Chapter 33: War Is Coming - 33
Zhou Fan and Yipeng didn't do much since it was already night time. Zhou Fan went inside to cultivate while Yipeng chose to stare at the stars. He had heard stories and seen drawings but he was the only elf in 3500 years to actually look at the stars.
The night passed quickly and Zhou Fan even managed to break into the 3rd level of core formation. Although a small difference, there was a huge change in his power level.
When Zhou Fan went outside, he noticed that Yipeng was passed out on the ground. Zhou Fan let him sleep since he probably spent all night looking at the stars. He didn't waste any time as he left to go to the library for work. On his way there, he noticed that the streets were relatively empty. Even though he felt it was weird, Zhou Fan didn't stop as he continued to walk to work.
Zhou Fan quickly made it to the doors, however when he tried to open them, they wouldn't budge. He then peered through the door but couldn't see any lit lamps. It was only then that Zhou Fan noticed the piece of paper stuck on the door.
'Library closed due to recent events.'
When Zhou Fan read this, he was utterly confused. 'Did something happen while I was down in the caves?' Zhou Fan thought.
Zhou Fan looked behind him and saw a random person walking on the street. It was an old lady who needed a cane to get around.
"Excuse me ma'am. What's going on around here? Why is the library closed?" Zhou Fan asked.
"You don't know? Have you been living under a rock? The truth empire and the boundless empire have declared a state of war and the closest kingdom is the wishan kingdom. The truth empires troops are on their way here. They'll be here in 7 days. Naturally, our empire, the boundless empires troops are on their way. They'll be here in 4 days. Half the town has fled and 90% will probably leave before a week has passed. Not me though. I've been here since I was born. I'll be dam*ed if I leave just because a bunch of whacked-out out hippies decide to attack us." She said.
Zhou Fan almost couldn't hold back his laugh. The truth empire has been known as a hippie-like place since 100 years ago. Although there are few hippies, it's a common insult used by people of the boundless empire.
However, very quickly Zhou Fan became solemn. Such a war is enough to kill millions. Also, there hasn't been a war between top 10 kingdoms in 200 years. Not to mention that both kingdoms are in the top 5. This news was enough to shake the world!
"What?! I know the tensions have been high but it shouldn't have caused a war. Did anything happen." Zhou Fan asked.
"Have you seriously been living under a rock?" She said, confused.
"Technically yes." Zhou Fan said. He was a mile underground after all. There was surely one rock that he was under.
"Weirdo. Anyway, the 3rd princess was killed while she was visiting the truth kingdom." She stated.
!?!?
Zhou Fan was dumbfounded when he heard that. No wonder a war is happening. Everyone knew that the emperor doted on the 3rd princess the most. There's no doubt, this is an all out war!
After asking the old lady a couple more questions, Zhou Fan went back to the courtyard. When he arrived, he saw that Yipeng was awake. However, he was just sitting there.
Zhou Fan realized that there was nothing to do in his courtyard. Not even eat. After all, he didn't store any food here. Also, Yipeng didn't dare go out on his own.
After saying hello, Zhou Fan told him about the war happening. After hearing all the details, Yipeng was also surprised. He was also confused.
"Why would the truth empire kill the princess? They should know that it would cause an all out war. It's likely that both sides would suffer devastating losses regardless of who wins or loses." Yipeng asked.
Zhou Fan had also thought of that earlier. He also felt it didn't make any sense.
"Perhaps the truth empire didn't kill her. Maybe someone was trying to start a war?" Zhou Fan sounded out then continued. "Either way, the war is happening. Peace talks were never an option."
Putting the war to the back of his mind, Zhou Fan left the courtyard with Yipeng. He checked out his mailbox while leaving and saw some coins along with a note from Lu Chen.
It read, 'This is 3 months pay. Sorry you didn't get to work long before this happened. Most of the higher ups, including me, are evacuating. Take this money and save yourself.'
Zhou Fan nodded after reading the letter and decided to buy food and clothes. Along with the around 50 silver Lu Chen sent and the god from his discovery, Zhou Fan had plenty of money to spend.
They went out to the busiest part of the city which now had no more than 10 people in view not counting the vendors. Zhou Fan walked up to one of the shops and spent 15 silver on savable food. Because of the war, everything was much cheaper and Zhou Fan bought 6 months of food.
Although 15 silver may seem low, most people only made that in 6 months.
After food shopping, they went to the clothes store and bought some clothes for each of them. Zhou Fan also bought Yipeng some hats and toboggans.
Afterwards, they walked around while Zhou Fan introduced the city. They ended up at a park where a few old men Yipeng's age were playing a game called chess. Yipeng walked up to them and became friends in no time. They taught him and Zhou Fan how to play. Although Yipeng was interested in the game, Zhou Fan got bored since no one could beat him after 3 games.
