“Senior Liu Jing,” Li Yuan said with a flicker of joy in his heart as he heard the familiar voice and instantly emerged from the dark cave.
Standing dozens of meters away was the blue-clad elder, none other than Liu Jing himself.
Subconsciously, Li Yuan used the Divine Palace Inquiry to confirm that there was no mistake, a 24.2 level Prime Warrior.
He didn’t receive a Spiritual Nature warning; it was a person of the Seven Star Human Race.
This was a point mentioned by a teacher in a general knowledge class: when adventuring in the Star Realm, always stay vigilant, never let success and joy cloud your mind.
“You’ve hidden yourself quite well; if I hadn’t located you using my smart ring, I might have had trouble finding you,” Liu Jing said with a chuckle.
Li Yuan couldn’t help but smile, “Senior, how did you get here so quickly?”
From the time he had reported in to now, it hadn’t even been five hours.
“After receiving the message, I discussed it with two other commanding officers and then set out immediately, making my way here as fast as I could,” Liu Jing said gravely. “Also, I’ve already checked out the Tianliang Clan dwelling you mentioned, according to the information on your map… It’s already deserted.”
“Deserted?” Li Yuan expressed his surprise.
“I observed the surroundings just now and found many Flying Serpent corpses around the outskirts of Flying Serpent Valley; they must be from the battle you left behind,” Liu Jing said. “I guess the commotion must have scared them off, causing them to retreat quickly.”
“Senior, you’re wise,” Li Yuan said with a smile.
“Alright, stop flattering me,” Liu Jing said with a smile. “I’ve already done a preliminary survey of Flying Serpent Valley and can initially confirm the accuracy of your information. There’s a substantial growth of Blood-Nurturing Source Lingzhi on the canyon walls… I’ve sent a message back, commanding the main force from the base to come here; they should arrive within three days.”
“Senior, that’s impressive,” Li Yuan said, genuinely amazed and increasingly respectful. “In such a short time, senior has accomplished so much; I am full of admiration.”
In less than five hours, to have come from the base and then to investigate and explore the surroundings.
Such dedication!
“It’s all part of my duties; as a commanding officer, I naturally cannot slack off,” Liu Jing replied, unfazed.
But in fact, Liu Jing had been resting not far away all these hours, adjusting his state of well-being.
Feeling that his body had returned to peak condition, he immediately sought Li Yuan out.
“Senior, what should we do next?” Li Yuan asked.
“Based on the information you provided, if Flying Serpent Valley is indeed suitable for the large-scale growth of ‘Blood-Nurturing Source Lingzhi,’ then it would be worth it for our Xia Country to invest significant resources,” Liu Jing said. “Spending hundreds of billions of Blue Star Coins, or even more, on building a war base here would be worth it.”
Li Yuan nodded in agreement.
Indeed, Blood-Nurturing Source Lingzhi might not be highly valuable individually, but what if you could produce tens or even hundreds of thousands of them each year?
In a way, its value exceeds that of the Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Wood.
Because the Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Wood can only help a few Martial Artists. Your source is m-vl|em|p,yr
However, a continuous supply of Blood-Nurturing Source Lingzhi could enable thousands of Martial Artists to grow faster.
“Of course, I’m no expert; we’ll have to wait for those scientists to come over for testing,” Liu Jing said.
Li Yuan nodded slightly; professional matters should be left to the professionals.
“In our next moves, there are some things we need to be aware of,” Liu Jing said. “First is the strength of the Tianliang Clan.”
“Didn’t they already withdraw?” Li Yuan asked, puzzled.
“Didn’t you say that Xue Shu had explored the Flying Serpent Valley?” Liu Jing said seriously. “We must consider the worst-case scenario in encounters with enemies, assuming that Xue Shu discovered the Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Wood too… He perhaps wanted to swallow the Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Fruit alone, which is why he hasn’t reported it to the high levels of the Tianliang Clan yet.”
“Of course, there are many contradictions. Even if he is a 19-level genius, it would be difficult for him to defeat two Second Rank Flying Serpents,” Liu Jing added.
Li Yuan couldn’t help but nod, this was indeed a puzzling point.
However, neither Liu Jing nor Li Yuan knew that Xue Shu, lacking Li Yuan’s stealth ability, was completely unaware of the Second Rank Flying Serpents at the bottom of Flying Serpent Valley.
“Regardless.”
