The Kingdom of Best.
In a Western restaurant in Best City, the capital.
*Bang!*
A loud crash echoed as more than a dozen armed soldiers surrounded a booth occupied by a couple.
"Excuse me, the two of you. We've received a report that you are spies sent by Fusang. Please come with us. Everything you say from now on will be used as evidence!"
Under the command of the leading captain, more than a dozen heavily armed soldiers pointed their weapons at the couple, completely catching the two spies from Fusang off guard.
An exercise?
What a coincidence. But before they could ponder further, the two were handcuffed and arrested.
Then, the group of over ten people rapidly exited the Western restaurant, the entire operation lasting no more than a minute. Inside, the restaurant erupted.
"What happened? I heard they were spies from Fusang!"
"Fusang spies, this... is he that scary?"
"Damn it, I never thought a spy was right beside me. But he doesn't look like much."
"Over a dozen soldiers with live ammunition. Our kingdom's soldiers are getting better equipped!"
"Indeed, that's how they can better ensure our safety~~~"
The many citizens of Best in the Western restaurant watched the swift and unceremonious arrest of the Fusang spies, clearly feeling the strength of their kingdom.
After all, in the previous duchy era, such decisive action wouldn't have been taken, especially directly arresting Fusang nationals, which could have led to international disputes.
This scene was merely a microcosm of the vast Kingdom of Best, with tens of thousands of similar incidents occurring nationwide. This massive operation by Pucis was clearly intended to establish national prestige.
This move was undoubtedly a notification to all countries: sending spies to Best was acceptable; they would accept them all.
Without this action, countries would only become more audacious in the future.
A short while later.
News of the Kingdom of Best arresting spies from various countries spread like a hurricane, particularly after Pucis officially announced the list of over 13,000 spies.
This announcement directly stunned countless citizens of the Kingdom of Best.
Over 13,000 people, what did that even mean!
Moreover, the simultaneous operation and the online official announcement were like cannonballs exploding in everyone's minds.
What were they seeing?
Over thirteen thousand spies. This contained so much information, such as how the Kingdom of Best discovered these spies painstakingly placed by various countries.
This point alone was enough to prove that the Kingdom of Best was not to be trifled with.
After all, this was no longer the cold weapon era of hundreds of years ago; this was the information age, where controlling intelligence meant winning half the battle.
Furthermore, the current military strength of the Kingdom of Best was far superior to kingdoms of similar standing.
Military might combined with accurate intelligence were the two most crucial hard conditions in the current international landscape. As long as both were strong, victory in any conflict was assured.
A grand and spectacular large-scale spy arrest operation was unfolding vigorously across the Kingdom of Best.
Half a day later, at the War Department of the Imperial Capital of Huaxia.
In the Commander-in-Chief's office.
Wang Zhantian was as usual handling matters from war departments across the country and reactions from various factions.
*Ring, ring~*
Just as Wang Zhantian finished dealing with a major cross-border fraud gang case, his phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, Wang Zhantian answered the call.
However, as soon as he answered, Wang Zhantian immediately stood up from his seat.
"What!"
"The Kingdom of Best has suddenly announced over 13,000 spies from various countries. Such a move is indeed significant!"
Wang Zhantian spoke, his inner shock far greater than the reaction of those present.
Because even they couldn't achieve such a feat. One must remember, that was over 13,000 people, not 13,000 pigs, but such a large number of elite spies.
This move had undoubtedly caught all countries off guard.
This was quite a show of force.
"Alright, I understand!"
Wang Zhantian said, then hung up the phone. However, even after hanging up, his shock only intensified.
He then stood up from his seat and gazed towards the direction of the Kingdom of Best through the large floor-to-ceiling window.
"How did that Ye Xuan manage it?"
Yes, this was not something an ordinary person could accomplish. Even their War Department, with all its manpower, resources, and finances, would find it unimaginably difficult, taking at least a year.
And that Ye Xuan clearly hadn't used that much time, not even half a year, or three months.
After all, Ye Xuan had become a Duke of the Kingdom of Best less than three months ago.
A moment later.
Wang Zhantian regained his composure. "That Ye Xuan is truly surprising."
"Moreover, his power is terrifying. Even if he were to dominate Huaxia, the Five Elders would likely not be his match."
Wang Zhantian said this because just half a day prior, he had received a call from his father.
It was indeed his father, Wang Xuanyu's call, that had shaken Wang Zhantian. His father had told him that among Ye Xuan's subordinates, including their son-in-law Lin Feng, there were a total of four peak War God level experts.
Of course, this was Wang Zhantian's assumption, as he was unaware that Wei Yi had also reached the peak War God realm.
Many who knew the inside story, including William, the current King of Eagle Country, could only sigh.
Various countries were in a state of shock due to the Kingdom of Best's recent actions. After breakfast this day, Ye Xuan bid farewell to his parents and drove to Jiulong Villa.
"On the morning of the second day, the travelers in this small group woke up, their spirits renewed and filled with hope. The breakfast Dorothy ate consisted of peaches and plums picked from trees by the river, as if for a princess. Left behind them was a dark forest, and though they had encountered many dangers and suffered greatly there, they had safely passed through."
"At first, their progress was smooth. When they reached the middle of the river, the strong current swept their raft downstream, carrying them further and further away from the yellow brick road. The water also grew deeper and deeper, making it impossible for the long pole to touch the riverbed..."
As Ye Xuan's enchanting voice continued to narrate the story, the three little ones listened intently. Luo Tianyi, on the other hand, was stunned. Was that guy for real? This story, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz"... could it actually be made up?