Tan Wujie and Miaoyu

Liu Suifeng's words gave Chen Yuan pause, but Duan Hengshan and the others looked stunned.

Everyone had indeed been optimistic lately.

After destroying the Heaven-Forgetting Pavilion and the Shangguan Clan in succession, their people had received mountains of resources. They were practically rolling in wealth.

Whether they belonged to the Heavenly Martial Alliance or followed Duan Hengshan, they had risen from rough beginnings and had little foundation. They had never seen wealth on this scale, and the resources of the Heaven-Forgetting Pavilion and the Shangguan Clan had them drooling.

Zhang Yunying had once overseen the Murong Clan's guest retainers, but the clan had always treated them harshly. What good things could they have received?

After joining the Heavenly Martial Alliance, they had been awarded resources according to their contributions—more than some had earned in years, even decades, as Murong Clan retainers.

So while Chen Yuan had been in seclusion, the entire Heavenly Martial Alliance had been jubilant. Some had grown far too optimistic.

But none of them had imagined that the Demon-Suppressing Alliance might leave Lu Tianming alone and turn on them instead.

Were they really worth several Ninth-Realm Heavenly Profound experts coming after them?

"Military Adviser Liu, have you received some news?" Chen Yuan asked.

Liu Suifeng shook his head and said gravely, "No news. It's only a deduction. We've caused too much of a stir.

"The Demon-Suppressing Alliance set out to crush the Radiance Cult, but the two sides are now locked in a stalemate.

"There's been no word that Vice Cult Leader Lu Beiming or any of the other hall masters have fallen. Strictly speaking, the alliance can no longer suppress the Radiance Cult. Its campaign has already failed.

"But if they slink away with their tails between their legs, how will the imperial court and the