The arrows and spears, suspended in mid-air by Wang Jian's power, suddenly reversed their course and flew back towards Wang Chen's camp.
Panic and horror filled Wang Chen's eyes as he watched the projectiles, infused with explosive talismans and deadly poison, hurtling towards them.
However, just as disaster seemed inevitable, a mysterious shadowy aura enveloped Wang Chen's camp, creating a protective barrier that deflected the incoming attacks.
Upon impact, they exploded against trees, rocks, and the ground, releasing a cascade of explosions and spreading small ranged dense clouds of poison near the camp.
Wang Jian's grin widened as he observed the manifestation of the shadowy barrier.
"Well, well... Looks like you've finally decided to reveal yourself, Devil Emperor," Wang Jian called out confidently, directing his gaze towards a particular direction where a Devil Emperor with the face of a crow was seated atop a large tree.
The creature possessed a humanoid figure with a crow's face and golden, emotionless eyes that stared back at Wang Jian.
Meanwhile, it was Wang Chen who turned towards the Devil Emperor with an infuriated shout, "I explicitly told you not to reveal yourself without my signal!"
"Foolish prince," the Devil Emperor retorted coldly, "That attack was infused with extremely powerful qi and high-level insights in Laws of Wind. If not for my intervention, it would have singlehandedly slaughtered your entire camp!"
Wang Chen's shock was palpable. "What?!"
After his cultivation advanced to the King Realm, he understood the immense value of Insights in Laws.
However, since he had attained his current level through external resources, his insights were only at a low-level, despite his sixth-stage cultivation base.
The fact that Wang Jian's attack possessed high-level insights was a revelation that shook him to the core.
"So, are you just going to stand there, or are you going to attack me? I'm getting tired of waiting," Wang Jian taunted nonchalantly, wearing a casual expression on his face.
His own group members were taken aback, completely unaware that Wang Jian was actually an Emperor Realm expert.
Wang Jian's audacious taunt towards a Devil Emperor seemed like a reckless move, as it was impossible for a King Realm expert to defeat someone at the Emperor Realm.
The Shadowy Crow Devil Emperor let out a derisive snort in response. "Do you think you can deceive me so easily? Now that I have revealed myself, the other Emperor Realm experts must have sensed my presence and are likely on their way here. If I waste my time dealing with your insignificant group, they will catch up and kill me."
"As of now, we're leaving!" the Shadowy Crow Devil Emperor declared, as thick shadows began to seep out of his body, concealing him within their darkness.
Simultaneously, the shadows enveloped Wang Chen and several members of his faction, rendering them completely invisible.
As they vanished into the shadows, only Wang Jian, with his exceptional mastery over the Shadow Element, could sense their presence.
"I don't recall granting you permission to leave," Wang Jian remarked, a mischievous grin playing on his lips as he forcefully stomped on the ground.
The impact of his stomp sent tremors through the earth, causing cracks to spread across the ground, reaching all the way to the enemy's camp.
In an instant, dozens of shadows were impaled by spikes infused with high-level insights in the Laws of Earth. These spikes targeted specific areas within the shadows, revealing the concealed humans within.
The humans were none other than Wang Chen and his closest subordinates.
As for the Devil Emperor, he managed to deflect the attack Wang Jian had unleashed and swiftly made his escape.
Wang Jian paid no mind to the fleeing Devil Emperor, as he had no desire to reveal the full extent of his power just yet.
Moreover, it would be advantageous if the enemy became aware of his faction's presence, as it would undoubtedly attract the attention of Ye Chen and Zyrithia, drawing them closer to him.
In that intense moment, Wang Chen and his close comrades found themselves surrounded by his own faction members, their eyes filled with hostility towards their once-respected leader. Their loyalty ran deep, but the betrayal of allying with demons was a transgression they couldn't overlook or forgive.
Realizing that he couldn't fight them all, Wang Chen's mind raced, trying to find a way out of the dire situation. His close comrades, who were aware of his alliance with the devils, were not all King Realm experts and couldn't provide assistance.
