If Li Tianlan was concerned about some people in this battle, they were undoubtedly some backbone members of East Emperor Palace.

Li Baitian, gay and boisterous, and Ning Qiancheng, a man of few words, were not evil associates, but true friends who could die for each other.

The three men met each other due to luck. Previously, there wasn’t any information about them, and Li Tianlan also had no way. But now, he had got accurate information. Hence, anyway, Li Tianlan would bring them back.

Including Yu Qingyan. From Yu Donglai, the Yu family really contributed all to the Li family. If some incidents occurred to Yu Qingyan, Li Tianlan couldn’t imagine how much Yu Donglai might suffer.

Dongcheng Rushi was his nominal fiancée. Then, whatever the end of the engagement with Dongcheng Clan would be, at least at present, Dongcheng Clan really supported him. It was this help that made Li Tianlan want to protect the younger Miss of Dongcheng Clan well.

“Where are they?”

Perhaps because of the long stay in darkness, Li Tianlan felt the soft light of the outside world a bit dazzling. Hence, he raised his hand to cover his eyes and asked calmly.

“In Zhongjing.”

Horsewoman glanced at Li Tianlan, slightly raised her pretty and dignified eyebrows and slowly said, “About an hour ago, our partner got the information about them that they have been in Zhongjing recently.”

“Have been in Zhongjing?”

Li Tianlan was a bit surprised. The distance between Zhongjing and Changdao was about 400 kilometers. In view of the current situation, Zhongjing could be regarded as the rear of East Island at the time, because according to the information he had obtained, the slowest team of the large-scale elites of Zhongzhou State had broken out in Ninghu, but Li Baitian and other several people…

“Why don’t they break out of the encirclement? Their strength is not weak.”

Li Tianlan whispered to himself. Li Baitian’s team consisted of 6 people, two from Mount Shu and three from Jade Pool. Although Yu Qingyan was weak, her poison could make her unconquerable in the frontal battlefield. Hence, even if this team was lack of masters of the Thunder-shocking Realm, the ordinary people of the Thunder-shocking Realm could definitely not hold them back.

“Perhaps someone deliberately wants to keep them in Zhongjing. In other words, they are trapped.”

Horsewoman meditated upon the information. After temporary hesitation, she decided to speak frankly, “At least, one hour ago, they were being hunted by a team that was led by two peak masters of the Thunder-shocking Realm and composed of nearly one hundred masters and elites of other realms, so the situation was really dangerous.”

She spoke carefully and observed Li Tianlan’s expression.

His expression showed no worry, anger or grumpiness.

Only calmness and reason, virtually close to crudeness, could be sensed from Li Tianlan’s body.

“Can we assist them?”

He suddenly asked, as he ignited a cigarette and took a drag on it.

“This…”

Horsewoman hesitated and replied with a bitter smile, “Zhongjing is the stronghold of Wuji Palace and also one of the several cities in which our partner can’t infiltrate. These years, there is only one dark force inside Zhongjing, the Wuji Palace. Besides, in Zhongjing, our partner has only a few intelligence agents, most of whom are lack of battle strength.”

Li Tianlan spat out the smoke in his mouth, nodded and said without hesitation, “Get ready for the car. Go to Zhongjing now.”

“Do you go in person?”

Horsewoman was confounded.

While Li Tianlan had turned around and strode out of the villa, he said, “You and Duke will go with me, and Flaming Fire stays here.”

At present, he didn’t want to waste even one second. Before finishing his words, he had already stepped downstairs and then straightly ran to the lush courtyard outside the villa.

He moved vigorously and speedily.

In less than ten minutes, a high-horsepower car directly left from outside the courtyard, entered into the club area where they could hide themselves, and eventually went downhill from the club’s back door to Zhongjing.

On the back row of the vehicle, Li Tianlan smoked silently and said nothing.

“I still oppose you taking risks in person.”

Duke drove the car, and in the roar of the engine, the speed was getting faster and faster, and his face became severe.

“This is very likely to be a trap.”

