NOVPUBKing Jin Cao Huan began, "Let's first discuss how to wrap up the ongoing war, as well as some matters that need to be dealt with after it ends completely."
...
Longevity Palace.
Two cultivators from the Shengyun Sect immediately went to the Imperial Palace after entering the Eastern Continent through the Transmission Array.
"Two Immortal Masters, I'm afraid you are too late."
They did not get to see the Emperor, only a eunuch came out to greet them.
"Too late?"
The two cultivators exchanged glances.
Ritual Supervision Chamberlain Huang Hong explained, "Our Great Sheng Court has exhausted all efforts, but sadly, we are running short on provisions. The front-line troops must have already fallen into a perilous situation."
"Heaven and Earth Sealing Limit!"
The cultivator anxiously said, "The Transmission Array we use can only send a limited number of cultivators of certain realms at fixed intervals. It's really not our intention to delay."
"Indeed."
His companion added, "Our sect has already made contact with Martial Arts families in the True Power Realm, who should be arriving shortly. How could you not hold out for a few more days?"
"Two Immortal Masters."
Huang Hong suggested, "Why don't you head to Guan Du right away? You might still make it in time to reinforce them."
The two cultivators, not daring to waste another moment, quickly flew away on their swords.
"Your Majesty."
Only after they departed did Huang Hong step into the hall.
"Your Majesty, the situation at the front is not favorable."
He spoke gravely, "A short while ago, Supervisor Chen set fire to communication letters that were colluding with the enemy, and he opened the granaries to stabilize the soldiers' morale. But this has led to an accelerated consumption of provisions, and as of today, our troops may have been cut off from supplies for half a month already..."
"Alas!"
Behind the curtain, the voice of Emperor Longqing carried sorrow:
"Talented individuals return to impoverished springs, forever separated by a heavy layer of earth."
"Alas, how lamentable—"
"Please take care of yourself, Your Majesty. Prince Jin has already sent someone to Guan Du to search for Supervisor Chen's remains, to ensure that he may return to his roots."
Wiping away tears, Huang Hong said, "The pressing matter at hand is for Your Majesty to calm your spirit and take the Foundation Establishment Pill to break through in your realm, in order to protect this world."
"Luoye Valley."
Emperor Longqing inquired, "How shall we respond?"
"Rest assured, Your Majesty."
Huang Hong said, "The contract brought by Zhu Gui was personally signed by an Elder of Luoye Valley. They will surely keep their word and will probably deliver the Foundation Establishment Pill soon."
"Victory report—"
Outside the hall.
Suddenly, the loud voice of another eunuch was heard.
"From where does the victory report come?"
Emperor Longqing asked.
"This servant will check immediately."
Huang Hong quickly returned with the opened battle report in his trembling hands, "Your Majesty... It's good news. Chen, Chen Sansi has broken through above the Martial Saint level, slain Soldier Immortal Han Xiang in battle formation, led the troops to conquer Wu City, and battered the Enemy Army, all before our eyes!"
Behind the curtain.
The Emperor, who had been meditating cross-legged, suddenly opened his dragon eyes.
...
Guan Du.
The fierce battle involving hundreds of thousands from both armies was reaching its final stages.
In the year 76 of the Longqing era, on April the 12th.
After Wu City fell, the West Qi Army ran out of provisions within ten days and had to retreat with all its forces.
On April the 29th.
At Gravel River, the West Qi Army was ambushed and lost twenty thousand soldiers, with Deputy General Gong Yu dying in battle.
On April the 30th.
All cultivators of the Luoye Valley abandoned West Qi.
While crossing the Luo River, the West Qi Army was pursued and attacked, losing fifty thousand soldiers. Six generals, leaving their helmets and armor behind, and the pile of corpses, along with various weapons, nearly blocked the flow of the Luo River.
May 20th.
In the Yiling region, the West Qi Army encountered pursuers again, lost sixty thousand soldiers, and along the way, the number of dead and injured was countless, casting the scene of a disturbing panic where the rustling leaves and startled cranes signal a gathering of troops.
