"No, I can't get dragged into a prolonged fight." Snake Lance swallowed the sweet blood in his mouth and raised his spear again. "Eighth Spirit Ability, Snake Without Shadow, Rock Eight Void, Thunderous Might!"
Snake Lance feigned a fierce charge straight at Ao Tian, but in truth, he had stacked his defensive attributes to the limit and waited for an opening.
Sure enough, Ao Tian gathered power in both fists, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes. He raised his crimson-gold spear and charged at him as well, his imposing momentum stirring the winds and clouds.
Snake Lance did not invest much Soul Power into his attack. Instead, borrowing Ao Tian's overwhelming force and layering his Fourth Spirit Ability, Swift and Decisive, with his Sixth Spirit Ability, Golden Snake Emerges from Cave, he was sent flying with tremendous force at lightning speed. He turned into a streak of light and quickly vanished from sight.
Ao Tian froze at the sight. He looked suspiciously at his hands. "Have I improved lately? How did it have such a powerful effect?"
Standing atop a nearby hill, Chen Chu watched the scene thoughtfully. In particular, when he saw that streak of light still flying without any sign of slowing, an absurd thought arose in his heart. At the same time, Ao Tian realized it too.
"Damn it!" Even if he were an idiot, he understood that old bastard had fooled them and taken the chance to escape. Cursing furiously, he was about to chase after him.
"Forget it." Chen Chu frowned and stopped him. "Let's head back quickly. We've been out for too long. What if this is their tactic to lure the tiger from the mountain? The military camp has suffered such a major disturbance. We need to return and take charge."
Only the three of them knew about Ao Tian fighting Snake Lance. They were still some distance from the camp, and after what had just happened, they could not possibly go after him now.
Ao Tian clenched his fists, rage simmering in his chest. He had nearly captured him, yet because he had been too careless, that bastard had tricked him and escaped. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
"Damn it! Don't let me run into you again!"
The two quickly returned to the camp. Order had already been restored there, and the deputy commander had tallied some losses. Fortunately, the damage was not severe.
Chen Chu swept his gaze over the assembled generals and officers, then said solemnly, "Everyone, tonight's events are enough to show that the situation on the Star Luo side is probably not as good as we thought. I have only just arrived and have not considered many matters thoroughly. I will still have to rely on all of you seniors."
"Please also remember that we all belong to the Imperial Guard. We share glory and disgrace alike. I hope we can work together from now on."
He then glanced at the sky, which was already beginning to brighten, and ordered, "Have the soldiers immediately organize the military supplies and baggage. We march before dawn. We must reach the front lines today!"
"Yes!"
At the Heaven Dou stronghold, Snake Lance staggered in covered in blood, startling Pufferfish. He hurried over to support him, while Qian Renxue watched the nearly lifeless Snake Lance with alarm in her eyes.
Pufferfish Douluo supported the limp Snake Lance. The moment his fingers touched Snake Lance's arm, he felt searing heat. The Soul Power fluctuations within his body were incomparably chaotic. Pufferfish's eyes widened as he blurted out, "What happened to you? Who did you fight to end up this badly injured? Did you run into Tang Hao?"
Snake Lance coughed up blood, his face pale and his voice hoarse. "It wasn't one of Heaven Dou's old acquaintances... It was an unfamiliar man. He used a crimson-gold spear and sent me flying with a single strike!"
The teacup Qian Renxue had just raised stopped in midair. Her golden eyes darkened as she asked, "An unfamiliar Soul Master? What rank?"
"I couldn't see through him!" Snake Lance abruptly raised his head, his eyes filled with lingering terror. "I stacked my Eighth Spirit Ability's defenses to the limit, and I even used the double enhancement of Swift and Decisive and Golden Snake Emerges from Cave. Yet when I took just one of his attacks head-on, my Soul Power barrier was shattered! That strength... was absolutely above the Titled Douluo level!"
Pufferfish Douluo immediately retorted, "Bullshit! Other than those few old monsters, where would Heaven Dou find a newly advanced Titled Douluo? Snake Lance, were you beaten senseless?"
"I wasn't!" Snake Lance anxiously coughed up bloody foam. "I've never seen that guy before. His strength is at least on Sword Bone's level! When he charged at me with that crimson-gold spear, it felt like every bone in my body was trembling!"
Seeing that Snake Lance's terrified appearance did not seem fake, Qian Renxue felt a headache coming on. "Where did this Titled Douluo come from? Where did this Titled Douluo come from? Why didn't he appear earlier? Why did they all emerge at this time, all to oppose me?"
"Damn it!"
Seeing how unpleasant her young mistress's expression was, Pufferfish stepped forward and said, "Young Mistress, the situation is changing too unpredictably. It seems to be slipping beyond our control. Should we report this to them and ask the Great Enshrined to send reinforcements?"
Someone whose strength rivaled or even surpassed Sword Bone Douluo had beaten Snake Lance nearly to death with only a few punches. Even if the two of them joined forces, they likely could not stop such a person. The plan failing was a minor issue; if anything happened to their young mistress, they would truly be finished.
"No!" To their surprise, Qian Renxue immediately rejected the suggestion. "There's no need to tell Grandfather for now. I can still keep matters under control."
If she told her grandfather, he would certainly worry about her safety and force her to return. Then that woman would surely get to laugh at her again. That was something she could not accept.
"Understood." Pufferfish could only withdraw helplessly.
"You two must hide your identities from now on. Chen Chu does not know who you are. As long as he does not find out, this matter has nothing to do with me, and I will still have a chance."
Thinking of the growing number of officials who had recently pledged allegiance to her, as well as her reputation among the common people, she felt much calmer. Perhaps she had been too impatient. As long as she did not expose herself and proceeded step by step, the throne could still only be hers. The Imperial Guard was only for a Palace Coup as a last resort. In that case, hmph.
"Restore Xue Ye's previous dosage of medicine. Once the war ends, before they return to the capital, we will act. By then, the outcome will be decided, and no one will be able to change it!"
That night, on the Pamir Plateau.
After nearly fifteen days of marching, the reinforcements finally reached the frontline camp. The military camps had all been established beside a Guard City. As far as the eye could see, the land stretched endlessly into the distance.
"General Chen, you've finally arrived. Marshal Gelong has been waiting for a long time."
After handing over the supplies, Chen Chu followed the messenger all the way into the military camp.
Inside the camp, generals from every division sat in orderly rows. At the head seat sat Heaven Dou's foremost military figure, Ge Long, whose martial soul was Yazi. He was a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse, carrying the grim, murderous aura of a lifelong soldier.
The moment Chen Chu entered the tent, Marshal Gelong's gaze swept over him. His eyes were sharp as blades and carried the chilling killing intent of one who had fought in countless battles. Yet rather than making things difficult for him, he rose and gestured beside him. "General Chen, don't stand there. Come, sit."
The generals in the tent all turned to look at him, their eyes full of scrutiny. Everyone knew that Chen Chu was the Imperial Guard's rising star and the Emperor's favorite. At such a young age, he had been able to lead an army of tens of thousands to provide reinforcements. Yet no one knew exactly how strong he was.
Chen Chu clasped his fists in salute, then strode steadily to the foremost seat on the left and sat down. His voice was neither humble nor overbearing. "This subordinate, Chen Chu, greets the Marshal and all the generals."
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