Chapter 607

It was precisely because he was certain that the Thorny Rose would be the decisive battleground, because he knew the return ceremony would only last a few hours, and because he saw through Taiyi's diversionary tactic, that he raced against time and could not afford to continue dividing his forces.

Forgotten Hidden Jianghu dispatched two complete teams of judges, and more than a hundred Judge went to the instance to track down 'Thorny Rose'. How could he possibly continue to divide his forces to drive away the 'Ferryman'?

This cannot be done, nor is it necessary to do so, because once the Faction Judgment begins, the extraditionist becomes useless, and the Judge have no authority to kill people in the Borderlands; they can only expel them.

"But with the Faction Judgment underway, even if I see through His scheme, I can't drive these ants back. It's an unsolvable plan!"

Without conducting Faction Judgment, Yuki can keep sending people in. The Judge can certainly expel and then isolate the factions, but that would require hundreds of Judge to act simultaneously, which would essentially divide the forces.

Whether you see through it or are ignorant, I can win no matter what choice I make. Yuki overestimated Aizen; he didn't foresee this. Thinking back on it now gives me the creeps.

"The most crucial point is that the matter of 'Forgotten Hidden Jianghu' has already shaken the entire Borderlands, and countless players are already paying attention." Solomon's expression was extremely ugly; his thinking speed was no less than Aizen's.

"And then they knew nothing about that Outpost, and were lining up to jump in and run away." Aizen felt a headache coming on; they had the Hundred Eyes of True Knowledge to observe in real time, while ordinary players didn't.

The initial group of players who went in weren't the strongest or the most eager; they were just lucky and liked to gather information. But after a few hours, more players got the news and were all eager to make their move.

Putting yourself in their shoes, what does it mean if the Faction Judgment ends while the Outpost's return ceremony is still underway?

Of course, the Judge's suppression failed. If they don't catch the last train now, when will they?!

"Damn it, those idiots will all jump in, and those two morons won't be able to stop them. They'll be able to fill the annihilation line in no time."

"That reincarnation artifact has been fully activated. Jumping in will affect them, and these idiots will all turn into firewood."

"Expel those ants beforehand? There's no time to find them all now!"

In that instant, even the most 'stupid' Aatrox understood that the lives of the two Grand Inquisitors were not important; what mattered was that Taiyi borrowed knife to kill, using the blood of ants and the hand of the Reincarnation Game to obliterate them, the group of Judge.

No one expected that the least relevant, the smallest, and the most insignificant camp would become the variable, the variable that puts people in a dilemma.

"Immediately initiate Faction Judgment and isolate this area; this is the only solution." Uchiha Madara didn't want to waste any more time; he was utterly bewildered by these deceptive and manipulative tactics.

You've seen through my scheme? Really?

"This is yet another unsolvable problem." Aizen stared coldly at him, asking each word clearly, "Did you see that 'Black Blade' during your several exchanges?"

No... no.

Despite the Sword Demon's relentless attacks, Taiyi never used his Black Blade, which leads to the unsolvable problem Aizen mentioned.

They had all reviewed the 'Taiyi' return ritual a thousand times: resonance, preparation, separation, and return. This final return stage is about severing the connection point.

Was it Taiyi's casual strike, or the work of that special Black Blade?

After a long discussion, the group of Grand Inquisitors concluded that the latter possibility was more likely, since Taiyi couldn't break through to the Epic level either, and it was impossible to achieve this through violence. This highlighted the importance of Total Annihilation, since Aizen had personally witnessed Yuki severing the connection with Total Annihilation.

The question is, this 'Black Blade' is definitely a special weapon that no one but Taiyi can use. Since Taiyi's clones are known to use reincarnation items, can he use that Black Blade?

It's such a difficult decision...

Aizen a desire to annihilate this Outpost at all costs, but he dared not gamble, because one wrong step would mean utter destruction.

To put it bluntly, nobody wants to die, or at least not die a miserable death, especially someone like Boros. He was single-mindedly preparing for a battle of supremacy with Taiyi, but the latter just wouldn't show up.

