Chapter 2206: The Brood Mother's Decision

In fact, ever since that day, the Insect and Blood races had begun to utilize the Crane Wing Formation. They had even learned through their own channels that the Human Race's Military Affairs Department had acquired a new Dao pattern, which was subtly related to the Crane Wing Formation. The Military Affairs Department had been expending enormous effort researching this Dao pattern in recent days.

A single Crane Wing Formation held little significance, as no matter how powerful it was, it couldn't alter the overall situation of the Motley. However, if the human race were to create more of these formations, the outcome would be unpredictable. At that point, Path Revealer realm cultivators might find themselves outmatched, and relying solely on Soul Unification realm cultivators would be insufficient.

Unfortunately, after the Battle of Blood Cloud that day, the formation had only appeared briefly before vanishing. Therefore, the Mother Worm hadn't expected it to resurface in her own war zone after more than half a year!

How could the Mother Worm not pay close attention to this? She had already investigated and learned that the Human Race's Military Affairs Department had made little progress in researching that Dao pattern. In other words, apart from the initial Crane Wing Formation, the human race was unable to replicate it. The individual at the core of this Crane Wing Formation was undoubtedly the key.

The scene before her froze, reflecting the moment Lu Ye struck with his short hammer. The Mother Worm gazed deeply, as if to imprint his appearance into the depths of her soul. Moments later, a surge of pure soul power emanated from her.

Suddenly, a voice echoed in the spiritual sea: "Mother Worm, is something wrong?" If nothing were amiss, the Mother Worm wouldn't have contacted him. The speaker quickly realized he wasn't the only one; all Soul Unification realm cultivators across the entire war zone had established a connection with the Mother Worm. This was a feat only the Mother Worm could achieve, as almost every Soul Unification realm cultivator carried a stone bug specifically for her to facilitate communication. In fact, all major strategic deployments within the war zone were orchestrated by the Mother Worm.

"There's someone I want brought here!" the Mother Worm said concisely.

"Who is important enough for the Mother Worm to value so highly?" another voice asked.

"The one who killed Rong Chi," the Mother Worm replied.

A third voice resonated in the spiritual sea: "Is the Mother Worm interested in that formation?" These Soul Unification realm cultivators were already aware of Rong Chi's death; after all, many cultivators from the Insect and Blood races had escaped that day, and with the Mother Worm's presence, first-hand intelligence was obtained immediately. An ordinary Path Revealer realm human wouldn't pique the Mother Worm's interest, but if it involved that formation, it was a different matter. These Soul Unification realm cultivators had also been investigating that formation recently, but useful information was scarce.

"Such a formation is indeed worth valuing. If we could obtain its core patterns, it would be far simpler for our Blood Race to deploy formations than for the humans." When it came to forming formations, the Blood Race truly held a considerable advantage over other races, as their Blood Seas could merge with one another, providing a natural facility for formation deployment. However, ordinary formations were often of limited use, sometimes even less effective than a simple fusion of Blood Seas.

"It's called the Crane Wing Formation, isn't it? I recall the Huang family creating one many years ago, but it unfortunately didn't prove effective."

"The Huang family's formation only involved dozens of people, which is quite different from this one. I am rather curious why Rong Chi died under the assault of this formation. Though he was rather useless, he still possessed a cultivation of the Second Layer Soul Unification realm."

"Carelessness and underestimation of the enemy—who else would die if not him?" a disdainful voice interjected, seemingly at odds with Rong Chi. None of the Soul Unification realm cultivators believed that a Path Revealer realm cultivator could kill a Soul Unification realm cultivator solely with a formation; carelessness and underestimation were the best explanations.

"Even if he was careless and underestimated the enemy, the power this formation can unleash should not be underestimated. That's a level beyond what a Path Revealer realm cultivator can achieve."

"A Path Revealer killing a Soul Unification cultivator is a joke in itself."

"A joke? Pei Dan from Blood Cloud Battle Star was indeed killed by a Path Revealer. Although Pei Dan's strength was slightly inferior to Rong Chi's, it was only by a narrow margin."

"Pei Dan's death was related to the Bifu. That Bifu is now in the possession of the human race's Yan family."

"However, according to the information I've gathered, the human who killed Pei Dan should possess another Bifu, and their compatibility with it is very high."

"It's a pity we haven't been able to ascertain that person's whereabouts; he's either in hiding or has disguised himself."

"Alright, enough idle chatter. I've summoned you here for this formation."

The many Soul Unification realm cultivators immediately fell silent.

A moment later, the first speaker asked, "The person is at Fengtai Outpost. How do we get them here? Should I just go directly and eliminate them?"

The Mother Worm shook her head. "No, the moment you make a move, the human Soul Unification realm cultivators will react. We only have one chance. If we alert them, the human race will become vigilant."

"The Mother Worm means..."

"Let's use our sleeper agents!"

After a few moments of silence, a voice spoke again: "Is it worth it?" Both the Human Race's War Alliance and the Giant Race harbored Blood Race sleeper agents, and in significant numbers. However, ordinary sleeper agents couldn't achieve much. This time, to capture the target alive, they would undoubtedly need to deploy a Soul Unification realm sleeper agent. Such agents had been dormant among the humans for at least a thousand years, each one incredibly valuable. Was it truly worth sacrificing one for a mere Path Revealer realm cultivator?

The Mother Worm said, "If these formation patterns are truly as I imagine, then it's worth it!"

"Since the Mother Worm has made her decision, we will naturally cooperate."

"How exactly should we proceed?"

