Hearing Xiao Yan’s words, Yan Cheng was stunned for a moment. Such a significant event had occurred within the empire, and yet the ruler before him seemed to be completely unaware of it? “I was in seclusion for some time,” said Xiao Yan, as if he could read Yan Cheng’s mind.
Upon hearing this, Yan Cheng finally understood with a bitter smile, “I never expected that you, Sect Leader Xiao, would be in seclusion for a year. The past year has been anything but peaceful; it could be said that it was the most tumultuous period in the history of the Gama Empire.”
“Secluded for a year, huh…” Xiao Yan sighed softly, then redirected the conversation: “What exactly happened within the empire? The people we just saw, they were poison masters, right? Such a profession should be extremely rare in the Gama Empire, how could so many appear at once?”
“Because they are not from the Gama Empire,” whispered Ling’er, adding her thoughts. Since Xiao Yan appeared, her eyes had been fixed on his face, shimmering with a hint of admiration, a picture-perfect image of a blushing maiden in the first blush of love.
“They are poison masters from the Chūyún Empire.” Yan Cheng sighed, “Not long after Alliance Leader Xiao saved my Blood Battle Mercenary Group, there were reports of the Chūyún Empire planning to attack the Gama Empire. Afterward, border skirmishes increased, but initially, it was only military engagements, and both sides had their victories and defeats. However, after about a month of stalemate, large numbers of poison masters suddenly appeared in the Chūyún Empire’s army. With their assistance, many of our border fortresses fell.”
“As the imperial high command was furious, the Chūyún Empire announced that the ‘Poison Sect’ would be joining the war.” The mere mention of that name sent a shiver down Yan Cheng’s spine, and his voice lowered as fear flashed across his face.
“Poison Sect?” Xiao Yan repeated the unfamiliar name, and his brows furrowed.
“This ‘Poison Sect’ only rose to power in the Chūyún Empire in recent years, but its strength is exceptionally terrifying. In less than five years, they destroyed all other sects and became the sole ruler of the Chūyún Empire. It is even rumored that they have secretly taken control of the Chūyún royal family. In the Chūyún Empire, the Poison Sect Leader’s words hold more weight than those of the emperor himself.”
Seeing Xiao Yan’s confusion, Yan Cheng elaborated further.
“How strong is the Poison Sect Leader?” Xiao Yan asked slowly.
“It is said he is at least at the level of a Battle Sect. Due to the Poison Sect’s involvement, as the strongest force in the Gama Empire, the Flame Alliance could not stand idly by. Thus, a full-scale battle unfolded between the two major powers. During a major battle six months ago, the mysterious Poison Sect Leader made an appearance. In that battle, Bing Huang Hai Bodong and Jia Lao, a senior from the royal family, along with a massive magic beast, each with the strength of a Battle Emperor, joined forces and still lost to the Poison Sect Leader.”
Yan Cheng said, his eyes betraying a deep-seated fear.
Xiao Yan’s eyes flickered, and his heart sank. He had not expected that even the combined efforts of three such strong individuals were no match for the Poison Sect Leader. It seemed the enemy was formidable indeed.
Waving his hand, he urged, “Go on.”
“At the critical moment when Bing Huang and the others were in peril, the Queen Medusa of the Snake People Tribe suddenly appeared. After a fierce battle with the Poison Sect Leader that ended in a stalemate, she managed to retreat, sparing the Flame Alliance from a near-fatal blow.”
Yan Cheng continued, his eyes reflecting his desire to witness such epic battles. Sighing after a moment, he turned to Xiao Yan with a rueful smile.
“With the help of Queen Medusa, the Flame Alliance finally gained a foothold. Then, in cooperation with the Snake People Tribe, began to counterattack the ‘Poison Sect.'”
“The Snake People Tribe also got involved?” Xiao Yan was surprised. Although Medusa was their queen, the Snake People Tribe didn’t have a particularly favorable view of the Gama Empire. It was unlikely they would help.
“Yes, the Chūyún Empire initially targeted them. That battle caused the Snake People Tribe heavy losses. If not for Queen Medusa’s timely return, the entire tribe might have been wiped out.”
Yan Cheng nodded.
“So that’s why Meidusa left suddenly,” Xiao Yan mused, realizing why Meidusa had hurriedly departed.
“Since both the Chūyún Empire and the ‘Poison Sect’ are the common enemies of everyone, we naturally formed an alliance. Despite some friction, the royal family’s Jia Lao promised the Snake People Tribe land in the Gama Empire if we won the war, eliminating any remaining dissent.”
