283: Squad Exploration

Xiao Zhuo led over two hundred Demon Race generals of the Black Edge Legion, breaking through the encirclement and charging for hundreds of thousands of miles, until they rushed into a continuous mountain range, finally shaking off the pursuit of the Corpse Clan tide.

“It seems that as long as it’s not the battlefield itself, there won’t be a Corpse Clan tide to hinder us!”

On a mountain peak, the Demon Race generals stopped to rest, and Ban Xuanji approached, saying.

Xiao Zhuo heard him but remained noncommittal: “Big Brother Ban, I’m afraid things won’t be that simple!”

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and a dozen or so gray, mist-shrouded orbs were taken out.

“What are these? Corpse Pills?” Ban Xuanji asked hesitantly when he saw the orbs.

“Exactly!” Xiao Zhuo nodded. These Corpse Pills were all from the Corpse Generals that had just been killed, stripped away and collected by Xiao Zhuo using World Power.

Although he didn't know what secrets this ancient battlefield, stripped from the Demon Realm by a powerful being, held, just these Corpse Pills, at least millions of years old, were treasures.

Each one was worth hundreds of thousands of Immortal Crystals or Demon Crystals.

The energy within them was extremely rich, far exceeding that of ordinary Demon Race generals by more than ten times.

“The energy accumulated in these Corpse Pills is enormous. Although they are only general-level, in terms of energy accumulation, we Demon Race generals are far inferior to these Corpse Generals who have been dormant for countless years!” Ban Xuanji also nodded.

Several Demon Race generals, attracted by the energy fluctuations of the Corpse Pills, also nodded in agreement.

“Primal Beginning! These were all killed by our combined efforts, you can’t hog them all!” Hei Fang Tianyu’s voice approached from a distance.

Xiao Zhuo looked up and saw that Hei Fang Tianyu had already brought several Demon Race generals from the Black Demon Clan over!

“Oh? When did Commander Hei Fang see me trying to monopolize these Corpse Pills?” Xiao Zhuo’s expression didn't change as he coldly retorted.

“When we killed the Corpse Clan just now, we all contributed, so they should be kept by each of us!” Hei Fang Tianyu sneered and said indifferently.

“Each of these Corpse Generals endured dozens of attacks before being killed. According to Commander Hei Fang’s statement, who should they be distributed to most reasonably?” Ban Xuanji, who had always been at odds with Hei Fang Tianyu, also asked mockingly.

“This…” Hei Fang Tianyu was stunned by the question. He merely wanted to cause trouble for Xiao Zhuo but truly had no good solution.

Logically, Xiao Zhuo was the nominal leader of the Demon Race generals, so it would not be wrong for him to keep them. At this moment, Hei Fang Tianyu realized he had dug a pit for himself.

However, Xiao Zhuo had no intention of arguing with him over this, and said indifferently: “I have already recorded this harvest in the general’s token, and the military merits will be distributed to all participants at that time. Commander Hei Fang need not worry.”

He changed the subject: “Next, we need to continue exploring this place. Do you all have any suggestions?”

Xiao Zhuo’s words brought the discussion back to the main topic from the distribution of Corpse Pills.

Although Hei Fang Tianyu was unwilling, Xiao Zhuo’s handling of the matter was beyond reproach, and with Ban Xuanji glaring at him from the side, he snorted coldly, no longer entangled in the Corpse Pills, and instead surveyed the dead silent mountain range.

“This mountain range is filled with Death Qi, but it also isolates the monstrous Evil Qi from the outside, making it a temporary foothold,” Hei Fang Tianyu said sinisterly, “However, Leader Primal Beginning, exploring with over two hundred people huddled together is too inefficient. This ancient battlefield is vast and full of dangers. Being together makes us too big a target and more likely to attract unpredictable dangers. In my opinion, why not split up and seek Opportunities individually? If we encounter danger or discover a major treasure, we can then contact each other with tokens for mutual support. Wouldn’t that be better?”

As soon as he finished speaking, the several Black Demon Clan Demon Race generals following him immediately echoed: “Commander Tianyu is absolutely right!”

“Splitting up is the best strategy!”

