: The Strategist Returns to Camp

Sun and Ning's hearts skipped a beat.

They wanted to leave but were stopped by Lord Long's voice.

Lord Long, with a smile on his face, looked at the large stone sphere on the ground: "Brother Stone, if I'm not mistaken, you've gained quite a lot from this battle."

"The enemy's equipment is of excellent quality, while our Thousand Peaks Forest side is lacking in that regard."

"Why not sell these spoils to our alliance?"

"Not to mention anything else, that copy of 'Gao Sheng's Posthumous Writings' is crucial. Even if it's damaged, it's still a valuable military treasure, perfectly suited for our army's use."

Ning Zhuo felt a slight relief; he had thought he'd been exposed just moments before.

In that short time, a thin layer of sweat had already formed on his back.

"Is that so," Ning Zhuo said indifferently. "No hurry, I'll think about it."

Seeing the glow of the earth manipulation technique from the Stone-in-Monster growing brighter, Lord Long quickly said, "Brother Stone, how should I contact you?"

Ning Zhuo snorted coldly, "I'll contact you when I've made up my mind!"

With that, he controlled the stone sphere, which sank directly into the ground and disappeared from everyone's sight.

Earth Manipulation Technique!

The Lord of Ink Abyss narrowed his eyes slightly, sighing inwardly, "The Stone-in-Monster's earth manipulation technique is even more effortless and natural than before, carrying a true essence of simplifying complexity."

"His strength has indeed improved tremendously compared to before!"

Lord Long remained silent, gazing deeply at the spot where the Stone-in-Monster had just been.

As he didn't speak, no one else dared to say a word.

Thus, the cultivators quietly withdrew together in a hushed atmosphere.

Halfway through the journey.

Lord Long suddenly sent a telepathic message to Lu Hongtu: "I heard you gifted a piece of the Western Pure Land to the Stone-in-Monster?"

Lu Hongtu was instantly terrified!

His heart pounded fiercely: "Only the Stone-in-Monster and the three of us were present at the time. How did Lord Long find out?!"

Thinking more carefully, Lu Hongtu grew increasingly suspicious.

This likely meant there was a traitor between Demon Heart and Blood Shadow.

If that were truly the case, why would Lord Long ask so directly? Wouldn't that expose the mole's existence?

"Or was it the Stone-in-Monster who leaked the information?"

Lu Hongtu didn't respond immediately, his mind swirling with countless thoughts.

Lord Long snorted coldly: "Cave Master Lu, your faction emerged unscathed from this battle and achieved numerous merits."

"Trapping the Golden Halberd Army for a while and rescuing Green Vine Doctor and others."

"You are far-sighted and remarkable indeed!"

Understanding the implied dissatisfaction in Lord Long's words, Lu Hongtu hurriedly humbled himself: "Our meager achievements were all accomplished under your guidance, Lord Long. The true merit belongs to you."

Lord Long snorted again: "I won't waste words with you. Answer me truthfully, or face the consequences!"

"Is this Stone-in-Monster... has he advanced to the Divine Transformation stage?"

While accompanying the Stone-in-Monster underground, Lord Long had detected a trace of Divine Transformation aura from the stone sphere.

At that moment, his heart had raced wildly, but he restrained himself.

The Stone-in-Monster's blunt attitude after they were temporarily safe further deepened Lord Long's suspicions.

The Lord of Ink Abyss nearly lost control of his expression.

He gritted his teeth secretly, recalling the battle with the Whisker Dragon King years ago, which remained fresh in his memory.

Lu Hongtu carefully chose his words: "Divine Transformation? Why would you say that, Lord Long? What makes you suspect so?"

"I gifted the Western Pure Land considering the Stone-in-Monster's background. Such a significant gift holds great weight for him."

"Only by offering such a valuable present could we attract a master like him to join the battle."

Lord Long gave Lu Hongtu a deep look, then continued gazing ahead, telepathically communicating: "You've spent a lot from your own pocket to persuade Core Formation and Golden Core stage cultivators to participate in this ambush, which is meritorious."

"But if you're concealing crucial information, your merits won't be enough to offset your offense. Think carefully!"

"What good does hiding it from me do now?"

"You can try lying when you face the Dragon King yourself."

Lu Hongtu took a deep breath, finally frowning slightly with a hint of worry.

After a moment's thought, he decided to confess, communicating telepathically: "Very well."

"The reason I gifted the Western Pure Land at the time was that I sensed a trace of Divine Transformation aura on the Stone-in-Monster."

"I inferred from this that even if he hadn't successfully broken through, he was already very close to the Divine Transformation stage."

"In fact, judging by age, the Stone-in-Monster is much older than both of us, isn't he? His accumulation is quite profound."

Lord Long remained silent for a while before continuing: "What are your impressions of the Stone-in-Monster this time?"

"Do you think he has reached the Divine Transformation stage?"

The Lord of Ink Abyss forced a bitter smile: "How could I possibly judge accurately?"

"I'm merely a Nascent Soul stage cultivator; how could I fathom the abilities of the Divine Transformation stage?"

"I can only state the facts I observed. This time, the Divine Transformation aura on the Stone-in-Monster was much weaker than before."

Lord Long was quite domineering, and the Lord of Ink Abyss had extensive assets; his entire Six Caves Sect was within Thousand Peaks Forest, so he couldn't escape.

Thus, after assessing the situation, the Lord of Ink Abyss had no choice but to be honest.

Hearing his response, Lord Long's pupils contracted sharply, thinking to himself: "The Stone-in-Monster's main body is unharmed, yet his aura has diminished. Does this mean that after advancing to the Divine Transformation stage, he's better able to control his power, concealing his presence more effectively?"

No wonder he speculated this way.

