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This plan was inherently risky, with the precondition being that the Princess Royale would remain occupied on the other side. Wei Gongcheng’s arrival had just confirmed that the Princess Royale was still at Daqing Mountain. Could it be that Wei Gongcheng has betrayed us?

It shouldn’t be...

No matter how perilous my actions may be, they are all for Jiangnan. Once we seize the Imperial Army, even taking only a portion will be immensely beneficial. Wei Gongcheng’s allegiance to Jiangnan should be stronger than mine—where did I miscalculate?

Almost instantly, Tian Heng realized: "Did you... manipulate Wei Gongcheng?"

"It was fortunate we had this gambit. Otherwise, facing General Tian just now would have been a life-or-death scenario," the Princess Royale replied with a smile.

"Does Your Highness now believe you can certainly defeat me?" Tian Heng asked coldly.

"You cannot keep up the facade..." The Princess Royale shook her head. "This power you wield is unearthly, a gift from the heavens reserved for the chosen. Now that you’ve forcibly used it, surviving is already a stroke of luck. Thinking you can intimidate others any further is wishful thinking."

As she spoke, the Princess Royale began walking toward the other side without even looking back.

The Imperial Army immediately saluted upon seeing the Princess Royale, and the chaos from the lack of leadership just moments earlier dissipated without a trace.

"Soldiers, you’ve worked hard!" the Princess Royale stepped forward and said. "Charging thousands of miles under foreign command, sustaining minimal casualties—such performance is admirable. You’re the strongest army I’ve ever witnessed!"

Upon hearing these words, the Imperial Army straightened their spines, hearts swelling with pride.

So... their efforts and hardships had not gone unnoticed by the Princess Royale.

"General Tian, you’ve endured hardships as well." The Princess Royale turned back. "Lan Shang has committed treason, attempting to seize military authority. It’s all thanks to General Tian’s intervention."

"Your Highness flatters me..." General Tian dared not openly contradict her in front of the crowd but could only smile politely. "As allies, we are essentially one entity; it’s all simply what I should do."

"Well said, General Tian..." The Princess Royale took a step forward, seemingly without any visible imposing aura, yet the pressure from that single step was overwhelming. At this moment, Tian Heng had no strength left to resist.

In almost the next instant, he faltered and fell backward.

Two quick-thinking deputy generals rushed forward to support him.

"General Tian’s swordsmanship is extraordinary, but I imagine it has consumed much of your energy. I am humbled. Please rest assured as you recuperate. With me guarding the pass, no matter how many demons come, I will ensure they do not cross even half a step past this gateway!"

Though spoken with a lofty tone, Tian Heng immediately understood her underlying intent.

She wanted control over the pass!

And furthermore... she intended for the Imperial Army to take the lead, while relegating the Western Sea Army to a secondary role.

Such a demand left him quite puzzled.

If she were to press the advantage now, leading the Imperial Army to storm the battlefield and oust his Western Sea Army, which was already weaker than the Imperial Army, their morale would surely collapse, potentially leading to a swift defeat.

Once Jiangnan lost this defensive line, complete collapse would become a real possibility.

Yet she didn’t take this approach, merely demanding control of the pass, and even assigning her own troops to defend against the external demons?

It didn’t seem logical. But to suggest she had allied with the demons seemed equally implausible; the current situation clearly showed that the Imperial Army had enough strength to annihilate the Western Sea Army on its own.

So if it wasn’t an alliance with the demons, why would the Princess Royale seize command? And why assign her forces to fight as the main line of defense against the demons, with such selfless intent?

"General Tian?" The Princess Royale’s tone carried an enigmatic hint of amusement.

"Since that’s the case...." Tian Heng, now supported by his deputies, had no choice but to yield further. At this stage, she held absolute advantage, and her demands were not entirely unreasonable. Besides, he needed rest and recovery, leaving him no choice but to take it one step at a time.

"Then I will trouble Your Highness."

