After a whole day of labor, the group jumped out of a pit in the middle of the abandoned mine and then followed the winding road upwards.
In the past few days, every time the group left the abandoned mine, Ren Zhong and Wen Lei would carry the corpse of a Level Four Ruined Beast on their shoulders.
Sometimes Bai Feng would carry one too.
But today, the three of them were empty-handed.
The Chip Storage Box in Hanyu’s backpack only contained a few Crystal Chips from Second and Third Level Ruined Beasts.
Ren Zhong did not explain much to the others, only stating that while leading the team deeper, he was guided by a highly refined Magnetic Line Network Model to avoid Ruined Beasts as much as possible, navigating the abandoned mine with apparent aimlessness yet precise intent.
He was making the most of the remaining time to refine and validate the Magnetic Line Network Algorithm.
Of course, he did not fail to notice Level Four Ruined Beasts; in fact, he detected many ahead of time. Yet, every time, he would only confirm from afar before turning around without hesitation.
Even if it was a Level Four Ruined Beast he had dealt with before and could confidently handle, he wouldn’t touch it.
Though everyone was puzzled, Ren Zhong didn’t explain his intention, and others refrained from asking.
Ren Zhong ascended the final steps, stepping onto the edge of the abandoned mine and pausing slightly.
The others followed, each showing expressions of surprise and hesitation.
Not far away, Lin Wang and Bei Lihui stood on either side of the armed Qingfeng Heavy Truck.
One sneered coldly, the other grinned menacingly as they stared at the group.
Zheng Tian vaguely understood why Ren Zhong had been avoiding battles today.
But this was a reason she wished didn’t exist.
Today was the day of Lin Wang’s return. Ren Zhong had planned for the worst, most catastrophic outcome, preparing everyone to rest and recuperate for a life-and-death battle.
Terror and sorrow filled Zheng Tian’s heart.
Though she was a prominent figure among the Starfire Town rogues, she was insignificant as an ant before the likes of Lin Wang and Bei Lihui.
She couldn’t fathom why this was happening.
She couldn’t quite make sense of it.
In the entire team, no one had pondered more deeply about Lin Wang’s possible attitude upon his return or thought of more ways to ease relations than Zheng Tian.
Suppressing her fear-induced trembling, Zheng Tian stepped forward with a smile, gesturing cautiously, her voice trembling, "Captain Lin, Brother Hui... What brings you two here?"
Lin Wang didn’t respond to her, only kept his gaze on Ren Zhong and said, "Zheng Tian, although you too must die, this is not your time to speak."
Zheng Tian’s face turned pale instantly, speechless and powerless, as if all her strength had been drained.
She had intended to test the waters a bit.
Although the team now centered around Ren Zhong, before his arrival, she had long been under Lin Wang’s command.
Even if she was just a tool, her contributions were nothing compared to the current Ren Zhong, but still deserved some recognition for her hard work. They hadn’t been strangers for long.
She thought she held some value, yet to her dismay, he sentenced her to death with his very first words.
The saddest part was that even while declaring her death sentence, Lin Wang didn’t spare her a glance.
A firm hand gently rested on her shoulder as the War Armor-clad Ren Zhong stepped in front of her, shielding her behind him.
"Captain Lin, long time no see, it feels like ages. I’ve missed you dearly."
The light, somewhat joking tone of Ren Zhong came from ahead of Zheng Tian.
Looking at the unremarkable Mechanical Warrior’s back, she was momentarily disoriented.
Although she knew in her heart that death was inevitable, the strength that had just dissipated silently returned to her body.
Wen Lei, Bai Feng, Ou Youning, and Hanyu also stepped forward from behind, standing shoulder to shoulder with Zheng Tian.
"You’re still as glib as ever. But it doesn’t matter."
Lin Wang did not immediately take action, speaking calmly.
Ren Zhong shrugged, "Half a month ago, Captain Lin, you had high hopes for me. We had just agreed on an alliance for Tanyuan, and my admiration for you was like an endless river, tumultuous like the Yellow River, unstoppable. I eagerly became your reserve member, dreaming of the big city. Why has your attitude changed upon your return? Did I do something wrong? By the way, why are only you two here, where are the others?"
While speaking, Ren Zhong’s peripheral vision discreetly flicked to the side.
In fact, his tactical helmet’s display already showed that on a small hill several hundred meters away, Demolition Master Si Mawan was observing the situation from afar with binoculars.