With the shocked expressions of his father and Danjiashuo before him, Wennar hardly knew what to do!

At this moment, Skoria had risen from his seat, gripping Wennar’s shoulders, suppressing the shock surging within him as he asked again, "You—what did you just say? Repeat it!"

"Father, Zakov and I were just strolling through the streets of 'Xianyang City,' and then, just now, we accidentally spotted that 'Ethereal Mercenary Group'!" Wennar repeated, his voice betraying his own intense excitement.

"Wennar, how do you know the 'Ethereal Mercenary Group'?" Danjiashuo asked, raising his own question.

"Uncle Danjiashuo, you are unaware. Several months ago, Zakov and I, along with a few others, were on a mission, and we happened to travel alongside the 'Ethereal Mercenary Group.' They weren't famous back then, but..." Wennar paused mid-sentence, his mind flashing back to the peculiar incidents they had experienced with Zhong Shenxiu and his companions during that journey.

"But what?" Danjiashuo pressed, his curiosity fully piqued.

"Although they weren't famous then, the strength they displayed was terrifying. Within the 'Ethereal Mercenary Group,' every single member was monstrously powerful. Even the youngest little girl could instantly cast several high-level spells!" Wennar said, his voice trembling slightly.

He recalled the power Niu Niu had displayed that day, which, for someone with his strong self-esteem, had been a significant blow!

"Monstrously powerful?" Danjiashuo looked at Wennar with a strange expression, paused for a moment, and then asked again, "Wennar, did you actually witness the 'Ethereal Mercenary Group' in action?"

He couldn't help but be curious. Although the 'Ethereal Mercenary Group' was now rumored to be almost mythical, very few people had actually seen them fight. The outside descriptions were mere hearsay, inevitably deviating from the truth. Seeing Wennar’s current state, as if he had experienced it firsthand, naturally made him wonder!

Wennar first took a deep breath, then stated gravely, "We were escorting a merchant caravan to 'Jinsou City,' and things went from bad to worse along the way. First, we encountered a formidable band of thieves, and then terrifying Demon Worms. If it hadn't been for the 'Ethereal Mercenary Group,' we certainly wouldn't have survived!"

Subsequently, Wennar briefly recounted what had happened, yet even his summary left Danjiashuo heart-pounded!

To scare away those powerful thieves with just one move—no detailed description was needed; the sheer imagination of it revealed how profoundly shocking that move must have been!

But what was even more outrageous was the instantaneous annihilation of the Demon Worms. Thousands of them wiped out in an instant—what kind of strength could accomplish that?

Why were they so terrifyingly abnormal? Why were they even more bizarre than the rumors suggested?

The atmosphere in the tent instantly grew heavy, as if they could hear each other’s heartbeats.

"Wennar, if everything you've said is true, then these people in the 'Ethereal Mercenary Group' can no longer be called human. They have surpassed human limits, reaching heights we can barely imagine!" Danjiashuo gasped.

For a moment, the three fell into silence, as if enduring a baptism of shock, or perhaps deeply contemplating the matter.

"Right," Skoria suddenly looked up at his son as if remembering something, asking sharply, "How did the 'Ethereal Mercenary Group' end up here? Are they also here to participate in this 'Mercenary Alliance Competition'?"

At his question, Danjiashuo’s gaze also turned to Wennar, his eyes shining brightly.

Wennar first nodded, then delivered a statement that astonished both his father and Danjiashuo!

"The 'Ethereal Mercenary Group' has indeed registered for this 'Mercenary Alliance Competition.' Their alliance is called the 'Ten Clouds Drifting Mercenary Alliance'!" Wennar had calmed down by now; having dealt with the 'Ethereal Mercenary Group' before, he possessed a degree of mental fortitude.

"The 'Ten Clouds Drifting Mercenary Alliance'..." Skoria murmured the name twice before looking up at Danjiashuo.

Danjiashuo was looking at him too, and both could see undisguised disbelief in the other's eyes!

They had not expected that the 'Ten Clouds Drifting Mercenary Alliance' they had just been discussing would have the 'Ethereal Mercenary Group' among its members!

※

Inside 'Xianyang City,' just as Wennar described, the 'Ten Clouds Drifting Mercenary Alliance' was leisurely window-shopping, completely unlike the weary demeanor of other mercenary alliances. Frankly, the only ones truly in the mood for shopping were the monsters of the 'Ethereal Mercenary Group.' As for the 'Sunset Mercenary Group' and the others trailing behind, they had no such inclination. Although the continuous victories in the competition delighted them, there was an underlying sense of unreality about it all.