Duke said, “Everyone else is breaking out of the encirclement, so there is no reason for East Island to trap a small team that is strong but can’t affect the overall situation. The most important thing is that this situation has been going on for a few days…”

“What do you want to say?”

Li Tianqi asked indifferently. Even if he was very rational all the time and as calm as ice, he smoked more and more frequently. His inner urgency could be seen faintly.

“He just wanted to say that your friends’ strength is not much horrible, but how can they escape the several-day-long siege? Such kind of force, consisting of two masters of the Thunder-shocking Realm and nearly one hundred elites, can’t be randomly wasted for the current East Island. However, no result comes out regarding the hunting of these young people, so it’s obvious that East Island seems not to want to kill them at present.”

Horsewoman whispered as she looked outside the window. When she got the news at the beginning, she also hesitated whether she should tell it to Li Tianlan. After all, this thing was very strange from any aspect, since it seemed like a trap. But in the end, she still decided to tell the truth, because if this was a trap, the enemy always had a way to let Li Tianlan know the news. Hence, it might be better to prepare for it early.

“I have the same opinion as Horsewoman.”

As Duke drove the car, he said quickly, “The reason why East Island doesn’t kill them is that it is waiting, and it’s very likely that it’s waiting for you. After all, it’s not difficult for East Island to find the newly-established East Emperor Palace, and the relation between you and our boss is publicly known. Hence, if they intend to attract you there and to threaten Samsara, this action…”

Duke’s mouth moved and he sighed, “You shouldn’t go. If you just want to save your friends, I can go with Horsewoman.”

“Because it is a trap, I have to go.”

Li Tianlan said cooly.

Inside the car, all the people became silent.

After full five minutes, Horsewoman, sitting in the passenger seat, sighed, “Don’t you trust us?”

“This has nothing to do with trust.”

Li Tianlan, lifting the corners of his mouth, replied with a smile, “You think too much.”

This had nothing to do with trust because it was only about the position.

Frankly speaking, it was not because his potential was astonishing that Qin Weibai could ask Super Masters of Samsara to protect him, but because he was Qin Weibai’s man. That was all.

She asked Super Masters of Samsara to protect his man, but she would never require the Super Masters to protect his man’s friends at all costs.

Not one of the Super Masters of Samsara was at such a low status.

Therefore, even if he knew that there might be a trap, Li Tianlan must go there. Because only if he was present, he could be sure that Duke and Horsewoman would spare no efforts.

Horsewoman turned her head, took a deep look at Li Tianlan, and no longer spoke.

“Zhongjing is not a place for fun. Fortunately, Tianhai Wuji is trapped in Zhongzhou State, otherwise, Zhongjing would certainly be a black hole for other forces in the Dark World. Even if without Tianhai Wuji, we should take Flaming Fire together, so that we can be more confident of our success.”

Duke suddenly spoke out.

“Flaming Fire has other tasks.”

Li Tianlan shook his head, ignited another cigarette and said, “The second-round elites of the Snowdance Corps will arrive in Changdao, and Flaming Fire needs to help them conceal themselves.”

Duke nodded, as if in deep thought, and said, “The second round… It seems that Zhongzhou State will move more quickly. Anyway, the current situation shouldn’t continue anymore. But who leads this group?”

“A neutral person.”

Li Tianlan was shocked and whispered, “Do you know the four spirits of Zhongzhou State?”

“Four-spirit generals? Who will lead this time? Is he the Azure Dragon or White Tiger?”

Duke was confused and then whistled loudly, saying, “Even Terracotta Army is dispatched, so Zhongzhou State must fork out this time.”

“The leader is ‘Azure Dragon’ Gongsun Qi, known as General of Nine Heavens, one of the four leaders of the Terracotta Army.”

While Li Tianlan answered Duke’s question, he stared at Horsewoman, saying, “Do you think that Wang Shengxiao and Gu Hanshan just fight for a quarter of leadership of the Terracotta Army? As far as I can see, four spirits are neutral figures, right?”

