Gunainai, Qin Chuan, and the others began preparing for a major battle.
Everyone assumed that since the research institute had sent out “Angels,” the lord of Yitu City must be on the verge of making a move.
Yet, to Zhang Chu and the others’ surprise, more than ten days passed, and Yitu City showed no signs of action.
While they remained still, Gunainai’s side developed rapidly.
By now, Qin Chuan and his group had fully integrated dozens of surrounding tribes. Each expert was appointed as a general, commanding their own division.
For instance, Qin Chuan led the Ghost King Bee Division.
These Ghost King Bees were formidable—each one the size of an adult’s fist, pitch-black, with tail stingers like steel needles.
A single sting from one could kill anyone below the eighth level of the Dantian realm from sheer pain.
Of course, a lone Ghost King Bee’s combat power was limited, but their strength lay in numbers. Not far off, in Ghost Bee Valley, there were over a hundred Ghost King Bee colonies.
Each colony contained millions of bees.
In the past, these bee tribes roamed freely—even the research institute’s “Angels” dared not provoke them.
But Gunainai was their natural counter.
She told Zhang Chu she could cultivate a mysterious insect that could burrow into the Ghost King Bee queen’s body, turning it into her zombie puppet.
Using this method, Gunainai had gained complete control over vast swarms of Ghost King Bees.
This was her trump card, not to be used lightly.
Then there was Lei Bufan, now the general of the Leopard Division.
Nearby were six leopard valleys housing Winged Leopards, Ghost King Leopards, Needle-Tailed Leopards, and more—each type with unique traits, totaling over ten thousand.
With a single command from Lei Bufan, these leopards could form a steel torrent, charging at enemies.
Beyond that, there were the Eagle Division, Wolf Division, and others.
Moreover, the number of experts under Gunainai’s command kept growing, no longer limited to just Qin Chuan and Lei Bufan.
Recently, she had subdued over a dozen demon experts.
After confirming they were fully under her蛊术 (gu術, witchcraft) control, Zhang Chu refined various pills to boost their strength.
Now, Gunainai had more than a dozen demon-ghost generals, all at the True Law realm.
Today,卧猫谷 (Crouching Cat Valley) boasted immense strength and a roster of experts, undeniably a force to be reckoned with in the Ghost Fog World.
That day, after Zhang Chu finished refining some pills, he sat with Gunainai for tea.
“What’s going on? No movement from Yitu City at all?” Zhang Chu asked.
Gunainai smiled, “Who knows? Maybe the ghost kings of this world don’t read military strategy—they don’t realize they should crush us in the bud.”
Zhang Chu chuckled, “Why do I feel like, at this rate, we could peacefully take over Yitu City?”
“Ghosts only know. If they don’t act soon, I’ll send troops to surround the city myself.”
Suddenly, Gunainai frowned and stood abruptly, “Hm?”
Zhang Chu asked quickly, “What’s wrong? Is Yitu City moving?”
Gunainai shook her head, “Not Yitu City—it’s those foreigners!”
“The research institute again? Are they that eager to die?” Zhang Chu said, exasperated.
Last time, the institute sent a few “Angels” and many experts, only for them to be wiped out before they could even use their potions.
They were back again?
But Gunainai said, “No, they’re not coming here—they’re trying to escape!”
“Escape?” Zhang Chu’s expression turned odd.
Gunainai’s interest piqued, “Yes, escaping! At least two hundred of them, escorting potions, materials, lab equipment, and researchers, all fleeing!”
“Several of Yitu City’s Level 6 Ghost Kings are hunting them down!”
At that moment, Gunainai laughed gleefully, “Haha, I get it! Yitu City’s queen isn’t a fool—she knows we’re a threat. But inside Yitu City, those foreigners and the queen are at odds!”
“They’ve got internal conflict!”
Gunainai had no intention of intervening. She just monitored the distant chaos with her蛊虫 (gu insects), content to watch the tigers fight from the mountain.
Zhang Chu’s eyes glinted as he said, “Call over those Fusang talisman guys. I’ve got questions.”
Gunainai nodded and ordered a small ghost beside her to fetch Liu Sheng Yunjing.
Soon, Liu Sheng Yunjing of the Five Elements Sect arrived at the hall.
“Queen!” Liu Sheng Yunjing was all protocol, kneeling and bowing before Gunainai.
Gunainai nodded, “Sit. I’ve got something to ask.”
“Please, Queen, ask away,” Liu Sheng Yunjing replied.
Zhang Chu spoke up, “Liu Sheng Yunjing, here’s some news: the Western research institute seems to have fallen out with the queen near Yitu City. They’re fleeing en masse.”
Liu Sheng Yunjing’s face jolted, “Impossible!”
“Impossible? I’ve seen it with my own eyes, and you’re telling me it’s impossible?” Gunainai said.
Liu Sheng Yunjing frowned, “That’s not right. I recall that when the institute folks entered this world, they were immediately captured by the queens of the major cities. They barely resisted before swearing loyalty to them.”
“Loyalty can’t be broken?” Zhang Chu asked.
Liu Sheng Yunjing said, “It shouldn’t be. I heard they took some herb from the queen—once consumed, they’re loyal to her forever.”
Gunainai’s expression turned strange, “Then why are they running? Are they luring us out?”
Zhang Chu shook his head, “That doesn’t add up either. If it’s a bait-and-switch, it’s too sloppy—we’ve got no reason to save them.”
But then he paused, “Wait—what if the institute accidentally found an antidote and broke their loyalty?”
Gunainai’s eyes lit up, “That’s totally plausible!”
The institute specialized in potions, after all.
If their loyalty stemmed from an herb, it made sense they might stumble upon a counteragent while experimenting.
“So, they’re genuinely trying to escape this world?” Gunainai said.
“Could be!” Zhang Chu replied.
Gunainai then asked, “Should we save those foreigners? If they’ve ditched the ghost kings, could they join us?”
Zhang Chu gave her a weird look, “Are you nuts? Why save them? It’s just dogs biting dogs.”
“Oh,” Gunainai muttered softly, “But shouldn’t we do something?”
Zhang Chu grinned, “Of course we should.”
He asked, “How many Level 6 Ghost Kings are chasing the institute?”
“Twelve!” Gunainai answered.
“Can the institute hold them off?” Zhang Chu pressed.
Gunainai shook her head slightly, “Looks tough. They’ve only got eight Angel-level fighters. The rest need potions to barely fend off those Level 6 Ghost Kings.”
“But from what I see, they won’t last long.”
Zhang Chu said, “The cat ghost mentioned before that Yitu City has around twenty Level 6 Ghost Kings.”
“So, that means Yitu City’s forces are stretched thin right now!”
“Oh?” Gunainai’s eyes sparkled, “You mean we can attack the city?”
Zhang Chu nodded, “Exactly. With our strength—land, sea, and air—we should strike now!”
Honestly, their recent growth had given Zhang Chu and Gunainai real confidence.
If the enemy wouldn’t stir trouble, they’d make some themselves.
