It started to snow.
The locals often say that the South Border has no spring or autumn, only winter and summer. But today was particularly strange; early winter’s light snow fell gently, wrapping the grand Qingmu City in a layer of silver.
A group of warriors stopped in front of the “Jiawei” Tavern, their horses snorting clouds of vapor from their nostrils.
They’re all warriors, and somehow, after a hangover, they felt more spirited this morning.
“Brother Ke!” Zhong Zhenyue shouted.
“Coming!”
Ke Mo had just finished his final ritual to absorb True Spirit, and he was only one transformation away from completing the seventy-two changes:
Wuzhiqiji.
This True Spirit was braver and more fierce than a vengeful spirit; it was probably the hardest to integrate into the realm of divine powers, yet it was also chosen by the Jade Phoenix Divine.
“I’m off to Green Wood Camp,” Ke Mo called out after changing into his winter wear.
Since early morning, Ying Bing had been standing by the window in her beautiful fox fur coat and long skirt, her ice-like eyes gazing southward.
The snowy scene outside became a bit more serene because of her presence.
Hearing Ke Mo’s voice brought her back to reality:
“I’m going too.”
“Huh? Is it alright for a woman to go to the camp…?”
“I’ve already informed Zhong Ling.”
Ke Mo figured she was just curious and decided to head downstairs with her.
And then he realized one problem.
No carriage today, just one spare horse, and he had never ridden a horse before.
“Brother Ke, don’t you know how to ride?”
“Does riding a person count?”
“???”
Little Ke was starting to miss Dong Lai Brother a bit.
Whoosh—
The young girl swiftly mounted the saddle beside him, her jade-like left hand gripping the reins tightly, while the other reached out to Ke Mo, where he could clearly see snowflakes landing on her slightly blushing palm.
“Come on up.”
Little Ke thought it might be a good idea to find a book on riding someday. Maybe even sprinkle a bit of martial arts wisdom on it!
Before long.
They all arrived at the Green Wood Camp. The camp was filled with a bloodthirsty aura that seemed to ignite the air a few degrees warmer.
It was the same training ground as yesterday, the ground re-packed, but it was now much livelier as all the captains had arrived.
On the command platform sat a group of generals from Qingmu City, led by Qu Sheng, who held a steaming cup of tea in his hand.
“I’ve trained in many martial arts, but I’ve never heard of any that can transform into Disaster Beasts,” the defense general Wu Lang frowned and asked.
“I haven’t either.”
“Even the inner and outer realms shouldn’t manage it, but this kid is definitely not a sixth realm physical body.” Another blue-clad defense general seemed intrigued.
“We’ll see soon enough.”
Qu Sheng’s eyes narrowed as a group approached, led under the guidance of his personal guards, stepping onto the command platform.
Ke Mo stood on the platform, looking down at the spears like a forest, his spirit soaring like a dragon, his bl**d surging with the winter’s warmth.
If a battle broke out, what a scene that would be!
They say men gain glory on the battlefield and establish their careers.
Little Ke was genuinely feeling fired up.
Turning around, he noticed the varied expressions of the generals.
Qu Sheng stood up with a smile, his voice ringing clear:
“You young hero, all the troops and captains are here; I’ve already put my word out, no falsehoods in the military.”
His voice echoed throughout the Green Wood Camp.
Ke Mo was well-prepared and nodded:
“Naturally, what kind of Disaster Beasts should we expect to deal with?”
The generals took a moment to discuss and soon reached a consensus.
“Qiongqi Tribe.”
“No problem.”
“Should I command as well?” Zhong Ling asked.
Qu Sheng tossed his flag from his waist to her and smiled:
“No one here can match your command skills, apart from me.”
“Teach me well.”
Zhong Ling puffed her chest slightly, her bold and handsome demeanor revealing a hint of pride.
She selected over a hundred team leaders from the Internal Breathing Realm, and soon the formations flowed under her command, moving like an extension of her body, filled with an ominous aura.
Out of these hundred, several felt like they were being led by someone commanding thousands.
Ying Bing’s serene eyes reflected the military might, deep in thought.
