At 14, Qian Renxue was not yet completely profit-driven, but she already understood the importance of benefits.
She wasn’t joking; if Ivan truly surrendered, she could accept him.
After all, Ivan had three such terrifying powerhouses under his command.
Ivan shook his head and smiled: “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t seek refuge with you even if I were beaten to death.
After all, we have an agreement; I still need you to marry me and be my Empress~” “Tch, give up on that idea, you won’t be able to do it!” Qian Renxue gave him a disdainful glance and stopped talking, leaving coolly: “Alright, no more nonsense with you, I’m leaving.” Ivan waved goodbye with a smile: “Goodbye, my future Empress.” “This guy!” Qian Renxue rolled her eyes again.
She didn’t pay any more mind to Ivan but left a reminder: “Oh, right, one last reminder from your elder sister: the Grand Duke of the Weilan Duchy has a very close relationship with the Ayers Royal Family~” “Goodbye!” After saying that, Qian Renxue opened the door and walked out.
“Weilan Duchy.” Ivan’s eyes grew sharp.
The Weilan Duchy was the only subsidiary duchy of the Tiandou Empire, located to the east of the Tiandou Empire, controlling the smallest province.
But coincidentally, the geographical location of Ai City was right at the border of the Weilan Duchy’s territory.
In other words, if the Ayers Kingdom allied with the Weilan Duchy to deal with the Aiven Duchy together, Ai City would face a pincer attack from two sides.
However, all of this was actually within Jiang Wei’s predictions.
Ivan withdrew his thoughts and slowly walked to the window, looking down from afar at Qian Renxue, who had already reached Prince Xue Xing.
He murmured to himself: “After parting today, I don’t know when, what month, or what year we will meet again.” “And when we meet again, what kind of scene and situation will it be?” Qian Renxue seemed to feel Ivan’s gaze; she also raised her head and looked toward the window where Ivan was.
“Heh.” The corners of both their mouths curled up slightly as their eyes met, a silent clash occurring between them.
The relationship between them had become very strange—no repulsion, no hatred; they were rivals, yet it didn’t feel like they were enemies.
And this clash of gazes seemed to foreshadow a destined confrontation belonging to them in the future.
“Let’s go.” Qian Renxue withdrew her gaze and stepped onto the carriage.
Following Prince Xue Xing’s team, Qian Renxue set out on the journey back to the Tiandou Empire.
But for some reason, there was a hint of loneliness in her heart and a bit of reluctance and nostalgia for Ai City.
Because during these ten days in Ai City, she had found her long-lost true self.
From the time she began her infiltration of the Tian Dou Royal Palace at age nine until today, more than five years had passed.
It could be said that Qian Renxue had no happiness; she had to give up her joy, her hobbies, and all the things she liked and wanted to do.
She even gave up her original personality and even her gender to strive to disguise herself and become another person.
To shoulder a heavy responsibility and goal.
To be honest, she had lived very tiredly, very suppressed, and very unhappily over these five years; sometimes she was also very lonely, she wasn’t happy.
But in these ten days in Ai City, although she was occasionally infuriated by Ivan, she had long-lost been her true self, experiencing long-lost relaxation, ease, freedom, and happiness.
“Goodbye, Ai City.” Qian Renxue calmed her emotions; it was time to go back to being Xue Qinghe.
And Ivan also had to think about how to resist the Ayers Kingdom and expand the power and territory of the Aiven Duchy.
Jiang Wei said: “My Lord, now that our hostage Qian Renxue has left, the Ayers Kingdom will no longer have any concerns.
I expect they will soon reorganize their troops and launch another attack on our Ai City.” “I have three strategies that can temporarily hold them off for a while.” “How much time can you gain?” Ivan asked.
“Two months.” “Two months is more than enough.” Ivan nodded, having made a decision in his heart.
“But My Lord, there is a huge disparity between our forces and the enemy’s.
Sooner or later, we will have to face the attack of the Kingdom’s army of over 200,000.
If we cannot solve the root problem, it will always be an unfavorable situation.” Jiang Wei said with a solemn face; he felt quite a bit of pressure.
Ivan, however, was full of confidence.
He smiled confidently and said: “Don’t worry, Jiang Wei.
You just focus on your strategic deployment.
Next, I will immediately take a trip into the territory of the Tiandou Empire.” “I will return within two months.
When I return, our military strength will surely increase greatly, at least doubling!” Jiang Wei was overjoyed to hear this: “Then I shall await the good news from My Lord!” Ivan decided to go to the Sunset Forest right now and sweep up all the mature Immortal Herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Along the way, he would absorb an Immortal Herb that strengthens the foundation and nurtures the source, improving his Cultivation Aptitude and causing his spirit power to explode.
His spirit power could definitely soar from Level 14 directly to Level 20 after absorbing the Immortal Herb!
Then he would immediately go to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain his second spirit ring, increasing his spirit power by several more levels.
He would then be able to do nearly ten consecutive draws!
A ten-draw was guaranteed to yield a Super-tier General, and a Super-tier General came with 10,000 troops.
At that time, he would be able to add another powerhouse of Level 96 or above under his command, plus at least 10,000 starting troops.
By then, the military strength of the Aiven Duchy would be close to 50,000 men.
“Jiang Wei, I trust you.
All matters of the Aiven Duchy during my absence will be handled by you with full authority.
Feel free to do what needs to be done.” Ivan said.
“Yes, My Lord!!” Jiang Wei knelt on one knee.
“Lü Bu!” “The general is here!” “Accompany me on a long journey.” “Yes!” Ivan did not procrastinate; once he decided, he immediately prepared to set off.
He only took Lü Bu with him to secretly leave the city, traveling on Lü Bu’s Red Hare horse.
To avoid any sudden incidents, Ivan and Lü Bu hardly rested on the way, galloping at full speed toward the Sunset Forest.
During this time, Ivan also discovered that the Red Hare horse paired with Lü Bu was no ordinary warhorse.
It was equivalent to having the strength of a hundred-year Spirit Beast, and its speed was incredibly fast.
They would definitely arrive at the Sunset Forest several days before Dugu Bo.
Soon, in less than a week.
Ivan and Lü Bu finally arrived near the Sunset Forest.
“We’ve arrived.” “My Lord, is this the Sunset Forest you spoke of?” Lü Bu looked at the forest before him, his expression slightly furrowed.
“Indeed.
This place is a very dangerous land for me.
There are many poison-type Spirit Beasts of several thousand years within, and toxic gas permeates the forest.” “After we enter in a moment, you will need to use your spirit power to protect me from being corroded by the poison.” Ivan said.
“Please rest assured, My Lord.
I will certainly protect you well.” “Alright, let’s go in.” “Very well.” Lü Bu directly carried Ivan on his back.
Upon reaching the area of the Poisonous Mist Forest in the inner region, Lü Bu released a layer of spirit power to perfectly protect Ivan’s body within it.
Soon, quite a few poison-type Spirit Beasts came out to attack them.
“Monsters seeking death!” “Those who block me shall die!” Bang!