Chapter 165 Wang Jian's Scheme
After engaging in a conversation with the mystical beasts, Wang Jian came to a startling realization that both the Crown Prince and the Second Princess had already arrived, accompanied by formidable forces.
Intrigued by the Butterfly Spirit Queen's illusory form, Wang Jian couldn't help but be consumed by curiosity about her true appearance.
However, despite his attempts to utilize his Spiritual Sensitivity to pinpoint her exact location, all he could discern was a vague direction leading to a vast and enigmatic area veiled by a powerful illusion array.
To his dismay, Wang Jian found himself at a loss when it came to unraveling the secrets of this perplexing illusion array.
Even after consulting with the Liu Family and other factions within his alliance, it became apparent that they, too, were powerless against it.
This illusion array, intricately woven with the bloodline techniques of the mystical beasts, utilized their essence cores instead of conventional elemental stones or human methods, rendering it impervious to their knowledge and expertise.
Therefore, Wang Jian devised an alternative approach, opting for a strategy that would compel them to reveal themselves. He strategized to flush them out of their concealed positions.
With careful consideration, Wang Jian's formidable forces advanced into the sacred dominion of the Butterfly Spirit Race, deliberately choosing the eastern route to avoid any direct clashes with the armies led by Wang Ying and Wang Hao.
As Wang Jian's forces pressed forward, they encountered a surprisingly sparse number of demons along their path.
Wang Jian speculated that this could be attributed to the bulk of the demon forces being concentrated in the vicinity of Wang Hao and Wang Ying's armies.
It appeared that the demons had diverted their main strength to counter the imminent threats posed by the Crown Prince and the Second Princess.
As Wang Jian's forces continued their steady advance through the forest, a sudden and astonishing event unfolded within the hidden sanctuary where the Butterfly Spirit Queen and the surviving beasts had sought refuge after the onslaught of the demons.
This secluded hideout, nestled deep within another forest adjacent to the sacred dominion of the Butterfly Spirit Race, was protected by a formidable illusionary array.
The forest itself possessed extraordinary qualities, with trees imbued with an inherent resilience against Qi attacks and conventional elemental assaults.
However, Wang Jian's flames were far from ordinary. His mastery of the flame laws had granted him profound insight, placing him at the middle stage of the Insight in Laws of Flames.
As a result, his flames possessed an unparalleled density and potency, surpassing the norm.
Harnessing the immense power of his specialized flames, Wang Jian strategically set ablaze the northern, western, and southern perimeters of the forest.
This calculated action served a purpose far beyond mere destruction - it was a deliberate effort to create a path of escape for the trapped beasts.
By clearing a passage through the engulfed sections, Wang Jian intended to guide the desperate creatures directly towards his waiting forces, positioning himself as their ultimate savior.
The group of beasts led by the stunning Butterfly Spirit Queen successfully emerged from the forest, with little harm done by the flames.
As Wang Jian had anticipated, the Queen herself appeared, accompanied by hundreds of other beasts.
Wang Jian found himself unable to resist gazing at the resplendent Butterfly Spirit Queen, who possessed a truly ethereal and mesmerizing beauty. The Queen's appearance, a testament to her superior beast bloodline, was a breathtaking sight to behold.
Her lustrous silver hair flowed gracefully down her back, glimmering like moonlight on a tranquil lake. Adorning her regal countenance was a scarlet crown, symbolizing her authority and grace.
Her captivating blue eyes sparkled with an enigmatic allure, holding a depth that seemed to reveal the secrets of the universe.
Drifting around her slender form was a flowing blue dress, intricately designed to accentuate her ethereal allure.
The gown, both elegant and daring, revealed a hint of her alluring cleavage and featured a daring cut over her navel, adding an enchanting touch of allure.
A white cloth, artfully draped, cascaded down her legs, delicately concealing her beautifully thick limbs while hinting at their captivating curves.
Wang Jian couldn't help but be captivated by the Butterfly Spirit Queen's extraordinary beauty, a sight that left him in awe.
Simultaneously, the Butterfly Spirit Queen cast her observant gaze upon Wang Jian, taking note of his striking and distinguished appearance.
His handsome features were undeniably captivating, drawing her attention to his silver locks of hair that gleamed like molten moonlight.
His eyes, a mesmerizing shade of blue akin to the vast expanse of the heavens, stood in contrast to her own eyes, which held a subtle hint of turquoise amidst their cerulean depths.
As the Queen's perceptive gaze lingered upon Wang Jian, she couldn't help but admire the harmonious blend of strength and gentleness reflected in his countenance.
