Morning light had just crept over the wooden palisade of the provisions camp when Ma Hongjun squatted atop a wagon piled with grain and fodder, idly teasing a wisp of flame with his fingertip. Watching the thin mist gradually fade from the distant horizon, he could not help calling out to Tang San, who was inspecting the warning runes around the camp perimeter. "Third Brother, it's already been five days! Going by the distance, the main force should have reached the front and set up camp long ago. We're stuck here like old soldiers guarding supplies, and there hasn't even been a shadow from the Spirit Hall Empire. Don't tell me they really don't dare come?"
Tang San straightened, brushing grass clippings from his hands. His gaze swept over the cavalry patrols outside the camp, his tone as steady as ever. "The closer the army is to the front, the more imminent battle becomes, and the less we can afford to relax. Bibi Dong is best at striking when her opponents let their guard down. Supplies are the lifeline of an army. She will never easily give up such a chance to cut off our retreat."
Before he had finished speaking, a pale blue blur raced in from the western forest. The shriek of wings tearing through the air instantly shattered the camp's calm. Bai Chenxiang's Sharp-tailed Swallow Spirit was fully spread, several dead leaves still clinging to her wings. She landed firmly before Tang San, her breathing slightly hurried, her face grave. "Third Brother, something's happened!"
Everyone who had been busy with their own tasks immediately gathered around. Dai Mubai had just finished inspecting the main gate's defenses with Zhu Zhuqing, while Oscar had been handing out Soul Power-restoring sausages to the Agility Hall disciples on patrol. Ning Rongrong,