On one hand, Ning Zhuo's attitude was evident. On the other, the various methods displayed by the "Stone-in-Monster" in this battle were more profound than his previous capabilities.

"If the Stone-in-Monster has already reached the Divine Transformation stage, he naturally has the ability to resist the Dragon King's divine decree."

"That's why he didn't go all out in the ambush battle, remained safe and sound, and the divine decree's constraint didn't trigger at all."

"He doesn't want to return to Thousand Peaks Forest because he doesn't want to face the Dragon King, fearing his true cultivation level will be exposed?"

"But if he has become a Divine Transformation cultivator, he could communicate with the Dragon King as an equal. Why would he actively avoid it?"

"Did he succeed in his advancement but sustain injuries?"

Lord Long pondered many possibilities but couldn't see through the situation.

He used to think he understood the Stone-in-Monster's temperament and abilities. The latter had a unique origin but was dull in character, poor at socializing, and though his foundation was solid, he wasn't much of a threat.

After this battle, Lord Long's previous impression of the Stone-in-Monster was completely overturned.

"That guy is simple on the outside but cunning inside, loyal on the surface but treacherous at heart!"

"In this entire ambush, he benefited the most. So much so that even the Dragon King owes him a significant reward."

"Ah, the situation is too complicated."

Lord Long sighed bitterly inwardly.

In his view, this ambush was a small, narrow victory, but compared to the Stone-in-Monster's true cultivation level, the outcome of the battle was insignificant!

"Even if I report this crucial information, the Dragon King will probably hold back, right?"

Under normal circumstances, the Whisker Dragon King would thoroughly investigate and suppress any second cultivator possibly advancing to the Divine Transformation stage.

But now, with the armies of Two Domains Country pressing at the borders and strong enemies nearby, the Whisker Dragon King wouldn't dare to start a conflict recklessly.

If a fight broke out, the Two Domains Country side would probably laugh themselves to death.

"Therefore, the optimal strategy is to temporarily ally with the Stone-in-Monster, joining forces to defeat the Two Domains Country army."

"If that's the case, then the reward for the Stone-in-Monster will likely exceed standard limits!"

After all, the treatment for Divine Transformation stage and Nascent Soul stage cultivators naturally differs.

"Is the Stone-in-Monster really at the Divine Transformation stage?"

"Forget it, let the Dragon King headache over this problem."

Earth Manipulation Technique!

Ning Zhuo activated this technique and returned near the battlefield.

The "Stone-in-Monster" didn't emerge from the ground but completed the handover deep underground.

Ning Zhuo retrieved his Earth Spleen Temple, and Sun Lingtong moved the stone sphere back into the Ten Thousand Miles Wandering Dragon.

Then, the two traveled through space via the Ten Thousand Miles Wandering Dragon and returned to the surface.

Ning Zhuo wrapped the Ten Thousand Miles Wandering Dragon around his waist like a belt and hurried back to the army.

On the battlefield ruins, Sun Gan, with a grim expression, looked at the heavily casualties and severely reprimanded commanders like Shuang Jing and Xu Dali: "If I hadn't prepared in advance and ordered the Fire Cloud Battalion to march secretly, our losses would have been even greater!"

After the reprimand, his expression softened slightly as he said to the three generals Liu, Guan, and Zhang: "You three generals showed great bravery, capturing a Nascent Soul stage demon cultivator—a significant achievement! I will report truthfully to the court to request rewards for you."

Guan Hong stroked his beard without speaking.

Zhang Hei grinned, making no sound.

Liu Er clasped his hands modestly, attributing the success to Commander Sun Gan's leadership.

Nearby, Mu Lan glanced at the three generals with envy in her eyes.

Then, Liu Er mentioned her, thanking Mu Lan for her assistance at the critical moment—transferring the battle formation's phantom red flower to the Three Generals Camp while she led the Red Flower Battalion to reinforce the White Jade Battalion.

Sun Gan gestured: "General Mu Lan's decision was wise, placing trust in you three by entrusting you with such an important task."

"Looking at the results, you didn't betray that trust, capturing Ma Feitui alive. Truly remarkable!"

Sun Gan, also versed in military strategy, fully approved of Mu Lan's decision from his perspective.

Indeed, the Red Flower Battalion played a key role. Had they not arrived in time to help the White Jade Battalion withstand the pressure from Green Vine Doctor and other cultivators, the White Jade Battalion would likely have collapsed earlier.

After delivering his speech, Sun Gan ordered the troops to rest on the spot.

The rest period was very brief.

On their way back to camp, Liu Er and the others discussed Ning Zhuo, wondering where the strategist was and if he could return in time.

As it turned out, as soon as they returned to their own camp, they learned from the guards that Ning Zhuo had already returned.

Liu Er was overjoyed and rushed quickly.

Upon seeing Ning Zhuo, he stretched out his arms, opening them wide, and ran toward Ning Zhuo emotionally.

He ran up to Ning Zhuo, grasping him tightly: "Strategist, it's all thanks to you."

"Strategist, you're safe and sound—that's truly wonderful!"

Guan Hong and Zhang Hei also hurried over.

Zhang Hei grinned widely upon seeing Ning Zhuo.

Even Guan Hong smiled at Ning Zhuo.

During the ambush, Ning Zhuo had demonstrated formidable combat prowess, earning the three generals' admiration. The camaraderie forged in defeating a strong enemy had greatly shortened the distance between them and Ning Zhuo.

"Strategist, Commander Sun Gan specifically mentioned you."

"Your divination this time really helped us a lot."

"According to Sun Gan, he wants you to perform another divination!"

Ning Zhuo: "Huh?"

Zhang Hei interjected: "Strategist, you've made a name for yourself this time. Your prophetic poem was too accurate. No wonder even Sun Gan is tempted!"

(End of )