"I’m not impressed by just any team, and even if I am, I might not join!"

Kongming was somewhat curious and didn’t reject the invitation immediately.

He wanted to see who had the courage and confidence to invite him to join their team.

"Hmm? The Dawn team? That’s an interesting name."

"We’re now in the chessboard world, like a boundless dark prison. The word ’Dawn’ represents hope, represents light..."

Kongming nodded slightly.

"The name is good, but that’s just it - a name. I wonder how much substance there is!"

"Hmm, this team currently has three members, with Waldo as the captain, and their average combat power is over three hundred. Wow, that’s impressive!"

"Wait! Waldo?!!!!"

Kongming suddenly widened his eyes, staring intently at the team member named Waldo.

At this moment, it was as if thunderous revelations exploded in his mind, leaving him dizzy and his thoughts swirling.

"My God, is it really Waldo? Yes, it must be Waldo! Who else would have such high combat power?"

"Wow, this is something! Waldo actually invited me directly!"

"Hahaha!"

Kongming’s breathing became heavy, his whole body shaking with immense excitement.

He was thrilled!

He had never imagined he would receive an invitation from Waldo!

Nor did he dare to think about it!

After all, he had never really interacted with Waldo.

Others might think the gap between him and Waldo, as high-ranked individuals on the blacklist, wasn’t big.

But only he knew the truth. Although he was on the blacklist, it was mostly due to luck.

The gap between him and Waldo was like a chasm, nearly insurmountable!

One in the heavens, the other on the earth, not at all on the same level.

Whether it was combat power, insight, or combat experience, Waldo was leagues ahead of him.

Now, Waldo had suddenly sent him an invitation.

How could he not be excited?

Although the Dawn team, where Waldo is, has always been the center of attention as a prominent seeded team, coveted by countless trialists.

It’s like being surrounded by a pack of wolves, with pairs of greedy eyes watching in the shadows.

Kongming had no doubt that the moment the Dawn team showed any vulnerability, those hungry wolves would pounce without discrimination, devouring the Dawn team without leaving even the bones behind!

After all, only by annihilating the Dawn team could other trialists vie for the seeded team spot and have a chance to win the final rulers’ treasure.

It was not about justice, but everyone’s self-interest.

...

But still!

Even so, Kongming still believed that the Dawn team was the most likely to win the rulers’ treasure and the trials.

The reason was simple.

Waldo was too powerful.

Other trialists were no match for him.

Even if the captains of other teams could receive the power of justice, they would hardly be Waldo’s opponents.

In the end, ninety-nine percent of the time, it would be Waldo leading the Dawn team to victory.

Thinking this, Kongming’s thoughts became clear.

Without any hesitation, he eagerly accepted Waldo’s invitation, afraid of missing this great opportunity!

"I am willing! I am willing to join!"

......

On the other side, Waldo and his sibling Wade Mallin were heading deeper into the rulers’ palace.

The rulers’ palace was much larger than they had imagined.

It wasn’t long before they stopped.

They heard the system announcement.

For a moment, smiles involuntarily appeared on all three faces.

Even Waldo felt somewhat moved.

"Really, it hasn’t been easy. We’ve come this far all thanks to our captain!" Mallin said.

Waldo shook his head.

"I’m just doing my best for myself. Don’t be too happy yet, this is just the beginning!"

"We have only completed the first phase of the task. The second and third phases require us to defeat all our opponents to win the final treasure, so we must not let our guard down."

At this moment, Mallin voiced his doubts.

"With the current rules of the chessboard world, it seems challenging to defeat all trialists. Generally, it’s difficult for us to encounter a complete team of trialists."

"Moreover, with thousands of trialists, and us moving only once a day, we encounter at most two or three groups of trialists. To defeat all trialists, how long will it take, until the year of the monkey and the month of the horse?"

"I personally feel that this new requirement set by the system is a bit harsh."

Hearing this, Waldo’s eyebrows raised slightly.

Mallin’s words indeed made some sense.

The system’s statements were somewhat vague.

However, the system would definitely not make such a basic error.

This was clear to both Waldo and Mallin Wade.

Waldo said, "We’ve just started forming teams, and the system hasn’t announced the specific rules yet. There should be corresponding additions later. Since the system requires trialists to form teams, it must be planning some kind of group battle, pitting us against other teams!"

Wade and Mallin nodded.

That seemed about right.

Since the system was asking for teams to be formed, it would no longer be about trialists fighting alone.

Instead, it would find some way to have different teams battle in groups.

Thinking this, the siblings Mallin Wade looked at each other.

They suddenly felt a bit fearful, worried about holding Waldo back.

Their combat power was over two hundred, which was quite high among trialists.

But compared to Waldo, there was still a significant gap.

Therefore, they were somewhat anxious, afraid of dragging Waldo down and being abandoned.

Seeing their hesitant demeanor, Waldo guessed their thoughts and smiled.

"Don’t overthink it. Now that you’re my teammates, I absolutely won’t kick you out, and I certainly won’t disdain you for holding us back. Honestly, there’s no need to worry about that."

Waldo confidently added, "With my strength, it’s actually hard for you to play a significant role. As long as you don’t cause any trouble for me, I can assure you that you two siblings will achieve final victory, unless I die!"

"In battle, I can face any danger alone. You just need to take care of your own protection."

"If you can’t even protect yourselves and need my help, then consider that I never said anything."

Waldo spoke with great confidence and assurance.

If someone else had said this, they might have been criticized or looked down upon.

But coming from Waldo, it seemed completely natural and fitting.

It appeared to be just the way things should be.

Indeed, Waldo’s strength was evident, leaving no room for doubt!

Hearing this, the siblings Wade and Mallin finally relaxed.

...

Subsequently, the three of them discussed whether to recruit other trialists.

The reason for naming their team ’Dawn’ was naturally Waldo’s idea.

Regarding this decision, the siblings Wade and Mallin had no objections.

After some discussion, they ultimately decided that they needed to invite others to join.

Because what followed was team combat.

Since it was team combat, it was best to have a full team.

This way, they could ensure to the greatest extent that nothing unexpected would happen.

For instance, in some phase of the challenge, there might be tasks that required all five team members to complete together.

If the Dawn team only had three members, they might just end up watching helplessly.