chapter 997: conquering the top layer

moonwater city, cultivation zone
as general neyi gathered an elite group of soldiers and led them to the transit pillar, which would take them up to the military zone, he constantly checked his spirit tablet for updates.
normally, due to the seemingly urgent situation on the top layer, he would receive a new message every twenty to thirty seconds. however, the regular updates suddenly stopped several minutes ago without a word of warning.
a frown quickly appeared on general neyi's forehead.
"oh? are you heading to the top layer because of the intruder, general neyi?" an unfamiliar yet familiar voice suddenly reached out, drawing the person's gaze away from his spirit tablet.
general neyi raised an eyebrow upon seeing sir jyanas, a member of the privileged faction, arriving with his group of knights.
considering sir jyanas was a fifth-stage divine star realm expert, and his knights were all first-stage divine star realm experts, general neyi was surprised by their presence.
such a powerful entourage rarely visited the top layer, and even then, there had to be a reason for it.
"you too, sir jyanas?" general neyi uttered with surprise but frowned in his heart.
he should have been the one to receive the reinforcement request if the military zone faced a problem. however, the fact that sir jyanas was present proved that the request was sent directly to the moonwater lord.
furthermore, the reinforcement request was made much earlier than the one he just got. otherwise, sir jyanas wouldn't have caught up to him.
either the loyalty of his soldiers was not with the military faction, or the situation above was serious enough that the military needed to borrow the noble faction's power. but if it was also that serious, the moonwater lord wouldn't have just sent sir jyanas and his knights.
as such, general neyi suspected he had rats of the noble faction among his troops-that was the main cause of his displeasure.
"that's right. lord moonwater sent me to deal with the intruder," sir jyanas replied haughtily before asking, "you're not going up for the same reason, are you? if so, there's no need for that since i am already here. or... do you have some other reason?"
"it's an internal matter of the military," general neyi answered vaguely, the frown in his heart deepened.
at the same time, a similar situation happened on general neyi's side.
"general neyi? you came just in time! please come forward and offer your respect and fealty to the new ocean master!"
"what... did you just say? have you lost your mind, soldier?"
general neyi couldn't believe what he was hearing after the celestial soldier urged him. it was easily the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard. still, he noticed a hint of pleading in the soldier's eyes.
as such, he carefully pondered over the reason instead of acting rashful.
on the other hand, the celestial soldiers on sir jyanas's side did not give him the same sort of respect and warning.
"a member of the noble faction? good timing. come over here and offer your respect and fealty to the new ocean master!"
"ridiculous!"
sir jyanas sneered, outraged by the celestial soldier's arrogant and commanding tone.
who did he think he was talking to?
with an angry flick of his wrist, sir jyanas sent a wave of divine force into the celestial soldier, smashing his bones and shooting his body off into the distant body of seawater.
shortly after, he glared at vaan, transferring his remaining rage to him.
he didn't know what kind of witchcraft or brainwashing ability vaan used to garner the soldiers' obedience. however, he was definitely the reason for their blatant disregard despite
his status and power.
"hmph! a mere first-stage divine origin realm being made all of you lose your minds like this. you buffoons in the military are truly useless!" sir jyanas condescendingly spat.
in the next moment, he immediately rushed toward...