished from her voice.

"Misty Mercenary Group!" Angeliya repeated.

"WHAT!!!" A chorus of voices exploded simultaneously, followed by countless shocked eyes locking onto Angeliya.

Although 'Xianyang City' boasted more than ten 'Mercenary Associations,' all were currently overflowing with people. Small groups were constantly registering for the 'Mercenary Alliance Tournament,' keeping the staff in a state of utter chaos!

The arrival of Zhong Shenxiu's group went mostly unnoticed; others remained immersed in their own urgent tasks.

The people gathered here weren't just here to sign up; many were gathering intelligence or seeking potential allies for the upcoming competition.

"Hello, are you here to register for the 'Mercenary Alliance Tournament'?" a female attendant at the counter asked Zhong Shenxiu's group with a smile as they approached.

Xia Luo nodded and inquired, "What procedures are required?"

"The minimum standard for entry requires at least four mercenary groups, but no more than fifteen. How many groups do you have?"

"We have exactly four!" Xia Luo answered.

"Very well, please fill out this form and submit four hundred gold coins." As the attendant spoke, she handed over a document. The required information was simple enough: filling in the details for each mercenary group and naming the resulting alliance.

Five minutes later, Xia Luo handed the completed form and the four hundred gold coins to the attendant. "Is this everything?"

The attendant nodded, then bent her head to check the form for any omissions.

The moment her eyes swept over the fourth form, she flinched as if struck by electricity, her eyes widening multiple times! Her gaze became rigidly fixed on one line: The 'Ten Clouds Drifting Mercenary Alliance' is composed of the 'Crossed Swords Mercenary Group,' 'Cloud Splitter Mercenary Group,' 'Misty Mercenary Group,' and 'Falling Sunset Mercenary Group!'

Such a simple sentence caused an enormous shockwave in the attendant's mind.

At the 'Mercenary Association' here, leaders were gathered in the senior conference room, discussing the ongoing 'Mercenary Alliance Tournament.'

The person in charge, Baigali, was briefing them on necessary precautions: "This year's 'Mercenary Alliance Tournament' is unprecedented. Based on current registration numbers, the participating groups are already more than triple last year's count, and the number is still climbing. Facing so many teams, we must ensure proper organization; otherwise, if chaos erupts, it will be difficult to control. Therefore, I have drafted the following..."

As he spoke at length, the door to the conference room suddenly burst open with a loud bang, and a middle-aged man, panting heavily, rushed in.

"Tedisi, don't you know we're in a meeting? Why aren't you outside directing operations? What are you doing here?" Baigali asked with a stern expression.

Tedisi was merely a low-ranking team leader; he was not qualified to attend such a meeting, and he knew perfectly well that any single person in this room could have him removed from the association with a word. Yet, he had burst in because he had an urgent matter to report.

All eyes were now fixed on Tedisi, their expressions unanimously displeased.

Tedisi took a deep breath, steadying his nervous excitement, and then declared with grave intensity, "The 'Misty Mercenary Group'... has appeared!!"

"What did you say???"