At Blackwater Plains, inside the human army's main camp.0 "Report! Reporting to Vice-General Li and Commander Huo. According to the scouts, the demons stationed along the border of Blackwater Plains have begun to stir again!"0 A breathless messenger rushed into the command tent and delivered the latest update to the top generals of Tianfeng Battalion.0 With Ling Feng having left without issuing any formal orders, the highest-ranking officers present were Vice-General Li Bufan and Huo Yuanyi, the commander of the Black-Armored Cavalry.0 There was also Jingwang Mo Feng. Although he held no formal military post, he was royalty and Ling Feng's liege, which gave him a natural role in decision-making.0 Other key figures included commanders like Xu Zhongda, seasoned veterans who could provide immediate and reliable support to Li Bufan.0 When he heard the report, Li Bufan frowned. Based on what Ling Feng had told them, the demons were not expected to act for at least another month.1 Only half that time had passed.0 Clearly, the demons could not be trusted!0 Although Li Bufan held deep respect for Ling Feng and considered him both a lifelong friend and rival, he had never truly placed faith in the word of a demon. The so-called pact with the demon clans had always seemed flimsy to him.0 Now that Ling Feng was gone, he had no choice but to hold the line himself.0 Xu Zhongda stepped forward and asked, "What exactly is happening?"0 "At dusk, the demon coalition suddenly reinforced their positions and began shifting troops toward a stronghold in the northwest. At their current pace, they will reach it within half an hour..."0 Before the scout could finish, another soldier burst into the tent, covered in blood and reeking of panic.0 "Reporting to Vice-General Li. The stronghold at position six in the northwest has been overrun. Of the thirty-six hundred soldiers stationed there, nearly all have been wiped out."0 "What?" Li Bufan sprang to his feet, his eyes wide in shock.0 The demons had moved far too quickly!0 "Vice-General Li, the situation is critical. Judging by the strength of the enemy, the strongholds at positions three, four, and five are also in danger!"0 Xu Zhongda took a deep breath. His tone was grim as he said, "Vice-General Li, this has already become a full-scale crisis. Should we inform General Ling?"0 Li Bufan's brow remained tightly furrowed. He responded with a calm but resolute voice. "Commander Huo, Commander Xu, gather thirty thousand troops immediately. Head out to reinforce the front. Abandon strongholds four and five. Focus all available forces at stronghold three!"0 Huo Yuanyi and Xu Zhongda acknowledged the order without hesitation and left at once.0 The other commanders began to mobilize as well. The past half-month had been too quiet. The real hardship was only beginning.0 Once the generals had gone, only Li Bufan, Jiang Xiaofan, Mo Feng, Tuoba Yan, and Lin Xian'er remained in the command tent. These were Ling Feng's most trusted people.0 Only they knew the truth behind Ling Feng's so-called seclusion. If word got out that the commander was no longer present, morale would collapse in an instant.0 This plan of Ling Feng's carried immense risk.0 "Bufan, what do we do now? Big Brother still needs half a month to return!"0 Jiang Xiaofan's brows were tightly knit. Over the past few days, he had led several reinforcement squads into battle. War had changed him. He was no longer the timid youth he once was.0 "No matter what, we must hold the line. Even if it costs every last soldier!"0 Li Bufan inhaled deeply and spoke with solemn resolve. "The demons launched a full assault and overran one of our strongholds on the very first day, yet they have not formally declared war. Their true goal remains unclear. Your Highness, please write to Tianmang Fortress and request immediate reinforcements!"0 "Very well." Mo Feng nodded with a heavy expression. "But that old fox Yuan Tiangang may not send troops. Right now, Brother Feng is gaining too much momentum. That schemer would love nothing more than to see us lose!"0 "Whether he sends help or not is up to him. We cannot afford to abandon even the smallest chance."0 A fierce determination flashed in Li Bufan's eyes.0 "Then that is all we can do."0 Everyone turned to look at him. Ling Feng had always been the brightest star in the army, so much so that Li Bufan had often gone unnoticed.0 But in truth, Li Bufan came from a distinguished military family and had the talent to match. 0 He had always been a dependable "all-rounder" in his own right!0 As the fires of war spread across Blackwater Plains, Ling Feng remained unaware of the battles breaking out within the Tianfeng Battalion.0 He had no idea that his performance during the last encounter at Blackwater Plains had already drawn the attention of high-ranking officers under the Silver Wolf Demon Emperor.1 After Shen Xiao, the mysterious figure from Yunluo Sacred Land, had left, Ling Feng and Bai Linger spent the night quietly by the fire.0 Neither of them spoke.0 Eventually, dawn arrived!0 As the sky brightened in the east, the two finally returned to camp. On the way, they ran into a disciple from Purple Dragon Hall who had woken early. When he saw the two of them walking together, he gave Ling Feng a sly look and grinned.0 "Senior Brother Long. Senior Sister Bai. Good morning!"0 It was clear what he was thinking. He assumed they had slipped off to spend the night alone.0 Bai Linger's face turned red. She shot Ling Feng a sharp glare and walked off quickly.0 Ling Feng shrugged and muttered inwardly, these demons really are a bit too open-minded.0 Indeed, among the demon clans, matters of reproduction were treated with open attitudes. Otherwise, he would never have found himself being pursued so shamelessly by the girls from the Lin Demon Clan.0 Orıginal content can be found at 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝕟𝕖𝕥 Soon, the rest of the camp began to stir. Today was the day when the top disciples of the Canglong Sanctum, victors of the tri-sanctum sparring exchange, would officially enter the ancient ruins of the demon race.0 The first to enter were the elite disciples of Black Dragon Hall. Hei Feng Demon Emperor raised his arm and led the group into the ancient site.0 Next came the other demon emperors. Ju Feng Demon Emperor said nothing and brought the disciples of Purple Dragon Hall forward.0 Before long, they arrived at a dark and shadowy cave.0 This cave marked the true entrance to the ancient ruins. Normally, a powerful seal guarded it, and only the demon emperor experts of the Three Sanctums held the means to unlock it.0 The cave mouth loomed, silent and deep. Ling Feng took a long breath and kept his gaze fixed ahead.0 He thought to himself, if the Dragon Emperor Seal really is here, and I can get my hands on a second Five Emperors Seal, then it might be worth going after the rest.2