Bai Qinghan and Cang Linzu were also old acquaintances of An Jing’s team, and both sides had sparred with each other before, with Cang Linzu winning a bit more, thanks to his foundation from the Martial Arts Academy. However, Bai Qinghan, now highly valued in the Heaven’s Will Demon Sect and having been taught the Daoist Secret Scriptures, as well as studiously learning cultural martial theories, had completely transformed his strength.
But Cang Linzu had also awakened his Star Life and gained real battle experience in the Martial Army, putting his life on the line on numerous occasions. Such experiences for a martial artist were not inferior to the power of Divine Power Secret Manuals. When it really came down to a fight, the outcome was still uncertain.
—Oh dear, I’ve been too busy lately, did I forget to tell Qinghan that Cang Linzu and his team would be coming?
An Jing slapped his forehead. He was very thorough with big plans but always dropped the ball on the little things, probably because he didn’t consider them important enough to remember.
But now that both sides had met, would there be any conflicts?
"You’ve become much more refined in your speech and manners," Cang Linzu said with his hands on his hips and a wide grin on his face. "It seems the sect also teaches you etiquette. I’m just curious about your strength!"
"I simply haven’t had the opportunity to study, not that I’m unwilling, unlike you who was expelled," Bai Qinghan said, talking more when it came to acquaintances other than An Jing. Although his words carried a hint of aggression, it was still within normal bounds. "But in the end, you still joined the Martial Army and fulfilled your wish, which is good, I suppose."
As for the other Children of Calamity who were acquainted with Bai Qinghan, they just exchanged greetings. The girl would respond but didn’t harbor thoughts like ’We pursued An Jing, but you continued to join the Heaven’s Will Cult, you’re a traitor!’ This surprised An Jing greatly, but also relieved him.
Upon reflection, it made sense. These people were, after all, the Children of Calamity. Their thinking and moral concepts were completely different from that of normal people, that is, from his perspective. It was important not to judge them by his standards.
Since something unusual was going on with Bai Qinghan, An Jing decided to check it out.
The result was simple.
What excited Xiaobai so much was naturally the ’Martial Army Armor’ that came with Cang Linzu and the others.
This time, the armors brought by Gu Yunzhi were all ’Cang Armor Guard’, which is to say, metallic armors of the Martial Army. There were a total of twelve sets, each engraved with the Tai Bai Golden Sky Formation.
The Five-Colored Armor Guard and the Mystery Armor Guard are from the Imperial Court of Shenjing, holding the True Martial Xuan Ming Formation. The Red Armored Guards hold the Zhu Ming Nine-Flame Formation, the Cang Armored Guards hold the Dong Huang Qingyang Formation, and the Golden Armored Guards hold the Houtu Haotian Formation. Each formation requires at least twelve people to form a small unit, thirty-six for a larger squad, totaling one hundred and eight. An entire Armored Guard unit should follow the ’perfect ten,’ which is a thousand and eighty.
An Jing received twelve sets, enough to form the most basic Tai Bai Golden Sky Formation, allowing twelve martial artists without Inner Breath to exhibit the power of one at the peak of Inner Strength.
Thirty-six sets could unleash power comparable to a single strike of Martial Meridian, and one hundred and eight sets could engage in combat with a Martial Meridian. A whole Martial Army led by a Martial Meridian could unleash a strike as powerful as the Divine Repository.
Iron Li’s Iron Kite three divisions, being a Martial Army of over three thousand, with three Martial Meridians, could execute three strikes of the Divine Repository’s power.
"This Cangsu Rat really loves Golden Qi; it doesn’t gnaw at it, just likes it," An Jing observed, watching Xiaobai hugging a ’Cang Armor’ and wagging its tail excitedly, together with Bai Qinghan and Cang Linzu, they couldn’t help but chuckle: "Xiaobai, if you’re hungry, just say so."
Meanwhile, Cang Linzu’s expression was complex: "Wait, is this little rat named after me?"
"No, no, one is pale white, and the other is from the granary," An Jing realized his mistake and shook his head repeatedly: "See, the squirrel is also white... Hey, how about I call it Xiaosu from now on?"
"It’s not that I mind that." Cang Linzu gave An Jing and Bai Qinghan, who seemed to be covering his mouth as if trying to hold back laughter, a strange look and said irritably, "But big brother, your taste in naming really is something—didn’t you remind our Eldest Senior Brother?"
"I did remind him," Bai Qinghan lowered his hand and said earnestly. "He thought I was angry."
An Jing recalled that Bai Qinghan’s expression had indeed changed slightly when he noticed that he had named the little rat Xiaocang. At the time, An Jing thought Bai Qinghan disliked the similar naming method, not realizing it was about having the same name!
"My mistake," An Jing admitted readily.
