I established the Eternal Immortal Clan by taming beasts.

The Iron-Armed Ape King's temporary camp was originally just a temporary stopover area, because they didn't think it would take them too long to conquer the city.

But now, this camp has no choice but to be built.

The tents were framed by giant trees that were hundreds of years old, and covered with thick animal hides specially made by the Iron-Armed Ape Clan. They made a dull thumping sound in the night wind, like war drums being pulled by the wind.

A newly lit campfire burned in the tent, its dark red flames flickering and casting shifting shadows on the faces of the ape generals, their rugged features constantly shifting between light and shadow.

Iron-Armed Ape King sat in the main seat, his arms resting on his knees, the flickering flames reflected in his dark gray pupils, his face expressionless.

But that suppressed rage was more intimidating than any roar, making all the demon kings afraid to even breathe.

The tent was so quiet that only the faint crackling of burning firewood could be heard, creating a very oppressive atmosphere.

Outside the tent, several scouts knelt on the ground, trembling slightly, not daring to raise their heads.

They are the elite scouts of the Gale Ape Clan, the fastest and with the keenest sense of smell, responsible for reconnaissance and communication within the beast horde.

At this moment, however, he was so suffocated by the silence of the Iron-Armed Ape King that he dared not breathe too loudly, for fear that the slightest sound would attract the attention of the Iron-Armed Ape King.

The silence lasted for an unknown length of time before the Iron-Armed Ape King finally spoke, his voice low and hoarse: "Have you figured out the situation in that city?"

The lead swift ape scout visibly tensed his back.

His voice was somewhat stiff, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth: "Your Majesty... the city walls are covered with array patterns, each section is guarded by human cultivators, the shifts are orderly, there are no obvious gaps, the defenses inside the city cannot be thoroughly investigated, the outer array covers too much area, and your subordinates cannot get close to the city walls..." His voice grew lower and lower until finally only the vibration in his throat remained.

The Iron-Armed Ape King's lips twitched slightly, an extremely subtle movement that made the atmosphere in the tent even more tense.

The scout kneeling outside the tent pressed his forehead even lower.

It remained silent for a moment, then suddenly raised its head, its gaze sweeping over the other ape demon kings in the tent.

The moment those demon kings were caught in the gaze, they involuntarily lowered their heads, either looking away or gazing at the firelight on the tent roof.

Not a single demon dared to meet its gaze. These demon kings, who usually roared and rampaged across the battlefield, dared not even breathe loudly at this moment.

The Iron-Armed Ape King slowly withdrew his gaze and returned it to the campfire. His voice was much calmer than before: "Report your losses for today."

Another silence followed.

Then, a squad leader of the Iron-Armed Ape tribe mustered his courage and spoke, his voice hoarse: "Your Majesty, more than 4,300 of our tribesmen have died in battle, and 500 are seriously wounded. Those who are seriously wounded... I'm afraid they won't make it through the night." His voice carried an extreme, suppressed pain.

"The Gale Ape tribe suffered two thousand one hundred casualties in battle." The Gale Ape leader's voice was low and hoarse, and there was not a trace of light in his narrow eyes.

"The Firemane Ape tribe suffered 3,900 casualties in battle." The Firemane Ape leader slammed his claws down on his thighs.

"The Bone-Crushing Ape tribe has suffered six thousand casualties... More than half of its vanguard has been lost, and it needs reinforcements to restore its fighting strength." The Bone-Crushing Ape leader's voice was almost squeezed out of his throat, each word carrying a heavy tremor.

Each number was like a heavy stone, slamming down beside the fire, making the air in the tent even more oppressive.

Behind those numbers are the blood of their kin, their old subordinates whom they had led for decades, their once proud elite troops, and the reliance they had relied on to dominate this land for many years.

At this moment, those reliance were slowly turning to ashes, spreading a dark red ash on the ground.

Iron-Armed Ape King's heart also grew heavy.

It recalled the scene it saw today when it stood behind the army.

That barrier was like an ancient wall, keeping all impacts out.

Its strongest Iron-Armed Ape smashed its finger bones against the barrier, but it didn't even leave a crack.

Those elite warriors fell one after another, as if harvested by an invisible scythe, and despite paying such a high price, they couldn't even touch a single brick of the city wall.

What should we do next?

The city's defenses were far stronger than they had anticipated, and the ingenuity of the formations far surpassed that of ordinary rogue cultivators; they were clearly the work of a top-tier formation master.

