Lin Chuan seemed utterly oblivious to the others' shifting expressions. He casually waved a few teleportation Spirit Talismans. "If any of you face mortal danger, I'll use these to send you away immediately."

"So don't worry about safety."

People risk lives for riches, birds for food. Lin Chuan even producing teleportation Spirit Talismans eased their retreat worries. Coupled with the generous reward, several felt tempted.

"I'm only a step from the 'Soul' realm, lacking just the key breakthrough material," Titan mused. "With Shadowblade also stuck here, even against an A-rank Beast, we won't be much weaker." Though rugged-looking, Titan's mind was sharp—otherwise, he wouldn't rank 17th among B-rank Awakened.

Missions weren't just strength clashes; scheming mattered too.

"Maybe after killing this Beast... I'll snag advancement material suited for me." Titan decided staying was wise. Others followed suit. Feng Ye had no qualms—he had a ready Beast to complete his quota mission. Why seek another?

Lin Tang let out a slight sigh of relief. Preparing the array and gathering the team had been hard work. A hasty disbandment would waste more time.

"I barely sneaked this Beast fragment from Dad's room during his trip," she muttered inwardly. "Delay much longer, and I'd have to return it..." She announced, "Since everyone's agreed, I'll start the summoning."

Feng Ye stroked his chin, deep in thought. "What exactly did that girl pull out...?" Something felt off.

Lin Chuan patted his shoulder curiously. "Brother Feng Ye, what's got you so serious?"

Feng Ye hesitated, then spoke plainly. "I think Lin Tang's Beast fragment might not be vital material from an A-rank Beast."

"Not A-rank?" Lin Chuan laughed. "Relax, we double-checked. It came from an 'A-rank'-labeled box in my dad's study."

"Just because it's labeled 'A-rank' doesn't guarantee it's from an A-rank Beast," Feng Ye countered. "What if it's an A-rank War Soul?"

"A-rank War Soul?"

"What's that?" Lin Chuan frowned, clueless.

"You know about War Souls!?" Titan blurted out. He stared at Feng Ye, disbelief clear. That was a secret for those nearing the 'Soul' realm!

"Uh..." Feng Ye knew he'd slipped but couldn't feign ignorance. "I heard it's another form of War Spirit. Details? No idea."

"Heard it, huh." Titan eyed him skeptically. A D-rank Awakened couldn't truly know War Soul secrets.

Lin Chuan whined, "War Soul? What're you talking about? I've never heard of it!" Had Lin Tang been there, she'd have shot him a disdainful look. Both siblings attended those theory lessons, but Lin Chuan hated them—sleeping through classes while obsessing over combat skills. Their old teacher nearly went bald from frustration. Their strength simply hadn't warranted 'Soul' realm knowledge yet.

"When you near that realm, you'll learn," Shadowblade cut in. "Focus on the enemy ahead for now."

While they spoke, Lin Tang had crouched before the array, activating it. Her Spirit Energy lit every line. Unlike Radiant Land's magic, Awakened Spirit Energy was more fundamental, highly compatible.

Spirit Energy flooded the array, making the ground dazzle. High above, a phantom array image appeared, linking to the ground one. Air between them rippled strangely, twisting into a giant vortex gate!

All but Feng Ye gaped—the summoning array's phenomenon was legendary. Seeing it firsthand was awe-inspiring.

"Wonder what happens if I charge in now?" Lin Chuan mused. The others shot him idiotic looks.

"Definitely not getting summoned to another world as some beautiful girl's contract beast," Feng Ye said earnestly.

"Holy crap, Brother Feng Ye! You thought the same?" Lin Chuan grinned, then puzzled. "But how'd you know it's impossible?"

"Lucky guess." Feng Ye's mouth twitched. He couldn't admit his own embarrassing past experience.

"Huh." Lin Chuan shrugged it off.

Lin Tang sprinted back, face flushed with excitement. "Haha! Succeeded on the first try! I'm a genius!" She beamed smugly.

The others' faces darkened. Hadn't she claimed hundreds of checks? Why sound so relieved?

Sensing their stares, Lin Tang blushed slightly. "What're you looking at? I knew it'd work, but it's my first time setting this array—I was nervous!" She turned away tsundere-style. "Besides, see? It worked!"

*Rumble rumble.*

Soon, thunder and lightning crackled at the vortex's heart. An illusory shadow emerged, as if something clawed its way out from beyond.