Wu Guang's explanation took a long time, but overall, the idea was clear.

As he pointed out, there was no real need for Wu Guang to actually bind or contract Kass Shaa'r anymore. When they had agreed on it, Wu Guang did not, and could not, know how much time he would be spending on the plane, and if there was a realistic chance for him to leave it quickly. Not forgetting about the matter that he supposed that entering the forbidden grounds of the Black Empire would be an arduous task. In such a situation, it was obvious that Kass Shaa'r needed some kind of logical reason to accompany him into human lands and cities, as well as to avoid the brave, but dumb wannabe heroes from attacking what they would consider a 'dangerous beast'.

But now, there was no real need for it, as he could leave the plane whenever he wanted. And by using the newly found clan he supposedly was part of, there would be no issues with anything else either. After all, what imperial in his sane mind would attack someone related to the Chen clan? As for Half-Island, between Wu Guang's current status and Kass Shaa'r strength, there would be no hostiles either. Especially if the beastman would be traveling, and practically working with a group of disciples of the 'Three Hills Sect'.

Though the lizardman still had no real knowledge of human society and the laws, he had gotten quite confident in his own strength, and willingly or not, greatly liked this manner of acting.

When that was made clear, Wu Guang also explained a few other things, like the situation on the island, and the fact that a war had basically already begun.

It was only after that Kass Shaa'r decided to ask about the formation and body in the room. He had detected it since he approached, even before Wu Guang himself managed to feel him, but the lizardman had not felt any threat of it and so postponed it to after his future was decided.

"The body is from one of the cultivators that I mentioned"

"The ones from that... Eagle Kingdom?"

"Yes, as for the formation, it is helping a... friend of mine obtain a body" Wu Guang slightly hesitated while finding a word suitable to describe Chun Hua, in the end going with 'friend'.

"I see, but, is that a working formation? You had mentioned before they do not work"

"They do not, at least for anyone else except the Black Empire"

"Oh"

"Exactly. In any case, I will be spending a few weeks on the island. What would be your plans? I swore to take you out of the plane, but that does not mean that you have to accompany me from now" Wu Guang did plan to use the lizardman strength if possible, but as he decided to not pressure him into what would pass a servitude, he also decided to allow the latter decide himself.

"Sss... I have only interacted with a few beasts until now, so going outside and seeing humans would be for the best. If I am not mistaken, you said that beastmen have countries on other planes. And however by bloodline has evolved, it only contains knowledge about my race, not about the world"

"So you plan to..?"

"Yes. And I am truly grateful to you for allowing me to decide for myself. So I will do it" Kaas Shaa'r said before pausing for a moment and suddenly proclaiming

"I swear by my blood that I will follow you and your commands until we both leave this plane"

Swearing on one's blood for beastmen was akin to the inner demons' oath for a human cultivator, which showed that Kaas Shaa'r had really decided.

"Thank you, and if you are committed to doing so, then let's plan what we will do. After all, I can not, and would not like to bring you before cultivators, at least ones that I do not know. Plus, there is the issue of Chun Hua back here. I have to leave towards the nearby city today, while she will take at least another three days to finish the merge"

"I will guard her" Without even thinking about it, Kaas Shaa'r immediately volunteered.

"Yes, but that is not so simple. See, she is bound to me, and restricted to always remain less than 10 miles from me"

"So what do I need to do?"

"I have a few ideas to prevent the restriction from activating, but there is still the matter of where, and how to meet with you two..."

________________________________________________________________________

After finding out that the Eagles were not only relying on the information gotten by the Black Eagles before the war but also buying and seeding their scouts, Wu Guang made a few changes to his original plan.

Initially, he was supposed to arrive at Boundary Hill City, and from there openly proceed via the North Gate and Boundary Road towards the Wildlands.

Something that would allow everyone to know that 11 disciples from the Sect for some reason were going there.

Obviously, for the locals, there was no problem with it, after all, the more allied cultivators were present, the more fighting force there will be when required. But on the same note, if someone like the already dead Gu Tao passed it to the Eagle Kingdom cultivators possibly already present in the Wildlands, they would try to either avoid or preemptively attack them.

And so, he was forced to make a few changes to that plan.

________________________________________________________________________

The sun had already set down, and the guards at the 'Boundary Hill City' were planning to close the gate. Something that had not been done even when the city was alive, and something that no one of the guards could understand.

After all, what use was to guard the south wall? And the gate? The city was empty, and the last civilians had evacuated a few hours ago, led by the last official of the city, Zhi Kang. Now, except the thousand or so guards, there was no one remaining. So, why they were even here?

They knew that a supposed army would be landing on the island about now, it wasn't like they would march ahead to the city, right? And they would not be stopping them here even if they did anyway...

Such were the thoughts of most common guards, and while their commander had a slightly different understanding of the situation, there was no way he would explain it to every single guard, was there?