A direct assault would come at too high a price, but if they retreated, they would be unable to explain themselves to the Demon Emperor. The wrath of the Burning Sky Crimson Ape Demon Emperor was far more terrifying than the city's formation.

"Tell me your plans!"

"This..." The tribal leaders exchanged glances, none of them having a good solution.

Some shook their heads, some lowered their heads, some stared blankly at the fire, and some unconsciously drew circles on the ground with their paws, but none of them could come up with a feasible solution.

Just then, a guard's voice came from outside the camp, piercing through the thick animal-hide tents, tinged with hesitation: "Your Majesty, the Blue-Faced Fox King requests an audience!"

Upon hearing the name, several ape leaders were instantly enraged, some even standing up abruptly, their fangs gleaming coldly in the firelight.

"He still has the nerve to show his face?" The Firemane Ape leader's voice was filled with murderous intent, his claws unconsciously clenching, his knuckles making a cracking sound.

"They really aren't afraid of death!" The leader of the Gale Apes was surrounded by a ghostly light, and his narrow eyes were narrowed into slits.

"I'll go and twist his head off right now!" The leader of the Bone-Crushing Apes stood up abruptly, his massive body casting a huge shadow in the tent, obscuring most of the campfire's light.

The crowd was filled with righteous indignation. Their people had suffered heavy casualties in this attack, and they were clearly directing their anger at the Blue-Faced Fox King.

Iron-Armed Ape King also had a gloomy expression, but he still waved his hand and said, "Sit down, all of you, and see what he's planning to do." His voice was not loud, but it made the ape leaders who were about to rush out stop in their tracks.

"Let him in."

Following the Iron-Armed Ape King's command, the guards allowed him to enter the camp.

The Green-Faced Fox King walked with unhurried steps. Facing the gloomy gazes of the group of demon kings, the Green-Faced Fox King remained calm and composed, bowing to each of them.

His posture was just right, neither impolite nor overly humble: "Greetings, Lord Iron-Armed Ape King! Greetings, esteemed leaders!"

None of the people present gave him a friendly look. Some turned their heads away, some snorted coldly, and some stared at him as if they wanted to peel a layer of skin off him.

The Blue-Faced Fox King remained unperturbed, calmly looking at the Iron-Armed Ape King.

"Speak! What are you here for?"

"Your Majesty, I have come to apologize!"

The demons were taken aback, then began to discuss among themselves, clearly not expecting the Green-Faced Fox King to do this.

Those voices that were about to voice their opposition fell silent after hearing those words.

"It's all our fault. We failed to investigate the defenses of Chuyang City, which led to such heavy losses for our army."

Upon hearing this, the demons fell silent.

The battle report presented by the Green-Faced Fox King mentioned that Chuyang City was well-defended, but no one in the demon realm paid any attention to it, thinking that the Green-Faced Fox King and his men were just making excuses.

The battle reports were glanced at once and then tossed aside; not a single demon was willing to believe that a small border town could have such a strong defense.

The current underestimation of the enemy and reckless advance have resulted in heavy losses among his people.

The Blue-Faced Fox King looked at everyone's reactions, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, which disappeared in the firelight.

"Besides that, I'm here to offer advice to Your Majesty!" With that, he took out a map of the area surrounding Chuyang City. The animal skin scroll was unfolded in his hand, and the terrain of Chuyang City, the direction of the city walls, and the main landforms around it were outlined on it with charcoal and spirit ink.

"The defensive formation of Chuyang City is very strong. Although it's not as strong as Burning Bone Pass, it's not something that can be easily broken. However, a direct frontal assault would be the most disadvantageous approach for us!" He pointed to the north and west sides of the city walls on the map. "From what I've observed, Chuyang City's biggest problem is its small number of cultivators. They're relying on their formations to wear us down. But what is our greatest advantage?"

Attracted by his words, all the demon kings looked over.

"That's right! Our tribe outnumbers them by a great deal. If we spread out and attack from three sides, we can disperse their defensive forces, which indirectly reduces our casualties and maximizes our tribe's numerical advantage, doesn't it?"

The Blue-Faced Fox King's voice was calm and resolute: "In this way, Chuyang City will be attacked from three sides, and the pressure on the defensive barrier will increase dramatically. Isn't it only a matter of time before it breaks down? Once the formation is broken, can that small city wall stop us?"

The demon kings exchanged glances; the fox seemed to have a point.

They were blinded by anger and didn't think in that direction.

But now that the Green-Faced Fox King has pointed it out, they realize that the city's biggest weakness has always been its insufficient population.