Until June 20th.
Of the three hundred and fifty thousand strong West Qi Army, merely one hundred and fifty thousand remained. Under the perfect retreat orchestrated by Zhong Wuxin, coupled with the return and assistance of cultivators following orders from their sects, the army managed to fall back to the west of the Great Wall. Only after receiving reinforcements there were they able to stabilize the situation.
Thus,
the Great Sheng army recaptured the entirety of the West Territory.
Along the way,
Chen Sansi also pocketed the war trophies from the numerous battles, including the magic artifacts of Zou Hu, Han Xiang, and others, amassing as many as twelve storage bags.
However, he was also nursing his wounds.
Transcending mortality and reaching the True Power Realm marked the divide between immortal and mortal.
Chen Sansi stood unyielding against a True Power Warrior but at a cost. Even though he could have won a one-on-one fight if it had dragged on, he sustained severe internal injuries, making it the most significant injury he'd suffered since starting his martial arts cultivation.
Of course, he only needed to rest and recover for a while, with no serious impediments, and it did not hinder his cultivation of the "Swallowing Fire Technique."
[Cultivation Technique: Swallowing Fire Technique. Qi Refining Third Layer]
[Progress: 122/800]
Chen Sansi only needed to command from the headquarters of the Central Army, delegating all other matters to Wang Jun.
For the hope of getting a Foundation Establishment Pill, this man worked tirelessly, busier every day than even Tong Xiaochu.
Finally,
the army pushed westward relentlessly.
And they arrived at Chongming Prefecture.
Here, in the Mang Mountain region, stood the largest and most formidable prefecture city. Once the army stationed itself here, it meant the complete consolidation of Mang Mountain and the seizure of this Ancestor Vein!
Chen Sansi observed carefully using the Qi Observation Skill, even personally surveying the mountains, and found no outflow of spiritual energy from their peaks.
Obviously,
the revival of a Spirit Vein was not an overnight occurrence.
The Spirit Vein at the ends of the earth was still in slumber, except that his master had directly unearthed it from deep underground.
The Spirit Vein now in hand...
there wasn't a need to worry, for the time being, about Luoye Valley aiding the West Qi Army in raising troops, but the Shengyun Sect was probably not much better.
These concerns, however, were not for the present moment.
As his thoughts wandered,
an imposing and grand city emerged before his eyes.
The vanguard had entered early; now the city gates were wide open, welcoming the arrival of the main forces.
Upon the city wall,
a figure in a white robe, holding a wine jar, stood high up. Tipsy, his voice echoed powerfully,
"Without me, the White Robed Strategist, your tens of thousands of soldiers would've been reduced to mere bones in tombs by now. How else could you have claimed such a grand victory today?"
"Chen Sansi in black robes, am I right?!"
"You are right,"
Chen Sansi replied calmly, "Without Mr. Liao, I wouldn't have dared to assert that the provisions were in Wu City."
"Ha ha ha ha!"
"What about Soldier Immortal Han Xiang!"
"And Supervisor Chen Sansi!"
"One fell for my brilliant strategy, the other relies on me for winning battles!"
After over a year of pent-up humiliation had dissipated, Liao Fang was in high spirits. He took another gulp of wine and then, looking down at the figure in a white robe on a white horse, his brows furrowed as he shouted sternly,
"You whelp, Sansi!"
"How dare you wear a white robe and ride a white horse before me?"
"Have you forgotten your promise that under the heavens, there would be only one white robe, belonging to Liao Fang, the White Robed Strategist?"
"I haven't forgotten."
Chen Sansi dismounted and proceeded on foot, as a sign of respect.
He felt indifferent towards this man, but since he had contributed to their victories, as long as he didn't breach military discipline and only sought some advantage in words, Chen Sansi didn't mind at all.
"You rascal!"
Liao Fang wasn't finished; he raised his voice again, "Now don the black robe immediately. From now on, you are forbidden from wearing a white robe!"
