Chu Chen did not go to the battlefield but returned directly to the Alliance headquarters.
In a moment, he arrived at Zhao Wudi's office.
Zhao Wudi saw Chu Chen and quickly greeted him with a smile: "Have a seat, we have you to thank this time."
Chu Chen waved his hand and said, "There's no need to be so polite, Hierarch. I am part of the Alliance and it's only right to contribute. I've already arranged for the Guardian Beasts to go to the other three battlefields. I believe the crisis will soon be resolved. The immediate task is to find the whereabouts of the Destruction Dragon Emperor. According to the information I have, the other side has gathered more than ninety percent of the death energy. If we can't bring him out, we might face considerable trouble."
Zhao Wudi nodded and said, "I've already sent people to find a solution to this matter, and I believe there will soon be results."
Chu Chen nodded reluctantly hearing this. The vastness of the range makes it impossible to find the Destruction Dragon Emperor blindly. Now, they can only wait patiently.
Afterward, Chu Chen discussed the preparation for a counterattack.
Zhao Wudi naturally supported this. This time, the Star Beast side has revealed all its cards in besieging the Four Great Cities.
Once this crisis passes, the Star Beast side will definitely suffer a loss of strength. Now is undoubtedly the most opportune time to launch a counterattack.
However, before that, they need to find the hiding place of the Destruction Dragon Emperor. Otherwise, their counterattack would only serve to supply death energy to the other side, becoming a stepping stone on their path to godhood.
The two discussed the specific layout for the counterattack and plans for responding to emergencies in the office.
Half a day later, Long Batian hurriedly burst into the office.
"Hierarch, great news," Long Batian said excitedly.
Zhao Wudi quickly inquired, "Tell us, what is the great news?"
Long Batian was usually calm, so seeing him so out of character meant this so-called great news had to be significant.
Upon hearing this, Long Batian quickly recounted his so-called great news.
The main content was that the four cities had been defended, and a large number of Star Beasts had fallen, including dozens of Emperor-level Star Beasts.
Of course, this was within Chu Chen and Zhao Wudi's expectations, so they didn't find it particularly surprising.
However, Long Batian's next words made their expressions turn grave.
"The Star Beasts have already started retreating to the rear, and they've withdrawn over a hundred miles and don't seem intent on stopping, which means we've won," Long Batian said, excited.
However, seeing the two of them look so solemn, he knew there was something fishy involved.
"Is there some kind of conspiracy?"
Zhao Wudi sighed after hearing this and patted Chu Chen on the shoulder to indicate that he should explain to Long Batian, while he sat on the couch massaging his temples.
Moments later, Long Batian's expression also became grim, and he looked at Chu Chen and asked, "So, the sudden retreat of the Star Beasts isn't a surrender, but rather because the Destruction Dragon Emperor has collected enough death energy?"
Chu Chen nodded and said, "That's what I believe; otherwise, they wouldn't have stopped."
Long Batian slumped into his chair as if all strength had been drained from him.
Zhao Wudi's condition wasn't much better, looking equally dazed.
Seeing this, Chu Chen sighed and said, "Things aren't as bad as you think."
The two were startled and immediately queried, "Did you come up with something?"
Chu Chen nodded and said, "Aren't you curious about where I've been the past fortnight?"
The pair exchanged glances but had been too preoccupied with the frontlines to ask where he had gone. However, after disappearing for half a month, upon his return, he had reached the Emperor-Level Peak in strength, so he undoubtedly had some fortunate encounter during that time.
Under their inquiry, Chu Chen recounted the story of the treasure map and the Secret Realm journey.
The two were unsurprisingly shocked to learn that there were indeed fallen Divines, and more than one.
Yet, they quickly became worried again.
"After the Reincarnation Divine Fox becomes a Divine, it could dissolve the contract at any time. With its strength, we wouldn't be able to stop it. Would it oppose another Divine for a small favor?" Zhao Wudi voiced his concern.
Chu Chen nodded and said, "I've considered this issue. The Reincarnation Divine Foxes are incredibly proud. Since it has promised to help me fight for ten years, it's unlikely to break its word."
At this time, Long Batian said, "We cannot place all our hopes on the Reincarnation Divine Fox. After all, you've only had a contract for half a month, with hardly half a day of interaction. Besides the contract power, there is no emotional bond between you. What choice it ultimately makes is uncertain."
"Right, Batian makes sense. We can't put our lives in its hands. Let's brainstorm and prepare alternatives. Chu Chen, didn't you mention the Blood Ancestor's and the Master of Undead's legacies? Now that Lei Yao and Nirvana have reached Emperor-Level Peak, can they accept the legacy?"
Chu Chen nodded and said, "They should meet the conditions for the legacy, but whether there are additional conditions like the Destruction God is unknown."
Long Batian said solemnly, "At this point, we have no other choice but to try." Saying this, he handed a Beast Taming Ring to Chu Chen.
Chu Chen was taken aback, unsure why he was given a Beast Taming Ring.
Long Batian explained, "The Star Beasts have retreated and won't engage anytime soon, so I brought your Guardian Beasts back."
Chu Chen expressed his gratitude, "Thank you. There's no time to waste; let's go try now."
Long Batian and Zhao Wudi exchanged a glance and nodded.
"Follow me." Zhao Wudi gestured to them from the adjacent break room.
When the two entered, they found a hidden chamber.
Zhao Wudi turned the wooden handle on the bed, revealing a small teleportation array rising slowly from the ground.
Chu Chen and Long Batian looked at each other in surprise.
Zhao Wudi awkwardly explained, "This is for emergency escapes during sudden crises. Don't overthink it; it was designed by the third Hierarch, nothing to do with me."
The two smiled, agreeing verbally but their eyes full of disbelief.
With a cold snort, Zhao Wudi stepped into the teleportation array.
The two quickly followed.
When the three reappeared, they found themselves in a dim stone chamber.
This chamber was underground, while the surface was an endless desert, barren of even Star Beasts.
The three triggered a mechanism, arriving aboveground, where Chu Chen felt strangely at ease amidst the endless sands.
Zhao Wudi had brought him here, fearing any mishap might occur during Lei Yao's legacy acceptance.
When it came to matters of Divines, his knowledge was limited, and there was no harm in exercising extreme caution at the face of the unknown terror.
Chu Chen surveyed the surroundings and found no signs of life, prompting no further delay in summoning Lei Yao.
Lei Yao looked at the desolate desert, puzzled at Chu Chen.
Seeing this, Chu Chen said solemnly, "Today, you begin your path to godhood; ignite your essence blood."
