After Pocolo rejoined the group, everyone's attention instantly focused on the interior of the rainforest. As a result, even the slightest movement inside the rainforest could not escape the crowd's sharp perception.
At this moment, although several thousand people had already gathered outside, the entire area was eerily quiet.
The only thing that occasionally broke this dead silence was the intermittent roaring sounds made by those mindless monsters that acted purely on instinct.
Everyone's gaze was fixed uniformly on the depths of the rainforest. Each person held their breath, staring intently in that direction, their hearts filled with curiosity and anticipation.
They were all desperate to know which HIM would ultimately emerge victorious in this fierce contest.
As the sound of footsteps gradually drew closer from inside the rainforest, everyone was initially able to remain calm. But as the sounds became clearer and more distinct, doubts began to arise.
Someone couldn't help but mutter in a low voice, "Am I hearing things? Why do these footsteps sound so… crowded? It doesn't feel like just one person."
Another person quietly echoed, "It really does seem like more than one set of footsteps. This is strange. What's going on?"
However, more people chose to remain silent, continuing to stare at the depths of the rainforest, waiting for the moment when the mystery would be revealed.
The footsteps coming from within the rainforest sounded extremely chaotic and disordered, clearly not the sound produced by a single person walking.
This abnormal situation left everyone momentarily at a loss, completely unable to make sense of it.
But the more confusing it became, the more their curiosity was stirred, and they couldn't wait to uncover the truth.
Just as everyone was filled with doubts, three extremely similar figures slowly appeared from within the rainforest.
When these three figures entered everyone's field of vision at the same time, all those present widened their eyes, their faces filled with shock and confusion.
Someone couldn't help but mutter to themselves, "I mean, I do have a bit of nearsightedness, but usually at most I see double. Why am I suddenly seeing triple today? What the heck is going on?"
Someone else vigorously rubbed their eyes and said in disbelief, "Am I seeing things? Three people clearly went in, so how come three people are coming out too?"
Someone even blurted out in shock, "This… what is going on here? Don't tell me they also reached a win-win situation like we did???"
At this moment, the players who had originally belonged to the Tyrant HIM and Annoying Village HIM factions were equally baffled by what they saw, completely unable to understand what was happening.
In stark contrast, Xu Yuan's subordinates were visibly overjoyed, the uncontrollable happiness nearly overflowing from their faces.
"Looks like our king successfully persuaded the other two HIMs. That means this trip to the Trial Grounds has finally ended perfectly!"
"Even though we already knew our king wouldn't decide things through battle, I'm still really curious how he managed to convince those two HIMs…"
"Honestly, I'm not surprised at all to see our king walking out together with the other two HIMs. If, after understanding our king's ideals, those two HIMs were still stubborn and refused to change, then they truly wouldn't deserve the height and position they stand at, or the title of HIM."
"..."
Seeing Xu Yuan emerge together with the other two HIMs, Xu Yuan's subordinates no longer needed any further explanation. They already knew that Xu Yuan had settled everything.
While everyone was whispering and discussing among themselves, Xu Yuan, Tyrant HIM, and Annoying Village HIM had already arrived in front of the crowd.
Tyrant HIM and Annoying Village HIM swept their eyes across every corner of the scene, their sharp gazes seeming to pierce straight through people's souls.
However, once they clearly took in the scene before them, the two of them sighed deeply in unison. Seeing that the players, monsters, and iron golems under their command were now standing neatly behind Black Blade, Tyrant HIM and Annoying Village HIM instantly understood everything without needing to ask a single question.
They were well aware that the people under their command had never truly followed them out of genuine loyalty. They had merely come together because of shared interests.
Now that Tyrant HIM and Annoying Village HIM had both entered the rainforest together, the subordinates they left behind were immediately thrown into a state of leaderless chaos.
This outcome was something Tyrant HIM and Annoying Village HIM had actually anticipated long ago.
They knew very well that with Pocolo's abilities, it was impossible for him to effectively unify all those people from outside.
Therefore, they felt neither surprise nor anger at the result unfolding before them.
However, what truly puzzled Tyrant HIM and Annoying Village HIM was that, by observing the expressions and behavior of their former subordinates, it was clear that these people had not defected because of Black Blade's coercion or temptation.
Judging from the looks on their faces, they seemed to have made this choice entirely of their own free will, willingly and without hesitation.
Moreover, at this very moment, Tyrant HIM and Annoying Village HIM had already both appeared in person. Yet, to their surprise, none of the subordinates who had once followed them showed any intention of returning to their original ranks, nor did they show any desire to explain themselves.
They had simply, naturally, and logically "betrayed" them.
At first, Tyrant HIM and Annoying Village HIM were genuinely baffled by this.
But they soon found the key to the problem themselves.
The people under Tyrant HIM and Annoying Village HIM had always gathered together purely for the sake of benifit.
To them, they would always choose, without hesitation, whichever option brought them the greatest benefit.
Back when the three HIMs entered the rainforest, siding with Black Blade was clearly their best option.
But now that all three HIMs had appeared at the same time, switching allegiance to Xu Yuan instantly became the wiser and more profitable choice.
In other words, among Xu Yuan, Tyrant HIM, and Annoying Village HIM, everyone's first choice was Xu Yuan.
If Tyrant HIM and Annoying Village HIM had not engaged in in-depth discussions with Xu Yuan, they definitely would not have accepted this.
But at this moment, Tyrant HIM and Annoying Village HIM were able to understand the players' choice.
Thinking of this, Tyrant HIM let out a long sigh. Although he had already acknowledged in his heart that Xu Yuan truly surpassed his current self, he still refused to soften his words.
"You really do have one hell of a home-field advantage… but fine. At least it saves us a lot of pointless talking."
After Tyrant HIM finished speaking, Annoying Village HIM raised his head, looked up at the sky, and said, "So this is what a true win-win situation looks like."
"The trial… should come to an end now…"