The situation has come to this, how could he not see that he and his companions were sent here to die? And not just that, the military supervisor from Shenjing was in the same position. No wonder he was so useless, obviously just maintained for when the key moment comes, a disposable pawn.
But were the enemies any better off? Heavenly Demons, Ghost Gods, and the logistics support behind them... This war isn’t just between the Northern Border and Iron Li; it is truly a group of enormous beings manipulating chess pieces in their hands, clashing with each other on a battleground.
No... it can’t quite be put that way.
Hang Mofeng gazed toward the north where, on the Extreme North Icefield, the chaotic Stellar phenomena were expanding gradually. The distant celestial disorder had already reached here, causing the northern winds to become stronger and colder—The full-scale conflict between the Pure Yang Heavenly Lords and the True Demon Sect continued, and the outbreak of the Demon Disaster in Han South erupted anew, and though it was quickly suppressed, it still distracted multiple forces.
Different parties are adversaries to each other yet allies in some respects. Dust Li’s Five Sects could ally with Da Chen to suppress the Demon Race of Taiyuan, and the Demon Race could join hands with the Five Sects and Tianyi Demon Sect against Da Chen—Maybe in the west, Taiyuan would collaborate with the Tianyi Demon Sect against Dust Li, while Da Chen might ally with Dust Li to oppose the Tianyi Demon Sect.
Against the True Demon Sect, all sides would form alliances, yet that wouldn’t prevent them from opposing one another in the Northern Border...
Who’s the enemy, who’s the friend? Why do they form alliances, oppose each other, and keep each other in check?
Without understanding these intricacies, one will always remain a pawn.
[Impressive, my disciple]
In Linjiang City, Shen Mubai was protected within the prefecture by Bai Qinghan and Xu Tai, and within An Jing’s study, a mirror faintly pulsed with light. Chenyinzi exclaimed in surprise: [I thought I’d have to intervene no matter what, but you managed to solve all the problems on your own]
Chenyinzi’s true body is currently on the battlefield of the Extreme North Icefield, confronting the True Demon Sect alongside Cheng Guang Ancient Ancestor, so logically, he indeed had no spare capacity to help An Jing.
But the Eight Peaks of the Bright Mirror Sect could use the power of the Heavenly Mirror Fragments; with heaven as the mirror, by harnessing the Earth Vein Power of one peak, they could cast a Divine Light from afar, as potent as if he were there in person.
Of course, such Divine Skill required the use of a Heavenly Mirror Fragment, and the cost was incredibly steep. If possible, Chenyinzi would rather not use it.
Especially since many forces of the Bright Mirror Sect had left, and there was clearly a traitor within, if it could be used then fine, but if it couldn’t be used at a critical moment...
In any case, An Jing resolving all problems himself truly relieved Chenyinzi, not to mention, according to his estimation, An Jing still had some strength left. In the current situation, it wasn’t enough pressure to push him into a corner.
Meanwhile, An Jing was also pondering this issue.
Standing in the middle of the battlefield, having slain the enemy general and with the title of Soldier Master, he rallied the remaining forces of the Iron Li’s Iron Cavalry to defect—Although he appeared dignified and commanding, in reality, An Jing was prepared to escape using his final Divine Skill Token at any moment if an Ice Dragon or other Great Heavenly Demons attacked.
But where were they? Where was the dragon?
A silver light flickered on An Jing’s forehead, his sword-like gaze scanning the surroundings, to his shock he discovered the Ice Dragon had already retreated back to Yujiang City, and a portion of the non-surrendering remnants of the Iron Cavalry also began to fall back in that direction.
As for the ’Heavenly Demon’ Han Hao had warned about... An Jing guessed that they were either still besieging Broken Blade Peak or had also withdrawn back to Yujiang City.
"Something’s not right!"
An Jing became alert: "If I were just a Jiuli Commanding General, this attack rhythm would have been enough to push me to the brink—In reality, I’ve basically played all my cards, in comparison to last time, I’m just not badly wounded and near death waiting for the Heavenly Profound True Talisman, Ruohui, and Grandmother to save me."
"I’ve used up all the weapons from Tianyuan Realm, and all the Divine Skill Tokens as well, I’ve killed all the enemies I could have killed in advance... But is that enough?"
To be honest, An Jing couldn’t figure out what more the enemy could possibly do to target him specifically, and if he weren’t the recipient of the Heavenly Mandate, he would certainly have already put his mind at ease.
However, An Jing soon noticed his heart began to palpitate violently.
An Jing was startled, but it wasn’t an enemy that arrived, nor a Heavenly Demon or an ambush.
—Heavenly Mandate powerfully vibrated, a tremendous feedback surged directly toward his Soul Spirit and the Six Yang Leader, pouring into his entire being with an almost overwhelming force!
The Heavenly Mandate Feedback had started, and the moment of Enlightenment had begun!