From a distant corner of the massive battlefield, Song Tian looked down with a complicated expression. The arm he had lost had been cauterized, but the wound still perpetually emitted smoke, as if it were actively being corroded.

"Team Zhongzhou, this squad has even greater potential than the Demon Reincarnation Squad."

Song Tian murmured, worry lacing his voice.

Adam sat beside him, a man constantly scribbling calculations onto a slip of paper, not even lifting his head. "Yes, Zhongzhou Team indeed has greater potential than the Demon Reincarnation Squad. Their occupational roles complement each other perfectly. Though they are currently weak, once they truly mature, they will possess the most specialized individuals in every area. Didn't Luo Yinglong mention it? He was killed by high-tech weaponry. Given the defensive capabilities of his magic artifacts, even the most potent Space Compression Cannon couldn't kill him instantly—unless the high-tech weapon was paired with some special technique. If that's the case, the person using that weapon must be a combination of supremely strong and supremely weak aspects. But as long as Zheng Zha exists on their team, that high-tech user won't be constrained by their weakest link. Furthermore, the power of the archer in short to medium range surpasses even the user of the high-tech weapon."

"Which leads to this," Adam finally raised his head, stating seriously, "Currently, the only members of Zhongzhou Team worth noting are Zheng Zha and Chu Xuan—the core two. All other members suffer from fatal flaws, typical of ordinary Reincarnation Squad members. However, in specific regards, Zhongzhou Team's potential has indeed surpassed the Demon Reincarnation Squad."

Song Tian sighed and turned back toward Adam. He looked at Adam, then glanced at the blonde beauty standing behind him. The blonde was gently manipulating a ball of light in her hand; the light seemed pliable, like clay, bending to her will and even changing its shape to please her. Luo Yinglong looked truly miserable.

"What about us?" Song Tian sighed again.

Adam lowered his gaze once more. "We didn't lose much, relatively speaking. With your strength and Luo Yinglong's, returning to a few horror movies will quickly net substantial Reward Points and Subplots. But those are nearly useless to us now. What we lost this time was momentum. Until we fight Zhongzhou Team again and achieve victory, we will be unable to contend with the Demon Reincarnation Squad. Song Tian, prepare yourself for a long struggle; you must continue striving for greater strength. Luo Yinglong too—he might very well become our strongest combat force in the future, stronger than you."

Song Tian silently turned his head away, letting out a soft breath. "Yes, Luo Yinglong is already walking a different path to power. If absolute, supreme strength is the Dao, then we achieve the Dao through 'Enlightenment'—grasping everything, becoming the Dao itself. He, however, achieves the Dao through sheer force—becoming greater than everything, perhaps even greater than the Dao itself; he is the Dao."

Team God showed no intense reaction. Although the War of the Ring ended with Adam's complete strategic failure, their core foundation remained intact; none of their primary powerful members had died. Even with fewer gains, they had acquired intelligence on other teams, particularly forming a subjective understanding of Zhongzhou Team. After obtaining this intelligence, Adam kept his head bowed, calculating things unknown to outsiders.

While conversations continued within Team God, the Eastern Continent Team was reduced to just two members. Because they had allowed Zheng Zha and the others to leave, Zhao Zhuikong reappeared before Chu Xuan and the others to reclaim his remaining two. Though he was meant to 'reclaim' them, this monstrous figure casually executed one of his own captains right in front of Chu Xuan and the others, departing with the head held aloft, laughing maniacally. His demeanor and actions were utterly chilling. Ba Wang and Wang Xia instantly drew weapons in defense, while Luo Gandao trembled uncontrollably, repeatedly begging Wang Xia to deploy his mech.

"Relax. I'm in a foul mood, so I probably won't kill anyone else before the War of the Ring concludes. We shall meet again, Zhongzhou Team, during our next joint operation." Zhao Zhuikong flashed a smile over his shoulder before departing with the other member of the Eastern Continent Team—a man so terrified his limbs felt like jelly, yet he had no choice but to follow Zhao Zhuikong.

After the two departed, Zhao Zhuikong found a grassy knoll overlooking the battlefield and stopped. He stood fixedly watching Sauron's situation until the long-haired, handsome figure slowly smiled upon seeing Zhao Zhuikong appear.

