Chapter 533: The Desert Standoff

Kazakh Basin – an endless expanse of desertified sand.

On a desolate hill, two teams of Awakeners stared intently at each other, as if battle might erupt at any moment.

Among them, Yinglong and an Awakener adorned with a white silk headband faced off, their clashing auras erupting in explosive bursts of sound.

“You’re not welcome here!”

“This is Bloodshadow Legion territory!”

He spoke in a cold tone.

With a swift motion, Yinglong clutched his long spear. Clad in full battle armor like an unyielding rock, he thundered his reprimand.

Faintly, a distorted Blood Shadow began to materialize behind him.

His stance made it clear he was ready to engage in full combat.

He took the matter seriously for one reason only.

The white-robed Awakener facing him was, in fact, a top-tier powerhouse.

“Commander Yinglong, there’s an old saying in Huaxia: treat distant guests with the utmost hospitality.”

“Why clash head-on when we could sit down and talk, you and I?”

“We wouldn’t mind collaborating with you.”

He said with a smile.

The man in the white robe, dressed much like a middle-aged gentleman from the Kazakh region, chuckled softly and spread his hands in a gesture of goodwill.

“Talk? Collaborate?”

He sneered coldly.

Inside his sealed helmet, Yinglong cast a wary glance at the Awakener standing behind the white-robed man.

In total, there were sixteen—twelve Third-Stage Mid-Level Awakeners and four Third-Stage Advanced Awakeners.

This number was lower than the force he had brought, so by all accounts he needn’t be worried.

Yet, in this white-robed top-tier man, Yinglong keenly sensed the rarity of an Elemental Awakener—essentially half Willpower-type!

His rival’s mental acuity was impressive, and his focus was fixed on him.

If it were another type of top-tier Awakener, he might not have been so cautious. But Yinglong knew his own weaknesses all too well.

Even though his opponent hadn’t made a move—and couldn’t possibly know his fears—he wasn’t confident of prevailing if conflict broke out.

“Collaborate means invading my territory and stealing ores!?”

“Collaborate means murdering my men!?”

Determined not to reveal his inner apprehension, Yinglong feigned murderous intent, directing his long spear toward the white-robed Third-Stage Awakener.

Yet as the spear tip advanced, the white-robed middle-aged man showed no fear; he only offered a light smile as he spoke:

“It’s all a misunderstanding, Commander Yinglong.”

“We didn’t know this was your territory at first, so we inadvertently offended you.”

“That being said, if you’re willing to work with us, we wouldn’t mind compensating your losses.”

Before Yinglong could reply, the man suddenly flashed a burst of white light from his hand, revealing a Blood-Colored Crystal.

“From what I know, you’ve been acquiring resource items that enhance willpower attributes.”

“This blood crystal may not be high-grade, but it should prove useful for you.”

“So, if you’re willing to collaborate, I can supply you endlessly with these exclusive resources from our Battle Zone.”

“Trust me, I have something that will surely satisfy you.”

After his suggestive words, the white-robed man greedily glanced at a massive pit not far off.

Within the pit, a potent aura of Spirit Energy was slowly emerging.

Undoubtedly, this was a rare Spirit Energy vein—possibly even hosting a Spirit Energy Node!

This meant that not only was the location incredibly valuable, but a vast Safe Zone could also be established. In his people’s words, it was nothing short of divine.

Situated in a basin, away from major cities, the threat of monsters was minimal.

Nearby lay a large lake that, with slight modification, could serve as a natural reservoir.

And being right on the border, its strategic value was immense!

Securing this area meant having a key launching point for invading the Far Frontier!

Thus, upon this unexpected discovery, he crossed over from the Haskas Battle Zone, personally leading his team from there to this site!

His eyes flickered.

Instinctively drawn by the Blood-Colored Crystal, Yinglong’s feigned murderous intent faltered for a moment.

He could feel that the blood-colored crystal indeed enhanced the willpower of an Awakener of his caliber, just as his opponent claimed!

If it were any other resource, he might not have been tempted. But when it came to this crucial system resource he so desperately needed, he felt a twinge of uncertainty.

Raising an eyebrow, aware that his opponent had designs on this area, Yinglong spoke coldly:

“I admit, I need this thing.”