If he bets wrong, he won't even get to see 'Taiyi' and will be killed by the Reincarnation Game.

Knowing it's a trap, I had no choice but to do it, because the probability of failure would be even higher if I didn't. I solved so many unknowns, but even after lifting the veil, the fog still hangs thick.

Aizen was truly undecided. He realized that in this battle, Taiichi's advantage was Taiyi than just having the advantage of terrain; he had already subtly seized the opportune moment through a clever scheme.

Indeed, no one can rival the potential of the Reincarnation Game, but before the game even begins, the 'Return Faction' have already been exploited to the Limit; it's a chain-like overall concept.

"We can't ignore this. If 'Taiyi's' clone can use the Black Blade, we'll all die before we can corner him."

Solomon didn't blame the Reincarnation Game. If the game hadn't added requirements, he would have retreated long ago. This old fox is so troublesome, let whoever wants to fight him fight him.

After going through a long and winding road, Taiyi still achieved his goal of dividing the forces, and there are definitely more conspiracies hidden behind it.

Everyone felt powerless, but could only react to each move as it came, like a game of chess where if someone checks you, you have to make a move.

"Send someone to try and get them both out. Seal off the Outpost as the situation develops and plug this loophole." Aizen practically spat out these words through gritted teeth.

This was the most cost-effective arrangement, but even in the best-case scenario, the Grand Inquisitor sent would essentially become a spectator, completely detached from the war.

A Grand Inquisitor, a top-tier Epic IV player, was 'killed' in the war, feeling so frustrated he wanted to vomit blood.

"Should we then isolate this place?"

"No, this is the most cost-effective plan, but not the safest one. Don't forget, 'Taiyi' can traverse the camp faster than we can."

That's true. The Judge still need to transit through the Judgment Domain, Taiyi likely they'll travel directly between realms. This involves the risks of a race against time; if the high-ranking judges who go to plug the leaks fall into an ambush, they'll be trapped in their own self-imposed prison...

That would be a decisive victory.

The group exchanged glances; no one wanted to take on the task. Yes, leaving the battlefield meant avoiding the risk of death, but it also meant entrusting their lives to others.

"I'll go. I'll do my best to decipher the return ritual; maybe I can be of help," said the Man of Truth. As the strongest alchemist and the most skilled researcher, he was willing to go; perhaps there would be unexpected gains.

"Then I'll leave it to you. You can make your own judgment." Aizen simply handed the responsibility over to the other party, and his eyes became resolute.

This has nothing to do with IQ; it won't solve many key problems. The more you think, the more mistakes you'll make.

"All our schemes are aimed at leveling the gap in combat power. Gentlemen, let's stop holding back. I'm certain that 'Taiyi' is hiding in some private space."

"Crush all obstacles, kill any player who dares to stand in your way."

"Find Him, the sooner the better!"

The Judge had no way out and was showing signs of mental breakdown. It was like two people playing chess and neither could beat the other, so they might as well overturn the chessboard and charge in for a physical confrontation.

Find Taiyi, pin him to the ground and beat him mercilessly. I'm not playing with you anymore.

"The killing intent is boiling. They've skipped the probing phase so quickly. That makes sense; the more they probe, the more unknowns they reveal. It's better to just take action directly."

Yuki had already returned to the starry sky. As Uchiha Madara had analyzed, these individual spaces were indeed countless teleportation portals. The spatial distortions isolated him from the limitations of the Hundred Eyes of True Knowledge. As long as there wasn't another Grand Inquisitor lying in wait inside the portal, he could escape immediately.

This trick took ten minutes, allowing Elysia and the others to escape and return to the starry sky to heal their wounds.

"You have angered the Judge." King Hassan walked over, thick black smoke repairing the wound on his breastplate. He had been in the most danger just now, almost being cleaved in two.

Within the light screen, the Judge continued their previous tactics, ignoring the incident and still hunting in designated areas. The difference this time was that the Grand Inquisitor was directly involved.

