Deep within the mysterious mountain range.
At this moment, Huang Shang was leading his Imperial City Division subordinates, struggling to fend off a bizarre ambush.
If it were one-on-one, he could easily obliterate these strange enemies.
But once these guys united and activated a certain formation.
Their power would skyrocket in a geometric frenzy.
Though the bizarre battle formation could not harm or kill him, it was an utter nightmare and disaster for the many Imperial City Division subordinates by his side.
The tragic scenes stirred Huang Shang deeply.
This was the second time in his life he felt so miserable and hopeless.
The first was when he attacked the Heaven Mocking Palace.
And now, this was the second.
Compared to the time at Heaven Mocking Palace, this moment felt even more humiliating.
To think he was made so miserable by a bunch of ants working together.
Where would he put the face of someone in the Mythical Realm of martial arts?
Meanwhile.
Not far from the battlefield.
Several figures were silently watching everything from the shadows.
"Interesting. Even at this point, Huang Shang still hasn't given up."
"Exceptional talent and aptitude, but unfortunately, lacking in opportunities. Otherwise, his strength would far surpass what it is now."
And indeed, for a true supreme cultivator, opportunities are a crucial component.
Now.
The heads of the espionage agencies from each dynasty had successively reached the God Demon Realm.
The Black Ice Platform Leader, originally the Mythical Realm Black Shadow, had now advanced to the God Demon Realm Wei Liao.
Yuwen Tuo of the Sui Dynasty had always been in the God Demon Realm.
But before, it was simply kept hidden.
The Bad Marshal Yuan Tiangang had also advanced, achieving the God Demon Realm.
As for the Dark Guard Leader, Dark One, he had successfully ascended long ago with the help of Zhu Houzhao.
Now, only Phagpa of the Yuan Dynasty and Huang Shang of the Song Dynasty had not broken through.
However, considering the national power and circumstances of those two dynasties.
The outcome was self-evident.
"Your Majesty, are you intending to recruit this man?"
Chen Tuan, standing by the side, saw through Zhu Houzhao's intentions.
Since he was going to follow Zhu Houzhao from now on, he could no longer remain arrogant.
He had to prove his value.
"Indeed. His potential is sufficient and worth cultivating."
"In the future, he may become a God Demon Realm cultivator, which would make for a decent asset."
"I am willing to capture him alive for Your Majesty."
"Oh? Then I shall await the good news from the Daoist. As for his Imperial City Division subordinates, there's no need to keep them alive."
"What about those attackers?"
"Kill them."
"After this event, I don't want any information about the Imperial Mausoleum leaking out."
Chen Tuan nodded, then his figure flickered and darted toward the battlefield.
Zhao Pu and Shi Shouxin exchanged glances.
"Your Majesty, allow us to assist as well."
Two afterimages shot out.
Their movements were as swift as lightning.
In just the blink of an eye, they arrived at the battlefield.
They moved around the attacking forces and the members of the Imperial City Division.
Streams of energy pierced through vital points.
"Ahhhhhh!"
The bizarre army was wiped out one by one, and before Huang Shang had time to rejoice.
He suddenly heard the miserable cries of his subordinates.
He roared in grief and fury, "Who are you people?"
"Dammit!"
"Nine Yin Bone Claw!"
"Hmph. You still have your use. Be unconscious now!"
Chen Tuan let out a cold snort and instantly appeared in front of Huang Shang.
He gave no time to react.
A swift chop landed on his neck, knocking him out instantly.
He collapsed to the ground.
What followed was a one-sided slaughter.
Under the assault of Chen Tuan and the other two, the bizarre army that once had an effective formation was torn apart.
As if they were made of paper.
It was as though the three were extremely familiar with these creatures' weaknesses.
It seemed that over the past century, these individuals had thoroughly studied both the strengths and weaknesses of such beings.
Without this knowledge, they could easily end up as embarrassed as Wei Liao, Yuan Tiangang, or Yuwen Tuo.
But once understood, they could treat them as mere ants.
Easily exterminated.
Within just ten minutes.
The squad that had surrounded Huang Shang was completely annihilated.
"Your Majesty, mission accomplished."
Chen Tuan threw Huang Shang to the ground and bowed respectfully.
"What's the deal with this Blue Cavalry Army?"
"They are undoubtedly human, but they also feel quite different from real people."
"Even Grandmasters and Great Grandmasters shouldn't still look youthful after a hundred years."
"Your Majesty, this is a force created by Zhao Kuangyin shortly after founding the Song Dynasty. He used an evil method acquired from a Western Region demon monk to transform his personal army into these human-like, yet inhuman beings."
"Later, he captured many talents from across the Nine Provinces and used the same method."
"Out of tens of thousands of troops, only around a thousand were successfully transformed."
Zhu Houzhao's pupils shrank upon hearing this.
A new wave of doubt emerged in his heart.
This kind of method didn't feel like something Zhao Kuangyin would use.
Although he disagreed with some of Zhao Kuangyin's actions, at least he was a heroic ruler.
But such a twisted method required a level of cruelty that a normal ruler wouldn't possess.
Zhao Kuangyin built a great dynasty and founded a new imperial line.
How could his temperament be that shallow?
This definitely wasn't something Zhao Kuangyin could have done.
From this moment on, Zhu Houzhao began to doubt the true identity of Zhao Kuangyin.
Was the Zhao Kuangyin he killed back at the Southern Song Dragon Vein Land even the real one?
This was a serious issue.
He had to get to the bottom of it.
Perhaps it involved the true secrets of the Nine Provinces.
"Bring him. We're leaving. Head back to the Ming Dynasty."
The matter of Zhao Kuangyin's true identity would have to be investigated thoroughly later.
But for now, the priority was to leave the Song Dynasty.
His real objective had already been achieved.
The National Fortune of the Song Dynasty was now in his hands.
He had also unexpectedly recruited Chen Tuan and the other two.
And Huang Shang was now in his possession.
He might prove useful in the future.
As for the upcoming situation in the Song Dynasty, that was no longer his concern.
He'd leave it to Jia Xu and Zhuge Liang to handle.
Moreover, Wei Liao, Yuwen Tuo, and Yuan Tiangang had suffered such huge losses this time.
How could they possibly be content without tearing a few chunks from the Song Dynasty?
==========
At Guo Jia's location.
Looking at the many bizarre armies surrounding them, Guo Jia's expression grew colder.
Suddenly, as if sensing something.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
He pulled out another talisman from his robes.
Infused it with true essence.
In the next moment.
Countless sword energies rained down from the sky.
In mere seconds, the attacking forces were completely wiped out.
Clean and swift.
No trace of the earlier chaos when they had been with Wei Liao and the others.
"Lord Director, where should we head next? Shall we continue?"
"No need. There is great horror hidden here that we cannot afford to touch."
"Leave this cursed place immediately. We still have more important tasks to accomplish in the Song Dynasty."
"Yes, Lord!"
Upon hearing this, the remaining spies of the Military Advisor Division let out a sigh of relief.
This place was far too terrifying.
If they stayed any longer, their lives might be forfeited.
"Gather everything and leave quickly, before the other dynasties react."