The South Yan Continent team suffered the heaviest casualties in this confrontation with the Ringwraiths; their former captain was killed, and their strongest member was severely wounded. The rest of them either lacked significant combat ability or possessed only specialized fighting styles. Only those two possessed formidable conventional melee prowess. Thus, with the death of one and the injury of the other, the South Yan Continent team's strength instantly withered significantly. One could say that if Richard were to completely lose combat effectiveness or die, the South Yan Continent team would be at an absolute disadvantage among the three teams.

The Bingbing Continent team also disregarded any gentleman's agreement. The deaths of several of their rookies meant the accumulated negative points were enough to see several veterans within the team eliminated. Fortunately, the world of the One Ring was rife with side quests and other opportunities for scoring, so they were not overly worried. Even though they lost two main melee combatants, Gunnir appeared full of confidence, as if he alone could sustain the entire North Bing Continent team. This confidence also kept the other veterans of the Bingbing Continent team calm.

Overall, the Central Continent team gained the most from this battle against the Ringwraiths. Not only did they slay five Ringwraiths, but they also acquired the only Skeleton Warhorse, whose gravity-defying characteristics, incredible speed, and striking appearance made everyone deeply envious. Furthermore, Zhao Yingkong achieved a breakthrough during the critical moment, unleashing the 'Flash Spirit Vacuum Wave' she had been conceptualizing.

It could be said that the Central Continent team paid almost nothing, save for the Heart's Eye technique and those few copies of the Sanqing Dao Scripts.

To return to the main narrative, the group had been in Bree for a full day and night. All the injuries—Richard's wounds, Zheng Zha's severed arm, the gash on Zhao Yingkong's chest (which bled several liters through his nose after Cheng Xiao stitched it up), and the various other minor and major wounds sustained by the rest—had been cleaned up.

The group still hadn't located the crucial plot characters. Aragorn, the sole heir disguised as a ranger, was missing. Not only was Gandalf absent, but Aragorn was nowhere to be found either.

The veterans of the three teams sat around the round table outside the Prancing Pony Inn, while the four Hobbits and the rookies occupied tables further inside. This arrangement ensured that in the event of an attack, the Hobbits and rookies would not be the first to suffer a fatal blow.

"We will wait one more day. If Aragorn still hasn't appeared, we will head to the Elven capital, Rivendell, ourselves."

Gunnir stated firmly to Zheng Zha and Neos.

Neos scoffed disdainfully, "What a joke. Do you know the route to Rivendell? There's no map-selling business in this world. If you can't find Rivendell, you should prepare for a journey lasting several months."

Gunnir shot back with a cold laugh, "Then what do you suggest we do? Just sit here until that Ringwraith comes looking for us again? That Ringwraith is now a super-monster composed of nine unified entities! Who among our team can withstand it? You? Or that half-dead Berserker from your team?"

Neos, however, did not lose his temper. He pulled out a piece of chocolate from his box and said, "There are two key issues. First, the route problem I just mentioned. Second, is Aragorn's relationship with the Elves. If just our group blunders into the Elven capital, what kind of reception do you think we'll receive? Hand over the One Ring and instantly become mere thugs. Perhaps you want to be a foot soldier, but the South Yan Continent team wants to be the employer who directs the fighters. You must remember that besides completing the main story quests, we also have to face potential sniping from the other two teams at any moment. For man, if there is no long-term vision, there will be immediate worries. Would you rather take a risk now, await Aragorn's arrival, and secure the influence of the Elves or the human empire, or would you prefer to wander aimlessly searching for the Elven capital Rivendell, whose location is unknown?"

Gunnir hesitated for a moment and finally said no more. Neos, however, turned his gaze toward Chu Xuan, the man quietly eating apple mush. He bit fiercely into a piece of chocolate and continued, "Chu Xuan, is it? Aren't you going to share your opinion? Haven't you always had a solution for everything?"

Chu Xuan merely looked up boredly at him, then immediately lowered his head and continued eating. This dismissive attitude caused the veins on Neos's forehead to throb visibly. If he hadn't maintained some self-control, he truly would have wanted to take a savage bite out of Chu Xuan.

Chu Xuan was not silent, however. He also spoke up, "'Main God' will not issue tasks that are absolutely fatal. At least, not for the combined combat strength of our three teams. 'Main God' absolutely will not send the nine-in-one Ringwraith to this village right now. Setting aside whether we could handle that Wraith, the excessive casualties we've sustained would eliminate fairness for the other two teams. Because instead of gaining power through time, we have weakened ourselves due to entering this world earlier. This contradicts 'Main God's' balance of strength. We should wait. Aragorn will arrive here before the Ringwraith, or perhaps Gandalf will arrive first."

