In the center of the platform, the ancient, weathered stone patterns suddenly lit up, forming a circular design roughly ten meters in diameter. As the pattern's light flickered, three stone statues—entirely composed of dark yellow rock, each wielding a massive axe and standing over three meters tall—slowly rose from the glow. Red flames danced in the statues' eye sockets, emanating spiritual energy fluctuations at the late Foundation Establishment level, locking onto every living thing on the platform! "It's a guardian trial!" Margaret's pupils contracted. "We must defeat them to continue forward, or perhaps earn the right to stay here!" The stone statues emitted deep rumbles, striding forward with heavy steps, swinging their giant axes toward the group. Before the axes arrived, the sharp gale force was already stinging their faces. "Form up! Engage!" Margaret drew her sword and charged toward one of the statues first. She knew there was n...