"Indeed, the evil forces are beginning to consolidate their strength!"
*Bang!*
Du Yan slammed his fist onto the table in front of him, producing a dull thud.
"I hadn't expected our actions to be a step too slow! Letting these races escape!"
"The battles ahead will likely be even more arduous!"
"However... this also precisely confirms our suspicions. These individuals are indeed followers of the True God Cult."
Du Yan paced back and forth in the hall, his hands clasped behind his back.
"This also indicates that the True God Cult is afraid. They know they won't gain any advantage fighting on all fronts, so they've concentrated all their forces in the Valen Empire."
"Our plan is only half successful. The rest depends on what happens next!"
The old man said with a smile.
"Our plan is only half successful? What do you mean?"
Du Yan looked at the old man in surprise.
Wasn't the original plan to use the strength of the entire world to eliminate non-human races?
Now, all the non-human races had gathered on the side of the Valen Empire, joining forces with the True God Cult. How was this a good thing?
The strategy of disintegration had failed. The next step would be a war of attrition fought with sheer numbers.
This would be a brutal war, potentially dragging the entire world into conflict for several years.
"Ha, you are already the legion commander of the Black-tailed Swallows, and you still can't see this?"
"That's right, the enemy's strength is indeed consolidated, but their consumption has also increased!"
"The Valen Empire was first attacked by new types of Lost Souls, losing four or five cities. They drove the surrounding residents into nearby cities."
"This will lead to a surge in the urban population but a significant decrease in food production."
"Now that we have persuaded the two most productive cities to declare independence, and the Valen Empire has relocated a large number of non-human races, with increased population and reduced grain output, they will soon face famine."
"When that happens, the conflict between humans and non-human races will erupt, and they will disintegrate from within."
"However... this is only the first part!"
The old man sat on his chair, saying triumphantly.
"The first part? There's more?"
Du Yan quickly asked.
"You, you've learned so many of my skills, but you haven't learned the art of subtlety."
"But you must understand that many times, when something can be accomplished simply by using your brain or your fingers, there's no need to make a grand display of force!"
The old man stroked his beard gently, his confidence palpable.
"The first point will only cause the enemy to fall into chaos and internal strife, but it's not enough to destroy them."
"The second point is their fatal flaw!"
"To prevent the spread of the Demonic Beast Forest, the Valen Empire deliberately established its capital close to the Demonic Beast Forest."
"Now that various countries are in turmoil, the Demonic Beast Forest has expanded significantly and its strength has greatly increased!"
"It won't be long before the Demonic Beast Forest expands to the location of the Valen Empire's capital."
"At that time, without us lifting a finger, the awakened ancient creatures within the Demonic Beast Forest will be able to wear down the main forces of the True God Cult."
"Then, we'll have the armies of various countries tie down the Valen Empire's forces. Our Black-tailed Swallow Legion will directly infiltrate the capital and assassinate the enemy's leaders."
"This way, we can achieve our goals with almost no losses, easily securing our position at the pinnacle of the World Tower once again."
Upon hearing this, Du Yan suddenly understood, as if struck by a bolt of enlightenment.
"So that's how it is. Teacher had already calculated all the subsequent steps, which is why you didn't stop me from summoning the hundred nations, right?"
Du Yan said with admiration.
"The battlefield is like a chess game. Not only must you look at the present, but you must also anticipate your opponent's possible moves in advance!"
"Only by blocking all of the opponent's escape routes can you win, can't you?"
The old man, with his hands behind his back, chuckled and slowly left the conference room.
"Teacher is truly extraordinary. As expected of the founder of the Black-tailed Swallow Legion..."
Watching the old man's retreating figure, Du Yan murmured to himself.
Meanwhile, in the Valen Empire, within the royal palace of the capital.
Dolores sat on the throne with a troubled expression, listening to the reports from the ministers below.
Just as the old man had predicted, food shortages and the expansion of the Demonic Beast Forest had become new problems facing the Valen Empire.
"How long can the city's food supplies last?"
Dolores asked.
"Those non-human races have a great demand for food. One person can eat 2-3 times the amount of a normal person, especially the Bullhorn tribe and the Centaur tribe, who eat about 4 times the amount of a normal person in one meal."
"And now, more and more non-human races are arriving through the teleportation gates. If this continues, our food will likely only last for another week!"
The Finance Minister replied with a dejected look.