"Alas, no wonder. Do you know where the large army at the foot of the hill came from? They invaded from the Desolate Realm. It’s unclear what happened, but it seems someone instructed the Desert Realm to launch a massive military advance towards our Human Realm. We joined forces with the Court to drive these forces away."

Upon hearing this, Lin Feng felt a jolt in his heart. Previously, he thought it was merely an internal division within the Court, but now it seemed things were getting increasingly complex and weren’t as straightforward as they appeared. Lin Feng needed to investigate thoroughly to uncover the truth.

But why would the Desolate Realm, which has remained quiet in the north for many years, choose this moment to attack the Human Realm? Could this have been planned long in advance?

Moreover, could the invasion by the Desolate Realm be related to the rebellion of the Yunzhou Marquis’ army? Everything seemed like a deep abyss of mystery. The more Lin Feng thought about it, the more he felt the complexity of the situation.

Perhaps this was a colossal conspiracy.

After listening to the words of the stout uncle, Lin Feng quickly responded, "Did the Court send troops?"

Lin Feng asked not because there were no troops in the city, but because the city’s soldiers were barely enough for its defense. Sending these two thousand people to confront the tens of thousands from the Desolate Realm in the vast wilderness without any support or supplies would be like smashing an egg against a rock; it would be a suicidal move.

What surprised Lin Feng was when the stout uncle continued, "On the way here, we met the Imperial Censor and informed him about cooperating with the Court. He agreed to split the fifty thousand troops he gathered and have half of them join us in resisting the invaders together."

Lin Feng pondered for a moment and still found something amiss, so he asked the stout uncle, "How did you know the Desolate Realm would invade the north? If the Court knew, why didn’t they send more troops directly?"

The stout uncle replied frankly, "A month ago, our Six Great Sects received an edict from the Court, saying that the Desolate Realm in the north sent a declaration of war, claiming they would soon mobilize a large army to attack the Human Realm. Thus, the Court wanted our Six Great Sects to come and resist the enemy together. Our Six Great Sects are renowned righteous sects, upholding justice and protecting the populace is our duty. Even without the Court’s order, as long as the people are in need, we will inevitably lay down our lives to help!"

The stout uncle spoke passionately and with mighty conviction. Lin Feng couldn’t help but regard him with increased respect, realizing that the righteous path still persisted in the Mortal World, and there was still great hope for the people’s future.

However, the stout uncle still hadn’t answered Lin Feng’s question; why hadn’t the Court sent troops directly to the north? Could there be more going on? Thinking of this, Lin Feng’s heart suddenly sank.

After gathering the information in the woods, Lin Feng wasn’t in a hurry to leave.

He asked the stout uncle, "Which sect are you from?"

The stout uncle quickly answered, "We are from the Illusion Sound Pavilion, along with Phoenix Cliff and Qingxuan Sect. Which sect are you from?"

"I am Lin Feng, Sect Leader of the Star-Gazing Pavilion."

The stout uncle touched Lin Feng’s forehead and then said, "You don’t seem to have a fever, so why are you talking nonsense?"

Lin Feng asked further, "You don’t believe me?"

The stout uncle chuckled immediately and said, "Of course I don’t believe you. The Star-Gazing Pavilion has been destroyed for many years, claiming you’re the sect leader is a joke."

The stout uncle laughed heartily.

Watching his laughter, Lin Feng couldn’t help but shake his head.

A robust man nearby said to Lin Feng, "I heard that the Star-Gazing Pavilion possessed a Soul Device, known as the Star Furnace. Since you claim to be the sect leader, what do you have as proof?"

Lin Feng retorted, "You treat a broken furnace as a treasure while ignoring a living sect leader."

"Forget it, Zhou Xiong. Don’t talk to such people; it diminishes our Illusion Sound Pavilion’s status."

Seeing Lin Feng’s remarks, the stout uncle had nothing more to say, so he stopped the man named Zhou Xiong.

Lin Feng, seeing their disbelief, was at a loss.

At this moment, Hua Shengmi started speaking to Lin Feng, "Hahaha, serves you right for driving the Star Furnace away. This is your own doing."

Lin Feng, slightly frustrated for a moment, said to Hua Shengmi, "A sage once said, ’Is it not a gentleman who is not upset when others do not understand him?’ Though I, Lin Feng, may not match the sages, I am still a gentleman."

Hua Shengmi was quite annoyed by Lin Feng’s righteous bantering.

In truth, Lin Feng found it somewhat ridiculous that one had to use an object to prove their identity.

However, such is the way of the world; all things are interrelated and interconnected. If someone forcibly cuts these ties, it is akin to declaring to the world that they intend to defy the Heavenly Dao.

Lin Feng certainly did not wish to defy the Heavenly Dao, nor did he want to face criticism from those of the Six Realms.

Thus, he always acted within his abilities and followed the will of heaven.

Lin Feng’s obedience to the Dao was not borne of ignorance; he understood it as living harmoniously with heaven and Nature. By maintaining harmony in all things, how could chaos arise?

After hearing the stout uncle’s words, Lin Feng was not angered. They were all fighting for the people of the Human Realm and for the peace of Peace City. Such noble actions only made Lin Feng grateful, moved to tears.