Chapter 957: Night Banquet

Giving them a share of the glory that didn't originally belong to the Dragon Seven Tribulations team was a diplomatic maneuver that even Xu Yang and Ling Yao couldn't help but praise. More importantly, Guglas's words completely extinguished the opposing party's desire and opportunity to ask further questions; they no longer had the chance to pursue the matter.

"I see. Honorable Enforcement Elder, if their account is true, then the primary credit for this battle should still go to the Dragon Seven Tribulations team, who already perished on the battlefield. Our Dragon Legion has always upheld a clear system of rewards and punishments. It would be unjust to simply absorb this Glory team into the Dragon Seven Tribulations' sphere based on this alone."

As soon as he finished speaking, the capable middleman with a shaved head next to him chimed in. "Honorable Enforcement Elder, General Shelvis's recent statement has merit. To join our faction, one must possess strength strong enough to convince everyone. I'm not questioning the combat abilities of anyone here, but what exactly transpired during that engagement? The rest of us are not privy to the details. Therefore, I propose that the Glory team undergo the Dragon Trial. If they achieve excellent results during this trial and further demonstrate their capabilities, then all of us will wholeheartedly support their inclusion in the esteemed Dragon Seven Tribulations team."

The Dragon Trial is known as the highest-level trial within the entire Dragon Legion. Typically, the Dragon Trial is not easily initiated. It only commences after Elder Council approval, specifically when there is a change involving the captains of the seven strongest teams within the Dragon Seven Tribulations. This Dragon Trial, in fact, holds the Dragon Legion's biggest secret. The origin of this power lineage has always been an enigma, and now Xu Yang's Glory team seems to have inadvertently stumbled upon an opportunity to access the Dragon Legion's most profound secrets.

Guglas instinctively wanted to refuse, as he knew full well what initiating the Dragon Trial entailed. The Dragon Trial is an extremely perilous place, and all participants must sign a dedicated life-or-death contract before entering the trial space. Those who fail to meet the trial's requirements can never be released from the space. This means that once Xu Yang's Glory team of seven enters that place, if they fail to complete the trial or if there's external interference, they will be at a significant disadvantage, potentially even imprisoned forever in that cursed place until their lives end.

The opposing party's demand was a clear attempt to gain the upper hand, using the Dragon Trial as a pretext to suppress the seven members of Xu Yang's Glory team.

"Oh? I actually think that's an excellent idea. Should you pass the Dragon Trial, each of you will gain a unique opportunity in the Dragon Deep Valley, which can significantly boost your individual strengths. What's more, if your entire team successfully completes the Dragon Trial, then, according to the Dragon Legion's Elder Council's highest decree, you will qualify to join one of the three major factions within the Dragon Seven Ranks. This will grant you the authority to freely allocate any resources from any city-state under the Dragon Legion, without requiring explicit authorization from the Elder Council."

When the Enforcement Elder said this, Xu Yang, who had been eating heartily, immediately paused. It was clear he was genuinely swayed by the Elder's words. Originally, Xu Yang's idea was simple: bring his team to enjoy a good meal, then engage in a decisive battle to directly overthrow the entire Dragon Legion Elder Council. However, upon learning about the Dragon Trial and its associated secret, he decisively changed his mind.

While it would have been effortless for Xu Yang to eliminate these individuals with his immense power—perhaps even easier than eating this meal—doing so would mean that the substantial foundations accumulated by the Dragon Legion over many years in the Western Regions of Yingzhou Continent would remain an eternal secret. Consequently, the tangible benefits Xu Yang's team could acquire would undoubtedly be significantly diminished. Instead, it would be more strategic to go along with their intentions, delve deeper into the Dragon Legion's most profound secrets, and thereby maximize his Glory team's advantages.

With this decision firm in his mind, Xu Yang no longer hesitated. He immediately addressed the Enforcement Elder with a smile, "Since this is a rule established by the Dragon Legion Elder Council, we will naturally comply. Although we are a newly formed team, we are ultimately part of the Dragon Legion, and we will certainly contribute our strength to the esteemed Elders and the entire Legion. We are incredibly honored to have the opportunity to join the Dragon Seven Ranks! On behalf of the team, I confirm our willingness to participate in this Dragon Trial."

As Xu Yang finished speaking, the powerful figures from the other, less familiar, top-tier Dragon Legion teams all revealed smiles of relief. Of course, their smiles seemed to contain a hint of mockery and self-satisfaction.

"I tell you, brother, for your and your teammates' safety, you'd best consider carefully. The Dragon Trial is far from as easy as you imagine, and once you decide to step through that door, whether you can leave or not will no longer be up to you."

Xu Yang, however, burst into laughter. "Gentlemen, you needn't concern yourselves with this. Even if we were to fall in battle, it would simply mean we were incapable. For the sake of the Dragon Seven Tribulations' name, I believe my brothers and I are very willing to accept this challenge. Wouldn't you agree?"

Xu Yang cast a symbolic glance at those around him, unaware that the other six naturally held absolute confidence in Boss Xu Yang. Anything he decided was, by nature, well-considered and strategically advantageous. The cohesion and mutual trust within the Glory team were simply unparalleled by any other team. They could all unhesitatingly entrust their lives to Boss Xu Yang.

"Our boss's will undeniably represents the will of all of us and the entire Glory team. Since he believes we are capable of undertaking the Dragon Trial, the rest of us should commit wholeheartedly, even if it means facing death."

After hearing Plancis's declaration, those present exchanged glances. The mocking expression they initially held towards this young, capable team quickly vanished from their eyes. It was replaced by a look of heightened vigilance and indifference. On one hand, they were unwilling to allow any team to arbitrarily integrate into an established group. On the other, they perceived a clear threat from Xu Yang's commanding aura and confident demeanor.