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Hidden within the depths of the forest, he sent a carefully crafted signal to both the Azure Spirit Lion and Empress Victoria, a signal that conveyed their mission\'s success.

As the signal reached its recipients, the two leaders of their respective forces acknowledged it with a nod of understanding.

The time had come to retreat from the battlefield, as their combined forces had dealt a severe blow to the dwarves in this unexpected ambush.

Amidst the chaos and confusion that had engulfed the dwarven contingent, the decision to regroup rather than pursue their elusive enemies was a wise one. The dwarves had suffered significant losses and needed to reassess their strategy.

As Wang Jian regrouped with Empress Victoria\'s forces and the Azure Spirit Lion\'s contingent, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Their daring mission had been a success, and the scholars from the dwarves were now in their custody.

The air was filled with a sense of accomplishment as they stood amidst the forest, their allies ready for the next steps in this intricate dance of power.

Wang Jian, with his customary confidence, addressed Empress Victoria. "Our objective is complete," he stated, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Now, it\'s your turn to choose one among these scholars for our purposes."

Empress Victoria listened attentively to Wang Jian\'s words. She stared at him, her gaze filled with careful thought.

The Eclipse Domain Annihilation she had witnessed was a force to be reckoned with, and she felt its overwhelming power.

It was a stark reminder of Wang Jian\'s formidable abilities, and she couldn\'t help but acknowledge that he was a man of great strength.

After a moment of contemplation, she nodded in agreement with Wang Jian\'s suggestion. "Very well," she responded, her voice composed.

Her voice was laced with curiosity and a hint of concern as she broached the topic of the Immortal Ore.

"Wang Jian," Empress Victoria began, her tone measured, "what can you tell me about the Immortal Ore? It is a formidable resource, and I can\'t help but wonder if we should be concerned about the dwarves successfully extracting it."

Wang Jian met her inquiry with a confident smile, his demeanor unwavering. "Empress Victoria, there is no need for concern," he reassured her. "The Immortal Ore mine will remain firmly in the dwarves\' hands. However, I am not worried about this matter because I believe the dwarves lack the means to extract the ore swiftly. It will require significant upgrades in their technology, weapons, and artifacts, or a considerable amount of time to accomplish such a feat."

As he spoke, Wang Jian\'s gaze shifted to the scholars they had captured, who were bound and being closely monitored.

The information they could potentially provide about the dwarves\' capabilities and intentions was a valuable piece of the puzzle, one that could aid in their preparations and strategies moving forward.

Empress Victoria considered Wang Jian\'s words carefully, her mind already working on how to leverage this knowledge to their advantage.

Wang Jian\'s eyes gleamed with a strategic glint as he continued, "Empress Victoria, this spot near the Immortal Ore mine could be a strategic location for you to launch attacks against the dwarves whenever it serves our purposes. The dwarves will not easily relinquish their hold on this precious resource, and they are likely to fortify their position. By targeting that fortress, we can significantly weaken their strength and gain an upper hand in this struggle."

Empress Victoria considered his suggestion, recognizing the merit in his words. She had always valued the importance of seizing opportunities when they presented themselves. "You make a compelling point," she admitted, her voice thoughtful. "Attacking the dwarves at this location can erode their power. It could give us an advantage."

She turned her gaze toward the distant fortress of the dwarves, a silent promise of future action in her eyes. "We\'ll prepare for the next move," she declared, reaffirming her commitment to their shared goals.

Empress Victoria turned her attention to the dwarf she had selected for interrogation. The dwarf\'s expression oscillated between fear and defiance as he faced the Empress of the Everlasting Mystical Empire.

"You," she began, her voice measured and commanding, "will have a unique opportunity. You can choose to cooperate with us willingly, share your knowledge, and contribute to the advancement of our nation\'s technologies. Or," she added, her tone growing colder, "you can resist, and we will extract what we need from you by other means."

