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That night, Su Yu stayed over in Liu Wenyan's teacher's dormitory.

This was Su Yu's first time staying overnight at Liu Wenyan's place. Everything else was fine, except the old gentleman got up quite a few times in the middle of the night, startling Su Yu awake several times.

As expected, time spares no one.

Without his will manifested, even at the Qianjun Realm, Liu Wenyan was now just an ordinary old man.

Since he had cultivated once using the Essence Gathering Art and absorbed some primal energy, Su Yu felt his cultivation speed had been quite fast these past two days.

It should be that his Nine Apertures had been briefly opened during that day's primal energy tempering.

After his left ear aperture opened, Su Yu felt his right ear aperture was also close to opening these past two days.

"I'll find some time to show I've reached Kaiyuan fourth level. I've been at Kaiyuan third level for half a year anyway, so a sudden stroke of luck to reach fourth level isn't strange."

As for having strong cultivation talent, what was wrong with that?

He had mainly studied the languages of the Myriad Races before; wasn't it okay that he hadn't cultivated diligently?

Now that he was cultivating diligently, reaching Kaiyuan fourth level, or even fifth level, wasn't strange, right?

Su Yu thought to himself, and the next day he went to the academy with Liu Wenyan again.

By following Liu Wenyan, Su Yu learned quite a bit more.

In the office.

The Academy Head had arrived again. He wasn't surprised to see Su Yu; he had already known yesterday.

"Tianshui City nearby was attacked these past two days, and many of the city guards suffered casualties."

"Here in Nanyuan, last night..." The Academy Head paused before continuing, "A small village near the mountains was attacked, and many people died. Only a few children survived by hiding in the cellar. The Ten Thousand Races Cult was responsible, and the city guards have already gone in pursuit."

Liu Wenyan's face turned cold. "These beasts!"

Soon, Liu Wenyan suppressed his anger and said, "They've indeed come to Nanyuan! It's the same old trick, creating chaos to scatter our forces. It seems their ambitions are not small!"

After speaking, Liu Wenyan asked, "The Dragon Martial Guard still can't find the location of their main force?"

"We can't find them."

The Academy Head was also helpless. "They are deeply hidden, and Nanyuan doesn't have enough manpower. We can't cast a wide net to search everywhere, or it will be troublesome to defeat them one by one."

"What does Great Xia Prefecture say about this?"

Liu Wenyan was a bit anxious. The people of the Ten Thousand Races Cult had truly arrived.

Nanyuan was just a small city with very weak defenses. If Great Xia Prefecture provided some support with its many elites, the Ten Thousand Races Cult wouldn't dare to be so presumptuous.

"The City Lord has already issued a plea for help, but other cities are also requesting aid. Great Xia Prefecture also needs to defend its prefectural city to prevent the Ten Thousand Races Cult from causing chaos, so..."

"No reinforcements?" Liu Wenyan was somewhat annoyed. "Then ask the major academies for help!"

The Academy Head was a bit helpless. "We did, but recently, due to frontline conscription, many teachers and students from the major academies have gone to the front lines and haven't returned yet. The academies themselves also need protection, which is more important than Nanyuan, so..."

"Can't you even spare a few Soaring Realm experts?"

Liu Wenyan became even more annoyed. "They aren't short of Soaring Realm experts. If a few Soaring Realm experts come, the forces the Ten Thousand Races Cult deployed in Nanyuan won't be too strong!"

The Academy Head said dejectedly, "Don't vent your anger at me, it's useless. They've said all cities are requesting aid, and Nanyuan isn't critical among the 28 cities. Some cities are more important, so Great Xia Prefecture naturally prioritizes supporting them."

Liu Wenyan was also helpless upon hearing this. "Such a vast Great Xia Prefecture, yet it's being harassed by the Ten Thousand Races Cult to the point of requesting aid everywhere. The Dragon Martial Guard... they're truly useless!"

"Cough cough!"

