My monster cards can evolve infinitely.

Chapter 92 What more teammates do I need?

As the morning light grew stronger, the edge of the gray forest expanded into view.

Xiuqi led the 11th Regiment along the dirt road, where the trees on both sides gradually became denser.

The thick, sticky feeling characteristic of a dry, gray forest grew stronger and stronger, and it felt as if my nasal cavity was stuffed with damp cotton wool when I breathed.

Just then, a strange cry came from high above.

The sound was clear and melodious, like a silver bell ringing in the wind, yet it also carried a certain ethereal and sacred feeling.

Everyone looked up at the same time.

Above the forest, a pure white figure was soaring and circling.

That was a celestial horse.

It is slightly larger than an ordinary horse, and its body is covered with a flawless white mane that gleams like pearls in the morning light.

What is most striking is its pair of enormous wings spread out on its back, each spanning over twenty feet, with feathers as white as snow, each one seemingly meticulously crafted.

The celestial horse circled gracefully in the air, each flap of its wings creating a soft, flowing light. Its posture was noble and sacred, a stark contrast to the dark and gloomy forest below.

And sitting on the back of the celestial horse was none other than the white-robed mage, Guild Master Airon.

The old man sat upright on his specially made saddle, one hand holding the reins and the other an oak staff. The morning breeze ruffled his long, white beard and robes as he looked down at the forest from a hundred meters above, like an ancient sage surveying his territory.

"My God..." Link looked up, his eyes wide open. "That's... a Pegasus?"

The boy's voice was filled with shock.

As a hunter who grew up on the edge of the forest, Link had heard of the legend of the Pegasus. In the legend, the Pegasus is described as a "spirit of the sky" and a "sacred symbol," a rare monster of Challenge Level 2, which usually inhabits only a very few unpolluted secret realms.

Pegasus is said to be proud and extremely difficult to tame. To obtain a Pegasus as a mount requires not only great strength but also a special kind of destiny.

"Challenge level 2..." Link muttered to himself, "The price of a Pegasus is probably more than I could ever save up in my entire life."

Xiuqi's gaze followed the white figure in the air.

His feelings were different from Link's.

In the library of the Royal Academy of Solmar, Xiuqi read detailed records about Pegasus.

This creature not only possesses the ability to fly, but also has an innate ability to sense evil and chaos, and a natural resistance to negative energy creatures such as demons and the undead.

More importantly, the Pegasus is one of the few magical creatures that can establish a deep mental connection with the caster. Mages riding Pegasus gain additional stability and accuracy when casting spells in the air.

President Airon is currently surveying the skies on his Pegasus, clearly not to show off.

He was using Pegasus's innate ability to detect the distribution and intensity of demonic energy in the forest. Those eyes that could see through illusions were probably analyzing the source and flow of the demonic tide at this moment.

"It's not just a mount," Xiuqi said softly, "it's also a reconnaissance tool."

Link turned to look at Xiuqi, a flash of understanding in his eyes: "So, President Aaron was..."

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"Analyze the demonic tide." Xiuqi nodded. "Pegasus's perception of evil aura is more acute than most detection spells. From a high vantage point, it can grasp the overall situation more clearly."

As the two spoke, the Pegasus drew a graceful arc in the air and flew towards the depths of the forest. The white figure quickly disappeared into the gray mist-shrouded forest, leaving only its sacred cry echoing in the air.

A suppressed gasp and murmur arose from the crowd.

"That's Pegasus..."

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"As expected of Guild Master Airon, an elite mage of the kingdom, he can even tame such a rare mount."

"I heard that taming a Pegasus requires completing a series of trials and gaining the approval of the Pegasus herd."

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"To see it with my own eyes even once in my lifetime is worth it!"

Cade and Allen also looked up at the sky, their eyes flashing with complex emotions—envy, awe, and self-awareness.

They knew very well that mounts like the Pegasus were beyond the reach of ordinary adventurers. They represented not only wealth, but also power, prestige, and some inexplicable stroke of luck.

Xiuqi withdrew his gaze and looked back at the forest in front of him.

The appearance of the Pegasus was indeed awe-inspiring, but it also reminded them of the gravity of their mission.

Even a kingdom elite mage like Guild Master Elon personally went out to conduct aerial reconnaissance on a celestial horse, indicating that the threat of the demonic tide is greater than it appears.

"Keep moving forward," Xiuqi ordered. "Stay alert."

The procession resumed its march.

As we ventured deeper, the dirt road gradually disappeared, replaced by a secluded forest path. The trees grew denser, their canopies intertwining to form a thick dome, with only sparse patches of sunlight filtering through the leaves and foliage to fall to the ground.

The ground was covered with a thick layer of decaying leaves, soft and silent underfoot. The air was filled with an eerie stench of soil, humus, and a faint smell of sulfur.

Those are traces of demonic activity.