“He has been scared off by you for now, and assuming he reports to the high echelons of the Tianliang Clan, will they come to contend?” Liu Jing looked at Li Yuan.
“Flying Serpent Valley is much closer to our Seven Stars Human Race’s forward outpost base.” Li Yuan hesitated a bit.
“But the Tianliang Clan has stronger strength and remote deployment capabilities,” Liu Jing sighed. “Otherwise, how would they dare to strike at Observation Point 19?”
Li Yuan’s heart grew cold.
Indeed, the Tianliang Clan’s forces in Mingxu Star Realm were more formidable.
“But as you’ve said, the proximity is our advantage.” Liu Jing smiled. “Even if the Prime Warriors of the Tianliang Clan want to rush over, it will still take some time.”
“What we need to do is use this time to snatch the three Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Fruits.”
“Although Flying Serpent Valley is highly valuable, that is in respect to an entire country, an entire civilization,” Liu Jing solemnly said. “If we achieve a great feat, should we manage to establish a plantation base in the future, as the first discoverers, we will receive a share of the profits for the next 20 years…
but in the short term, the profits are far less than those from the Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Fruits.”
“Understood.” Li Yuan nodded.
Flying Serpent Valley was highly valuable, but it would require Xia Country and even the Seven Star Alliance to invest significant resources for it to be effective.
For powerful Martial Artists? The usefulness was minimal.
Whereas the three Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Fruits could directly net tens of billions of Blue Star Coins.
“After the grab, according to Alliance rules, you, as the finder, will get 20%, and the remaining 80% will be divided according to our contribution,” Liu Jing smiled. “No objections, right?”
“No objections,” Li Yuan shook his head.
If he had gone alone, he wouldn’t have been able to get even 1%, but now he was guaranteed at least one Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Fruit, so naturally, he had no objections.
“You didn’t discuss this with the other two commanders?” Li Yuan couldn’t help asking.
“No need to say anything, they can’t come. There are only three Prime Warriors at the base; we can’t all leave,” Liu Jing said indifferently. “We also don’t have the time to wait for other First Rank Martial Artists, who wouldn’t be much help anyway.”
“Alright, I’ll follow the senior’s arrangements,” Li Yuan nodded.
With other Prime Warriors whom he had only met a few times, Li Yuan would be very cautious, but he held a good deal of respect for Liu Jing,
In the face of a Prime Warrior who had willingly defended a part of the country for thirty years, Li Yuan believed that the other party was not likely to betray him over a few Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Fruits.
Of course, Li Yuan also remembered his teacher’s words: even with trust in others, one must keep a reserve. Li Yuan had his own measures secretly in place, for one must never be without the caution against others.
In the Star Realm, Martial Artists killing each other was not anyone’s concern.
“My plan is quite simple,” Liu Jing said. “You will voluntarily descend into Flying Serpent Valley.”
“The deeper the better.”
“Your stealth ability is stronger than mine, you’re responsible for sneaking as close as possible to the Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Wood,” Liu Jing looked at Li Yuan. “Then I will make a move from high above the canyon, drawing the two Second Rank Flying Serpents and other serpents towards me… You are responsible for taking the opportunity to seize the Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Fruits.”
“After the grab, if you haven’t been discovered, then escape stealthily on your own.”
“Once you’ve successfully escaped, signal me, and I’ll find a way to leave.”
“If you’re discovered after the heist, in the short term, with your strength, ordinary First Rank Flying Serpents should pose little threat to you.”
“Then immediately flee my way, and I’ll lead you out,” Liu Jing said.
“What about you, senior?” Li Yuan hesitated.
“`
The plan sounds simple.
But the biggest premise is that Liu Jing must be able to withstand the siege of two Second Rank Flying Serpents and tens of thousands of First Rank ones.
“Haha, looking down on me?” Liu Jing laughed, “Although I cannot kill tens of thousands of Flying Serpents alone, it’s very easy for me to just delay them a bit before helping you escape.”
Li Yuan nodded slightly, feeling relieved.
As a 24th Level Prime Warrior and having held a position of power for decades, Senior Liu’s considerations were surely more comprehensive than his own.
“In fact, if we weren’t pressed for time and worried about the Second Rank Flying Serpents directly destroying the Soul-Nurturing Ancient Spirit Fruit…”
“We could’ve waited for the arrival of the mechanical troops and used heavy weaponry to slaughter the Flying Serpent swarm on a large scale,” Liu Jing said, “The Flying Serpent swarm is weak, not worth mentioning.”
