Ling Feng nodded. Tianwei Academy's curriculum included some military strategy courses, so the term wasn't entirely unfamiliar to him.
That said, given his habit of skipping classes, his understanding of such matters was only superficial at best.
As Li Bufan explained, the group gradually grasped the severity of the situation.
Level Four Alert: Enemy forces included king-tier experts, numbering over ten thousand.
Level Five Alert: Enemy forces included peak king-tier experts, exceeding fifty thousand!
Level Eight Alert: The emergence of emperor-level opponents. At this point, martial law would be enforced, with security measures intensifying at least tenfold compared to the current state!
Level Nine Alert: The appearance of ten or more emperors, or an army mobilization surpassing thirty million. This was outright war on a national scale—once ignited, such conflicts could rage on for decades without respite.
The outcome would be grim: either a desperate, successful defense, or the complete collapse of the nation. Either way, the empire would suffer devastating losses.
"In the past decade, even a Level Four Alert has been considered a high-level threat," Li Bufan said slowly.
"So, the northern demon tribe isn't just conducting random raids," Ling Feng mused, frowning. "This is a coordinated, purposeful invasion. But... What exactly is their goal?"
A vague thought flickered in Ling Feng's mind. Jiang Biyi was from the sacred land, and both she and Ye Xingnan had rushed to Luohe City with such urgency. Could their mission be connected to the northern demon tribe's invasion?
He shook his head, dismissing the idea as absurd. Despite her unusual status, Jiang Biyi's capabilities were hardly enough to provoke a behemoth like the northern demon tribe.
In any case, his current objective was to enter the Ancient Tower Grove. Other matters weren't his concern.
Fortunately, Ling Feng and his companions weren't the impatient type. If it had been someone like Ye Nanfeng, complaints would have already erupted. Instead, they sat cross-legged in silent cultivation. Facing the formidable Royal Sword Team, every possible moment for training had to be seized.
By dusk, Fang Wentong finally returned, accompanied by a middle-aged man with a feather fan and a scholarly air. Stroking his goatee, the man bowed respectfully.
"General Weiyuan, it's an honor. I am Jia Wenhe, military adviser. The Commander-in-Chief has prepared a banquet in the command tent to welcome you and these young talents."
"We'll trouble Adviser Jia to lead the way, then," Ling Feng said with a slight smile. Exchanging glances with Li Bufan and the others, he followed Jia Wenhe and Fang Wentong toward the command tent—to finally meet the renowned Commander-in-Chief of the Three Armies!
Qingtian Fortress, Command Tent.
"Commander-in-Chief, with the northern demon tribe's frequent incursions, why waste precious time on some inexperienced youth? Let me handle him—there's no need to distract yourself."
A burly, middle-aged man frowned, his tone brash.
This was Wu Kui, a king-tier expert at the fifth level of the Spiritual Sea Realm. His combat prowess was formidable, and his military achievements were illustrious.
"Wu Kui, the Commander-in-Chief has his reasons," a scholarly man with a long beard interjected calmly. "This Ling Feng assisted in eradicating the Blood God Cult's remnants and resolved the Blood Spirit Corpse crisis in less than half a month. He must have some merit."
Wu Kui scoffed. "Heh. Just some inexperienced brat who curried favor with His Majesty to get a general's title. What real skill does he have? His so-called 'merit' in wiping out the Blood God Cult was trivial at best. Yet the Commander-in-Chief granted him three hundred military honor points outright? Tch..."
His expression darkened with resentment.
For soldiers like them, who fought tooth and nail on the frontlines, earning three hundred honor points was no easy feat. Even Wu Kui himself had only accumulated just over ninety points—still insufficient to enter the Ancient Tower Grove and comprehend the Three Thousand Great Daos.
"Commander-in-Chief, you may have overestimated that boy this time," another general chimed in.
Soon, many in the tent voiced their agreement with Wu Kui. These were battle-hardened veterans, their pride ingrained. They bowed to no one easily—least of all some untested "child" who had never seen war.
A general who'd never fought a single battle? Unbelievable.
And now, with three hundred military honor points? That was just salt in the wound!
As the saying went, envy twisted the heart.
"I strongly suggest revoking those three hundred points," Wu Kui pressed. "Just give him a couple of valuable trinkets instead. If he actually had to fight, this so-called 'General Weiyuan' would probably run crying back to his mother's arms!"
The tent erupted in laughter. Crude as Wu Kui's words were, they rang true.
A brat who'd never set foot on a battlefield? "General Weiyuan"? More like "General Piss-His-Pants."
"Are you questioning my decision?"
A cold voice cut through the noise.
Seated on the commander's throne was an elderly man with crane-like white hair—the Commander-in-Chief of Three Armies, Han Li.
Clad in black war armor and a gilded celestial helm, his presence alone exuded authority.
"Gossiping behind a young man's back—aren't you ashamed to call yourselves generals and commanders?"
A single icy snort silenced the entire tent.
"What is a soldier's foremost duty?"
Han Li's eyes, though aged, gleamed with a piercing sharpness. His gaze swept across the room like a blade.
"Our first obligation is obedience! This general was personally appointed by His Majesty. Who among you dares defy that?"
"W-we wouldn't dare!" The officers bowed their heads, chastened.
"I personally awarded those three hundred points. Who among you disputes it?"
Even Wu Kui, who had been the most vocal, clenched his fists but didn't dare utter another word.
"If you don't dare, then cease your whining!"
Han Li's glare pinned Wu Kui in place. "Let this be the last time such words are spoken. Understood?"
"Y-yes, but—" Wu Kui took a deep breath, unwilling to let it go.
Han Li raised a hand, cutting him off. Rising from his seat, he narrowed his eyes toward the tent entrance, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his gaze.
"Whether this boy is truly exceptional... I will determine it myself."