They saw them, but no one stopped. The mysterious mercenary group paid no mind to the approaching group led by Zhong Shenxiu. Zhong Shenxiu merely glanced at them before looking away.
Just as the two parties were about to cross paths, the leader of that “Mysterious Mercenary Group,” Clement, suddenly stopped, her expression looking exceedingly strange.
“Leader, what’s wrong?” Hotitz leaned closer to ask.
Clement didn't reply, instead staring fixedly at the retreating backs of Zhong Shenxiu and his companions. In the instant they brushed past, the hairs on her arms had stood on end, and a wave of apprehension washed over her heart!
What in the world is happening? Why am I feeling this way?
Clement fell into deep contemplation. In the past, even facing hundreds or thousands of Demon Insects, she wouldn’t have felt this uneasy, yet this mere passing had struck her with such overwhelming shock—it was utterly incredible!
“Leader, is there something amiss with them?” Hotitz ventured a guess.
“Do you know who they are?” Clement finally spoke, though her gaze remained locked on Zhong Shenxiu and his group.
“I will investigate!” Hotitz replied respectfully.
Although he didn't understand why his leader was so focused on those people, he knew there must be some profound reason, because given his leader’s personality, she never acted without cause!
“Why go through all that trouble!” Colink, who had been observing the situation, interjected, “Just call them over and ask!”
“No one approaches those people without my permission!” Clement stated, her face suddenly turning cold.
“Leader, rest assured, I won't mess around. I have a clever scheme; just watch!” After speaking, Colink actually pulled a bag of Diamond Coins from his storage ring and tossed it onto the ground.
Clement and the others stared curiously at Colink, wondering what trick he was playing. Just as they were about to ask, Colink suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs, directing his voice toward Zhong Shenxiu’s group who were walking away.
“Hey, you dropped your money!”
After shouting, he grinned at Clement, his expression seeming to say: See, Leader, how clever I am!
In his mind, Zhong Shenxiu’s group would surely turn back. Then they could casually strike up a conversation and learn everything they needed to know!
His fine calculation was well laid, but reality did not unfold according to his script.
Zhong Shenxiu’s group did stop and look toward Colink, but they did not walk back.
“Hey, your money is down there!” Little Colink shouted again, even pointing at the bag of money at his feet with his hand.
Clement didn’t stop Colink’s antics; her bright eyes meticulously scrutinized Zhong Shenxiu’s group. Just then, she clearly saw the noticeably young boy flash a somewhat mischievous smile, then exchange a look with a delicate young lady beside him.
Under Clement’s puzzled gaze, Robin slowly extended her hand—a hand that was exquisitely soft and translucent.
What does this mean? Is she beckoning us over?
Just as Clement was guessing the meaning of Robin’s gesture, an utterly bizarre scene unfolded before her eyes, leaving her stunned.
The bag of coins, which had been lying on the ground, suddenly zipped—whoosh—into Robin’s hand with a speed as swift as a shooting star!
Clement wasn't the only one frozen by this spectacle; all the members beside her were dumbfounded. From their position to where Zhong Shenxiu’s group stood was at least several dozen meters, so how did the money bag mysteriously fly over by itself?
What kind of magic was that?
Due to their extreme astonishment, none of them noticed that Zhong Shenxiu’s group had already walked farther and farther away. By the time they reacted, the group was already out of sight!
“Leader, what exactly was that?” Hotitz asked somewhat distractedly, but his words trailed off before he could finish.
“Don’t ask me, I have no idea what that was!” Clement stated with a grave expression. She was now even more certain of the strange feeling in her heart; those people who just passed were absolutely no ordinary individuals!
“It seems this ‘Mercenary Alliance Tournament’ does have some strong teams after all,” Hotitz remarked with emotion.
For a time, no one knew what to say; the atmosphere grew somewhat heavy. It was then that Colink suddenly let out a cry of alarm: “Ah, my money… my money was taken by them!”
Ugh, that simpleton only realized it now!
Three days passed. For some, the time was too brief, but for Caine and the others in the team, it felt agonizingly long!
The “Elimination Rounds” continued, and the competition would only intensify in the upcoming matches! Originally, Caine and the others had no cause for worry, because as long as the ‘Ethereal Mercenary Group’ was present, no opponent was too frightening. However, a single sentence from Zhong Shenxiu just now had made them tense.
“Zhong Shenxiu… such important matches, how can we possibly handle them? You… you must persuade your leader!” Caine’s face was grim as he pleaded with Xia Luoyang.
