Chapter 582 559: Withdrawal from the Front Line

The three mid-sized cities were all marked in deep red, with a note beside them: "Intense fighting in progress. Frequent Seven-star Demon Fiend activity."

He added several X's to the flanking areas.

Those were high-risk zones recently updated by the Ruan Family's intelligence network.

For a Four-star Beastmaster, flying directly through a large-scale warzone was tantamount to suicide.

Forget about being sniped by the enemy; just the aftershocks from a High-star battle could sweep over and crush them in mid-air with waves of Spiritual Power.

Lu You walked over and leaned on the other side of the table. After analyzing for a moment, she pointed to the airspace left of the direct path.

"Can we bypass it by flying higher? The view would be clear, and we could avoid the main battlefield."

Gu Ming shook his head, his expression tense.

"We can't right now.

"According to the Ruan Family's intelligence, Space Element Demon Fiends from the Inner World have set Space traps along multiple flight paths.

"'High-Altitude Danger Zones.' That's their internal codename for these airspaces.

"Any large flying target exceeding an altitude of one thousand meters has a ninety-percent chance of being locked onto and ambushed by a squad of Seven-star Demon Fiends.

"The lucky ten percent that remain are large, High-star Flying Pets with enough combat power to fight off the ambush by sheer force and avoid being dragged from the sky."

With a mental command, he had Cyan Treasure use its Grass Element Power to create a green liquid, which he then used to draw a safe route on the map.

This was wartime. Even if there were any available large Flying Pets, they would likely have been conscripted and wouldn't be available for just two people.

The two continued analyzing the route when footsteps sounded from outside. Tang Tianyi pushed the door open and returned.

His expression was subtly different from when he had left.

He was as calm as ever, but his usually unwavering aura held a hint of apology.

The Seven-star Beastmaster walked up to them and said gently:

"I used my company's authority, but I couldn't secure a Six-star Guardian.

"All the Six and Seven-star Beastmasters have been pulled to the front lines. Not a single one is left.

"The intensity of the battlefield now is even worse than my initial rapid assessment.

"The gaps in the frontline defenses have grown so large that they're using low-level personnel to fill the lines. I have to head to the coast to join the battle immediately and cover one of the gaps."

He paused for a moment, his gaze falling on Gu Ming and Lu You's faces, then continued:

"However, I did manage to borrow two Five-star Level Cyan Cloud Falcons from the transport corps.

"They're reconnaissance Riding Beasts from the front, agile and nimble. They were just withdrawn from the front lines to receive treatment for severe injuries.

"The transport corps has temporarily removed them from the combat roster for recuperation. Although their combat capabilities are greatly diminished, it also means you'll be able to use them."

A flicker of light appeared in Gu Ming's eyes.

'Cyan Cloud Falcons.'

'A small, single-rider Riding Pet, famous for its Speed. It excels at ultra-low-altitude, wind-riding flight and possesses extreme agility and maneuverability in complex terrains like valleys, dense forests, and mountain ravines.'

'Unlike the large flying whales that require high-altitude corridors, as long as a Cyan Cloud Falcon stays below two hundred meters and flies close to the ground, it can drastically reduce the risk of being targeted by Space Element Demon Fiends.'

Seeing the two analyzing the map, Teacher Tang stepped forward, glanced at it, and instantly offered his advice:

"Take the detour through the Barrenwind Corridor."

His finger traced an arc along the edge of the map, avoiding the main warzone between the three red-zoned cities of Iron Gate Fortress, Shiyan, and Heluo.

"The Barrenwind Corridor is an ancient path across from Iron Gate Fortress that has been abandoned for many years.

"It's flanked by mountain ranges, the valley floor is flat, strong winds blow year-round, vegetation is sparse, and visibility is high—all of which makes it difficult for Demon Fiends to set up an ambush.

"The Ruan Family's intelligence network shows no signs of Demon Fiend activity in that area."

He looked up at them.

"The detour will add about three to four hours to your flight time.

"Factoring in time for the Cyan Cloud Falcons to rest and refuel, if everything goes smoothly, you should be able to reach Lanqi City before 11 AM tomorrow."

They both nodded. "Follow me," he said, heading out the door.

The two of them hurried after Teacher Tang, leaving the building and stepping out onto the lawn in front of the research institute.

The night was as thick as ink. In the distance, flashes of energy from the front lines occasionally tore through the clouds, casting the ground in flickering light and shadow.

On the low-cut lawn stood two modestly sized Cyan Cloud Falcons.

The first falcon was slightly thinner. A bandage, soaked in blood that had since dried and turned black, was wrapped neatly around its left leg.

Its wound had been cleaned with the Magic of a Healing Pet, but an unhealed scar remained on the leg bone.

Seeing people approach, it ruffled its feathers and let out a high, short cry, as if eager to leave.

Five-star Level Pet Beasts were already sentient and could communicate mentally. Since they weren't raised from a young age, they were difficult to bond with a master.

However, they had undergone military training and would accept short-term contracts to serve humans.

The second Cyan Cloud Falcon was quieter, perched on a post with one eye half-closed.

Nearly a third of the feathers on its left wing were missing. The remaining ones stuck out haphazardly, as if embodying a will to survive forcibly wrenched from a broken wing.

When it spread its wings, the outline of its wing bone showed a depression—permanent damage left behind after being scorched by a splash of Dark Energy.

"They will return to the rear with you to recuperate.

"If the Pet Beast breeding base in Lanqi City hasn't been destroyed, you can leave them there to be cared for.

"After the war, someone from the transport corps will come to retrieve them."

Tang Tianyi paused, then added:

"Both of these falcons are well-trained.

"They have mastered a Perfection Level Spiritual Technique, so their willpower isn't easily disrupted by the corrosive Skills of Demon Fiends. You can ride them without worry."

Gu Ming looked at the two Cyan Cloud Falcons, which stood as straight as swords despite their injuries, and an indescribable feeling welled up inside him.