Chapter 168

The orcs retreated like a tide, leaving a mess all over the ground.

The thick smell of blood mixed with the dampness of the mist permeated the outskirts of Guangtan Fortress, making one feel nauseous.

The brief victory brought no joy; instead, the atmosphere on the city wall grew even more solemn.

Everyone knows this is only the beginning.

"Clear the battlefield, repair the traps, tally the casualties," Li Qingxuan's voice echoed everywhere via the communication stone, calm but with a hint of barely noticeable fatigue.

Just now, Grey Shadow's psychic sneak attack, although he forcibly suppressed it, still had some effect.

Huang Rong's figure lightly leapt up from beneath the city wall, handing the dull black rune stone to Li Qingxuan: "That guy is cunning; if he misses a strike, he immediately flees. This rune stone… seems to be specifically used to destroy energy structures."

Li Qingxuan took the rune stone, feeling its icy coldness and sensing the lingering malevolent energy within.

"This thing is not simple; it can penetrate the interference of mist and energy fields, precisely locating relatively weak points… He knows our defense system very well." His eyes sharp, he said, "We must pull him out quickly, otherwise we won't find peace."

Chen Xiulan sent word from the watchtower: "The orcs have retreated to set up camp five kilometers out, showing no sign of withdrawing further. Moreover… we lost seven icefield demon wolves, and over thirty more are wounded. The traps have been destroyed by about thirty percent."

Li Feifei's voice followed shortly: "The rune energy core tower is operating normally, the energy field is stable. The outer city wall's protection value has dropped by about 8%, while the inner city remains unharmed."

Li Qingxuan silently calculated that the orcs' first wave was more probing and draining, with the real hard battle still to come.

And that Grey Shadow is like a sword hanging over one's head.

"Ronger," Li Qingxuan looked at Huang Rong, "tonight, you and I will go out."

Huang Rong's eyes flashed: "Go find that Grey Shadow?"

"Not exactly," Li Qingxuan shook his head. "He's too cautious; he won't easily expose himself. We're going to find Blood Axe for a talk."

Night fell, and the thick mist grew even deeper in the darkness.

Guangtan Fortress lay like a dormant beast in the mist, silently licking its wounds.

Two figures slipped silently out of the outer city wall, merging into the dark night—namely Li Qingxuan and Huang Rong.

Huang Rong wore a stealth cloak, her aura almost completely concealed.

Li Qingxuan, relying on his powerful spiritual power and constitution, reduced his presence to a minimum.

The two moved like phantoms, swiftly weaving through the wilderness, avoiding the orcs' outposts and heading straight for their temporary camp.

The orcs' camp lacked any discipline, with roaring bonfires and noisy clamor.

Most of the orcs were drinking and tearing at bloody chunks of meat, venting the day's frustrations and anger.

Outside the largest tent at the center of the camp hung the battle flag of the Lie Claw Clan, and the rough roars of the Bloodaxe Chieftain could be faintly heard.

Li Qingxuan and Huang Rong lurked in the shadows at the edge of the camp, calmly observing.

"The guards are lax," Huang Rong whispered. "It seems they're certain we wouldn't dare come out."

"Perfect," Li Qingxuan locked his gaze on the central tent. "I'll go meet Blood Axe. You stay here on standby, watch for that Grey Shadow's appearance. If things go wrong, send a signal to retreat immediately."

Huang Rong nodded, her form melting away into the deeper darkness.

Li Qingxuan drew a deep breath, his internal power slowly circulating.

He did not choose stealth; instead, he moved like an arrow released from a bow, charging straight for the central tent!

His speed was so great that it left a blurred afterimage in the night!

"Enemy attack!!"

The orc sentries on the outskirts finally noticed and let out a shrill alarm.

But it was already too late!

Li Qingxuan, like a humanoid tyrannosaurus, directly knocked over the two guards outside the tent, flung open the curtain, and stormed into the great tent!

Inside the tent, the Bloodaxe Chieftain was seated with several close confidant captains around the firepit, discussing tomorrow's attack plan.

Li Qingxuan's sudden intrusion left all the orcs stunned.

"Li Qingxuan?!" the Bloodaxe Chieftain jumped up, grabbing the huge axe at his hand, his face full of shock and fury, "You dare…"

"I came to discuss a deal with you," Li Qingxuan interrupted, his tone calm, as if he were not in an enemy camp but in his own living room.

His gaze swept over the few orcs in the tent who clearly resembled shamans and commanders, committing their faces to memory.

"A trade?" the Bloodaxe Chieftain laughed as if hearing a huge joke, "You're about to die—what qualifications do you have to discuss a trade with me?"

"I can take your life anytime." Li Qingxuan's voice turned cold, a mighty pressure like a mountain erupting and enveloping the entire tent!