“Theoretically, it is true.”

Horsewoman nodded and replied, “But it is a bit unexpected this time. Among the four generals, one person takes a firm stand.”

Li Tianlan stared at Duke earnestly and intently, waiting for her to continue.

“The current four-spirit generals of Zhongzhou State are respectively ‘Azure Dragon’ Gongsun Qi, General of Nine Heavens, ‘White Tiger’ Shang, General of Nine Serenities, and ‘Vermilion Bird’ Yi, General of Ninth Heaven.”

Horsewoman said slowly, “Gongsun Qi, Shang, and Yi are absolutely neutral figures. But the fourth one isn’t. The last one of the four spirits is ‘Spirit Tortoise’ Jiang Shan, General of Nine Regions.”

Jiang Shan?!

Li Tianlan suddenly raised his eyebrows and asked, “Which Jiang Shan?”

“Naturally, it refers to the nomarch of Beijiang Province and father of Jiang Shangyu. It is also him who wants to retreat from the position of the four spirits.”

Horsewoman said calmly, “The last-generation Spirit Tortoise died in the battlefield of Beijiang five years ago, so in recent years, the situation in Beijiang has been sensitive. Thus, Jiang Shan takes this place. He was originally a transition figure, but no one dares to harm him due to his good deeds in the last five years. Jiang Shan used to be a senator in the Decision Making Committee of Zhongzhou State, and now becomes General of Nine Regions, controlling a quarter of the Terracotta Army. Therefore, he is more resolute than any other senator in the Decision Making Committee. If he hadn’t broken the rule this time, perhaps he wouldn’t have retreated from that position.”

“Broken the rule? It is only an excuse. When he took that position, some people were unwilling to face this fact. Don’t forget the situation five years ago. Now, everything is almost in control, so it’s time to revenge. Hence, is there anyone who would like to let Jiang Shan continue to take this position?”

Duke interrupted abruptly, with a funny tone.

Li Tianlan seemed to think about something.

“Five years ago, it was the key period when the Academics and the Prince Group faced the succession of the new to the old. Did Duke mean that it’s because of the concession of the Academics that Jiang Shan was able to be one of the four spirits? Is it also because of the Academics that Jiang Shan might retreat this time?”

“However, even if Jiang Shan abdicates, the competitors at present are just Gu Hanshan and Wang Shengxiao, and Jiang Shangyu is also qualified for this match due to his relation with Jiang Shan. The Academics is willing to accept the three persons. As for this result, beyond doubt, it is caused by the force of other groups.”

Outsiders would never clearly know if they didn’t join in this high-level fight in person. Hence, Li Tianlan didn’t want to think about this anymore and just casually said, “For Gu Hanshan and Wang Shengxiao, aren’t they qualified for this competition?”

“Their strength is fine.”

Horsewoman nodded and replied, “Nowadays, all four spirits are half-step invincible masters, but they haven’t been replaced. Nevertheless, they must retreat. It is fine to add a young man by means of this chance. As for the position, they are all neutral figures, but not to an absolute extent. Hence, Zhongzhou State set a limit for them that they shouldn’t give opinions on all national affairs. Jiang Shan’s position becomes too sensitive because he takes several posts. Once he gives opinions, he won’t be limited by his viewpoints, which is the fact that the higher-ups fiercely refuses. It’s said that Jiang Shan broke the rule to privately order the Terracotta Army for something. Thus, someone has something on him, otherwise…”

Horsewoman stopped talking, but Li Tianlan understood her meaning.

An absolutely neutral position seemed to be useless, but it was the best place to enable one to quickly accumulate prestige and human connections.

Four spirits only fought against the enemies outside.

As a result, they wouldn’t be related to many interests and justice problems domestically, while it was easy to be recognized by others as they accumulated their deeds one by one.

Whether it was Wang Shengxiao or Gu Hanshan that would sit in this position, after ten years, when they entered the Invincible Realm and accumulated enough prestige, what would the situation be?

“Great ambition.”

