The sky gradually darkened.

At nightfall, Wang Junze finally slowly opened his eyes.

With the help of the Inner Core, not only did Wang Junze fully recover his strength, but he also improved further, and his physical body once again advanced. Although such life-and-death struggles are certainly dangerous, the benefits are also evident.

The other disciples of the Profound Moon Sword Sect absorbed the Demon Beast Inner Core more slowly. Most of them were still cultivating, and Wang Junze did not disturb them, heading directly towards where Luo Bingyun and Luo Qingxuan were.

"You're awake?"

Glancing at Wang Junze, Luo Bingyun said indifferently, "You came just in time. Qingxuan and I were just discussing, do you have any suggestions for the next action?"

"Elder Luo, I want to know if you have any way to contact the Sect Leader?"

Thinking for a moment, Wang Junze answered with a question instead.

"Yes! But the cost is great!"

After a few moments of silence, Luo Bingyun finally answered slowly.

As she spoke, she turned her palm slightly, and a golden talisman appeared. She explained in a deep voice, "This is a Unity Talisman, a true Divine Talisman. It can ignore the constraints of distance and space to send a message directly, but I only have this one, and I can't replenish it. It can't be wasted unless absolutely necessary."

"Phew!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Junze finally let out a long breath.

It's good to have it!

"What do you mean? Didn't some disciples already return to send a message today?" Luo Bingyun asked, noticing Wang Junze's expression.

"They can't make it out of the Extreme North Wilderness." Shaking his head, Wang Junze explained, "If we were still trapped in the valley, they could surely escape back, but since we left... they will undoubtedly be caught by the Deserters!"

"Jing Yuan would not leave such a flaw. Even to prevent any eventuality, he would surely send people to track them."

"..."

Heart skipping a beat, Luo Qingxuan suddenly realized and couldn't help asking, "During the day, when they left, did you already anticipate this outcome?"

"Yes!"

With a calm expression, Wang Junze did not deny it, but frankly admitted, "Everyone must pay the price for their choices. They feared death and didn't dare to follow into the valley, opting for an opposite path to survival. If we die, they have a chance to live, and vice versa... it's the same!"

"..."

Opening her mouth, Luo Qingxuan wanted to say something but ultimately couldn't.

At that time, no one knew what would happen if they pursued into the valley. If Wang Junze and the others hadn't gone in, she would certainly have died, and even Luo Bingyun might not have escaped!

Everyone made different choices, leading to different outcomes.

The three of them did not choose to trust Luo Qingxuan and Wang Junze, opting instead to flee, so they couldn't blame Wang Junze for not warning them.

"Do you need me to send a message back now?" Luo Bingyun asked again.

"Not for now!"

After some thought, Wang Junze still refused.

First, such a Communication Talisman is extremely precious, and the current situation isn't dangerous enough to waste it.

Secondly, Zhou Dongfei entering the Wilderness too early might not be a good thing.

"So, should we keep hiding here?" Luo Qingxuan couldn't help asking again.

"No! Hiding here is meaningless!"

Wang Junze denied again, "I mentioned during the day, we must continue deeper into the Extreme North Wilderness, even... reach the Divine Court!"

"???"

Neither Luo Bingyun nor Luo Qingxuan could understand Wang Junze's logic.

During the day, saying to continue deeper could be understood as reverse thinking to avoid the Deserters' pursuit, but what does it mean to really continue deeper? Is he in a hurry to die?

Even if Zhou Dongfei could make it into the Wilderness, facing the Divine Court, he probably couldn't guarantee everyone's safety, right?

"I just realized this."

Pointing at the Divine Talisman in Luo Bingyun's hand, Wang Junze exhaled and then explained, "Elder Luo, don't you think it's strange? Why did the Sect Leader insist on us entering the Extreme North Wilderness to gather information?"

"Is it really just to compete with the Four Symbols Sect?"

"Isn't it to train you disciples?" Luo Bingyun hesitantly asked back.

"..."

Wang Junze couldn't help but smile bitterly, it seemed this Elder Luo wasn't particularly bright either!

Of course, he didn't dare to say this out loud, so he continued explaining: "If it is to train the sect's disciples, then more disciples should be sent into the Wilderness, and they shouldn't venture deep into it, but rather scout the periphery and experience some small-scale skirmishes."

"Our sect's most outstanding True Disciples are almost all here, including even Senior Sister Luo. If anything really goes wrong, the cost would be too dire—are we just gambling this away in the name of training disciples?"

"..."

This was indeed something Luo Bingyun hadn't figured out before. But according to Wang Junze, is Zhou Dongfei doing this deliberately?

"Trapping and killing the Four Symbols Sect members, forcing them to participate in this battle and resist the Deserters' invasion from the south!"

Taking a deep breath, Wang Junze said solemnly, "Only this reason is worth risking so much!"

"!!!"

This idea is just too insane!

Even though Luo Bingyun and Luo Qingxuan had considered many possibilities, they hadn't thought of such a scenario!

