Chapter 243

Before departing the temporary campsite, Yang Lingrui relayed the information to the local commander and three Condensing Essence cultivators, advising them to initiate an early retreat and establish buffer zones.

Though harboring doubts, they complied due to Yang Lingrui’s status as one of the dynasty’s newly recognized Extraordinary Talents. The camp was moved dozens of miles backward overnight.

During their return journey to the Central Camp, multiple military outposts along the route also commenced withdrawals under Yang Lingrui’s direction.

A year prior, his suggestions wouldn’t have been implemented so promptly – commanders might have considered them but never acted with such urgency.

This was the boost in influence that came with his elevated status.

As both the West Concubine’s chosen prodigy and a warrior with formidable military achievements, his current standing on the northern front now rivaled that of the Central Camp’s chief commander.

Half a day into their travel, the two individuals encountered a Messenger hurrying toward the frontlines.

He bore two Military Orders – an urgent deployment directive for Yang Lingrui’s team, and the general retreat command.

The Zhuhu Dynasty’s strategists hadn’t been idle. Having received precise intelligence about Eastern Wilderness reinforcements a day earlier, they’d already planned withdrawal measures.

But coordinating retreats across such extended battle lines required precise instructions – withdrawal methods, positions, and distances needed clear definition to maintain orderly movements.

Without such structure, retreating forces might collapse into disarray under enemy pursuit.

The finalized withdrawal strategy now circulated via Messengers across all divisions.

This tactical retreat served dual purposes:

First, to lengthen the Eastern Wilderness forces’ advance route and blunt their offensive edge.

Second, to expand strategic depth while preserving combat resources and manpower, buying time for military regrouping against enemy assaults.

Scanning the deployment order, Yang Lingrui noted three prominent names – He Shenglai, Qiu Ran, and Zi He.

Each held crucial roles: He Shenglai would defend cities while Qiu Ran and Zi He conducted surprise guerrilla strikes.

Yang Lingrui and Xue Qingluan received the most challenging task – covering the retreat of two major bases containing numerous soldiers and dozens of heavy Tiger Cannons, whose bulk would slow withdrawal significantly.

Accepting their orders, the pair immediately headed for the designated positions.

Before parting, Yang Lingrui embedded three wind spears into Xue Qingluan’s artifact as contingency measures.

Three hours later at his assigned base, Yang Lingrui found soldiers laboring to relocate supplies and Tiger Cannons.

With all Condensing Essence cultivators maintaining aerial surveillance, only ordinary soldiers and Gathering Qi cultivators remained below, resulting in sluggish progress.

As workers dripped with sweat, a cool breeze swept through the camp.

"Wind? That’s a technique!"

"The Wind Rider approaches!"

Accompanying cultivators detected the Fluctuations of Spiritual Energy, faces lighting with recognition.

"Excellent! With his help, we’ll finish faster!"

Previously, the Tiger-Chasing Dynasty only boasted the undefeated Green Mountain Guest. But a year ago, the West Concubine had proclaimed a second prodigy –

The yellow wind demon who haunted Eastern Wilderness troops’ nightmares, making them tremble at every gust!

Of course, naming oneself "Evil Ghost" wasn’t suitable. Thus an academy scholar had given him the title "Wind Rider."

When Yang Lingrui appeared, the accompanying cultivators immediately bowed with solemn respect, awe shining in their eyes.

Yang Lingrui’s series of military exploits were well-known to all. Being called one of the Twin Prodigies alongside the Undefeated Green Mountain spoke volumes about his capabilities.

Yang Lingrui casually acknowledged their greetings before walking through the camp. He inspected every Tiger Cannon and supply crate, simultaneously imbuing each item with his wind technique.

The floating properties granted by his technique would make even ordinary soldiers capable of moving these heavy objects effortlessly.

After completing this task, he turned toward the battle zone. The accompanying cultivators rushed to follow, but he refused them all.

"My spells don’t distinguish between allies and enemies. Assist the retreat here instead."

With a flicker, Yang Lingrui vanished, leaving the cultivators staring at the enhanced supplies in silent amazement.

To Yang Lingrui, this had been a trivial effort.

But the cultivators found it mind-boggling. While they could lighten objects too, their limited spiritual power restricted them to maintaining twenty items at most. Yet Yang Lingrui had effortlessly enchanted hundreds of heavy objects with a single walk through camp.

"This… How can a Gathering Qi cultivator achieve this?"

"By my estimate, this lord’s spiritual power surpasses all of ours combined!"

"Remember – he’s only at eleventh-level Gathering Qi! Not even peak cultivation yet!"

This revelation shocked them anew. Such terrifying power still had growth potential! They couldn’t fathom what monstrous combat strength Yang Lingrui might possess after further advancement.

"Witnessing this true talent firsthand proves legends can walk among us!"

"Let’s hurry! We mustn’t delay them!"

"Right, Friend! Everyone move!"

With the wind technique’s assistance, transporting supplies became three times faster.

Suddenly, a firework-like spell exploded in the eastern sky.

Tension gripped every face – the Eastern Wilderness forces had arrived sooner than expected. Fortunately, Tiger-Chasing’s thorough retreat preparations prevented chaotic losses.

At the First Level battle zone, Yang Lingrui spotted twenty-odd figures charging through dust clouds. The weakest emitted ninth-level Gathering Qi energy, including six perfected twelfth-level Gathering Qi cultivators.

"Just one opponent?"

"Could be a trap."

"Twenty against one? Charge through any ambush!"

They accelerated toward the Tiger-Chasing base, aiming to capture its Tiger Cannons.

Then their target vanished.

Before they could blink, howling winds plunged them into darkness.

The leader screamed, "Retreat! We’ve met the Ghost!"

Eastern Wilderness cultivators turned instantly, fleeing in panic.

On the northern front’s First Level battlefield, only one warrior earned the title "Ghost".

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