The war ended with the retreat of the Demonic Army. Ling Chen watched Xia Ji depart on the Skywind Hawks, a grave expression on his face. She was just of the younger generation, yet she was worthy of going tit for tat with the top experts of the elder generation. Furthermore, even in defeat, she could leave so calmly. The experts of the Demonic Sect hadn’t suffered major losses.
"Strange, why don’t we press our advantage and annihilate the Earth Country’s siege army in one fell swoop?" Mo Yu, who was beside him, asked in bewilderment.
"General Yue understands military strategy better than us. He must have his reasons for not pursuing," Ling Chen said.
"That makes sense. I’ve heard that Xia Ji is not only a martial arts prodigy but also a genius strategist. If we rashly pursue, we would probably fall into the enemy’s trap instead of gaining additional victories," Bai Qianxing nodded.
"She truly is a formidable character. Among the youths of the Righteous Path, I fear the only ones who can contend with her are probably the Four Outstanding Talents," Mu Feng said, looking at the departing Skywind Hawks in the distance, his expression somewhat awed.
"Although the Four Outstanding Talents are celebrated all over the world, they have already surpassed thirty years of age. However, this Xia Ji has not even reached thirty and is already so formidable." Yan Ling held no ill feelings towards Xia Ji; in fact, there was a trace of admiration. As a fellow woman, Xia Ji was too exceptional. Even as a follower of the Demon Way, her accomplishments inspired respect.
"Regardless, after this battle, Shaochuan County should be able to experience a period of stability, and this will aid us in continuing our mission." Ling Chen had a premonition that after Xia Ji’s injury and the failure of the enemy’s siege, there would surely be a ceasefire for some time. After all, it is a long-running war between two armies. The contest isn’t about immediate victory or defeat. It’s not simply a fight between two people, where a blink of an eye can determine the winner.
Twenty miles outside Stone City, a silver palanquin was parked. The palanquin was incredibly luxurious and delicate, comparable to the Empress’s royal carriage. Around the palanquin, there were about a dozen people dressed in black, including four beautiful women in black skirts standing guard on either side.
Suddenly, a hawk’s cry sounded from the sky, and then numerous Skywind Hawks descended from mid-air. A slender silhouette dismounted from the leading Skywind Hawk. Her slender jade-like arms, long, beautiful legs, and a waist one could encircle with a hand, all showcased her endless charm.
The shadowy figure was none other than Xia Ji, who had just left Stone City. Upon seeing Xia Ji’s arrival, all the people in black bowed their heads, not daring to meet her gaze.
"Lady Xia Ji, are your injuries alright?" As soon as she descended from the Skywind Hawk, the black-clad elder hurried forward, asking with concern.
"It’s nothing serious." Xia Ji extended her arm, and two maids came forward to bandage her wound. She squinted her beautiful eyes. "I underestimated that old undying Tianxing this time. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have failed."
"The failure has nothing to do with you, Lady Xia Ji," the black-clad elder shook his head. "It’s all Han Tong’s fault. He couldn’t even handle a mere Yue Chaoqun, and we wasted so much effort on him."
"After our defeat in Stone City, I fear there will soon be unrest within the sect. Your old rivals have been coveting your position for a long time. This time, they will certainly kick you while you’re down and attempt to take your position."
"Let them try," Xia Ji said nonchalantly, a disdainful smile playing on her lips. "Do they really think the battlefield is their home? A bunch of ambitious but incompetent fools. It’s good to let them taste the bitterness of failure."
"Fortunately, the Saintess summoned me to Ghost Fog Mountain a few days ago. I’ll leave the war matters here to you. I need to rest and heal for some time, then head to Ghost Fog Mountain to meet the Saintess."
"What? Her Highness the Saintess is here too?" The black-clad elder’s complexion changed. Ever since returning to the Holy Church, the Saintess had not set foot outside. He little expected that this time, she would personally come to Ghost Fog Mountain.
"Yes. But many experts within the sect are unaware of this matter. You must not divulge a single word about the Saintess’s whereabouts. Otherwise, you know the consequences," Xia Ji said coldly.
"Yes, I will keep my lips sealed," he affirmed. The black-clad elder broke out in a cold sweat on his forehead. Revealing the sect’s secrets was an unforgivable crime punishable by death.
「Another ten days passed.」
In these ten days, Ling Chen and his team successfully completed the third-ring mission. The upcoming fourth-ring mission required them to leave Stone City and head towards a more turbulent war zone. Ling Chen planned to rest for a few days before leading Mu Feng and the others to nearby Sanyang County.
After all, the competition for rankings on the war merits leaderboard was fierce. Although Ling Chen didn’t plan to fight for first or second place, which wasn’t realistic, he also didn’t want to fall too far behind. After all, war merits equated to Solid Reality Pills. As long as he could obtain enough war merits, he could receive more Solid Reality Pills to boost his cultivation.
At present, Ling Chen had 5,200 war merit points, which ranked him among the top fifty on the merit board. This achievement had already surpassed many young talents. However, the current number one, Young Master of Myriad Dao, had already amassed 15,000 war merits. And their Divine Intent Sect’s Wu Xiang Young Master, Nie Wu Xiang, also had 12,000 war merits. On the merit board, Ling Chen saw Xu Ruoyan. Her war merits were nearly the same as his, also over 5,000 points.
Their arrival in the Fire Country had been a bit late. Keep in mind that when Ling Chen was accepting the mission, Young Master of Myriad Dao already had nearly 8,000 war merits.
"Big Brother." Ling Chen was practicing his sword in the courtyard when suddenly someone walked in. It was Bai Qianxing.
"What’s up?" Ling Chen was somewhat surprised. He had already scheduled a departure date with Mu Feng and the others, so Bai Qianxing coming to find him at this time must mean there was something else.
Bai Qianxing shook his head. "Nothing much. Some time ago, didn’t you ask me to keep an eye out for news on the Saintess of the Saint Witch Religion? So, as soon as I heard something, I came to tell you, Big Brother."
"There’s news?" Upon hearing the word ’Saintess’, Ling Chen’s pupils suddenly contracted. He immediately walked over, his heart surprisingly pounding with excitement.
"Yes." Bai Qianxing nodded. "Recently, someone discovered traces of experts from the Saint Witch Religion on Ghost Fog Mountain. Later, as more and more martial artists went to Ghost Fog Mountain to investigate, it was discovered that the Saintess of the Demon Cult was also there."
"Nowadays, more and more experts from both the Righteous and Demonic paths are heading for Ghost Fog Mountain. I heard that Elder Tianxing has also set off. I reckon there will be a big battle there soon," Bai Qianxing said, his expression contemplative.
As soon as he finished speaking, Ling Chen was already heading out of the courtyard.
"Big Brother, where are you going?" Bai Qianxing was taken aback.
"I’m afraid I can’t go to Sanyang County with you," Ling Chen said, his face extremely grave. "I need to make a trip to Ghost Fog Mountain first."
The main reason he had come to the Fire Country battlefield was not for war merits, but to see his mother, Liu Xiling.
"Ghost Fog Mountain? Countless experts are gathered there, and it’s incredibly dangerous. It’s too risky for you to go alone!" Bai Qianxing’s face changed. He hadn’t expected Ling Chen to be so eager to go to Ghost Fog Mountain.
"No matter how dangerous, I have to go. If I miss this opportunity, I don’t know when I’ll get to see her again." Ling Chen did not hesitate. Now that he knew her whereabouts, he would go and investigate even if it meant marching into a mountain of blades and a sea of flames. Otherwise, once Liu Xiling returned to the Saint Witch Religion, he didn’t know how much longer he would have to wait.