He confessed smoothly, "Later on, I’ll show you something great, guaranteed to satisfy you. Especially for a scout like you, it will truly be like adding wings to a tiger!"
Cang Linzu was quite curious, and An Jing didn’t play coy, directly taking out an unmanned drone with cloaking capabilities from his Great Void Magical Instrument, "Look! The Illusionary Light Iron Kite developed by my master Mingguang Dust!"
To add to the reputation of Mingguang Dust, An Jing maneuvered the drone to display various Method of Illusory Shapes, making Cang Linzu’s eyes shine with astonishment, "My god, it’s actually such a Heavenly Secret creation!"
"Indeed, indeed! With this Iron Kite capable of agile flight and flying against the wind at will, collecting intelligence and detecting the enemy’s approach will be at least ten times more convenient!"
"Yes," the other Children of Calamity were also extremely excited, especially Qin Yunye. The Art of Magic she had comprehended from her Fate Pattern was also the ’Method of Illusory Light.’ Seeing the drone’s compatibility with her own skills, she couldn’t wait to get her hands on it and study it thoroughly, "With this thing, we can ensure that our daily missions are completely free of danger!"
This was the gift An Jing had thought of long ago, after learning of Cang Linzu’s awakening Star Life ability and the work he had done.
If the fact that his Divine Mandate twitched around Cang Linzu and his group indicated that they were absolutely beneficial to him, then in order for this group of people to secure their achievements within Da Chen’s Martial Army and possibly ascend to high positions in the future, assisting him from within and without, it was only natural to provide them with convenience and help.
Such an ordinary cloaked unmanned drone was not difficult to acquire in the Tianyuan Realm, at least for An Jing at the moment; thus, he assured them confidently, "This time, I’ll give you twelve drones, one for each member of your squad. If you need more in the future, whether they’re damaged or worn out, just come to Linjiang City to get them. My warehouse is completely open to you!"
"The precondition is, we have to win the battle against Iron Li this time!"
"Eldest Senior Brother is invincible!" "Eldest Senior Brother will win!"
As soon as An Jing said this, cheers erupted instantly, even the most composed Cang Linzu nodded confidently, "I heard that you, big brother, have already annihilated Iron Cavalry’s Vanguard Camp and most of the Scouts. With the Iron Kite Landmine and such Heavenly Secret weapons at our disposal, we’re already able to hold our ground, not to mention the support from two thousand-strong contingents of Da Chen’s Martial Army?"
"With the Heavenly Timing, geographical advantage, and unity of the people on our side, how can we not win?"
"Ha, the Heavenly Timing is hard to say, but we certainly have the geographical advantage. As for unity..."
However, An Jing was not as optimistic as they were. He lifted his head and looked toward the southern direction of Linjiang City, his tone grave, "The enemy has indeed been weakened a lot. I am not afraid..."
"What I am worried about are precisely these ’friendly forces’ coming to our aid!"
South of Linjiang City.
Alongside the Yujiang River, a Martial Army adorned in red and white was marching at great speed.
Their steps were as solid as steel, their speed aggressive as fire, stirring the winds and clouds, melting frost and snow, and even the heavens seemed to shift with the marching pace, leaving a path between the earth and sky that was constantly melting, yet perpetually condensing into an icy Great Dao.
In the central ranks of the Martial Army, a Jade Crown Courtier with a crown atop his head and a black robe draped over his body narrowed his eyes. His skin was paler than that of palace maidens, showing not a hint of softness, but instead a chilling yin energy.
Turning his head, he said in a low voice to the young soldier on the horse beside him, who held back half a body’s length, "Hang Mofeng, you may hand over the Tiger Talisman to me now."
The young soldier, referred to as Hang Mofeng, had high brow bones and deep eyes, his face angular and sharp as if chiseled by a knife, exuding an air of resoluteness. Hearing the Jade Crown Courtier’s request, he remained silent. Only after the latter implored impatiently for a second time did he speak, "The Tiger Talisman was personally entrusted to me by the general, and I should not let it out of my possession. If necessary, I shall follow your command."
"Hang Mofeng... you certainly are bold."
Although Hang Mofeng was speaking reasonably, it evidently angered the courtier with his lack of sentiment. He huffed coldly and turned away, "Just so you know, when the time comes, you will have no choice but to hand it over..."
"No matter if it’s a junior officer or a senior, in the end, all are subjects, and how could they defy the Imperial Court’s command?"
Hang Mofeng was well aware that he offended this courtier from the Imperial Court, but what more could he say? He had been more than humble and apologetic, smiling to appease... yet when did following military law become a mistake and defiance?
A long sigh welled up in his heart as this junior officer looked up towards the distant city.
There, the Divine Mandate, the focus of many people’s attention, the subject of scrutiny and testing, even the target of suppression... was located.
Linjiang City was now right before their eyes.