Originally, they had entered the 'Mercenary Alliance Competition' with the mindset of merely participating, hoping only to gain experience, with no grand aspirations.

But then they encountered the super-powerful and monstrous 'Ethereal Mercenary Group,' led by Zhong Shenxiu, and unexpectedly formed a collective with them. This made their successive victories seem like a natural consequence, yet they still felt disconnected from reality!

As the critical stage of the 'Elimination Rounds' approached, the chance of advancing—which had seemed impossible—was now within sight because of Zhong Shenxiu and the others. It would be a lie to say they weren't nervous! Amidst the tension was a fierce anticipation!

Although Ingrid and the others rarely took the field during the 'Elimination Rounds,' with those slots being almost entirely monopolized by the 'Ethereal Mercenary Group,' they held no resentment. They discovered that learning while watching from the sidelines taught them far more than actually fighting. Often, a tiny detail would lead to sudden enlightenment!

Xia Luo and the others seemed intentionally keen to guide them, frequently offering explanations from the side, especially concerning exquisite techniques and magic principles that defied common sense!

They finally understood what 'listening to a wise person speaks volumes, surpassing ten years of reading' meant. Ingrid and the others, whose strength had stagnated, found themselves suddenly clear-headed after a single comment from Xia Luo or one of the others. That feeling was utterly magical. Thus, having finally seized the rare three-day rest period, they decided to seek proper counsel!

"Sister Maxin, how do you control water magic as fluidly as you do?" Jamie asked while walking, pen and notebook already poised for dictation.

"Senior Sister Angelia, how can one wield a sword as if it were an extension of the body?" Ingrid maintained a look of humble inquiry; the burning desire in her eyes revealed that her admiration for Angelia was utterly sincere.

"Xia Luo, how can I train to perfectly integrate my magic with my battle aura? I remember you didn't use magic before; why are you so formidable with it now?" Caine asked, shamelessly putting himself forward.

To outsiders, they presented a remarkable sight: the core members of the 'Ethereal Mercenary Group' walking in front, with Caine and the others trailing behind like devoted followers, persistently asking humble questions—an utterly peculiar scene.

After walking for an indeterminate time in this manner, Zhong Shenxiu suddenly stopped, turned, and looked with a gentle smile at Caine and the others, who were still mid-question, asking, "You all want to become stronger, correct?"

Caine and the others were momentarily stunned, then overjoyed, responding in unison, "Yes!"

They truly longed to handle any opponent with ease, just like the 'Ethereal Mercenary Group.' That overwhelming dominance was the pinnacle of their ambition.

However, so engrossed were they in their joy that none of them noticed the sympathetic looks flickering across Xia Luo and the others' faces.

"I can arrange a special training session for you. Three days should be enough," Zhong Shenxiu deliberately paused before continuing, "It should be enough to double your strength!"

Double their strength?

At the mention of that figure, Caine and the others' eyes widened. To double their power in just three days—what an intense temptation!

"I've put Xia Luo and the others through special training before," Zhong Shenxiu's eyes flashed briefly, then he added, "However, it might be quite arduous for you. Think carefully before deciding."

"I agree to it!" Ingrid was the first to declare.

Women are strong in their pride, and Ingrid's competitive spirit surpassed even that. She believed that if Angelia and the others could endure the training, so could she! "I agree too!" Caine was the second to decide.

As the leader of his group, he carried immense pressure. A lack of personal strength could easily put his comrades in greater peril. Compared to the lives of his brothers, hardship was nothing; he was certain he could grit his teeth and persevere!

With the first two having spoken, the others quickly followed suit; not a single person backed down!

Xia Luo and the others were genuinely happy for their courage, yet their smiles looked strangely strained, as if their facial muscles were twitching. Clearly, they remembered Zhong Shenxiu's special training with visceral clarity!

Zhong Shenxiu didn't wish to waste time and led the group toward the outskirts of 'Xianyang City,' needing to select a suitable location for the training.

As fate would have it, just as Zhong Shenxiu and his group were walking forward, they encountered another party approaching them. These people were none other than the "mysterious mercenary alliance" Danjiashuo had spoken of!

Who would have thought two powerful mercenary alliances would meet at this time and place? For the continuation of this story, please log on to... for more chapters, support the author, and read legitimate publications!D