After a series of battles, the Rong Kingdom's army was exhausted, but Murong Xuan's threat hung like a sword over their heads, constantly reminding them not to let their guard down. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er knew that they had to take the initiative and explore the secrets of the mysterious ruins in order to gain the upper hand in this contest with the Mu Kingdom.

After some discussion, they decided to send an expedition team composed of elite soldiers deep into the remote mountains and forests of the border region. It was said that the mysterious ruins lay hidden in some secluded corner of these mountains. Lin Wan'er, using her mind-reading abilities, selected some soldiers with strong wills and high martial arts skills, while Xiao Yichen personally devised a detailed expedition route and strategies for dealing with dangers.

After the expedition team set off, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er anxiously awaited news in the military camp. However, as the days passed, the expedition team disappeared without a trace. Their unease grew stronger, and they knew that something terrible had probably happened to them.

Meanwhile, in the Mu Kingdom's camp, Murong Xuan wore a smug smile. He had already laid numerous traps in the mountains, waiting for the Rong Kingdom's exploration team to walk right into them. He knew the importance of the mysterious ruins and understood that Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er wouldn't stand idly by and would definitely send people to investigate.

"Your Highness, the Rong Kingdom's expedition team has already entered the trap. Should we close in now?" a general asked obsequiously.

Murong Xuan shook his head slightly: "No rush, let them struggle in the trap a little longer. This prince wants Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er to taste the bitterness of despair."

The expedition team deep in the mountains was now in dire straits. They had barely stepped into a seemingly peaceful valley when they triggered a trap. Countless sharp spikes erupted from the ground, instantly injuring several soldiers. Immediately afterward, a series of piercing whistling sounds filled the air, and a group of men in black appeared like ghosts, launching a fierce attack.

These men in black were all highly skilled in martial arts and worked together seamlessly. Although the Rong Kingdom's soldiers fought valiantly, they gradually found themselves at a disadvantage due to the enemy's sudden attacks and the interference of traps. Captain Li Yong, while wielding his broadsword to fend off the enemy's attacks, shouted loudly for his men to maintain their formation.

"Don't panic, everyone! Stand back to back and support each other!" Li Yong shouted.

However, the enemy's attacks grew increasingly fierce, and the casualties among the Rong soldiers continued to rise. Li Yong was extremely anxious; he knew that if they couldn't break through the encirclement quickly, they would all die here.

Meanwhile, in the Rong Kingdom's military camp, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er decided not to sit idly by and wait for their fate. They decided to personally lead a rescue team into the mountains to find the exploration team.

"Wan'er, this journey is fraught with danger. You should stay in the military camp," Xiao Yichen said worriedly.

Lin Wan'er shook her head resolutely: "General, I must go. My mind-reading ability might help us find the expedition team and also detect the enemy's plot in advance."

Knowing he couldn't dissuade them, Xiao Yichen could only nod in agreement. Thus, they led the rescue team on their journey.

Once the rescue team entered the forest, Lin Wan'er immediately used her mind-reading ability to try and find the expedition team's trail. However, the forest seemed to be shrouded in a mysterious force, greatly interfering with her mind-reading ability, and she could only perceive some vague information.

"General, my mind-reading ability is limited, but I can sense that the expedition team is nearby and they are in extreme danger," Lin Wan'er said anxiously.

Xiao Yichen looked at the dense forest around him, his eyes resolute: "No matter how many difficulties we face, we must find them."

Just then, shouts of battle suddenly came from ahead. Xiao Yichen was overjoyed; he knew that was likely the direction the expedition team was heading. He immediately led the rescue team towards the sound of battle.

When they arrived, they found the expedition team heavily surrounded by men in black, suffering heavy casualties. Xiao Yichen charged into the enemy ranks without hesitation, wielding his sword as if it were nothing. His bravery boosted the morale of the Rong Kingdom soldiers, and the rescue forces joined the battle, engaging in a fierce fight with the men in black.

