Chapter Sixty-One: The One Behind the Izumo Empire

“The Empire of Cloudrise actually dared to attack the Empire of Gamma at this time? And they managed to defeat you and the Sea Serpent Beast?”
To be honest, Lin An was quite surprised when he heard this news.
In his memory, Cloudrise and Gamma were evenly matched; even if there were occasional conflicts, they were little more than minor skirmishes, quickly resolved and soon forgotten.
But now, Cloudrise had launched a direct assault on Gamma, forcing its soldiers into retreat after retreat—truly incredible.
According to Jia Xingtian, the main reason was a mysterious group of soldiers appearing from nowhere—soldiers who felt no pain and feared neither death nor danger. It was precisely their relentless advance that had shattered Gamma’s defenses.
“That’s right. The one leading them is a master of the Douzong level. By my estimation, he’s no weaker than Ancestor Yunshan... That’s why I hope, young master, you can persuade the people of Yunlan Sect to help Gamma repel Cloudrise!”
“Otherwise... in at most half a month, they’ll reach Gamma’s royal city.”
Jia Xingtian spoke with helplessness.
“No wonder the number of soul points has risen so sharply lately—it’s because of the war.”
Lin An murmured softly.
Indeed, just as Jia Xingtian said, in less than half a month, the soul points had increased by nearly a hundred thousand. At first, Lin An hadn’t thought much of it, perhaps attributing it to some old immortals finally succumbing to the ravages of time and perishing within Gamma’s borders, thereby earning him so many soul points.
But now, it was clear things weren’t as he imagined.
The surge in soul points was entirely due to the war between Gamma and Cloudrise.
“I understand. Go back and guard the border. I’ll come to support you soon,” Lin An said.
“Thank you, young master!” Jia Xingtian was deeply grateful upon hearing Lin An’s promise to help.
This was his last pillar of support; if even Lin An refused to assist, he truly would have no options left.
If the serpent people of the Tagore Desert learned of Gamma’s predicament, they would surely seize the opportunity to strike.
After Jia Xingtian departed, Lin An woke Nalan Yanran and the Little Doctor Fairy.
Seeing Lin An’s rare solemn expression, Nalan Yanran immediately sensed the gravity of the situation.
“Brother, what’s happened?” Nalan Yanran asked.

“Cloudrise Empire is attacking Gamma, and... Gamma is retreating at every turn; I doubt they can hold out much longer,” Lin An replied.
“How is my father?”
Nalan Su was a general of Gamma, leading the army. Now that war had erupted, he would surely be at the front lines.
“Don’t worry, your father is safe for now, but I doubt he can last much longer!”
Lin An had inquired about Nalan Su’s situation; fortunately, Nalan Su was unharmed and had remained at the front, not resting for days.
“Brother, what should we do now?” Nalan Yanran asked anxiously.
She knew her father well—he would never abandon his post, not even at the cost of his life. So, upon hearing of the war, her thoughts immediately turned to him.
“We’ll return to Yunlan Sect first. After we’ve discussed matters, we’ll decide.”
Nalan Yanran nodded. There was little else they could do; just the two of them on the battlefield would make no difference.
Only if Yunlan Sect, with Ancestor Yunshan and her master Yun Yun, agreed to send help, would Gamma have any hope of surviving this crisis.
The body of the Amethyst Winged Lion King expanded rapidly. Lin An, Nalan Yanran, and the Little Doctor Fairy flew onto its back.
Then, the Amethyst Winged Lion King sped off at its fastest pace, reaching the foot of Yunlan Sect’s mountain in less than three hours.
The Lion King’s flight released an astonishingly oppressive force. Even before they arrived, Yunshan and Yun Yun sensed the power and quickly flew out to meet them.
When they saw Lin An and Nalan Yanran riding the Lion King, they finally relaxed.
Thank goodness it wasn’t an enemy invasion.
“Is this... the Amethyst Winged Lion King?”
Yun Yun gazed at the Lion King, whose form had changed greatly, and asked uncertainly.
“Yes, I am the Amethyst Winged Lion King. Are you the master’s teacher?” the Lion King replied.
“Let’s head to the main hall of Yunlan Sect; there are important matters to discuss,” Lin An said directly.
Yun Yun nodded. Seeing Nalan Yanran’s anxious face, she could guess what must have happened.

“If this is Lin An’s will, then let us prepare and go to Gamma’s aid!”
Yunshan did not hesitate, immediately ordering Yun Yun to dispatch Yunlan Sect’s masters and disciples to join the war.
“Even so, I hear Cloudrise harbors mysterious masters. If we don’t understand the enemy, many innocent disciples could die needlessly.”
Yun Yun voiced her concerns.
Such a calamity befalling Gamma was not unknown to Yun Yun, the sect leader.
Know your enemy and yourself, and you need not fear the outcome of a hundred battles.
Yet, even Jia Xingtian had not been able to gauge Cloudrise’s true power. Unless even the Ancestor himself took the field, they could not hope to match Cloudrise.
“If it is the young master’s wish, then let us go and see.”
“I know of some sinister arts—techniques that render men mindless, insensitive to pain or fatigue. If these are what I suspect, I may have a way to deal with those strange soldiers first.”
Yao Chen was now a five-star Dou Huang; given his origins, his knowledge of such dark arts was not surprising.
“If you are willing to assist Gamma, then I will immediately order Yunlan Sect’s disciples to gather and follow the Ancestor to aid Gamma.” Yun Yun said.
Nalan Yanran breathed a long sigh of relief. There had always been friction between Yunlan Sect and Gamma.
Even though the ten-thousand-strong army stationed below Yunlan’s mountain had inexplicably withdrawn, it did not mean the old enmity was gone.
Her master’s willingness to send troops was, truthfully, beyond Nalan Yanran’s expectations.
....
Within the Cloudrise Empire’s barracks, a man in black robes stood behind Marshal Sun Ming. Judging by the fear in the eyes of the officers below, his status in the camp was clearly very high.
This man was none other than Xiao Yan, hidden under an assumed name!