Chapter 2119: Baiqiu Yuan!

Then everyone continued to hide in the thicket, waiting silently.

During this time, another group of Ya Kingdom patrols came by, but everyone remained motionless until they were worn down and left.

He Yue whispered: "What are we waiting for?"

"Waiting for someone to come meet us." Taozi said, "When he arrives, you'll be safe."

About a quarter of an hour later, another patrol came by.

Just as they approached, the bushes suddenly rustled!

He Yue's heart leapt into his throat, and these patrols were also startled, drawing their knives and spears.

Turning around, they saw a green-skinned monkey sitting on a branch.

It was so fat it bent the branches, yet it leisurely ate raspberries, completely ignoring the patrols and their weapons.

"Is it a monster?"

"No, just a monkey." This patrol spat a curse, sheathed their weapons, and slowly walked away.

The monkey then let out a soft "squeak."

After that, a huge creature emerged from underground!

"A... a snail!" The guard behind He Yue was so startled he leaned back—what a huge snail, its shell rivaling a thatched hut.

Yet this snail actually had four long legs, its skin sticky, wet, and smooth, making anyone who saw it feel deeply uncomfortable.

They drew their swords, the blades ringing a few times as they shielded He Yue in front.

"Don't be afraid, this is a snail-toad, coming to meet us." Taozi jumped out of the thicket, gesturing for everyone to follow.

He Yue then noticed that beneath the creature's hard shell stood a person, with an ordinary face and clothing, blending into a crowd unnoticed.

But here, it was strikingly out of place.

"Mr. Dong." Taozi bowed to him, very respectfully, "The person has been brought."

Then she said to He Yue: "This is Mr. Dong Rui, attendant to the Great Emperor. Just follow him—your journey will be completely safe."

Since He Lingchuan revealed his identity to this world, Dong Rui no longer needed to hide, and thus openly resumed his true name.

When He Yue assessed him, he also waved at He Yue: "Come over!"

He didn't need to scrutinize authenticity—just one look at this boy's face, and he saw three or four parts resemblance to He Lingchuan; surely they shared the same father.

Taozi then waved at He Yue, said goodbye, and turned to vanish into the forest.

After the handover, she had to return to the Yangshan Archipelago.

He Yue and the others were then brought by Dong Rui into the internal space of the snail-toad.

Before the next patrol arrived, the snail-toad burrowed downward, submerging underground.

Everyone marveled at the snail-toad's internal miraculous 200-plus-degree panoramic view—having such a treasure for earth-avoiding travel over thousands of miles, no wonder Taozi said their upcoming journey would be completely safe.

Dong Rui smiled at He Yue: "You're He Lao'er? You look much more honest, unlike your brother, all sly and ghost-like."

He Yue awkwardly rubbed his nose. Hearing this Mr. Dong's words, he didn't seem like his brother's subordinate.

"Ah, this gesture of yours is also similar." The monkey peeled a broad bean, which Dong Rui snatched and ate.

"Mr. Dong, how is the battle at Baiqiu Yuan going?"

"Ya Kingdom has been roughed up by us, now rushing reinforcements here." Dong Rui bared his teeth, "Once we take Baiqiu Yuan, we can reach Ya Kingdom's major strongholds via the waterways here."

"Is my brother alright?"

"Quite well." Dong Rui laughed, "With battles to fight, he's energetic every day. But Ya Kingdom forces launched an attack two hours ago, your brother led troops to meet them, and currently has no time to see you."

He Yue rubbed his hands, unable to contain himself: "If I could observe this great battle, that would be wonderful."

"Why not?" Dong Rui gave the snail-toad a command, which immediately turned. "When we reach Baiqiu Yuan, you'll see for yourself."

The snail-toad traveled underground for a long time, and Dong Rui chatted with He Yue for a long while. He wasn't usually talkative, but this person before him was, after all, He Xiaodi.

At full daylight, the snail-toad surfaced.

Then Dong Rui pointed downward: "Look!"

Everyone gathered at the edge of the snail-toad's transparent shell, all sucking in a breath of cold air.

Ya Kingdom's territory is mostly plains, originally infertile, only grass could grow, making it natural pasture, so Ya Kingdom's tribes were traditionally nomadic. However, Baiqiu Yuan is an exception—this place features layered, complex terrain.

Unlike ordinary mountains and rivers, the hills here are generally small and beautiful. Hence the name "Baiqiu Yuan," because the hill shapes are unique, as if someone took a knife and sliced off each peak of the great mountain one by one, placing them on the ground.

Thus, the beautiful scenery on the hilltops and ridges, ordinary people need not climb to heights of a hundred or a thousand zhang—just standing on the ground suffices to see it.

These small hills number over seven hundred, the shortest only a few zhang tall, the tallest no more than a hundred zhang, making this place like a museum of hills—whoever comes must marvel at the miraculous craftsmanship of nature.

However, this terrain provides various cover for both sides in warfare.

Originally, the Dragon God Army attacked on the endless grassy plains, with little room for tactics—both sides meeting meant direct confrontation, at most differing slightly in formation and troop type arrangement.

But in Baiqiu Yuan, the commanders on both sides can employ far more varied tactics.

This place is not only Ya Kingdom's sacred land, but also the northeastern highland for observation across the whole Ya Kingdom—once lost, Ya Kingdom would be at a great disadvantage in subsequent wars.

Therefore, the intensity of the Baiqiu Yuan battle is the fiercest since the war began.

Both sides have committed over 100,000 troops here, and continue to reinforce.

He Yue arrived at the battlefield at this moment.

He is the younger brother of the Nine Abysses Great Emperor; Dong Rui naturally could not let him personally face danger, so the snail-toad selected a hilltop that protruded.

From this high vantage, He Yue's gaze was instantly drawn to the dark, surging battlefield.

Here, two armies were locked in fierce combat.

But Dong Rui said: "Huh, not right—your brother isn't here. Switch!"

The snail-toad submerged again.

He left the front lines to fetch He Yue, taking a long time, and upon return, wasn't sure where He Lingchuan was.

Baiqiu Yuan is vast; he piloted the snail-toad to pop up here and there, changing locations four or five times, before cheerfully saying: "This time should be correct."

He Yue: "..."

This Mr. Dong has amazing methods, but his sense of direction seems not very good.

The snail toad's stopping position this time is a mountain peak in the inner field, higher than the previous few peaks, with an excellent vantage point; from the summit one can just overlook the largest and most intense section of the battlefield.

However, someone is already here; as soon as the snail toad appeared, a shout came from beside it.

Both sides of the battle want to occupy the high ground in order to have a good view.

He Yue saw four or five soldiers standing on the hilltop; the snail toad suddenly emerged from two zhang away beside them, startling them greatly.

These people instinctively attacked, and one of them wanted to blow a whistle to warn.

Knives and spears stabbed into the snail toad's shell, only leaving a few small white marks. These past few years, He Lingchuan has been generous with experimental funds, and Dong Rui has also not stinted on piling materials onto the snail toad.

The snail toad poked its head out of its shell; He Yue saw a red flash, and the whistle-blower disappeared.