Chapter 147: Journey to the Frontier

Once the Sect Master finished issuing his orders, the entire Returning Ruins Sect plunged into a state of tense preparation.

The usual playful bustle and lively commotion within the sect were entirely absent. Every disciple began preparing intensively, ready to step onto the battlefield at a moment's notice.

Looking at the tense atmosphere gripping the sect, Bai Feiyu felt a pang of emotion. The grand sect tournament had just concluded shortly before, and before anyone could even fully savor the joy of victory, they were suddenly thrust toward the front lines once again.

This departure, he feared, might well spell life-and-death farewells.

By this time, everyone within the various alliances had begun frantically donating supplies and resources.

The organizational capabilities of the larger alliances now came to the fore. Within the alliances, leaders began assisting the elders in coordinating all operations, while the remaining disciples quickly maintained order and helped the elders transfer supplies.

A heavy, oppressive shroud hung over the entire Returning Ruins Sect, beneath a sky that remained overcast and gray.

Bai Feiyu sat atop a stone pillar, watching the bustling activity all around him, and was suddenly overcome by a wave of melancholy.

If nothing had happened, life would have simply gone on. All the disciples would still be here, and the familiar daily routines of laughter, grievances, and rivalries would have continued to unfold. Yet this sudden war shattered everything, casting a veil of uncertainty over everyone's future.

In both this life and his past life, this was the first time Bai Feiyu truly comprehended the terrifying nature of war.

At that moment, Qianshuang walked over. Spotting Bai Feiyu, she seemed to read his thoughts completely. She gently patted him on the back and said,

"There is no need to feel melancholy. In war, people always die."

"In this world, at every single moment, wars are being fought, and at every moment, people are perishing."

"However, isn't living simply a matter of proving one's worth?"

"Sometimes, even if a person loses their life, as long as they managed to protect those behind them in their final moments, they can die without any regrets!"

Hearing Qianshuang's words, Bai Feiyu nodded, then let out a soft sigh.

On that day, all the concealed flying arks within the Returning Ruins Sect were brought out. Not long after, an announcement was issued informing everyone that they would be dispatched to the frontier battlefield in three successive batches.

All disciples were to remain on standby at all times. Naturally, a number of elders would be left behind within the sect to look after the younger members.

After all, not every disciple was required to go to the front lines.

Bai Feiyu returned to the territory of the Bai Alliance.

As soon as he stepped inside, he saw many people discussing what it would be like once they reached the battlefield. Some were hard at work; although the Bai Alliance's headquarters had not yet been fully completed, construction had already come to a halt.

Gazing at the massive compound, Bai Feiyu felt a complex swell of emotion in his chest.

This headquarters was a testament to his own worth; every single brick and tile upon it represented his rise to prominence.

Yet now, with the outbreak of the frontier war, they were forced to leave for the battlefield in person, leaving only the caretakers behind.

Could it be that his path to greatness, much like this unfinished project, was destined to be abandoned halfway through?

Bai Feiyu had no way of knowing how everything would develop in the future.

"Boss, let's go. I've already spoken with the elders, and they've agreed to group all members of our Bai Alliance together so we can act as a single unit."

"This time, everyone is divided into three groups, and we are in the first wave of departures."

Shi Yuan walked over and said to Bai Feiyu. Seeing that Bai Feiyu's mood was somewhat low, he let out a sigh and added,

"Don't worry, the construction here can always be resumed in the future."

"When we reach the battlefield this time, it doesn't necessarily mean we will die. After all, we are all considered heavenly prodigies, and generally speaking, we are rarely assigned to extremely dangerous combat operations."

Because the Returning Ruins Sect was a major sect, although the higher-ups were bound to take action, the brunt of the fighting was usually borne by the elders, leaving very few situations where disciples genuinely needed to take grave risks.

Consequently, on this bloody battlefield, the survival rate for disciples was comparatively higher.

Bai Feiyu nodded. He then returned to his quarters, packed his belongings, and headed toward the small assembly square.

Several flying arks were currently docked in the plaza of the Returning Ruins Sect. Bai Feiyu walked toward the square, followed by a large contingent of Bai Alliance disciples.

Everyone had already made up their minds that, come what may, they would stick closely to Bai Feiyu.

After all, Bai Feiyu possessed such formidable strength; once on the battlefield, very few adversaries would likely be able to match him.

Remaining alive under his lead would undoubtedly be a non-issue.

Bai Feiyu walked up to the side of a flying ark. The sky remained overcast, and a chilling gust of wind swept past, carrying an oppressive weight.

Bai Feiyu asked an elder standing nearby, "Elder, which flying ark are the members of the Bai Alliance assigned to?"

Upon seeing Bai Feiyu, the elder immediately pointed to a vessel in the distance and said, "Right there, you'll be boarding that one. Bai Feiyu, you must take care of your safety this time. Once you reach the battlefield, you must do everything in your power to stay alive."

"You have a magnificent future ahead of you; make sure nothing happens to you out there."

The elder spoke in a nagging, continuous stream as he walked alongside Bai Feiyu. The elder was quite advanced in years, nearing the end of his lifespan, and was considered one of the veterans of the Returning Ruins Sect.

Having spent his entire life within the sect, the old man felt a deep sense of attachment and worry upon seeing a prodigy like Bai Feiyu being sent off to war.

"Rest assured, Elder, I will keep that in mind."

Standing before the boarding ramp of the flying ark, Bai Feiyu spoke earnestly to the elder, then waved his hand to signal the members of the Bai Alliance.

Promptly, the Bai Alliance members formed an orderly queue and began filing onto the flying ark one by one.

At last, Bai Feiyu boarded the vessel as well, found his seat in the cabin, and sat down.

To Bai Feiyu's surprise, Qianshuang happened to be seated right beside him, departing on the same vessel.

It seemed this truly was a moment when the sect was mobilizing its entire strength; otherwise, the Sect Master's daughter would hardly have been dispatched so swiftly.

The disciples sitting further back clutched their packs tightly and looked forward, drawing a sense of safety from their surroundings.

This was not merely because of Bai Feiyu's presence.

More importantly, Qianshuang, the Sect Master's daughter, was also on board. Her immense importance went without saying; surely, this meant they would not be assigned overly dangerous missions—at the very least, they would likely only be tasked with safely guarding the perimeter of some stronghold.

Many disciples still harbored fear in their hearts. After all, when war struck, no one could truly avoid it, and no one could be certain whether this departure would allow them to ever return to the Returning Ruins Sect. Thus, through the windows, each of them gazed out at the sprawling sect with a lingering reluctance.

*Hum—*

In an instant, the engines of the flying ark roared to life with bursts of spiritual flames, and the vessel slowly lifted into the air.