Lin Wan'er, at the rear, focused intently, trying to break through the force interfering with her mind-reading ability. Finally, she successfully captured the thoughts of one of the men in black, learning of Murong Xuan's plot. It turned out that Murong Xuan had not only set traps in the mountains but also planned to use this opportunity to eliminate Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er as well. He had set up an even more insidious mechanism at the valley's exit; once Xiao Yichen and the others entered the valley, they would trigger the mechanism, becoming trapped by boulders and poisoned arrows.

Lin Wan'er was shocked. She hurriedly shouted, "General, do not go deeper into the valley! This is Murong Xuan's conspiracy! There is a trap at the valley exit!"

Hearing Lin Wan'er's cry, Xiao Yichen's heart skipped a beat. He immediately halted his advance and led his soldiers to break out. However, the men in black seemed to have sensed their intentions and intensified their attack, firmly blocking their path.

In this critical moment, Lin Wan'er devised a plan. Using her mind-reading abilities, she disrupted the leader of the men in black, causing him to issue incorrect orders. The men in black were thrown into chaos, and the Rong Kingdom soldiers seized the opportunity to successfully break through.

But they didn't flee. Xiao Yichen decided to turn the tables and use Murong Xuan's trap against them. He had his soldiers set up camouflage at the valley entrance, making people think they were still in the valley. Then, they quietly circled around to the side of the valley and found a path leading to the mountaintop.

"Wan'er, let's go around from the mountaintop and launch a surprise attack on Murong Xuan's rear," Xiao Yichen said.

Lin Wan'er nodded in agreement. So, they led the soldiers up the path towards the top of the mountain.

When Murong Xuan learned that Xiao Yichen and the others had successfully broken through without triggering the traps at the valley exit, he was greatly shocked. He hadn't expected his plot to be exposed, and that Xiao Yichen would be so clever as to outwit him.

"You despicable Xiao Yichen, I, the prince, will not let you get away with this!" Murong Xuan roared angrily.

He immediately adjusted his strategy, preparing to counter Xiao Yichen's counterattack. However, a sense of unease crept into his heart; he began to realize that Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er were not so easy to deal with.

After Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er led their soldiers to the mountaintop, they stealthily made their way towards Murong Xuan's camp under the cover of night. Their goal was to deliver a fatal blow before Murong Xuan could react, thus completely turning the tide of the battle.

Night fell as dark as ink, enveloping the mountains and forests, with only a few starlight filtering through the gaps in the branches and leaves, barely illuminating the path ahead. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er led their soldiers cautiously along the rugged mountain road, each of them on edge, fully aware of the danger and importance of this surprise attack mission.

Lin Wan'er followed closely beside Xiao Yichen, her heart pounding involuntarily. It wasn't the difficulty of the mountain path, but rather the tension and anticipation she felt for the impending battle. She occasionally used her mind-reading ability to sense the movements around her; however, perhaps Murong Xuan was prepared, she could only catch some vague and chaotic thoughts, unable to accurately determine the enemy's specific deployment.

"General, the situation ahead is a bit complicated. My mind-reading ability has been greatly interfered with," Lin Wan'er said softly to Xiao Yichen, her tone tinged with worry.

Xiao Yichen turned his head slightly, glanced at her, his eyes firm and calm: "It's alright, Wan'er. We'll just be careful. Even without the aid of mind-reading, we'll definitely be able to achieve victory by surprise."

His words seemed to possess a magical power, gradually calming Lin Wan'er's initially flustered heart. She took a deep breath, nodded silently, and continued to follow Xiao Yichen.

As they approached Murong Xuan's tent, a heavy silence filled the air. Xiao Yichen stopped and raised his hand to signal the soldiers behind him to halt. He carefully observed the movements around the tent, trying to find a weakness in the enemy's defenses.

Suddenly, a soft footstep broke the silence. Xiao Yichen's heart tightened, and he whispered, "Something's up. Prepare for battle!"

Before he finished speaking, a group of Mu soldiers surged out from all directions and surrounded them. It turned out that although Murong Xuan had not detected the exact whereabouts of Xiao Yichen and the others, he had still strengthened patrols and defenses around the camp out of caution.

