Chapter 1361: Item against them

Michael watched the portal appear right in front of the two armies, creating a palpable sense of tension. Down below, the image of a mountainous region was sprawled out.

Loren walked forward, ahead of the Rebornian army. He was the general for this battle. He was going to lead the entire 40,000 men and women and demi-human into the duel that would decide the future of the Reborn company.

Behind him, Jaku lazed around. Of course, Jaku was still the most powerful swordsman amongst the entire crew. But Michael already learned his lesson. Jaku would not function well if he was being put on with a lot of pressure and responsibilities.

Better it be somebody else. Somebody like Loren, who was already posed to be a general that would unite the Rebornian soldiers into action.

According to their agreement with the Western Pole company, there were no Nascent Spirit cultivators allowed to participate.

They wanted to fight using only their Body Formation Maugnetics. It seemed that the Western Pole company was way too confident with their own ’pawns’ that they didn’t want to give the Reborn company any kind of saving grace.

After all, even if they didn’t think Reborn was strong, they still knew of Michael’s talent. The youngest Nascent Spirit cultivator. They didn’t want to face someone like him at all costs, especially knowing that the Lionhearts had gone into their army.

"We’re ready," said Loren. And with a single step, he plunged into the Sanctum and entered into neutral territory.

The rest of the Rebornian army followed suit. They lightly stepped off into the portal with the most casual of movements. It was as if they weren’t even minding the fact that they could totally fall into their deaths.

On the other hand, the Western Pole company looked a lot more nervous. Their steps towards the Sanctum were measured. One could see it in their faces. But prodded on by their general, they jumped right behind the Rebornian army.

And so, finally, the duel commenced!

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Meanwhile, beyond the Chasm, there were multiple eyes focusing on the duel happening in the Rebornian camp.

"Hmm... who do you think would win? The Rebornian company seems to be confident with their own strength if they dared to challenge so many companies."

"Tsk. They don’t know what they’re doing. The Western Pole company is actually being controlled by the Oscorpe Conglomerate. I’ve heard that the 2nd-in-line heir of the Oscorpes have decided to pour a lot of resources into their army to guarantee their success."

"That does sound dangerous. Does that mean that the Chasm will fall into the hands of the Oscorpes?"

"Most possibly. But for a long time. The Goldstone Conglomerate has made an edict regarding this. As soon as the Western Pole company is declared the winner, we are to deploy our armies to try and intercept their actions."

The unknown man looked at his partner. "Really? I’ve heard that the Vanderbilts had similar commands thrown down. Their armies are being deployed at this very second."

Many wanted to take advantage of the fact that the Western Pole company was still an Upper Echelon company. They weren’t a Conglomerate, no matter how much influence the Oscorpes had exerted over them.

This meant that their foundations in the Chasm would be weak. They wouldn’t be able to consolidate their new territory so easily, making it very vulnerable and easy to conquer.

And it seems that many were planning to wrest the Chasm away from the Western Pole company as soon as they were declared the winner.

Of course, not everyone were planning such devious things. Some organizations, specifically the Order of the Heavenly Knights and the Guild of Arcana, were keeping their eyes and ears peeled for any information regarding the duel.

They were passive. They wanted to first make sure about the outcome of the duel before making any hasty actions.

At least, they were on the outside.

But of course, these organizations were never truly united in their own actions. Many had their own agendas. Their own missions to fulfill, just as Seberus said they would.

And so, deals were made. Under the cover of the darkness, where no one could see through their plans and machinations.

Perhaps, there were some Mystic Masters who wanted a piece of the pie. And to achieve such treasures in the Chasm, they were willing to also sponsor some people to try and take the Chasm away from the Western Pole company.

It was like a ticking time bomb.

Everyone was just waiting for the duel to be finished.

And of course, almost everyone was expecting the Reborn company to lose. It was only expected. And their death would become the catalyst that would start an all-out war against all the other big players in the ocean. The sharks. The predators.

Michael was not ignorant of this.

Immediately after his soldiers disappeared into the Sanctum, he was surrounded by Shadow Orcs who were currently monitoring the situation around the entire Chasm.

They told him everything that was happening under the shadows. The deals. The handshakes. Every piece of gossip and conversation and speculations were given to him for perusal.

"Hmm... the Goldstones have also made their move. They just wanted an excuse to do so. They must not have liked your abandonment of them, Theresa."

"You’re right," Theresa agreed. "But nothing is going to happen until the Western Pole wins."

Michael smiled. "You’re right. Unlucky for them."

He closed his eyes, finding himself watching through the perspective of a Mini Drone he had instructed to follow the Rebornian army.

Watching above, he could easily see all the moves that both armies were making.

The Western Pole company had made a temporary camp at a plateau in the mountains. Scouts were sent, eventually telling them of the Rebornian army’s position further down the base of the mountain ranges.

"We found them. We will strike at midnight. We don’t want them to have any chance to do any shenanigans. Are your items ready?" their general asked.

The Western Pole soldiers nodded, revealing a strange ball of blue slime in their hands.

"Caliburn’s right," he said. "They’re really using that."