Chapter 752: The Trap
Chapter 752: The Trap
Teacher Xue looked at Chen Chuan and said, "Although Principal Yao and his colleague should have made preparations outside, many things in this world are often filled with variables and uncertainties. We can't predict everything accurately, but we can be certain that our odds of success are currently favorable."
"So, this strand of my spirit will stay by your side, guiding you to avoid certain situations and helping you fend off external invasions."
Chen Chuan nodded, pondering for a moment before asking Teacher Xue, "Teacher Xue, did the Union and the Linaksis Federation not consider the possibility of fighters trying to seize the relic?"
Teacher Xue replied, "Of course, they have considered it. Here in the Jinbei Dao Convergence Zone, there is an active consciousness powerful enough to temporarily resist fighters. Once they confirm that the person below or their partner has obtained the relic and a fighter appears to seize it, they can activate the emergency protocol and deploy their forces."
"Defeating Wei Guozhen is unlikely, but delaying them is not difficult. That way, they can retrieve the relic."
"However, even in this situation, it won't hinder our plan, and that active consciousness may not be able to retrieve the relic."
He smiled and said, "After all, various situations can occur in the Convergence Zone, and it's normal to make mistakes when facing a fighter from the Old Imperial House, isn't it?"
Chen Chuan understood. It seemed that the original plan also intended to trap the active consciousness. If this plan succeeded, the Datong side in the Convergence Zone would gain absolute control of the upper echelon.\n\nChen Chuan knew that many of Datong's forces were entangled with the Old Imperial House, and if the situation in the Convergence Zone could be turned around, the benefits would extend to Central City, and many difficult matters could be pushed forward.\n\nChen Chuan said, "Teacher Xue, after the Insect Sand passes, I will find a way to break through the encirclement."\n\nTeacher Xue said, "You decide how to do it. From this moment on, I need to maintain my focus on this strand of spirit to prevent it from dissipating prematurely. If you encounter any situations, try to communicate with my spirit through the mark."\n\nChen Chuan raised his hand and looked at it. On his palm, where he had touched the green tangerine, there was a faint blue glow, which was probably where Teacher Xue had left his spirit.\n\nHe looked up again, but Teacher Xue was nowhere to be seen.\n\nChen Chuan stood in place, deep in thought. Although Teacher Xue had explained everything clearly, he remembered that Teacher Xue had a habit of being late. Would he be late for this matter? It was hard to say.\n\nAs the man had said, the world was full of variables, and even if he wasn't late, they couldn't say that the plan was foolproof.\n\nThinking about it, Chen Chuan felt that to truly ensure success, he had to rely on himself.\n\nHis spirit was just a step away from perfection. Once it was complete and merged with his second self, he could attempt to break through to a higher limit.\n\nThis had always been part of his plan.\n\nWith the World Ring about to close, the cultivation environment would drop a level, and he had to seize this opportunity. The Convergence Zone offered a highly favorable cultivation environment.\n\nMoreover, there was the relic.\n\nHe glanced outside, raised the tent, and drew the Snow Queen Saber, slicing open a rift. As the radiance within spilled out, he sat down in front of it.\n\nAt that moment, in a sparse woodland on a high slope in the Convergence Zone, a knight held a fluttering banner. Under the banner sat a young Auxiliary General, mounted on a robust dragon-nosed horse, surrounded and guarded by hundreds of elite cavalry.\n\nHis keen gaze shone through the gaps in his armor. In front of him, hoofbeats approached, and several horses galloped into view, dragging a person behind one of them. These were the scouts they had sent out earlier to gather intelligence.\n\nGeneral Seraph, in a daze, felt himself being dragged forward, scraping against the rough ground and pebbles. This rough treatment was undoubtedly torturous, but he was grateful that it was better than being eaten alive by those insects.\n\nEarlier, relying on his protective gear and special medication that stimulated his potential, he had managed to escape the Cat Tale's range. He had even endured four days in the ant colony and briefly reached the edge of the insect swarm. But here, he finally exhausted his strength and collapsed.\n\nIf it weren't for the scouts from the Old Imperial House finding him and pulling him out of the swarm, all his previous efforts would have been in vain.\n\nEven so, only half of his head remained intact. His limbs and torso had been gnawed clean, leaving only a skeleton with scattered flesh. Only his strong will to survive had protected his vital organs.\n\nAs long as he received high-nutrition food and recovered in a nutrient bath, he would fully heal in time.\n\nSuddenly, he felt his body jerk to a halt, and the hoofbeats ceased. After a while, he heard unfamiliar voices, and then a command was given. Someone roughly lifted him, tied him to a tree, and forced a can of medicine down his throat.\n\n
The stimulant barely keeping him alive, Chen Chuan's spirits lifted as he heard the slow, leisurely sound of approaching horse hooves. He opened his eyes to see a tall, armored figure atop a horse, wearing a helmet and holding a long lance. It was a general from the Old Imperial House, who looked him up and down and asked, "You, a Datong man? What's your background?"