Xiu Qi could sense that the arcane energy in the air was becoming chaotic. The originally orderly flowing energy threads were twisting and tangling here, as if they had been contaminated by some kind of filthy power.

The rare meditation stone on his chest emitted a warm pulse, helping him stabilize his mind and resist the negative influences of the environment.

Link had entered hunter mode. He walked on the flank of the group, his sharp gaze scanning the surroundings, his ears twitching slightly as he caught every subtle sound in the forest. His longbow was already in his hand, and his quiver was adjusted to the most comfortable position.

Ado walked at the very front, his massive body like a road clearing machine. His spiked club occasionally pushed aside vines and branches blocking his path, while his oak shield remained always in front of him.

The ogre's bright yellow eyes darted around warily; its instinctive perception of danger was far more acute than that of humans.

Cade and Allen each led their teams behind them. Although the two teams were not convinced of Xiuqi's leadership, they still maintained basic tactical discipline in the dangerous environment.

The warriors drew their weapons, the ranged fighters nocked their arrows, and everyone was on high alert.

They traveled like this for about three hours.

At noon, they reached the edge of Zone 11.

Xiuqi unfolded the map given to him by Commander Raymond.

The parchment was covered with a rough topographical map drawn in ink, marking the main landforms such as mountains, rivers, and valleys. Their area was circled in red, covering approximately twenty square miles.

Twenty square miles doesn't sound like much.

But this is a mountainous and forested area.

The terrain of the Grey Forest is extremely complex.

The mountains stretch endlessly, with crisscrossing valleys and dense forests dotted with rocks, cliffs, streams, and swamps. The trees are so dense that in some places, it is necessary to cut them down to pass through, and the vines and shrubs severely limit visibility.

Exploration in such an environment would be much less efficient.

Not to mention the need to search for and wipe out the demonic creatures hiding everywhere.

"According to the map," Xiuqi pointed to a small hill in the center of the area, "this should be the highest point. If you climb to the top, you can overlook most of the area."

Cade leaned closer to examine the map, frowning. "From where we are now to that hill, the straight-line distance is about five miles. But in this terrain, the actual distance could be more than ten miles. And... well, who knows how many demons we'll encounter along the way." He paused, then added, "...we'll run into who knows how many demons we'll encounter along the way."

Allen spoke up, his tone clearly worried: "The commander has given us three days. We need to complete the reconnaissance and clearing of the entire area within three days... If we keep maintaining a large-scale troop operation, the efficiency will be too low."

These words expressed what everyone felt.

Three teams, totaling eleven people, were safe together, but their exploration range was limited. Three days was simply not enough to cover the complex mountainous terrain of twenty square miles.

However, if they act separately, the risks will increase significantly.

"I suggest we split into two teams," Cade suddenly said, glancing at Xiuqi and Allen. "One team will head west, and the other east, advancing simultaneously. This will double our efficiency."

Allen's eyes lit up: "Great idea! But..."

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He looked at Xiuqi, then at the team members behind him, and hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but didn't.

The problem is obvious: they have three teams, how do they split into two teams?

Should one squad be split up and added to the other two? Or should one squad operate independently while the other two merge?

Regardless of the chosen approach, uneven distribution will be a problem. Squads that are split up will be dissatisfied, squads operating alone will feel isolated, and the two merged squads may also clash over command authority.

When Cade made this suggestion, his eyes were fixed on Xiuqi.

Xiuqi immediately understood the other party's intention.

This is not just a simple tactical suggestion, but a carefully designed problem.

Cadena is testing the waters and applying pressure.

If Xiuqi agrees to split into teams, the thorny issue of "how to divide the three teams into two" must be resolved. No matter how the teams are divided, it may cause dissatisfaction and damage his authority as the team leader.

If Xiuqi opposes the division and insists on a large-scale operation, then the mission may not be completed within three days. At that point, Cade and Allen can easily shift the blame, claiming it was due to the captain's poor command.

dilemma.

Allen clearly realized this as well. He looked at Xiuqi, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

The surrounding team members also quieted down, focusing their attention on Xiu Qi.

Link gripped his bow nervously. Ado looked at the group in confusion, wondering why they had suddenly fallen silent.

Xiuqi remained silent for a moment.

His gaze swept across the map, his mind racing.

Squads are indeed the best solution to improve efficiency. But Cade's suggestion had a hidden agenda, which he saw very clearly.

but....

Xiuqi suddenly realized that being assigned to a separate team might not be a bad thing for him, but rather an opportunity.

His original plan was to act alone.

Teaming up with others not only restricts your actions but also risks revealing your true intentions.

Furthermore, with more people, distributing the loot after defeating the demon becomes more complicated. If another adventurer manages to land the final blow, the essence used to create the card will be wasted.

More importantly, while both Cade and Allen's teams have their strengths, they lack unity.

