During their time in the Kunlun Secret Realm, Chen Mu, White Turtle, and Mingye successively broke through to the Demigod Realm. After that, Chen Mu met Gu Ningbi.
Although Chen Mu was unsure of Gu Ningbi's exact cultivation level, the fact that she could enter the Kunlun Secret Realm meant that she had not yet reached the God Level, and with her combat power, she was at least Huai God if not Demigod.
As for A Huo, after Chen Mu A Huo him the Seed of Destruction and some divine crystals, he also broke through to the Demigod Realm in just a few months.
In a short period of time, four or five Demigod cultivators gathered around Chen Mu, which inevitably gave people the illusion that Demigod cultivators were very common.
However, in reality, Demigod are extremely rare.
The so-called Demigod have actually broken through the shackles of mortals and possess a portion of the power of gods. Such cultivators are only half a step away from truly becoming gods.
The reason why so Demigod Realm were able to gather around Chen Mu was entirely due to the opportunities obtained from the Kunlun Secret Realm. Such opportunities only occurred once every thousand years, even in the ancient Primordial Heavenly Realm.
Chen Mu and his companions, however, single-handedly seized a significant portion of the opportunities that the Primordial Heavenly Realm had provided over eight thousand years, which led to the frequent emergence of Demigod around him.
Becoming a god is the ultimate goal of all cultivators. How many cultivators would abandon a dream that is within reach and instead spend their time and energy getting involved in the struggles of the mortal world?
Unfortunately, the Chen Kingdom is currently in such an awkward situation. The oppression of the Haotian Empire has left Chen Mu and others with no time to break through to godhood. They can only resist the oppression of the Haotian Empire with their Demigod bodies.
Clang...!
After defeating Wen Dao, A Huo had no time for further conversation. He unleashed a sword strike, intending to finish him off.
But at this moment, two beams of light, one red and one blue, rose up, transforming into red and blue energy that blocked A Huo's sword light.
"Um?"
A Huo then noticed that two powerful Celestial Person Race warriors were sitting inside Wen Dao's chariot.
They were the two Celestial Person Race Guards who had previously protected Long Bo in Black Water City. Although they were only at the Saint Level Peak, the two of them could unleash Half-God Level combat power when they joined forces.
Whoosh... Clang!
The two took to the air and joined forces to fight A Huo A Huo, who was unable to defeat them for a time.
Boom! Boom! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
Chen Kingdom's attack was clearly well-prepared, with the legions they sent being precisely the kind that could counter Wen Dao's army. After more than an hour of fierce fighting, Wen Dao had already shown signs of defeat.
"The entire army must retreat and hold the city!"
Wen Dao did not panic and immediately led his army to retreat.
Chen Kingdom's new-style army is indeed very strong, but it is impossible for them to overwhelm Wen Dao's main force. After all, Wen Dao has a deep foundation, and if they fight to the death, Chen Kingdom will also suffer great losses.
A Huo led his army in pursuit of Wen Dao for a distance, but then retreated without lingering.
"Brother Huo, why didn't we leave Wen Dao behind?"
If he dies, it will definitely severely damage the morale of the Haotian Empire.
On the way back, Chen Rufeng looked puzzled and asked A Huo.
He could tell that A Huo hadn't used his full strength in the fight just now. If they had gone all out to kill him, there would have been a great chance they could have captured Wen Dao.
A Huo glanced back at Chen Rufeng and spoke indifferently.
"You must understand, our true adversary is not the Haotian Empire, but the Heavenly Court!"
"You mean..."
Chen Rufeng paused slightly, as if he had thought of something, but couldn't quite grasp it.
The reason why the Heavenly Court has not launched a major attack against us so far is simply because it believes that the Haotian Empire is enough to suppress us.
"Once the Haotian Empire shows signs of weakness, do you think the Heavenly Court will remain indifferent?"
These few words immediately enlightened Chen Rufeng, making things that he couldn't understand before clear up.
"I understand! Thank you."
He expressed his heartfelt gratitude.
In less than two months, the Chen Kingdom swiftly recovered the territory previously occupied by the Haotian Empire, a speed even faster than the Haotian Empire's offensive.
After this battle, it became clear to anyone with discerning eyes that the Chen Kingdom had always possessed the power to rival the Haotian Empire.
The reason why they initially feigned weakness can be seen from the final results. After five or six months of all-out war, a large number of outstanding military talents emerged in the Chen Kingdom, the quality of soldiers improved rapidly, and the cohesion of the military was unprecedented.
The only losses suffered by the Chen Kingdom were some military buildings and metal robots, which Chen Industries could quickly repair and replenish.
"Your subordinate has failed in your duties; please punish me, Your Majesty!"
At the border of Central Province, Long Bo personally arrived to learn about the battle situation from Wen Dao.
"Uncle, please get up!"
Long Bo did not fly into a rage; his expression was unusually calm, and it was unclear what he was thinking.
"Your Majesty, I..."
Wen Dao looked ashamed, but dared not get up.
"Hehe! It might not be a bad thing that Chen Kingdom such abilities."
Uncle, don't let the immediate outcome cloud your judgment; you need to think long-term."
Long Bo dismissed his servants, then sat down with a relaxed expression.
Upon hearing Long Bo's words, Wen Dao stood up, walked over to Long Bo, and asked in confusion.
"Your Majesty, what do you mean by that?"
Long Bo picked up the teacup beside him, took a sip, and then slowly spoke.
"I've come to realize that the Chen Kingdom's strength is far greater than what's currently apparent."
If they really launch a full-scale attack, I'm afraid even the strength of our Haotian Empire alone might not be enough to defeat them.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Wen Dao hearing Long Bo's words, Wen Dao immediately began to argue indignantly.
"In this attack on the Chen Kingdom, we used at most one-tenth of our military strength."
Even if I lose, they don't actually have a clear advantage. As long as we figure out their new troop tactics and add more troops...
Next time, I will definitely be able to take down the capital of the Chen Kingdom.
Of the three royal cavalry under Wen Dao, one was sent to confront the Abyss Devil Race, while the strongest was guarding the capital. Neither of them participated in the war to attack Chen Kingdom.
Generally speaking, the Tiger Vanguard Royal Cavalry was the weakest of his three major cavalry units, so he was naturally not convinced and felt that he had not even used his true abilities.
" Chen Kingdom is very cunning, especially the Rune Research Institute led by Chen Mu. They always manage to do things unexpectedly, and they are so terrifying that they don't seem like people from this world at all. Perhaps he is a reincarnation of a god from another world."
Long Bo, too lazy to argue with Wen Dao, went on to explain his own plans.
"Now, whether you can defeat Chen Kingdom or not, you must pretend that you can't, so that the Heavenly Court will intervene."
I warned the Heavenly Court officials long ago that the Chen Kingdom had slipped from my control, so even if news of your defeat reached the Heavenly Court now, it would be difficult for them to hold you accountable.