Soon, Wang Jian arrived at the camp, wearing a devious and mocking grin as he faced Wang Chen. "Now, my dear third brother, what shall I do with you? You have committed a grave sin," Wang Jian taunted.
Wang Chen, desperate and flustered, pleaded, "S-Stop! Let me explain! I have an explanation for all of this!" His words stumbled over each other, and his composure was utterly shattered. He never expected to find himself in such a desperate state.
"Sure, I'm listening," Wang Jian responded with a deceptive smile.
Astounded that Wang Jian would actually hear him out, Wang Chen struggled to regain his composure, hastily explaining, "I-I am in an alliance with the Devils because I want to help the Empire defeat them. You see, I am preparing a trap to kill loads of devils."
Wang Jian's amused grin remained intact as he spoke, "Oh, really? But I've heard you mention that we've been on the losing side in this part of the battlefield. Even Emperor Realm experts have perished. That's rather peculiar, considering it has only been a week since the battle began. Moreover, I've also heard that Emperor Realm experts from our side started falling only after your faction arrived. I don't think I need to say any more to prove that you are a dirty traitor who must pay the price for aligning yourself with the devils."
Without giving Wang Chen a chance to utter further excuses, Wang Jian cut him off coldly. "I don't think we need to hear any more of your words."
Casting a chilling glance around at Wang Chen's faction members, Wang Jian spoke with an icy tone, "I will be capturing him and his allies. We need to uncover the extent of his deal with the devils."
Nods of agreement rippled through the members of Wang Chen's faction, acknowledging Wang Jian's authority.
"We will follow your lead, Seventh Prince," one of them spoke up, appearing to be the appointed commander of the camp.
"Very well. Bind them tightly and ensure their dantian is sealed to prevent them from utilizing their qi," Wang Jian commanded, issuing orders to the faction members.
Without delay, Wang Chen's faction members sprang into action, securing their former leader and his comrades with formidable restraining chains. An expert skilled in sealing dantian stepped forward, ready to neutralize their cultivation.
Wang Chen and his close comrades were swiftly restrained, and their cultivation completely sealed. They were then escorted to a specially constructed wooden building designated for prisoners within the camp.
With Wang Chen and his comrades taken care of, Wang Jian devoted the next hour to engaging in discussions with Wang Chen's faction members. It didn't require much effort on his part to convince them to switch allegiances. His natural charisma, combined with the growing influence and reputation of his own faction, proved irresistible.
Most of the members readily accepted Wang Jian's invitation, eager to join his ranks.
While some factions hesitated, caught in a dilemma, and a few even refused the invitation, opting to join Crown Prince Wang Hao's faction instead, Wang Jian didn't interfere.
He welcomed the news of this incident spreading throughout the Empire, ensuring that the treacherous actions of the Third Prince Wang Chen became widely known.
By doing so, he intended to undermine Wang Chen's standing in the race for the throne and ensure that severe consequences awaited him for his betrayal.
Meanwhile, in the northernmost part of the battlefield, an intriguing development unfolded atop a strategic hill occupied by the Second Princess's faction, who had set up their camp there.
Ye Chen and Zyrithia, supported by the formidable Oceanic Tempest Storm Devil Clan and the Nether Curseweaver Devil Clan, launched a coordinated assault on the Second Princess Wang Ying's faction. Wang Ying herself fought on the frontlines, bravely repelling the relentless attacks from Ye Chen and Zyrithia.
In the midst of the intense battle, Ye Chen managed to unleash a powerful attack that sent Wang Ying flying backward. Concerned for their leader, her comrades rushed to her aid, but Zyrithia's allies quickly moved in, preventing them from reaching Wang Ying.
The reason for this strategic move was to grant Ye Chen an opportunity to have a conversation with Wang Ying. He hoped that their past alliance would resonate with her, making her more receptive to their words.
Breathing heavily, Ye Chen called out to Wang Ying as he approached her, "Princess Ying, we were once allies. I implore you to hear me out."
Wang Ying, her armor slightly battered but her willpower remained unyielding, turned her gaze towards Ye Chen and spoke coldly, "Ye Chen, we were allies indeed. But circumstances have changed. You are a demon now. Why should I listen to you?"
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