"You wish to participate in General Nanbai Zhaoyu's operation?" Elder Diansheng asked in surprise.

"Yes, Elder Diansheng," Lu Tianzi nodded resolutely.

"Is that so?" Elder Diansheng rubbed his chin in contemplation.

General Nanbai Zhaoyu had not kept this operation a secret, and had literally sent an open invite to many major influences within Bluenight City. As the top influence within the city, the Nine Suns Sect had naturally gotten wind of the matter as well.

However, what Elder Diansheng did not expect was for Lu Tianzi to volunteer for the operation.

After all, it was unlikely that there would be any significant benefits for Essence Condensation realm martial artists who participated.

Even the Origin Core realm martial artists who intend to participate would only be doing so as a show of goodwill.

Since that was the case, would it not be better for Lu Tianzi to just stay and cultivate within the Nine Suns Sect?

"Are you looking to gain combat experience through this operation?" Elder Diansheng asked. "If that is the case, I shall remind you that with how meticulous General Nanbai Zhaoyu is acting this time, it is unlikely that you will be getting much meaningful action anyway."

"That's not it, Elder Diansheng," Lu Tianzi shook his head. "I am truly interested in this human settlement, and would like to see it for myself. I believe that by doing so, I will be able to clear my mind, and therefore alleviate future bottlenecks on my martial path."

A load of crap, but there was nothing Elder Diansheng could say to that.

After all, every martial artist's martial path differed, and no one would be able to truly understand another's way of cultivation.

Just as he expected, Elder Diansheng agreed immediately.

Due to his stellar achievements during the Scarlet Moon Heroes Meet, Lu Tianzi was now the official golden boy of the Nine Suns Sect, and they wanted no part of holding him back in any way.

If Lu Tianzi felt that this experience would be beneficial to his martial path, then there was no reason for Elder Diansheng to refuse.

"Go then," Elder Diansheng nodded. "But like it or not, you will not be going alone. I shall accompany you on this trip to guarantee your safety."

"Thank you, Elder Diansheng!" Lu Tianzi clasped his fist gratefully.

He had expected as much.

Back then when Nanlan Qianxue was still regarded as the top genius of the Nine Suns Sect, Elder Wanglei had personally accompanied her to ensure her safety during the Beast Hunt.

Thus, it was not surprising that there would be an Elder following him this time either.

If anything, it was more of a boon than a bane.

This way, even if things went terribly wrong somehow, Lu Tianzi would at least have Elder Diansheng to depend on.

After all, Elder Diansheng was at the Third Cycle Origin Core realm. It should not be too difficult for him to at least hold back Hu Yuanbo while Lu Tianzi made an easy escape.

Now then, how exactly should he appear in front of all these people who might just be able to recognise him at first glance?

In fact, even if the demons in Shadowfront Fortress recognised him, they would probably start to doubt their own memories. After all, their leader General Nanbai Zhaoyu, and even the Scarlet Moon Overlord for that matter, had failed to see through his guise as a demon.

So who would ever believe that he was a human?

Even if some of them still stubbornly believed that he was a human martial artist from Ivory Rock City, given his current status, it was most likely that none of them would dare to do anything to him.

But with that said, it would still be best to avoid any such trouble altogether.

***

That evening, Lu Tianzi and Elder Diansheng met up with the rest of the group at the Northern Gate of Bluenight City.

Including Inscription Master Nanbai, there were five Origin Core realm martial artists already gathered, as well as around a dozen at the Essence Condensation realm.

It was not exactly a huge force. But coupled with the existing military might that Shadowfront Fortress possessed, it was definitely more than enough to deal with the likes of Ivory Rock City.

As the main coordinator of this reinforcement force, City Lord Nanlan was present as well. Even though he was not intending to join in the operation, he was here to check out the situation, as well as to send them off.

After all, the safety of Bluenight City was closely linked to that of Shadowfront Fortress to its North.

