“What is worse than being in an actual battle is precisely to be on the edge of one from which you cannot escape.”

Soon Elder Li called for all the disciples of Purple Tree Sect.

As expected, the elder gave out maps containing the terrain of the region and the locations of each of the team’s station and told them of the locations of the hidden traps.

The fated battleground was a long stretch of hilly terrain which covered the entire borders of the eastern region towards the South.

The idea of the Scarlet Feather Sect was to never leave a spot unattended so that the enemy forces would have a difficulty infiltrating its territory.

During this time, almost all of the disciples of the Scarlet Feather Sect had already been deployed and that the arrival of the Precious Tree Sect disciples was a good opportunity to cover most of the gaps in the defensive lines.

“Alright, much has already been said about this war. I believe everyone is well-prepared so I wouldn't delay any further.”

Elder Li swept his glance towards the disciples as he said his parting words.

“Fear not, dear disciples. We didn't ask for this war. But we have the duty to protect our sect and our territory. And only cowards let their fear overcome their sense of duty. So move now and fight, then come back with victory.”

The Precious Tree Sect disciples heeded the elder’s battle cry and rushed towards their stations.

Qai’s team moved as well.

Soon all teams arrived at their assigned stations.

When Qai checked the exact location, he relaxed upon learning that it wouldn't be too far from the headquarters.

At full speed on foot, it would just take his team a couple of days of travel to reach the place which certainly gave Qai a relief.

First, the escape route back to the headquarters would be short. And secondly, the supply of resources would be easily accessible.

Apparently, most of the areas between the headquarters and the stations had already been cleared of any presence of danger much earlier which made Qai and his team’s journey devoid of trouble.

“Brother Qai, that's the large hill marked on the map. That will be our station.”

Apparently, the hill was just about 300 meters in height but the actual area that Qai and his team needed to defend was a 3-mile radius wide zone with the large hill at its center.

So far, Qai’s Spiritual Sense could only cover a mile radius. Meaning, any intruder beyond that would be outside Qai’s detection.

As soon as they arrived, each of them dug their own caves around the hill.

Thereafter, they began to put in some work.

“Brother Ji Wuheng, your patrol would have to cover a mile from here and out. Inside that 1 mile radius, I have methods to detect enemies.”

“Got it.”

Qai then summoned his Spirit Beast Eland and commanded it to assist Ji Wuheng. As for the rest, he asked them to help him arrange several Array formations around the hill.

The instruction for them was clearly to only defend the borders. And with that, Qai did not ask any of his team members to go beyond the 3-mile limit.

Of course, it did not stop Qai from regularly venturing near the edges of the zone under their watch to extend his Spiritual Sense forward in order to check if any enemy was closing in.

In between those times, Qai and his team members would cultivate to strengthen further their foundations. And with the medicinal pills that Qai got from his spoils, his cultivation base had gradually stabilized.

From time to time, Mo Shui would drop by the Qai’s shop to replenish their resources as well as to gain some news about the other stations about the state of war in general.

And it was from those measures that Qai and his team members learned that their own zone was somehow unoccupied by the enemies.

But as to the other areas, battles had long started.

“For now we are relatively safe in this place. And since we are not called back to aid the other teams, we should not leave our station.”

“I agree. The higher-ups would surely have plans so we have to stay put in this place.”

“Let’s just continue with our strategies and take time to enhance our own abilities, it would take long before the enemies arrive.”

More or less, a month had already passed and still, no enemy had been spotted within the area.

But at the same time, the Queen Ant was yet to be back. It was only from the fact that the 2 Ant Soldiers were still alive that Qai could breathe a sigh of relief.

Besides, he was connected to it by blood contract, so he was certain that he would know if the Queen Ant encountered some mishaps.

But right after Qai and his team went into their own caves, Ji Wuheng and the Spirit Beast Eland came rushing to the hill.

“Brother Qai, 3 Foundation Establishment stage cultivators are heading this way.”

“Broken Moon Sect disciples?”

“No, they seemed to be the Devil Dao cultivators you described.”

Qai looked at the direction from where Ji Wuheng came and extended his Spiritual Sense.

He took a deep breath after learning that the strongest among the approaching enemies was in the late Foundation Establishment stage while the other two were just a level lower.

‘This will be troublesome.’

“Alright, summon everyone and get ready to fight. Just do everything according to our plan.”

When the Mo disciples heard that the enemies were all in the Foundation Establishment stage, a sense of dread immediately ran through their veins.

“I’ll be taking head on the strongest one while the Spirit Beast Eland will face another. As for the last one, the rest of you shall stall him. But be sure to stay inside the Array formation.”

To his team members, Qai’s heroic task was a sigh of relief but they were really not sure whether Qai could really fight against a late Foundation Establishment stage cultivator.

Somehow they felt that Qai was just trying to delay their ruin.

“Brother Qai, you know I could help you out a bit. I could at least stand in as bait.”

It was Ji Wuheng who spoke.

He was also not clear whether Qai could accomplish such feat so he planned on sacrificing himself.

“There’s no need to worry about my safety. I am quite certain I can handle things on my side. Get ready they're already here.”

As soon as Qai said those words, 3 Devil Dao cultivators appeared in the sky on their flying swords.

Qai and his team members reacted quickly and positioned themselves well inside the Array formations.

The enemies original plan was to bombard the said restrictions but they were surprised when Qai came to them on a flying sword as well.

The enemies, as well as his team members, were all stunned.

They never expected Qai, who was only in the late Qi Condensation stage would be able to freely control a flying sword.

‘He can use Spiritual Sense!?’

And when Qai stopped in front of the late Foundation Establishment stage enemy, he immediately surrounded himself with his ‘Cornelia Sphere Shield.’

“I will be your opponent.”

Qai looked fierce when he appeared.

But when he sized up his opponent, he noticed that the enemy's face almost looked like a skull with its tarnished skin.

‘What are these fellows cultivating!?’

However, his thoughts were disturbed as the enemy did not flinch at his provocation.

“You’re pretty brave for an ant. But I have to admit you've got some skills. Unfortunately for you, you will have to die today.”

The Devil Dao cultivator then glanced at his two other companions and commanded them to attack.

“Go kill the rest of those ants.”

The two responded by rushing towards the hill, but one of them was instantly intercepted by the Spirit Beast Eland while the other was met by a barrage of attacks.

Baam. Baam.

Booom.

When the late Foundation Establishment stage cultivator saw what happened, he looked at Qai menacingly as if he was looking at a dead man.

“Resistance is futile. Come, offer your life to me.”

And with that, Qai’s opponent started to make his move.