With a thought, Chai Yuan’s mind was made up. Beside him, Su Man’s eyes flashed with anger. He dismounted and knelt halfway, “Please, Your Grace, give the order. Given our current predicament, today we have no choice but to fight with our backs to the river! This time, even if I am wrapped in horse leather, I vow to perish with the enemy!” “Good!”

Chai Yuan let out a great laugh, one brimming with tragic grandeur and fierce resolve. In the very next instant, however, he froze again. He looked down the mountain and saw the situation had taken another turn. He saw Yue Linghuan, clad in silver armor and previously sitting arrogantly on her horse, suddenly turn deathly pale, tinged with a clear hint of panic. And this disarray was spreading rapidly. In a matter of moments, the dozen silver-armored knights, along with nearly ten thousand heavy-armored guards nearby, all seemed to have their auras become suddenly disordered. Gone was the unified, monolithic front they had displayed before. Even the large banner bearing the thirty-six great characters was quickly furled away. Then, after another quarter of an hour, the twenty armies were seen retreating in succession. They pulled back into their camp. A moment ago, their morale was high, brimming with disdain for the Qiantian Mountain faction. Now, they retreated again, looking dispirited and somewhat disheveled. They even abandoned the fifty thousand vassal soldiers who had returned empty-handed. Moreover, they seemed to have no intention of maintaining their defensive positions at the opposite camp. They withdrew directly, as if fearful of moving too slowly, abandoning significant quantities of supplies in their haste. “What in the world is going on?”

Chai Yuan was utterly bewildered. His anger still simmered, but he could not fathom Yue Linghuan’s intent. Luring the enemy out? That seemed entirely unnecessary. A crisis behind them? How could that be? Taoyun City was a small island located far to the west of Yunlu, situated overseas. After decades of conflict, they had secured the four provinces bordering the coast. Their only nearby enemies were Yunxia Flames and the Three Cities of Qiantian. Having allied with Yunxia Flames, they should have been free from worry on their rear flank. “Could it be that Yunxia City or Flame City has broken the alliance?”

Su Man was also puzzled. As soon as the words left his lips, he shook his head. If these two cities planned to stab an ally in the back, they wouldn't choose this moment when the three cities' fleets were assembled. They would have done so while jointly hunting beneath the Cloud Sea. He looked back behind him. The more than two hundred thousand troops, who had just arrived from the Jiefulu Cities, were also retreating. They appeared even more frantic than the Taoyun City forces. After a few miles, they scattered into several streams, fleeing madly into the distance, as if wishing they had grown extra legs. There was even infighting for the pathways; at some narrow intersections, they trampled one another. Su Man grew even more bewildered, realizing something catastrophic must have occurred, something of immense magnitude. What could have possibly terrified Yue Linghuan and the Jiefulu Frost Cities to this degree? The intelligence network of Qiantian Mountain, established entirely by Zong Weiran, was renowned for its accurate and swift information. How could it be so useless this time? Even the people of Jiefulu City had learned of it, yet they remained completely in the dark.

Chai Yuan stared blankly at his own hands, wondering when his killing intent had become so potent. The moment his fighting spirit rose, these enemies instantly retreated. Though he held the reputation of a famous general, surely he hadn't reached the point of inspiring such terror? He felt the urge to pursue, yet suspicion of a trap held him back. While racking his brain for an answer, he suddenly saw a streak of imperial light flash across the sky in the distance. “A Communication Talisman?”

Chai Yuan glanced up and saw a spirit talisman hanging in the air. He paused momentarily. When had Qiantian Mountain become so extravagant? They possessed the inexpensive and reusable Red Swift Birds, yet now they were using a Flying Swift Talisman, which traveled several times faster but cost the equivalent of a fifth-tier beast crystal per piece? The strangeness in his heart intensified. Chai Yuan eagerly snatched the talisman out of the air with a surge of true energy. His expression transformed dramatically—now one of overwhelming joy, then immediately one of disbelief. Su Man grew impatient and hurriedly asked, “Your Grace, what news is there from Qiantian City that warrants the use of a Flying Swift Talisman?” Chai Yuan’s face finally returned to normal, but his hand trembled slightly as he handed the talisman to Su Man. “It’s a message from Zong Lan. He heard a rumor that a few days ago, our Sovereign discovered a beast tomb beneath the Cloud Sea. Furthermore, he used the Eight Hundred Yuan Extermination Crossbows to strike from tens of miles away, and utilizing the beast tide, nearly annihilated the four thousand Cloud Ships of the Three Taoyun Cities, leaving only a little over a hundred to escape. It’s said that disciples from the Lingyun Sect were also present. Instead of being held accountable, our Sovereign reaped all the benefits from repelling the beast tide, returning loaded with spoils—”

After speaking, Chai Yuan showed a hint of hesitation. “They say the official report hasn’t arrived yet. This information came from some of the Cloud Ships that narrowly survived the allied forces. Do you believe it, Commander Su?” Su Man was also stunned. A beast tomb? Even the smallest one would yield profits worth more than eight million fourth-tier beast crystals! That almost certainly exceeded the total income Qiantian City usually gained from beneath the Cloud Sea over several years! And those once arrogant, invincible four thousand Cloud Ships, all destroyed beneath the Cloud Sea? More than 1.4 million elite soldiers, all wiped out? His first thought was: how could this be possible? But then he remembered the retreating Taoyun City armies. If not for such a devastating blow to their foundation, how could the arrogant Yue Linghuan have retreated in such a panic? Thoughts spun wildly in his mind. Finally, Su Man took a deep breath and said, “If it were anyone else, I would never believe it. But if it is our Sovereign… then it has a few possibilities!” “Our Sovereign? I believe it too! This means the heavens are about to change!”

