Behind Cheng Xiao stood a frozen human effigy, the result of consuming the Ice Condensation Pill. Once taken, this pill kept the user frozen until fatal injuries healed, requiring deliberate thawing, after which death would soon follow.

Cheng Xiao pointed to the frozen figure and explained, "It's simple, actually, as Ganyier confirmed. This frozen state is a manifestation of ice energy. Zheng Zha only needs to input his internal energy, or any of you could use your battle qi to thaw him. However, to preserve his life, only the wounds can be carefully thawed; the rest of the body must remain frozen. Judging by his injuries, the two lung lobes are the worst affected, followed closely by the descending aorta of the heart. While he was fortunate the heart itself was spared, the severed aorta is itself a fatal wound. Although I carry an artificial electronic lung and biochemical vessels..." "But what?" Aragorn's emotions flared. He had thought Boromir was doomed, only to be told by Zheng Zha and the others that there was still a great hope of saving him. In his agitation, he instinctively grabbed Cheng Xiao's collar.

Cheng Xiao waved his hands helplessly. "Indeed, I carry most of the necessary medical tools. The artificial electronic lung uses bio-electric replenishment and can operate safely for over a hundred years. The biochemical vessels are almost identical to human tissue, making transplantation extremely easy. However, there is one thing I absolutely cannot carry in bulk—that substance spoils very easily... Blood. He has lost so much, and the surgery will cause further bleeding. Furthermore, to prevent rejection, I would need to administer Blood Cups to him."

"This requires a massive amount of his blood. Without substantial replenishment, surgery is impossible, and even if performed, he would never survive."

"Blood?" the dwarf Gimli shouted loudly. "If blood is needed, take it from me! I am filled with hot blood; take as much as you like, and I won't even blink!" Zheng Zha then boomed, "Everyone, calm down! Aragorn, we are comrades who fight side-by-side; we will not let a companion die so easily! The Ice Condensation Pill has a very long effective period; there is absolutely no need to rush surgery now. My suggestion is that we first travel to Rohan. Once there, in a safe environment and a clean room, we can perform the surgery on Boromir. Also, you don't understand blood—human blood types differ. We need a large number of volunteers to donate, and only then can we identify those who share Boromir's type to draw the necessary supply. So, there is no need for you to panic right now!" Aragorn took a deep breath and nodded. "I apologize; I was too emotional just now... He is a true warrior."

"For the people of Gondor, for the freedom of Gondor he fought; they are all waiting for him at the White Tower... But he might never return..." "He will!" Zheng Zha clapped Aragorn heavily on the shoulder. "He will not; he will live, and we will all live!" Despite these assurances, the expressions of the narrative characters turned grim when they saw Boromir transform into an icy figure. Simultaneously, however, scanning information relayed by Zhan Lan revealed something else.

Before Chu Xuan could finalize assignments, the North Ice Continent Team had already followed Frodo and Sam, the five of them continuing toward Mordor. Because Aya of the South Flame Continent Team had been captured, they had also sped ahead, pursuing the Orcs. Only at this point did Zheng Zha realize that the Berserker, Richard, was nowhere to be seen on the battlefield.

Zheng Zha looked at the ravaged battlefield and quietly asked Chu Xuan beside him, "What now? Where should we go? They have already chosen their respective paths ahead of us."

Chu Xuan nodded. "Yes. Judging by their choices, these two teams likely made these decisions long ago. The North Ice Continent Team has the fewest members, but their leader is exceptionally powerful. Choosing Frodo's path is the most advantageous for them. In the original film plot, this was the path with the fewest people but the most perilous journey. Ganyier's plan is likely to kill more monsters along the way and gain more rewards and side-plot opportunities..." "The South Flame Continent Team's choice also aligns with their capabilities. Comparatively, the South Continent Team is the strongest of our three groups, so they chose the path of Merry and Pippin from the original film. This route is relatively safe, navigating between various factions like the Ents, Rohan cavalry, and Gondor... With Neos's intellect, he would undoubtedly choose this route, hoping to gain influence within this world..."

"And finally, our route," Chu Xuan murmured. "Our route is the strongest among the three teams. Even without the unexpected powerful reinforcements of the Tracker and Haotian, our strength is considerable. Therefore, we are the ones who must confront the struggles on the main battlefield... Regarding this, I have an interesting idea."

