In the dense forests surrounding Changlan City, Mengte De'er and a few others arrived at the bank of a small river.

The few of them looked at each other, and then suddenly started speaking loudly.

"Dragon King, sir, are you really going to do this? Are you really going to make your breakthrough here?" Kuang Shi spoke with a stern face.

Jiang Chen laughed heartily and said, "Yes, Mr. Kuang Shi, I am indeed planning to make my breakthrough here, to the Innate level, which is your Paladin Realm. Don't worry, there won't be any problems. The Dark Spider people are probably on guard against our attack tonight; nobody would guess that the attack is just a ruse to divert their attention so I can have an undisturbed breakthrough."

"Then, Dragon King, sir, you'd better make your breakthrough quickly. I will solely be responsible for your protection. As for the affairs between Dragon Flame and Dark Spider, I need to inform my Corps Leader and let him decide whether to get involved," Kuang Shi said solemnly.

"Of course, it is indeed a matter that should be discussed with Corps Leader Yan Mo."

Jiang Chen nodded and then spoke teasingly: "Moreover, I plan to advance near dawn. Those Dark Spider trash are expecting us to attack them between 8 PM and midnight; they will be fully on guard. But that's when I will make my breakthrough."

As he spoke, Jiang Chen suddenly burst into a wild laugh: "Haha... By the time they get the news that I have reached the Paladin Realm at dawn, while they've been foolishly on high alert at their base, just thinking about the expression on their faces at that moment makes me feel utterly refreshed!"

Hiding quietly behind a tree dozens of meters away from the group, Mage Liesi's son's face suddenly changed. He looked darkly in the direction of Jiang Chen and the others before stealthily retreating.

When he thought he was at a safe distance, Mage Liesi's son took out his phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, Liesi, how is it going?" a tense voice from Mage Liesi came through the earpiece.

His son replied gravely, "Father, Dragon Flame Mercenary Corps' attack today is just a cover, meant to hide the fact that the Dragon King is planning to break through to Paladin tonight.

The Dragon King has decided to make the breakthrough just before dawn, in our most critical moment.

Father, you should come over quickly. Dragon King, Xuan Long, Scar, Wild Bear, Snake Woman, Kuang Shi—all these powerful individuals are here. The ones at the base are just their ordinary members; they're not a concern at all!"

"What? Dragon King is advancing to Paladin? No, we can't let him succeed!" The voice of Mage Liesi was filled with seriousness: "Liesi, did you hear why Kuang Shi is there? Is it possible that Burst Flame has teamed up with Dragon Flame?"

"No!"

His son shook his head and said, "I don't know why, but Kuang Shi is here to protect the Dragon King's breakthrough tonight. However, there's no cooperation with Burst Flame yet. Kuang Shi also mentioned that they need to discuss the matter with their Corps Leader Yan Mo."

"I see! That makes sense. Si Gelou must have been taken down by a joint strike from Xuan Long, Kuang Shi, and Dragon King. Otherwise, it couldn't have been so quick! Rest assured, as long as Dragon Flame doesn't have other reinforcements, tonight will be the last night for Dragon King and Xuan Long. Once we take them down, the Dragon Flame Mercenary Corps will pose no threat!"

With a sigh of relief, Mage Liesi's cloud of worry dissipated.

Ha ha, so that's how it is. I thought it was some significant conspiracy, but it turns out to be just a little trick of creating a diversion.

Feeling at ease, Mage Liesi continued, "Liesi, listen well. Don't get any closer now, just wait for us nearby. We'll act together once we arrive. You capture Scar alive, we'll kill the Dragon King and the others. Make absolutely sure they don't detect your presence."

"Father, don't worry, they haven't discovered me!" Mage Liesi's son said confidently.

...

In the headquarters of the Dark Spider Mercenary Corps, after hanging up the phone, Mage Liesi looked at ease as he turned to a middle-aged man in a G country military uniform standing next to him:

"General, your soldiers won't be needed tonight. They won't be taking any action, and you can withdraw your men."

"Mr. Mage Liesi, are you sure? To be honest, aside from a few of you, the combat strength of your mercenary corps really doesn't match the reputation of the top ten mercenary corps. Are you sure you don't need our strength?" the G country general asked in a grave voice.

With a light laugh, Mage Liesi shook his head, "No need. They won't attack. Their boss, the Dragon King, is breaking through to the Paladin Realm tonight in the dense forests outside Changlan City. Xuan Long and other senior members of the mercenary corps are all by his side for protection. For this breakthrough, he even invited Burst Flame's Kuang Shi for protection. They definitely won't attack tonight!"

"So that's how it is. Is this the Flame Dragon Kingdom's military tactic of making noise in the east and striking in the west? I've always been fascinated by the military tactics of the Flame Dragon Kingdom. With its long history, its tactics are indeed very practical. I just didn't expect that the Dragon Flame Mercenary Group would also have someone knowledgeable in military tactics!" exclaimed the G country general.

Mage Liesi smiled along, but inwardly he sneered, deeming the tactics inferior, "What nonsense military tactics. It's nothing more than being seen through by us. Seen through tactics are worse than a brainless berserk bear."

"Alright, since that's the case, we will withdraw." The G country general gave his instructions and left the room.

Soon after, the G country's troops departed from the base.

In the woods a few hundred meters from the base, An Bing lifted his head from the sniper rifle scope and said to An Long next to him in a low voice, "Brother An Long, the G country's army has left!"

"Good, keep a close watch. Once Xue Yu and the others arrive, as soon as Mage Liesi and his group leave, we'll make the Dark Spider understand that our Dragon Flame Mercenary Group is not to be trifled with. When the time comes, I will skin that traitor, Scorpion, alive to avenge our brothers who were sacrificed!"

An Long said through clenched teeth, a cold murderous intent flashing in his eyes, while the people around him all showed strong hatred.

During the initial clash with the Dark Spider, it wouldn't have been such a heavy loss had their number four man, Scar's former right-hand man Scorpion, not betrayed them by suddenly turning his gun on his own men.

Because of this incident, Scar was almost killed by An Long and others. It was only Xuan Long who went against everyone's opinion and saved Scar, which is why Scar had such great respect for Xuan Long!

...

Night fell, and without notice, the sky turned pitch black, as if aware that tonight was a night of murder, with the moon timidly hiding behind the clouds.

"They're coming out!"

In the woods outside the Dark Spider Mercenary Corps base, a middle-aged man beside An Long whispered.

An Long and the others tensed up, breathing more quietly.

Woohoo...

Several military vehicles drove out from the base, heading rapidly towards Changlan City.

"Mr. Mad Tiger, in that vehicle... is it them?" An Long asked quietly.

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