But even with utmost caution, the team's progress still disturbed some native creatures of the Mushroom Forest. A swarm of gigantic fireflies, bearing wings like flames, descended from the sky, buzzing as they launched an attack on the group.

Fortunately, these creatures were only level five or six, and it took nothing more than a simple shooing for the group to disperse them, though the spectacle did give everyone a bit of a fright.

The knights of Silver Weslan seemed somewhat embarrassed by their own overblown reactions, and as they watched the fireflies fly away, someone let out a chuckle, which led to a wave of laughter.

Who would believe it if told, that the former top guild of the China Competition Region was thrown into disarray by a swarm of level five or six fireflies? It was indeed a sight that was hard to keep a straight face at.

As the knights laughed, a ranger suddenly spoke up, "The last time we came here it was the same. It's been a few years; coming back now brings back memories. Back then, we were even more flustered than we are now, do you remember how the Princess looked, haha!"

"Haha!" the others also broke into laughter, "Pity the Princess couldn't make it this year."

At this, everyone's gaze turned toward Fang Hong, whose hackles raised as he thought to himself, what's that got to do with me? But he couldn't help but sneak a curious glance at Sophie, wondering if she, too, was afraid of bugs.

Sophie, feeling the weight of his gaze, suddenly switched to the team channel and materialized before everyone. She looked at the ranger and spoke, "Fengxun, do you think that just because I'm not there, you can do whatever you want?"

The ranger turned pale with fright and quickly hid behind the others.

But the others didn't seem to care about their princess's anger. They glanced at Sophie and then at Fang Hong behind her, as if they finally understood what was happening, and let out a meaningful "Oh—."

Only Xi looked at Fang Hong with some concern.

"You bastards—!" Sophie fumed before disappearing.

Fang Hong glanced at the mountain village girl nearby and knew she probably ran off to mollify her little girlfriend. As an onlooker, he could see the relationship between the two girls quite clearly.

It took quite a while before Sophie reappeared in front of him and said, "We should be there by now."

"The Rat People's village?" Fang Hong asked.

The Princess of Silver Weslan nodded in affirmation.

Recalling his earlier question, Fang Hong couldn't help but ask, "Speaking of which, was it the same group of people who came here a few years ago?"

"More or less," Sophie said with a touch of reminiscence. "Some left, some were new, but overall, most of us stayed. The last time we came here was nearly three years ago, before we became Official Summoners. I remember it very clearly."

"During the trial, everyone was on edge, so after we passed the seventh level, the relief was palpable. Here, we got attacked by those pesky insects and ended up quite embarrassed. We all laughed it off just like that, but it attracted the attention of the Andrett Ratmen guards. Luckily, Uncle Snorwen turned up just in time to diffuse the tension between us."

She whispered, "Outsiders tend to think the Rat People are very cold and xenophobic, but that's not the case. We stayed in that village for two days until the trial was over, and experienced quite a few interesting things. I even made a friend; her name is Dan Loni. She makes Luminescent Wine for the Dwarves that is absolutely top-notch. When we get there, I'll have to treat you to a glass."

"You're treating me to a glass?" Fang Hong was skeptical. "How are you going to pay?"

"Of course, you're paying," Sophie replied matter-of-factly.

Fang Hong was speechless with frustration.

The two suddenly stopped walking, for they had reached the edge of the Mushroom Forest. Gazing across the luminous Crystal Plains, they could see a decrepit village nestled among a cluster of stone pillars—a village that appeared shabby only because of the Rat People's architectural style.

Fang Hong had heard of this Rodent Alliance, which, like the Night Lizard People, lived underground.

...

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