The four—Zero Point included—wore expressions of utter strangeness, and Luo Gandao continued, “What do you mean by that? Why choose to do something or not do it? Could it be that you have some interest in that old fellow? His plan is certainly meant to be carried out, and that plan seems to have a high chance of success, so why would you say such a thing?” “Say such a thing?” Haotian let out a chuckle, seemingly finding the situation hilarious. After a long moment, he finally spoke, “You three really put a lot of trust in Chu Xuan. I didn't expect someone like him to be worthy of anyone's trust… Aren’t you afraid he might scheme you into oblivion with this chance opportunity?” Zero Point and the other two exchanged glances; their expressions barely shifted, only Luo Gandao wore an expression of dawning realization. “Thinking about it that way, it does seem much more likely that he’d scheme against us… Have you also been schemed against by him before?” Haotian immediately seemed to find a kindred spirit, grasping Luo Gan’s hand tightly. “Yes, you were schemed against by him too? Hahahaha, you kid, you’re lucky to still be alive. It looks like we have another major disaster brewing. Hahahaha… Ahem, what I mean is, even though Chu Xuan’s plan is laid out, I believe you all understand the principles of military strategy: we don’t necessarily have to use Chu Xuan’s plan to ambush Aig... we can snipe Saruman.”

It was then that Zero Point spoke up, “You haven’t finished detailing Chu Xuan’s plan. At this time, high-tech weaponry cannot be used. If the goal is to snipe Saruman, then Zhang Heng is far more useful to me than anyone else, unless I can use the Gauss Sniper Rifle; otherwise, my contribution is practically negligible.”

Haotian smiled faintly and pulled a slender, intensely red bullet from the pocket of Feikushouda. It was about the length of an adult man’s middle finger—a high-explosive Gauss sniper round. However, the casing of this bullet was inscribed with dense runes and patterns, faintly shimmering with a green light.

“Chu Xuan gave this to me. He said this bullet can attack story-line characters. But if Saruman manifests a protective shield, then we must use the Dot-Line Demon Eye for the attack. That’s the situation… What do you all think?” Haotian burst into laughter, spreading his arms wide toward the four before him, as if he had transformed into a salesman and the four were the unwitting fools about to buy his wares. He said, “What do you all think? Why must we undertake this difficult and terrifying mission? Wouldn’t it be better if we devised another plan and embarked on a new mission?” The four looked at each other again, and Zero Point spoke, “Rather than trusting you, we’d rather trust Chu Xuan. At least he has never failed… In all the time I’ve known this man, he has never failed at anything, even when scheming against allies. How can you expect us to trust you? Newcomer, you’re asking us to abandon a plan that is absolutely correct and choose your potentially flawed one. Even if Chu Xuan designated you as the leader of this team, it doesn't mean your intellect surpasses his. Do you understand?”

Haotian nodded slightly. “That is indeed correct… Then let’s make a wager. If I win, we proceed with my plan. If I lose, we continue with Chu Xuan’s plan, and I will take full responsibility for leading you. How about that?” The four exchanged glances once more, and Zero Point inquired, “What are we betting on?” “A fight… Me against the four of you. You are allowed to use all your respective weapons, except Luo Gandao’s piloting mecha cannot enter flight mode. All other weapons are permitted. Killing me is allowed, as is crippling me. However, I cannot kill you, nor can I cripple you. I will only subdue you and render you incapable of fighting. How is that?” Haotian looked earnestly at the four.

When the four separated from Zheng Zha and the others, Zheng Zha had given them a spatial pouch. Chu Xuan, in turn, had given Wang Xia a small device for storing inner energy. It wasn't as finely crafted as a charged Mithril Ring, about the size of a fist, but it could only store about thirty percent of Zheng Zha’s inner energy. However, this amount was sufficient to activate the spatial pouch. Wang Xia had trained his inner energy for so long that although he hadn't generated any himself, he could briefly utilize absorbed inner energy. This spatial pouch contained the weapons of the four: a several-meter-tall, three-purpose piloting mecha, a Gauss Sniper Rifle, a shoulder-mounted small rapid-fire cannon, and finally, Wang Xia’s electric discharge bombs—whether grenades, landmines, or time bombs, they were all powerful electric blast devices.

