Chapter 469: An Omen of Great Fortune
"Report!"
"Vice Captain Zhou, the information team has received a distress signal from the three missing squads!"
Storm Strait.
In a concealed cave, a young man dressed in a black battle suit reported the news.
The red gold dragon insignia on his chest clearly marked him as a member of the Dragon Kingdom's Ninth Squad.
Every nation stations a grand legion at the frontline battlefields near restricted zones.
The Dragon Kingdom's Ninth Squad, consisting of third and fourth-year students, serves as a reserve force, counted separately.
Although they fall under the grand legion's command, they operate independently.
Standing before the young man was a girl with a high ponytail.
Her features were delicate, and her figure slender.
The tight black battle suit outlined her tall and sexy curves.
The only slight disappointment was…
A somewhat flat chest.
She was Zhou Xue'er, the Vice Captain of the Dragon Kingdom's Ninth Squad.
Level 83, third-tier Talisman Master, Underworld Heavenly Lord.
At this moment.
Hearing the report, Zhou Xue'er calmly said, "Have the information team send the coordinates of the distress signal."
The young man nodded.
When Zhou Xue'er opened the holographic map and locked in the positions of the three coordinates, her brows furrowed instantly.
All three coordinates were located deep within the Storm Strait.
And they were all separated.
But that wasn't the main issue.
The main issue was…
These coordinates were in treacherous terrains, sunken basin-like areas surrounded by fierce winds blowing inward.
In other words…
These spots were perfect for setting up ambushes.
Being deep within the Storm Strait, the wind force there is significantly stronger.
If there really was an ambush, escape would be nearly impossible.
Because you'd be fleeing against the wind.
These three coordinates practically screamed to Zhou Xue'er.
"We have an ambush waiting here! Come if you dare!"
The other members of the Dragon Kingdom's Ninth Squad weren't fools; they also noticed the suspicious nature of these coordinates.
"Vice Captain Zhou, this is clearly an ambush. There's no need for us to go in!"
"Yeah, just report it to the higher-ups and let them decide."
However, some had differing opinions.
"Now that it's confirmed the three squads were attacked, our job is not just to rescue but to identify the enemy forces!"
"Whether they are hidden Hundred Ghosts Tribe members, the Dark Church, Demon Arrival, or other organizations…"
"We need to find that out."
Zhou Xue'er listened to the discussions, lost in contemplation.
On the battlefield.
They weren't there to play the savior.
And…
Those three squads were from other nations.
Frankly speaking…
Even if Zhou Xue'er turned a blind eye and left, no one would say much.
At most, they'd accuse the Dragon Kingdom of being uncooperative.
But these elites clearly saw the bigger picture.
Right now…
Their goal wasn't to save those squads.
But to uncover the enemy's identity.
That was the priority.
It meant knowingly walking into a dangerous situation.
The enemy's boldness to act here showed they had confidence and intelligence.
If the Ninth Squad withdrew now and waited for reinforcements, the enemy would likely retreat as well.
Then.
Those rescue squads would have died in vain.
And the enemy's identity would remain unknown.
But it was undoubtedly dangerous.
However.
Just as Zhou Xue'er hesitated.
The information team suddenly stood up with a shocked expression!
"Vice Captain Zhou! We just received a message from headquarters!"
"The new captain, Ling Zhan, arrived at the Hundred Ghosts Fortress half an hour ago!"
"And…"
"After learning we were here, he followed as well!"
As the information officer finished speaking.
"What!?"
Everyone was stunned on the spot.
Zhou Xue'er's expression turned grim.
This…
"Where is he now?" Zhou Xue'er asked in a low voice.
"Unknown! The storm severely interferes with our signal transmission equipment, making contact beyond 500 kilometers impossible!" the information officer replied.
"Damn it!"
Zhou Xue'er cursed under her breath.
At this moment.
Several fourth-year members also showed signs of displeasure.
This new captain…
Was becoming quite annoying!
"Vice Captain, what do we do? If he received the distress signals and rushes there recklessly, he'll definitely fall into the ambush!"
"Should we go rescue him?"
"Ugh! I just don't understand why the upper echelons sent a freshman to be our captain when we're all seniors—it's unheard of!"
"And now we have to figure out how to save him!"
"…"
Listening to the complaints of the fourth-year members.
Some of the new third-year members opened their mouths, wanting to argue.
But they ended up swallowing their words.
After all, like Ling Zhan, they were newcomers.
Here, they had no say.
"Zuo Junyu, Ying Tong."
Zhou Xue'er suddenly called out.
"Present."
