A great war demanded greater caution the longer it dragged on.
A slight misstep would not necessarily bring utter ruin.
But as long as large numbers of disciples were sacrificed, even with their Dao Venerable cultivation, they could only seek out resources themselves, spending even more time on their subsequent cultivation.
For cultivators at their realm, time was all the more precious.
In their later comprehension of the Great Dao, only sufficient time would allow them to gradually comprehend further.
Zi Ji Dao Venerable's sharp gaze passed over report after report of victory before lingering longest on three points on the map.
The dark green representing the Chaotic Swamp.
The dense waterway markings known as Thousand Streams Ravine.
And the vast scorched-yellow region symbolizing the Desolate Silent Sand Sea.
"Everyone, our accomplishments have been outstanding and are enough to bolster the army's morale."
After another wave of victory reports briefly subsided, Zi Ji Dao Venerable's deep, steady voice sounded. It was not loud, yet it clearly drowned out the low discussions in the tent, drawing every gaze toward him.
He paused briefly, his eyes sweeping across the map before he continued. "Progress in these three regions has stalled for over seven days, and there are many anomalies."
He raised a hand and pointed toward the dark-green Chaotic Swamp.
"The Chaotic Swamp. Scouts reported that the miasma within has surged in intensity, and its toxicity is abnormally fierce, far beyond what it was before."
"All three elite scout squads that penetrated beyond fifty li have lost contact. Their soul lamps were extinguished, and the final scenes transmitted before their deaths were twisted and fragmented, as though they had suffered a violent impact upon their souls."
With that, Zi Ji Dao Venerable's fingertip shifted across the map and landed upon the marker