“But collaborate? You aim to occupy this territory, don’t you?”

“Hmph, this is my territory! Why should I share it with you?”

“Besides, military forces are stationed nearby! Do you really think anyone can just seize control? Within Huaguo, foreigners are forbidden!”

“Foreigners forbidden? Huaguo Military?”

No sooner had he spoken than the white-robed Awakener from a foreign Battle Zone scoffed.

“Alright, Commander Yinglong.”

“What’s there to fear from the Huaguo Military? Team up with us and let them come—they’ll all fall! Their border defenses are so stretched that self-preservation is nearly impossible!”

“No reinforcements, no resupply— and you expect them to counter the Construction Legion?”

Shaking his head, the white-robed Third-Stage Awakener—though from another Battle Zone—spoke with surprising insight about the Far Frontier.

He then set aside his contemptuous gaze and spoke earnestly:

“Commander Yinglong, I can assure you that our National Team is very interested in this land.”

“If we join forces and take over this area, all profits will be split 50-50! Even if the Huaguo Military later moves against you, with our support of several top-tier powerhouses, they’ll be left defeated!”

Listening to the unabashed invasion plans of the white-robed Third-Stage Awakener, Yinglong’s eyes flashed as he coldly replied:

“50-50 split?”

“Do you have any idea that collaborating with you will mark me as a traitor in the eyes of the military?”

“After all, I’m an Awakener from the Huaxia Battle Zone!”

Unmoved by his own words, as soon as Yinglong finished speaking, the Blood Shadow behind him surged by several meters, as if enraged.

Yet facing Yinglong’s reluctance to cooperate, the white-robed Third-Stage Awakener simply smiled and spoke softly:

“Commander Yinglong, why keep up appearances in front of us?”

“Haven’t you already taken down plenty of military personnel?”

“Traitor, you say?”

“Ha ha ha ha, do you really care about such matters? What is a nation? In the face of immense profit, everything is trivial.”

“And a 60-40 split—plus, I believe you’re quite interested in the Far Frontier as well.”

“With our help… don’t you want to rule the Far Frontier, to establish your own nation?”

His voice carried an almost irresistible allure.

In the standoff, Yinglong grew silent, his murderous intent steadily waning.

He admitted that his rival’s straightforward terms had struck a chord with him.

Indeed, ambition stirred within him—he longed to seize the entire Far Frontier and become an uncrowned king!

Nothing was as enticing as absolute power…

In the past, even though the Bloodshadow Legion rarely heeded the Huaguo Military while acting as an independent private faction, they still dared not officially claim independence.

Some matters, like a veil of shame, frightened him—if he truly seized the Far Frontier, the Huaguo Military would undoubtedly mobilize an army to crush him!

The military in the Far Frontier was weak—its situation was unique! He knew full well that before the Huaguo Military, he was merely a slightly formidable ant. If he provoked their wrath, not even ten of him would suffice.

But now it seemed…

Fixated on the seemingly confident white-robed Third-Stage Awakener, Yinglong keenly realized that perhaps the Battle Zones surrounding Huaguo had already united…

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been so overt in their advances.

After a long silence, Yinglong suddenly extended his hand, his face devoid of its earlier coldness, and spoke calmly:

“Then, may our cooperation be pleasant.”

“But you must at least eliminate the Far Frontier Military first, to prove you have…”

Like setting terms, a very cautious Yinglong agreed to collaborate while planning to assess his opponent’s strength first.

Before he could finish, nine rapid whooshing sounds shattered the air, drawing near one after another.

Huh!?

His outstretched hand jerked back suddenly.

At that moment, to the sound akin to that of at least a Third-Stage Advanced Awakener, both Yinglong and the white-robed Third-Stage immediately assumed their combat stances and shouted:

“How dare you try to ambush me!?”

“Are you setting a trap for me!?”

Weapons drawn and ready.

Almost instinctively, both sides mistakenly believed that the sudden appearance of numerous high-level Awakeners were reinforcements called by the enemy!

But just as the white-robed man paused in surprise, ready to explain after hearing an unmistakably genuine accusation from Yinglong…

In mid-air, nine jet-black shadows streaked toward Yinglong, bursting with unleashed Spirit Energy.

Instinctively, his expression darkened and he swiftly retreated with his men.