His chiseled features exuded an air of confidence and determination, while his piercing blue eyes seemed to hold a glimpse of the boundless sky itself, capturing her curiosity and intrigue.
The sight of Wang Jian evoked a subtle flutter within the Queen's heart, a recognition of the undeniable allure that emanated from this formidable warrior.
"Hello, Wang Jian. My name is Stella, and I am the Butterfly Spirit Queen. As you can see, I am the leader of these beasts," Stella said, her voice soft and soothing.
"Greetings, Stella," Wang Jian addressed her with a seemingly genuine concern, his voice dripping with deceit.
"As you are well aware, I am Wang Jian, the esteemed seventh prince of the Everlasting Mystic Empire. I must inquire, what has brought your group into this perilous forest? It is a treacherous domain, rife with lurking demons lying in wait for unsuspecting prey," he cautioned, his words carefully crafted to mask his true intentions.
In reality, Wang Jian's apparent worry was nothing more than a smokescreen, carefully constructed to veil his own culpability in the forest's fiery demise.
Stella relayed the distressing news of the engulfed forest near their secluded hideout, her voice tinged with frustration.
"Those wicked demons must be responsible! Unable to locate our sanctuary, they resorted to scorching the entire forest! I never imagined they could set ablaze those resilient trees," she lamented.
Wang Jian responded with a solemn nod, his expression reflecting a newfound sense of seriousness.
"Indeed, this serves as a stark reminder that we must not underestimate the demons," he acknowledged.
His gaze then shifted towards Stella's group, a glimmer of cunning in his eyes as he proposed an idea.
"Considering the perilous nature of this forest, it would be unwise for your group to wander alone. I suggest you join forces with us. Together, we can navigate the treacherous paths to the heart of the forest, while we provide protection against the relentless onslaught of demons. It truly is a splendid arrangement, don't you think?" he enticed, his words laced with an air of enticing persuasion.
Stella appeared swayed by the proposal, her conviction mirrored by the agreement of her comrades. It seemed that Wang Jian's plan was unfolding just as he had foreseen.
Observing Stella's response, a malevolent smile curled upon Wang Jian's lips. Every piece was falling into place according to his calculated scheme.
A slender beam of radiant light materialized, swirling in an intricate circular pattern above Wang Jian's head, casting an ethereal glow that bathed the surroundings in an eerie illumination.
"Stop! You are on the brink of committing a grave error!" A commanding voice echoed through the air, originating from the southern direction.
Both the beasts, including the Butterfly Spirit Queen, and the members of Wang Jian's faction turned their attention towards the source of the voice, their expressions filled with astonishment.
Emerging from the south was a formidable force led by none other than the Third Prince, Wang Chen. Clutched firmly in his grasp was a peculiar artifact shaped like a compass, adorned with a flickering wisp of orange flame.
A furrow formed on Wang Jian's brow as he immediately recognized the compass—it was the Mystical Qi Tracing Compass.
This device was typically wielded by hunters and assassins, harnessing its power to track the Qi signatures of their targets and unveil their location with uncanny accuracy.
The Mystical Qi Tracing Compass required nothing more than the mere presence of Qi to activate, emitting a unique ray that guided its user towards the source of the enigmatic energy.
"I am Wang Chen, the Third Prince of the Empire, and I have come here to enlighten you that the one responsible for the burning of the forest which housed your sanctuary is none other than my foolish brother!" Wang Chen's voice boomed through the air, resolute and filled with righteous indignation.
Lifting the compass high, he continued, his words laced with determination, "Utilizing this Mystical Qi Tracing Compass, I have successfully traced the fiery trail back to him."
The beasts, including the regal Butterfly Spirit Queen, were taken aback by this revelation, their voices erupting in a chorus of disbelief and astonishment.
"What?!" they exclaimed in unison.
Stella, sensing the undeniable connection between the flames and the forest's destruction, could not contain the surge of hatred that surged within her eyes as she locked her gaze onto Wang Jian.
"You will pay dearly for your transgressions!" Stella's voice rang out, laced with a seething intensity.
A wry expression crept across Wang Jian's face as he commanded members of his faction, a sense of resignation in his tone, "Prepare yourselves for battle!"
Henceforth, an immense clash ensued, pitting Wang Jian's faction against the subservient beasts under the dominion of the resplendent Butterfly Spirit Queen and Wang Chen's loyal supporters.
The battleground became a theatre of chaos and conflict, where the clash of weapons and the resonance of elemental powers filled the air with a symphony of war.