Fire Ants.

Li Feng listened to Sikong Yu’s introduction. It seemed that seeking the Vermilion Bird wouldn’t be a smooth journey. Although they didn’t have to face all five lords of the Molten Lava Cave, encountering one would definitely be troublesome.

The route planned by the Sikong family had a high success rate, but one still needed some luck.

The greatest danger on this route was the Fire Ants. Though individual Fire Ants weren’t powerful—Qi Refinement practitioners could kill them—their swarms could make even Golden Core cultivators avoid them.

Li Feng didn’t miss the chance, even though Sikong Yu had never been to Vermilion Bird Land. But the Sikong family frequented that place. Indeed, an ancestor of Sikong Yu had once made a pact with the Vermilion Bird.

Otherwise, how would the Vermilion Bird family exist today?

Li Feng continually extracted valuable information from Sikong Yu’s mind. Meanwhile, Ouyang Qiuhai, who had found an opportunity to sneak out from the First Line Pass hundreds of miles away, changed into Border Army armor to disguise himself.

After slipping out of the garrison, Ouyang Qiuhai headed straight for the South Pass of the First Line Pass.

"Halt."

The Border Army Captain guarding the pass saw a soldier appear under the Gat Wall and immediately stepped forward to stop him.

"Which camp are you from? It’s late, and where are you heading?"

Ouyang Qiuhai rasped, looking at the blocking Border Army soldier, "Presumptuous. I am a trusted aide of General Ouyang. I have urgent intel that requires me to leave immediately."

"What urgent military information requires heading south?"

The Border Army Captain frowned and asked.

"Hmph, it’s related to the team that left this morning, but I can’t disclose the content. Quickly open the gate, or I will delay the intel, hmph."

Ouyang Qiuhai said sternly.

"Leaving the pass at this hour? I need to request an order from the garrison before letting you through." The Captain said, turning to look at the Border Army behind him.

"Wait."

Seeing the Captain’s action, Ouyang Qiuhai quickly intervened. What a joke, if he really went to the garrison, he would be dragged back by his father.

And how could he escape then?

The Border Army Captain looked at Ouyang Qiuhai blocking his way, pondering.

"You can’t report it. My exit is confidential, understand?"

The Border Army Captain looked incredulously at Ouyang Qiuhai, who gritted his teeth and walked forward: "I can’t tell you the details, but I think you should recognize this."

The Border Army Captain looked at the token Ouyang Qiuhai presented, and his expression became solemn: "This is the Xuanwu General’s token."

"Yes, this is... our General’s token, also a credential."

"But...!"

Seeing the Captain still hesitating, Ouyang Qiuhai felt exasperated, where did all these questions come from?

He said, "But what? Do you know why the General wants me to secretly leave for the south after dark to chase someone? Because, quite simply, the General suspects we have Ten Demon Hall spies inside our pass."

"You must have heard of the patrol team’s ambush earlier, which happened not far from the First Line Pass. What does that suggest?"

"It suggests that Ten Demon Hall spies have reached beneath our noses. I have already said enough. If you still don’t open the gate for me, delaying my departure and spoiling the General’s plan, you will explain it to the General yourself."

"You should know, our General is famous for being cold and merciless...."

Ouyang Qiuhai didn’t forget to intimidate him a little more. After all, his father is renowned for his cold severity and impartiality.

The Border Army Captain shivered upon hearing this, then turned and instructed his subordinates: "Open the gate."

Then, the gate opened just enough for someone to pass, and Ouyang Qiuhai led his horse out of the First Line Pass. As he listened to the gate close behind him, he glanced back at the dark Gate Wall, revealing a knowing smile.

"Hmph, I’m not going back to Ancestor Dragon City."

Ouyang Qiuhai flipped onto his Pegasus and rode swiftly, aiming to catch up with Li Feng and his group before dawn.

However, just as Ouyang Qiuhai disappeared into the night, a shadow appeared under the Gate Wall as the Captain turned to resume his patrol.

"Who is it? Stop."

"It’s me."

Ouyang Tianshu stepped forward, and the Border Army Captain immediately saluted: "General."

Ouyang Tianshu glanced at the Captain: "Did you let the person out?"

"Yes, General. They held your token and said they had urgent information to deliver, so...!" The Captain cursed silently, wondering if he had fallen for a trick. Could the person who just left be a Ten Demon Hall spy?

"General, could that person be a Ten Demon Hall spy?"

Ouyang Tianshu looked at the slightly sweating Captain and said, "No, she was indeed following orders. Alright, open the gate. I need to leave the city as well."

"Yes."

The Captain dared not ask more and quickly ordered the gate to be opened. Before leaving, Ouyang Tianshu turned to the Captain: "Don’t let anyone know that I left, understand?"

"Yes, General, I assure you no one will know."

The Captain promised quickly.

Ouyang Tianshu stepped out of the gate and then threw down a Spiritual Treasure, which was a Xuan Turtle Shell. Once it landed, the Xuan Turtle extended its limbs and head, and Ouyang Tianshu leaped onto its back, where it floated steadily two feet above the ground.

In the next second.

The Xuan Turtle paddled its limbs as if swimming in the sea. Although the speed wasn’t fast at first, it soon matched the speed of the Pegasus, disappearing into the night in no time.

After closing the gate again, the Captain turned around. His trusted aide said, "Captain, what’s the deal with those who left earlier? It left me a bit confused."

"Do you think the person who left earlier was a Ten Demon Hall spy? Even though that guy wore our clothes, something seemed off."

Hearing his trusted aide’s murmur, the Captain also sensed something, "Hmm, whatever that guy was a Ten Demon Hall spy or not, do you think he could get away after being targeted by our notorious cold-faced King Yan?"

"Let us wait for the news."

The Captain said, "Keep your mouth shut about this. If any trouble arises, we could all be held accountable."

"There might indeed be a Ten Demon Hall spy among us inside this First Line Pass."

"Yes, Captain, I will instruct the brothers to keep silent."

The night deepened.

A three-eyed night crow perched atop a tree in the rundown town, its gaze sweeping across the distant campfires.

Ten thousand meters away, Ye Yu sat with his eyes closed, but his third eye on his forehead flickered with images.

"General, the other side has settled in a ruin twenty miles away, with over four hundred people. However, they don’t appear to be Border Army."

"Not like Border Army? Are you sure?"

The Ten Demon Hall General, who rushed over after receiving the news, looked at Ye Yu.

Ye Yu nodded: "General, I wouldn’t mistake this. I am quite familiar with the Ancestor Dragon Army’s demeanor. Even when disguised, they unconsciously reveal their nature in their movements. But these people are much more casual, and their camping is completely disorderly. I wouldn’t mistake them."

"It seems the intelligence is correct. This person should be Li Feng, and those around him should be the War Slave Dead Soldiers he bought from the Duel Arena."