After speaking, he continued to eat his apple mush as if no one else were present.

Zheng Zha understood Chu Xuan's behavioral patterns, but the others did not. Chu Xuan’s performance inevitably gave others the impression of arrogance or conceit. Instantly, the complexions of the other two captains soured, especially Neos's. Even Zheng Zha worried whether the veins on Neos's forehead would burst on their own. It was no wonder he was angered to death in Starship Troopers; such an impatient person encountering the utterly icy Chu Xuan—it was a testament to his restraint that he hadn't been infuriated to death before even meeting him properly.

Gunnir took a deep breath. "Then we will wait three more days. If nothing happens in three days, the North Bing Liquid team will withdraw from the alliance. We will find our way to the Witch-king's fortress by our own means—perhaps opportunistically after you break in, or maybe by climbing over the mountain barrier to go directly in. In short, after three days, I believe this place will no longer be safe, and I won't continue this madness with you here."

Unexpectedly, as he spoke, a figure clad in a gray cloak entered from outside the inn door. It was a handsome man with black hair and a pair of pale blue eyes, exhibiting the facial features characteristic of Westerners. He was wearing a suit of ranger leather armor, and a greatsword was strapped across his back.

(He’s here.) Before entering the world of the One Ring, the veterans present had watched the movie countless times. A person with these physical characteristics, appearing in Bree at this time, could only be Prince Aragorn, the human they had been waiting for a day and a night.

The ranger looked around immediately upon entering the tavern. When he saw Zheng Zha and the others, his brow immediately furrowed. He subconsciously unstrapped the greatsword on his back, sheath and all, and then stood casually in place. Only when he spotted the four Hobbits did his expression shift to one of shock and caution. He then walked toward the four Hobbits.

"Aragorn, come have a drink with us."

Zheng Zha coughed, speaking loudly enough for Aragorn to hear, then snapped his fingers at the innkeeper.

The ranger’s expression grew more serious. He stopped, offered a slight smile, and said, "I am just an ordinary ranger. You must have mistaken me for someone else."

Zheng Zha also smiled. "Very well, even if I have mistaken you, Ranger Aragorn, please come sit with us. We are friends of the Grey Wizard, Gandalf. Oh, and those four Hobbits are as well..."

At this, the ranger no longer hesitated. He took a seat next to Zheng Zha in an empty spot. The innkeeper brought over a large mug of ale. The ranger took the mug and drank deeply. Only after draining half the beer did he let out a breath. "I learned from my Elven friends that a mercenary company of over thirty people was protecting four Hobbits and fought against the Ringwraiths. Moreover, someone among those thirty-plus people managed to kill seven Ringwraiths. By my count, only two Ringwraiths remain now, correct?"

Zheng Zha and the others exchanged glances. Gunnir smiled and said, "Not two remaining, but only one. We killed eight Ringwraiths, and the remaining one fled back to Mordor."

The ranger's face showed pure shock. He looked around, then glanced at the four Hobbits before saying, "If that is true, you are truly among the finest warriors of us humans. But why has the number of Ringwraiths been reduced to one? That makes things a bit complicated... Forgive me for not introducing myself; I am Aragorn. I learned from Gandalf that those four Hobbits are carrying that thing, which is why I waited for the four little ones here. But the day before yesterday, I heard from other rangers that the Ringwraiths had appeared en masse between the Shire and Bree. I was worried about your safety, so I went out specifically to look for you. But I never expected you all to have killed so many Ringwraiths. This is truly..."

Zheng Zha and the others looked at each other. He quickly asked, feigning ignorance, "Where is Gandalf? Didn't he say he would wait for us here? Why is it that only you are waiting for us?"

Aragorn managed a bitter smile. "Gandalf has likely run into some trouble. He said he was going to the chief Wizard, Saruman, at Isengard. Perhaps Gandalf ran into trouble again... In any case, I will take you to Rivendell. The abundant life energy there makes the Ringwraiths hesitant to enter freely. We will be temporarily safe there."

"But only temporarily. With the nine Ringwraiths merged, their power is almost equivalent to the Dark Lord’s reappearance. I just don't know if they will dare to charge into Rivendell."