War and Survival
Guo Chen replied hesitatingly, "If the Golden Leaf Valley and Stormcloud region are lost, then we would automatically lose the Ironwood Plain!"
Wu Xiang, also no fool, understood instantly. "What a terrible scheme. I assume they have already conquered the Golden Leaf Valley; otherwise, we would have received information about it earlier than the Stormcloud region. To launch such a large-scale attack, she must have utilized nearly 50% of the army! We let our guard down. During this recuperation period, no one wants to start a war, but to think she didn't even hesitate! We shouldn't have mobilized some of our army from the border!"
For common people, it might seem trivial to utilize 50% of the army. However, practically, it is a huge deal. Militaries are normally stationed at various resource points, near the Main Palace, and spread within the Kingdom to monitor civilians to prevent possible civil wars and disputes, especially during such a sensitive period. Besides, they are stationed at various prisons, the extensive borders against the Wu Dynasty and Shu Dynasty, and various coastal areas to guard against potential intruders via waterways. All these positions are crucial for the kingdom's safety and stability and must not be mobilized without absolute reasons!
During the Great Catastrophe, every faction lost significant resources. It was already a situation where no side could launch a full-scale war. Due to this, the Wu Dynasty mobilized some soldiers from the border for other purposes, such as resource reallocation, especially from Golden Leaf Valley since the Stormcloud region was much more crucial for the Wu Dynasty.
Guo Chen said calmly, "This would not only allow them to take some of our territory, but it will also make us much more vulnerable since we will have to shift our base and consolidate our positions while they would gain a high ground advantage, a perfect position for archers! Their shooter cavalry will be unstoppable if we allow them to have a higher ground advantage. They would cause us much more harm than we expect. We must not lose the Stormcloud region, even if we lose Golden Leaf Valley! There is only one possibility that she would go for an all-out war—the Golden Crow Kingdom didn't suffer significant losses in the Great Catastrophe. This is very bad news for them because we now have enough reason to form an alliance with the other two Dynasties. It might be why they are rushing for a full-scale war!"
Wu Xiang asked, "What do you think is the best course of action now?"
Guo Chen replied calmly, "We can't defend the Golden Leaf Valley. It is better to give up on it. We must take control of the Stormcloud region. Since she has mobilized a large army to take over Golden Leaf, their forces would be split. The one leading over the Stormcloud region wouldn't be Shi Tian; he would definitely be in the Golden Leaf Valley instead. First, we need to hold the fort in the Stormcloud region, and then request help from the Shu Dynasty. If they attack the Golden Crow Kingdom from their side, not only will they succeed in capturing some of the territory, but the Golden Crow Kingdom would also have to cease the full-scale war with the Wu Dynasty. This is the best course of action for now."
At that moment, another guard hurried in. He bowed to Emperor Wu and said, trembling, "My lord, we lost the Golden Leaf Valley!"
Even though he was already aware, Wu Xiang couldn't help but think. 'So fast!'
He commanded, "Call General Lu Ren!"
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Golden Leaf Valley
Jin Huang returned and glanced at the Golden Crow Kingdom's flag flying over Golden Leaf Valley, feeling satisfied.
At that moment, Shi Tian entered. "We have conquered the Golden Leaf Valley, but most of our warriors are here. It will be difficult to conquer the Stormcloud region."
Jin Huang was indifferent. She said calmly, "Don't worry about the Stormcloud region for now. Just ensure that the tension there doesn't reduce. I give you one month to reinforce the Sunset Plains at the border of the Shu Dynasty."
Shi Tian was shocked and clenched his fists. "But Lady Jin, this is the perfect chance to conquer the Stormcloud region. If we reinforce it, we will not only secure the Stormcloud region but also be able to conquer the Ironwood Plain!"
Jin Huang glanced at Shi Tian deeply. "Do as I said."
Shi Tian loosened his fists and nodded. "Yes, Lady Jin."
Jin Huang murmured, "The Golden Leaf is secured. I lied that the entrance was within our region. It was actually within the Golden Leaf. If my brother had known I would threaten a full-scale war, he wouldn't have allowed it! However, now the Wu Dynasty will give up on the Golden Leaf Valley. We still have to maintain tension in the Stormcloud region, or they might get suspicious. Once we have consolidated this position, they won't be able to do anything."
