"Xiao Qian, why are there fewer people?" Seeing only one Gale soldier return with the injured Zhang Zide, Ye Xin couldn't help but feel worried.
"It's alright. The others went to inform the other Sea Clans; they didn't encounter any trouble. Zhang Zide and the others were injured because they were ambushed by Swift Shadow Clan members." Lin Qian explained to Ye Xin, reassuring her not to worry too much.
Hearing this, Ye Xin finally breathed a sigh of relief. She had feared that the situation had worsened so quickly that even the fast-moving Gale soldiers were reduced to only one.
Lin Qian, too, had to admire the Swift Shadow Clan's tactics. Even within this forested space, they had hidden numerous illusionary formations, and the Swift Shadow Clan members who ambushed Zhang Zide had been hiding within one of them.
As for why they ambushed Zhang Zide and his group, Lin Qian had his suspicions. It was likely because, due to Lin Qian's involvement, Zhang Zide's group had gained the upper hand and reached the fortress first.
If Zhang Zide and the others arrived first, taking the treasures for themselves before the other Sea Clans could arrive, how would they entice the Sea Clans to enter the fortress and activate the formation that would refine them into blood essence?
However, the Swift Shadow Clan members were unfortunate. Just as they attacked Zhang Zide, the Gale soldiers arrived. Together, they made quick work of the ambushers.
The injuries on Zhang Zide and the others were from the initial ambush, when they were caught off guard.
"Kid, I'll leave this to you. I need to return to stabilize the formation and buy you some time," Yuan Xiang solemnly entrusted Lin Qian.
Lin Qian nodded, reassuring him, "Don't worry, Senior. I will handle this well, if only to claim this small world for myself. Besides, with this world in my sights, neither the Swift Shadow Clan nor the Formless Clan has any right to touch it."
"Haha, I like your boldness, young man. It's in your hands now." Yuan Xiang nodded in satisfaction before turning into a streak of light and disappearing in an instant.
After Yuan Xiang left, Zhang Zide and the others, still confused, approached Lin Qian. Zhang Zide asked curiously, "Lin Laodi, what exactly happened?"
Lin Qian patiently explained the situation, recounting everything that had transpired, especially the problem with the Sea Clan fortress.
"This...this is bad!" Zhang Zide was shocked by Lin Qian's words. "We can't just rely on your subordinates; it might not be enough to convince the other Sea Clans."
Gale soldiers clearly appeared to be from the human race. If they tried to convince the Sea Clans, it might seem like a trick to them. As a Sea Clan member himself, Zhang Zide couldn't stand by and let his fellow clansmen be deceived and killed.
After taking the restorative potion, Zhang Zide, Zhang Qi, and Zhang Wenshan all insisted on personally delivering the warning. They believed that only they could effectively communicate the danger to the Sea Clans.
Seeing their determination, Lin Qian agreed and instructed the remaining Gale soldier to guide them to the other Sea Clans.
The reconnaissance beasts had thoroughly mapped out the forest space, creating a tactical map. While Lin Qian was familiar with it, Zhang Zide and his group were not. Without a guide, they would be wandering aimlessly like headless chickens. With a Gale soldier leading the way, it would be much easier.
After Zhang Zide and the others left, Lin Qian and his remaining companions turned their attention toward the human fortress.
To Lin Qian, this small world was already as good as his. The Swift Shadow Clan and Formless Clan were merely competitors.
Ruining the plans of his competitors was always a satisfying prospect, and Lin Qian wasn't about to miss out on this opportunity.
With everyone back in the carriage, Lin Qian pointed forward, and Zhao Long drove the nine flaming-hoofed warhorses onward.
Ye Xin, sensing something in the air, turned her head and looked behind them. Though she saw nothing but empty space, she faintly glimpsed shadowy figures fading away.
After a moment, she shook off the feeling, dismissing it as a trick of the mind.
However, she didn't notice Lin Qian's eyes narrow with a fierce glint as he stared ahead. "Since you plan to commit such vile acts, don't blame me for being ruthless."
The thought of the Swift Shadow Clan and Formless Clan plotting to entrap both the human race and the Sea Clans infuriated Lin Qian.
From what Yuan Xiang had revealed, Lin Qian could almost be certain that the recent discovery of the ruins and the conference had been manipulated by the Swift Shadow Clan and the Formless Clan.
Perhaps these two clans were the ones pulling the strings behind the scenes, orchestrating the South Conference.
"Well then, if you want to play, let's play and see who's stronger."
In the blink of an eye, the carriage vanished from sight, racing toward the distant horizon.
Meanwhile, several cyan figures spread out below where the carriage had passed, disappearing into the dense forest, leaving behind trails of green arcs.
As they drew closer to the Sea Clan fortress, the forest thinned out, giving way to the surging waves of the sea.
Sea Clan members from all directions, having received the message, began making their way toward the fortress.
As one group flew overhead, five figures suddenly appeared out of thin air, looking up.
Watching the Sea Clan members approach the fortress, they exchanged triumphant smiles.
"Those fools have no idea they're walking into death, not treasure. Hahaha."
"The young master's plan is flawless. All we need to do is watch and report back."
"They think they're hearing instructions from the formation, but they have no clue it's actually us, hidden and speaking to them."
"Of course..."
One of the Swift Shadow Clan members began to speak but abruptly fell silent, his eyes wide in shock as he pointed behind his comrade.
From the shadows of his fellow clansman emerged a figure clad in black soft armor, face hidden beneath a dark hood.
A black dagger, once liquid metal, solidified into a sharp blade as the figure stepped forward and plunged it into the Swift Shadow Clan member's throat.
The feeling of his soul force shattering resonated with him as he watched the same fate befall his companion. As his consciousness faded, he saw another black figure step over his fallen body, raising a deadly blade toward yet another unsuspecting clan member.