The Academy Head coughed lightly. From outside the door, voices entered, "Instructor Liu, the Ten Thousand Races Cult just found the right timing. Three thousand Dragon Martial Guards were dispatched to the Battlefields of the Heavens ten days ago, so... there really aren't enough people."

"That's also because your Dragon Martial Guard's internal security is not tight enough. I didn't even know three thousand Dragon Martial Guards left. The Ten Thousand Races Cult found out, so it's your own fault!"

Liu Wenyan was not afraid of the Dragon Martial Guard and spoke frankly. "Even if the Dragon Martial Guard has no problems, Great Xia Prefecture also has problems. There must be informants from the Ten Thousand Races Cult within, otherwise, how would the Ten Thousand Races Cult know your main force had left and come to cause trouble in Great Xia Prefecture now!"

The Dragon Martial Guard personnel remained silent; this was also a fact.

Not long after the main force of the Dragon Martial Guard left, people from the Ten Thousand Races Cult arrived. Clearly, information had been leaked.

Otherwise, with the Dragon Martial Guard stationed in Great Xia Prefecture, the opponent wouldn't have dared to come here so rashly.

"Now is not the time for arguing!"

The Academy Head interrupted them and said, "Old Liu, why don't you ask Daxia Civilization Academy to lend you a few Soaring Realm experts?"

"Do I need you to tell me? I already asked this morning, but even if they rush over, it will take at least a day."

"They agreed to send people?"

"They agreed, but..." Liu Wenyan said helplessly, "They won't stay long either. They said that after they pick up these students, they will leave together and won't help us with defenses."

"That's fine too!"

The Academy Head was overjoyed. It was good that people were coming.

Liu Wenyan wasn't as excited; he remained displeased. "Even if the Dragon Martial Guard has left, Great Xia Prefecture is in such disarray, it's embarrassing! I wonder if Great Xia Prefecture has become too complacent over the years, and its military preparedness has slackened!"

These words were only spoken by Liu Wenyan; the Academy Head did not engage further.

The Dragon Martial Guards outside didn't join the conversation, as it was indeed a bit embarrassing. The Great Xia Prefecture was known for its countless strong soldiers and fierce generals, yet they were being pushed to their limits by the Ten Thousand Races Cult. This truly didn't align with the Great Xia Prefecture's actual strength.

Su Yu acted as an observer throughout, listening silently and not interjecting.

These matters concerned the higher-ups of Nanyuan City, and he wasn't qualified to participate.

As for Liu Wenyan, Su Yu found it a bit strange. Although this person held a not-low position, his martial prowess was weak. Discussing these matters with Liu Wenyan probably wouldn't be of much use.

As if sensing Su Yu's thoughts, Liu Wenyan paid him some attention. Seeing Su Yu sneakily looking at him, he couldn't help but chuckle, "What's wrong, you look down on your teacher?"

"No."

"Yes, you do!"

"I really don't!"

"I can tell!"

Liu Wenyan was acting like a child at this moment, insisting on winning an argument. He chuckled and said, "Just wait, you'll know why your teacher can participate then!"

Su Yu didn't quite understand the meaning behind his words, and Liu Wenyan didn't explain.

The Academy Head wanted to say a few words, but after thinking about it, he closed his mouth.

He hoped there wouldn't be an opportunity for Liu Wenyan to prove himself; it would be too much of a pity.

In the tall building opposite the academy.

The middle-aged man's lips trembled slightly. "The City Guards have left the city. Except for a portion defending the city gates and the City Lord's Mansion, the rest have gone out to hunt down the Bloodfire Cult members."

"What about the Dragon Martial Guards?"

The woman asked. The middle-aged man shook his head, "No trace of the Dragon Martial Guards has been found."

"The Dragon Martial Guards are still inside the city. Also... the geniuses in Nanyuan are to be transferred to the Great Xia Prefecture and will leave the day after tomorrow."

The man reported. The woman frowned slightly, "Bait?"

"Possibly."

The man was also a bit suspicious. "They're withdrawing for no apparent reason, and the order was given yesterday. It might be to lure us out. What do you think we should do?"