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Heaven's Hand Sect, Southern Continent
On a certain mountain, a very ordinary-looking palace stood amid a calm environment. At this moment, a very old man stood at the peak, gazing at the clouds. No one knew what he was thinking. He had been alive for 10,000 years, defying the natural law of heaven itself. Other than a great emperor, no one could live over 10,000 years. However, now he had hit the limit. Everyone in the Heaven's Hand Sect knew he could die at any time. Precisely because of this, he had been active recently.
A middle-aged man nearby said politely, "Lord Heaven, the Heavenly Phoenix Sect from Phoenix Ridge City is on the move. They have been expanding their control over the last few years. Some unknown black-robed men have also appeared in Jade City, taking control over it."
The old man replied calmly, "One catastrophe has ended, and another is brewing. Those black-robed men are most likely from the Shadow Sect. The Shadow Sect has been operating in the shadows for the last 5000 years. You must keep a check on them. As for the Heavenly Phoenix Sect, they aren't much of a big deal. They are just ambitious. They will taste the fruit of their own actions."
The middle-aged man was the current patriarch of the Heaven's Hand Sect. He was Chu Xun, also known as the South Ruler, with a cultivation of Rank 8 late stage. However, he knew the real ruler was the old man before him. People called him Heaven because he was akin to heaven for the Southern Continent around 5000 years back. He single-handedly suppressed the first attack of the Shadow Sect, which comprised 4 Monarchs and 12 Kings. His real name was Tian Chen.
Old man Tian Chen asked lightly, "How is the holy son's cultivation going?"
Chu Xun replied politely, "He has recently encountered a bottleneck and is working even harder! I have told him that he is already progressing very fast and doesn't have to worry about his bottleneck. It is not a bottleneck after all. It is normal for a Rank 6 Warrior to take a few years to break through to the next minor stage. In fact, breaking through from Rank 6 to Rank 7 can take multiple decades and even centuries!"
Old man Tian Chen sighed. "These young generations are too impatient. They should take things slow and steady. Boy Xun, remember to train Yuxong properly. He possesses the potential to reach a stage that even I couldn't accomplish! I hope another Emperor appears from our Southern Continent. It would be better for him to get as strong as possible within the next hundred years!"
Chu Xun asked politely, "Master, why don't you train Li Yuxong? Just like you are training Huang Ling."
Old man Tian Chen sighed. "The girl's Spiritual Imprint is fire-type, which has become so strong that it possesses spirituality! If her spiritual imprint is revealed, it might enter the top 10 strongest Spiritual Imprints, just like mine did back then! Therefore, I understand how to pave her way forward. However, Yuxong is different. He possesses a dual spiritual imprint, which is very rare. Even the 4 Emperors, except the mysterious Timeless Demon God, never had a dual Spiritual Imprint! I have no way to help him; he has to create his own path."
Every warrior strives to create their own path because this is the only way one can become the greatest, one can become an Emperor! Copying another's path can cause hindrance in the long run.
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Eastern Continent
Near the Western Border of the Eastern Continent, a small, unremarkable hill stood in isolation. At the top of this hill, a few small huts were scattered. In one of these huts, a young-looking man sat quietly, drinking a cup of tea while gazing at the sky through the window. His robe was ordinary, neither too shabby nor too impressive.
At this moment, a boy of around thirteen years old entered. He bowed towards the young man and asked politely, "Master, may I ask a question?"
The young man looked at the boy and said calmly, "You want to know what I intend to teach you with these miscellaneous activities?"
Ye Fan nodded.
He continued, "Don't underestimate these meditation techniques and special therapies designed by me. With meditation techniques, you will be able to control your reflexes, and with exposure to various stimuli in a controlled manner, you will be able to overcome the reflex response your body makes!"
The boy was surprised. He asked, "Isn't the world about strength? What is the use of these techniques?"
The young man smiled. "Fan-er, get rid of your notion that strength reigns supreme! This situation is only true in the case of absolute strength. But before attaining absolute strength, one faces various challenges, even life-threatening situations. It is important to survive before achieving absolute strength."
"Let me show you something."
Saying that, he used his leg to attack Ye Fan's crotch while simultaneously using both hands to strike his neck. Ye Fan was shocked and instinctively used his hands to block the leg.
He saw the two hands stopping near his neck and started sweating.
The young man said calmly, "Remember, reflexes are there to protect you. If you don't have control over your own reflexes, then the same reflex can become a weakness in life-and-death situations!"