Chapter 100: Chapter 98: Succumbing to the Devil

"I never would have thought the Minghai Monarch could actually get a Sacred Artifact to help him. That’s insane."

"Yeah, it’s been a long time since a Sacred Artifact appeared in the war. It really caught us off guard."

"With the Minghai Race suppressing us with a Sacred Artifact, if we don’t change our strategy, we’ll be bogged down in a quagmire. We might even be stopped here for good!"

"It’s over, it’s over. I threw my entire family fortune into this, and now it’s all gone up in smoke, with nothing to show for it."

"In any case, you should count your blessings. The fact that you’re still alive to talk to me is a miracle in itself. Try to look on the bright side..."

The home front.

The crowd was abuzz with discussion, their words filled with pessimism.

After the battle, although not every household was hanging white cloth for mourning, a dead silence fell over them all, as if they had lost their will to live.

It was tragic. Utterly tragic.

One could only say that the preceding war fever had been so overwhelming that it had all but extinguished the light of reason, robbing people of their ability to think for themselves. They became like a mob, simply drifting with the tide.

In such an atmosphere, it wasn’t just the common folk; even the most powerful figures could not escape unscathed.

Masters of the Slave Path like Chang Ruhui and former prodigies like Dongfang Mobai had all suffered heavy losses. They could only retreat to lick their wounds in silence and wait for the next opportunity.

But the White Feathered Eagle encampment was a scene of peace and quiet.

「At that moment.」

「The White Feathered Eagle Commander’s Tent.」

White Feathered Eagle, Seventh Uncle Fang, Fang Xuan, Lu Yao, Hong Qishang, and other key leaders were gathered, all feeling deeply fortunate.

A cold wind blew in from outside the tent, causing the lamp wick to sway and the flame to flicker.

Just then, Lu Yao began to deliver her report.

"The Longhorn Bronze Tribe has been completely wiped out and delisted. We can no longer trade with them for Cyan Deer."

"The Crescent Rabbit Silver Tribe has also fallen and been delisted. It seems we no longer have to repay the massive debt of fifty thousand Yuan Stones we owed them."

"The Water Snake Wolf Silver Tribe was severely weakened. I’m afraid they won’t be able to repay the Yuan Stone debt they owe us by next month."

"The Myriad Birds Silver Tribe has suffered grievous losses and is asking us for help. They want a shipment of Rain Bee Honey..."

Lu Yao’s voice, like the gurgling of a clear spring, was melodious and pleasing to the ear.

But no one in the tent was admiring it; instead, they felt a deep chill from her words.

They were so close—so very close—to following those other tribes down the road to ruin.

If that had happened, the White Feathered Eagle Tribe would have, at best, suffered devastating losses and crushing debt, if not been wiped out and delisted entirely.

At this moment, everyone was in awe of Fang Yang’s foresight.

"Thank goodness the Commander still has the sharp eyes of a flying eagle. He sees so much further than we do," Hong Qishang said with emotion.

Fang Yang had surprised him time and time again.

Every time he thought he had grasped the limit of Fang Yang’s abilities, Fang Yang would suddenly reveal a new depth, proving him utterly wrong.

Suddenly, Hong Qishang felt truly grateful that he had chosen to align himself with the White Feathered Eagle Tribe.

Otherwise, he would have undoubtedly rushed to the front lines, and would most likely have met a miserable end.

"Yes, it’s an incredible ability."

"I knew His Lordship was extraordinary, hehe."

"If only I had vision like the Commander... no, even half his foresight would be a blessing..."

At once, everyone in the tent nodded, showering praise on Fang Yang’s superhuman insight.

This time, even his cousin Fang Xuan was completely convinced.

’Indeed, the gap between an ordinary person and a true leader isn’t just about strength.’

"SCREE, SCREE..." The White Feathered Eagle stood on the table, lightly fanning its wings.

Hearing Hong Qishang, Lu Yao, and the others praise Fang Yang, it proudly raised its head, as if sharing in the glory.

Its posture seemed to say, ’Heh, you think? Just consider whose orders you were following. All you lot have to do is obey. He is never wrong!’

...

Taihang Mountain, the heart of the Taihang Mountain Range, commanded a multitude of Earth Veins.

It was also the site of Chang Ruhui’s main encampment, which was heavily guarded.

On this day, Fang Yang arrived at Taihang Mountain.

He had come to report to Chang Ruhui on the recent situation at Luoyun Mountain, especially regarding the nearly one thousand Vermilion Flame Wolves.

And it was here that he saw someone completely unexpected: an exceptionally beautiful young woman named Chen Ying.

Chen Ying was dressed in a purple palace-style gown, her figure exquisite and her elegance unmatched.

At this moment, Chen Ying was standing gracefully inside Chang Ruhui’s command tent, watching her "Dao Seed" older sister converse with him.

And just as Fang Yang noticed Chen Ying, she noticed him too.

In an instant, Chen Ying blinked her clear, beautiful eyes. Her very glance was captivating, making the simple tent seem like a breathtaking landscape.

"Fang Yang, what are you doing here?"

"Handing over a mission."

"Heh, you’re as cold as ever. Did you know? Cheng Ningjin and Li Yang both died in the disaster on the front lines. It’s said their bodies were completely obliterated. A miserable end..."

Hearing of this sudden turn of events, Fang Yang’s calm face finally showed a flicker of emotion.

Seeing this, the corners of Chen Ying’s lips curled into a smirk.

Of course, she knew why Fang Yang had come here.

And her own arrival at the Taihang Mountain Range today had been intentional—all for the sake of seeing Fang Yang.

"In this catastrophe, many Bronze Tribes and Silver Tribes were wiped out. Even those that survived were severely weakened..." Chen Ying’s breath was as fragrant as an orchid, her voice syrupy sweet.

So sweet it was completely unlike her, causing Fang Yang to steal a second glance.

During their academy days, Fang Yang and Chen Ying had been very close.

But most of the time, Fang Yang had been the subordinate one in the relationship, while Chen Ying held the upper hand.

In other words, in most situations, Fang Yang had to play second fiddle while Chen Ying called the shots.

Fang Yang had to humor her, to placate her whims.

Fang Yang had yielded voluntarily because back then, his [Seek Fortune, Avoid Misfortune] talent only activated once every two or three years—sometimes it would even be five years between uses.

It was only after the Enlightenment Ceremony that Fang Yang’s life entered the fast lane.

Now, their situations were reversed, which gave him a sliver of vindictive pleasure.

The feeling was so satisfying it made him want to moan out loud.

But in the next moment, Fang Yang brushed aside that strange feeling of pleasure from his mind. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

His heart was set on the Great Dao.

Even if he were to seek a Dao companion to support him on his path...

...his first choice would be Sen Hui, never Chen Ying.

He was no longer the boy from before, who tried to please everyone and make everything perfect.

"Thanks for letting me know, but I have to go. My Small Frost Horse is hungry," Fang Yang said dismissively.

After concluding his business, he turned and left.

His attitude made Chen Ying grind her teeth in frustration, but it also reignited her competitive streak.

Her older sister, Chen Kui, who was standing ahead of them, saw this and appeared lost in thought.

’It seems Qingrou was right. Ying’Er isn’t truly, deeply in love with Fang Yang.’

’She’s just too proud, too competitive. She can’t stand losing.’

’And because of Sen Hui, Ying’Er’s desire to possess Fang Yang has reached a terrifying level. She’s on the verge of obsession!’