"Young friend Chu Feng, who is this senior?"
At that moment, Yaojiao Guang couldn't help but step forward and ask as he looked at Duan Jidao. He already knew that Duan Jidao was the expert from the Hidden World Valley.
But he had always wanted to know exactly who this fellow was—the one who had claimed dominion over their Hidden World Valley for so long—and just how powerful he had become.
"Senior Duan…" Chu Feng did not answer directly. Instead, he turned to look at Duan Jidao, seeking his opinion on whether he was willing to reveal the truth to Yaojiao Guang.
"I am Duan Jidao. Over the years, I have caused much disturbance to the Yaojiao Royal Clan. In truth, I had my own difficulties, and I hope the members of the Yaojiao Royal Clan will not hold it against me." Duan Jidao clasped his fists toward Yaojiao Guang and the two War Faction elders behind him, his tone solemn and full of apology.
In truth, given Duan Jidao's temperament, he would never bow his head or apologize to the Yaojiao Royal Clan. However, he could see that the relationship between the Yaojiao Royal Clan and Chu Feng was extraordinary—otherwise, why would they have dispatched such an overwhelming force to fight on Chu Feng's behalf?
So, purely for the sake of giving Chu Feng face, Duan Jidao felt he owed the Yaojiao Royal Clan a measure of courtesy.
"Duan Jidao? Senior… could you be that Duan Jidao from the Duan Dynasty?" Yaojiao Guang asked in astonishment.
"That is indeed me. However, Clan Chief Yaojiao, there is no need to address me as 'senior.' In terms of age, I am far younger than you," Duan Jidao said with a smile.
"Heavens—it really is the legendary Duan Jidao!" Upon hearing Duan Jidao confirm his identity, not only the other members of the Yaojiao Royal Clan but even the two War Faction elders were shaken to their core.
Duan Jidao's reputation across the Martial Sacred Land was simply too great.
In their shock, they also felt a twinge of regret—regret that they had repeatedly launched campaigns against Hidden World Valley in the past. Had they known it was Duan Jidao residing there, how could they have ever dared do such a thing?
After all, Duan Jidao was a terrifying existence capable of annihilating their entire Yaojiao Royal Clan single-handedly.
"I never imagined I would have the chance to fight alongside the illustrious Duan Jidao. It seems our Yaojiao Royal Clan's trip today was truly worthwhile," Yaojiao Guang said with great excitement. At this moment, he was genuinely elated.
Originally, when he had led this massive army toward the Western Gate Imperial Clan, he had been prepared to face death. But with Duan Jidao joining their ranks, he could now see the dawn of victory.
"The Yaojiao Royal Clan values loyalty and righteousness above all. To fight alongside the Yaojiao Royal Clan is my honor as well," Duan Jidao said.
"However, this battle is no ordinary affair. It is a matter of success or death. I trust that none of you wish to suffer pointless casualties."
"Therefore, we cannot simply charge in as we are. To be safe, we must prepare a thorough strategy." Duan Jidao turned to address the Yaojiao Royal Clan's army.
"Brother Duan, what do you have in mind?" Yaojiao Guang asked.
"I know of a formation called the Demonic Dragon Sky-Breaking Formation. It was created by combining the bloodline power of the demon races, making it perfectly suited for the Yaojiao Royal Clan's army to deploy."
"For instance, the Yaojiao Royal Clan has brought an army of eight hundred thousand. You could distribute their strength evenly, then divide them into eight units, each deploying one Demonic Dragon Sky-Breaking Formation."
"Then, by borrowing the power of my Demonic Dragon Banner, your eight hundred thousand soldiers would no longer be Half-Emperors—they would become eight Martial Emperors. And not ordinary ones, at that."
"Their combat power may only rival that of a first-stage Martial Emperor, but their defensive power would be equivalent to that of a third-stage Martial Emperor."
"In other words, they could easily destroy anyone below the first-stage Martial Emperor level, yet even a third-stage Martial Emperor would be unable to harm them," Duan Jidao explained.