"It is only my duty..." The Princess Royale smiled faintly. With this exchange, the tension between the two armies eased, and their collective apprehension subsided. After all, no one truly wished to clash violently with their fellow countrymen.

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Half an hour earlier:

"Seize command authority? That’s it?" The Princess Royale frowned.

"The Western Sea Army is not weak. Even if you could kill Tian Heng in an instant, based on my understanding of Jiangnan, the Western Sea Army would almost certainly refuse to surrender. If it comes to battle, your only option would be total annihilation, which isn’t cost-effective."

Upon hearing this, the Princess Royale frowned. The Western Sea Army was indeed formidable, and Tian Heng commanded a group of Four Holy Guards. If it truly escalated into an all-out war, her own troops would lose at least one-third!

"But merely taking command authority—what’s the point?"

"It’s useful..." The King of Qin smiled. "Turn passivity into initiative. Previously, the Imperial Army was being monitored, but now, with the Imperial Army as the main defensive force, they can’t very well continue their surveillance, can they?"

"The power of the Taoist Sect still requires several more days. For now, the priority is diverting attention—both of Tian Heng’s and the broader world’s—for the next few days."

"The broader world... Do you mean the Buddha Kingdom?" The Princess Royale caught on.

"Once Lan Shang falls, the deputies under him will undoubtedly make their moves. By presenting the illusion that we are not yet prepared to turn against Jiangnan, they will naturally lower their guard. Just a few days... Once the divine mechanism descends, Jiangnan will be ours!"

"If Wei Gongcheng doesn’t return, won’t the Shen Family suspect something?"

"They may suspect, but the Shen Family won’t know you’ve arrived immediately.

For now, their focus will be on using Wei Gongcheng to stall for time against us.

As long as the puppet we’ve crafted to imitate Wei Gongcheng does not expose itself, their attention will remain diverted. What we need... is only time!"

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"Lord Wang Ye, you... why are you here?"

"Because of your cryptic master’s arrangements..." Wang Ye gazed forward and replied indifferently.

"Is that so?" Wei Gongzhan hesitated slightly. But Lord Wang Ye was indeed close with his master, and it was said that during several of his master’s life-and-death crises, it was this lord who intervened.

"Are you doubtful?"

"No, no, no..." Wei Gongzhan swiftly shook his head. "It’s just that I haven’t seen Lord Wang Ye for a long time, so it feels... a bit abrupt..."

"Is that so?" Wang Ye rarely revealed a faint smile. "In that case, it seems Chen Qing’s plan isn’t entirely ineffective."

"Master, he.....?"

Wang Ye continued to stare ahead, offering no further response.

Long ago, Chen Qing had remarked that as a Twilight Successor, he would easily become a focal point and struggle to achieve his goals. Thus, he had to fade slowly from public attention. But even fading had to be done carefully.

The first step was being sent to Digital City. With the secrets of Digital City—the origin of this entire world—it was reasonable for everyone to believe Wang Ye would go there. After all, Wang Ye would never refuse such an opportunity.

The second step was to ensure the informants in Digital City believed that Wang Ye and Chen Qing had conflicting ideals.

Chen Qing’s plan to destroy this world naturally clashed with Wang Ye, a native of the world, who was instinctively repelled by such an ambition. This irreconcilable divide made their falling-out understandable.

As for Wang Ye’s whereabouts after the fallout, interest in them would gradually fade.

The reason was simple: First, as a Twilight Successor, Wang Ye was inherently elusive, and once he embarked on a solitary path, tracking him down would prove nearly impossible.

Second, despite his formidable Twilight talent, Wang Ye’s potential posed little threat unless paired with someone like Chen Qing. Thus, the true danger lay in Chen Qing, not in Wang Ye. By shifting all attention to Chen Qing, Wang Ye naturally became an afterthought.

And at that moment, the supercomputer’s seed safeguarded by Wang Ye would become the most fitting arrangement!