Not only him, but even his daughter Nanlan Qianbing had come over to take a look.

And when Nanlan Qianbing noticed Lu Tianzi approach, she felt her heart skip a beat.

It was not simply because it was Lu Tianzi. More so than that, it was due to the fact that Lu Tianzi was currently wearing a familiar concealing mask – the same one that she had gifted him during the grand feast at Bluenight Palace!

Back then, she had given it to Lu Tianzi more as a form of mockery than anything else.

Yet despite that, Lu Tianzi actually kept it with him all this while! And from the looks of it, he even seemed to be using it unabashedly at times!

Could it be..?

Nanlan Qianbing could not help but feel a warm feeling stir within her heart.

On the contrary, Lu Tianzi did not even notice Nanlan Qianbing's existence.

His head was now replaying the scenes of that very day when he was completely cast aside in the main square of the Officials District in Ivory Rock City.

The more he thought about it, the more he found himself seething with battle intent.

However, as this memory played out to the end, there was this one scene that caused his battle intent to waver slightly.

Perhaps there was one matter that he should try to accomplish during this operation after all..

Of course, that was only provided that doing so would not expose himself to any form of risks!

Aside from Nanlan Qianbing, the other martial artists present took a little longer to realise that it was Lu Tianzi. After all, they were unable to detect his cultivation level.

Still, the concealing mask was not enough to hide his facial features from the keen perception of Origin Core realm martial artists.

"Elder Diansheng, I see you have come along with young brother Tianzi!" City Lord Nanlan immediately came over to greet them.

"How can the Nine Suns Sect not heed the call of our comrades?" Elder Diansheng laughed. "It is a pity that the other Elders are too occupied with other matter to join us for this operation. Otherwise, it would not have required City Lord Nanlan's personal attention."

"This is nothing. Whatever it is that troubles the men of Shadowfront Fortress, it is of my concern as well," City Lord Nanlan shook his head. "Though I must say that I am surprised young brother Tianzi decided to come along too."

"Reporting to City Lord, this is to widen my horizons," Lu Tianzi answered respectfully.

"And it is a wise choice to do so as well," City Lord Nanlan nodded before turning to address everyone. "Now then, time is running late. General Nanbai Zhaoyu is still awaiting our arrival, so let's not keep him waiting. It is time to set off!"

"Yes, City Lord!" the leader of the group was an Origin Core realm subordinate of City Lord Nanlan. "Let's go!"

Under his lead, the Origin Core realm martial artists took off into the sky, bringing with them the accompanying Essence Condensation realm martial artists.

Lu Tianzi felt an invisible force stretch out from Elder Diansheng, wrapping around him and gently picking him up from the ground. In this manner, Elder Diansheng carried him along as they soared into the sky, joining the rest of the group as they headed straight for Shadowfront Fortress.

***

Dusk had already fallen by the time the group arrived at Shadowfront Fortress.

Nevertheless, General Nanbai Zhaoyu personally welcomed them upon their arrival, showing them to the common areas before gathering everyone in the war room, a huge chamber that was designed for the sole purpose of discussing strategies.

There were no chairs in the war room, only a detailed model of the surrounding terrain that had taken up the centre spot, forcing everyone to stand around it.

Right now, aside from General Nanbai Zhaoyu's five Peak Essence Condensation realm subordinates, only the Origin Core realm martial artists of the group that just arrived, as well as Lu Tianzi, were present in the war room.

This discussion was originally only meant for the Origin Core realm martial artists. But considering Lu Tianzi's current status, General Nanbai Zhaoyu ultimately decided to make an exception in his case.

"So that is about it," General Nanbai Zhaoyu wrapped it up after a long session of explanation. "Basically, one of us will be preventing the enemy leader from escaping to the North. One of us will be stationed at each of the East, West, and South Gates. The three of us remaining will lead the offence into the human settlement, wiping it clean of any martial artists at the Peak Essence Condensation realm or above. As for the remaining ones, they will be handled by the rest of our forces. Just remember to keep an eye out for the enemy leader. As long as the leader is spotted, contact everyone else before engaging."

