Upon hearing Jiang Chen's question, Mandala's heart sank. Her expression darkened, and a trace of disappointment flickered in her gaze as she looked at Jiang Chen.

"Of course, Hellfire will take the lead!" Hu Da'er said matter-of-factly.

Jiang Chen gently shook his head. "I don't oppose the idea of merging. In fact, I've long considered combining Dragon Flame, Dragon Soul, and Dark Night Angel. However, having Hellfire take the lead—that I cannot agree to. Instead, let Hellfire merge into my team!"

"Jiang Chen, what do you mean? Do you even understand what you're saying?"

Hu Da'er suddenly stood up, his eyes wide with fury as he bellowed, "You want the great Hellfire to merge into your team? That's blasphemous to Hellfire!"

Jiang Chen looked at Hu Da'er indifferently, his tone instantly becoming icy. "And asking my team to merge into Hellfire is blasphemy to my brothers!"

Mandala's eyes lit up upon hearing this, a trace of joy flickering across her face.

"You…"

Hu Da'er's face turned ashen as he stared at Jiang Chen, full of mockery. "Jiang Chen, do you really take yourself seriously? Do you truly believe your team can compare to the great Hellfire? You're underestimating the power of a global hegemon! If we wanted to destroy your team, it would take no more than minutes!"

"Is that so?"

Jiang Chen replied coolly, "Should I understand this as you, on behalf of Hellfire, declaring war on me? If that's the case, I, Jiang Chen, accept!"

"You…"

Hu Da'er tightly furrowed his brows, shocked that Jiang Chen showed absolutely no fear of Hellfire. Glancing once at Bu Langshi, Hu Da'er hesitated.

Hu Da'er had done some background research on Jiang Chen prior to his arrival. Jiang Chen had close ties to Flame Dragon and the Flame Dragon Group, and during today's competition, Bu Langshi and Adam Lee had both openly supported Jiang Chen. This left Hu Da'er apprehensive about Jiang Chen's connections with the Holy Court and the Chaide Family.

If war truly broke out, would it escalate into a three-way conflict between Hellfire, the Flame Dragon Group, the Holy Court, and the Chaide Family? He couldn't be certain.

"I can't represent Hellfire, but Mr. Jiang, I will report your refusal to Lord Mo Yan. He will make the final decision!" Hu Da'er spoke in a solemn tone, his eyes flickering with calculation.

"Mo Yan!?" Bu Langshi exclaimed in shock.

Jiang Chen paused slightly, turning to look at Bu Langshi. "Mr. Bu Langshi, do you know Mo Yan?"

"I don't know him, but I've heard the Judgment Chief mention him. Mo Yan is the leader of the Hellfire Mercenary Corp. He was the one who led the charge into Flame Dragon back in the day. Legend has it that Commander Mo Yan battled Dragon Saint of the Flame Dragon Group for three days and three nights. In the end, he was defeated and killed by Dragon Saint on Flame Dragon Land. I never expected…" Bu Langshi frowned at Hu Da'er.

"Lord Mo Yan's divine might is unparalleled! How could he possibly have died? Judgment Officer Bu Langshi, your information is utterly inaccurate!" Hu Da'er scoffed mockingly.

"Unparalleled divine might, yet he ended up fleeing after being beaten by Dragon Saint Senior?" Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, his tone playful.

Hu Da'er's expression shifted, and he fixed an icy, murderous gaze on Jiang Chen.

Buzz!

A surge of powerful energy emanated as Yan Hu stepped forward, unleashing an oppressive force aimed squarely at Hu Da'er.

Hu Da'er's brow furrowed as he glanced at Yan Hu, then turned back to Jiang Chen, saying, "Mr. Jiang, what is the meaning of this?"

"The meaning is clear. Whoever wants to kill me, I will kill them!"

Jiang Chen replied coldly, "Go back and tell your Commander Mo Yan that my brothers will never serve under him. He is not qualified. If he wants war, I, Jiang Chen, am ready to face him to the end!"

"Fine! Excellent!" Hu Da'er shouted angrily. "Jiang Chen, prepare to feel Hellfire's wrath!"

"No matter how fiercely a fire burns, it will eventually be extinguished," Jiang Chen retorted coolly.

Hu Da'er glared fiercely at Jiang Chen, then turned and stormed out of the villa.

Watching Hu Da'er's departure, Jiang Chen turned to Mandala and said, "Commander Mandala, you may leave as well!"

"Mr. Jiang, I truly wish to join you wholeheartedly!" Mandala's expression shifted as she spoke urgently.

"As you've heard, my team is undergoing a merger. If Mandala joins, it won't be much different from joining Hellfire." Jiang Chen replied calmly.

"No! The difference is vast!"

Mandala shook her head firmly and said, "Joining Hellfire means being reduced to cannon fodder. But joining your team allows us to gain brothers and sisters. My brothers and sisters in Mandala fear death, but we don't wish to die in humiliation or be exploited to the point of death!"

Jiang Chen was slightly stunned, looking at Mandala with a hint of surprise.

Mandala's eyes were clear, even carrying a trace of a resolute, sacrificial tone.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Jiang Chen nodded lightly. "I can agree to your request, but Mandala will need to rename itself. It will now be called Dragon Flame Mercenary Group's Fourth Squad!"

Fourth Squad!?

Mandala froze for a moment, frowning slightly, feeling a sense of disrespect. Fourth Squad implied there were already three squads ahead of them. Did Mr. Jiang think Mandala would rank behind all three squads in Dragon Flame?

As far as Mandala knew, Dragon Flame had only ever consisted of three squads!

"Add us to it!" A shout rang out as two figures stepped through the door.

Jiang Chen glanced up and chuckled, "The meeting's over?"

"It's over!" Ge'er Yan smiled lightly. "My father and grandfather are arranging the evening banquet. Flame Mo and I came ahead!"

Slumping onto the sofa, Ge'er Yan grinned mischievously. "Mr. Jiang, add Burst Flame as well."

Jiang Chen blinked a few times and turned to Mandala. "Looks like Mandala will have to rename itself as the Fifth Squad instead!"

Fifth!?

Mandala froze for a moment before suddenly realizing, glancing at Spirit You, Xuan Long, and Blood Kylin. She quickly understood and hurriedly nodded, "That works!"

Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "No need to rush your response. Commander Mandala can consider this until tomorrow. By then, news of Dragon Flame, Dragon Soul, and Dark Night Angel merging will spread. Commander Mandala may decide whether to respond then."

"Thank you, Mr. Jiang." Mandala replied gratefully, casting a glance at Ge'er Yan before standing to take her leave.

Jiang Chen nodded lightly, watching Mandala leave.

"Si Mo'er has left!" As soon as Mandala departed, Ge'er Yan spoke with a stern expression.

"Left?!" Jiang Chen was startled for a moment, his brows lightly furrowing. "He left immediately?"

Ge'er Yan nodded. "As soon as you were gone, he left. I asked the gatekeeper, and he drove straight out of the estate."

"What about Ge'er Pusi and Na Lita?" Jiang Chen's expression turned serious.

"Those two? They went back to their villa." Ge'er Yan replied, puzzled. "Why?"

"It's nothing." Jiang Chen shook his head lightly, a trace of contemplation flashing in his eyes.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Footsteps echoed as Ge'er Kusi and Ge'er Feite stepped into the villa's main hall.

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