A stern-looking young man and a composed young woman responded immediately.
"You two will come with me to the northwest rescue coordinate in the Storm Strait!"
"The winds are relatively weaker there, the terrain is easier to retreat from, and the three points aren't far apart. We should be able to find Ling Zhan and guide him out in time."
"As for everyone else…"
Zhou Xue'er glanced at the remaining members.
There were hundreds of new third-year members and dozens of seasoned fourth-year veterans.
"You will return immediately and report everything here to the upper echelons!"
"Understood!"
Everyone nodded in unison.
Orders are orders.
Even though they knew Vice Captain Zhou's task was dangerous, they understood that once a decision was made, it couldn't be changed.
Watching the retreating members.
Zhou Xue'er took a deep breath, then began making hand signs with one hand, and a mysterious aura spread around her.
Zuo Junyu and Ying Tong knew from her movements that the Vice Captain was divining the auspiciousness of this mission.
Talisman Masters are a branch of Daoists.
They specialize in drawing talismans and fortune-telling, skills Zhou Xue'er excelled in as a third-tier Underworld Heavenly Lord.
A few seconds later.
Under Zuo Junyu and Ying Tong's watchful eyes, Zhou Xue'er finished her actions and calmly said, "A sign of great fortune, let's go!"
Zuo Junyu and Ying Tong exchanged glances, both seeing joy in each other's eyes.
They were well aware of the Vice Captain's accuracy in divining fortune and misfortune; she had never been wrong.
She had even used this ability to escape several perilous battles.
All that could be said was…
As a unique profession of the Dragon Kingdom, it was truly impressive.
…
Back in time.
In another cave within the Storm Strait.
A tall, muscular figure stood at the cave's entrance, gazing at the raging storm with calm eyes.
It was Ling Zhan, who had just entered the Storm Strait.
Beep beep!
At that moment.
A notification sounded on his wrist.
He gently clicked, and a holographic 3D map appeared before him.
The map showed three red dots, each emitting a distress signal.
Examining the terrain and wind levels at those spots.
Ling Zhan suddenly realized something.
An ambush.
It was blatantly obvious.
They were treating him like an idiot.
Nonetheless, he decided to head there anyway.
For a simple reason.
What if the Dragon Kingdom's Ninth Squad had also gone in?
Hmm…
They shouldn't be that stupid.
But just to be safe, he needed to check.
Besides, Ling Zhan feared no one anymore.
Even if he couldn't win, he could still escape.
With that thought.
Swoosh!!
His figure, bolstered by the A+ skill Wind Riding Technique, shot up into the air, heading toward the northwest coordinate.
Like everyone had deduced, that spot was the easiest to retreat from.
If he didn't find anything there, Ling Zhan could simply check the other two coordinates.
…
…
At the same time.
"Lady Ansei, the distress signal has been sent. What are your orders?"
A young man covered in magic runes, with a pair of rotting wings on his back, knelt humbly before a woman.
The woman wore a kimono and was barefoot, her feet and legs adorned with claws.
A crimson vertical ghost eye sat on her forehead.
Her smile was maniacal.
Bando Ansei.
Captain of the Ghost Extermination Corps' Twelfth Special Squad.
Also revered as the "Bishop."
Level 84, Onmyo Xuan Emperor, third-tier Onmyoji.
She stepped on the young man's head with her clawed foot, giggling: "Next…"
"Concentrate all forces on the northwest coordinate. Ignore the other two points."
The young man nodded immediately: "Understood!"
He wondered why the other two points were being ignored.
But he wouldn't ask.
Orders from the Bishop were to be followed without question.
And surely, the Bishop had her reasons.
Indeed…
In Bando Ansei's mind.
Dividing forces to guard the other points would only weaken their strength.
She believed the Dragon Kingdom's Ninth Squad would have realized something was off.
Whether they would come was still uncertain.
But if they did come…
They'd most likely choose the easiest spot to retreat from.
So, it was time to gamble.
Bando Ansei bet they'd head to the northwest coordinate!
If she could take down the Dragon Kingdom's Ninth Squad's vice captain…
She would be richly rewarded by the Demon Arrival Organization!
Maybe even granted redemption by the Lord of Demon Arrival.
After all, Zhou Xue'er was on the Demon Arrival's most wanted list!
With that thought, Bando Ansei grew even more excited.
She pressed down harder on the young man's head.
Just as he felt his head would be crushed under the Bishop's foot.
Suddenly…
Another member entered and reported, "Bishop, someone has entered the northwest coordinate!"
"How many?"
"One!"
Bando Ansei: "…"