The only way to retaliate would be for someone from the Aika Tribe to do as Guo Wei had done: cross the National Border and charge into Wei Tu’s barracks. However, they were in the wrong on this matter; the Aika Tribe’s warriors had simply been used as cannon fodder by Xie Xiaohuan.

Although Baru was furious, he could only have Mahmoud pressure Xie Xiaohuan and get Prince Andre to handle the matter. Whether they could hold the Great Yuan Dynasty and Guo Wei accountable would depend entirely on Andre’s actions.

In any case, as the Guardian General, all Baru could do now was remain on high alert and keep a close eye on Wei Tu’s movements.

"If General Wei’s troops hadn’t been tying down the Turkic Guardian General’s soldiers, my disciple and I would never have escaped,"

Guo Wei said sincerely.

Baru had up to three thousand soldiers in his barracks. A few small squads would have been enough to intercept him and Chu Lingguang at the National Border.

With Xie Xiaohuan’s forces closing in from all sides, they would have faced certain death, even if his own power surpassed the Qi Sea realm.

"Master Guo, you overstate things. It’s my duty."

Wei Tu held Guo Wei in high regard. He not only hosted a banquet for him in his barracks but also had a physician diagnose and treat his wounds to prevent his internal injury from worsening. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

And so, the master and disciple, along with Zhuoyi and his group, all stayed in Wei Tu’s tents.

Yan Zhen was locked in combat with the young man in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, and the group planned to wait for his return before leaving.

「Two mornings later」

Yan Zhen returned to Wei Tu’s camp. Everyone saw the bloodstains on his arms and the tears in his clothes, both front and back. His aura was powerful, but he looked somewhat worse for wear.

Guo Wei noted that Yan Zhen’s wounds were mostly claw-like scratches. ’To pierce through a six-layered Dharma Aspect defense with just one’s fingers and leave marks on his flesh... the boy’s grip must be terrifyingly strong.’

The physician first treated Yan Zhen’s wounds.

Wei Tu had his men serve the prepared meat for Yan Zhen to eat.

The others waited in silence, careful not to disturb Yan Zhen as he ate and had his wounds treated. Only after he had changed into a fresh set of clothes and restored his Qi Blood did they all gather inside Wei Tu’s command tent.

"This junior pays his respects, Master Guo."

As the group entered, Yan Zhen first bowed respectfully to Guo Wei. Guo Wei’s recent battle had sent the morale of the Guardian General’s soldiers soaring, uniting them completely. Their training over the past two days had been more energetic than ever.

Wei Tu had just told him as much.

He himself had witnessed Guo Wei’s Flying Leaf Lotus Spear inflict devastating losses on the Aika Tribe warriors. He had even seen him, while surrounded, kill Hamu—an expert at Qi Sea Perfection—with a single thrust of his spear.

Furthermore, Wei Tu had just informed him that a total of two experts at the Qi Sea Perfection realm had fallen to Guo Wei’s spear. In addition to Banu, four other cultivators at Qi Sea Great Success had also died.

The number of casualties at Qi Sea Minor Achievement, or those who hadn’t even opened their Qi Sea, was simply innumerable.

In summary, this battle had not only sent the morale of the Great Yuan’s border soldiers soaring and united them as one, but it had also inflicted heavy losses on the Aika Tribe and caused the Turkic people a great loss of face. Envoys from both dynasties were now locked in a political struggle, arguing over who was to blame.

"Thank you for taking that fatal palm strike for Chu Lingguang,"

Guo Wei said, cupping his fists.

"I will never forget this life-saving grace!"

Chu Lingguang knelt before Yan Zhen. ’This is too great a Favor. I have to repay it someday. I have to find a way.’

"You’re exaggerating. You’ve taken the Bone Marrow Cleansing Liquid and attained a Pure True Body. On top of that, you have a five-layered Dharma Aspect protecting you. The Little Prince’s attack wouldn’t have been enough to kill you,"

Yan Zhen said sincerely.

Chu Lingguang’s rate of progress was a real eye-opener for him. It was even more terrifying than his own, almost unbelievably so.

"The Little Prince?"

The group looked startled.

"His name is Andenuk, the youngest son of Prince Andre. Everyone calls him the Little Prince," Yan Zhen explained. "I’ve been training in the Hundred Thousand Mountains and happened to run into him. We’ve fought a few times now. The Turkic Royal Family has a powerful bloodline, and Andenuk has already awakened several Divine Abilities."

"So, did you win this time?"

Du Wushuang asked.

Yan Zhen glanced down at his arms. When he had returned, they were covered in blood, the deep scratches clearly visible. He had wounds on his chest and back as well.

Seeing his condition, everyone assumed that he hadn’t gained any advantage and had lost to the Little Prince.

"I broke one of his arms," Yan Zhen said in a low voice. "And he broke through my defense six times. Next time I get the chance, I’ll be sure to break both of them!"

Hearing this, everyone’s eyes lit up, their faces beaming with delight. Chu Lingguang was especially thrilled. "Yan, you’re the true child of heaven! The Little Prince is no match for you anymore!"

Yan Zhen shook his head and said seriously, "Neither of us gained an advantage. It was a draw. The Turkic Royal Family bloodline is formidable; his physical recovery rate far surpasses mine. If the fight had dragged on, I would have been the one to lose out."

"However, speaking of a child of heaven... Chu Lingguang, from what I know, it’s been less than three years since you became Master Guo’s disciple. First, you defeated Chengdu to become number one in South City. Afterward, you left everyone in the dust at the academy, crushing even the likes of Chen Jin, who is backed by Emperor Yue Xuan. Then you killed Samba, earned the favor of Mr. Du, and entered the Trial Ground to cultivate. In the end, you even acquired the Bone Marrow Cleansing Liquid and became the top candidate. Perhaps you are the true child of heaven!"

Yan Zhen said, his voice full of admiration and a burgeoning fighting spirit.

Back when he had seen Chu Lingguang fight on his own to the very end at the academy, he knew Chu Lingguang would become a formidable rival. He just never imagined his progress would be this fast—far beyond his expectations. To not only kill Samba but also to become the top candidate in the Trial Ground by defeating Xia Tianzhong, Long Xin, and Xu Kanghui...

...And one had to understand, the backgrounds of those three were far more powerful than even his Yan Family.