The great army of the Wind Cloud Cult had finally shed the cloak of secrecy they had worn throughout their march, revealing their full might and baring their fangs.
The entirety of Glazed Glass Royal City was immediately shaken to its foundations by this terrifying force — mountains lost their color, and the sun and moon seemed to dim.
The Wind Cloud Cult's army was actually besieging Glazed Glass Royal City!
This horrifying news spread through Glazed Glass Royal City in an instant.
The Wind Cloud Cult's army was not vast in numbers, but every single member was an absolute elite, an absolute powerhouse.
In terms of sheer quantity, they might not rival the Northern Alliance from years past. But in terms of quality, they far surpassed that coalition.
After all, the strongest among the Northern Alliance had been no more than peak emperors like Emperor Daji.
This time, however, the Wind Cloud Cult Master himself — a Heaven Rank powerhouse — was personally leading the charge!
What did a Heaven Rank powerhouse mean? It meant that the ten-thousand-year-old power structure of the human territories had been completely shattered. A true Heaven Rank powerhouse had finally arrived.
The era when a peak emperor could unify the world and dominate under heaven was gone forever!
Without exaggeration, a single Heaven Rank powerhouse was worth more than every member of the former Northern Alliance combined. And the Wind Cloud Cult Master had brought an army of fierce warriors along with him.
Most critically, Glazed Glass Royal City's strength this time was far more depleted than when they had faced the Northern Alliance.
Because it had all happened too suddenly!
And as far as everyone knew, even Glazed Glass Royal City's young master, Jiang Chen, was still on his journey to the Nine Yang Heavenly Sect. In other words, right now Glazed Glass Royal City was like a dragon without a head!
How could anyone in Glazed Glass Royal City not be utterly alarmed?
Everyone understood that as long as Young Master Jiang Chen was present, Glazed Glass Royal City would have its backbone. If he was absent, who in all of Glazed Glass Royal City could lead them against the Wind Cloud Cult? Who could stand against that arrogant Wind Cloud Cult Master?
Inside the Young Master's manor on Peacock Sacred Mountain, very few people knew that Jiang Chen had returned.
Moreover, Jiang Chen had given strict orders that his return must not be leaked, lest the information reach the Wind Cloud Cult.
What Jiang Chen wanted this time was the element of surprise — an unexpected blow that would decide the battle.
"Old Gold, your Gold-Munching Mouse clan has served with great merit in these past several battles. This time, your clan will be my hidden trump card. After this battle, I will certainly reward merit accordingly."
Jiang Chen had specifically summoned the Gold-Munching Mouse King to give him these instructions.
Ever since the Gold-Munching Mouse King had decided to follow Jiang Chen, years had passed, and he had come to a clear realization — following Jiang Chen had truly been the wisest decision of his entire life.
Jiang Chen had used all manner of methods to enhance the bloodline of the Gold-Munching Mouse clan. Now, their overall strength had increased at least tenfold.
As for the Gold-Munching Mouse King himself, with Jiang Chen's help in resources, he had made tremendous leaps in power. His strength was now fully capable of going head-to-head against high-level Imperial Realm cultivators.
Of course, the Gold-Munching Mouse clan's advantage had never been in individual combat.
Their strength lay in their numbers, and in their formidable reproductive capabilities.
These advantages gave them immense utility in both siege and defensive warfare. The Gold-Munching Mouse King knew this was precisely why Jiang Chen valued his clan so highly.
Sometimes, Old Gold even felt that, at least for now, his clan's advantages and contributions in battle surpassed those of the True Dragon clan and the Sui-Season White Tiger clan.
After all, Little Xuan the dragon and Little White the tiger were both individuals. They lacked the Gold-Munching Mouse clan's collective advantage. Until they fully matured, their edge in battle would not truly manifest.
"This is the critical period for my Gold-Munching Mouse clan to establish our position in Chen Shao's eyes. Once Little Xuan and Little White are fully grown, our opportunities to contribute may well diminish."
The Gold-Munching Mouse King was very clever. He knew that this phase offered his clan the greatest opportunity.
"Chen Shao, rest easy. Northern Alliance, Wind Cloud Cult — it doesn't matter. Before my Gold-Munching Mouse clan, they are all nothing but morsels beneath our unyielding teeth!"
The Gold-Munching Mouse King made a bloodthirsty gesture, looking utterly ferocious.
Jiang Chen laughed despite himself. The Gold-Munching Mouse clan was usually timid and shrinking. It was rare to see the Gold-Munching Mouse King show such a fierce side.
He understood that the string of recent victories, combined with the steady improvement in the clan's overall strength, had given the Gold-Munching Mouse King more and more confidence.
Still, Jiang Chen reminded him: "Old Gold, the Wind Cloud Cult is nothing like the Northern Alliance. Their strength far surpasses the Northern Alliance's. You must not let your guard down."
"Chen Shao, don't worry. The Wind Cloud Cult is so arrogant — they must have a Heaven Rank powerhouse. But my Gold-Munching Mouse clan doesn't rely on individual strength. We rely on the Mouse Tide!"
The once cowardly Gold-Munching Mouse King had grown quite a bit braver.
This increase in the Gold-Munching Mouse King's boldness was exactly what Jiang Chen liked to see.
"Old Gold, have your children and grandchildren keep watch everywhere. Report any anomalies immediately!"
"Yes, sir."