Chapter 102: Reunion of Old Friends

Here was the Yuan River, once a small city on the border of the Imperial homeland, now transformed in a short time into a colossal forward base, rivaling the scale of the Imperial grand camp during the Beast’s Slumber. According to Qian Ye’s knowledge, there were three such camps. The Imperial army would launch from these three bases, dividing into three routes, charging straight for the Void Floating Land.

In the heart of the Empire, untold numbers of troops were still converging, with many more being mobilized. After this great war, no one knew how many of the soldiers would return home.

Just as his thoughts were drifting, Qian Ye’s ears suddenly perked up, catching the faintest sound of footsteps approaching rapidly. This person’s footwork was quite remarkable, blending with the natural sounds of wind and the slight ripples of the lake. If not for Qian Ye’s heightened Bloodline perception after several rank advancements, he would have never detected the sound.

The intruder moved swiftly and was at the door in an instant. Qian Ye’s brow furrowed, sensing a subtle threat. This was unusual, indicating that the person outside was no ordinary individual.

Qian Ye’s mind raced through countless thoughts, considering all his potential enemies. However, no matter who it was, they wouldn’t dare to attack him in the Imperial camp. Qian Ye shifted lightly, floating to the door like a feather, waiting quietly.

The intruder suddenly unleashed their force, and with a loud crash, the door shattered. The person had already burst through!

Without hesitation, Qian Ye raised the Eastern Peak, not even unsheathing it, and swung it towards the intruder’s back.

As the Eastern Peak moved, the atmosphere in the room froze, as if the entire space had solidified. The intruder, clearly sensing the danger, let out a low roar, and a bright yellow light burst around them, revealing the faint image of overlapping mountains.

When the Eastern Peak met the intruder’s defensive force, it felt like hitting a resilient and slippery object, with a strong repulsive force trying to push the Eastern Peak aside.

Qian Ye, having fought countless battles, reacted instinctively. Sensing the resistance, he poured more force into the Eastern Peak, unleashing a tidal wave of origin power. His origin power was several times deeper than others of his level, and with the Supreme Soldier Art, the force was extremely fierce and domineering. With this added strength, the intruder let out a strange cry, and their defensive aura wavered, the images of the mountains shattering.

Seeing that the opponent was about to collapse, Qian Ye suddenly retracted his force, smiling, “Po Tian, you’re getting better and better. You actually dared to break my door.”

The person swayed a few times before steadying himself, turning around with a bitter smile. It was Wei Po Tian. He wore the standard black and gold uniform of an Imperial general, with the family crest of the Far East Wei Clan embossed on his shoulder armor.

“How did you find me?” Wei Po Tian asked, his face pale but still looking decent, as Qian Ye had held back and didn’t shatter his Thousand Mountain defense.

“Running like an elephant, was it hard to notice you?” Qian Ye retorted.

Wei Po Tian scratched his head, puzzled. “That can’t be! Even on the battlefield, when I intentionally hide, very few people can detect me.”

“Not many, but there are still some, right?”

“No way! Anyone who can detect me is at least three levels higher, at least a count or higher.”

Wei Po Tian’s stealth abilities were indeed impressive. In the quiet lakeside camp, it would be even more challenging to detect him in the ever-changing battlefield.

Qian Ye had never imagined that a wild boar, relying on his Thousand Mountain and a head full of hot blood, would learn to stealth and ambush. It seemed the war in the Far East was indeed fierce, shaping Wei Po Tian into this.

Wei Po Tian’s deep thought was fruitless, and he quickly returned to his usual demeanor, beaming with pride, “How about that? My Thousand Mountain has improved a lot, right? You couldn’t break it this time!”

But as he laughed, seeing Qian Ye’s half-smile, his laughter faded. Finally, he said angrily, “Did you hold back on purpose?”

“Not much,” Qian Ye replied honestly.

“Even a little is still holding back! Damn it!” Wei Po Tian’s pride turned to frustration.

Qian Ye thought for a moment, then said seriously, “Your Thousand Mountain has indeed improved significantly.”

But Wei Po Tian wasn’t cheered, saying sullenly, “No matter how much it improves, it’s still not as good as yours, is it?”

Qian Ye’s words weren’t just for comfort. This time, Wei Po Tian’s Thousand Mountain was no longer just brute force; it had gained flexibility. Even with the same level of origin power, its defense was much stronger. Additionally, Wei Po Tian’s origin power level had risen to eleventh, one level higher than Qian Ye.

If Qian Ye hadn’t improved so much, he might not have broken through the Thousand Mountain.

After exchanging greetings, they turned to the main topic.

Although Qian Ye was happy to see Wei Po Tian again, he was also curious, asking, “Is the Wei Clan also participating in this war? Has the fighting in the Far East Province ended?”

