Chapter 238

After slaying one person, his figure slid backward and finished off the cultivator who had sustained severe injuries from Dai Wei.

Leaving the remaining two individuals to his companions, this person swiftly moved toward Xie Chuan. Working together, they executed the Fifth Level cultivator from the Eastern Wilderness on the spot.

"Senior Brother Zhao! Reinforcements are here!"

Dai Wei spotted the black tiger emblem on the newcomers’ robes, his tension finally easing.

With Black Tiger Camp’s elite warriors assisting, their chances of survival had greatly improved.

Zhao Qi observed the limping Black Tiger Camp cultivator returning alongside Xie Chuan, feeling an odd sense of familiarity.

Han Wang barked orders for the remaining troops to retreat westward before hoisting Zhao Qi onto his back.

"Brother Zhao, remember me?"

Han Wang flashed a gap-toothed grin.

Zhao Qi scrutinized him before dredging up a memory.

"You’re that bandit… Han Wang!"

"Got it in one!"

Years ago, Yang Linghu and Yang Lingrui had brought Han Wang to their residence, where Zhao Qi briefly encountered him.

When imperial orders arrived, the Elder had taken this Eastern Wilderness native to suppress border rebellions.

Thirteen years had passed since then.

Han Wang produced a glowing green elixir from his belt, pressing it into Zhao Qi’s hand.

"Don’t fret about toxins. This premium elixir from Young Master Lingshu surpasses rejuvenating elixirs – heals wounds and purges poisons."

Zhao Qi swallowed the pill without hesitation.

True to its claim, vitality soon coursed through his limbs, enabling him to stand unaided.

But upon dismounting Han Wang’s back, Zhao Qi doubled over, spewing black bile.

After expelling the toxic residue, his obstructed Qi meridians cleared, allowing spiritual power to circulate freely.

"My thanks for the rescue, Brother Han."

"Bah! We’re family."

Han Wang dismissed the gratitude. "Young Master Lingshu meant to come himself, but an urgent order recalled him to the Southern Frontline. Passed the task to me instead."

Having only fully recovered six months prior, Han Wang had been stationed at the Southern Frontline due to health considerations.

During Yang Lingshu’s squad reorganization, they’d reunited through chance encounter.

After Zhao Qi introduced Dai Wei and Xie Chuan, both learned Han Wang served the Yang Family.

"The family informed me about the Elder’s situation. Your thoughts, Brother Han?"

"Frontline reports list him as deceased, but I know better! The old Master lives!"

Han Wang’s voice hardened. "We endured Ten Years of battles together. He possesses unmatched luck – always escapes death. A true person of fortune!"

"Agreed. My family also tasked us with tracking the Elder’s whereabouts."

Zhao Qi paused briefly before shaking his head. "But so far, we’ve found no traces. Now that the Eastern Region’s Great Prince has joined the game, who knows if this brings fortune or disaster for our Elder."

"The righteous are under heaven’s protection. We should focus on our own survival first."

As the two spoke, Chu Xuan began recovering consciousness on Dai Wei’s back. After coughing up several mouthfuls of turbid blood, his eyes regained their glimmer of clarity. Seeing he’d only lost an arm while keeping his life, relief flooded through him at surviving the disaster.

Chu Xuan murmured hoarsely, "Brother Zhao… I truly believed I’d die this time."

"I told you before – I’d die before letting you fall."

"Speaking of which… Brother Liang, about our earlier discussion…" Chu Xuan’s voice trailed off as he noticed the absence. "Where’s Brother Liang?"

Before their retreat, Liang Yi and Chu Xuan had discussed arranging a marriage alliance between their clans. But before finalizing details, the Eastern Wilderness’s counterattack forced their desperate flight.

At the mention of Liang Yi’s name, the group’s expressions darkened. Dai Wei’s lips quivered as he glanced downward at his bloodstained belt.

Chu Xuan followed his gaze, sensing a familiar presence from the bloodied leather – now tainted with the metallic smell of blood. Understanding struck like lightning.

Chu Xuan pressed his face into Dai Wei’s back without another word. Soon, Dai Wei felt rhythmic tremors shaking his shoulders, followed by spreading warmth as silent tears soaked through his clothes.

The group continued their journey in heavy silence, broken only by muffled sobs.