“Huddling together only increases the risk!”

Ban Xuanji frowned tightly and immediately retorted: “Nonsense! The danger here far exceeds our expectations; that Corpse Clan tide was just an appetizer. Splitting up? If we encounter a more powerful existence, or fall into some deadly formation, who can survive without support? Only by sticking together and concentrating our strength can we deal with the unexpected!”

Several neutral Demon Race generals who sided with Ban Xuanji also nodded: “Commander Ban is right, this place is strange, it’s not advisable to separate.”

“Have you all forgotten the scene when hundreds of Corpse Generals surged forward just now?”

The two factions were at loggerheads, and the atmosphere immediately became somewhat stagnant.

The other Demon Race generals also began to whisper. Splitting up was indeed more flexible and might yield greater benefits, but the risks also increased sharply.

Grouping together offered a higher safety factor, but the exploration efficiency was indeed low, and it was easy to miss Opportunities.

Xiao Zhuo’s gaze calmly swept over the arguing parties, then looked towards the continuous, dark red mountain range under the lead-gray sky, like the backbone of a giant beast.

He slowly spoke, his voice not loud, but it clearly suppressed the murmurs: “Splitting up and grouping together each have their pros and cons.”

He paused, then pointed to the ground beneath their feet: “Since this place is a fragment stripped from the core of the ancient battlefield, its value is certainly not limited to those corpses. The true treasures might be some ancient Legacies that were not destroyed, fragments of divine weapons, or even… the World Origin contained within this battlefield itself.” He deliberately paused, allowing the words “World Origin” to stir ripples in everyone’s hearts.

“But Opportunity often comes with deadly traps.” Xiao Zhuo’s tone shifted, carrying an undeniable decisiveness, “To balance efficiency and safety, I intend to divide the team into three!”

He gestured with his hand: “I, Commander Ban Xuanji, and Commander Hei Fang Tianyu will each lead a team. The three teams will advance in a triangular formation, no more than a thousand miles apart, ensuring that token messages can arrive instantly, and allowing for mutual support in the shortest time if a strong enemy is encountered. Each team will decide its own exploration path, but must arrange for someone to constantly check on the situation of the other teams. We will report major discoveries every half day.”

This plan was a compromise between the two sides’ opinions, avoiding the huge risks of complete dispersion while increasing exploration efficiency. It also placed Hei Fang Tianyu in an independent leadership position, which to some extent satisfied his demands and made it easier for Xiao Zhuo to monitor him.

Xiao Zhuo looked at Hei Fang Tianyu, his gaze deep: “Commander Hei Fang, what do you think? You and your clansmen can form a team on your own.”

He then looked at Ban Xuanji, “Big Brother Ban, you lead a team, how about it?”

Ban Xuanji pondered for a moment, then nodded: “Acceptable! This arrangement allows for both advance and retreat.”

A flicker of imperceptible cunning flashed in Hei Fang Tianyu’s eyes.

Separating Xiao Zhuo and Ban Xuanji was exactly the situation he desired!

A cold smile played on his lips: “Leader Primal Beginning’s arrangements are appropriate, this commander has no objection. My Black Demon Clan will lead a team independently!”

He deliberately emphasized “independently,” drawing a clear line.

“Good!” Xiao Zhuo said no more, acting decisively, “Divide into teams immediately! Big Brother Ban, lead your troops to investigate the left flank of the mountain range. Commander Hei Fang, go to the right flank. My unit will remain in the center and move forward. Maintain contact, and proceed cautiously! Depart!”

As soon as the order was given, over two hundred Demon Race generals quickly divided into three distinct torrents according to their affiliations.

Hei Fang Jin stood behind Hei Fang Tianyu, his icy gaze, like a venomous snake, locked onto Xiao Zhuo’s retreating figure, his killing intent almost solidifying.

And Xiao Zhuo, as if completely unaware, was the first to transform into a streak of light, shooting towards the deeper, more concentrated, and seemingly solidified ancient shadow of Death Qi in the depths of the mountain range.

Three sharp arrows, carrying their respective schemes and killing intent, plunged into the heart of this ancient battlefield that had been dormant for countless years.