73: Chapter 73 Trap

To obtain the ten-character "Prophecy," the Dragon Country used up its only life-saving skill, "Seven In, Seven Out."

The "Prophecy" itself could only be used to dispel the "nightfall."

This move seemed like a significant loss.

But Chen Aoyun did not think so.

"Although 'Seven In, Seven Out' is precious and it's a pity to use it, the 'Prophecy' can be used to break the stalemate. From the big picture, the 'Prophecy' is more useful than the skill, and furthermore..."

Chen Aoyun stopped mid-sentence and quietly watched the Star Chessboard.

On the board, Zhao Hongxiu, who had obtained the ten-character Prophecy, retreated to her original position, and the Sakura Country's [Cavalry +7] also returned to its previous spot.

It seemed like nothing had changed; Sakura Country was still using a single [Cavalry +7] to pin down two of Dragon Country's [chess pieces], preventing them from seizing any resources.

However, as time passed and the torch item's flame began to weaken once more, the effect of the Prophecy began to manifest:

"The torch's light is fading; the Sakura Country's [Cavalry +7] must return to its Home Base to replace the torch! If it doesn't change it now, that [Cavalry +7] of the Sakura Country will face corruption and the harassment of demons!"

Everyone's torches were the same and had been replaced at roughly the same time.

Zhao Hongxiu noticed that the flame of her own torch was weakening, so she naturally deduced the status of the Sakura Country's 'torch item.'

This was the reason why Chen Aoyun was willing to consume "Seven In, Seven Out" just to obtain the Prophecy.

With the Prophecy in hand, if my torch goes out, I can use the Prophecy to resist the nightfall.

Does your Sakura Country have a Prophecy? No? Then honestly return to your Home Base to change your torch and clear the path for me!

Just as Chen Aoyun expected, not long after, the Sakura Country's [Cavalry +7] reluctantly retreated toward their Home Base, disappearing from the range of the Star Chessboard that Chen Aoyun could observe.

"Don't be hasty, wait a little longer! The opponent is a '+7' enhanced [Cavalry] [chess piece] with high combat power; even if the torch goes out completely, it might be able to hold out for a while. Be careful of them making a sudden counterattack. Wait a bit longer, wait until my torch has been completely extinguished for a while before making a move!"

Zhao Hongxiu's suggestion was correct. Chen Aoyun accepted her advice and did not rush to move the piece forward. Instead, he waited until the torch's flame was completely extinguished, used the power of the "Prophecy" to dispel the nightfall, and after waiting for another period, only then did he move the [chess piece] of Zhao Hongxiu northward.

On the Star Chessboard, no one noticed a detail about Chen Aoyun:

When the torch's flame weakened, the characters Chen Aoyun used to dispel the night were not the ten-character "Prophecy," but the ordinary poem that he had previously asked Zhao Hongxiu to write on the desk: [The country is broken, yet mountains and rivers remain; the city turns to spring, and the grass and trees grow deep]!

When Chen Aoyun threw this poem onto the Star Chessboard, the verses transformed into raging flames that merged with Zhao Hongxiu's [chess piece]. At the same time, a circle of fiery barriers appeared around the Cavalry led by Zhao Hongxiu, isolating the nightfall.

Without the menacing gaze of the Sakura Country's [Cavalry +7], and with the "nightfall" blocked by the firelight, Zhao Hongxiu's [chess piece] was able to advance with large strides!

Ahead lay the outskirts of the "Royal Hunting Ground Area." Just after entering this outer area, Chen Aoyun discovered three usable resources!

One [Emperor] resource and two [General] status resources!

The [Emperor] status goes without saying; it's definitely useful. The [General] status is not bad either; many emperors have led troops themselves. Take [Li Shimin], who fought at Xuanwu Gate, for example—the [General] resource is certainly useful.

Huaxia Civilization is great, but Chen Aoyun never looked down on other civilizations. Sakura Country must also have emperors like [Li Shimin] who can lead troops themselves; they call them Emperors, but it's the same principle.

"Sakura Country is actually passing up three useful resource points just to keep Dragon Country pinned down? Right now, it's Dragon Country, Sakura Country, and the Ottoman Empire competing for the ranking. To pin down Dragon Country, they are even giving up resources? Is Sakura Country not afraid that the Ottoman Empire will profit from the struggle? Why is Sakura Country so hostile toward Dragon Country in this New Era?"

As for why Sakura Country was so hostile toward Dragon Country, Chen Aoyun prepared to find the answer after the Game of National Destiny ended. For now, he needed to secure these three resources as quickly as possible!

Of the three resources, Chen Aoyun naturally went for the [Emperor] resource first.

He moved the piece forward, and once the [chess piece] representing the Cavalry led by Zhao Hongxiu overlapped with the resource point, the next moment, Zhao Hongxiu descended into the corresponding scene.

Similar to the situation with the previous "text resource point," after entering the scene world, Chen Aoyun and Zhao Hongxiu immediately spotted a huge altar at the center of the scene!

On the altar was a golden card symbolizing the [Emperor] status, emitting a peculiar light. Like ripples from a stone dropped into water, circles of energy spread outward from this golden card as the center.

"That is the so-called resource! I will go and retrieve it!"

Zhao Hongxiu, who had just entered the edge of the scene, spurred her horse forward, with her Cavalry following closely behind, maneuvering quickly toward the golden card on the altar.

Just as Zhao Hongxiu got closer and closer to the altar, and the golden card seemed within reach, suddenly! From the dense forest in front, behind, left, and right of Zhao Hongxiu, a unit of Sakura Country Cavalry suddenly charged out!

These Cavalry troops, blessed by Sakura Country's items and the skills of Sakura Country's [Strategist], appeared incredibly elite!

Their horses, armor, and even the weapons in their hands exuded a powerful aura that made one fearful at a single glance.

Zhao Hongxiu was greatly alarmed, "This is that '+7' Cavalry from before! Didn't this Cavalry unit retreat to the Sakura Country's Home Base to replace their torch? How could they appear here?!"