Wang Junze, of course, did not have such influence, but the Profound Moon Sword Sect and the Judgment Department did, as did the enormous interests within the relic.

After the battle at Broken Dragon Cliff, Wang Junze had already proven to the world that he was not favored by Luo Qingxuan and Lu Qing just because of luck, but because he was a true Sword Path Genius. Such a person would never be easily abandoned by either the Profound Moon Sword Sect or the Judgment Department.

In Jubei City, countless eyes were watching Wang Junze's every move.

Therefore, he and Lu Qing leaving the city for the Cloud Mirror Sect was not a secret at all.

The upheaval at the Cloud Mirror Sect and the ensuing mountain closure order were even less of a secret.

These sects and families couldn't all be fools, and not a single one failed to recognize the danger and opportunity within.

Luo Qingxuan certainly would not fail to recognize this.

In fact, just as Wang Junze was leaving the city, Luo Qingxuan received the news and directly had people inform some sects and families. This is also why some sects and families claimed to come by command.

They wanted to do Wang Junze a favor, yet also use this method to express to Luo Qingxuan their adherence to the Profound Moon Sword Sect's orders.

What's more, with the opening of the relic imminent, Wang Junze entering it was almost certain. Helping Wang Junze today would surely have him reciprocate when the relic opened, wouldn't it?

At that time, as long as Wang Junze lends them a hand, or speaks well of them before Luo Qingxuan and Su Yuwei, it would be enough to earn them more benefits from the relic. Isn't it worth it?

When all this converged, it was no wonder that sects and families rushed to the Cloud Mirror Sect to support Wang Junze.

Wang Junze had not experienced this before, so naturally, he did not think of it previously.

But after Lu Qing reminded him, and upon seeing so many people arriving, with a bit of thought, he could easily understand the situation.

The battle in the Cloud Mirror Sect seemed dangerous, but from the start, Su Yuwei had anticipated that it would end without danger, and the existence of that Jade Pendant was the final insurance. Based on this alone, Su Yuwei no longer needed to make any other arrangements.

Run!

Almost without hesitation, several Deserter experts had no intention of a fight to the death. Realizing victory was impossible, they directly chose to flee!

The battle abruptly collapsed almost instantly!

On the other side, as more members of the sects arrived, Liu Zongqing was utterly hopeless.

While these Deserters might still have a chance to escape back to the Extreme North Wilderness, what about him?

The plan failed, achieving none of its goals, not only causing him to lose the Cloud Mirror Sect's excellent foundation but, without any achievement, he held no value for the Deserters should he escape to the Wilderness.

A person without value, how could he survive in the Extreme North Wilderness?! He would only be casually eliminated by the Deserters, or even become the scapegoat for this failed operation!

"Hahaha, twenty years of painstaking efforts, destroyed in an instant! Wang Junze, I did not lose to you, but to this overwhelming force!"

Showing a trace of madness in his eyes, Liu Zongqing no longer attempted to resist but chose to self-destruct by igniting his Divine Soul!

Boom!

A terrifying flame shot up into the sky, as the True Qi within Liu Zongqing's body suddenly erupted, becoming a blaze that incinerated his flesh and Divine Soul together.

He had no escape route, nor was he willing to suffer the humiliation of being captured, making this his best end!

Born in Cloud Mirror, raised in Cloud Mirror, yet ashamed to be buried there, he could only return to ruins in fire, becoming dust to remain in the mountains forever.

...

Extreme North Wilderness.

"Jing Yuan, it's your move, what are you looking at?"

Sitting before the chessboard, Nini glanced at Jing Yuan, who was gazing towards Jubei City, and spoke up discontentedly.

"In some games, before placing a piece, it's already known to lead to certain death, yet why do people still make the move?"

Without turning his head, Jing Yuan whispered.

"Certain death? I haven't lost yet!" Nini immediately widened her eyes, pointing at the chessboard discontentedly.

"Haha, yes, yes! Nini hasn't lost, it's I who have lost."

Drawing his gaze back to look at Nini, Jing Yuan pushed aside the chessboard, laughing with affection.

"Lord Jing Yuan, spies from the city report there are no anomalies in Jubei City; Luo Qingxuan, Su Yuwei, and Yuan Shouyi have not left the city."

Speaking lightly, a Deserter hurriedly came from outside to report.

Waving a hand, Jing Yuan responded calmly: "Understood, have the Great Snow Wolf Riders retreat... This round, we have lost."

"Great Snow Wolf Riders? Jing Yuan, did you deploy the Great Snow Wolf Riders?" Hearing Jing Yuan's conversation with the Deserter, Nini was shocked, eyes wide with surprise as she asked.

"It was just in case." Shaking his head, Jing Yuan replied softly: "Never held much hope; it was merely a casual move, nothing regrettable about its failure."

"Jing Yuan, were you planning to capture Jubei City?"

Nini, though not foolish, upon hearing Jing Yuan's words, quickly realized Jing Yuan's intent.

"Not exactly!" Shaking his head, Jing Yuan replied calmly: "Jubei City isn't so easily breached. Neither do I have sufficient forces to take it; it was just about seizing an opportunity. If anyone from their side had made a stupid move, we might gain some advantage; while unable to breach Jubei City, we could cause enough pain to the Human Race to distract them from contesting for the relic."

"Ah, Jing Yuan, you actually have a moment of miscalculation." Nini wasn't concerned by Jing Yuan's talk of failure; rather, she was surprised that Jing Yuan's plan could fail.

"There's no such thing as always winning." Smiling, Jing Yuan replied with a soft smile: "Never underestimate the Human Race, just like our new friend... Nini wouldn't underestimate him either, right?"

"Ah! Jing Yuan, you didn't send someone after him, did you?" When Wang Junze was mentioned, Nini asked with some anxiety.

"Rest assured, he's not so easy to kill." Jing Yuan looked at Nini with slight helplessness, then explained: "Having survived Broken Dragon Cliff, he won't easily die."

"What about our people? Will they be killed by him?" At this, a trace of hesitation surfaced on Nini's small face. She didn't want Wang Junze dead, yet she didn't want to see the Deserters killed by him either!

"Mercy doesn't lead troops!" Jing Yuan explained softly: "Princess Nini, remember, sacrifices can be made to achieve a goal, just like in chess... when it's time to sacrifice a piece, one must be willing to, as only then can victory be achieved."

"Nini doesn't understand, why must there always be victory and defeat? Isn't peace better?"

"It's alright; you'll understand in time." Smiling, Jing Yuan didn't offer further explanation, answering softly.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.