This place is an incredibly vast space.
On both sides, two rows of towering stone pillars, akin to the audience room of the Yellow Dragon Temple, extend forward, leading to a massive door.
The floor is covered in a red carpet.
Above, a gigantic crystal chandelier hangs.
At first glance, it looks like the scene is prepared for some enthronement ceremony, giving a feeling that it wouldn't be strange even if an Emperor issued commands here.
In such a grand hall, there are entrances all around.
These entrances all connect to a corridor.
Fang Li rushed out from one of these corridors.
Simultaneously, countless Rinnen surged out from the remaining corridors, instantly blocking the direction of the door, and surrounding Fang Li.
This time, Fang Li stopped his own steps.
Surrounding him, the vast number of Rinnen also halted, forming a circle, encircling Fang Li.
"————"
A tense atmosphere, full of readiness, began to permeate the space.
Fang Li glanced around at the numerous Rinnen who were all on high alert. Shortly after, he raised his head and looked forward.
In front of the legion blocking the door, there stood a distinctively tall figure among the Rinnen.
It was a two-meter-tall, beetle-shaped creature.
Although it was referred to as a beetle, in reality, it was a humanoid figure with the appearance of a beetle, very robust with powerful limbs and prominently defined muscles.
A string of crystal prayer beads hung around the beetle humanoid's body.
A tremendously potent aura surged from the creature's body, instantly overshadowing the surrounding legion.
Without a doubt, this was a Crimson World Crimson Lord.
Moreover, its combat strength was quite remarkable, at the very least, it was not inferior to Friagne's Crimson World Crimson Lord.
Naturally, such a Crimson World Crimson Lord would not be just an ordinary character.
Immediately, in the vast hall, the voice of the other party rang out.
"I am Wanderers, Ribesal."
It was a deep voice that could shake the entire hall.
The Crimson World Crimson Lord named Ribesal lowered its head. Although its beetle face made it impossible to discern its expression, the gaze directed at Fang Li was evidently filled with disdain and contempt.
"Are you the human captured by Lady Bel Peol?"
Upon hearing this, Fang Li squinted his eyes.
In the "Bal Masqué," apart from the high-ranking individuals with their designated roles, the grassroots personnel were generally divided into two types of units.
One type was the Jaegers responsible for detecting various targets and performing tasks like locating, scouting, and tracking.
The other type was the Wanderers responsible for combat tasks, such as capturing, destroying, and annihilating targets.
The former typically consisted of Crimson World Denizens with relatively weak combat abilities but possessing some special abilities.
The latter usually comprised Crimson World Denizens with highly advanced combat abilities, some even holding the title of Crimson Lord.
These two types cooperated as a unit, assisting each other to complete quests.
If encountering Jaegers, even a fledgling Flame Haze could, under the contract's power with an assisting Crimson Lord, successfully subdue them.
After all, Jaegers are not skilled in combat. In a direct encounter, Flame Haze, existing to subjugate targets, naturally has the upper hand.
However, if confronted with Wanderers, it becomes more troublesome.
Because this category of Crimson World Denizens excels in combat.
Nevertheless, for Fang Li, it doesn't make much difference.
Regardless of whether they are Wanderers or not, if the opponent is a Crimson World Crimson Lord, it means their power is worthy of attention.
Of course, the current Wanderers, Ribesal, possessing an imposing manner comparable to the top five modern Crimson World Crimson Lords like Friagne, are likely not ordinary Wanderers.
Among the Wanderers, there are those who serve as trusted aides to the higher-ups in the "Bal Masqué."
The current Wanderers named Ribesal, since he only mentioned Lady Bel Peol's name, is probably one of the cunning strategist's trusted confidants, right?
In fact, Fang Li's speculation is indeed correct.
"I really don't understand why Lady Bel Peol bothers to keep such a human alive. Wouldn't it be better to just devour him?" Ribesal spoke in an extremely impatient tone. "Moreover, mobilizing so many forces just to deal with a human. Could it be that you want me to handle a human? Don't make me laugh!"
Ribesal seemed angry at his own words, and the heavy roar made the air tremble, causing the surrounding Rinnen to tremble in fear.
From start to finish, Ribesal didn't take Fang Li seriously.
Even those Rinnen who didn't know the details looked down on Fang Li, a human. It goes without saying that a Crimson Lord with formidable power among Crimson World Denizens would hold even more disdain.
After venting his anger, Ribesal didn't spare a glance at Fang Li and directly waved his hand.
The surrounding Rinnen immediately opened paths for each other.
In these paths, one after another, humanoid or beastly, or half-human, half-beast, or bizarre Crimson World Denizens slowly approached, reaching the forefront of the groups of Rinnen.
These Crimson World Denizens were clearly Wanderers as well.
However, unlike Ribesal, they didn't possess a powerful imposing manner, indicating that they were probably not Crimson Lords.
Unfortunately, these Crimson World Denizens, while looking at Fang Li surrounded by themselves and the others with disdain or mockery, began to discuss without regard for him.
"I've never faced a human as an opponent before."
"A human as our opponent?"
"Really, what a joke."
"I just need to open my mouth, and I can swallow this human whole."
"Too bad, the Manager said we must capture him alive."
"Anyway, as long as we capture him alive, won't it be fine?"
"Consider it a game during our rest period?"
Such mocking voices continuously echoed from the surroundings.
At this moment, Fang Li faced not pressure but ridicule.
In this situation, Ribesal shouted, "Someone among you, just catch this human for me!"
Apparently, Ribesal was disdainful of making a move himself.
As Ribesal's voice fell, another voice rang out.
"Let me handle it!"
It was a gorilla-like Crimson World Denizen even taller than Ribesal.
As if wanting to show off in front of his companions, the Crimson World Denizen with the appearance of a gorilla laughed heartily. With an unhurried pace, he came before Fang Li, extending an arm toward him.
...