The Centipede Daoist's words were not spoken in shame-fueled anger, but reflected a decision made after careful deliberation.
Before this, he had feared the top-tier fighting force at Li Chen's disposal and had always sought to avoid its sharp edge, competing instead through their reserves.
Now Li Chen had turned the tables on him, wearing him down with frequent air raids and repeatedly thwarting his offensives.
Although Li Chen's losses in the process were by no means small, they mostly consisted of Mechanism Puppets that could be replenished and reused, or medicinal soil and spirit materials dug out of the ground.
Li Chen's Broad Cloud Ward was small but formidable, with considerable industrial capacity. His own Shaman Folk Kingdom was large and comprehensive, yet that very size made it bloated and sluggish, while its industries remained underdeveloped.
Only in its vast armies, numerous commanders, and deep foundations did it still hold an absolute advantage.
If he did not stake everything on a fight now, he would have no strength left to fight once that dull knife had sliced away his flesh and drained his blood, drop by drop.
In truth, he had considered this before, but he had remained fearful and hesitant, never acting decisively enough.
As the Centipede Daoist explained this to Helm Master Lin, he failed to notice a woman passing outside the entrance.
Her steps briefly faltered before she turned and left.
"Young Miss, aren't you going in?"
"No. I just remembered something else I need to do. I'll return to the villa outside the city first."
"This is bad. The Heavenly Dragon Gate is coming at us with everything it has."
Just as the raid here was drawing to a close and his troops were about to secure victory, Li Chen suddenly glanced toward the