Of course, the fight between the four and Haotian could not take place in front of the other newcomers and the three veterans. Thus, after several days of travel, when the team reached a vast, boundless plain, the five found an excuse to drift away, eventually settling in a valley to commence their battle… “My plan is simple: initially, we proceed as Chu Xuan planned—snipe Saruman. But after that, we will not rendezvous with Chu Xuan and the others. Chu Xuan’s original plan was for us to kill Saruman, then inject the poison from Feikushouda into the Orcs under Saruman’s command, turning them into Stalkers, and then using this group of Stalkers to support them. But no! This plan has a fatal weakness: redundancy!” Haotian sat on the ground, speaking earnestly.

Before them, the four—Overlord, Wang Xia, and Zero Point—were bruised and swollen, while Luo Gandao lay on the ground, foaming at the mouth and convulsing, only Haotian sat before them completely unharmed.

“Yes, redundancy. Based on my understanding of Chu Xuan, he will try every means to firmly control those Rohan cavalry. If we rush over there, the already secured Rohan cavalry, combined with us, won’t change anything. So, it’s better that we do something else…” Luo Gandao wiped the foam from his mouth. “For example? You speak well, but have you actually figured out what you intend to do?” “Of course!” Haotian grinned wickedly, crushing a stone in his hand into dust. He continued, “Absorb Saruman’s Orcs and transform a large number of them into Stalkers. I mean a massive transformation. We only need to create over a thousand Stalkers and equip them with suitable armor and weapons. This force alone is equivalent to fifty thousand Orc soldiers. That is my plan: deliver a fatal blow from the rear to the East Asian Team and the Heavenly God Team. We will become the saviors of Chu Xuan’s group; we will be the final trump card of the Central Continent Team.”

The other four wore strangely puzzled expressions. Overlord rubbed the bruise on his face and asked curiously, “But didn’t Chu Xuan only prepare eighty doses of the Stalker transformation fluid? How could he possibly create a thousand Stalkers?” Haotian laughed loudly. “We are underestimating that man too much! Others might be one-track minded, but not him. He surely doesn't have only one plan. Those eighty finished transformation fluids were indeed manufactured in the ‘Main God’ space, but there are still several hundred doses of the T-virus that are multiplying. Although they lack the greenhouse environment of the ‘Main God’ space, causing their reproduction rate to drop significantly, by the time we reach Aig, the T-virus in this spatial pouch will have finished reproducing, and there might even be surplus T-virus available. In short, we definitely have enough for at least five hundred Stalkers, hahahaha…”

“…That’s essentially the situation. Isn't this interesting?” Chu Xuan sat before Zheng Zha and spoke seriously.

Zheng Zha’s expression was already one of dumbfounded shock. He pointed foolishly at Chu Xuan, his mouth hanging wide open, while the man before him casually ate the snow-fruit in his hand. After a long pause, Zheng Zha managed to say, “But, but relying only on those few people, how could they possibly sneak attack Aig? That’s practically walking into a trap! That’s a white-robed wizard who can cast incredibly powerful magic.”

Chu Xuan nodded affirmatively. “It’s fine. A normal person’s vision is between one thousand and several thousand meters—that’s macroscopic vision. Anything further, and one can barely discern creatures the size of oneself; even if seen, they appear as mere dots. The effective range of a Gauss Sniper Rifle is tens of thousands of meters. So, as long as the sniper operates beyond ten thousand meters, Zero Point’s enhanced vision and physical conditioning ensure he won’t miss. Therefore, as long as they execute the ambush according to my plan, Saruman’s death is certain. Moreover, even if Saruman isn't killed, escaping at that range is absolutely no problem. You don't need to worry about them in that regard.”

Zheng Zha nodded helplessly. “Fine, even if, as Feikushouda suggests, we don't need to worry about them, I still don't fully grasp what you mean. What else is interesting? It’s just one part of your plan; you’ve done many such things before. Why is this particular time so enjoyable?” Chu Xuan smiled faintly. “Because, aside from my plan, Haotian absolutely will not bring them to reinforce us with eighty Stalkers as I required. Given his personality and methods, he will certainly demand that Zero Point and the others cooperate with him to absorb Saruman’s remaining Orc forces and then convert them all into Stalkers. The unfinished material I left in the spatial pouch to breed will definitely mature within thirty days. Calculating their timeline, Haotian will very easily make that decision. That is what’s interesting. Zero Point and the others aren’t familiar with him, so a conflict will certainly erupt between them. Then, Haotian will use this opportunity to establish his authority within the team. That is what’s interesting…”

Zheng Zha was still reeling and asked foolishly, “Why? Why does he need to establish authority?” “To win hearts and minds…” Chu Xuan hadn’t finished speaking when suddenly, a female elf radiating light descended the distant steps. That elf was Galadriel.