“With the help of Queen Medusa and the Snake People Tribe, the Chūyún Empire must be having a tough time,” Xiao Yan commented, showing confidence in the Flame Alliance’s strength. The Snake People Tribe was also a formidable force, and such a combination would force even the strong ‘Poison Sect’ to be cautious.
“Indeed, under normal circumstances, that would be the case,” Yan Cheng sighed, “But soon after the Snake People Tribe allied with us, the Chūyún Empire drew in two other powerful empires nearby, forming a triple alliance. This dramatically increased their strength, greatly increasing the pressure on the Flame Alliance and the Snake People Tribe.”
“Two other empires?” Xiao Yan frowned slightly, thinking of two names: “The Falling Wild Geese Empire and the Molan Empire?”
“Yes… These two empires are not weaker than the Gama Empire, and in fact, may be stronger. Both empires have colossal powers that are no less threatening than the Poison Sect.”
Yan Cheng’s expression soured as he mentioned two specific sects: “The Golden Geese Sect and the Molan Valley!”
“Golden Geese Sect… Molan Valley.” Xiao Yan repeated these unfamiliar names, his eyes narrowing slowly.
“The Golden Geese Sect is a powerful force in the Falling Wild Geese Empire. Its leader, Ge Luo Tian, is a genuine Battle Sect, though only at the early stage. The Molan Empire, while lacking a Battle Sect, has a unique combat technique, the Three Beasts Wilderness Decision. The Molan Valley has three elders who practice this technique. Each possesses the strength of a peak Battle Emperor, but together, they can challenge even a Battle Sect in battle, rivaling Ge Luo Tian of the Golden Geese Sect in fighting prowess.”
Yan Cheng, flushed with emotion, spoke rapidly.
As Xiao Yan listened, his expression grew increasingly grim. If what Yan Cheng said was true, the Gama Empire and the Flame Alliance were in serious danger. Three Battle Sect-level adversaries… even Queen Medusa couldn’t stop them alone. He hadn’t expected such dramatic changes in the Gama Empire during his short seclusion.
“Despite the Flame Alliance’s support, the Gama Empire might not have withstood such overwhelming odds. Fortunately, the triple alliance has internal disagreements, and none of the three leaders are willing to take the lead against Queen Medusa. Except for the Poison Sect Leader, Ge Luo Tian, and the three elders of the Molan Valley, none are her equal. They fear being backstabbed by their allies. Thus, they have been dragging their feet, sending their warriors to harass, hoping to wear down the Flame Alliance and the Snake People Tribe.”
Yan Cheng explained with a tinge of relief.
“Those poison masters we just encountered must have sneaked in. It’s strange that so many managed to slip through. Our defenses should have been patrolled regularly by Flame Alliance warriors.”
Yan Cheng was puzzled. Typically, only a single infiltrator would manage to sneak in, but this time… Having no answer, he shook his head.
“Presently, we can only hope that the Flame Alliance and the Snake People Tribe can withstand the pressure. Otherwise, we face the destruction of our nation and homes. We don’t want to become homeless wanderers, abandoning the land where we were born and raised.”
Looking at the dejected mercenaries around him, Xiao Yan took a deep breath and patted Yan Cheng’s shoulder, smiling warmly. “Don’t worry, the Flame Alliance will not fall. Anyone who wants it to fall will have to step over my corpse first. I must admit, as the Alliance Leader, I’ve been irresponsible for not participating in such a critical matter.”
Xiao Yan’s bright smile, radiating warmth, lifted Yan Cheng and the others’ spirits. For the vast number of people in the Gama Empire, the young man, who controlled the behemoth ‘Flame Alliance’ at barely twenty years of age, was a source of hope. They knew that this youth had the ability to create miracles.
“Ha ha, the Flame Alliance and the people of the Gama Empire have been waiting for your return. You are our savior!” Yan Cheng said, wiping his slightly red eyes. “By the way, if the Alliance Leader is heading to the front, go directly to the Black Mountain Fortress in the east. It’s the most fiercely contested area, and most of the powerful members of the Flame Alliance and the Snake People Tribe are stationed there.”
“In that case, I won’t delay any longer!” Xiao Yan smiled, his gaze sweeping towards the distant eastern horizon. Nodding, he clasped his hands at Yan Cheng and, with emerald green fire wings extending from his back, took off into the sky amidst reverent gazes.
“Hold on, everyone. Xiao Yan is back!” Looking towards the eastern horizon, Xiao Yan murmured to himself. With a single flap of his fiery wings, he transformed into a streak of light and darted away!
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