At this moment, a rapidly approaching figure was seen, and the guards, maybe because of the thoughts about armies and enemies went to full alert. An alert that was lowered almost right away, after noticing that the approaching cultivator was dressed in the robes of the 'Three Hills Sect'. And that openly displayed cultivation, was only in the early levels of the Spirit realm, weaker than even most of the present guards.

This young disciple rapidly approached, and after showing them the badge of the Sect, quickly asked

"Is the High Elder group still in the city?"

"The one that arrived on the morning? Yes, along with the disciples are inside. Seemingly they are in the Sect's tower" One of the guards who had seen the group answered.

"Oh, thank heavens. I was sent as a courier to deliver a letter, but I did not know if they had already entered the Wildlands"

"They were meant to?" Another guard asked in surprise. The question may appear as normal curiosity, but for Wu Guang, who was posing as a simple disciple it meant a chance to share what he intended to.

"They should have been, but there was a change in the mission for the Disciples, which is the reason for the letter. As for the High Elder seemingly a glyph was sent already. The invasion army already landed, and the Sect plans to meet them. So everyone is being recalled, even lower-tier disciples as me" And so he shared. He doubted that this information would reach the Eagles, but at least if or when someone later tried to find out if there are cultivators from the Sect in the Wildlands, they would find nothing.

"Oh, then you should go right away. I doubt they will leave with the night already settling in, but..."

"Yes, thank you" Wu Guang nodded and began running through the empty city towards the Sect's Tower.

________________________________________________________________________

There was no one at the doors, but Wu Guang sensed the presence of several familiar people inside, and so simply entered. He also did it without concealing himself, allowing everyone inside to note his arrival. Not that there was any need, as exactly ten disciples sat around the tables in what served as the cafeteria of the tower, located right in front of the entrance.

"Wu Guang!"

"Brother Wu!"

"Young Master!"

Several shouts, most of them in greeting were heard. And except for the last one, which made Wu Guang slightly shudder, he was genuinely happy to see everyone in the room.

Zhen Mang, or whoever was the one who assembled the team had taken all of Wu Guang's words to heart. And so, the group was comprised of everyone he had asked to, and from the other four, Wu Guang was glad to see that they were familiar faces as well.

"I am truly glad to see everyone, but before I explain what we are supposed to do, I have to meet with the High Elder who accompanied you here. So please excuse me for a moment" Wu Guang's senses had covered the entire tower already, and however glad he was to see everyone, he only could leave their talk for later.

________________________________________________________________________

An hour later, the 'Boundary Hill City' southern gate was opened again to allow the exit of 11 disciples of the 'Three Hills Sect', as well as a High Elder of it. Obviously, the guards were none too happy to move the thousand pounds reinforced door, but an order was an order. Plus, everyone understood that the commander would have never had the gall to refuse an expert like a High Elder of the Sect. After all, if rumors were to be believed, that position required being a mid Soul realm cultivator! That was not only far stronger than any guard, including their commander but also surpassed their City Lord.

Unbeknownst to the guards though, the disciples were not truly returning to the Sect. In fact, they were going exactly on the opposite way...

________________________________________________________________________

A few minutes later, ten figures disappeared into a hole hidden in the forest near the wall, only three miles from the gate that they had just crossed.

"Thank you for your help, Senior Xian" Wu Guang, the only one remaining outside said. He was free to make any modifications to the plans, after all, he was in charge of the mission and he would not be asked about it. Still, to actually make it work, he had asked for the assistance of Lady Xian.

"No need, it's only a small favor. Plus, your idea of unsealing the tunnels below the City is certainly a good one. I doubt that there will be a long siege, or that the Eagle Kindom army will settle down around here, at least not until they destroy the Sect, but... Having a few secret ways in and out is always good. I also do think you are right in avoiding any witnesses"

"Mmm, but I would not risk this if not for Senior's Xian ability to set up a protective formation on them"

"Well, I do want to help a bit, even though I will possibly sit out the rest of the war. Still, I was surprised when you told me that you have a few leftover stabilizing orbs. It's almost like if..."

"Like if Minister Chen knew that I would require a pair of unexpected formations?" He completed

"Hahaha, the minister always knows everything. I mean he even sent me here a few years ago" For the first time since Wu Guang met with her, she allowed herself to laugh. It was not really a secret that the one that had sent her here was the minister, and albeit Wu Guang did not know the reason for such a punishment, it seemed that she did not really hold it against the Empire, or the minister at all.

"Mmm, anyway, thank you. And please do pass a warning to the Empire. I did inform the sect, but I do not know if they will consider it important enough. Still, judging from what I learned, there were several teams like the one I found"

"I will do. But even if they manage to enter the Sect's grounds, it will not serve them at all. Especially as they are not equipped to deal with formations. And if they do attempt something stupid like destroying the cores, I will be there"

Hearing this, Wu Guang could only accept that no cultivator of the Eagle Kingdom would have any chance to disable the formation from the inside. And what about them, not even the Headmaster himself could. After all, the only one with control over it was Wu Guang, and he would be far away. As for destroying the cores, that would indeed require passing through Lady Xian first...