The Vermillion Bird Grand Formation’s Secret

The gathering, with Shen herself cooking, was a resounding success.

Indeed, this particular gathering provided just such an opportunity for everyone.

To Xie Shenhong’s delight, Shenai, unlike before, didn’t overthink things. Instead, she boldly requested Xie Shenhong’s help in preparing a spacious venue, ensuring everyone could enjoy themselves to the fullest.

‘Sister Yun must be very happy too,’ she thought.

Perhaps inspired by this, Xie Shenhong suddenly considered her own relationship with Duanmu Yun. Thus, instead of handling everything herself, she entrusted the task to Duanmu Yun, borrowing the Duanmu family’s villa and extending an invitation to Duanmu Yun as well.

Even though this required Duanmu Yun to take time off and alter a multitude of plans, the moment Xie Shenhong saw the unconcealed joy on Duanmu Yun’s face, she understood. She had been too close to the situation to see clearly.

Just as she yearned for an intimate, seamless familial bond with Shenai, Duanmu Yun evidently harbored the same desire. The only difference was that the former Duanmu Yun had held no expectations for the current Xie Shenhong to perform well.

She would allow her to be weak, allow her to falter.

No matter what, she would never be disappointed.

Her attitude towards her would never change.

Unless she did something dangerous.

However, this was absolutely unacceptable. At the very least, Xie Shenhong did not want Duanmu Yun to interact with her harboring such a negative attitude.

Consequently, on the evening of the day after the gathering, Xie Shenhong transformed into Xie Haizhu and made her way to Xie Shenhong’s Commander’s office.

After Li Ziying served the tea and departed, Xie Haizhu spoke.

“Sister Yun, regarding the situation that day, there are some things I wish to discuss with you.”

Having received the keyword ‘Demon Race’ and intelligence regarding the Empire’s invasion, Xie Haizhu did not rashly inform Duanmu Yun. Instead, she meticulously gathered further information and evidence before seeking her out.

Indeed, the method she devised to improve her relationship with Duanmu Yun was to excel in matters of importance.

In truth, it wasn’t vastly different from before.

Yet, trust is precisely this way; it must be built gradually through continuous and unwavering effort.

“Speak, what have you uncovered through your investigations?”

Duanmu Yun had naturally noticed Xie Haizhu’s diligent efforts in gathering intelligence and had even instructed Li Ziying to provide full assistance. Thus, she wasn’t particularly surprised.

“Sister Yun, it appears the Empire intends to launch a large-scale operation against us in the near future…”

“Mm, I’ve also sensed it.” After reviewing the information Xie Haizhu presented, Duanmu Yun nodded. Even upon seeing the possibility of War Lords being teleported, she showed no sign of alarm. “However, rest assured, with the Vermillion Bird Grand Formation in place, they won’t be able to stir up any significant trouble.”

Duanmu Yun could not be blamed for underestimating the enemy.

The Vermillion Bird Grand Formation was the most potent legacy the Kingdom had unearthed from ancient ruins.

Indeed, the Saintess Haizhu could contend with multiple War Lords simultaneously. However, the Empire boasted over a dozen War Lords. If four couldn’t defeat her, what about eight?

Even if they couldn’t defeat her, they could still trap and delay Haizhu for a time, allowing other War Lords to launch a sneak attack on their base. This was a feasible strategy.

It was precisely the existence of the Vermillion Bird Grand Formation that prevented the Empire from executing such a plan.

It could withstand the siege of multiple War Lords and suppress any War Lords who dared to enter its confines.

Furthermore, it could deploy a defensive barrier that enveloped every building, distributing damage evenly amongst them.

In both function and strength, the Vermillion Bird Grand Formation was no less formidable than a second Saintess Haizhu.

One might argue that the Vermillion Bird Grand Formation was exclusive to the Royal Capital. This was true. However, as long as the Royal Capital, its command center, remained unconquered, Saintess Haizhu could engage in a “base trade” with the Empire, or relentlessly pursue any War Lords outside its borders. The initiative would firmly remain in their hands.