SInce Yipeng was having fun, Zhou Fan left him there and went home. He decided to spend the next few days cultivating.
Chapter 34: Arrival - 34
When he reached the courtyard, Zhou Fan put up the items he bought and went straight to his room. He hadn't cultivated seriously in a while and felt excited to do it again. He decided to spend four days cultivating before the empire's soldiers arrived.
Although he wouldn't be able to make too much improvement, he could probably break into the 4th level. Not wasting any time, Zhou Fan sat on his bed and got into a meditation position.
While cultivating, time flew past and before he knew it, 4 days had passed.
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Zhou Fan stood up from his bed and stretched his body that hadn't moved in 4 days. He noticed that it was getting much easier to get into a state where time moves extremely fast.
After the four days, he had broken into the 4th level of core formation. Unfortunately, Zhou Fan only made it to around 25% to the next level.
It seemed that cultivation was going to keep getting harder and harder. After a couple more realms, it might take 100 years to break through. Thinking that far, Zhou Fan hoped that his lifespan would also increase. Otherwise, his life would end before he knew it.
After thinking, Zhou Fan went outside and saw Yipeng. Throughout the last four days, Zhou Fan would subconsciously see him walk past him to get food before leaving for the rest of the day. Zhou Fan assumed that he had been meeting up with his friends at the park.
Zhou Fan did tell Yipeng that he would be meditating for four days straight beforehand, therefore, he wasn't worried for him.
After a quick chat, Zhou Fan learned that the army hadn't arrived just yet but should be here any minute. Hearing that, he walked over to the city gates and saw the people who hadn't evacuated lining the city walls. Zhou Fan went up the stairs and arrived there in order to see what was going on.
When he arrived, he noticed the sudden silence. He looked out of the city and was awed at the sight before him. In the distance, a mass of black dots was making its way to the city. Such a scene would strike fear into anyone's heart. Looking at them, Zhou Fan wasn't sure if he could defeat them with his current strength. He estimated that he should be able to win at 6th realm core formation.
However, such thoughts did nothing to quell the slight fear in his heart. Even now, he wasn't invincible. However, he might be once he reaches the realm after core formation. Thinking of that, Zhou Fan was extremely excited. The day when he could walk through the world unmatched is near.
It wasn't long before the ground started to shake. Most people fled from the city walls since they felt it was going to fall down. Some people such as Zhou Fan chose to stay up there because they knew it wouldn't fall.
When the army reached the city, it sent a few people towards it before it circled around the wall. Looking at the army up close, Zhou Fan started to count. Even with his current brain, it still took two minutes before he came up with a number. 10 million! Many were riding horses while many others held a sword or a bow and marched.
The army only stopped when they were defending the spot that the truth empire would come towards. It was then that they started to set up camp while a group of 200 rode towards the city. The people who had come earlier were here to deliver news.
However, Zhou Fan could tell from afar that this group was different. In the back, 150 men with medals across their uniforms rode. In the middle, 49 crowned men rode. Finally, leading the group, a man with a much more elegant crown rode. When Zhou Fan saw him, he instantly recognized him.
The boundless emperor! Emperor of the boundless empire. Behind him rode 49 of the 150 kings of the empire and behind them were the greatest generals in the empire.
It didn't take long before they reached the gate. Everyone within their sight kneeled in respect. After all, they wouldn't even dare stand in the presence of a king, much less the emperor and 49 kings.
Since they were far away from them on the city walls, few people bothered kneeling. Zhou Fan was one of the ones who stood. In fact, even if the emperor were right in front of him, Zhou Fan wouldn't kneel.
Although he wasn't exactly a prideful person, it seemed shameful to the name of a cultivator to kneel.
The emperor passed through the city without stopping and went right to the mayor's house. The mayor was one of the few people who had to stay behind regardless of their personal reasons or feelings.
He greeted the emperor at the manors' gate and led him inside along with the 49 kings. The generals stayed outside and guarded the area, although unecessary.
That was all Zhou Fan could see as he once again looked at the 10 million strong army outside the city walls. By now, they had mostly set up camp.
Since the great arriving had finished, Zhou Fan went back to his courtyard. When he got back, he explained to Yipeng what he had missed. Yipeng was awed at the description of the 10 million strong army and the arrival of the emperor. He was also feeling regretful that he didn't go and instead went to the park to see his friends.
After their chat, Zhou Fan went inside and started cultivating. Although he wouldn't reach the 5th level in the remaining 3 days, Zhou Fan still chose to make some progress.
2 days passed in a flash and Zhou Fan decided to spend the last day before the war looking around the city.
He walked into shops he had never entered before and visited the places he hadn't seen. After all, Zhou Fan had no idea whether the city would still be here after the war. It wasn't long before night fell and Zhou Fan cultivated once again.
Finally, at 10 o'clock in the morning, Zhou Fan felt the ground shake.
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
121 Power
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