They hadn't expected that they would be the ones entering the next match. Zhong Shenxiu would only participate in the third event, the multi-person competition, and the other members of the ‘Ethereal Mercenary Group’ would watch as observers!
While Zhong Shenxiu’s presence guaranteed victory in the third match, if the first two matches were lost, they would be eliminated. The mere thought made Caine and the others tremble. They didn't want their own incompetence to lead to the elimination of the rest of the ‘Ethereal Mercenary Group’; they would be consumed by self-reproach…
Xia Luoyang glanced at Zhong Shenxiu, then shook her head at Caine. She knew that once Zhong Shenxiu made a decision, it would be difficult to change.
In truth, Xia Luoyang also approved of Zhong Shenxiu’s decision. The reason the ‘Ethereal Mercenary Group’ entered the ‘Mercenary Alliance Tournament’ wasn't to win the final victory; they were just participating with a mindset of relaxing and having fun. Whether they competed or not held little significance for them, but it was different for Caine and the others.
A tournament like this was a great opportunity for them to train. Regardless of the final outcome, it would be a valuable experience for Caine and the others. Moreover, having just finished their training, this was the perfect time for a real test.
“You don’t need to be so nervous; it’s just a competition. Just fight with your true strength and don't worry about the final result! Even if you lose, isn't there a ‘Revival Match’?” Xia Luoyang’s words were not just aimed at Caine, but included Ingrid and the others as well.
With Xia Luoyang’s gentle guidance, Caine and the others finally calmed down.
When they arrived at the competition venue, it was noticeably different from before; many people had gathered around, the majority of whom they recognized.
Besides a few old spectators like Baijiali, the others present belonged to the ‘Tiger Leap Mercenary Group,’ the ‘Beast Soul Mercenary Group,’ and the ‘Mysterious Mercenary Group,’ whom they had encountered three days prior.
These people were there for one reason only: to witness the strength of Zhong Shenxiu’s group with their own eyes!
“Leader Xia Luoyang, we meet again!” Zakharov approached, appearing quite enthusiastic.
Xia Luoyang merely smiled faintly and nodded, saying little.
The match was about to begin. Their opponents this time were the ‘Sunset Mercenary Alliance,’ specifically the ‘Sunset Mercenary Group.’ Although the latter wasn't ranked globally, they were still a high-level mercenary group with considerable strength.
Caine and the others hadn't expected to face such a formidable foe right off the bat; it was indeed tricky. However, things had progressed this far, and retreating was no longer an option; even if they lost, they had to lose with dignity!
“Please have both teams’ contestants enter the arena!” At that moment, the referee’s voice rang out.
To be safe, Caine, Ingrid, and Sylane, the three leaders, all stepped onto the field. Caine was responsible for the singles match, while Ingrid and Sylane would handle the doubles match. Watching the three of them enter, the surrounding onlookers couldn't help but voice their surprise.
“Huh? Why did they change the lineup this time?”
But when Zhong Shenxiu and the seven regular team members entered, the discussions outside abruptly ceased. Though only temporarily!
“Father, look, that person is the true leader of the ‘Ethereal Mercenary Group’!” Wenner pointed at Zhong Shenxiu and whispered to his father.
“That’s him? So young?” Skrif, despite having heard about it from Wenner earlier, couldn't help but be astonished upon seeing him in person.
On the other side, Clement, leader of the ‘Mysterious Mercenary Group,’ saw Zhong Shenxiu walk onto the stage, and a chilling light shot from her eyes. The aura within her body unconsciously began to stir!
This youth is not simple! Beneath that youthful exterior hides a monster!
This was Clement’s immediate feeling about Zhong Shenxiu. What she herself hadn't realized was that an indescribable fear was simultaneously blossoming in her heart!
“Leader, are you alright?” Hotitz asked with concern.
At his prompting, Clement realized her lapse in composure, quickly restrained her aura, and whispered back, “I’m fine!”
Just as she finished speaking, her brow furrowed, and she stared at the multi-person match arena with eyes full of questioning.
Hotitz instinctively looked back and blinked in surprise: “Huh? Why is that youth sitting down? What is he trying to do? Does he plan to fight in that posture?”
Indeed, Zhong Shenxiu was sitting comfortably about five meters behind his teammates, looking completely at ease.
A wave of bewilderment swept through the crowd, all confused by Zhong Shenxiu’s actions. Just as they were throwing out wild guesses, the match began, and only then would they finally understand why Zhong Shenxiu had chosen to sit down…