"Xiao Yichen, Lin Wan'er, do you think you can ambush this prince? You are truly overestimating yourselves!" Murong Xuan's voice came from the tent, full of smugness and mockery.

Xiao Yichen sneered: "Murong Xuan, today is your death day!"

Having said that, he charged into the enemy ranks first, his sword gleaming coldly in the starlight, flashing across the night sky like lightning. The Rong soldiers shouted and followed their general into the fray.

The battle erupted instantly, shouts of battle echoing through the mountains and forests. Xiao Yichen moved as if he were in an empty field; wherever his sword went, soldiers of the Mu Kingdom fell one after another. But the Mu Kingdom soldiers outnumbered him, and they fought back desperately. For a time, the two sides were locked in a fierce melee.

Lin Wan'er closely followed Xiao Yichen during the battle, using her mind-reading ability to disrupt the command of the Mu Kingdom soldiers, causing chaos in their coordination. However, one of the Mu Kingdom generals seemed to have realized Lin Wan'er's role, and he personally led a squad of elite soldiers to charge towards her.

"Lin Wan'er, prepare to die!" the general shouted, thrusting his spear straight at Lin Wan'er.

Lin Wan'er was startled and hurriedly dodged. However, her martial arts skills were not as good as Xiao Yichen's, and she was still cut on the arm by the spear while dodging.

"Wan'er!" Xiao Yichen was extremely anxious when he saw Lin Wan'er injured. He rushed through the enemy's defenses and reached Lin Wan'er's side, protecting her behind him.

"General, I'm fine. Don't worry about me. Deal with the enemy first," Lin Wan'er said, enduring the pain.

Xiao Yichen shook his head: "Wan'er, I said we would live and die together. Today, I will never let you get hurt."

He turned to face the Mu general, his eyes filled with boundless killing intent: "You dared to harm Wan'er, I will make you pay the price!"

Xiao Yichen unleashed his full power in a breathtaking duel with the general of the Mu Kingdom. Both men's moves were fierce, each strike imbued with immense power. The surrounding soldiers ceased their fighting, watching this contest between their commanders.

In the fierce battle, Xiao Yichen gradually gained the upper hand. Seizing the opportunity, he thrust his sword towards the chest of the Mu Kingdom general. The Mu Kingdom general was unable to dodge in time, was pierced by the sword, and fell to the ground.

"General, well done!" the Rong soldiers cheered.

However, at this moment, the soldiers of the Mu Kingdom reorganized their attack. They knew that if they failed to capture or kill Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er, they would be severely punished by Murong Xuan upon their return.

Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er stood back to back, facing the surging tide of enemies. They felt no fear, only unwavering faith.

"Wan'er, believe me, we will definitely break through." Xiao Yichen said.

"Yes, General, I believe you," Lin Wan'er replied softly.

At this critical moment, Xiao Yichen suddenly thought of a plan. He shouted, "Brothers, concentrate our forces and break through to the east!"

Upon hearing the order, the Rong soldiers rushed eastward. The Mu soldiers, believing they were truly attempting a breakout from the east, redeployed most of their forces eastward. However, at the crucial moment, Xiao Yichen led Lin Wan'er and a small contingent of soldiers, turning and charging westward.

Taking advantage of a momentary lapse in concentration by the Mu soldiers, they successfully broke through the encirclement. However, instead of fleeing, they charged towards Murong Xuan's camp. Xiao Yichen knew that only by capturing Murong Xuan could the tide of battle be turned completely.

When they rushed into the tent, they found it empty. It turned out that Murong Xuan had already escaped through the secret passage when he realized the situation was dire.

"Damn it, he got away!" Xiao Yichen slammed his fist on the table in anger.

Lin Wan'er walked to his side and gently took his hand: "General, don't be discouraged. We have already dealt a heavy blow to Murong Xuan, and his conspiracy has been thwarted. As long as we continue to work hard, we will definitely be able to defeat him completely."

Xiao Yichen looked at Lin Wan'er, his anger gradually subsiding. He nodded: "Wan'er, you're right. Let's go back to the military camp and discuss our strategy again."

