Outside Poison Dragon Pond.
A low, sorrowful atmosphere enveloped the entire camp.
This great camp was established outside Poison Dragon Pond and had been responsible for supplying rations for the front and transporting wounded soldiers these days.
Within the wounded soldiers’ camp, there were intermittent and piercing screams.
These were from soldiers whose legs had been soaked in the poisonous water for too long and needed amputation.
They were somewhat fortunate; at least they weren’t fed directly to the venomous snakes.
And since yesterday, even more terrible news had been spreading.
In this military expedition, the Fufeng Protectorate had suffered a crushing defeat, with not only many elite casualties but also the loss of Danist Official Hao Yunzi, a fifth-grade official, along with two Great Divine Power Practitioners – all killed in action!
Although it was said that the enemy, the evil cultivators, also sustained heavy casualties, the mastermind behind the calamity had escaped.
Zhong Shenxiu entered the camp to find such a desolate and dismal atmosphere, and even, resentment.
Shouldn’t the army be able to leave after exterminating the surrounding barbarians? Why continue to venture deeper, only to increase casualties?
It was this very resentment that made the atmosphere in the camp look exceptionally dire.
Even the news that senior officers tried hard to suppress was quickly being passed around in secret.
"The Protector Mansion’s loss of troops and generals this time, and the deaths of three masters without even securing a single hair from the Dragon and Tiger True Man, is indeed tragic... However, they did manage to annihilate Poison Dragon True Man, so the mission is considered completed... Compared to that, the Loose Cultivators and the Cloud Mirror Sect are the ones who really suffered unimaginable losses, being consigned to their deaths..."
With a somewhat relaxed mood, Zhong Shenxiu visited the wounded soldiers’ camp to tend to some of the minor injuries and soon, with bandages wrapped, went to find Feng Xixi.
Inside the tent, Feng Xixi looked dispirited. Seeing Zhong Shenxiu come in, she forced a smile, "The situation was dire at the time, and we dispersed in escape. Only a few have returned; I’m pleased that you were able to come back."
"Colonel Hong Fu, it was just a bit of luck for this subordinate," Zhong Shenxiu replied humbly.
"Luck is also a kind of strength, you know. Zhao Zhong and the others are all dead... The Great Protector is preparing to withdraw the troops, and you will take care of all the miscellaneous tasks under my command." Feng Xixi held a brush in hand, making corrections among the mountains of military documents, "The Protector has decreed that those who died in battle will be richly compensated; the soldiers will receive meat and wine, silk and money, and each officer will be credited with a merit. After this, your promotion to Standard Ninth Rank Evil Slayer Envoy is without question."
"This subordinate dares not claim undue credit; I only ask for one thing from the Colonel – I wish to seek entry to learn the Daoist skills!"
Zhong Shenxiu bowed again, speaking solemnly.
He felt this was a good moment to strike, as the Great Protector needed to win over the people’s hearts and stabilize the military spirit. He had also contributed to the cause, and with Feng Xixi’s previous promise, he couldn’t let this opportunity slip away.
"Of course, I promised you before," Feng Xixi said with a smile, a look of anticipation on her face, "Which skill would you like to learn?"
"I’ve practiced the Ten Directions Beast Skill, which suits me very well; I don’t wish to change," Zhong Shenxiu replied bluntly and unapologetically.
"Su Daoshi... you truly are a member of the Su Family, always knowing more than the average person... Among the Daoist skills awarded by the Great Protector’s Mansion, the Ten Thousand Beasts Technique is the best one, with a comprehensive continuation and origin from a prestigious lineage, so you won’t be driven into a hopeless path in the future..."
Feng Xixi rubbed her forehead, "If it were an ordinary Loose Cultivator’s Daoist book, I’d report it without issue, but the Ten Thousand Beasts Technique inheritance is somewhat more guarded. You’ve presented me with a problem that’s neither big nor small."
"I ask the Colonel for your help," Zhong Shenxiu implored, bowing deeply.
Power unused is power wasted, and besides, he had saved this young lady’s life before, so he did not feel guilty making this request.
Even though she was unaware of the rescue.
