Chapter 197

The north wind howled across the endless Gobi.

Unlike other fortresses guarding strategic paths with natural defenses, Ju He Pass stood at the bleeding edge of this battlefield. Tiger-Chasing had seized and garrisoned it just a month prior.

This outpost jutted into the battle zone like an arrowhead, stretching nearly a hundred miles ahead of the main front. It lay equally distant from both enemy lines and allied rear positions. Unless the entire front advanced, the pass faced relentless attacks from three directions.

At first, only ordinary soldiers harassed the defenses, easily driven back. But over half a month ago, Eastern Wilderness cultivators began appearing among the raiding parties. Though they’d never broken the Heartfire Technique, they’d found other workarounds. During the assault on Ju He Pass, these cultivators ignored foot soldiers entirely, hammering the walls and gates to force Tiger-Chasing’s accompanying cultivators into the open.

Ju He Pass’ defenders included one eleventh-level Gathering Qi captain, three ninth-level deputies, and six seventh-level practitioners. To protect the walls, the cultivators had no choice but to engage outside.

It was a trap.

Two shadows hidden among common troops launched their ambush. The six seventh-level practitioners fell in moments. The three ninth-level cultivators lasted slightly longer before being cut down. The captain managed to send a distress signal, but enemy attacks overwhelmed him before reinforcements arrived—he perished under the combined assault of two individuals.

With defenders eliminated, Eastern Wilderness forces retreated swiftly. Tiger-Chasing reinforcements arrived too late, finding only corpses.

To bolster defenses, Tiger-Chasing dispatched a twelfth-level Gathering Qi cultivator from Qiulu’s small families—a competent fighter for his realm. Yet seven days later, another distress call came. They found him lifeless at his post.

Sensing foul play, Tiger-Chasing investigators found traces of sect disciples. The report raced up the chain. As temporary fix, a Condensing Essence cultivator was stationed there. Harassment ceased, repairs began.

But the northern front burned with constant warfare. Mobile units and reinforcements stayed perpetually scarce, often requiring transfers from the central region. Wasting a Condensing Essence cultivator on this minor pass was untenable—yet without one, Gathering Qi defenders couldn’t hold. The local commander’s dilemma became a formal report to higher-ups.

This document eventually passed through many hands… until it landed with He Shenglai.

Eight days later, a small cloud ship landed behind Ju He Pass.

The defending general personally greeted them, leading He Shenglai and Yang Lingrui to his command tent.

“Thank you for coming to assist us, Young Master He! Your help is greatly appreciated!”

The general tried steering He Shenglai toward the commander’s seat, but the young man refused.

“Follow military protocol, General. No need for formalities.”

He instead took a side seat below the main position, with Yang Lingrui joining him.

“Ah, yes! Of course!”

The general spread out a map, outlining the regional situation and Ju He Pass’s strategic weaknesses.

“We only have two high-level Condensing Essence cultivators here. One must guard the pass at all times, leaving us critically shorthanded. Casualties have surged recently, devastating morale.”

He shook his head wearily, clearly worn down by the prolonged crisis.

“Understood.” He Shenglai turned to his companion. “Need rest?”

“No, sir.”

“Good.”

He faced the general again. “Give us the defense rotation order. We’ll handle this.”

“But…”

The general had assumed they’d request reinforcements from his troops. A twelfth-level Gathering Qi cultivator had already died here – how could an eleventh-level and tenth-level pair succeed?

“Young Master He, no disrespect, but the Eastern Wilderness cultivators are fierce. Wouldn’t more fighters help?”

He extended the command token hesitantly.

He Shenglai took it. “Extra bodies would just get in our way.”

“Well… very well! We’re counting on you!”

The general forced a smile as the pair departed immediately for Ju He Pass.

Whether by chance or leaked information, the Eastern Wilderness army returned that same night – now with six cultivators hidden among their ranks instead of two.

“Finally! The bait worked!”

“Two Tiger-Chasing prodigies? Let’s see what they’re made of!”

“Six perfected realm fighters against them? With two direct disciples controlling spiritual techniques? This’ll be easy.”

The Eastern Wilderness cultivators whispered among themselves – all sixth-level Gathering Qi experts from northwestern sects. Border conflicts had become their training ground, with bounties encouraging such missions.

Knowing Tiger-Chasing’s elites were nearby, they’d targeted strategic locations like Ju He Pass to lure out promising talents. To them, He Shenglai and Yang Lingrui were perfect prey.

“Strange. Last time, guards attacked immediately. Why’s it silent now?”

One cultivator squinted through the darkness. “Since when did Tiger-Chasing plant trees here?”

A ring of young trees surrounded Ju He Pass. Stranger still, their branches shook and creaked despite the windless night.