The approaching figures drew near quickly. Not just one.
Shadowy forms, seemingly seven or eight in number.
As they drew nearer, a striking orange-red glow caught everyone's eye. A defiant aura radiated from their brows, surrounded by a nebula-like aura. Who else could lead them but Sarl, who had vanished earlier?!
Then, glancing further back.
"Huh?!"
Everyone froze instantly. It turned out these individuals were all those who had previously left the team and disappeared. They had returned?!
Though bewildered, the crowd visibly relaxed upon recognizing their former comrades.
Lu Sheng heard Saya exhale, followed by a low mutter: "How did that bastard Sarl not die out there..."
Lu Sheng narrowed his eyes, studying the group before him.
The four-colored crystal figures in his mind spun slightly within his vision. Behind each figure hovered a distorted, furious crimson face.
These twisted visages glared malevolently at everyone present, their gaping mouths dripping copious saliva like a pack of ravenous beasts. The distorted illusions lurking beneath each calm face carried an indescribable sense of terror and eeriness.
"Looks like they finally couldn't hold back and are ready to make their move. Even this beast still hides its head and shows its tail. This guy really is a sly fox."
Lu Sheng thought to himself.
This Level 13 commander-grade beast, which had yet to fully reveal itself, operated much like a warlock in a game. It specialized in lurking in the shadows, striking from behind, and manipulating everything from the shadows.
The return of Sarl and the others sent ripples through the entire team.
Though they were comrades returning, every individual who had cultivated to Level 11 or 12 Martial Realm was no fool.
"This entire affair reeks of something sinister from start to finish, especially with a Level 13 Commander-grade beast involved."
Not a single soul dared to step forward to greet them. Many eyed the returning Sarl and his group with palpable wariness and distrust.
The two guides, however, drew weapons directly from their storage bracelets, glaring coldly at Sarl and his companions as if ready to strike at any moment.
"Don't be like that, Commander."
Seeing the guides' stance, Sarl, the leader, softened his tone unusually. He smiled wryly and said, "We just left the group without telling you for a while. That doesn't warrant drawing blades, does it?"
The stern-faced middle-aged guide among them replied coldly,
"Whether it's warranted or not isn't for you to decide. You left the team without authorization. If you don't explain this properly today, sending you back immediately would be the lightest punishment."
Sarl frowned slightly at the stern middle-aged man's words.
A flicker of irritation passed between his orange-red eyebrows, but he restrained himself and explained,
"I admit, leaving the team without permission was our mistake. But there was a reason. I discovered a gathering place for exotic beasts—the finest hunting ground, teeming with crystal cores. I knew you'd never approve if I told you, so I chose to act alone..."
A gathering place for exotic beasts? A hunting ground?
Hearing this justification, many froze in surprise.
The stern middle-aged leader frowned slightly, but before he could press further, several others standing behind Sarl spoke up in unison:
"Yes, sir. Sarl is correct. We left the team without permission solely to hunt more beast cores."
"Our original purpose for entering the Battlefield was to grow stronger, and beast cores are the best way to do that. I don't think I did anything wrong."
"Sure, we left the group midway, but we're all back safely now, aren't we?" They spoke one after another, their tone sincere, trying to persuade the two guides to let them rejoin the group.
The round-faced fat man among the two guides remained silent, while the stern middle-aged man's gaze showed signs of slight softening.
He seemed on the verge of being persuaded.
Sarl caught that flicker of wavering in the stern middle-aged man's eyes. His own eyes flickered, and he smiled and spoke, "How about this, sir?"
Sarl waved his hand.
"Take that one."
Thousands of beast crystal cores cascaded out from his storage bracelet with a clatter.
There were far too many of these cores.
Moreover, they were of exceptionally high quality—most were produced by Level 11 and Level 12 beasts, with only a small portion being Level 10 beast cores.
This shower of cores shimmered dazzlingly under the refraction of the void light.
For a moment, the expressions of those below froze, then their faces lit up with intense fervor and envy.
"Damn!"
Saya's eyes turned bloodshot.
"So many beast cores! What kind of treasure trove did that bastard Sarl find? Did he dig up the ancestral burial ground of a beast clan?"
These men had previously fought tooth and nail over just one or two beast cores.
Now, with this mountain of beast cores before them, even the most level-headed members of the group found their breathing grow heavy.
Though absorbing beast cores carried side effects, it was undeniably a shortcut to rapidly ascending to higher martial realms.
If they absorbed all these cores, how much would their strength skyrocket?
Moreover, the guides had mentioned that the side effects could be counteracted using a special absorption technique.
The appearance of thousands of beast cores caused even the two guides' eyes to flicker.
Within the entire crowd, Lu Sheng was likely the only one who remained unmoved.
Primarily because Lu Sheng didn't rely heavily on absorbing beast cores to grow stronger, and he clearly knew these cores were definitely problematic.
Lu Sheng crossed his arms, blending into the crowd as he leisurely watched Sarl in the distance.
Compared to these cores, he was far more interested in what kind of performance these fellows would put on next.
"This is more than half of our haul from this expedition."
Sarl scanned the crowd, seemingly satisfied with their reactions to the crystals. He then turned to the two guides and smiled, saying, "We're willing to hand over everything and share it among you all. All we ask is that you two commanders allow us to rejoin our unit and not pursue any blame for this operation."
Distribute them to everyone?
Hearing Sarl's words, the breathing of the crowd below grew noticeably heavier.
"Commander, perhaps we should pardon them."
"Yes, it's not a major offense. Besides, they're back now."
"Exactly..."
Before the two guides could speak, voices from below had already begun pleading on behalf of Sarl and his group.
Sarl observed the crowd, their eyes glued to the crystal core, clamoring for the guides to allow their return. His gaze flickered with thick sarcasm and amusement.
But that amusement vanished instantly, concealed with practiced ease.
He narrowed his eyes, deciding to apply one final push to sway the two guides.
"Commander..."
Sarl spoke in a voice only he and the two guides could hear. "If you agree, once we return to base, I'll personally thank each of you.
And I can share the coordinates for that beast gathering spot too."
The guides' eyes darted rapidly, their expressions seeming to make a decision.
Sarl knew his words had taken effect, and a victorious smile slowly spread across his face.
But just then, the round-faced fat man who had remained silent spoke up: "Sarl, you've become unusually polite since you went out, haven't you?"
"Huh?!"
Sarl's expression froze, and the smile on his face gradually faded.