Cade is a shield user, skilled in frontal defense; Allen is a ranger, skilled in long-range reconnaissance and guerrilla warfare. Combining the two teams allows them to complement each other's weaknesses, forming a more complete tactical system.

And himself...

Xiuqi looked at Ado and Link beside him.

The ogre Hodor is a top-tier defender and power crusher; after being armed and enhanced, his direct combat ability is astonishing.

Although Link is young, his archery skills are excellent and his awareness of the battlefield is good. He has already proven his worth in the last battle against the goblin tribe.

Furthermore, the princess, who has been promoted to two stars, possesses the [Abyss Avatar] talent, allowing her to launch surprise attacks from unexpected angles.

There's also that one-star rare card, [Fearless Goblin Warrior], whose stats are comparable to the Bear Goblin, making it a versatile option in any tactic.

The two-star rare card, [Bird Poet], can be summoned at crucial moments.

This configuration already constitutes a complete and tactically diverse squad.

What more teammates do you need?

Xiuqi raised his head, his gaze calmly sweeping over Cade and Allen.

"Then let's split into two teams."

His voice was steady, as if he were stating a very simple fact.

Cade and Allen were both taken aback, clearly not expecting Xiuqi to agree so readily.

"How will we divide it?" Cade pressed, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes—he thought Xiuqi had fallen for his trap.

Xiuqi pointed to the map: "You two squads merge and scout westward. My squad 33 will scout eastward. This way, one to the left and one to the right, we'll cover the entire area."

The air suddenly became quiet.

Cade's smug expression froze.

Allen's eyes widened as he stared at Xiuqi in disbelief.

The team members behind them looked at each other in confusion, thinking they had misheard.

"What...what did you say?" Cade stammered. "Our two teams are merging? You...you're on your own team?"

"Yes." Xiuqi nodded, his tone still calm. "Squad 31 has a shield bearer, who excels at frontal defense. Squad 32 has a ranger and a priest, who excel at ranged support and healing. If you merge your two squads, you can complement each other tactically, making your combat strength even greater."

He paused, then looked at Cade and Allen: "My team is smaller and more flexible. This allocation solves the team division problem and maximizes the strengths of each team."

These words were reasonable, but the underlying meaning made Cade and Allen's faces turn ugly.

Xiuqi's meaning was clear: Your two teams together are enough to be entertaining, but I alone am enough.

This is blatant contempt.

"You..." Cade's face flushed red. "Captain Xiuqi, this is not the time to be reckless. You're disregarding the safety of the team! Acting alone is too risky. What if we encounter a powerful enemy..."

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"If we encounter a strong enemy, I'll launch red fireworks," Xiuqi interrupted him. "Once you see them, come to our aid. Similarly, if you encounter danger, I'll rush over too."

He looked at Allen: "Captain Allen, what do you think?"

Allen opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

From a tactical perspective, Xiuqi's allocation plan was indeed reasonable. After merging Squads 31 and 32, they had melee, ranged, and healing capabilities, making them a complete unit. Although Xiuqi's squad had fewer members, the presence of Ado, a powerful combatant, made them more mobile.

But... sending a small team without any professionals to act alone is too risky.

If anything happens to Xiuqi's team, he, as the team leader, will definitely have to take responsibility.

But if I object, I'll appear cowardly and weak.

Allen was caught in a dilemma.

"It's settled then." Xiu Qi didn't give them a chance to object and started assigning tasks directly. "Using the central hill as the boundary, the western half is yours, and the eastern half is ours."

Return here after completing the reconnaissance to exchange intelligence. If you encounter an enemy you cannot handle, launch red fireworks.

He took out the red communication firework from his pocket and waved it: "I'll keep the red one; the yellow and green ones are for you. Any questions?"

Cade and Allen exchanged a glance, both seeing complex emotions in each other's eyes.

Finally, Allen sighed, "Alright. But Captain Hugh, you must be careful. Demonic creatures are not like ordinary monsters; their attack methods are often unexpected."

"I will," Xiuqi nodded. "And you will too."

After the assignments were completed, the three teams began their final preparations.

Cade and Allen gathered with their respective teams, quietly discussing command and tactical coordination after the merger.

Despite previous disagreements, they were able to put aside their prejudices and prioritize the overall situation when faced with the mission.

Xiuqi took one last look at the map, confirming the main terrain of the eastern half and possible locations of demon activity.

"Set off."

Allen watched the retreating figures of Xiuqi and his two companions, a wry smile on his face: "From the very beginning, he never intended to act with us."

"Why?" Captain Cade asked, puzzled.

"Because people's hearts are not united," Allen sighed.

He looked in the direction where Xiuqi's team had disappeared, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

That young apprentice mage was probably much smarter than he had imagined.

"Let's go," Cade said, bolstering his spirits. "Since he's given us this opportunity, let's do our best. Don't let them look down on us!"

The two teams merged into one and began their march toward the western half of the zone.