Watching the Fire from the Other Side, Receiving the Mandate in Peril (Thanks to Fatty Xu for the Alliance Leader)

Wailing carried on the distant wind, mingled with cries, roars, wild laughter, and cheers.

Beneath the blazing sun, dust swirled through the air. On the widened main street of the forward base, people flowed back and forth like at a market. The bustle and prosperity were even more excessive than a market's.

Yet the faces on the street were clearly polarized—either they wore expressions like their horse had died, or they were overjoyed as though they had just killed someone else's horse...

Some had lost everything but escaped with their lives; others had returned laden with gains after a great victory.

Sometimes, the difference was just that stark.

Some were lying on stretchers, barely clinging to life, yet still able to laugh.

Because the unlucky bastards who couldn't make it back alive had long since died in the Wilderness...

In just a few days, the forward base had rapidly recovered from the attack. It was even more prosperous than before, its outer perimeter having expanded several times over. With the influx of outsiders, it already resembled a small town.

As a large settlement located right beside the Forest Kingdom, it had the protection of the Heavenly Origin Law, allowing people to rest at ease, while merchant associations from every side provided supplies. It naturally possessed the advantage of drawing in people. As the Federation and the Empire gradually loosened their outer-to-inner blockade, it was practically becoming the entrance to the Forest Kingdom.

Most Chosen Ones who had traveled long distances would rest here, replenish their supplies and consumables, and make every possible preparation before entering the Forest Kingdom.

Likewise, for most Chosen Ones withdrawing from the Forest Kingdom, the nearest forward base remained their first stop. Only here could they replenish themselves as quickly as possible, collect bounties, sell their