"Have any strong individuals secretly entered Nanyuan City recently?"

"There shouldn't be..."

"Shouldn't be?"

"It's impossible to confirm. We can't monitor everything all the time. However, our informants haven't reported anything. The City Lord's Mansion has nothing, and neither does Nanyuan Middle Academy."

The woman fell into deep thought. After a moment, she said, "We can't let them leave. If they leave, although massacring Nanyuan Middle Academy will still yield merit, the reward will be halved. If the genius students who are preparing for the preliminary exam leave, the higher-ups won't be satisfied."

"I know," the man said hesitantly. "But... the Dragon Martial Guards haven't been mobilized yet. They are likely still in the academy. If we act rashly, and we fail, it will be troublesome."

As he was speaking, the communicator on the man's side rang. The man picked it up and looked at it. A communication message appeared, as if it were GG.

However, the man's expression changed slightly. He quickly said, "Either we cancel the operation, or... we have to do it quickly! According to news from the Great Xia Prefecture, Liu Wenyan requested reinforcements from the Daxia Civilization Academy today, and they agreed. They will send people to escort these geniuses away from Nanyuan City soon."

"Damn it!"

The woman cursed, "Liu Wenyan, that old geezer again! That old geezer is only one step away from manifesting his will, but the hope of crossing over is slim. The Civilization Academy actually agreed to his request for reinforcements... that's more influential than I imagined."

The man remained silent. After the woman vented her anger, he continued, "What do we do now? City Lord Wu Wenhai and the Dragon Martial Guard Xia Bing are both at the second level of the Soaring Realm. If someone from the Civilization Academy comes, we can only give up..."

Saying this, the man hesitated, but still added, "The Great Xia Prefecture is powerful. Only because the main force of the Dragon Martial Guards has left this time can we create chaos. Once the main force returns... we must retreat. The higher-ups previously adopted a wait-and-see attitude towards the Great Xia Prefecture. Why this time..."

For this operation, the higher-ups were even willing to expose some long-dormant pieces.

Even if the plan succeeded, the losses would be significant.

The man didn't quite understand. Even if some geniuses were killed, such losses would be difficult to compensate for.

After all, some people had spent many years just to infiltrate.

The woman held a higher position in the cult than him and knew more than he did. He was only responsible for coordinating various parties.

"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask!"

The woman replied coldly. After thinking for a moment, she added, "Actually, it's nothing. What's needed is for the Great Xia Prefecture to be in chaos and for the main force of the Dragon Martial Guards to return! The Dragon Martial Guards are heading to the Battlefields of the Heavens this time, targeting the Tianyi Divine Race!"

As soon as this was said, the man's expression changed erratically.

The Tianyi Divine Race, this was also the divine race they had pledged allegiance to. Could it be that...

"The divine races... are afraid of the Dragon Martial Guards?"

The man dared not think about it, but the woman knew what he was thinking and sneered, "Although the Dragon Martial Guards are strong, the divine races won't fear them! However, the divine races are currently attacking the Tianyan Race. If the Dragon Martial Guards get involved, it will disrupt the plan."

"Tianyan Race!" the man quickly said, "Are the divine races going to start a war?"

"No, it's to bring the Tianyan Race back to order!"

The woman said, then stopped discussing these matters, returning to the topic. "You, me, and another Hall Master at the fourth level of the Soaring Realm will arrive tonight! He will deal with Xia Bing, I will tie down Wu Wenhai, and you will lead people to destroy Nanyuan Academy!"

"Destroy Nanyuan Academy, and the mission will be completed. We will withdraw immediately!"

"Tomorrow evening... the operation!"

The woman's voice fell, and the man hesitated before quickly saying, "As you command!"

The reason for choosing evening was that all the students would have left by then, making it impossible to gather them. It wouldn't be worth it to hunt them down individually.

In the evening, after the action, they could withdraw. It would get dark quickly, making their escape easier.