"The Four Symbols Sect colluding with Yuan Shouyi; once the Deserters invade from the south, they will certainly seize the chance to disrupt the Northern Domain's situation. They don't care how many die in the Northern Domain; they only care about how much profit can be gained from this battle!" Wang Junze continued, "If it weren't to seize the chance to negotiate with the Deserters, why would the Four Symbols Sect agree so easily to enter the Extreme North Wilderness?"

"They aim to use the Deserters' blade to rip open a gap in the Northern Domain, allowing the Four Symbols Sect to interfere openly!"

"Imagine if we die in the Extreme North Wilderness, with our sect suffering heavy losses, and the Deserters then move south... The Northern Domain will be in turmoil, lamenting everywhere. At that time, the Four Symbols Sect will forcibly intervene, joining Yuan Shouyi to repel the Deserters. Who will be able to refuse the Four Symbols Sect's entry into the Northern Domain?"

"By then, perhaps even our sect and everyone in the Northern Domain will have to beg the Four Symbols Sect for help!"

"…But why would the Deserters cooperate with the Four Symbols Sect?" Luo Qingxuan asked, confused.

"Because the Deserters simply can't occupy the Northern Domain!"

Wang Junze sighed, "From last time when Jing Yuan attacked Jubei City, it was clear that the Deserters don't have the power to swallow the Northern Domain, nor the intention. What they want... is just to plunder!"

"As the weather turns cold, the Deserters struggle to survive. They don't need to occupy the Northern Domain; as long as they seize resources, they can easily get through the winter while weakening the Northern Domain's power, making its situation even more chaotic. Later, should they truly desire to invade, it would be easier—a hundred benefits without harm!"

"This is Jing Yuan's true purpose!"

Shock!

Wang Junze's words truly shocked Luo Bingyun and Luo Qingxuan.

Although it sounded somewhat incredible at first, following Wang Junze's logic made it hard to deny that this indeed seemed the most likely scenario.

With a bitter smile, Wang Junze said softly, "These things I hadn't fully understood before, even back in the valley... I only instinctively thought about deceiving the Four Symbols Sect, but just now, I suddenly realized they would never stand against the Deserters!"

"Once Jing Yuan learns that people from the Four Symbols Sect have entered the Extreme North Wilderness, they definitely won't kill these people but will seize the chance to negotiate... targeting our sect!"

"Wait a minute!"

Suddenly remembering something, Luo Bingyun abruptly interrupted, "Do you mean that Zhou Dongfei has already guessed the intentions of the Four Symbols Sect, which is why he deliberately sent us deep into the Extreme North Wilderness?"

"Initially, I wasn't very sure either." Wang Junze's gaze fell on the Divine Talisman in Luo Bingyun's hand, and he answered softly, "Until Elder Luo showed this Talisman, I realized it. This Talisman is the Sect Leader's final safeguard for us!"

"If the situation truly becomes dire, as long as Elder Luo crushes the Talisman, the Sect Leader will personally come to the Extreme North Wilderness... But that would mean it's truly the time to stake everyone's lives, to fight desperately!"

"Bastard!"

Upon hearing this, Luo Bingyun couldn't resist cursing out loud.

She understood Zhou Dongfei too well!

Although these were all Wang Junze's analyses, upon hearing them, she was at least eighty percent sure this was definitely the truth!

It all seemed too much like Zhou Dongfei's handiwork.

Zhou Dongfei, the Profound Moon Sword Sect's Sect Leader, has never lacked boldness; he truly dares such audacity!

Moreover, Zhou Dongfei is far stronger than Wang Junze imagines, and much more confident!

When faced with the worst case, Zhou Dongfei is genuinely confident he can quell the Divine Court with a single sword and bring her and Luo Qingxuan safely back.

Of course, when it comes to that time… the Profound Moon Sword Sect may truly have to abandon the Northern Domain!

Yet none of these matters, not even a word, has Zhou Dongfei revealed to her; this is utterly infuriating.

Such remarks scolding the Sect Leader, Wang Junze naturally dared not follow, so he swiftly changed the subject.

"Thus, to prevent all this, we actually have only one path!"

With a determined glint in his eyes, Wang Junze said solemnly, "Venturing deep into the Extreme North Wilderness, find the Divine Court's location, stop the Four Symbols Sect and the Deserters from negotiating, or even... kill all the disciples of the Four Symbols Sect, forcing them to fight!"

"Will killing these disciples force the Four Symbols Sect to fight?" Luo Qingxuan couldn't help but ask.

"As long as we have evidence of the Four Symbols Sect colluding with the Deserters, they can only clear their name by joining the battle and helping our sect repel the Deserters!"

"Furthermore, if all these Four Symbols Sect members die in the Wilderness, for the sake of their sect's prestige, they absolutely must act in revenge!"

Wang Junze's eyes shone with determination, and he said solemnly, "We are already in the game, with no retreat... we must give everything to win!!!"

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