Li Tianlan sneered and said, “Far-sighted.”

“Of course, both Wang Tianzong and Gu Xingyun can be called ambitious persons. Will an ambitious person’s plan be limited within the near future?”

Duke replied with a smile.

Li Tianlan closed his eyes, not saying any word.

Faintly, he seemed to have already seen the plots of the Wang family of Beihai and Kunlun City.

Twenty years ago, War God of Zhongzhou State came from the Li family, while the Wang family of Beihai was unable to fight for this title.

Since Li Tianlan’s father suddenly died, Gu Xingyun seized the opportunity to take this position. Facing the general trend, even the Wang family of Beihai couldn’t reverse it. Hence, all the people could only give tacit consent to this outcome.

But how about today?

The title of War God belonged to Kunlun City now. But why didn’t the Wang family of Beihai fight for it? Why?

Kunlun City also did not want to concede.

As Jiang Shan must quit due to rule breaking, no one would oppose this decision except for the Prince Group.

To make Spirit Tortoise quit was wrapped in a nice-sounding name of injecting fresh blood, but the real aim was to have Gu Hanshan or Wang Shengxiao replace the place. From this aspect, Jiang Shan’s retreat must be supported secretly by the Wang family of Beihai and Kunlun City.

However, at the time being, the Academics couldn’t find anyone evenly matched with Wang Shengxiao and Gu Hanshan. Perhaps Li Tianlan deserved to be one due to his powerful combat capability, but his realm was too low. That was to say, no matter how the Terracotta Army changed the fresh blood, there was no need to pick a person of the Ice-condensing Realm.

Besides, since the Academics had sensed the competition between Kunlun City and the Wang family of Beihai and it didn’t want to be implicated, it chose to suffer this loss silently or tried to find opportunities in other fields.

This was the fact that the Academics served as the main force to threaten Jiang Shan to quit. But before they recommended one of their people, this huge chance was taken by the Wang family of Beihai and Kunlun City.

To be one of the four spirits in Zhongzhou State.

To be able to control the most powerful super troop in Zhongzhou State, and to be at a position at which it was easiest to accumulate fame and deeds.

It was no exaggeration to say that Gu Hanshan or Wang Shengxiao’s winning in this competition might be directly related to the ownership of the title of the next God of War.

The two men fought for the title of War God and for the situation of the two superpowers in ten years.

No wonder, no wonder.

Li Tianlan blinked his eyes and sneered.

Wang Shengxiao.

Gu Hanshan.

Who obtained the position of Spirit Tortoise would be closer to the title War God, while the other man would be a bit farther from it.

But in the same way, Li Tianlan would also be farther away from that position.

If both of the two men couldn’t get the position, it would be most in interests of Li Tianlan.

He must think about ways. He must!

The plot of Zhongzhou State.

The war of Changdao.

And then?

Now that journey to East Island had become a test to Gu Hanshan and Wang Shengxiao.

Now that he wanted to destroy the two men’s ideas, he must figure out the plan of Zhongzhou State.

All disputes were nothing but about interests.

Thus, Li Tianlan certainly didn’t believe that Zhongzhou State purely sent them to kill people, which was totally meaningless.

So…

“I’m curious.”

Li Tianlan suddenly said, “This is East Island. Since we entered East Island, it seems that we have always been killing people. Does it make sense? Why does Zhongzhou think that when everything is over, we can defy the will of East Island within its territory and get the say of East Island? In the end, what can we get on earth? The territory belongs to East Island, the people belong to East Island, and the channel also belongs to East Island…”

He paused and then said with a self-deprecating smile, “Won’t we retreat when we finish killing people? I can’t figure out how we can gain a firm foothold in East Island.”

“That’s because you haven’t seen the real general trend in the Dark World.”

Horsewoman smiled and said softly, “Warriors only need to press forward with indomitable wills and to sacrifice for the country, while it is most difficult to know the thoughts of politicians, businessmen, and ordinary people.”

“You will soon see the answers to your questions.”