The general was accompanied by a translator who repeated the question in the common language of the Linaksis Federation and the Company Union.
General Seraph, with a direct Datong reply, said, "I am a general from the Linaksis Federation, Ingram Seraph. According to the Grand Alliance's regulations, I request to receive treatment and respect equal to my position."
"A Linaksis Federation person?" The young general's eyes flashed with disdain, mixed with a hint of disgust.
"What? Are you here for the relic too? Most likely. Judging by your appearance, it seems you lost?" The young general's tone was questioning, but his words carried a hint of certainty.
General Seraph replied, "But it's not our fault. This isn't our home turf, and we aren't familiar with the situation. Many unexpected events have caught us off guard, like this insect swarm."
The young general didn't respond but asked, "Where is the relic now? Is it with the Union, or in the hands of those rebels?"
General Seraph answered, "It's likely in the possession of a Datong officer."
"What's their rank and strength?"
General Seraph didn't answer directly but said, "I've gathered some information about this person. I can share detailed intelligence with you, but I want an assurance."
The young general seemed disdainful, "Looking at you, you'd rather face the insect swarm than turn back to face the enemy." He pointed his lance at General Seraph, "How dare a rat like you negotiate terms with this general?"
General Seraph was furious inside, but he was always adaptable. Moreover, he was at a disadvantage, so he kept his calm and said, "The Linaksis Federation and Datong have always been on opposing sides. But I know your situation—the Datong government forced you to retreat to the Convergence Zone. Our two sides have a natural basis for cooperation.
I'm a brigadier general, and I have a camp and a formidable force here. If you're willing to treat me, I can provide personnel and intelligence. Together, we can retrieve the relic..."
Before he could finish, a lance suddenly pierced through his head, pinning him to a tree behind.
The young general slowly said, "I won't cooperate with you. The relic is mine." He pulled out the lance and said, "Dispose of the body, cleanly."
"Yes, sir!"
Immediately, a soldier came forward and poured oil over General Seraph's body, setting it ablaze.
The young general looked up at the radiant relic reaching into the sky. This group was just the vanguard force, and in the distance, the Old Imperial House's army was surrounding them from three directions. The only gap in their formation was where the unconquered Datong camp was located.
This gap was intentionally left open, neither attacking the camp nor giving the camp time to fully regroup. Instead, they held their position, striking and blocking any potential reinforcements, waiting for the insect swarm to dissipate. Then, they would converge their troops and devise a way to seize the relic.
A day passed, and Chen Chuan finished his night's cultivation, consumed nutrient gel, and fed Chao Ming. He then stepped out of the tent and looked around.
Although the insect swarm persisted, it was significantly sparser than the previous two days, indicating it might disperse entirely within a day or two. That would be the time for Chen Chuan to take action.
He looked towards a barren rocky mountain. If his memory served him right, the Linaksis Federation's camp was near this mountain.
Unbeknownst to him, the silk worm had moved here.
After a moment's thought, Chen Chuan walked out, found Xu Chan, and pointed in the direction of the mountain.
"Old Xu, do you see that mountain? There's likely a Linaksis Federation camp there. According to the Skinner's instructions, Manager Wen's remains are there. Since we're already here, I plan to go and check it out."
Xu Chan looked in that direction, "Manager Chen, are you sure?"
Chen Chuan replied, "I calculated that it's just a few minutes away at my speed. I'll go take a look. If I can't find it, I'll return immediately."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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