"Tsk tsk, this is the talent of humans. Bing'er, did you have such combat power in your prime?"
In Huo Yuhao's mental sea, Tianmeng Iceworm lazily spoke. Having witnessed Wang Nan's strength so many times, it was no longer surprised.
"Get lost!"
After an angry shout, Ice Empress finally spoke, "My attack methods are a bit different. In terms of combat power alone, I can't compare to that one strike. That strike has already surpassed Spirit Ability and is somewhat similar to some of Xue'er's attack methods."
"Xue'er? Snow Empress?"
"Mm." Ice Empress let out an impatient hum, "I wonder how Snow Empress is doing now. She should be about to face her seventh great tribulation."
Outside, Huo Yuhao listened to Ice Empress and Tianmeng Iceworm chat while telling Zhang Lexuan about the situation here.
"I'm very familiar with the residual mental force here; it's the aura of Big Brother Wang. That figure just now also resembled Big Brother Wang."
Looking at the traces left behind, Huo Yuhao's heart was filled with countless thoughts, not out of envy or jealousy, but a longing to one day possess such power himself.
Zhang Lexuan looked up at the place that had become a flat plain before her, recalling the child who needed her protection during a surveillance mission a few years ago. He had grown into an existence she now had to look up to.
Zhang Lexuan nodded, "Can your mental force detection determine which direction they went?"
"I don't know that, but this place isn't far from the border between the Star Luo Empire and the Sun Moon Empire. Let's go there and wait for him; perhaps they've already arrived there ahead of us."
"Alright, that place is also safer."
Having decided on their destination, Huo Yuhao returned to the team and went to Beibei's side.
"What's wrong, Junior Brother?"
"No, nothing." Huo Yuhao shook his head, ultimately saying nothing more.
---
Beyond the Mingdou Mountain Range was already the territory of the Star Luo Empire. War had already broken out, and a large number of troops were stationed here. Various fortifications had long been completed, and many soldiers were on duty.
Outside the military camp, Marshal Dai Hao stood, occasionally glancing up at the sky, until he saw two figures emerge from the night.
Marshal Dai Hao's face lit up with joy, and he hurried forward. But upon seeing the arrivals, his face revealed a look of shock.
The Soul Duel Tournament held by the Star Luo Empire was five years ago. Although Wang Nan had grown taller during this period, his height now exceeded 1.9 meters, and there were some subtle changes in his face. Marshal Dai Hao still recognized him at a glance.
Coupled with the fact that the figure in mid-air was holding a golden long staff, the doubts in his heart were immediately resolved. The one who had just rescued them was not a hidden master he had never heard of, but a prodigy who had just risen.
Sensing the aura around Wang Nan, Marshal Dai Hao was momentarily unable to determine Wang Nan's true strength. He opened his mouth but didn't know how to address him.
"Marshal Dai, we meet again." Wang Nan, however, greeted him with a smile.
"Indeed, I just didn't expect your strength to be no weaker than mine now." Marshal Dai Hao smiled, "Please, both of you, come with me to the military camp for a chat."
"Thank you, Marshal."
"Not at all." Marshal Dai Hao waved his hand, "I should be thanking both of you for helping me stop those Soul Masters from the Sun Moon Empire who were pursuing us."
At that time, Marshal Dai Hao was some distance from Wang Nan and could only feel that one strike was powerful, but he never thought that those Soul Masters were not simply stopped.
"Marshal, there's no need to be polite." Wang Nan paused, "After all, I am also a Star Luo Empire citizen."
"By the way, Marshal, how did you know that the two of us would come here?"
"Haha, it's not that I have the ability to foresee the future. It's just that given the situation just now, I guessed that the two of you were not from the Sun Moon Empire. With the current tense situation, and fearing misunderstandings, I waited here for a moment."
"You two are also classmates of that child Yao'er, aren't you? It's just that Yao'er is currently stationed in Yu Ming City and is not here. Otherwise, you could have caught up."
Wang Nan didn't expect to hear news of Dai Yueheng here. After a few words about Dai Yueheng's situation, the three quickly arrived at the commander's tent, where Princess Xu Jiujiu was already waiting.
Upon seeing Wang Nan and Ma Xiaotao, Princess Xu Jiujiu was also visibly stunned, but she quickly connected Wang Nan with the figure from earlier. Adjusting her mindset, she bit her lower lip lightly and gracefully walked to the two of them, bowing respectfully.
"Thank you both for your rescue."
"Your Highness, Princess."
"You two have shown me kindness; just call me Jiujiu. The Star Luo Palace Lord is currently recovering from injuries and cannot move easily, so she also asked me to thank you both on her behalf."
As they were talking, a sudden commotion came from outside the tent.
"Your Highness Jiujiu, and both of you, I'll go see what's happening outside first."
"Thank you for your trouble, Marshal."
Hearing Princess Xu Jiujiu's words, Marshal Dai Hao waved his hand and left the commander's tent.
"Are you two from Shrek? Why aren't the others here?"
"We encountered an attack by the Holy Spirit Cult when we left, so we and the other Disciples split up."
Princess Xu Jiujiu nodded, not surprised by the situation, "This time, the Sun Moon Empire had premeditated this. Mingdu was already surrounded by them. We had special transport spirit tools and fled all the way here, but the Star Luo Palace Lord still got injured. It's even harder for other academies and Sects to leave."
"By the way, do you two know what happened on the west side of Mingdu?"
"When we left, we only saw thick fog rising from the mountains there. We don't know the specific situation."
"I heard that the Holy Spirit Cult sent many people there. It seems that place isn't a safe route either."
It seemed Princess Xu Jiujiu didn't know about the Qiankun Asking Love Valley, but Wang Nan had no intention of saying more.
Before they could say much, the door curtain of the commander's tent was lifted again, revealing a familiar figure.
"Senior Sister!" Seeing Zhang Lexuan, Ma Xiaotao's eyes lit up.
"Xiaotao, just as Yuhao said, you've already arrived here." With that, Zhang Lexuan finally saw Princess Xu Jiujiu, "Your Highness, Princess."
"Everyone, please don't be so formal." Seeing the other Shrek members also walk in, Princess Xu Jiujiu said with a smile.
Wang Nan scanned everyone, but noticed someone seemed to be missing.
"Wang Dong'er is still unconscious. I asked Marshal Dai to have the military's healing Spirit Master take a look." Zhang Lexuan explained, seeing Wang Nan's gaze.
Upon mentioning Marshal Dai Hao, Huo Yuhao's eyes subtly changed.
Although he was more mature than his peers, he was still just a child. Suddenly seeing his "father," his expression still showed some changes.
Marshal Dai Hao was the last to enter. His gaze swept over everyone, but lingered on Huo Yuhao for a moment.
Wang Nan raised an eyebrow at this brief pause.