The pressure of the Weird Divine Realm caused those orc captains and shamans to instantly turn pale, struggling to breathe!

The Bloodaxe Chieftain also felt a huge jolt; having never truly felt Li Qingxuan's strength in previous battles, he now sensed the oppressive pressure of Li Qingxuan's unfathomable power face‑to‑face.

"You…" the Bloodaxe Chieftain gripped his axe, muscles tensed, yet found himself hesitant to strike outright.

"The human who gave you the coordinates," Li Qingxuan said without giving him time to think, "is using you. He wants far more than you know. If I die, he'll be next to silence. Cooperate with me, hand him over, and I might let the Lie Claw Clan leave unharmed—even offer some compensation."

This is a naked sowing‑discord scheme, but in this situation Blood Axe has no choice but to consider it deeply.

The Grey Shadow's weirdness and mystery naturally make him wary as well.

"Insolent!" an orc shaman, suppressing fear, shouted, "Chieftain, kill him!"

Li Qingxuan's eyes narrowed; he flicked a finger, and a condensed soul arrow shot out silently, astonishingly fast.

The shaman had no time to react, feeling only a sudden pain in his brow, his eyes dimming as he collapsed backward, lifeless.

Instant kill!

The tent fell silent except for the crackling of the campfire; the other orcs held their breath, their gazes toward Li Qingxuan filled with fear.

"Look," Li Qingxuan spread his hands, his tone still calm, "I could kill you easily, but I'm giving you a chance. Is it worth dragging the entire Lie Claw Clan into ruin for a head‑hiding, treacherous human?"

The Bloodaxe Chieftain's face shifted, veins bulging on his axe‑gripping hand; he stared hard at Li Qingxuan, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

Just then, a commotion arose outside the tent along with Huang Rong's sharp cry.

Li Qingxuan's expression changed slightly; he knew Huang Rong's side had run into trouble.

He no longer hesitated, locking eyes with the Bloodaxe Chieftain: "Think it over, Bloodaxe Chieftain. My patience is limited."

Before his words even fell, he violently recoiled, smashing straight through the tent and charging out!

Outside the tent, Huang Rong was locked in fierce combat with a blurred Grey Shadow!

That Grey Shadow's movement was eerie, like a loach, weaving through the chaotic Orc Camp, intermittently unleashing vicious Spiritual Shock and shadow arts, forcing Huang Rong to give her all in response.

The surrounding Orcs tried to surround them, but were kept at bay by the shockwaves and residual magical energy from the two fighters' clash.

"Grey Shadow!" Li Qingxuan's eyes blazed—surely it was him! He had actually been lurking near the Orc Camp all along!

"Stop him!" the Bloodaxe Chieftain also rushed out of the tent, seeing Grey Shadow, his expression complex, yet he still gave the order.

Li Qingxuan snorted coldly, holding nothing back, he burst forward at full speed like a teleport, throwing a punch at Grey Shadow's back; the fist's wind surged, and the air exploded with a bang.

Feeling the deadly threat behind him, Grey Shadow had to abandon his entanglement with Huang Rong, his body twisting eerily like a boneless thing to slip away, while he backhanded three poisoned flying needles.

Li Qingxuan neither dodged nor altered his punch; an invisible force field around him directly shook the flying needles away.

But with that block, Grey Shadow had already opened the distance again; he gave Li Qingxuan and Huang Rong a venomous glance and let out a hoarse cold laugh: "Li Qingxuan, we will meet again!"

Having said that, he crushed a scroll, his form enveloped by a Black Mist Envelopment, and vanished instantly from the spot.

"A Teleportation Scroll?" Li Qingxuan frowned, this guy really has plenty of tricks to save his life.

"Go!" He grabbed Huang Rong, no longer lingering; the two vanished like wisps of smoke, swiftly leaving the Orc Camp before the orcs could encircle them, disappearing into the vast night.

The Orc Camp was in utter chaos; the Bloodaxe Chieftain watched the direction the two had disappeared, then glanced at the shaman's corpse on the ground, his face dark enough to wring water from.

Li Qingxuan's words were like a Seed, already planted in his heart.

On the return journey, Huang Rong remained uneasy: "That Grey Shadow is hard to deal with; his movement is eerie, and his Spirit attacks are impossible to guard against."

Li Qingxuan nodded: "He is more dangerous than we imagined. However, after this incident, a rift will surely arise between the Blood Axe and him. This is our only chance."

Taking the initiative, striking to shock, sowing discord among the enemy. The upcoming battle will not merely be a contest of strength, but also a test of wit and patience.

And the venomous snake hidden in the darkness—where will it strike its next deadly blow from?

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