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As someone who had crossed over and was familiar with Douluo Continent, Dai Chengfeng instantly recognized the "youth" riding the white horse, unarmored, across the battlefield...
She was none other than the biological daughter of Bibi Dong, the current Pope of the Spirit Hall, the granddaughter of Qian Dao Liu, the Spirit Hall's Grand Elder, and the future Angel God—the proud and love-stricken young lady, Qian Renxue!
At this moment, everything finally clicked for Dai Chengfeng.
"I remember that in the world of Douluo Continent, no one really cared much about intelligence networks. Even the Spirit Hall, the most powerful organization, had a mediocre intelligence system at best."
"Otherwise, Tang Hao wouldn't have been able to hide in Saint Soul Village for so many years without being discovered."
"And as for the Tian Dou Empire's intelligence network... how could they possibly know I'd just entered the city and immediately send troops to surround it?"
"At first, I thought Zhu Yan might have betrayed me."
"But now it's clear—this has nothing to do with Zhu Yan. It must be spies sent by the Spirit Hall, which does have some intelligence capability."
"Still... I don't understand!"
"Why isn't Qian Renxue staying in Tian Dou City, playing her role as the Tian Dou Empire's Crown Prince 'Xue Qinghe'? Why would she personally lead troops to attack Wu'an City on the border of the Star Luo Empire?"
While Dai Chengfeng was lost in thought—
Zhu Yan stared at him in utter astonishment, as if seeing him for the first time. "The glory of dying on the battlefield, not the shame of surviving by disgrace..."
"Such passion, such resolve..."
"Is this something a spoiled, reckless disinherited prince could say?"
Zhu Yan couldn't help but admit that his perception of the Fourth Prince had completely changed.
At this moment, Dai Chengfeng turned away from Qian Renxue and asked Zhu Yan and Zhu Fan, "Do you know whether the Tian Dou Empire's Crown Prince Xue Qinghe has officially become the heir?"
Hearing this question, Zhu Yan and Zhu Fan exchanged puzzled glances. They couldn't fathom why their prince would suddenly ask such an unrelated question during a battle.
But since Dai Chengfeng had asked, they answered anyway.
After a moment's thought, Zhu Fan replied, "If I'm not mistaken, it was about three months ago..."
"The Emperor of the Tian Dou Empire suddenly announced that Xue Qinghe was to be the Crown Prince."
Pausing, he looked at Dai Chengfeng. "Your Highness, why are you asking this all of a sudden?"
Dai Chengfeng shook his head slightly, offering no explanation. "It's nothing."
"I just think I understand what she's planning to do!"
With that, he once again turned his gaze toward the imposing Xue Qinghe atop her white horse, his expression deep and contemplative.
"But even if I understand her intentions, what good will it do?"
"How am I supposed to turn the tide?"
On the surface, Dai Chengfeng appeared calm, but inwardly, he was acutely aware of the gravity of the situation. Every decision he made now could determine the life or death of tens of thousands of soldiers in Wu'an City.
"I originally thought of relying on Uncle Zhu Fan, a Soul Douluo, to break the deadlock. But now that 'Miss High and Mighty' is here, there's bound to be a titled Douluo accompanying her."
"And given the Spirit Hall's involvement..."
"Holding the fort and waiting for reinforcements is probably out of the question."
"After all, where could we find a scout capable of slipping past a titled Douluo to request aid?"
Dai Chengfeng's mind raced, countless thoughts flashing through his head, but he still couldn't come up with a foolproof plan.
Meanwhile, watching Dai Chengfeng fall into deep thought once more and seeing the approaching Tian Dou Empire soldiers, Zhu Yan stepped forward and respectfully said, "Your Highness, I'll go check on the defensive preparations and see how the soldiers are faring."
"Mm, go ahead."
Dai Chengfeng was immersed in strategizing, absentmindedly waving him off.
By the time Zhu Yan turned and hurried away, disappearing from sight, Zhu Fan looked at the contemplative Dai Chengfeng with deep concern.
"Chengfeng, are you really prepared to share the fate of this tiny Wu'an City?"
"I don't care about myself..."
"But you are the hope of the Star Luo Empire's future unification of the continent! You cannot afford to fail!"
Hearing this, Dai Chengfeng turned his gaze toward the Tian Dou army below, who were already setting up scaling ladders and surging forward like a flood. "Uncle, if I were to plunge into the heart of their army, could you ensure my safe escape?"
Zhu Fan straightened his chest with confidence, a hint of pride on his face.
"I'm a Soul Douluo, and my martial soul is the swift Netherworld Spirit Cat."
"As long as there's no one of equal or higher strength interfering, I can't promise wiping them out... but getting you out alive? That's doable!"
A faint smile crept onto Dai Chengfeng's lips as he gazed at the proud young lady, Qian Renxue.
His smile carried a trace of determination.
"Uncle, I think I've found a way... to break this deadlock!"
"Break the deadlock?"
Zhu Fan was utterly confused. He couldn't imagine any solution other than fleeing from such an overwhelming disadvantage.
So he looked at Dai Chengfeng, his eyes filled with curiosity. "Chengfeng, what's your plan?"
Dai Chengfeng's expression remained calm. "Uncle, go find Zhu Yan first. Have him gather a thousand loyal and elite soldiers. Once they're assembled, come back to me, and I'll explain everything in detail."
Though Zhu Fan was baffled, he chose to trust Dai Chengfeng.
He nodded firmly and quickly turned to leave.
Zhu Yan wasn't far away, so Zhu Fan soon relayed Dai Chengfeng's instructions to him.
Upon hearing that it was the Fourth Prince's order, though Zhu Yan was equally perplexed, he immediately began selecting the finest soldiers.
Not long after, Zhu Yan and Zhu Fan returned.
Behind them stood a thousand soldiers who exuded an air of elite discipline.
These soldiers stood tall, their eyes filled with determination, marching in perfect unison as they followed Zhu Yan and Zhu Fan to the base of the city wall.
"Chengfeng, can you now explain how you plan to break this seemingly hopeless situation?"
Zhu Fan approached Dai Chengfeng, curiosity brimming in his voice.
Zhu Yan, too, was eager to hear the answer.
Dai Chengfeng nodded slightly and smiled. "Of course."
"But before that..."
As he spoke, Dai Chengfeng stepped forward, standing atop the city wall and looking down at the soldiers below.
The banners on the city walls fluttered fiercely in the wind, while the Tian Dou Empire's massive army loomed like storm clouds on the horizon. The sounds of war cries were already audible, and the situation was dire.
Taking a deep breath, Dai Chengfeng raised his voice and addressed the soldiers:
"Soldiers of Wu'an City!"
"The army of the Tian Dou Empire has arrived at our gates. They seek to trample our city, plunder your wealth, and defile your wives, children, and parents!"
"We have no path of retreat!"
As he spoke—
His piercing gaze swept across the faces of every soldier. "I, Dai Chengfeng, the Fourth Prince of the Star Luo Empire, ask you this!"
"The great tide is about to crush us—will anyone among you be willing to die with me?!"
Holding the fort and waiting for reinforcements was no longer an option, and the disparity in numbers was overwhelming...
If he wanted to turn the tide, he had to take a bold and unconventional approach!
In the five-thousand-year-long history of China, there was once a proud "Emperor" who personally led his troops into battle.
The result? He personally enshrined a legendary general in the Temple of Martial Valor.
Eight hundred elite warriors crossed the river, and a hundred thousand Wu soldiers fled in terror...
The Great Wei's King of Wu, Sun Quan the Ten Thousand!
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