"Grow. Keep growing. When we meet again, then..." At this point, Zhao Zhuikong covered his face and began to laugh loudly, yet from between his fingers, a faint, almost imperceptible trace of moisture seemed to flow.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, the situation had developed to the point where Sauron was pinned down by two arrows, but Zhang Heng and Legolas had not loosed their shots. Sauron had blocked the ring-bearing hand with his mace, making a clean shot impossible. Instead, the cavalry behind them were charging toward Sauron with reckless disregard for their lives. Their king had fallen here; these loyal riders cared nothing for Sauron's terror.

Ironically, these brave horsemen were the ones who best broke the stalemate. At this moment, Sauron could not move freely, and it was clear he harbored some fear of Zhang Heng and Legolas. When the cavalry charged, Sauron was forced to rely on non-special attacks—several magic circles manifested around him, serving as his best defense. Any charging rider who touched these swirling circles was instantly corroded to bone, and then even the bones dissolved into ash. The scene was soul-shakingly horrific, yet it failed to deter the courageous cavalry. Thousands charged in succession, and Gandalf began chanting as well.

When Gandalf finished his incantation, several semi-transparent protective layers suddenly materialized in mid-air. They violently collided with Sauron's magic circles, and both the protective layers and the circles annihilated each other simultaneously in the air. The first hundred or so cavalrymen screamed as they rushed toward Sauron.

Even without using the mace, Sauron's might was astonishing. He suddenly raised the hand bearing the One Ring, and a cloud of dark mist instantly filled his palm. At that moment, Legolas's Triple Burst Arrow and Zhang Heng's Wind Arrow were loosed simultaneously; both aimed for the ring-bearing arm. One before the other, they struck Sauron's arm.

Black mist swirled incessantly around Sauron's arm. Both arrows struck the black mist coating the limb. Legolas's arrow was instantly swallowed by the mist; the potent, life-energy-emitting arrow was instantly corroded. Beyond causing Sauron to flinch slightly, it inflicted no actual damage, only dispersing some of the mist. However, immediately after, the Wind Arrow flew forth at an almost invisible speed. With a sharp crack, the Wind Arrow pierced straight through the arm and vanished into the distance far behind Sauron.

Zhang Heng collapsed immediately after releasing his arrow, completely spent. In contrast, although Legolas's arm trembled uncontrollably, he readied three more arrows on his bowstring, preparing to shoot the moment he found his target. About two-thirds of Sauron's arm was pierced; only a small remnant of armor connected the arm to the body, and black mist began to creep down from the limb, seemingly attempting to mend the armor.

The foremost cavalrymen had reached Sauron. With a series of clanging sounds, their lances and swords struck Sauron's body, ringing off the black armor, yet Sauron remained completely unharmed. He raised the One Ring high, and the black radiance intensified. Instantly, a massive wave of dark mist surged outward, centered on him. In a single moment, the attacking cavalrymen were completely corroded. Then the riders and archers farther out were engulfed, the radius constantly expanding. Within a second or two, a circle of black fog nearly a thousand meters wide covered the area.

"Zhao Yingkong!" Zheng Zha exclaimed, shouting her name. The energy of his internal force and the vampiric bloodline surged wildly, indicating he was about to charge onto the field regardless of his own injuries. Zhao Yingkong was lurking directly behind Sauron, hidden within the dark mist.

But before Zheng Zha could move, he saw an area behind Sauron where the light lines were visibly distorted—a phenomenon caused by uneven air density. This was unmistakably the "Shining Vacuum Wave!" By moving at the extreme speed of the Shining State, she completely excluded the dark mist from her body. At the moment Sauron's attack was at its most potent, Zhao Yingkong launched her ambush. The Shining Vacuum Strike severed the remaining small segment of Sauron's arm. Zhao Yingkong ignored the corrosive effects of the dark mist, leaping directly into it and snatching the severed limb. Then, a sensation like being caught between dream and wakefulness violently struck her. When Zheng Zha opened his eyes again, the first thing he saw was that massive, shining sphere of light. On the other side, even as her left arm corroded, Zhao Yingkong's right hand gripped the severed limb tightly as she jumped...