Chapter 920: Shocking News
It was no wonder that Li Xuerou and the many generals were so stunned upon hearing this news.
From the very beginning, they believed the success rate of this SSS-rank mission was extremely low.
Though Ling Zhan was powerful, Li Xuerou and the others still thought it wouldn't change the outcome.
The Crimson Phoenix Demon Lord was definitely no pushover.
Yet under such circumstances, they were now being told that Ling Zhan actually succeeded in capturing Lemorris Fortress!?
"Is this real?"
"General Li, who sent this message?"
A general asked nervously.
After all, intelligence reports couldn't be taken lightly.
"It came from Ling Zhan's adjutant..."
"Also, they've already begun transporting a group of hostages that were held by the Crimson Phoenix Demon Lord."
"You can send people immediately to verify it."
Li Xuerou stood up as she spoke.
She too was incredibly shocked by the news.
Soon…
Li Xuerou led a group of generals to the spatial teleportation station at Moore Fortress.
Upon arriving, they saw a dense crowd of hostages.
Having finally returned to the territory of the national legions, these hostages cried and wailed, expressions mixed with grief and relief.
It was clear—
What they had endured was beyond imagination.
Moreover…
Among the hostages, Li Xuerou spotted several children of noble families who had been declared missing.
These noble heirs had once left their families to prove their strength, refusing family protection.
After that, they had vanished.
Even with high-reward bounties posted, no one had managed to retrieve them.
Now seeing them among the hostages, Li Xuerou finally understood—they had been taken to Lemorris Fortress as "feed"!
With that—
Li Xuerou fully believed the report.
She immediately gave orders to resettle the hostages and urgently contacted the Holy Assembly.
At that moment—
In the distant city of Aether, tens of thousands of miles away—
Inside the Holy Assembly's conference hall—
National leaders were seriously discussing the final extermination operation against the Ten Thousand Demon Abyss.
After all, this time they were mobilizing the full strength of the lower realm!
If they could destroy the Ten Thousand Demon Abyss, the lower realm would once again be safe!
It would also allow them to begin tackling the three Forbidden Zones: the Horror Mountains, the Demon Nest, and Takamagahara.
These Forbidden Zones had always been like swords hanging over everyone's heads, threatening all life at any time.
As they continued their discussions—
Suddenly—
Elder Su from the Dragon Kingdom stood up, bowed slightly, and said, "Pardon me, I must step out for five minutes—an urgent message just arrived."
The other leaders nodded.
Elder Su entered the Dragon Kingdom's private intelligence room and opened a video message sent directly by Li Xuerou.
Li Xuerou's first sentence nearly left Elder Su, one of the Ten Divine Generals, completely stunned!
"Elder Su! I have received confirmation! Ling Zhan has successfully taken Lemorris Fortress!"
"Not only that, but the Crimson Phoenix Demon Lord guarding it has been slain by Ling Zhan!"
"The Crimson Phoenix Demon Core has been sealed!"
"I've verified it—it is definitely the Demon Core of the Crimson Phoenix Demon Lord! He has indeed fallen!"
Li Xuerou wasted no time—just a few sentences covered all critical intel!
Hiss!!
After hearing Li Xuerou's message, Elder Su's face filled with shock, and he gasped repeatedly!
This…
It worked!!
It succeeded this quickly!?
Elder Su had faith in Ling Zhan's ability to complete this mission.
Others might not know how powerful Ling Zhan truly was—but he did!
After all, he'd followed Ling Zhan closely for a long time.
Even so, this news was overwhelming!
Mainly because it happened so fast!
How long had it been since departure?
Had even a month passed?
In fact, national leaders had estimated that even if Ling Zhan succeeded in taking Lemorris Fortress, it would take three to five months at minimum.
Yet now, in under a month, news of success had arrived!
One must remember, the national legions had previously poured endless resources and manpower into this fortress, amassing armies in the billions—only to fail.
And Ling Zhan took 2,000 people and succeeded in less than a month!?
No—
Excluding the few days he spent at Moore Fortress, the actual assault took less than five days!
My god!
Even Elder Su, who had weathered countless storms, was deeply shaken by this news.
Li Xuerou was a cautious person—if she confirmed it, then the intel was 100% solid!
With that thought—
Elder Su exited the secure room and returned to the main conference hall.
Now, his expression was serious—but filled with excitement and joy—an indescribable feeling.
The other national leaders noticed his return and his unusual expression, glancing at one another in confusion.
What happened to Elder Su?
Just receiving one message made him so agitated?
"Everyone! Please hold for a moment! I have an extremely important announcement to make!"
Elder Su now stood before the leaders, speaking loudly.
"Please go ahead, Elder Su!"
The leaders held great respect for the Dragon Kingdom's Divine General.
After all, Elder Su had been one of the top powerhouses who stood up when the Ten Thousand Demon Clan invaded.
Moreover…
He once had the chance to ascend to the Upper Realm.
Many geniuses, upon reaching level 199, chose to ascend and undertake the Celestial Trial in the Heavenly Abyss.
Thus leaving the lower realm behind.
But Elder Su had stayed—unwilling to abandon the Dragon Kingdom and lower realm threatened by the Four Forbidden Zones.
So he remained, out of duty and loyalty.
Even the Free Federation, Fusang Kingdom, Goryeo Kingdom, and the Beastman Empire—all typically at odds with the Dragon Kingdom—showed him respect.
Now—
For this elder to make such a formal declaration—it had to be something major.