The dwarf swallowed hard, weighing his options, and finally nodded in reluctant agreement. Empress Victoria didn\'t waste any time and proceeded with the interrogation, extracting valuable information about the dwarves\' technology, metallurgy, and craftsmanship.

Wang Jian\'s group prepared to leave the forest. They gathered the remaining four dwarves, who were now subdued and under their control, and prepared for their journey back to the Everlasting Mystical Empire in the Southern Region.

Wang Jian exchanged a final glance with the Azure Spirit Lion, acknowledging the invaluable assistance they had received from the guardian of the forest.

"Thank you for your aid," he said respectfully to the majestic Beast Saint. "We will not forget your help in this endeavor."

The Azure Spirit Lion nodded in acknowledgment, his eyes reflecting a sense of pride in their successful cooperation.

"Should you require our assistance in the future, do not hesitate to seek us out," he replied. With that, Wang Jian and his group turned to leave the forest.

After half a day of travel, Wang Jian finally reached the border between the Northern States and the Central Region. The landscape was drastically different from the lush forest and Beast Saint territory they had left behind. Here, the terrain was a mix of rolling hills and vast plains, and the weather was harsh, marked by hot days and chilly nights.

As they crossed the border, the group was met with an unexpected sight. Thousands of human soldiers were stationed in the vicinity, forming an imposing blockade that extended as far as the eye could see. Layers of arrays, both on the ground and in the sky, created a formidable defensive barrier, giving the impression that they had walked into a highly restricted zone.

Wang Jian\'s keen senses told him that something significant was afoot. The situation became clearer when a familiar figure emerged from the ranks of soldiers. It was Empress Victoria.

She approached with a mixture of pride and disdain, her gaze steady and unwavering. "Emperor Jian," she said in a tone that carried a hint of mockery. "I never said you could return so simply."

Wang Jian remained composed, not allowing her taunts to ruffle him. "Empress Victoria," he replied evenly, "I suggest we avoid unnecessary conflict."

Empress Victoria couldn\'t suppress a chuckle, her amusement evident as she regarded Emperor Wang. "Emperor Wang, you misunderstand my intentions entirely. Conflict is the last thing I seek. Instead, I propose a mutually beneficial arrangement."

Though he anticipated her offer, Wang Jian felt compelled to inquire further. "And what, exactly, does this arrangement entail?"

She took a deliberate step closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You see, those four dwarves accompanying you possess knowledge and skills that could greatly benefit my empire. If you were to hand them over willingly, I\'d be inclined to ensure your safe passage out of this predicament."

Wang Jian, his expression tinged with disdain, didn\'t hesitate to respond. "I\'ve already allowed you to have one of those five dwarves. Your appetite for more knows no bounds, Empress Victoria."

A calm and composed Empress Victoria countered, "I\'ve come to the realization that acquiring all five dwarves for my empire would be more advantageous than possessing just one. So, what say you? Will you relinquish them willingly, or shall we be forced into a less desirable resolution?"

"I appreciate your offer, Empress," Wang Jian responded with a diplomatic air, "but I must prioritize the safety of my interests and my empire, as I\'m sure you can understand."

As tension hung thick in the air, Empress Victoria suddenly sprang into action, her movements swift and decisive.

With a flourish of her hand, she summoned a tempestuous wind, channeling her energy into a formidable attack known as "Cyclone Tempest."

The gale roared towards Wang Jian, but his sharp instincts kicked in, and he deftly sidestepped the brunt of the tempest\'s fury. Yet, the wind attack wasn\'t without its effect; it grazed him, leaving a trail of stinging discomfort.

Seizing the moment, Wang Jian countered swiftly. He launched a powerful strike, striking Empress Victoria with a resounding blow that sent her hurtling backward. She skidded across the ground, coming to a halt with a graceless thud.

With a nonchalant air, Wang Jian cracked his neck and spoke to Empress Victoria, his tone carrying a weight of seriousness. "Empress Victoria, I\'m not afraid of a confrontation. If you truly wish to engage in battle, I won\'t be deterred by your forces."