Three days later, Zhao Qi’s unit reached Tiger-Chasing Fortress – the only eastern retreat group retaining living ordinary soldiers. Other units had been wiped out or abandoned by fleeing cultivators. This feat earned Zhao Qi additional military honor and a summons from the fortress commander.

Over subsequent days, frontline troops gradually withdrew to rear positions. On the tenth day, Yang Lingshu and Lv Fangxuan returned to Central Camp to deliver their grim battle report. The recording official’s hand shook when hearing the casualty list.

When northern, central, and southern front reports finally arrived, Yang Lingshu studied the compiled withdrawal report. Familiar names leaped from the casualty lists:

Northern Front

Royal Martial Academy: Xia Lihang. Trapped by overwhelming forces, sacrificed himself to slay two Eastern Wilderness full-level cultivators. The martial institute now stands bereft.

Qiulu Feng Family: Feng Lingyue. Ambushed by three Eastern Wilderness prodigies. Ignited her spirit of words in final conflagration, taking all enemies with her. Qiulu’s peerless reputation died with her.

In Qingfeng Cave, Xu Jianan used his skills of Tao with benevolent heart, sacrificing himself to block the river and delay the Eastern Wilderness army for three quarters of an hour, saving the majority.

…

Central Region:

At ChengTian Academy, Ye Lan, a noble beauty upholding righteousness, infiltrated enemy lines alone to exchange her life for a member of Eastern Wilderness’s royal bloodline, securing eternal military glory for the Ye Family through her worthy death.

At ChengTian Academy, Xiao Man threw herself before Shen Yue during an ambush, demonstrating love’s weight could rival mountains.

On Daoyuanshan, Chu Hao ignited deadwood to create wildfire that consumed thousands of soldiers across hundred miles, vanishing from this world.

From the Songshan Yang Family, Liang Yi perished during retreat.

…

Southern Region:

On Daoyuanshan, Qi Wei battled five enemies simultaneously. At death’s doorstep, she mastered Purple Lightning and transformed into thunder itself to slay an enemy commander. Our Tiger-Chasing faction ultimately lost the chance to welcome its first female Condensing Essence lightning cultivator.

At Wanhuamen, Han Jingyi fell during the Southern Frontline’s second encirclement.

At Wanhuamen, Ge Yan fell during the Southern Frontline’s fourth encirclement.

…

Among the fallen were also those Yang Lingshu only knew by reputation.

From the He Family of Wanzhong Forest, He Jingyuan – a He Family bastard son – died after twelve frontier campaigns, slain by Condensing Essence cultivators. Born into the He Family, his fate drew both pity and sighs.

From the Immortal Patrol Office, Yan Hua – a second-rate talent – fearlessly traded his life to wound Condensing Essence experts. Though never called genius, he died like one.

From the Exterminate Evil Division, Qiu Ting’en – crimson-clad Zhanwei wielding bloody axe and longsword – perished valiantly in duty. Heroic! Most heroic!

…

These vaguely familiar names now reduced to brief battle report summaries made Yang Lingshu’s heart heavy with sorrow.

The Eastern Wilderness counterattack revealed glimpses of their former glory from the great Eastern Wilderness’s golden age.

With the Great Prince joining the fray, the Eastern Expedition battlefield became true soul-reaping hell for Tiger-Chasing forces.

Identical reports raced to Chongtian Palace.

Within the dragon vein’s chamber, the national master finished reading to the Tiger-Chasing Emperor and bowed, awaiting command.

The national master awaited imperial permission.

One word would send him charging to the Eastern Expedition battlefield to clash with Eastern Wilderness’s True Intent cultivator.

But the Tiger-Chasing Emperor saw through this ambition.

Standing beside the molten fire pit, he observed flickering flames and declared flatly: "Land seizure needs no national master. Not nation’s destruction."

He stretched his hand, absorbing the fire pit’s Golden Dragon into his palm.

Golden light flashed through his pupils.

"Crude barbarians occupying broken lands dare challenge Tiger-Chasing?

"Announce Our decree: Murong Family departs immediately for eastern region.

"Summon Tianyang. Raise dragon banners. Let Eastern Wilderness’s three serpents witness Canglan’s True Dragon!"

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