Moreover, his asking for it was merely for the sake of having a nominal claim.
He had the complete Dragon Tiger Pill Book tucked away safely inside his robes.
If Feng Xixi still wouldn’t agree, then the government really wouldn’t have any dignity left, and she might as well go out and become a Loose Cultivator.
"You and I are families of long-time acquaintance, and in this matter, I will surely do my utmost to help you," Feng Xixi said gravely.
In reality, however, she was scheming inside. She felt that her chances were very good, and her appearance of difficulty was just to sell a bigger favor.
Moreover, with the talents of Su Daoshi, if he obtained the Daoist Skill, he might truly enter the Dao and become a Gang Sha Realm cultivator. His status would be different at once, and he would be a great help to her, worth drawing in.
’Long-time acquaintance? How long has it been since I’ve heard that?’ Zhong Shenxiu rolled his eyes privately, then promptly gave his thanks, "Colonel, your great kindness, I will engrave in my heart."
Hmm, consider your life-saving debt repaid.
After a few more words, Zhong Shenxiu, overwhelmed with a pile of tasks, was drafted to do grunt work and sent out busily.
It wasn’t until late at night that he returned to his own tent.
Deep into the night, he sat cross-legged, flicked his fingers, and a mysterious barrier emerged within the tent to block out all auras.
Immediately afterwards, Zhong Shenxiu stretched out his hand, and a black flying sword appeared.
The Poison Dragon Sword!
This was the famed treasure upon which the Poison Dragon Venerable had made his name, extremely sharp.
In this large-scale battle, Loose Cultivators had perished, including the White Bone Scholar, the Fei Hua sisters, and one Poison Dragon Venerable, but since his body was too far away, Zhong Shenxiu only managed to retrieve his flying sword.
Besides that, there were a number of Spiritual Objects on the battlefield.
The Shenxiao Thunder Seal and that array diagram had vanished into the void, their whereabouts unknown.
The Five Fire Six Qi Furnace was directly destroyed; if it had an Artifact Spirit, it likely wouldn’t have escaped death.
Lastly, that Mystic Sky Jade Ruyi probably fell into the hands of Yan Beiling. It was uncertain whether the Cloud Mirror Sect would be able to claim it back.
Besides that, there wasn’t much left in the temporary abode of the Dragon and Tiger True Man, presumably because he had exhausted his savings in collecting materials for pill-making.
Zhong Shenxiu burned the corpse, crushed the bones and scattered the ashes, and in the end, only found a sleeve.
This was a storage Magic Artifact, the Qiankun Sleeve, roughly the size of a room inside. There wasn’t much inside, just some Red Emperor Coins and Emperor Coins, a mere thousand or so.
As Zhong Shenxiu possessed the Headless Earl’s interdimensional storage, he was quite envious of the Qiankun Sleeve, but transferred the coins and, with reluctance, destroyed it.
Currently, the entire Fufeng Protectorate believed that the Dragon and Tiger True Man had fled. No one knew he was dead.
But one day, this event would come to light.
Zhong Shenxiu did not want to carry any clues that might lead to suspicion.
"So, when all is said and done... this Poison Dragon Sword is the biggest treasure gain from this time."
Zhong Shenxiu examined the Poison Dragon Sword carefully.
The sword was about a foot long, not more than an inch wide at the blade, made of a semi-transparent material, resembling black crystal, with a faint line like a small black snake moving within it, lively and exceptional.
Zhong Shenxiu’s eyes brightened as he slowly fed in True Qi.
The body of the Poison Dragon Sword trembled gently as if struggling. He released a trace of spiritual awareness and immediately suppressed it, beginning the process of refining the sword.
"Speaking of which... it’s said that the Poison Dragon Venerable’s flying sword and swordsmanship were also obtained from the relics of Ancient Immortals, possessing tremendous power. Sadly, without the matching Sword technique, this sword’s prowess is halved... and moreover, it has to undergo a complete makeover before it can be wielded."
As True Qi continued to flow in, the Poison Dragon Sword suddenly transformed, its black color slowly fading, morphing into a thin, transparent flying sword, translucent as cicada wings!