Three quarters past midnight.
The night was at its darkest.
The southern gate of the encampment quietly opened.
Two contingents filed out without making a sound.
Clad in Black Armor, Iron Mountain Immortal Emperor walked at the head of the column.
The five hundred battle-hardened soldiers of the Heavy Armor Battalion moved as lightly as wildcats, treading through the darkness toward the mountain hollow to the east.
Luo Yiyi walked along the column's flank in a pale blue-green dress, a faint glow of Illusion Technique lingering around her.
With a gentle lift of her delicate hand, a thin mist spread out, enveloping all five hundred figures.
From a distance, they looked like nothing more than a patch of shadow blending into the night, with no hint that they were an army.
"Sorry for the trouble, Miss Yiyi."
Iron Mountain Immortal Emperor lowered his voice, admiration coloring his tone.
For stealthy night raids, an Illusion Technique like this was nothing short of miraculous.
Luo Yiyi shook her head slightly, her fox ears twitching beside her temples.
"It's nothing."
"The abnormals' sense of smell and perception far surpass those of ordinary people. My Illusion Technique can only conceal us from sight."
"Once we get close to the camp, we'll still have to rely on your methods."
As she spoke, she glanced toward the mountain path on the other side.
There, Blood Shadow Immortal Emperor was leading three hundred soldiers of the Vanguard Battalion along a secluded trail, circling toward the rear of the enemy camp.
Every soldier in the Vanguard Battalion was an elite chosen from a thousand.
They all wore dark, close-fitting outfits and covered their faces with cloth, moving as nimbly as leopards.
Blood Shadow Immortal Emperor led the way, his steps so light that he barely crushed any fallen