"Exactly, sirs, we absolutely mustn't! If they were targeting us from the start, that would be one thing. But if they're on some other mission, wouldn't we just be inviting disaster upon ourselves in the end?"

However, someone soon continued to examine the two intricately detailed and lifelike portraits that had been printed out. Even though they all felt that the true abilities of the individuals depicted were not far removed from supernatural feats like cloud surfing, they still sneered, "Absolute nonsense! Why should the Federation fear these people? We've encountered far stronger individuals than them!"

"Indeed! If the Federation lacks even the courage to face such people, how can we call ourselves the Federation? How can we achieve victory?! It's simply absurd—bolstering the enemy's morale while diminishing our own prestige..."

Fortunately, those who understood the impracticality of such actions were not inclined to compromise, as that would be tantamount to trifling with their own lives. So, despite facing these domineering hardliners, the secretaries still advised, "Sirs, this matter cannot be rushed. If we hurry, we'll get it all wrong. In my opinion, we should first dispatch patrols around the city to check for any anomalies. Then, have someone monitor those two individuals and see if they return..."

"Yes! We don't even know the Federation's current situation. If we inadvertently make a mistake and offend them without achieving anything good, they might be lenient, but what about this city?"

"...Besides, now that a few sirs have spoken with such vigor, it makes us seem timid before the battle has even begun. Why not let them go out and scout the situation? Shouldn't we first ensure our own stability..."

Those who had initially supported going out to fight immediately erupted in curses, "What the fuck! That's utter bullshit! I'm all for killing the enemy, but you bastards want to send me to my death..."

Unexpectedly, the proponents of peace simply spread their hands and said, "What else then? Do you really expect everyone to follow you blindly into madness? So, my suggestion is: let's be cautious, and then be even more cautious..."

After all, it's better to resolve enmity than to create it. Moreover, those two individuals were so powerful; perhaps they were even affiliated with the Federation, one of their own? Furthermore, ever since this cautious stance had been adopted, the hardliners, though seething with anger, dared not speak rashly anymore and could only glower.

Thus, the balance of power in the room immediately became clear. Consequently, those shrewd officials naturally made their decision at the earliest opportunity. As long as no one dares to fight, I can always afford to be a little more conservative. It's fine as long as I don't die...

Therefore, one of them ordered, "Men, increase the patrol strength! Ensure the surrounding wilderness areas are completely secure..."

At the same time, however, they could only sigh and inwardly plead, Heavens! Please, don't let what happened in Quan State occur here!! That would truly be fatal. Although no one was currently certain about the exact situation in Quan State, since it was a large-scale Beast Tide that had besieged the city, and its scale was far greater than before, how could Quan State possibly harbor even a slim hope of survival under such circumstances?

However, when some people considered this, they didn't feel helpless frustration; instead, an idea immediately sparked in their minds. So, they promptly spread out a map in their office, their gaze fixed on their city's marker. Immediately after, they made a round of phone calls. Only then did they finally confirm a fact.

"...Those two, they! They were heading to Quan State..."

No one knew the situation in Quan State. But did anyone truly not want to support Quan State? That was impossible! After all, in Quan State, at this very moment, their colleagues, friends, and comrades-in-arms were there! And as members of the Human Race, it was their undeniable duty.

But the problem now was that no one knew how far the situation in Quan State had deteriorated. Of course, if they could still dispatch a few Martial Emperor Experts to the rescue before Quan State was completely annihilated, then, even if it resulted in a crushing defeat, at least Quan State would have a hope of survival. And with them, the seeds of survival, meaning their friends and comrades, could also live!

Therefore, these people immediately grew agitated. Even though they couldn't verify the information, even though their hearts were filled with despair, upon the shackles of despair that bound their hearts, a glimmer of hope emerged. ...You, you must all survive!

Of course, Wang Zhan was unaware of this. If he knew that these people were pinning their hopes on him to save Quan State and deliver them from the dire straits of the Beast Tide, he would likely only be able to watch coldly, powerless to change anything... Because, even if one or two individuals were immensely powerful, what difference could they make?

