Those few individuals involuntarily raised their heads, enabling them to see Reed's exposed snow-white fangs tremble with trepidation.

But the Big Cat People was actually sneering:

"Bullying the weak is by no means an act of justice."

It shook its head, and a mane of fiery red hair moved without any wind, the Lion People swung their Scepter of Authority, and a golden light burst forth from his body. Those people were at best on par with Atira in terms of level, and their combat prowess was perhaps not even as good as Elf Miss; how could they possibly be a match for a Level 20 Paladin.

Moreover, the Big Cat People was a native.

At the same level, generally speaking, natives have a level of practical combat experience far superior to that of ordinary Invokers.

Therefore, the fate that awaited these individuals was hardly a surprise.

The battle ended with Parker's Explosive Crossbow Bolts. When the intense Flash disappeared from the forest in an instant, everyone couldn't help but turn their heads toward that direction.

Even the phantom of the Giant Dragon standing above the valley turned its head, and only when Toragotos recognized the combatants from afar did a look of surprise briefly flicker through its golden eyes.

The blast wave tousled everyone's hair and clothing.

When the gusts ceased and the dust settled, the forest had been utterly transformed; the Hyenas who had been opposite Tainaric were nowhere to be seen, leaving behind only a deep crater of one or two meters, still emitting curls of smoke.

Parker, with lingering fear, touched his hair, which had been blown upright by the wind, reflecting that the enhanced effect of the Explosive Crossbow Bolts was truly terrifying, but the range was a bit too short, giving him the impression of a nuclear hand grenade— damaging oneself in the process of killing the enemy.

This was naturally due to the effect of the new batch of Explosive Crystals produced by Fang Hong, which Parker was able to use after his level increased, increasing the output capacity of his Magic Furnace. However, these crystals were specifically designed for the 'Fire Giant,' and their effect was not ideal when used in crossbow bolts.

Its range and accuracy were heavily compromised, and one careless move could even harm one's own people.

After the fight ended, the individuals that Fang Hong and the others had rescued were clearly also shaken, to the point that it took them a good while before they thought to come forward and express their thanks.

And just as Fang Hong had speculated, these people were the most common type of temporary group, not even intending to participate in the trial but rather here to do business, yet heaven knows how they got involved in such an affair.

The few lamented their bad luck, while carefully probing and asking if Fang Hong and the rest belonged to any Grand Guild, as the previous battle had clearly made a deep impression on them—after all, those with such level of fighting capability were usually not part of an ordinary Adventure Group.

However, Fang Hong avoided a direct answer, simply reassured them, and then stated his real purpose, "Folks, there is a favor I'd like to ask of you."

"A favor?"

The individuals exchanged glances, but having dwelled in the New World for quite some time, they were clearly not genuine rookies, but rather seasoned veterans. They fell briefly silent before responding, "You saved our lives, so if there's anything we can help with, we would naturally be obliged to assist, as long as it's within our power."

Listen to that, it sounded grand and righteous, but it was full of implicit conditions.

If Fang Hong had been asked before joining Morning Dawn Star, he might have disapproved of such slippery behavior, to the point where he even thought Miss Sicape was rather too dishonest at the time, serving the Descendants of Flor while often being deceitful.

Even before they went to the Elf Ruins, everyone insisted on getting paid before they would take action, which was quite different from his image of the Invoker.

But now.

Fang Hong had learned to view these things with a more tolerant perspective, it wasn't wrong for the others to behave this way. He simply nodded and said: "This time the Dragon's Nest trial is very special, but you have seen for yourselves the tyranny of the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team. If not for them, this place wouldn't be in such chaos."

He paused: "Do you want revenge? Or perhaps, would you like to join the trial as well?"

"Join the trial?" Those individuals immediately caught onto the key point; as for wanting revenge, they didn't care about that. Seeking vengeance against a Grand Guild, wasn't that a joke? However, they also inquired, "The Jiefulite Red Cloak Team, isn't that Blood Oath Alliance?"

"The Blood Oath Alliance doesn't have the nerve for this." Fang Hong then explained the relationship between the Blood Oath Alliance and the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team to them. He had seen these people outside the Mountain Palace before and immediately made the connection.

The Blood Oath Alliance would be aware of the relationship between Silver Weslan and Lagatos; they wouldn't dare to cause trouble here on their own. But it was different for the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team. Their backing, the BBK club, although not one of the top ten guilds in the China Competition Region, wasn't far behind, and the BBK club belonged to one of the two factions of the China Super Competitive League, the 'God Slayer' alliance.

As opposed to the Network Crusader Alliance, which included the Wind Talkers and Silver Weslan, they were rival camps.

In fact, the full-blown opposition between the Descendants of Flor and the Rainbow Alliance in the Cloud Sea Region was a reflection of the opposition between these two top alliances of the Second World in the First World.

Fang Hong might not know much about other things, but he was clear-minded about these matters.

Upon hearing it was the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team, there was an evident hesitation in those individuals, but Fang Hong noticed their thoughts instantly, yet he wasn't surprised. His understanding of Eteliria had long since changed; he had once believed that Free Summoners and the Free Guild were the symbols of the heritage of the ideals of the first and second generation of Invokers.

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