He did not wish for this, but there was no other way.
The Pope trusted him implicitly, revealing almost everything. The mission was to find an ancient treasure that resonated with the Light Imprint.
However, even the Pope did not know the exact appearance or whereabouts of this ancient treasure.
The only indication was that the treasure might not be in the possession of the Dark Association. It was highly possible that it was scattered in the perilous regions of the Dark Ruins.
The reason was simple: if the Dark Association had obtained this treasure, they would not have remained silent.
They would have taken action, and their strength would have increased considerably.
Since this had not happened, the probability of the treasure being scattered in dangerous areas was certainly the highest.
Therefore, no matter how perilous the path ahead, they had to press on.
"Report!"
As the two were conversing, an intelligence operative from the Hall of Light, stationed within the Dark Ruins, approached them.
He went directly to Rolls, bowed respectfully, and then said, "Lord Rolls, your subordinate has just learned that the Dark Association has been making significant movements recently!"
"Hmm?"
At this remark, Rolls' brow furrowed immediately.
These so-called movements were undoubtedly actions directed at them, as their arrival had already made the Dark Association feel uneasy.
Thinking this, he quickly asked, "Tell me, have the Dark Association pursued us?"
"No!"
The intelligence operative shook his head and quickly added, "According to the transmitted intelligence, the Dark Association has mobilized a large number of guards and sealed off the southern desert region!
Furthermore, all of the Dark Association's Earth-level stewards have been dispatched to the desert region..."
"What!"
Upon hearing this news, Rolls' eyes widened.
His first thought was that the Dark Association was preparing to deal with the team in the desert.
Moreover, with such a force, coupled with six Earth-level stewards, it would not be too difficult to eliminate that team.
Wait, something felt wrong!
Rolls' eyes darted around. In his opinion, his reasoning should be correct, but he had a feeling of unreality in his mind, as if he had missed something.
Was there any other situation?
The intelligence operative also began to think rapidly.
After a short pause, he slowly said, "There's nothing else to report, except that all the Dark Association's Earth-level stewards have begun stockpiling a large amount of food and water. Nothing else..."
"Lord Rolls, do you think something is amiss?"
The Cardinal beside him, seeing Rolls frowning and remaining silent, asked.
"Indeed. Don't you find it strange?"
"The desert region has always been known as the most dangerous place in the Dark Ruins. Even Heaven-level powerhouses from the Dark Association have gone in and never returned. Yet this time, the Dark Association has sent all their Earth-level powerhouses!"
"If it's just to eliminate our people from the Hall of Light, aren't they being a bit too rash?"
Rolls voiced his doubts.
In his view, since the desert region was extremely dangerous, the Dark Association's Earth-level stewards should not venture deep into it.
Waiting for the Hall of Light to emerge from the outskirts, or letting the people of the Hall of Light perish within, would be much better.
However, their current behavior was abnormal. The stockpiling of food and water clearly indicated their intention to go deeper.
"Lord Rolls, you mean to say that the Dark Association has a different objective this time, not just targeting our people?"
"Could it be that they are going to search for treasure in the desert?"
The Cardinal proposed his idea and then chuckled.
In the desert, besides their own people, there was only wind and sand everywhere. How could it be easy to search for treasure?
Moreover, it was incredibly dangerous. Going there to search for treasure would be courting death!
Most importantly, the Dark Association had dispatched all their Earth-level stewards. If something happened to them, the Dark Association's strength would plummet.
He believed that Xing Yuan would not take such a reckless action.
"Yes! You are right!"
"They must have discovered something in the desert!"
"Otherwise, why would Xing Yuan gamble all his Earth-level stewards?"
Rolls' eyes lit up as he listened to his companion.
In his opinion, Xing Yuan would only choose to take such a risk if the potential benefits far outweighed the risks.
Eliminating the Hall of Light's team clearly did not bring them immense benefits. Therefore, only one thing could explain it: the Dark Association had discovered something in the desert.
Moreover, this place was extremely dangerous, and also extremely important.
This was why they had dispatched all their Earth-level stewards and were also concerned about the Hall of Light getting there first.
With this thought, Rolls' eyes suddenly gleamed, and he declared, "All personnel, receive my order! Withdraw from the ancient battlefield immediately and advance towards the desert region at full speed!"
He paused and continued, "Also, regardless of whether the western team knows this news, send someone to inform them and tell them to do their best to rendezvous with us in the desert!"
Rolls had almost given up hope for this mission, but upon hearing the Dark Association's actions, he suddenly saw a glimmer of hope.
Since the Dark Association's Earth-level stewards dared to march out in full force, it meant that there must be a great treasure in the desert region, perhaps even the item they were looking for.
In addition, he could also provide support to his companions and possibly even eliminate those Dark Association Earth-level stewards.
It was simply killing three birds with one stone!
...
Desert Region.
Zi Long's figure slowly passed through the yellow sand. His face was filled with anger and a hint of helplessness as he entered a secret realm.
Although Po Xiao had explained the importance of his mission, he still felt stifled.
Inside the secret realm.
Ye Cangtian, Hong Mo, and the other five Earth-level stewards were eating roasted sweet potatoes. Seeing Zi Long return, they all cast their gazes towards him.
Upon seeing this, Zi Long sat down, took a drink of water, and then relayed the news he had received.
He mentioned that in the eastern and western regions of the Dark Ruins, there were teams rapidly traversing various cities, heading towards their current location in the south.
It was estimated that within two days at most, they would reach Nanhuang City and officially enter the desert.
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian displayed a faint smile.
The opponent was no longer hiding their movements. It was clear that their plan had succeeded, and the opponent was starting to become anxious.
"The show is about to begin."
With that said, Ye Cangtian's gaze became serious, and he continued, "Let me explain the upcoming mission. It's very simple: lure the enemy!"
"Lure the enemy?"
Upon hearing this, Hong Mo became confused and quickly asked, "How do we lure the enemy, and where do we lure them to?"
The others also looked towards Po Xiao, clearly wanting to understand.
"Don't rush, we'll take it step by step."
Ye Cangtian waved his hand, then looked at Hong Mo and asked, "What is the current situation of your team searching for the Hall of Light's traces in the desert?"
"Hmm?"
Hearing this, Hong Mo was once again taken aback. Why was his team being brought up out of the blue?
He pondered for a moment, still not understanding, and then said, "The situation is not clear yet, but according to the agreed-upon time, they should send news today..."
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian nodded and then said, "Since that's the case, I'll be direct. I originally intended to assign the task of luring the enemy to them..."
Ye Cangtian explained his idea.
He wanted this team to temporarily abandon the pursuit of the Hall of Light team that had entered the desert first, and according to their plan, lead the subsequent Hall of Light members into the depths of the desert.
This way, they would only need to tail the Hall of Light members from behind.
Speaking of which, Ye Cangtian looked at Hong Mo again and said, "This plan is very dangerous for your team, because no one knows what dangers they will encounter in the desert!"
"Are there any other plans?" Hong Mo frowned upon hearing this and asked Ye Cangtian.
His formidable team was not trained by himself, but were old subordinates of his father, Ba Tian.
Their strength and loyalty were beyond question.
Therefore, Hong Mo did not want them to be harmed.
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian nodded and said, "Yes, that is to replace them with us. We will lead the way and lure those Hall of Light members towards the perilous areas, but this has a drawback..."