Chapter 1397 - 50: Is Wang Shouzhe the Ultimate Villain?

The border between the two countries.

In a small valley near Nether Gate Ridge, countless soldiers are camped here, densely packed like worker ants in an anthill.

The moon and stars are sparse in the sky, the ground is silent on all sides, leaving only the rustling sounds made by the soldiers on night patrol, the sound of the wind, and occasionally the howl of Fierce Beasts.

The Central Army’s location, the Rock Armor Giant Elephant, like a small hillock, is kneeling on the ground, quietly dozing off.

On the back of the Rock Armor Giant Elephant, inside the spacious Elephant House, Murong Kaifong is, as usual, studying strategic tactics against a newly drawn map.

The fluorescent glow from the Fluorescent Stone Spirit Lamp reflects on his face, making the "川" wrinkle on his brow more prominent.

"Grand Marshal."

At this moment, Prince Beimian’s voice rings outside.

"Please come in, Your Highness."

Murong Kaifong collects his thoughts, seeing Prince Beimian pushing the wooden door open and entering.

The two exchange greetings, and then Prince Beimian starts to speak: "The scouts we sent out have all returned. The entire Nether Gate Ridge area is very quiet, no abnormalities detected."

"No abnormalities..." Murong Kaifong’s gaze deepens, his expression not relaxing in the slightest, "Even if our marching is concealed, it’s impossible to completely hide it from the East Qian Kingdom."

"Logically, they can’t be unprepared. According to past practice, they should have already set up defenses near Nether Gate Ridge, attempting to exhaust us while we are still unstable... there must be some trickery involved."

"It is indeed unusual." Prince Beimian nods, agreeing, "The scouts in the army are trained veterans with rich experience. If there’s truly deception that could evade their search, it must be beyond ordinary means."

After thinking for a moment, he bluntly suggests: "It’s better if I personally take a trip to see what kind of trick the East Qian Kingdom is playing."

Murong Kaifong is slightly surprised, then delighted, and thanks him solemnly: "I leave it to Your Highness."

"The Grand Marshal is too kind."

Without wasting words, Prince Beimian briefly discusses a few key locations to investigate with Murong Kaifong, then leaves the Elephant House and blends into the night.

Black Tortoise Cultivators have various methods, and there are plenty of means to conceal their tracks and avoid detection. Although the scouts in the army have some detection type Spiritual Artifacts and Magical Treasures, their strength is relatively low, and it is entirely possible for them to be misled.

His personal intervention, however, is different.

There aren’t many methods that can fool a Divine Power Realm Cultivator. As long as no Lingxu Realm Powerhouses are sent by the other side, he is highly likely to uncover issues.

Taking advantage of the night, Prince Beimian stealthily reaches Nether Gate Ridge.

The enormous Divine Sense spreads like ripples, silently enveloping the complex, undulating mountains beneath him. Hidden in the night, he flies while sensing meticulously, not missing even the slightest detail.

Suddenly.

Within the hazy night, he senses a very subtle energy fluctuation, ambiguous and easily unnoticed.

It’s an array!

Prince Beimian’s heart tightens, immediately becoming alert.

Even he, a Divine Power Realm Powerhouse, almost missed it, no wonder the scouts couldn’t detect anything amiss. This is not something on the same level.

But even after discovering the array, what is hidden behind it remains to be discussed.

As thoughts flicker, an azure-yellow river quietly appears behind him.

The huge river traverses the heavens and earth, emitting a cold glow in the night.

Black mist floats on the river, distorted human silhouette shadows obscurely appear within, at a glance it looks like a Nether River leading to Hell.

Yet under Prince Beimian’s control, it makes no sound, simply transforming into countless water mist, spreading in all directions, subtly merging with the pervasive mist within Nether Gate Ridge.

In an instant, everything within a few hundred miles range reflects in his heart.

Unlike Minor Divine Techniques with relatively single capabilities, the Great Divine Techniques of Divine Power Realm Powerhouses have greater power, varied uses, and often produce surprising effects.

Prince Beimian’s Great Divine Technique "Nether River" is a rather special type of Great Divine Technique.

Within the Nether River domain, any entity with spirit falls under his sensory range. Moreover, this Great Divine Technique does not sense energy fluctuations but Divine Soul waves, making it difficult to fully block its perception even with Concealment type arrays or treasures.

Once the Nether River domain expands, Prince Beimian’s face changes immediately: "There’s indeed an ambush?"

In the Nether River’s perception, several distant valleys are teeming with Divine Soul waves congregating together, even if fuzzy due to the array, making it difficult to determine specific numbers, he understands the situation by their density.

Legions!

Those valleys are clearly ambushing legions!

Judging by the scale and distribution, the number of ambushing legions is quite large, at least two to three!

Prince Beimian dares not delay, promptly returning to camp and reporting his discoveries to Murong Kaifong.

"The East Qian Kingdom is indeed insidious, disregarding costs and using a Hidden Array to conceal their battalions, fooling our scouts. The Marshal’s foresight is remarkable." He looks at Murong Kaifong appreciatively and suggests, "Since we have already detected the East Qian Kingdom’s hidden troops, how about turning their scheme against them, using this opportunity to heavily strike those battalions, severing a limb of the East Qian Kingdom?"