The situation at the eastern border underwent several changes over the past ten years.
When Yang Guanfeng and Han Wang first arrived, they faced bandits attempting to invade the Zhuhu Dynasty â mostly failed rebels from the Eastern Wilderness who lost their uprisings.
By the fourth year, new regimes emerging from Eastern Wildernessâ collapse began stabilizing.
The former Great Prince of the East Wilderness Dynasty claimed the entire eastern territory, while the Third Prince and Seventh Prince divided western lands along a great river, occupying north and south respectively.
The Zhuhu Dynasty shared borders with the Seventh Princeâs entire western frontier and part of the Third Princeâs territory.
With this three-way balance established, rogue soldiers dwindled and border tensions eased.
This allowed Zhuhuâs top officials to consolidate domestic powers, enabling the Yang Familyâs rapid growth during this period.
Three years of relative peace followed, with frontline troops experiencing only three minor clashes monthly and fewer than five major battles annually.
But everything changed in the seventh year when sect powers intervened, throwing the border into turmoil.
Backed by sects, the Seventh and Third Princes renewed their ambitions toward Zhuhuâs territories.
The dynasty responded by deploying more cultivators, including Huang Yanâs group from the Huang Family.
Three more years of fighting brought them to the present day.
Notably, 70% of tactics used by ordinary soldiers against cultivators emerged during these recent sect-influenced years.
Sects not only supplied resources but secretly sent skilled disciples to battlefronts â key reasons for Tiger-Chasingâs rising cultivator casualties.
The current frontline proved more dangerous and unpredictable than ever, demanding constant vigilance even from cultivators.
After leaving Yang Guanfengâs tent, Han Wang retreated to rest silently.
"Ah, who knows how long weâll be stuck here?" complained a new cultivator, craning his neck. "The squad leader didnât even ask our names before assigning duties!"
"Easy, friend," his companion patted him. "Five days here without trouble! I hear the warâs winding down â we might go home in six months."
Both men shared Yingxuanâs fifth level of Gathering Qi cultivation. Hailing from heartland Gathering Qi families, theyâd reached Wang Hai City fifteen days prior.
"Miss, weâre from Molin," one addressed Yingxuan. "Your origins?"
"Qiulu."
"Ah! Fine place! Weâll need a guide when we visit after this war." The talkative man grinned.
Yingxuan nodded after brief consideration. She considered warning them about the ongoing eastern conflictâs severity, but their carefree laughter suggested warnings would fall on deaf ears. She stayed quiet.
That night, the first half remained quiet.
But during the tiger hourâs third quarter, resting soldiers suddenly awoke to urgent war drums pounding.
"The Eastern Wilderness rebels attack!"
After the shout, two new Martial Cultivators rushed from their tent to find Yang Guanfeng, Han Wang, and Yingxuan already armored and ready.
"Stop gawking! Move!"
Yang Guanfeng snapped. The recruits scrambled back to don their armor.
Han Wang watched them fumble, muttering, "Walking corpses."
"Youâll lead those two later," Yang Guanfeng ordered.
"Understood⊠Master."
Yang Guanfeng turned to Yingxuan: "With me. Youâre main assault today."
"Yes, squad leader!"
Yingxuan followed him toward the clashing armies.
Han Wang waited until the newcomers dawdled out, then fixed their sloppily fastened armor.
"Friend, why fuss? Weâre mid-stage Gathering Qi cultivators," one protested.
"Yeah, weâve had our share of fights."
Han Wang finished adjusting their gear before speaking: "Listen well. Todayâs plan â Yang Guanfeng and Yingxuan lead the attack. We three act as decoys. Move when I say, stop when I say. No heroics. Clear?"
"Uh⊠clear."
"Move out."
Han Wang took a different path. The recruits stifled laughs watching his limping grasshopper-hop gait.
They exchanged smirks, showing no tension. Though warned earlier, these mid-stage Gathering Qi cultivators couldnât take ordinary soldiers seriously.
Half an hour later, they reached a bushy hilltop. Han Wang signaled to hide their auras.
Through the foliage, they saw battle already raging below.
Han Wang channeled faint spiritual power to his eyes, scanning the terrain. Experience revealed Yang Guanfeng and Yingxuanâs positions.
"Good ground. Now to bait out their serpent crossbows."
He turned to explain â and froze. One recruit had removed his armor.
"Idiot! Whatâs this?!" Han Wang growled.
"Chill, Friend! This tin can slows me down."
"Put. It. Back."
The cultivator opened his mouth to argue, but Han Wangâs glare froze the words.
"Fine, fineâŠ"
Han Wang seethed inwardly. Newcomers never listened until death taught them.
Suddenly, a third-level Gathering Qi cultivator burst from enemy lines.
The Tiger-Chasing forces had been winning until this red-faced newcomer charged in, turning the tide instantly. Han Wang recognized the look â another fool tricked into being cannon fodder.