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"Just stay still like this?"

At this moment, the highest commander of the Western Sea Army, Deputy General Tian Yu, finally received his subordinate’s question.

But even he was at his wit’s end, clueless.

Among the senior deputy generals, he was perhaps the least decisive, which is why he had survived this long. Hadn’t those with bolder initiatives been dealt with at Tong Pass?

Being such a subordinate had its advantages; he never caused trouble, and what his boss said went.

However, the downside was precisely like the current situation where, without a backbone, he couldn’t come up with any significant ideas.

Other than leading his troops back to Jiangnan, he could think of no other plan.

But if he were to retreat now and abandon his boss, his men probably wouldn’t accept his leadership either.

What could be done about it?

In his anxious deliberation, a familiar figure suddenly approached from afar.

Tian Yu looked up and instantly recognized the newcomer—it was Chen Baifeng, the current Family Head of the famous Noble Family from Capital City.

The monster that had captured Tian Heng didn’t seem to care about his arrival at all. Holding the critically wounded Tian Heng motionless, it resembled a statue.

"Lord Chen..." Seeing Chen Baifeng approaching, Tian Yu hurriedly signaled his soldiers to protect Chen Baifeng as he entered the military formation. Chen Baifeng glanced at the immobile creature and breathed a sigh of relief, forming some speculations in his mind.

"General Tian, are you unharmed?"

"Lord Chen jests. How dare I claim to be a general?" Tian Yu quickly waved it off, his eyes slightly softened. Chen Baifeng was gracious and didn’t look down on warriors like other sorcerer families did. Although he himself was a deputy general, his initial status was merely that of a vassal servant to the Tian Family, a status that even military rank wouldn’t change fundamentally, and many of illustrious origins didn’t respect him.

The other party was at least superficially willing to give face, perhaps because he had control over the troops.

"I saw His Majesty heading towards the Western direction. Why then, Lord Chen, have you parted ways with His Majesty?" Tian Yu asked curiously.

"Paths differ... naturally we seek differently..." Chen Baifeng replied openly with a mild smile.

"Oh?" Tian Yu was taken aback. He had clearly seen that the elders from the Great Noble Family of the Southern Sea had followed His Majesty. No wonder, with the Emperor’s fate unknown, His Majesty was currently the strongest power among the Human Race. With no military foundation, wouldn’t the Southern Sea Noble Family have to follow His Majesty rather than mix with the demons from the Northern Territory?

But the Chen Family seemed to have other ideas. What exactly were they planning?

"General Tian, how do you see the current situation?" Chen Baifeng asked, looking at him intently.

If I could discern that, would I still be standing here dumbfounded?

Tian Yu thought to himself silently, though courteously, he clasped his hands and said, "Please enlighten me, sir."

Chen Baifeng nodded, glanced at the unconscious and injured Tian Heng in the sky, and whispered, "The Four Saints have descended. The four chosen individuals hold immense value, two of whom are from Jiangnan. If you can seize them, the benefits are boundless."

At that moment, Chen Baifeng distinctly felt the mysterious person holding Tian Heng glance at him. The look was icy and numb, but there was no other action. This made Chen Baifeng more confident in some of his suspicions.

"Are you suggesting that we go and seize them?" Tian Yu frowned.

At this moment, Tian Heng’s life and death remained uncertain, and they were all unable to move. How could they possibly command soldiers to abandon their commander and seize people?

"No need for now..." Chen Baifeng said looking into the distance, "Four directions, three have already been chosen by major forces’ armies. Going to any direction would mean facing another army head-on. Now that your commander is absent, it would be unwise to do so."

Tian Yu nodded; even if asked, he wouldn’t dare engage in battle with any of the other three forces.

"What about the fourth direction?" he suddenly thought of something. The western direction had no troops passing through. If he dispatched troops there to secure a position, couldn’t they at least gain some advantages?

Damn it, what does this monster really want?

