As he spoke, Chen Yuan extended a hand, and golden brilliance surged, causing a miniature sand table of the Ten Thousand Mountains to shimmer in the darkness.
The three from Jin Yushan focused their gaze.
Chen Yuan’s clear voice resonated by the ears of the three Grand Protectors, "This general has obtained the map of the Ten Thousand Mountains region. We are about to exit Gu Diao’s area of influence, and further south is the territory of the Heavenly Dog and Bingxie."
"Previously, by heading south, we were going against the tide. Thanks to the help from the Fang Family in drawing fire, we can buy ourselves some time."
"Now, what we need to do is patiently wait for my Mountain-cutting Army soldiers at the front line to confirm the movements of the demons, and then you all follow me and press forward according to the plan!"
"Gentlemen, I’ve been clear enough. Do you have any questions?"
Everyone is in the same boat, so Chen Yuan naturally had to make things clear, without playing inscrutable games.
At this time, in the Ten Thousand Mountains, surrounded by demons, a few people stayed inside. Establishing trust is a basic element, and establishing authority is even more critical.
Chen Yuan is the latter.
He needs to ensure his leading position, making these three from Yan Land’s Taisui Mountain place their faith in him, becoming his support instead of a hindrance.
"Understood, it seems Colonel Chen has Divine Skills to keep in touch with the outside world?" Jin Yushan, after hearing Chen Yuan’s words, instantly understood, eyes gleaming with insight, first looking at the regional map appearing in Chen Yuan’s hand, then shifting his gaze up.
Meanwhile, Hu Yanqing and Yu Wenguang reacted a beat slower, but having cultivated to this realm, they were also extremely clever, immediately chiming in,
"What else is there to say!"
"Let’s follow Colonel Chen!"
All the way from Tianxiong Pass, to Qingshan County, and then to the Ten Thousand Mountains, the three Grand Protectors from Taisui Mountain had witnessed Chen Yuan’s methods and courage, and now having a concrete plan put them at ease. While not saying that they wholly followed Chen Yuan, they were genuinely convinced.
Chen Yuan clenched his palm, dispersing the golden light in his hand, then brushed his sleeve, eyes contemplating,
"Gentlemen, the injuries from the battle a few days ago may not be healed yet. You need to seize the time to recover and prepare, for surely, a fierce battle lies ahead!"
As he spoke these words, his tone carried a hint of solemnity!
The three glanced at each other and nodded, "We’ll follow Colonel Chen’s words."
With that, the three cupped their fists towards Chen Yuan, then each turned and vanished into the darkness, finding places deep within the small mountain for seclusion and healing.
Chen Yuan watched the three disappear, then lowered his head to look at the fire in front of him. The "charcoal fire" that glowed a bright red, similar to fire spirit stones, cast a warm light, keeping the cold dampness of the cave at bay.
Chen Yuan paced forward, then closed his eyes and moved his lips slightly.
Immediately, he tore at the void in front of him with both hands, and a human-height tear suddenly appeared from nowhere.
Chen Yuan then reached inside with one hand. Then he pulled, and a fair, delicate hand was drawn out.
Soon, a Western Regions beauty, clad in a purple robe with a protruding belly and pupils like deep blue lakes, emerged from inside.
A silvery voice rang out melodiously.
In the timelessness of the Hutian Qiankun, An Ge’s water-blue eyes showed emotion upon seeing Chen Yuan again.
Chen Yuan naturally supported An Ge with one hand, then his other hand held her waist. He couldn’t help but let his gaze drop to her abdomen, which had rapidly swollen in the short time since they last met, and he couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows and smile,
"The little one is growing quite fast lately!"
An Ge touched her belly with one hand, eyes following downward, her face radiating maternal splendor and affection,
"Yes, growing faster towards the end; it won’t be long before the little one comes out!"
Chen Yuan calculated the time, realizing it wouldn’t be long now.
With that thought, he activated his Dharma Eye to examine the condition of the fetus inside An Ge. In the amniotic fluid, green light was abundant and vital, with a heart strongly beating.
The purest essence qi from the Dragon Qi Mother Tree nurtured the immense vitality, ensuring that the unborn little one’s foundation would become incredibly solid.
Chen Yuan had already made plans that once An Ge’s little one was born, he would use the blood, bones, and sinew of demons to prepare Great Medicine to simply help temper the child.
"Come out soon, and Dad will reward you!" Chen Yuan made a rare joke at An Ge’s swollen belly.
At this moment, An Ge, immersed in such a profound and unspeakable happiness, casually glanced around and found it a bit strange,
"General, where is this?"
With an unchanged expression, Chen Yuan replied casually, "A secluded place outside!"
"After leaving Tianxiong Pass, the front line with the demons surged again. I’ve been patrolling outside, with little time to say much, asking you and your daughter to endure a bit longer in the Teapot Heaven Space."
Chen Yuan spoke half-truths, his tone steady, not wanting the child’s mother to worry.
An Ge, the former Princess of Loulan, now several months pregnant, had most of her mind drawn to the child within her belly and took Chen Yuan’s words at face value, saying only:
"For me and the child to be with the General is more than enough. There’s no talk of hardship."
"I’m just worried about causing trouble for the General!"
An Ge turned her head, her lake-blue eyes fixed on Chen Yuan, not forgetting the trouble she might pose, knowing what trouble might come if her identity were exposed.
Unbeknownst to her, that trouble had already found its way to Chen Yuan.
Chen Yuan lifted his brows, then frowned,
"I just slew a strange person claiming to be a Holy Daughter, indistinguishable between male and female!"
"From that Holy Sect!"
"What?" An Ge was aghast at the words.
Several thousand miles north of here, at the site where Chen Yuan and the others’ shipwreck happened.
Under the brilliant night sky, the mountain woods were silent.
The originally green-gold waters of the Zegeng River had been stained red with blood, and even now, one or two days later, the color hadn’t faded.
Two days earlier, a great battle took place here; demons amassed to ambush some bold members of the Human Clan who had ventured in, resulting in numerous demon casualties, even a Great Demon perished, staining the Zegeng River red.
In the dead of night, over this silent river, a emaciated, hunched black shadow suddenly appeared above the waterway, its sinister eyes glaring below, subsequently diving into the water below.
Soon, this figure plunged to the riverbed!
Finding, however, that a large ship once trapped in the mud had vanished.
The shadow’s eyes turned furious, brimming with blood-red murderous intent.
From afar, the terrifying howls rapidly approached this area.
A Great Demon was on its way!
Bathing in blood was none other than the Fang Family Ancestor!