So, they led the remaining soldiers back to the Rong Kingdom's military camp. Although the surprise attack failed to capture Murong Xuan, their bond forged in the life-or-death battle deepened, greatly boosting the morale of the Rong Kingdom's army. After this defeat, Murong Xuan's resentment towards Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er intensified. Upon returning to Mu Kingdom, he began plotting revenge against Rong Kingdom, and a new crisis was quietly brewing.

Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er returned to the Rong Kingdom's military camp, exhausted and unwilling. Although the soldiers had fought a fierce battle, seeing their general and Lin Wan'er return safely brought them a sense of relief. However, everyone knew that as long as Murong Xuan was not eliminated, the Rong Kingdom would never have peace.

Inside the military tent, the atmosphere was heavy. Xiao Yichen sat at the table, his brow furrowed, pondering his next strategic move. Lin Wan'er silently poured him tea, knowing that Xiao Yichen was under immense pressure.

"General, now that Murong Xuan has escaped, he will surely be more cautious, making our operation even more difficult," Lin Wan'er said softly.

Xiao Yichen nodded slightly: "That's right, but we can't just sit here and wait to die. The matter of that mysterious ruin has not yet been investigated. If Murong Xuan finds it first, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Just then, a soldier rushed into the tent and knelt on one knee: "General, there is an urgent military report!"

Xiao Yichen looked up, his gaze sharp: "Speak!"

The soldier said, "During our border patrol, we discovered a caravan of unknown origin. They were in a hurry and carrying a large amount of supplies, which was very suspicious. When our troops approached to question them, they gave evasive answers and attempted to escape. They have now been detained by our troops."

Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of doubt and expectation in each other's eyes.

"Bring them to see me," Xiao Yichen ordered.

A moment later, several members of the caravan were brought into the tent. They were dressed in fine clothes, but a hint of panic lingered in their eyes. Xiao Yichen scrutinized them and slowly asked, "Who are you? Where did you come from? Where are you going? Tell us the truth!"

The leader of the caravan, sweating profusely, stammered, "General... we are just ordinary merchants who have come from afar to do business in Rong Kingdom. We are a little flustered because we are afraid of being affected by the war. Please forgive us, General."

Lin Wan'er carefully observed their expressions while simultaneously using her mind-reading ability. She discovered that these people were filled with fear and contradiction, and they seemed to be deliberately hiding something.

“You’re lying,” Lin Wan’er suddenly said. “You’re not ordinary businessmen at all. Tell me, what is your real purpose?”

The caravan members' expressions changed, and the leader tried to argue, "Miss, don't make false accusations. We are indeed merchants."

Lin Wan'er sneered: "I know exactly what you're thinking. If you don't want to suffer, you'd better tell the truth."

Under Lin Wan'er's mind-reading ability, the caravan members finally broke down. The leader sighed, "Enough, enough. General, Miss, we'll tell you the truth. We were forced by the Mu Kingdom to transport supplies for them. They've secretly stationed troops in a valley on the border and are still searching for the entrance to that mysterious ruin. We were just following orders. Please spare our lives, General."

Xiao Yichen was overjoyed; this was undoubtedly important intelligence. He immediately asked, "Where is that valley? How many troops are stationed there? What other arrangements are in place?"

The caravan members confessed one by one that the valley was located northwest of the Rong Kingdom's border, in a secluded location. The Mu Kingdom had stationed thousands of troops there and set up many traps and mechanisms to prevent a surprise attack from the Rong Kingdom. At the same time, they were also searching for the entrance to the ruins in the valley, supposedly based on clues recorded in an ancient book.

After receiving the intelligence, Xiao Yichen immediately summoned his generals to discuss countermeasures.

"This is a golden opportunity! We can launch a surprise attack on the valley before Murong Xuan is fully prepared, catching him off guard. Not only can we eliminate the Murong Kingdom's fighting force, but we might also be able to find the mysterious ruins first," a general said excitedly.

