Xiao Zhan's gaze swept over the ghostly cavalrymen lined up and ready to go. Their figures were faintly visible in the cold mist, silently but solemnly looking at the prince, as if waiting for orders.
"Take everyone with you and go together," Xiao Zhan shouted in a deep and resolute voice.
He chose to leave immediately, not out of fear of the pursuers Zhou Zhenbei might send, but out of concern that the Central Plains would discover a large number of ghosts and take action.
Xiao Zhan was well aware of the Central Plains government's consistently tough stance against the ghosts. Such a large number of ghosts had gathered and formed, and had entered the Central Plains defense line.
Once discovered by the Central Plains, they will be mercilessly annihilated, and even the ghosts transformed from the heroic spirits of the Third Legion and the Northern Iron Cavalry will not be exempt.
This is the bottom line for maintaining stability in Zhongzhou, and it cannot be touched. No ghost is allowed to break the rules.
Soon, Jiang Feng had managed to gather the remaining soldiers of the Third Army Corps and staggered to Xiao Zhan, his face still pale.
"Star Lord, you go first. We... will slow you down."
Jiang Feng was well aware that he was already severely overworked, and the remaining members of the Third Legion he had gathered were also in extremely poor condition, making it impossible for them to march quickly.
At their current speed, forcibly traveling alongside Xiao Zhan's cavalry would only be a burden. It would be too late for them to leave safely and quickly. Covering the rear might be the only way for them to buy time for Xiao Zhan.
If they were to force themselves to leave together, it would inevitably slow down Xiao Zhan's cavalry, and in the end, no one would be able to leave. That's why Jiang Feng thought it would be better to let Xiao Zhan go first.
To everyone's surprise, Xiao Zhan shook his head, seemingly unconcerned about it at all.
His gaze passed over the river wind and landed on the adorable little infant spirit that was baring its teeth and exuding a chilling aura, facing Zhou Xiaopeng's protective shield.
Xiao Zhan slowly stepped forward, approaching the floating infant spirit, trying to keep his tone calm:
"Little guy, you know Li Yu, right?"
Upon hearing the name "Li Yu," the little baby suddenly turned its head, its round eyes fixed on Xiao Zhan.
Seemingly sensing a star lord aura from Xiao Zhan that shared the same origin as Li Yu, the little infant spirit immediately became excited, raising its hands and crying out.
Then, it angrily pointed at Zhou Xiaopeng, who was protected by the shield, its little face filled with grievance and boundless hatred, as if it was urgently accusing something and desperately wanting Xiao Zhan to kill Zhou Xiaopeng to avenge it.
Xiao Zhan was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected that such a small spirit would bear such a deep blood feud.
It seems that Zhou Xiaopeng is indeed deeply sinful.
“I understand, you want him dead too.” Xiao Zhan tried to communicate with it, explaining in a low voice:
"But right now, we can't break through this defense. We need to find Li Yu; only he might have a way. Can you take us to him?"
Although the little infant spirit couldn't speak, it was very clever. Tilting its little head, it quickly understood Xiao Zhan's meaning, nodded, and pointed a tiny finger towards Kangcheng:
"Aba!"
The little infant spirit rushed forward, then turned to look at the remaining survivors and numerous ghosts behind Xiao Zhan, who were already fully prepared for battle. It waved its tiny hand, as if to say, "Follow me."
A resolute glint flashed in Xiao Zhan's eyes, followed by a cold glance at Zhou Xiaopeng, who was still unconscious:
"Guards, take him away!"
The 'spoils of war' that were obtained at the cost of countless lives would not be left to Zhou Zhenbei for nothing.
"Jiang Feng, come up here," Xiao Zhan suddenly said.
"This..." Jiang Feng was still hesitating.
Without allowing any further explanation, Xiao Zhan pulled the weakened Jiang Feng onto the black horse and followed closely behind the infant spirit to speed up the procession.
Under his leadership, the survivors helped each other and, with a vast army of ghosts shrouded in white mist, set off in the direction indicated by the infant spirit.
As the team passed through the ruins and entered the Central Plains defense line, Xiao Zhan saw Jiang Feng's still solemn expression of worry about the pursuers and said firmly:
"Don't worry, we are safe now."
Jiang Feng was taken aback, not understanding what Xiao Zhan meant.
Given their slow movement speed, Zhou Zhenbei could easily send a pursuing force to catch up with them quickly.
Moreover, although the number of ghosts behind them was large enough, the environment on the road was not suitable for ghosts. It was already extremely difficult for them to follow. In fact, as time went by, the ghosts' bodies were even fading, and even if they could participate in the battle, their strength was very limited.
I'm afraid Xiao Zhan alone is no match for the pursuers.
Xiao Zhan simply said again, "Don't worry."
He didn't explain much, because Jiang Feng clearly didn't understand Li Yu's unfathomable and terrifying strength.
With this little infant spirit by his side, he felt as if he were holding an invisible talisman—Li Yu's "reinforcements" could arrive at any moment in an unexpected way.
After entering the heart of Zhongzhou, the soldiers of the Third Legion were extremely familiar with the route. Guided by the general direction indicated by the little infant spirit, the team quickly advanced towards Kangcheng.
After a long time, Jiang Feng's strength recovered somewhat.
He insisted on dismounting and walking with the remnants of the Third Army Corps, and Xiao Zhan did not refuse.
After traveling for a while longer, the communication signal that had been inexplicably blocked was finally restored.
Xiao Zhan immediately took out the communicator specially made for the Star Lords in Zhongzhou. However, he did not contact the First Star Lord who represented the government, nor did he contact Tianlong. Instead, he called Li Yu directly.
The communication was quickly established, and Xiao Zhan succinctly explained the situation:
An ambush in the north, heavy losses for the Third Legion, capture of Zhou Zhenbei's son Zhou Xiaopeng, and... a tiny infant spirit descending from the sky on a golden arrow, turning the tide!
Li Yu on the other end of the communication was clearly extremely surprised: "It actually ran that far?!"
However, upon hearing that Zhou Xiaopeng, who had been reborn through a life-swapping ceremony, was in Xiao Zhan's hands, Li Yu's voice instantly turned cold and serious:
"Xiao Zhan, bring Zhou Xiaopeng back to me. As long as you hand him over to me, I can grant you any request."
Having received Li Yu's personal promise, Xiao Zhan finally felt a little relieved, especially regarding the fate of the Northern Iron Cavalry ghosts behind him, which gave him new hope.
After ending the call, he sharply scanned the road ahead.
With his identity as the Central Continent Star Lord and the Third Legion pass, if anyone dares to cause trouble on the road, don't blame Xiao Zhan for being merciless with his spear!
"keep going."
The army, shrouded in white mist and carrying a soaring resentment, moved toward Kangcheng.
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