"Lin Zhao, you scoundrel!"
Bai Ye slammed his fist into a tree that required two people to embrace, snapping it in half. His true form as a white fox appeared behind him, trembling with rage. He had never imagined that Lin Zhao would employ such a ruse, a diversionary tactic. He had pretended to capture the lives of fifty thousand humans in the sheep procession, but in reality, he had executed a decisive blow, directly assaulting the demon race's four military camps and their eighty thousand strong logistical base. This meant the demon race would still have to dispatch a large number of supplies from their ancestral mountain southward, as the forces in those four camps simply could not sustain themselves otherwise.
"Hmph!"
Feng Quan crossed his arms, speaking indifferently, "Actually, we should have guessed long ago that the fifty thousand sheep procession gifted by Chen Xi were people from the barbarian tribes. They have always been mortal enemies of the Great Shang Dynasty. Why would Lin Zhao save these fifty thousand people?"
"Senior Disciple Sister!"
Bai Ye gritted his teeth. "Return to the sect immediately. Perhaps we can still make it!"
"It's too late."
Shi Jun Gang's expression was bleak, her heart a whirlwind of emotions. The intentions of her deployment at Jiuzhangyuan had been completely discerned by Lin Zhao, leading to her own demise. That devastating defeat was unforgettable, and now she had lost again, this time while commanding eighty thousand troops across four camps. After losing so much in terms of provisions and supplies, how would she explain herself to the Ancestral Mountain?
Even if her master, Ning Yuan Sheng, would defend her, she feared that in the eyes of Yu Zhi and even the Demon Ancestor, she had already become deeply disappointing. If that were the case, then she, Shi Jun Gang, would have no future in the demon race.
"The army will escort the sheep procession back to Panyun Mountain."
Shi Jun Gang frowned and said, "Lord Feng Quan, lead all cultivators of the seventh realm and above who can fly with the wind to Panyun Mountain as quickly as possible. If you encounter Lin Zhao, sever his head!"
"Yes!"
Feng Quan nodded.
In an instant, figures ascended into the air from the snowy forest, returning to the main camp at the fastest possible speed.
...
Panyun Mountain, the Demon Race's Great Camp.
After two hours of intense battle, Lin Zhao and Leng Yan's battle robes were soaked in blood. Lin Zhao, in particular, had killed so many demons that his white robe was almost entirely stained red. Although the system was constantly refreshing and removing the bloodstains, the crimson hue almost never faded. The four demon race camps on Panyun Mountain had all been breached, and a large amount of provisions and supplies were engulfed in raging flames.
"That's about enough."
Lin Zhao glanced eastward. The demon race's upper five realms, upon learning of the news, would return very quickly. He raised his hand abruptly and said in a deep voice, "Don't linger in battle. Take the supplies and retreat!"
"Yes, my Lord!"
Countless Snow Region cavalry raised their weapons and then descended the mountain like a tide. On the mountain, countless demon soldiers, pushed back with no escape, watched the retreating human forces. For the first time in their lives, they felt such fear. The lower five realm demon youngsters looked terrified, huddling together and trembling. It seemed everything was different from the legends. The old demons in the tea houses in the demon world's martial arts circles did not speak of this. According to the old demons, demon warriors could face ten human soldiers alone. In the past, the ten demon race camps had fought valiantly, annihilating hundreds of thousands of human soldiers, displaying unparalleled might. But now, the Snow Region cavalry led by Lin Zhao seemed like gods descended from heaven, utterly unmatchable!
At Jiuzhangyuan, behind Lin Zhao were over twenty thousand cavalry and hundreds of supply carts laden with weapons and provisions. Leng Yan, by his side, smiled, clearly enjoying the battle. Lin Zhao, however, raised his eyebrows and looked towards Jiuzhangyuan.
At that moment, beneath a massive cliff face at Jiuzhangyuan, Tan Xin, the old ancestor of the Coffin Bearers lineage, couldn't help but feel a jolt. Lin Zhao's gaze was clearly directed at her, filled with a warning. What did that mean?
"Old Ancestor."
Two elders stood respectfully by her side. One of them said, "The two thousand-plus cavalry from the Snow Region Heavenly Lake have returned fully loaded from Panyun Mountain. The demon race's camps have suffered a great defeat. Should we... intercept them? Otherwise, it will be difficult to explain to the demon race."
"Intercept?"
Tan Xin frowned. "Do you think Lin Zhao, leading over twenty thousand Snow Region cavalry, cannot destroy our Coffin Bearers lineage? Don't forget that Zhuang Zhi, Mu Zha, Chen Ben, Chu Yu, and that group are still by his side. Furthermore, Lin Wanhua of Fusu Great Wall and Lin Xingchu of Xi Jian River are also formidable individuals who can arrive in an instant. Must our Coffin Bearers lineage stubbornly push our luck against their blades?"
The elder hurriedly said, "Your subordinate did not mean that, only that the demon race side..."
"I understand."
Tan Xin thought for a moment and said, "Issue an order. The entire Coffin Bearers clan will migrate a hundred miles to the west, then fly south across the Snow Ridge. We will no longer entangle with Lin Zhao; it is meaningless. After moving south, there will be countless human villages among the mountains, all of which will be excellent cauldrons for our cultivation."
"Yes, Old Ancestor is wise!"