For this very reason, the Empire had not dared to launch even a single large-scale war in the past decade. They had only resorted to bribing organizations akin to the Society of Patriotic Saviors to cause internal unrest within the Kingdom, or attempting to incite conflict between the Sakura Garden and the Kingdom.

Yet, with all these attempts having failed, they still hadn’t given up. It seemed evident that they had found a way to counter the Vermillion Bird Grand Formation. In her previous life, the Kingdom had indeed been swiftly annihilated precisely because the Vermillion Bird Grand Formation was breached.

“Your concerns are valid,” Duanmu Yun acknowledged. “However, this Vermillion Bird Grand Formation differs from ordinary formations; it is constantly evolving.”

“As long as the formation’s core remains intact, even if it’s temporarily breached, it can quickly repair itself and mend any vulnerabilities.”

“Where is that core?”

The moment Xie Haizhu asked, the answer dawned on her.

“It’s the Saintess Doll.”

Duanmu Yun displayed an expression of nostalgia mixed with a touch of helplessness. “As long as the Saintess Doll functions normally, the Vermillion Bird Grand Formation is invincible.”

Xie Haizhu now understood whose responsibility the Kingdom’s downfall in her previous life primarily was. However, she no longer felt guilt or immense pressure because of it.

“I will protect myself well,” Xie Haizhu declared. “But I won’t simply do nothing, staying docilely within the formation and waiting for others to protect me.”

Moreover, she would clearly articulate her thoughts.

“I know…” Duanmu Yun’s expression once again turned nostalgic, as if reminiscing about a past Haizhu who was similarly resolute. “Is there anything else you wish to say?”

“Yes,” Xie Haizhu replied. “From the High Priest’s own words, I learned something. It seems beyond the Everfrost Mountains, there are other continents and nations. Their magical technology is advanced, and they possess countless Battle Beasts. Among them is a force capable of threatening us, known as the ‘Demon Race.’ Sister Yun, do you have any insight into this?”

Information about the Divine Dragon Continent could be gleaned from survivors of the Heavenly King Faction.

However, apart from the High Priest, virtually no one possessed intelligence regarding the Demon Race.

Yet, one way to lift a curse was for the caster to perish.

From the fact that Shenai’s legs had recovered, it wasn’t difficult to infer that the High Priest had already met their demise.

Whether the Empire or the Demon Race was responsible for the High Priest’s death was difficult to speculate. She couldn’t transform into Xie Haizhu and scour the world for corpses; even if she found one, it likely wouldn’t yield any additional intelligence. Thus, she could only present this uncertain statement.

Fortunately, the Kingdom had spies stationed in the Great Desert Khanate. Therefore, she collected all the supernatural occurrences reported from the Great Desert Khanate and attributed them to the Demon Race, hoping to draw Duanmu Yun’s serious attention to the matter.

Duanmu Yun’s expression turned severe. However, she didn’t even glance at Xie Haizhu’s compiled information. She hesitated for a moment, then finally let out a sigh.

“Very well,” she said. “It’s about time you knew.”

Duanmu Yun retrieved a document from her safe. The very first page immediately captured Xie Haizhu’s gaze.

It was a world map, one she was intimately familiar with from before her transmigration.

“Two thousand years ago, this planet we inhabit, known as Earth, suddenly underwent a drastic transformation,” Duanmu Yun began. “The atmosphere abruptly filled with magic, monstrous creatures emerged, and the continental plates shifted violently. It took humanity approximately five hundred years to fully adapt to this new world.”

Turning a few pages, Xie Haizhu saw a map of the new world.

The African continent, Eastern Europe, and West Asia had all submerged. Vast landmasses had risen from the Pacific Ocean. The Europa Continent, where they currently resided, stood isolated on the other side of the planet, accounting for only a tenth of humanity’s land.

The continent on the other side of Earth, known as the Divine Dragon Continent, was now the very core of human civilization.

But then—

“Twelve years ago, the human nations on the Divine Dragon Continent were annihilated,” Duanmu Yun stated.

Her face was grim as she spoke.

“They were wiped out by the Demon Race.”