The first central node was breached, the AT field was broken, and the giant EVA was directly cut in half by Susanoo. Eight giant swords swept around, cutting down everything in half, whether it was a Gundam, a mecha, or any other giant robot.

No one dared to go to the rescue. The Judge shortened the distance between each team. If Yuki dared to show up, at least four Grand Judges would jump right into his face.

We're stronger, why should we play tricks on you?

Yuki instructed Hiyori to notify the remaining players to evacuate, a playful smile crept across his face. This was clearly a strategy of overwhelming force with sheer power.

This tactic is less efficient, but absolutely safe, and you won't be led by the nose.

But the problem is, the rhythm I'm setting is more than just this.

"They're forcing me into a final battle. If I'm lucky, I can find this place directly and start the final battle ahead of schedule." Yuuki pursed his Yuki. The Judge were searching the buildings haphazardly, and they weren't far from his hiding place.

"The link will appear in two hours, and I only have a 20% chance of making it in time."

"Then what should we do? Find an opportunity to settle things once and for all?" King Hassan's voice was low, with a resolute tone that suggested that a short, sharp pain was better than a long, drawn-out one.

"No, I've already tried. Apart from a handful of people, none of you are a match for the Grand Inquisitor in a one-on-one fight. Even if I use all my brainpower, I can only gain the initiative to kill one person first." Yuki shook his head slightly. This initiative was far from enough.

"We're not going to wait for them to come knocking on our door, are we?" Geralt approached, puffing on his cigar. He admitted that Yuki's tricks were clever, but they wouldn't solve the problem. "You guys are all dirty-minded when it comes to tactics. Tell me, what other dirty tricks do you have up your sleeve?"

Are you praising me or insulting me?

Yuki glanced at him and said softly, "The seemingly insignificant moves I made earlier have become the killing move. Use this move to maneuver them and divide them up."

The group, who were healing and resting, were taken aback, not knowing what Yuki was talking about. The Judge wasn't stupid; could he possibly divide his forces at a time like this?

They've already learned their lesson, so now they should stick together and just crush them.

Yuki offered no explanation. Everything in the Forgotten Hidden Jianghu was under his control. This was a casual move, a chain-like scheme, with no possibility of being broken.

Who could have guessed that a single spark contained five layers of meaning, that a sewer faction could influence the entire Borderlands's situation?

'I don't need to compete with the Reincarnation Game's potential; I just need to surpass its troop production speed within a certain timeframe.'

The next link in this chain has countless branches, and since the Judge haven't yet begun the Faction Judgment, Yuki already knows their plan:

The Faction Judgment has a time limit. Send a Grand Inquisitor to replace Hades and the Undying Sin Lizard to temporarily plug the fatal gap, and then use this time to end everything.

It was a very sound plan, which also thwarted Yuki's scheme and led to the crucial clue that "the Judge was unaware that the Total Annihilation must be controlled by me personally."

There is no solution to this problem. Even if Yuki tells them the truth, no one would dare to gamble their lives on it.

"But is my scheme only on the surface?" Yuki glanced at the atomic clock; the top one still had a few minutes left, which was the remaining time for the Faction Judgment.

"Hayasaka, prepare to attack."

"Who should we target?" Geralt asked in an epic, sweeping statement, then looked at a separate area on the screen.

There are images of 10 Grand Inquisitors there, supplemented with much information based on previous battles, making it virtually invincible from the current perspective.

"Eternal Torture and the Undying Sin Lizard."

"What? These two aren't even here. Wait, are you trying to create a time difference? A feint?" The Hunter Demon was taken aback. Of course, he knew that the Faction Judgment was about to end and the Forgotten Hidden Jianghu would become accessible again, but the time difference was too short.

The Judge will definitely go in immediately and take over the Faction Judgment.

"Those two are indeed exhausted, but a few minutes is not enough for you to kill Him, or even find Him. Within a thousand miles of the Forgotten Hidden Jianghu, there are no more teleportation mediums available."

"Even if you find it, the Judge can escalate the stakes; we can't just move the final battle to another location."