(Another 'interesting idea'... how contradictory. I don't know whether I hope to hear that phrase or not.) Zheng Zha sighed. "Tell me, what is this interesting idea of yours?" Chu Xuan waved his hand dismissively. "Of course, I won't tell you so easily. Not until the time is right, and I need to verify something. If this is feasible, taking on the main battlefield wars against Mordor will be surprisingly easy!" As the two spoke, Cheng Xiao had already bandaged the others simply, while Zhang Heng was cleaning the battlefield with the Elven Prince Legolas. By this time, the narrative characters knew that the two Hobbits, Frodo and Sam, had departed, and the three members of the North Ice Continent Team had left with them. Two others had been captured by the Orcs. When Aragorn learned one of the captives was a woman, he immediately decided they had to rescue those two first.

"These Uruk-hai and Orcs, though not the same species, are creatures of extreme lust and sadistic cruelty. A woman falling into their hands would face a terrible fate, so we must rescue them before they stop or return to Isengard!" Aragorn stated resolutely.

At Aragorn's insistence, everyone ate only a small amount of Elven food.

Then, the three narrative characters joined the others in pursuing the trail left by the Orcs. Since Boromir was frozen into a human shape, Zheng Zha had no choice but to dismount the Skeleton Steed, tie the frozen figure onto its back, and then lead the horse forward on foot with the group.

And so, after the three teams separated, the Central Continent Team stayed close to the three narrative characters, tracking the Orcs. Along the way, they saw corpses of Orcs scattered about—ten or more Orcs killed along the path. Their bodies looked as if they had been utterly pulverized by some massive weapon—the terrifying power of the Berserker. Following this trail of carnage, the group advanced for several days...

"Enough, isn't it? You pervert! Damn it, I don't want to drag you down with me, so stay the hell away from me!" A dark-haired youth yelled inelegantly, standing on a long, thin sword. His body was covered in small rents, as if slashed by a dagger or sharp weapon. His hair was a mess, and his face bore several small cuts; he looked utterly disheveled. On the branch of a tree beneath him stood a long-haired man whose clothes were in slightly better condition but still crisscrossed with sword marks. The burnt marks on his face and hair were very distinct, showing he had certainly taken some hits too.

The long-haired man smiled faintly. "That won't do. The story is only just beginning. If you catch up to them now, how will the story proceed? Listen to me, be a good boy, and watch them water the 'little apple'—the innocent ones—with their hot blood and friendship, with sacrifice and courage. Don't you find that spectacle beautiful enough to tear apart? For instance, once they've forged deep bonds of friendship, just as they are about to return to the 'Main God' space from Mordor, then killing all the narrative characters—just the thought of it is enough to make one..."

The dark-haired youth recoiled with disgust and contempt. "Damn it, Zhao Yingkong, you absolute pervert! Don't assume everyone is as twisted as you are. My Heavenly God sub-team isn't like your Devil Squad; we don't go around annihilating other teams. I just want to confirm the personnel of these three teams. Do you really think I’m afraid of you? Even when fighting your clone, I never lost to you!"

"If it's a fight you want..." Zhao Yingkong smiled, nodding. "Since it's not yet harvest time, having a spar with you to pass the time wouldn't be bad. Cultivation, and you've even unlocked the third stage of the gene lock—you seem quite formidable. How about trying a fight with me?" As he finished speaking, he flicked his hand. A cold gleam flashed, and a burst of golden light erupted next to the dark-haired youth. However, a visible crimson scratch appeared across the youth's face—not deep, but clearly visible.

The dark-haired youth became furious, shouting, "Damn it, I didn't provoke you! Why are you blocking my way, stopping me from checking on those teams... Unless you want to confirm first that the team you're guarding has the person my Heavenly God faction wants dead?" With that, he threw eight small flags onto the ground, loudly chanting, "Demon Subduing Formation!" The eight flags grew upon meeting the wind, becoming eight five-meter-tall banners by the time they landed, surrounding the tree where Zhao Yingkong stood at the center. Each banner emitted a different color.

Zhao Yingkong's smile vanished abruptly. He looked coldly at the dark-haired youth. "Do you truly wish to die? Take this thing back, or I won't hold back..." "...The Doushuai Eight Trigrams Furnace!" He leaped toward...

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