At this moment, Zhong Zhenyue took the lead, blending into the military formation, and as he moved forward, the army’s momentum swelled, more formidable than ever.
“In the future, when the Young Marquis’s realm is higher and paired with Zhong Ling’s military formation, the South Border will add ten thousand enemies.”
“But yesterday, the lone swordsman Ke Mo shattered the military formation with one swing.”
“Hmm?”
“The martial arts of Young Hero Li should still hold up; after all, he’s ranked eleventh on the Qianlong List, so he won’t be blowing smoke.”
Watching the scene, Li Mo exuded an ancient, fierce aura that had awakened within him, causing many generals to sit up straight.
In the next moment.
With a roar, Li Mo’s figure transformed, changing into a tiger the size of a calf, his fur resembling steel needles, wings sprouting from his back like heavenly blades.
The training ground erupted with gasps of awe.
This miraculous transformation—who would believe it if they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes?
This was no longer martial arts!
The aura from the Qiongqi, which devoured the chosen, felt almost tangible, constricting everyone’s hearts!
Qu Sheng pondered for a moment and asked:
“Who do you think will win?”
“A purebred Qiongqi at seventh rank might not withstand this momentum, right?”
“Hard to say—in terms of energy levels, it’s neck and neck.”
“Gasp… The Young Marquis, with the military formation, only matches in momentum?”
The generals debated amongst themselves, but all felt the outcome was ambiguous.
Qu Sheng was about to speak.
“Li Mo will win,” a clear girl’s voice pierced through the light snow, reaching everyone’s ears.
Silence fell on the command platform.
Many generals looked over to the nearby scene of Ying Bing, enjoying her tea, with snowflakes dancing around her delicate hands. Although puzzled, no one felt inclined to ask her why.
“Why does she think that?”
“I saw her feeding Young Hero Li yesterday; what do you think?”
“Oh~~~”
Hearing the generals’ discussions unveil their realizations, Qu Sheng squinted his eyes.
He sensed that this Cold Fairy didn’t simply wish for Li Mo to triumph; he felt the same way.
Perhaps Ying Bing had noticed something long ago.
Could it be…
She understood military formations?
In a flash.
The battle began.
Zhong Zhenyue was at the forefront; he felt slightly stronger than yesterday, his body of golden steel fully activated.
However, this feeling lasted only through the first clash.
“Roar—”
Qiongqi Little Li let out a tiger’s roar.
It was the bloodline power of the Qiongqi!
He suddenly felt weighed down, as if a multitude of irritating thoughts flooded his mind, making it hard to control his strength.
He wasn’t the only one affected.
The entire military formation felt the impact of the tiger’s roar.
“This is because my realm is too low; if it were a sixth or even fifth-rank Qiongqi, perhaps everyone would turn on each other.”
“While fighting the Qiongqi Tribe, keep your hearts steady!”
Li Mo reminded as he charged forward.
This was still only the first of the bloodline powers he was unleashing.
At this point, it was clear to everyone that the battle’s outcome was quite apparent.
While facing off, Li Mo even had the capacity to give reminders.
He was practically teaching a class on battle!
“There’s no way to win.”
Zhong Zhenyue sat down on the ground exhausted, and the military formation officially crumbled.
[Congratulations to the host, successfully investing in the Green Wood City defense forces.]
[You have an investment ready to claim.]
Qiongqi Little Li transformed back, and for now, he didn’t claim the rewards; he smiled and looked at Zhong Zhenyue:
“No need to belittle yourself, Young Marquis; the true Qiongqi physique isn’t stronger than mine; despite the strong bloodline, it should still have fallen to the military formation.”
“…”
The soldiers exchanged glances.
Who taught you how to comfort people like that?
What do you mean a Disaster Beast’s physique isn’t as strong as yours?
Zhong Zhenyue took a deep breath, his eyes blazing:
“Brother Li, didn’t we discuss yesterday just how much military formation energy you can absorb?”
“How about we… try it now?”
……..
P.S. Little Pujie initially wanted to go to the internet café to play some games, but it got too late T-T.
I need a recharge from the audience, to mend my wounded spirit.
Waiting online, it’s urgent!