Even if Yuki didn't need an invitation to travel directly from Thorny Rose to the Forgotten Hidden Jianghu, he would still have to appear through the teleportation medium and then rush to the battlefield. The travel time would be enough for the Judge to react.

Yuki offered no explanation, stood up, and paced back and forth under the gaze of the crowd. Behind him, the starry sky displayed hundreds of battle scenes, filled with bloody death.

"The Judge are difficult to deal with, and their ability to counter any move is also formidable. At the same level, we are no match for them. Just as we have obtained a lot of intelligence, you have also exposed a considerable amount of your strength."

Everyone nodded. Testing is always relative. Yuki provided the best location, but it wasn't enough.

"Don't expect them to make mistakes. Every option I offer is in their best interest, but even more so in my interest. The plan to divide the battlefield was decided from the very beginning."

The numbers on the atomic clock are gradually approaching zero, another battlefield is about to open, and the Judge will soon be reinstated to their isolation period, with only a very brief window of opportunity.

This lull is not very significant. Even if Yuki goes to another battlefield, the Judge can increase their pressure. No matter how many troops he takes with him, the Judge will still have the upper hand. It's just a matter of changing the location of the final battle.

Leaving behind the Thorny Rose, it also lacks any geographical advantage.

There's no solution. The disparity in strength is the hardest thing to overcome, and the enemy isn't stupid; they won't let themselves be manipulated.

"Don't be nervous, they won't make mistakes unless they make a mistake in the first place, and then it's too late to correct it."

Do you have any good ideas?

"Wait, you all wait here. Hayasaka and I are going to 'Forgotten Hidden Jianghu' to activate that idle treasure and deliver a surprise. After the surprise, the opportunity for the final battle will begin."

You're not trying to use this opportunity to slip away, are you?

Instead of being excited, they were filled with doubt. Yuki still hadn't explained how to mobilize the enemy, and everyone looked at Elysia.

The True Self of Yingjie wore a smile, his eyes filled with anticipation, which made everyone murmur among themselves again.

If he didn't lie, what other cards did he hold up?

"Mobilizing the Judge across dimensions will allow more unknowns to interfere with the judgment. Only by mobilizing them can we find the opportunity for the final battle." Yuki's tone was firm, and he understood everyone's doubts.

Despite all those fancy maneuvers, the balance of power hasn't been reversed.

"Go ahead. At this point, we have no choice but to trust you," Shiki Ryougi said, glancing at the dead players. "But you'd better hurry, or everyone will die."

Every second is a delay at the cost of the player's life. Yuki has simply arranged everything clearly, ensuring that sacrifices are not influenced by subjective will.

One exclusive space dies out, the next is completely unknown. Ignorance breeds fearlessness, and there will be no catastrophic defeat. All arrangements are for the most efficient burning of life.

"I will be back soon. Don't worry about the Judge blocking my way back, because your lives are not important in this whole war."

Yuki's words were somewhat cruel, but they were also true. The only person the Judge wanted to kill Taiyi, and only by killing Taiyi could the problem be solved.

He waved his hand, calling Hayasaka Ai, Mona, Frieren, and Mai Sakurajima to his side, and walked to the Planar Anchor planted in the middle of the starry sky.

It is still inactive because the coordinates at the other end are isolated, and it has lost its teleportation target. However, as the countdown reaches zero, it emits a blue light.

The Faction Judgment has ended, and the passage is now open.

No one knew what it was, but it was clearly related to 'Forgotten Hidden Jianghu', which aroused a sense of anticipation.

You play the game of countering my moves, I'll play the game of tracing back to the source.

Without wasting any time, Yuki activated the Planar Anchor and vanished from his spot in an instant. At this moment, Hiyori read that a Grand Inquisitor had already left the Thorny Rose.

No one was faster than Yuki in the speed race. The Homunculus in the Flask still had to go to the Judgment Domain, but he used his special ability to reach another coordinate in an instant.

"This is... the Night Furnace?" Hayasaka Ai opened her eyes and saw the Planar Anchor that had entered a cooling state next to her. Looking around blankly, she realized that she was inside the Night Furnace.