Chapter 2892: Second Plan Activated

But He Lingchuan knew full well:

Gao Huaiyuan had placed his decoy in the main tent, changed his own face, and was issuing orders from a tent at Shekou Peak!

And the only thing he could think of that could deceive Bai Li Ke's penetrating gaze and conceal himself from Panlongcheng's elemental perception was the illusion technique of the Thousand Illusions True Person!

In reality, He Lingchuan often used the Thousand Illusions True Person's illusion technique, so he was thoroughly familiar with its subtle applications.

Although elemental force breaking illusions has a natural advantage, the actual effect still depends on the relative skill levels of both sides.

The Thousand Illusions True Person's illusion technique might not deceive the real Cangyan elemental force, but the current Panlong elemental force is nearly exhausted—how could it possibly pierce the illusionary facade of the old clam demon?

In reality, the fall of Panlongcheng is directly linked to the betrayal of the Thousand Illusions True Person;

And in the Panlong world, that bastard Thousand Illusions True Person, despite openly flying the banner of resistance against the heavenly demons in both Ling Mountain and Panlongcheng, is still colluding with the heavenly demons to this very day, seeking to deal Panlongcheng a vicious blow!

Thinking of this, He Lingchuan gritted his teeth in hatred.

The Thousand Illusions True Person's covert scheme, though delayed, has indeed arrived.

However, time is pressing, so he didn't intend to elaborate, only saying: "Since we've figured it out, let's move on to the next step."

He knew Gao Huaiyuan wouldn't be so easy to kill, but fortunately he still had a second plan.

"That strike of the Blood Blade Flying Axe just now, besides testing that Gao Huaiyuan was using a decoy, also tested how long it would take for Pi Li Tian's true self to return to Long Gang once Gao Huaiyuan encountered trouble." He Lingchuan had considered this early on, "About two breaths and a finger-snap."

So it wasn't truly an "instant" translocation.

This time delay is exactly their window of opportunity.

"So what we need to do now is infiltrate the blue tent where Gao Huaiyuan is located." Hu Min lowered his voice, "He certainly wouldn't expect that, after the Blood Blade Flying Axe attack, a third assassination attempt would come this quickly!"

But Fu Ji Xianren countered: "He's just recovered from his shock, now is precisely when he's most vigilant."

"But we have no time." He Lingchuan lifted his chin, facing Bai Li Ke, "You just saw the orderly report back—how far is the distance from the table inside the tent?"

"About two zhang." Bai Li Ke stared fixedly at the blue great tent, "Oh, another person just went by to report, also standing outside the tent, not taking a single step inside."

"It seems there's a restriction inside the tent entrance, but two zhang is enough." He Lingchuan instructed, "Go grab an orderly."

Hu Min and Fu Ji Xianren nodded and headed out. Capturing Gao Huaiyuan is too hard, but grabbing a lowly soldier should still be easy?

Even though Gao Huaiyuan is wholeheartedly focused on self-preservation, as commander-in-chief he still needs to maintain communication with the outside world; the frontline situation is intense, so there's constant traffic up and down Shekou Peak, sending and receiving intelligence.

He Lingchuan was about to turn around when suddenly he felt the world spin, and he collapsed headfirst.

The door panel startled, then grabbed him with both hands: "Chief!"

He usually addresses He Lingchuan formally as "General," but only when caught off guard does he blurt out the old title from before.

He Lingchuan's ears rang like thunder; he only saw everyone's faces filled with anxiety, their mouths moving nonstop, but he couldn't make out a single word of what they were saying.

The only thing louder than the ringing in his ears was the sound of his own heartbeat. Thump-thump, as if each beat were straining with all its might.

Fu Ji Xianren took out a medicated cloth and repeatedly rubbed it lightly on his philtrum. The cloth was stained not just with blood-red, but the more he rubbed, the more it stained.

He Lingchuan remained composed, waved his hand, signaling them to calm down.

After a while, the ringing faded, and he immediately said: "Just a bit of nosebleed. Stop fussing, everyone get back to work, don't delay the plan!"

Hu Min and Fu Ji Xianren looked worried, but still went off.

Since the operation began, He Lingchuan has sealed off pain with sheer willpower, but the injury he sustained remains—and it's worsening. He knows he won't recover, because this injury was brought over from reality; in reality, his breath is as thin as a thread, so how much better could he possibly get in the Panlong world?

Actually, he also knows that if he followed the words of the Fate Red Snake, abandoned Panlong World, and fled with the Earth Mother and the Great Square Vessel, his condition might still be salvageable.

But he chose Panlong World.

Every move he makes here is paid for with his life. Even arranging a "capture the bandit, capture the leader" plan consumes him greatly.

He wiped his nose, glanced at it.

This isn't just simple nasal bleeding—it's cerebrospinal fluid leaking from the nose.

If life also has a countdown, then his remaining time is already pitifully short—he must cherish it well.

After several dozen breaths, Hu Min and the others succeeded, bringing back a liaison soldier from the Horn Battalion, this man having just visited the blue tent two quarters of an hour ago.

He had already been knocked unconscious; Fu Ji Xianren pinched open the captive's mouth and said to Bai Li Ke:

"Come on, let's invite our squad's sixth member."

Bai Li Ke shrank his neck, something stirred in his throat a few times. Then he extended his long beak into the captive's mouth and spat something out from his crop.

Soon after, the captive suddenly sat up, eyes wide open.

……

When the Blood Blade Flying Axe split the mountain, Gao Huaiyuan also rushed out of the main tent to watch.

Even having seen the fiercest battlefield, this sight still turned Gao Huaiyuan's face pale.

The northern hill where his decoy was stationed had several hundred troops in the front and rear camps combined, but now there's nothing left—only a huge pit reaching straight to the ground remains at the original spot.

Fortunately he used a decoy; if Gao Huaiyuan himself had been there, he would now have not a bone left.

That the enemy could actually wield something as massive as the Blood Blade Flying Axe? Gao Huaiyuan truly hadn't expected it.

His personal guards whispered a reminder: "Commander, don't easily show your face—this outside is crowded with eyes, watch out for spies. The previous assassin had sneaked onto the hilltop, intending to launch an assassination."

Gao Huaiyuan steadied himself, said "It's fine," turned and entered the tent—indeed, he was quite receptive to advice.

After the enemy's first assassination attempt failed, Pi Li Tian gave him a treasure—the Mirage Horn.

It's said this horn was taken from a thousand-year-old clam demon, capable of concealing Panlongcheng's elemental perception.

Thus, Gao Huaiyuan used the Mirage Horn to alter his appearance and sent his decoy to the northern hill, fabricating a false target.

Now he's quite glad he had such far-sighted vision back then.

There's also good news from the front lines.

After Pi Li Tian returned to the battlefield, the front lines pressed back toward Panlongcheng again. The Heavenly Bridge has once more become the focal point of contention between both sides.

Pi Li Tian's attendant deity, Ju Liu Shen, also brought a piece of good news:

That fierce black dragon, its power is rapidly declining.

Pi Li Tian has already shattered it twice. Although it can still burrow out from within Panlongcheng, its strength, agility, and ferocity are all rapidly decreasing.

Pili Tian judged that at most half an incense stick's time, it would be exhausted.

Gao Yuanyuan heard this and let out a long breath. Good, good, it seems the Coiling Dragon cannot turn over.