Xiao Yichen pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "This plan is good, but we must not be careless. The valley is full of traps, so we need to be careful."

Lin Wan'er also said, "General, I can use mind reading to sense traps and enemy movements in advance, thus clearing the way for the army."

Xiao Yichen looked at her with some worry: "Wan'er, you have used mind-reading ability many times recently. I'm afraid your body can't take it."

Lin Wan'er smiled and said, "General, rest assured, I will act according to my ability. This matter concerns the fate of Rong Kingdom, how can I back down?"

With the agreement reached, the Rong Kingdom's army quickly assembled and headed towards the valley. Along the way, Xiao Yichen instructed his soldiers to be on high alert to prevent ambushes.

As they approached the valley, Lin Wan'er used her mind-reading ability to survey their surroundings. She discovered that the valley entrance was indeed equipped with many traps and mechanisms, including hidden arrows and snares; if they were to rush in rashly, they would surely suffer heavy casualties.

"General, there's a mechanism at the entrance ahead. I roughly know its location. We can send someone to disarm it first," Lin Wan'er said.

Xiao Yichen immediately selected some soldiers skilled in deciphering mechanisms, and under Lin Wan'er's guidance, they cautiously approached the entrance. Using their tools, the soldiers skillfully deciphered each mechanism, gradually clearing the obstacles leading to the valley.

However, the Mu army was not entirely unaware. As the Rong army was about to enter the valley, the Mu soldiers launched an attack. Arrows rained down, and shouts of battle filled the air.

Xiao Yichen was prepared. He commanded his soldiers to quickly form ranks, with shield bearers in front to block arrows and archers behind to counterattack. At the same time, he led a detachment of elite cavalry to charge into the enemy ranks from the flank, disrupting the formation of the Mu Kingdom's army.

Lin Wan'er, within the ranks, continued to use her mind-reading ability to provide Xiao Yichen with the locations and tactical intentions of enemy generals. With her help, Xiao Yichen was like a tiger with wings, and wherever he went, the Mu Kingdom's army collapsed in defeat.

"Kill! For Rong Kingdom!" Rong Kingdom soldiers shouted, charging towards the enemy with high morale.

Although the Mu army put up a fierce resistance, they gradually fell into a disadvantageous position under the Rong army's fierce attack. They did not expect the Rong army to find their encampment so quickly and to coordinate their tactics so well.

As the battle intensified, Xiao Yichen spotted Zhao Feng, the commander of the Mu Kingdom, amidst the enemy ranks. A chill ran through him; recalling his previous encounters with Zhao Feng, he knew the man was a highly skilled warrior.

"Zhao Feng, today is your end!" Xiao Yichen shouted and charged towards Zhao Feng.

Zhao Feng also saw Xiao Yichen. He brandished his spear and stepped forward, saying, "Xiao Yichen, it's still uncertain who will emerge victorious!"

The two engaged in another thrilling duel. Their moves were fierce and incredibly fast, causing the surrounding soldiers to scramble to avoid them, fearing they might be caught in the crossfire.

Lin Wan'er watched the battle intently from the sidelines. She used her mind-reading ability to disrupt Zhao Feng's thinking, creating a slight opening in his attack. Xiao Yichen keenly seized this opportunity and thrust his sword towards Zhao Feng's chest.

Zhao Feng couldn't dodge in time and was pierced by the sword, falling to the ground. His eyes widened as he stared at Xiao Yichen in disbelief: "You... you actually..."

With Zhao Feng's fall, the morale of the Mu army completely collapsed. They laid down their weapons and surrendered to the Rong state.

The Rong Kingdom's army successfully occupied the valley, where they found clues about the mysterious ruins. It turned out that the mysterious ruins were located deep within a cave in the valley, but the entrance was blocked by a massive stone door covered in strange runes, seemingly requiring a special method to open.

Xiao Yichen gazed at the stone gate, his heart filled with doubt and anticipation. He knew that a great secret must be hidden behind this mysterious ruin, and whether they could unravel this secret would determine the ultimate fate of Rong and Mu Kingdoms.