"Sounds simple enough."

"I have no problems with it either."

The Origin Core realm martial artists in the room agreed one by one.

Listening by the side, Lu Tianzi could not help but be impressed by General Nanbai Zhaoyu's plan. Even with his understanding of the internal design of Ivory Rock City, he could not see any way of escaping from General Nanbai Zhaoyu's encirclement.

But at the same time, he could sense a faint killing intent being emanated from General Nanbai Zhaoyu, something that was completely absent during his interaction with the General while they were in Scarlet Moon City.

Did something happen yesterday that triggered his rage?

Or was General Nanbai Zhaoyu always like this when preparing for a battle?

Just as he was distracted by this matter, Elder Diansheng's voice suddenly sounded out in his head. "Nanlu Tianzi, will you be fine without me?"

"Yeah, I will be fine," Lu Tianzi answered by conveying his voice as well. "Enemies under the Peak Essence Condensation realm will not pose a threat to me."

"I thought as much," Elder Diansheng could not help but agree. "But in any case, do be careful. If any danger arises, contact me immediately. I will come to your side as quickly as I can."

"Understood," Lu Tianzi nodded.

"Since we will not be flying there, and considering the speed of the Essence Building realm soldiers, it will take slightly more than a day for us to arrive at our destination. Thus, let us not waste anymore time." General Nanbai Zhaoyu remarked. "If there are no objections, let us depart in an hour's time!"

The group adjourned from the war room at his suggestion, and only Inscription Master Nanbai stayed behind to talk to the General.

As for Lu Tianzi and Elder Diansheng, they left to join the rest at the common areas.

This one hour break was mainly meant for instructions to be relayed to the soldiers who had not been allowed in the war room. Thus, Lu Tianzi did not have much to do during this period.

Since he had time to spare, Lu Tianzi decided to take a short walk within the non sensitive areas of the fortress, and Elder Diansheng followed along as well.

It was this decision that finally allowed Lu Tianzi to understand just why General Nanbai Zhaoyu had suddenly decided to take down Ivory Rock City. And it was even from the casual chatter of two guards who had been completely oblivious to their presence.

"Have you heard? The five guardians actually tried to hide the loss of the General's precious treasure from him!"

"The General's precious treasure? Do you mean the item that the General has been cultivating in preparation to attack the Overlord realm?"

"What else could it be? The General spent such a long time cultivating it with the life essences of those human martial artists, even the five guardians were completely spooked when they found it missing!"

"Hahaha, I hope I was there to see their scared faces! I guess the General found out after his return, eh? Is that why the General is suddenly in such a foul mood, even deciding to destroy the human city?"

"Are you an idiot? That's not because of his foul mood, but because the General believes that the treasure is now in the hands of the human leader. Anyway, that's not the point. What I wanted to say is that.. I finally managed to find out what this treasure actually is!"

"Oh? What is it?"

"I overheard from the conversation among the five guardians that it is a mid ranked beast core, but not just an ordinary one. Because it had been carefully cultivated over such a long period of time, it has already reached a state where it is no different from a high ranked beast core!"

"A high ranked beast core?!" the other guard was shocked.

But other than the guard, both Lu Tianzi and Elder Diansheng who had concealed themselves to eavesdrop on the conversation were just as shocked by what they just heard!

Elder Diansheng furrowed his eyebrows.

If the words of these two guards were anything to be trusted, then they had just managed to learn quite a few secrets that had been hidden from the various influences within Bluenight City.

However, Lu Tianzi's thoughts were on something entirely different.

From the sound of it, the mysterious red pearl that he had obtained from the fortress' treasury back then was equivalent to a high ranked beast core.

If a mid ranked beast core was obtained from an Origin Core realm beast, then he could only imagine just how precious a high ranked beast core actually was!