With just one look Edward knows what the Great General Lorelai wants to convey and shuddered.

“If you dare let a hair on my niece be harmed, prepared to die!”

Despite that, the archer somehow managed to feel a little happy amid being frightened.

It’s strange, but it was like Luciette had confirmed their relationship to her family, although the two of them do not actually know exactly what kind of relationship they are in right now.

This joy was small compared to the death stare he is receiving.

In front of the others, the archer started turning pale.

It is downright frightening to face the anger of a Great General, much less someone with such unnaturally thick bloodlust.

The Great General had seen this countless times. Her bloodlust came from the special cultivation method she is practicing and it helps paralyse her opponents in battle.

Compared to her victims, to remain unflinching, the boy is already at the top class with his level of courage.

Furthermore there is a silly grin that appears every now and then.

That happiness that blossomed in his chest simply refused to submit. It is like the cool rays of the sun that wouldn’t extinguish no matter how thick the clouds are.

When the Great General saw this, she immediately smiled.

“My niece has quite a good taste for men. If only I was like that when I was younger. Sigh.”

None of the Great General’s previous romantic relationships ended up happily. In fact, quite a few almost died from heart attacks after Lorelai looked at them once. The rest who were attracted by her good looks or soft-spoken nature, all fled without looking back.

Unfortunately for Lorelai, picking a powerful cultivation method is great, but getting a right one is just as important…

Although the Great General was happy that Edward managed to ‘survive’ she still looked hard at him and said in a steely voice, “Rest assured and carry out your plans. Remember, my crew and I specialise in long ranged attacks. Our targets can never hide far enough.”

This time, Edward shuddered involuntarily.

Is she talking about the coming battle at the Ku Kang camp? She is talking about that right?

Why is she looking in my direction while discussing war tactics?

After the Saint Empire frontline troops introduced themselves, it’s the Snowdrifts’ turn. Esley looked at Kairos and requested him to take over. With a nod, the boy commander started introducing the leaders of Snowdrifts.

The first ones to be called out are Alan Walker and Lux Cixton.

Both of them are defensive-type cultivators and perfect to lead the first wave of soldiers.

Alucard also joined this group so that he could fight alongside his grandfather, Diao Ling.

From him team, Lan Lei of the Resounding Thunder family, volunteered to follow next to Avgust. Kairos briefly remembered that he is from a family of generals and had a look full of admiration for the Great General of the Wispy Willows.

Alongside these four, Kairos suddenly called out one more name. Unexpectedly, it is a person from the Saint Empire frontlines.

“If possible, I would like to borrow Martial Captain, Sihala Huluhuala to join this operation alongside my friends.”

Esley gestured his approval, and a young man walked out from the back of the crowd and nodded quietly at Kairos.

With him, their setup will be complete.

The chosen one, the prophesised hero.

The four years Sihala had been on the frontlines had brought his cultivation from Entry SS up to Entry SSS Rank, and that was after suppressing the speed to build up a stronger foundation.

For him, cultivating and refining Ki had always been as easy as breathing. The bottlenecks that others had described in their path had never been on his.

The same could be said for physical training, though the difficulty is higher because of the strenuousness it comes with. It is hard to tell his current stage, however, before he graduated at 14 years old, he was already at the top of Earth Titan physical rank, a mere step away from Heaven Titan.

Of course, if Kairos could cultivate a day in Sihala’s shoes, he will be left flabbergasted.

In his estimations, only Jones is a match against Sihala, although whose talent is stronger is uncertain.

The more you compare, the more this world seems unfair.

If not for Sihala’s youth and lack of opportunity to score great achievements, he wouldn’t be stuck at the captain’s level.

Kairos secretly considers Sihala as a Great General who is disguised as an underling. With such a powerful cultivator near his friends, he could feel more at ease as well.

…..

Besides them, the long-range support group had Luciette, Edward and Von Cixton assigned to Lorelai.

The archer fidgeting with the stern-looking Lorelai on his left and the bashful Luciette on his right was a pretty picture, one which was secretly recorded by Alan using the latest V.O., for blackmail… Cough… for research purposes.

Afterwards, the only thing left to determine is the party involved to protect the Cave Trolls while they create an elevated ground that can bring the army straight to the top of the cliff.

This group is directly commanded by Kairos and some of his closest friends.

His fifteen-now-nineteen disciples are among this group along with the four captains, Sasha, Silvers, Long, and John.

After everyone had introduced themselves, Esley dismissed the lot for them to make their own preparations, and Tommy quickly went up to Kairos to regroup.

With only five of the original team present along with Vouno, everything becomes easier to discuss.

Jim who managed to escape from his furnace was the first to speak, as usual.

“Mom, where am I assigned?”

Edward: “….”

Tommy: “…..”

Alan: “…..”

Vouno: “WAHAHAHA!”

Kairos’ eyebrows twitched involuntarily.

Should he shove Jim back into the mud hut?

Jim had been calling Kairos by his unofficial alias recently whenever he gets a chance. MOM was an abbreviation given by Jim which meant the Monster of Monsters. It was given to Kairos as a tribute to him for surpassing all monsters in combat and craft.

But it also meant that Jim is not-so-secretly look at Kairos as a parent figure.

Alan: “I remember you have an even worse alias, you sure you want to call him MOM?”

Jim: “I’m sure.”

Kairos: “That alias… POOP?”

Proud-owner-of-Phoenix.

Edward: “That doesn’t seem to be an equivalent exchange.”

Jim: “Totally worth it!”

Seeming satisfied, Jim happily went into a laughing fit. To have a tiny victory over Kairos is an invaluable thing, even if it was at the expense of utter defeat later on.

Tommy: “Don’t jinx yourself.”

Jim: “Jinx? When I said it’s totally worth it?”

Tommy nodded.

Edward: “Jim, I advise you to run away with your win before it’s too late.”

Alan: “Oh no, flags everywhere.”

Kairos: “What’s flags?”

There wasn’t such a saying in Saint Empire.

But as if answering Kairos, at this exact time Jim’s contract beast decided it was the most convenient to betray its master.

The phoenix race’s Zhu Que appeared timely on Jim’s shoulder.

A beautiful rainbow bird – seven-coloured after the light from its luminous body dispersing through its crystal feathers – excitedly crowed: “POOP POOP POOP!”

The divine species is highly intelligent and knows exactly when to team up with Kairos to gain brownie points.

Tears threatened to brim over his eyes as he was casted away by his own creature.

“Are you sure I am the master? Did my Zhu Que secretly switched allegiance? My soul contract must be defective!”

Jim: “Kai… Kairos… did Little Sparky change master?”

Kairos: “No, I don’t think so.”

Alan: “Jim, don’t you think it’s because of how you named it?”

Jim: “No, it’s a wonderful name.”

“Little sparky, you like your name right? I know you can hear my thoughts.”

The bird replied in thought, “POOP~!”

More tears brimmed.

It was two on one this time. But the next time, Jim decided, he will drag Alan into this and balance the odds.

He starts forming a plan deep in the recesses of his mind, deep enough to remain hidden from his betraying bird.

*Cough*

At this time, Tommy pulled their attention back.

A moment’s carelessness and this meeting had side-tracked to miles away.

Kairos smiled at him and asked softly, “Was everything successful?”

Tommy nodded.

Edward: “Then, shall we launch our operation shadow?”

Alan: “It’s time!”

Tommy: “Leave the rest to me!”

Jim: “Operation MOM!”

Vouno: “BWAHAHAHA!”