The man had no objections to this. He was just a little worried. After agreeing, he still reminded her, "Besides Wu Wenhai and Xia Bing, I'm worried Liu Wenyan might be provoked and his will could manifest. That would be troublesome."

"Indeed, we must guard against that!"

The woman didn't think his concern was excessive; it was indeed a variable. "However, we have three Soaring Realm experts, and they only have two. Moreover, they are both only at the second level of Soaring Realm. Even if Liu Wenyan's will manifests, without time to temper his body, his willpower might reach the Soaring Realm, but his physical body would still be at the Qianjun Realm. You should be able to handle him."

"This..."

Just as the man was about to say something, the woman's eyes turned cold. "He's already over seventy, his body is declining. Even if his will manifests, it's not a big deal. Are you telling me you can't even handle Liu Wenyan?"

"No!"

The man quickly replied, "I'm worried that if I'm dealing with Liu Wenyan, no one else will be able to handle the other members of the Dragon Martial Guard. They are all at the Wanshi Realm, and we have Wanshi Realm experts too, but once the Dragon Martial Guard forms their battle formation, only those in the Soaring Realm can resist it."

"You're only considering a worst-case scenario. Liu Wenyan hasn't managed to manifest his will for so many years. Do you think he's guaranteed to do it this time?"

The woman said this, but then quickly added, "Then let a Hall Master at the fourth level of Soaring Realm tie up the entire Dragon Martial Guard. Xia Bing is only at the second level of Soaring Realm; he can handle him! You quickly kill Liu Wenyan, and then go help him deal with the Dragon Martial Guard!"

"Alright!"

The man breathed a sigh of relief. That was good. A fourth-level Soaring Realm expert should be able to handle it.

Besides, he himself was at the second level of Soaring Realm, so he didn't need to worry too much. The woman was even stronger than him; she was also a Hall Master within the Ten Thousand Races Cult, the Hall Master of Nanyuan. Of course, she was only at the peak of the third level of Soaring Realm.

After all, Nanyuan City was small. It was already unexpected that the Ten Thousand Races Cult would station two Soaring Realm experts here.

The Great Xia Prefecture only had the City Lord and the Dragon Martial Guard Captain as their two Soaring Realm experts here.

The Great Xia Prefecture's main forces were at the front lines, and the strength left behind in the rear wasn't too strong. The Ten Thousand Races Cult didn't need to be on the front lines or defend any specific location, making it easier for them to deploy personnel than the Great Xia Prefecture.

"Eternal True God!"

The woman's lips trembled slightly, and the man quickly echoed her in a low voice.

Divine Race!

Uncontrollable longing filled their eyes. The Divine Race!

Eternal life!

If they could achieve merit and enter the God Realm, enter the legendary Divine Transformation Pool, and transform their human foundation into that of the Divine Race... that would be eternal life!

Infinite life!

Flames rose in the man's eyes. The divine points given by their superiors this time were substantial. With a dozen more missions like this, he could redeem an opportunity to enter the God Realm.

"Fifty years... I want to enter the God Realm within fifty years, otherwise, I'll die of old age..."

The man muttered to himself. He didn't want to betray humanity, but he... wanted eternal life!

He couldn't forget his teacher, a powerful expert at the ninth level of Soaring Realm, who had died in bed that year due to his declining physical body. He was afraid.

Soaring Realm experts only had a lifespan of about 150 years.

He was already over sixty. Although his body hadn't reached the point of decline yet, in more than ten years, he had only advanced from the first level of Soaring Realm to the second. Could he reach the ninth level in this lifetime?

There was no hope!

Only by defecting to the Divine Race could he obtain eternal life.

"I'm not wrong. Humanity will not be a match for the Myriad Races! The human realm has no limit on its power, and it simply cannot resist the Myriad Races. It will fall sooner or later, it's only a matter of time. My choice is not wrong!"

The man's expression gradually became firm, and his piety grew. The Divine Race... even Soaring Realm experts could live for a thousand years without difficulty. With a thousand years, he could make further progress no matter what.

That would be eternal life, eternal years!