Chai Yuan looked up at the sky, his face stiff and iron-like. Yet, deep within his eyes, it seemed as if magma was ready to erupt from a volcano. “The late Sovereign has such a son. He must be smiling in the Nine Springs now! After only a few months on the throne, he has restored the fortunes of our Qiantian Kingdom and is on the verge of prosperity. Our Sovereign has not disgraced his late father’s mighty prestige!” Two lines of hot tears suddenly streamed from Chai Yuan’s eyes. He quickly turned his head, urged his true energy, and instantly evaporated the tears. Then, he threw his head back and laughed loudly, gripping his giant axe and pointing it forward into the distance. “Our Sovereign is supremely talented! Qiantian Mountain will surely reclaim all our lost territories and unify Donglin! Before he returns to Donglin, you and I can first pacify the seven hundred thousand troops of Taoyun City and present it as a gift!” Unlike before, there was no longer the grim determination to die, but the battle spirit was equally fervent. Chai Yuan’s arms bulged with visible veins; he had accumulated a belly full of fury that needed release. Su Man was momentarily startled, then let out a short laugh. “If Duke Hao has this intention, then Su Man will gladly accompany the gentleman to the death. However, the immediate priority is to swiftly dispatch men into Huanlong Province to contact our old Qiantian forces.” “Old forces? That’s exactly what I intended. It’s truly convenient for them!”

With a cold chuckle, a hint of scorn touched Chai Yuan’s face. In its most powerful days, Qiantian Mountain ruled nine provinces. Huanlong Province was one of them, seized forcibly from Taoyun City. Later, when Zong Weiran disappeared, this province fell back under Taoyun City’s control. A small part of the reason was Qiantian Mountain’s voluntary contraction of its borders; the greater part was due to the numerous cities within Huanlong Province defecting. Now, he wondered if the lords of those city-states, upon learning that the renowned combined forces of the Three Cities were no match for their own Sovereign, and that the Yunxia hunt resulted in nothing but the total loss of their Cloud Ships, would regret defecting so decisively back then. Right now, he especially looked forward to seeing the expressions of those who considered themselves pragmatic. He knew these people were currently fretting over the lack of means to pledge allegiance to Qiantian. The rebellions in Jiefu City and Fushuang City previously had filled him with both annoyance and helplessness. At this very moment, he would make that pup Yue Linghuan taste the bitterness of being attacked simultaneously from the front and the rear! ※※※※ On Tongling Island, Zong Shou had also relocated. Knowing that Qiao Han likely had important business to discuss, Zong Shou didn't stand on ceremony and moved directly from the dock to the Kongqi Pavilion within the island. As for Lin Ji, he was kept outside the door. Zong Shou had already guessed his purpose and couldn't be bothered to summon him; he genuinely didn't want to waste time on him. “In other words, your Kongqi Sect wishes to secure annual military equipment and spirit artifact orders from my Qiantian Mountain, totaling over five hundred thousand fourth-tier beast crystals? And you wish to participate in the matter of Yinlong Gorge? Then, what benefits does my Qiantian Mountain receive?”

Zong Shou then shifted his tone slightly, sounding a bit strange. “You certainly have a great deal of faith in me. You must remember that Qiantian Mountain’s annual income, calculated in fourth-tier beast crystals, used to be only around three hundred thousand. Five hundred thousand annually—that is truly a massive undertaking…” “That was the past. Now, with the Spirit Tide about to surge, our Kongqi Sect has absolute confidence in Your Sovereign and in Qiantian Mountain!”

Qiao Han muttered inwardly. Never mind that the expansion of Qiantian Mountain’s power would nearly double its military strength next year; your own personal fortune, reaching fifty or sixty million, was enough to incite envy. Even if they made zero profit starting now, that wealth could sustain them for decades. They were truly rich enough to rival a nation; even the accumulated treasury of the Kongqi Sect was only comparable. However, he couldn't say that aloud. “As for benefits, accompanying me to Qiantian City are five Xuanwu Masters and three Huan-Yang Spirit Masters from the Kongqi Sect, to bolster Your Highness’s influence! Our Sect does not participate in secular conflicts, but if any other sect were to attack Qiantian Mountain, these individuals may be commanded by Your Highness!” Zong Shou pursed his lips, disdain flickering in his heart. Eight people alone—were they trying to secure a five-hundred-thousand-level deal with just that? In the next moment, he heard Qiao Han continue, “Naturally, our Sect will also endeavor, within our capabilities, to resist any expert above the Heavenly rank on Your Highness’s behalf!” Zong Shou finally relaxed, a hint of interest stirring within him. However, he remained curious. “I am only curious, isn't your esteemed Sect afraid of incurring the displeasure of the Lingyun Sect? The various sects of Donglin might not be willing to see your Kongqi Sect cooperate with me in Qiantian.” Qiao Han’s expression shifted; he clearly understood the consequences if this agreement were finalized. But immediately after, a light laugh escaped him, his face filled with resolute determination. Zong Shou instantly understood: the disciples of Danquan Sect cultivated through alchemy, and the Kongqi Sect similarly comprehended the Great Dao of heaven and earth while forging artifacts. (To be continued)