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Previously, when Chen Xuanfeng pondered the situation, he had always assumed that his Sword Saint abilities would allow him to easily overpower Samantha. It never occurred to him that the forces under Samantha's command had changed beyond recognition. The "Warcraft Orc Warriors" of the Splitfang Clan, though not yet widespread, were estimated to number at least thirty to forty, both openly and covertly. Coupled with the elite warriors from various clans that Samantha had always been able to command, this force amounted to nearly half of the high-tier combatants among the entire orcish races. Even the combined strength of ten young Sword Saints wouldn’t be as terrifying. Even if Chen Xuanfeng attained full Sword Saint power, unless he was willing to stoop so low as to disregard the future of the orcish races, resorting to assassination and ambush to eliminate these elites one by one, he would have no choice but to retreat strategically when facing Samantha’s formidable group of experts head-on. And this was only considering elite warriors. If one factored in military strength, economic power, and social influence on both sides, the gap would only widen further.

At this realization, Chen Xuanfeng’s expression darkened, and he sighed, "Damn it, I actually overlooked such a crucial change. If we calculate it this way, our situation is even worse than before..."

The thought of being powerless to fulfill his wife’s lifelong wish filled Chen Xuanfeng with frustration. Yet, Catherine, sitting beside him, gently took his arm and said with a smile, "Husband, don’t be so troubled. Things aren’t as dire as they seem. Though we can’t move against Samantha now, even if he becomes emperor, he won’t be able to deal with us either. Compared to the days when we were constantly suppressed and outmaneuvered by him, we’ve grown much stronger."

"But our goal isn’t peaceful coexistence with Samantha," Chen Xuanfeng replied, turning to look at his wife.

Catherine shook her head. "So what? In the face of absolute power, any scheme becomes futile. This is why every warrior who masters the 'Emperor Martial Overlord Art' relentlessly pursues the pinnacle of strength. Samantha started earlier than us, sacrificed more, and was more relentless in his pursuits. Combined with a measure of good fortune, he achieved his current power. Though our strength has grown rapidly, we are still thirty years behind him. At least in the foreseeable future, there’s no way to defeat him without harming the entire orcish race... So, this time, we must retreat strategically."

"Catherine, why are you suddenly saying this? Aren’t our hearts and wills one? No matter how powerful Samantha is, I’ve never feared him for a second."

"I know. Catherine’s wish is her husband’s wish, just as her husband’s will is her mission. We are inseparable as husband and wife, so I’m not saying this out of concern for burdening you. But when facing an opponent too powerful for schemes, maintaining hostility isn’t wise. Though I will never abandon vengeance, I also refuse to let hatred become the sole purpose of my life. Since we are indeed weaker and cannot effectively stop our opponent’s advance, the right attitude is to acknowledge his strength, retreat strategically, continue growing stronger, and wait for the day we can surpass him."

"But if we allow Samantha to become emperor, he will undoubtedly use the privileges of that position to grow even stronger."

With a faint smile, Catherine raised an alabaster finger and lightly waved it. "True, Samantha’s ascension will propel his influence forward. But such progress also alters the structure of power and status. Who can guarantee that these changes—and all the consequences that follow—will always favor him? For instance... as a Sword Saint, Samantha has at least two hundred years of life left. Longevity may be every emperor’s dream, but a truly immortal emperor is the last thing a nation needs."

After a moment of thought, Chen Xuanfeng grasped her meaning and nodded. "That’s true. Samantha’s current influence was built under the title of 'Orc King.' Once he becomes emperor, the entire power structure will shift, turning what was once public authority into private dominion—a change that will inevitably provoke backlash. And to make matters worse, the one ascending the throne is someone who might live for two hundred years. Two hundred years—nearly ten generations. His sons, grandsons, great-grandsons, and beyond would never even glimpse the throne. Such a ruler would surely breed resentment, both within and outside his faction. Though Samantha’s iron grip on power would prevent this from shaking his foundation, it would at least hinder his continued growth."

"Thus, temporarily acknowledging Samantha’s ascension doesn’t mean surrender or abandonment," Catherine affirmed.

And so, the faction of Fontainebleau, originally the greatest obstacle to Samantha’s imperial ambitions, ultimately adopted a stance of tacit acceptance. The coronation of the new orcish emperor and the founding of the new orcish empire became an inevitable reality.

Perhaps fearing complications, Samantha’s side moved swiftly. After just over a month of preparation, they decided to hold the founding ceremony, leaving the detailed planning of the new empire for later.

PS: Alright, I admit it—I slacked off. Though these two weeks were busy with experiments and teaching a master’s course, it wasn’t as if I couldn’t spare any time to update. But... the Sloth Demon King visited Guan Canghai’s dreams, so I took a little break. Yes, just a little break.

Heroic Werewolf Scroll Chapter 84: The Formless Sword That Fells Heaven and Slays Suns

In the winter of the 1407th year of the War God’s Calendar, the chieftains and leaders of all the orcish races gathered to witness a historic moment—the rebirth of the orcish empire, four hundred years after its fall.

The capital of the new empire was set in the large southern-central city of "Hongtilanie" on the Golden Great Plains. This location was chosen because the ruins of this city had once been the capital of the orcish Seventh Dynasty a millennium ago, and Samantha’s Splitfang Clan was a distant branch of that royal lineage. The city’s geography was also ideal, strategically positioned for both trade and defense. For this reason, during human rule, the Holy Light Temple had refrained from handing it over to any of its protectorates, instead designating it as a neutral trade hub that connected nations and brought the Temple continuous prosperity.