"Sect Master, what have you decided to do?"

Since the Sect Master asked such a question, it was clear he already had a plan in mind, so the Elder asked once again!

"What to do? Princess Yu once said that the duty of a Martial Artist is to protect!"

With these few words, everyone already understood the Sect Master’s decision!

At this moment, everyone’s expression changed drastically, some with dread, some with excitement, and some with terror!

However, none were backing down.

Princess Yu’s impact in the Western Frontier was profound, not just superficial; so even at this critical moment, even if these people clearly felt fear, none of them backed down!

Because they knew, retreat meant death!

Moreover, if the enemy advanced unhindered, more would die, including their families, friends...

"Sect Master, we’ll go with you!"

A disciple stepped forward, as if to show determination, but was there a need to show determination now? This was a journey to death, not to enjoy prosperity!

Of course, this was only a reflection of a part of the Western Frontier battlefield, because not only this small sect, but many other places also had similar people; many had received warnings to leave quickly, yet they felt there was absolutely no danger, so they stayed!

When the last three thousand of the Yu Legion charged desperately to buy time for them, many people saw it.

They regretted, they feared, but they also shared the same hatred for the enemy!

The Yu Legion perished, but more people began to strike back. Originally, they could have escaped, for even if they fled, no one would seek trouble with them.

Fighting the invasion was not their responsibility...

The Commerce Alliance invested its greatest strength in the Western Frontier, only to find it fiercely resisting; from the start, they were stuck in the quagmire of war.

Because in the Western Frontier, what they had to face was not just the army!

When Ye Luo led the forces to reinforce, more than half of the Western Frontier had been lost, yet resistance persisted without end, both at the front and behind enemy lines.

The enemy implemented a strategy of total destruction, massacring uniformly in occupied areas!

But such repression only drove further resistance in occupied areas.

Because of this, the Western Frontier witnessed a different scene than any other place — squads of strong warriors!

Often seen were small squads of a dozen or even a few individuals attacking the army, and the Commerce Alliance organized elite counter-attacks too.

Beyond the front lines, numerous assassination squads emerged, making the Western Frontier the most chaotic place.

Thanks to these people, the entire Western Frontier had become a battlefield.

The army mobilized quickly took over command in the Western Frontier since Ye Luo’s reputation for quelling two other regions had already spread.

Ye Luo initially intended to rest for a few days before strategizing a counter-attack, but unexpectedly, soon after arriving, he faced an onslaught targeting him, wave after wave, relentless.

Yet, what was most critical was that on the second day of his arrival, he received a war challenge!

A challenge that would decide the outcome of the war!

...

The large tent was full of people, for this decision couldn’t be made hastily by Ye Luo alone!

"Alright, since everyone is here, let’s hear your opinions!"

Ye Luo sat in the commander’s seat, looked at everyone, and spoke.

"Your Highness, is the enemy’s challenge to determine the battle outcome real? Could it be a trap?"

Someone raised a question; honestly, when Ye Luo first received the challenge, he too suspected it might be a trap!

The challenge content was simple and direct, stating that each side would choose five hundred elite warriors to duel; if the Commerce Alliance won, Ye Luo would leave with his men.

If Ye Luo’s side won, the Commerce Alliance would retreat and cease attacks.

It seemed like a joke!

Could the Commerce Alliance’s commanders be treating this as a game?

It could be said that the conditions were so that Ye Luo couldn’t help but suspect, but after investigation, he believed the sincerity of the other side.

Because the opposing commander was the highest-ranking person in the Commerce Alliance coalition attacking the Da Yue Empire, and he held a high status within the Commerce Alliance.

Yet he wasn’t a general, but an Academy faction strong warrior!

In the Martial Realm, strong warriors are generally divided into Academy faction, Family faction, Sect faction, and Independent Cultivator faction, four types!

Family faction refers to warriors cultivated by various families themselves, who generally value their family’s interests highly.

Sect faction includes disciples from various sects, who prioritize sect core interests and are greatly influenced by sect education.

Academy faction nurtures strong warriors in a manner similar to academic institutions, who generally focus on themselves and do not care much about other interests, though they like arena competitions, etc.

As for Independent Cultivator faction, it’s uncertain because other than these three major types, any cultivated warriors are called Independent Cultivator faction!

The core meaning of Independent Cultivator is unconventional!

It was because Ye Luo knew the opponent was an Academy faction warrior that he believed the opponent would keep their promise.

This person held a high position within the Commerce Alliance, at least among those sent to the Ninth Region.

Rumor has it that he came from the Seventh Region!

Though it’s unclear why someone from the Seventh Region would appear here, it was precisely because he came from the Seventh Region that Ye Luo believed he would certainly keep his word, for if he truly came from the Seventh Region, the war between the Da Yue Empire and the Commerce Alliance might seem like child’s play to him!

Looking at everyone, Ye Luo said calmly, "We can accept the challenge proposed by the opponent, organize five hundred strong warriors to fight them; if defeated, we can disregard it as if nothing happened. What if we win, and the opponent keeps their promise? Wouldn’t that sacrifice fewer lives? Even if the opponent doesn’t treat this competition seriously and doesn’t keep their promise after losing, it’s just five hundred people, which doesn’t seem to have much impact on the overall situation."

Upon hearing Ye Luo’s words, people nodded unconsciously.

Indeed, the duel between five hundred warriors seems to have minimal impact on the battlefield’s overall situation.

"But Your Highness, you mentioned that this time the invasion of our Da Yue Empire is by the Commerce Alliance, and this Commerce Alliance isn’t just the power from the Ninth Region; what if the enemy mobilizes the Eighth Region’s strong warriors against us, wouldn’t we stand no chance?"