"Report! A human army has entered the Demon Valley." A spy who was assigned to monitor Rocky
strode into Jonathan's tent and reported.
"I see. You can leave now." Jonathan waved his hand.
Once the spy left, Jonathan turned towards Alyssa. Her hands and feet were shackled by the black iron
that contained her spiritual power. Jonathan then shot her a chilling smile and said, "It seems your
beloved still doesn't want to leave you."
Alyssa returned his gaze with a deadpan stare. She bit her lips tightly. Although she undoubtedly knew
that Rocky would come to save her, a part of her heart didn't want to believe it. She knew that once he
came, there was probably no going back.
"What? Why the long face? You should be happy you'll be reunited with your sweetheart soon,"
Jonathan provoked her.
"Enough! Do you really think you'll win? Don't be so quick to laugh when this hasn't ended yet. I believe
Basil will defeat you and take us back," Alyssa said firmly with excitement.
"Haha! Alright. I'd love to see him try to rescue you from the tight restrictions I've set." Jonathan
sneered with disdain before he left.
Meanwhile, Rocky led his army through the Demon Valley where ferocious demonic beasts were
rampant with the help of the Star Beast Ring and the Army-blessing Scroll. They managed to overcome
every challenge that came their way despite the multiple dangers they encountered.
Three days later, Rocky was near the gate that led to the alien world. They didn't rush in. Instead, they
found an area that would be easy to defend but difficult for their enemies to penetrate. Meanwhile,
Marcia and Sabina began to investigate the terrain surrounding the Demon Valley and how the Shura
Race formed its troops.
A few hours later, Rocky and the other leaders gathered around the newly built sand table placed at the
camp's center.
"According to our investigation, the area within a five hundred meter radius of the alien world's gate is
completely guarded by the Shura Race. The northwest side of the gate is deliberately left unguarded to
serve as a passage for us to enter. Once we enter, it will surely be blocked. By then, there will be no
way out." Pointing at the sand table, Marcia began to analyze their current situation.
"What about the forces of the Shura Race?" Rocky asked.
"According to my observation, there are at least three thousand members in their troop. There may be
more ambushes awaiting us. However, what's most worrying is that almost all the Shura Race
members are spirit warriors. Although most of them have only reached the primary stage of the Spirit
Realm, their fighting abilities easily surpass those of ordinary soldiers. I'm afraid we don't have any
advantage over them in terms of overall fighting power," Marcia added to her analysis.
"It seems this battle was doomed from the start." Rocky's eyes turned cold.
"If Canaan is there, I'll have a go at him. Although there will certainly be immense danger and difficulty
involved!" Colton roared.
"We have two goals. The first goal is to open the gate to the alien world and return to the original world.
The second goal is to capture Canaan to avenge the Chief of the Di Clan. But we can't risk so many
lives. We need to leave a way out for our troops!" Rocky pointed out.
"Do you have a plan, Basil?" Marcia asked.
"Do you remember the strategy we used when we rushed into the imperial palace to rescue the holy
maiden—luring that tiger away from its cave?" Rocky looked at her and asked.
"You want to repeat the same trick?" Marcia stared at him with her gorgeous eyes.
"Of course we can't use the exactly same trick again since I don't have absolute confidence to kill the
Shura Race's leader. In order for us to have any chance of opening that gate, it's necessary that we
lure the leader away from its base. However, we can't let them know that we're deploying another trick
as well." It was clear that Rocky had already thought of a plan.
"Are you saying that we're going to set a trap under the guise of the trick?" Marcia already guessed
what he was thinking.
"The reason why they caught Alyssa was to turn her into bait. They thought I would fall right into their
trap. Well, I'll beat them at their own game. I'll go there alone, just as they want. You pretend to go for
the gate. By then, they'll surely do their best to stop you. That will give me an opportunity to open the
gate so that you can enter the alien world," Rocky revealed.
"It's too dangerous for you to be alone. I'll go with you!" Marcia swiftly said.
"No. You have to stay and lead the army," Rocky ordered her with a shake of his head.
"Since Commander Mu is here, I'll accompany Basil! That way, I'll have a chance to kill Canaan
myself..." Colton was quite determined to avenge the Chief of the Di Clan.
Realizing what Colton was thinking, Rocky could only nod his head. He knew that Colton would never
let this grudge go. Moreover, Colton's power surpassed the Emperor Realm so he'd be helpful.
After further careful planning, Marcia and Colton left to carry out the plan.
Meanwhile, Shirley came in. She noticed Rocky's worried look and felt sorry for him. She strode
towards him and, without saying a word, embraced him with a gentle hug.
"Shirley, I need to ask you to help me with something." Rocky suddenly looked at her and said.
"What's the matter?" She blinked at him.
"The battle tomorrow will be quite dangerous. We may not be able to escape unscathed. I'll stay behind
and make sure that you guys leave safely first if it's necessary. Marcia and Alyssa will try to stop me by
then. I hope you can stop them for me," Rocky said seriously. The reason why he told Shirley the truth
was that Marcia and Alyssa loved him too much. They certainly wouldn't hesitate to stop him once he
wanted to make a sacrifice. In contrast, Shirley would be more rational than them.
"Why do you need to sacrifice yourself for us every time? Can't you live for yourself?" This wasn't the
first time Shirley faced this situation. But it made her feel resentful because she felt incapable of
helping Rocky.
"You silly girl. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be who I am today. You made me the man I am now.
Everything I've done has more meaning because you exist," Rocky confessed as he looked into
Shirley's eyes.
"But I don't want to see you leave again…" Shirley's eyes turned red.
"Leaving doesn't mean being apart forever. I've left before and here I am standing in front of you.
Remember, my existence only means something as long as you live. So you all must stay alive," Rocky
pleaded with her passionately.
"I know. But you must promise me that you'll stay alive as well!" Shirley nodded her head in approval.
"I'll live for all of you," Rocky promised as he gently stroked her head.
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