No matter how strong the array patterns on those city walls are, they still need people to control them;

The cultivators inflicted the greatest damage on them with their spirit arrows!

If the battle lines are stretched out, the cultivators will have to be dispersed to longer defensive lines, and the defensive strength of each section of the city wall will decrease.

The demon kings looked at the Iron-Armed Ape King with anticipation, awaiting his judgment.

At this moment, the Iron-Armed Ape King also suppressed his anger.

The reason he let the fox in was because he remembered the battle report the other side had submitted, and the other tribe still had manpower, which was indeed needed for the siege.

I never expected this fox to be so cunning; it was quite a pleasant surprise!

Compared to those ape leaders who only roar and charge, this fox at least has brains.

"Good, this method is good, but where do we get a third route?" The Iron-Armed Ape King's gaze fell on the map, then looked up at the Blue-Faced Fox King.

A three-pronged attack requires three separate troop deployments.

But they only have two routes.

Upon hearing this, the Blue-Faced Fox King cupped his hands in greeting: "I urge Your Majesty to seek support from the Demon Emperor and ask him to send another troop."

"Hmph, no need! With our strength, we're more than capable of taking this city!"

Who knows the Demon Emperor best?

It must be one of their old subordinates.

The Burning Sky Crimson Ape Demon Emperor detests subordinates who, after suffering defeat, still demand more troops.

In its view, that meant incompetence.

If I were to seek help on my own, I would probably end up like that fox, not only failing to get reinforcements but also being burned to ashes by the Demon King's wrath.

The Iron-Armed Ape King's gaze lingered on the fire for a moment, as if recalling some unpleasant past events.

The Blue-Faced Fox King did not try to dissuade him, but bowed slightly and said, "Then I will take my leave. When Your Majesty sends the attack message tomorrow, our troops will attack from the west of Chuyang City."

After leaving the Iron-Armed Ape King's camp, the Green-Faced Fox King began to explain the situation to the surrounding demon kings, and then began to deploy his troops.

In the darkness, several shadowy figures moved swiftly outside the camp, like an undercurrent weaving through the bushes, silent yet orderly.

…………

Deep within the Fulong Mountains.

This place is almost a forbidden zone for human cultivators, shrouded in dense spiritual mist year-round.

Contrary to what people imagine, this place is a wild and untamed wilderness, but there are actually pavilions and towers standing on the mountains.

With its flying eaves and brackets, surrounded by swirling mist, it exudes an ethereal atmosphere, like a paradise straight out of a painting.

Clear springs flow down the mountainside, and spiritual flowers bloom along the stream. Occasionally, white cranes fly through the clouds, their wings shimmering silver in the sunlight. The scene is even more elegant than the most prosperous sects on the Southern Plains.

A woman dressed in a gorgeous long dress walked in front of the main hall on the highest peak.

Her steps were as light as the wind, each step exuding an indescribable allure, like ripples on the surface of water under the moonlight.

There was a hint of languor in her eyes, and beneath her long, drooping eyelashes were a pair of indifferent and aloof eyes.

But when she stood before the steps of the main hall, the alluring aura around her receded like the tide, replaced by a solemn reverence. Her back straightened slightly, and her gaze lost its languidness.

"Sage, it has begun in Chuyang City."

"I understand." The answer was simple and direct, without any unnecessary emotion.

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox was about to leave when she paused, unable to resist asking again, "Saint, can the Lin family truly achieve your plan?"

"What, you don't believe in my abilities?" There was no anger in the voice, but it made the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox's back tense slightly.

"I wouldn't dare!" Her voice was hurried, and she even paused for a moment.

"That's settled then, hurry up and get on with your work! Why make such a fuss! Really!" The voice carried a hint of impatient reproach.

The nine-tailed celestial fox said no more and turned to leave.

Her figure disappeared into the night at the end of the corridor, leaving only a few petals of spirit flowers drifting slowly in the moonlight.

Even the Green-Faced Fox King couldn't have imagined that his suggestion to the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox Demon Emperor to form an alliance with the Lin family was not the main reason why the two sides were able to form an alliance.

The most crucial driving force behind it all is actually the Sage.

Even dealing with the Burning Sky Crimson Ape was merely a way for the Lin family to believe that this was the reason for the alliance between the two sides, so that the Lin family would not have any doubts.

The sage did not explain to her in much detail why she chose the Lin family.

The sage only said one sentence to her back then—the Lin family is a hidden dragon lurking in the abyss…