The Mother Worm smiled faintly, a truly enchanting sight, though unfortunately, no one was there to witness it. She calmly elaborated, and a plan was quickly decided.

At Fengtai Outpost, Lu Ye put away his Alliance Guard Token. Zi Ying had just sent a message, instructing them to wait two more days at Fengtai until representatives from Huang Quan verified the previous battle's conditions. Only then could they proceed to rendezvous with her. Lu Ye naturally complied; after all, the Crane Wing Camp was Zi Ying's direct subordinate unit, merely seconded to assist temporarily. Now that Fengtai Outpost had been successfully defended, they naturally didn't need to remain there.

Just two days later, representatives from Huang Quan Battle Star indeed arrived. They sought out numerous cultivators within the outpost to verify the battle conditions of that day, and the Crane Wing Camp was also questioned. Since Lu Ye had given instructions beforehand, those questioned naturally knew what to say. Once everything concluded, Du Feng immediately summoned Lu Ye, expressing immense gratitude. Based on his prior actions, Du Feng should have been held accountable, but now, not only would he avoid accountability, he even gained some merit. Since the Crane Wing Camp hadn't hindered him, he was naturally very thankful.

"Commander Du, since everything here is settled, my Crane Wing Camp will take our leave. Lord Zi Ying recently messaged that the battle on her side is fierce and requires our support."

Du Feng nodded, "Of course, I'll see you off."

As they parted, Du Feng added, "Commander Lu, the future is long. I, Du Feng, am a grateful person. Let's see what unfolds." Lu Ye understood his meaning and, clasping his fist, said, "Farewell!"

Reaching the Crane Wing Camp's station, Lu Ye gave a signal, and everyone followed closely behind, leaving Fengtai Outpost and heading towards Zi Ying's location.

However, just moments after they departed, a streak of light swiftly approached from behind. Before the person arrived, their voice had already reached them: "Commander Lu!"

Lu Ye and the others halted, turning to see Du Quan hurrying toward them. Upon reaching them, he clasped his fist and saluted, "Commander Lu!" Puzzled, Lu Ye asked, "Why have you come?"

Du Quan quickly explained, "The Insect and Blood races have suddenly launched a large-scale attack on various outposts. The nearby Feng-level outpost has called for aid, and other outposts are embroiled in fierce battles. Only Fengtai Outpost is able to dispatch troops for assistance. Commander Du has issued an order: the Crane Wing Camp is requested to return and rendezvous with him!"

Lu Ye frowned. "Our Crane Wing Camp does not fall under Fengtai Outpost." The implication was that the Crane Wing Camp was not subject to Du Feng's command.

Du Quan said with a forced smile, "Commander Du said he earnestly requests Commander Lu to help with this matter. Additionally, he has already messaged Lord Zi Ying about this, and it was with Lord Zi Ying's permission that he sent me here." Du Feng likely wouldn't dare to fabricate such a claim, so it was highly probable that he had indeed messaged Zi Ying. Nevertheless, to be safe, Lu Ye picked up his Alliance Guard Token and messaged Zi Ying to confirm.

The final response was indeed as Du Quan had stated: Zi Ying instructed him not to come for now, as the pressure on her side was not significant. "Commander Li Qi, the commander of the Feng-level outpost, possesses a cultivation of the Sixth Layer Soul Unification realm. His opponent's strength must be equally formidable, so absolutely do not approach their battlefield. The Crane Wing Camp only needs to deal with Path Revealer realm cultivators!" Zi Ying further cautioned.

While any Soul Unification realm cultivator could serve as an outpost commander, there were significant disparities in strength among them. Du Feng was only at the Second Layer, whereas Li Qi was at the Sixth Layer. Lu Ye quietly calculated: a Sixth Layer Soul Unification realm cultivator meant Li Qi could command at least seventy strands of Dao power. Coupled with the six-fold amplification from his Dao patterns, the destructive force he could unleash from these seventy strands would increase by another sixty percent. Even the current Lu Ye could not match such power. Furthermore, a powerhouse of Li Qi's caliber must have already begun nurturing his Dao soldiers; with the additional enhancement from them, his strength would be even greater. An opponent capable of engaging such a powerful cultivator would undoubtedly be formidable, and the battlefield of these two Soul Unification realm cultivators was indeed no place for a mere Crane Wing Camp to meddle.

With confirmation, Lu Ye immediately prepared to lead the Crane Wing Camp back. Du Quan added, "Commander Du said there's no need to return to Fengtai. Commander Lu simply needs to lead his men to rendezvous with him." Fengtai Outpost had already been emptied, its forces now heading toward the Feng-level outpost under Du Feng's command.

Just half an hour later, they spotted a large group of cultivators approaching from the side in the distance, led by Du Feng. Upon meeting, Du Feng laughed heartily, "Commander Lu, I am truly sorry, but the military situation is urgent, and I must once again request the assistance of your esteemed unit."

"No worries," Lu Ye nodded slightly.

In truth, Lu Ye was indifferent to such matters. The reason he had initially agreed to Zi Ying was his desire to acquire Dao bones for cultivation on the battlefield; the more intense the combat, the greater the opportunities for the Crane Wing Camp to prove itself and yield more substantial gains. However, Lu Ye keenly observed that Du Feng appeared somewhat nervous and apprehensive. This was not surprising; as a Second Layer Soul Unification realm cultivator, he was now about to participate in a Sixth Layer Soul Unification realm battlefield, so he would naturally feel uneasy. After all, he was inherently timid, which was why he had deserted during the previous battle.