In the evolutionary process of more than half a year after the thaw, the Eastern Province fell behind other regions due to scarce resources. After Li Jiachen seized control of the Eastern Province, in order to evolve to King Level as quickly as possible, he hoarded local resources for his sole use. Thus, aside from a few powerful individuals, the evolution stage of the majority of the low and mid-tier guards in the Eastern Province was not high, and was even inferior to Yang Xiao's troops from Kongming City.

Currently, the Eastern Province faces pressure from both Yang Xiao and Green Dragon City. According to the outcome deduced by He Hui and the others, their only options are to pledge allegiance to one of them. Otherwise, once they engage in a decisive battle with one side, they will both end up severely weakened. In the end, they won't escape the fate of being annexed.

The king of Green Dragon City returned from the Wentian City Conference three days earlier than Yang Xiao. The possibility of immediately annexing the Eastern Province crossed his mind, but after careful consideration, his greatest fear was that a pyrrhic victory over the Eastern Province would end up benefiting Yang Xiao instead. Not only would the Eastern Province not be secured, but his own base, Green Dragon City, could be snatched by Yang Xiao as well.

Hence, Green Dragon City's forces stayed their hand, waiting for Yang Xiao and the Eastern Province to weaken each other.

He Hui and the rest hoped that Yang Xiao would do the same as Green Dragon City, with both sides waiting for the other to make a move, leading to a stalemate. During this time, they could focus on gathering resources to hasten their evolution, striving to reach King Level and ultimately balance out the power with Yang Xiao and others.

Unexpectedly, Yang Xiao had no reservations and launched an attack outright.

He Hui sighed and said:

"We misjudged the situation. Green Dragon City naturally fears a mutual defeat and being taken advantage of by Yang Xiao, but if Yang Xiao dares to kill Li Jiachen, why would he fear the king of Green Dragon City?

Even if we break through to King Level soon, let's think about it – Li Jiachen wasn't a match for Yang Xiao, could we possibly defeat Yang Xiao?"

Xu Li and Zhu Hao replied with wry smiles:

"Do you mean we should just surrender outright?"

He Hui went silent for a moment, then said:

"It's chaos after indecision. If we choose to side with Yang Xiao now, he will surely be grateful to us. But if we wait until his troops are at our doorstep, what bargaining chips will we have left?"

Xu Li and Zhu Hao both fell silent. Wu Wen, the City Lord present, looked utterly confused. Had he known these three were considering surrender, why bother to come all this way? He could have surrendered to Yang Xiao, helped guide his forces, and opened up the southern passage, likely being put to good use.

Xu Li glanced at Wu Wen and said:

"Wu Wen, do you have any idea how large Yang Xiao's forces are?"

"The scene was chaotic in the darkness, it felt like his people were everywhere. They emerged suddenly from the Transmission Array and took control of the urban area... I also endured a difficult fight and barely made it back to report."

Wu Wen said, glancing at his own body, wishing he could find bloodstains to prove that he had been in a tough fight. Unfortunately, his clothes were pristine without a single blood mark or tear, making his expression very awkward.

Xu Li said leisurely:

"I still find it hard to believe a person with only an Advanced Enhanced Gene, who is said to have just broken through to High-Level, could kill Li Jiachen. Surrendering like this makes me feel utterly humiliated inside."

He Hui looked at Xu Li and said:

"You've seen the message from the Genetic Store as well, there's no doubting its authenticity. What, do you want to fight Yang Xiao?"

"You and brother Zhu are willing to hand over control that easily?"

He Hui and Zhu Hao were taken aback.

Zhu Hao then said:

"Their next target is likely Qing City or Hua City. Why don't we take a look there, meet Yang Xiao face to face, and if he truly is such a hero, we could consider siding with him."

Xu Li immediately agreed:

"I think that's a good idea. If Yang Xiao wants us to surrender, he has to show us his mighty powers, right? Otherwise, I really can't justify it to myself."

He Hui sighed:

"If both brothers have this thought, then why not go to Qing City to meet Yang Xiao? I'll wait for you in Tianyue City. You can gather a force of twenty thousand from places like Yunluo City and head there; show Yang Xiao that the Eastern Province isn't so easily bullied. If he proves too much for us, retreat to Tianyue City, and we'll discuss further."

Xu Li and Zhu Hao nodded.

Suddenly, someone rushed in from outside.

"Boss, not good. Qingyuan and Huadu have been taken over by people from Kongming City."

All three were shocked.

Dammit, that fast?

"What do we do?"

The three asked simultaneously.

"Quickly shut down all the Transmission Arrays leading to Tianyue City, or Yang Xiao could appear in Tianyue City next second."

"Should we also shut down the transmission paths from cities like Mingzun City, Yunluo City, and Shandu City to Tianyue City?"

"Leave the ones from the rear cities open and close all from the front cities. Moreover, only keep the paths within a few core cities open, shutting down all in the suburban strongholds."

"Damn it, Yang Xiao really has us in a tight spot, striking over such a long distance overnight, aren't they tired?"

...

Yang Xiao left three thousand guards to defend the core district of the taken city, recruiting those who surrendered. They were to be well-treated and informed that Li Jiachen had already been killed by Yang Xiao.

Information about Li Jiachen's death was only known by some city leaders in the Eastern Province, with ordinary guards unaware of this explosive news.

Therefore, once people learnt of Li Jiachen's death, they largely lost the will to resist, figuring it was the same who they mixed with.

After gaining control of the city, the proprietor of the Genetic Store also collaborated to confirm the news of Li Jiachen's demise to the local guards.

With the guidance of the surrendered, Yang Xiao and his team reached an unclosed transmission spot and immediately arrived at Qingyuan and Huadu, easily taking control of the two smaller cities.

"Boss, let's push on to Tianyue City tonight, it's less than a hundred kilometers away."

Long Yongjun exclaimed excitedly.

"Everyone, search and see if there's a nearby transmission point leading directly to Tianyue City. If we hit Tianyue City now, we could catch them off guard, unable to prepare any resistance."

However, upon searching with the help of the local guards, they found that all channels were closed.

"Boss, since the attack on the city began, news has probably leaked, and all paths have been closed."

"So what if they close the paths? A mere hundred kilometers, we'll be there in tens of minutes."

Huang Wen said.

Long Xiang, feeling quite frustrated, remarked:

"I didn't even get enough fighting tonight. Huang Wen led the charge, and a few volleys of Fiery Flame Arrows took out hundreds of them. I just ran around for nothing. Might as well attack Tianyue City tonight, and I'll lead the charge."

(Tonight there will be another update, thanks to the book friend who tipped 500 Qidian Coins for their generous support, and to 1505**7730 for tipping 100 Qidian Coins, thank you all for the support.)