“Of course not. But the situation is stable, and it doesn’t matter whether I’m there or not. I don’t want to be cooped up in a fortress anymore; it’s stifling! At least Song Qi, that pretty boy, lives comfortably, going wherever he wants. This time, I’m here to taste the thrill of leading the charge and sweeping across the land.”

Qian Ye couldn’t help but laugh. The Far East battlefield had boundaries, mainly trench warfare, and Wei Po Tian’s skills and experience made him suited for defense. It seemed the young marquis was dissatisfied and wanted to change things.

Though Wei Po Tian spoke with great bravado, both knew it wasn’t simple. Achieving what Song Zi Ning had required not only military strategy but also considerable luck, which Song Zi Ning had plenty of, but Wei Po Tian didn’t. This was the most frustrating part for Wei Po Tian.

Qian Ye asked seriously, “If even the Far East Wei Clan is sending troops, is this war that important?”

“The Far East is just one province, but the Void Floating Land concerns the fate of the nation. Besides, those black-blooded bastards have been fighting for over a year with no gains. With the fighting on the Void Floating Land, they might divert forces here.”

Qian Ye nodded, understanding that other border regions might be similar.

Wei Po Tian spread a map on the table, pointing, “Qian Ye, which zone will you be in? Still with the Zhao Clan?”

“No, I’ll choose free hunting.”

Wei Po Tian whistled, “Ambitious! I like it. After I settle my troops, I’ll join you.”

Qian Ye smiled, “I’m fine with that, but are you sure you can leave the Wei Clan’s private army?”

Wei Po Tian shrugged, “Why not? Uncle Bai Nian is leading this time. I might be a good soldier, but not a good general, at least not yet.”

“You’ve never admitted to any shortcomings, especially in leadership.”

Wei Po Tian shrugged, “That was just to keep Song Qi, that bastard, from getting ahead. Now, I’ve been on the battlefield long enough to know that bragging leads to death. I don’t want to die, nor do I want my men to die, so there’s a limit to bragging. Losing to Song Qi isn’t a big deal. He’s annoying, but there are worse people.”

Wei Po Tian tapped the map, “Our Wei Clan’s zone is here!”

Qian Ye glanced, “The Frosty Grounds? That’s not a good place.”

On the Void Floating Land, there was only one highland, perpetually covered in ice and snow. Apart from harsh weather, the Empire had found no resources or value there.

But Wei Po Tian disagreed, grinning, “Wrong, it’s a good place. On the battlefield, uncomfortable places mean fewer enemies. I don’t mind, but my men will survive better. Anyway, once I settle in, I’ll come find you.”

“Sure.” Qian Ye pointed on the map, “I might be active in this area initially.”

Qian Ye pointed to the eerie purple forest, later named the Misty Forest by the Empire.

The forest’s natural liquid in the trees had not been fully exploited, but its danger was known. Even with the information from explorers, later reconnaissance teams almost all perished.

“That place is really uncomfortable,” Wei Po Tian frowned. Without Qian Ye’s true vision, his sight in the dense fog was no better than any other strong warrior, making him particularly dislike such environments.

But for Qian Ye, it was ideal. In the previous battle, except for Nighteye, no one had a better range of vision than him.

Moreover, subsequent exploration showed the Misty Forest was much larger, possibly encircling the underground cave world formed by the giant spine, making it a crucial path to the central area. Activity here would ensure plenty of battles.

Wei Po Tian complained for a while, but seeing Qian Ye’s determination, he gave up.

The Void Floating Land had complex terrain: sandbars, wastelands, forests, grasslands, plateaus, and mountains. A vast underground river traversed it. The Empire divided it into seven zones based on geography, aligning with Lin Xitang’s prophecy.

In this environment, the Empire couldn’t fully block the Dark Races. Their strategy was to weaken the enemy in fleet battles, then fight for territory on the land, bleeding the Dark Races until they retreated, gaining control.

This would be a protracted war.

Wei Po Tian suddenly remembered something, whispering, “Old man at home said the war might last long, so supplies will run short. I got two boxes of secret silver bullets, I’ll give you one.”

“No need, I’m already prepared.”

Wei Po Tian noticed the sniper rifle and armor, his eyes lighting up, “Thunder, Iron Wall? You’ve got such good stuff! From the Zhao Clan? They’re nice to you!”

Neither Thunder nor Iron Wall was affordable for ordinary strong warriors, so Wei Po Tian understood. Even as the heir of the Wei Clan, his equipment was only slightly better.

Qian Ye smiled, “It’s from military merit. But the Zhao Clan is good to me, giving me many resources.”

Wei Po Tian nodded, “I won’t compete with them. Valves are always richer, so let them contribute more.”

Then, Wei Po Tian asked, “By the way, who from the Zhao Clan is coming? Is that troublemaker Zhao Yuying coming?”

Before he finished, a voice from outside answered, “Who’s thinking about me? Want another beating?”