Tan Xin took a deep breath. To be so easily scared away, while deeply unwilling, what choice did she have? If they truly dared to confront the Snow Region Heavenly Lake head-on, it would be a dead end. Her own deceased master, with his primary body at the eleventh realm, his flying zombie at the eleventh realm, and his ferocious ghost at the eleventh realm, was still killed. What was she in comparison? It was better to find a place to cultivate diligently, refine the flying zombie first, and seek the opportunity to step into the upper five realms. When the time came to refine this flying zombie into the legendary twelfth realm wandering zombie, she would then consider revenge.
...
The moment the vast army arrived at the foot of the Snow Region Heavenly Lake Mountain, Lin Zhao finally felt at ease. He looked back and saw streaks of dense starlight flying from the east and landing on Panyun Mountain. It was the demon race cultivators led by Feng Quan, Bai Ye, and others of the upper five realms, numbering over a thousand people. Fortunately, he had ordered a timely retreat, otherwise, the Snow Region Heavenly Lake would have suffered significant losses.
"Ayan, Lin Zhao!"
Not far away, Shen Xingchen greeted them with a smile.
Lin Zhao and Xu Yan dismounted together and met with Shen Xingchen. It was at this moment that a chime sounded in Lin Zhao's ear. As expected, the plot compensation had arrived again.
"Ding!"
System prompt: Congratulations on completing the plot mission "Surprise Attack on Panyun Mountain Great Camp." You have received plot compensation rewards: Current Level Experience +85%, Charm +1, Gold +8000, Prestige +5000!
...
A shower of golden light descended from the sky. He was now level 114. Although he hardly did any quests or grind monsters for experience, Lin Zhao had managed to secure the top spot on the White Emperor City leveling leaderboard at level 114. Even Shen Xingchen was only level 113. Following closely were Su Xinghe and Xian Bai at level 110. In short, although Lin Zhao had not revealed himself to the players of the national server, he was almost universally known. Moreover, the legend that Bai Yi, the leader of the Crimson Moon Knights, might be Lin Baiyi of the Snow Region Heavenly Lake, had been constantly discussed on forums and major social platforms, though without sufficient proof. Those who were unaware speculated freely, while those who knew smiled knowingly. Since Lin Zhao did not wish to reveal his identity, others would not presume to act on his behalf.
"Leveled up, huh..."
Shen Xingchen said with envy, "Is that the plot compensation reward you just received?"
"Mm."
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded, then looked at Xu Yan beside him. "Ayan, do you have one too?"
"Yes."
Leng Yan nodded emphatically and said with a smile, "I got 35% experience, and some gold and prestige. It's quite good."
Lin Zhao was slightly taken aback. "Not much. I got 85% of the experience. It seems that although you joined the plot system with me, the rewards are quite different."
"It's normal for them to be different."
Leng Yan was quite philosophical. "After all, you are the planner of this surprise attack and the commander of the three armies. It's normal for you to get more. I was just tagging along. Getting 35% experience reward is already very good."
Lin Zhao nodded with a smile, looking at Leng Yan's level, which was only 108. There was already a gap between her and top-tier players like Shen Xingchen, Su Xinghe, and Xian Bai. He frowned. In his heart, Young Lady Leng had always been on the same level as these people and should not be left behind. He then looked into his inventory. There wasn't much of the twelfth realm Wuchou meat left, but he still unhesitatingly swung his sword and cut off half of it, enough for about four days. After consuming this Wuchou meat, Leng Yan's level would undoubtedly catch up to Su Xinghe, Xian Bai, and the others.
"Ayan."
He took out the Wuchou meat and handed it to Leng Yan. "Roast it when you have time. It should boost your experience by about 3 levels."
"Ah?!"
Leng Yan's delicate mouth parted. Upon seeing the description of the Wuchou meat, her pretty face blushed. She was willing to share even such a precious item. Had this guy finally opened up? He knew how to give her small gifts now...
Who would have thought that Lin Zhao would scratch his head and say, "This is all that's left after killing the twelfth realm Wuli last time. Eat this for now. I'll give you other experience-boosting items later. If you get anything good, don't forget me either. Lin Zhao of the Snow Region Heavenly Lake never dislikes having too many good things."
Shen Xingchen let out a snort, covering her face, unwilling to speak.
Leng Yan's cheeks were flushed. She had thought too much again. His kindness towards her was always hidden and reserved.
"Alright!"
Leng Yan mounted her horse and said, "Xingchen and I are going to continue taking quests and grinding monsters. You do your thing. If you need any help, just say so. We'll be hanging around the Snow Region Heavenly Lake for the next few days."
"Mm."
Lin Zhao also mounted his horse and looked at Shen Xingchen. "Xingchen, have the matters of the Crimson Moon Knights been arranged properly?"
"..."
Shen Xingchen rolled her eyes. "Everything is in order. With Chen Xue, Ding Chi, and Lu Han holding the fort, what is there to worry about? Besides, even the donkeys in the production team need a break, right?"
Lin Zhao laughed heartily, feeling a little embarrassed. "That's true, but you're smarter and much prettier than the donkeys in the production team."
Shen Xingchen was speechless. If she were concerned about her image, she would have pouted at him.
...
Late at night.
The seventy thousand strong demon army was marching rapidly back to Panyun Mountain. Shi Jun Gang rode a white warhorse, her entire body enveloped in a black robe. As she looked up, Panyun Mountain was covered in ashes everywhere. All the camps had been burned to the ground. Even the camps where grain was stored were still emitting flames. It was snowing at the moment, and the army couldn't even assemble a single tent. Was she going to tremble in the snow with a group of demon soldiers?
She looked towards the Snow Region Heavenly Lake, her beautiful eyes filled with boundless killing intent. She hated it too much!