Li Yuan was speechless.
The Flying Serpent swarm is weak? That’s only relative to the war machine of Xia Country.
Soon.
Li Yuan and Liu Jing discussed some details, checking time, location, escape routes, and emergency plans one by one.
They set off immediately.
…
Two suns hung high in the sky, bathing the land in light and making the dense, rolling fog within the Flying Serpent Valley seem to dissipate considerably.
Clad in their Battle Garments, Li Yuan and Liu Jing had stealthily reached the edge of the canyon.
Looking down from here, they could already spot numerous traces of Flying Serpents in the gorge.
“Let’s begin,” Liu Jing said in a low voice.
“Okay,” Li Yuan nodded slightly, with his Battle Garment cloaked in black and green to blend in with the environment as much as possible.
He gripped his Long Spear.
Whoosh! With a move, Li Yuan slid down along the vines towards the Flying Serpent Valley.
This was his second infiltration, following a familiar route; it could be said he knew the road well, and his speed was much faster than last time.
In just two minutes, Li Yuan had descended over 300 meters, completely disappearing into the mist.
“This young fellow really is formidable, his Stealth abilities… Unity of Heaven and Man,” Liu Jing looked down, secretly impressed, as even with his keen sight, he could no longer see Li Yuan’s position.
Of course, the deeper he went, the slower he moved.
15 minutes later, the Flying Serpent Valley remained as calm as ever, with only the occasional roars of Flying Serpents.
“Hasn’t he reached the designated position yet?” Liu Jing was slightly worried in his heart.
Suddenly.
Hum~ A slight vibration on the smart band on Liu Jing’s arm showed a number—0!
0, means all is safe, everything is going as planned.
1, means encountered difficulties, please wait.
2, means request for support.
Liu Jing’s thoughts moved and he sent back a “0” through the flashing light screen, then the Battle Garment wrapped around the smart band, turning him completely black.
Only his eyes faintly shone through.
Swish! He drew his Combat Saber from his back and, holding a shield in the other hand, Liu Jing felt a surge of heated blood boiling inside him.
“Haha, it’s been a while since I’ve experienced such a big battle,” Liu Jing murmured to himself.
Without concealing himself, Liu Jing stood up.
Whoosh!
Liu Jing leaped from the kilometer-high cliff, turning into a terrifying streak of light plunging downwards, with gravity and his own strength increasing his speed to nearly 200 meters per second in an instant.
Boom! The terrifying speed caused the air to explode with a roar that spread in all directions.
The sound made many Flying Serpents on the cliffside instinctively look up above.
“Boom!”
Like a meteor collision, two massive Flying Serpents about 300 meters below on the cliffside were instantly split in half by Liu Jing’s descending Combat Saber.
Blood splattered everywhere, and with Liu Jing continuing to fall down the cliff, the horrific impact caused countless rocks to shatter and shoot out in all directions.
“Kill!” Liu Jing’s eyes were ice-cold, with a powerful push from his legs, he flashed nearly a hundred meters across the cliffside in a blur.
“Puchi~” Another Level 18 Flying Serpent was killed midair, its massive body ripped into pieces.
Flesh and blood fell everywhere.
“Roar!”
“Roar!” Finally, across the entire Flying Serpent Valley, the ear-splitting roars of hundreds, maybe thousands of Flying Serpents echoed, as if facing a mortal enemy.
The sound spread rapidly, reaching the cliffs on both sides of the Flying Serpent Valley and even deeper within it.
At this moment.
Tens of thousands of Flying Serpents realized—Second Rank! A Second Rank Alien had arrived!!
Within seconds.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Flying Serpents burst through the fog, shrieking as their wings flashed, rushing out.
Almost at the same time.
On the cliffs on both sides, even more Flying Serpents swiftly emerged, spreading their wings, with sharp eyes quickly targeting Liu Jing waiting on the cliffside.
Swoosh! Swoosh! The Flying Serpents diving down from above were even faster, each one charging toward Liu Jing.
“Haha, bring it on,” Liu Jing revealed a cold smile.
Boom! His body seemed to be engulfed in a blazing fire, as if he were a War God!!
…
At the bottom of the canyon, about 1200 meters down.
A nondescript black and green figure was lurking in the vines.
“It’s started,” Li Yuan held his breath, as Flying Serpents from the caves around him dashed out frenziedly.
They filled the sky.
The horrendous number of the entire Flying Serpent swarm burst forth at this moment.
“`