War was never a matter for a single person; it concerned an entire race, an entire nation! Therefore, Quan State was virtually facing the entire Beast Clan alone. Unless they could quickly retreat and avoid battle before the enemy arrived, there would be no chance of survival. But people also knew that once they left the city, their lives and deaths would truly be beyond their control! Clearly, any sensible person with a shred of ambition, or even just the will to live, would absolutely not choose this option.

Therefore, the closer they got to Quan State, the more solemn Wang Zhan and the Old Man's expressions became. Although on the surface they still appeared to be racing against time, there was no longer any trace of their earlier lightheartedness. They only felt a growing weight. As the distance to Quan State shrank, the metaphorical distance in their hearts also closed, and the leaden weight within them seemed to plummet.

There, would be an unknown.

There, would be a tragedy.

There, would undoubtedly become a site of the most heroic and earth-shattering resistance by the Human Race since the Federation's founding.

The curtain of history would also begin to rise from this place...

Because they had no idea how many aspirational individuals of the Human Race were in Quan State, nor how many would perish! Wang Zhan even had a thought: I hope everyone in Quan State has already fled the battlefield like cowards. At least then, their lives would be spared, even if they have nothing left. But the next moment, he could only smile bitterly, because his idea was fundamentally contradictory. After all, if Quan State had truly decayed to such an extent, it might truly be utterly lost, with not a single person surviving, not even a chance to struggle. This was an irreversible outcome.

Although Wang Zhan didn't know it, from the very first moment the battle began, the people of Quan State had no choices left. Whether they lived or died, they could only entrust their lives to Quan State City! Because the enemies were almost numberless. But these were things Wang Zhan would only understand once he witnessed them firsthand.

After three days and nights, traversing plains and great rivers, high mountains and desolate deserts, passing countless cities and startling numerous beings along the way, the duo finally entered the territory of the Southwest states as they had wished. There, they saw cities all along their path, heavily fortified and on high alert!

Wang Zhan even recognized some acquaintances. Among them were individuals like Ku Zhu, Yang Zecheng, Boss Chen, and Tie Xiuqing—the 'seeds' Wang Zhan had dispatched to various locations throughout the Southwest states. And from what he could see, they seemed to be faring quite well. Although they couldn't reinforce Quan State or leave their cities for the time being, with their strength and shrewdness, it was evident they had already secured positions of considerable influence in their respective cities.

After all, this was true not only for lone wolves like Ku Zhu and Tie Xiuqing, who relied on their own strength to survive and had pledged allegiance to Wang Zhan, but also for the scions of noble families whom Yang Zecheng had cajoled... ahem, recruited, all the way from Jing State. None of them was a character one could easily trifle with. Even based on their status alone, once revealed, they would immediately become honored guests in these state cities, not to mention other factors. Don't forget, before their arrival, they had provided Wang Zhan with nearly dozens, even up to a hundred, Grandmaster Realm experts; Wang Zhan had merely taken temporary command of them. However, after the Beast Tide erupted, these experts would naturally rally around the scions of the noble families. Even if not direct subordinates, they served as devoted protectors, shielding them from external threats. And this was the unspoken understanding among these noble families.

Consequently, these young scions quickly regained their former confidence and authority, naturally stepping into prominent roles once more.

However, after passing through five or six cities, when Wang Zhan still hadn't found the acquaintance he had designated for overall strategic command, the one he'd saved for last, his expression grew increasingly grim. A rather unsettling premonition arose in his heart. But whether it was an encounter with rampaging beasts spreading chaos everywhere, or a stab in the back, in short, if it was the latter, then Wang Zhan could only pray that those responsible would never leave the slightest clue for him to find! Otherwise...

For a moment, Wang Zhan's thoughts grew exceptionally grim. However, given his high-speed flight through the air, no one could have possibly noticed his demeanor. Even the Old Man, now a renowned and formidable Martial Emperor Realm expert, was not omniscient.

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