Tian Yu looked upwards, filled with internal conflict.

"Just watch for changes..." Chen Baifeng smiled and this time he didn’t speak but chose to communicate through a message transmission: "The fourth side is the weak spot, General Tian is now under control, and it’s unwise for you all to act rashly, but in fact, it’s an opportunity.

Once the three powers hold onto their strongholds, the White Tiger Palace will become the battleground.

Once conflict arises, there will certainly be changes in the situation.

Currently, we are restricted and it’s not practical to take the offensive.

To wait for the right moment is a wise strategy. "

"So, that’s it..." Tian Yu nodded. He might not have many ideas himself, but he wasn’t foolish—while the other was speaking, he shifted from discussing ’you’ to ’us,’ clearly hinting at an intention to side with us.

How interesting of the Chen family, when all the Sorcerer Families have chosen the Emperor’s side, yet he represents to ally with Jiangnan?

Moreover, the other was right: in the current situation, it’s inappropriate for them to strike first, but...

He glanced up at the monster again and whispered, "Even if a good opportunity arises, we might still be unable to make our move. Could you perhaps offer some advice?"

Chen Baifeng smiled slightly upon hearing this. This Tian Yu had greed but lacked the courage. He wanted to throw General Tian Heng out and rise on his own but was also afraid of ruining his reputation. He wasn’t likely to achieve greatness, but Chen wasn’t here for him.

"Indeed, it’s not easy. How about I go up and probe around?"

"Eh? Sir, that’s not wise; that guy is extremely dangerous..." But before he could finish, Chen Baifeng had already soared upwards using the Wind Technique, causing Tian Yu’s eyelids to twitch in fright as the former moved too fast for him to dare follow.

Chen Baifeng was a Dragon Transformed Sorcerer with a True Dragon Bloodline, possessing a Transcendent physique along with inherited techniques.

His abilities ranked among the top warriors of the world, but compared to his own boss, there was still a significant gap.

His boss hadn’t managed to last ten moves against that mysterious person, having been taken by surprise.

Wouldn’t it be like delivering himself on a platter if Chen Baifeng went up?

As Chen Baifeng approached, his heart was also somewhat nervous. He had his speculations, but these might not be correct. He had seen the capabilities of this guy—killing him would leave him without even a chance to escape.

So, the only person gambling here was him. If he guessed wrong, he would entrust the Nie Family’s Family Head to take the remaining members of his Chen family and leave Yundu, staying far from the strife.

"Interesting..."

A hoarse voice with a cold mocking tone, the indistinct face turned to look at Chen Baifeng: "Human... give me a reason not to kill you."

Chen Baifeng took a deep breath: "Back then in the Heavenly Palace, did Your Excellency... ever encounter this junior?"

As soon as he spoke, an unprecedented chill came over him. Chen Baifeng almost subconsciously closed his eyes. This chill made him realize the gap; he couldn’t even face the other’s aura head-on.

"How did you guess?"

Amidst the chill, a voice suddenly rang in Chen Baifeng’s mind, instantly warming him amidst the icy cold.

He... guessed right!

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Meanwhile, the Emperor, taking the lead without any hesitation, headed towards the Northern Palace. At this moment, he was the only one bold enough to split his forces into two routes, while other powers hadn’t yet made extra moves until securing at least one of the Four Saints.

This led to him almost effortlessly taking over the candidate selected by the White Tiger—Shen Yuan!

At this moment, Shen Yuan was still confused. He still didn’t understand why he had been chosen and hadn’t had time to react before he was cornered.

Facing the Emperor whom he had once admired greatly, Shen Yuan felt incredibly conflicted inside.

"It’s been a long time..." The Emperor looked at Shen Yuan, smiling very kindly. "My Second Place Scholar, do you still remember what you once told me?"

Shen Yuan: "....."

Perhaps life in Jiangnan was too comfortable; he had almost forgotten that he once went to Jiangnan, following a reminder from His Majesty...