Wu Kui's face darkened like the bottom of a burnt pot. A mere Pulse Formation Realm cultivator—daring to look down on him?
"Not enough? Fine." Ling Feng clasped his hands behind his back, his tone casual. "I'll even stand still. If you can make me take a single step back, I'll concede."
"You—!" Wu Kui's expression twisted. "I don't hold back in a fight, General. If you get hurt, don't blame me!"
"Funny, neither do I." Ling Feng smiled faintly. "After you, General."
"You asked for this!"
Wu Kui's fists clenched, elemental qi surging as he drove a ruthless punch straight toward Ling Feng's abdomen.
He wasn't aiming to kill—this was just a test. No weapons, no vital strikes. A gut punch would hurt like hell but wouldn't be fatal.
Ling Feng didn't move.
He didn't even flinch.
Wu Kui's fist was heavy!
As an earth-attribute swordmaster with a Molten Rock Giant Beast soul manifestation and body refinement training, his raw strength rivaled peak king-tier experts!
Even holding back, this punch could hospitalize a Spiritual Element Realm cultivator for weeks.
"What's happening? Did the 'little general' freeze under General Wu's aura?"
"He probably thinks General Wu won't dare to go all out. But he's in for a surprise—Wu Kui's fists are infamous for their brutality."
As whispers spread, Wu Kui's fist closed in—
At the last moment, Ling Feng suddenly called out, "Despicable Donkey—time to work!"
A shadow flickered. A massive black donkey materialized behind Ling Feng.
Wu Kui's fist halted three chi from Ling Feng's body—frozen mid-air.
No matter how much force he poured in, his knuckles refused to advance another millimeter.
"What kind of sorcery is this?!" Wu Kui's eyes bulged.
"Pathetic." The donkey—yes, the black donkey—spoke with undisguised scorn. "Can't even sense spiritual consciousness? And you call yourself a Spiritual Sea Realm cultivator?"
With a single glare from the donkey, a terrifying pressure erupted.
Wu Kui was sent flying. Five generals leapt up to catch him, barely saving him from public humiliation.
Even so, Wu Kui still coughed up a mouthful of blood—clearly, he had suffered internal injuries.
Even so, just a single glare from Despicable Donkey was terrifying beyond belief, as expected of a Demon Emperor-level expert.
"I—I don't accept this!" Wu Kui wiped his mouth, face contorted. "This was supposed to be between us! You cheated by using external help!"
"External?" Ling Feng crossed his arms. "Since when are spirit pets 'external'? Your Silverwing Griffin Corps counts rider and beast as a single unit, no? I said I'd fight hands-free—never said anything about not using my demonic pet!"
Mu Qianxue covered her mouth, failing to suppress a giggle. Ling Feng's words were lethal without a single blade.
Even Tuoba Yan's frosty expression cracked a faint smile.
Wu Kui's face purpled. "You—!"
"Still unhappy?" Ling Feng smirked. "Go find yourself a demon emperor spirit pet. I'll wait."
Every jaw in the tent hit the floor.
Who the hell is this kid?
Spirit pets were indeed part of a warrior's strength in battle—but a Pulse Formation Realm kid taming a demon emperor?
"Don't believe me?" The donkey sneered at the stunned crowd. "Then feel this!"
A crushing demonic aura exploded outward, drowning the tent in suffocating pressure.
In an instant, Despicable Donkey's demonic essence surged, unleashing a terrifying wave of pressure that swept toward the surrounding soldiers.
The overwhelming force crashed over the crowd like a tidal wave, swallowing them whole. In that moment, besides Han Li—the Commander-in-Chief of the Three Armies—everyone trembled with fear, not daring to make a sound, let alone let out a fart.
"So, do you yield now?"
Ling Feng's eyes were cold as he stared down Wu Ku. These arrogant officers had looked down on him from the start. Now he would make an example—kill the chicken to scare the monkeys—and silence any future trouble before it began.
Wu Ku took a deep breath, gritting his teeth through the fear welling up in his heart. "I... I do not concede!"
"Oh?" Ling Feng rubbed his nose. "So General Wu still wishes to test the strength of my spirit pet?"
Despicable Donkey flicked its tail and gave Wu Ku a wicked look. At the same time, it sent a message through their spiritual pact, grumbling, "Hey brat, you got your moment in the spotlight. You'd better cough up something nice for this divine beast!"
"Yes, yes. I'll let you have the Blood Soul today, alright?" Ling Feng replied with resignation. Other people's spirit pets fought out of duty—his always found a way to extort him!
"General Ling's demonic pet is indeed formidable. When it comes to raw power, I concede," Wu Ku said, though his body trembled and cold sweat beaded down his back. "However..."
He clenched his jaw and continued, "A true general must command more than just strength. One must know strategy and how to marshal troops. Since General Ling hails from the Tianwei Academy, I'm sure you won't disappoint."
"Em..." Ling Feng's smile stiffened. In truth, this was not his strong suit.
"Hehe!" Wu Ku chuckled smugly at Ling Feng's reaction. "If you can outmatch me in a sand table simulation, outmaneuver me in tactics and planning, then I'll fully accept your command."
"A sand table simulation, is it? Fine, I accept." Ling Feng responded casually, then glanced up at Commander-in-Chief Han Li seated upon the marshal's throne. "Commander-in-Chief, I actually came here with a small request. Previously, you awarded me three hundred military merit points. If I recall correctly, one hundred points grants access to the Ancient Tower Grove to study the Three Thousand Great Daos. Is that true?"
Han Li stroked his long beard and said, "Naturally. I already anticipated your request. Since the merit has been granted, you may redeem it as you wish."
"Many thanks, Commander-in-Chief." Ling Feng bowed respectfully, then added, "However, as you can see, there are four of us on this journey, and I only have three hundred points. Since we're betting, perhaps you'd be willing to sweeten the deal. If I win, could I request one extra slot?"
"Haha, a wager does make things more interesting," Han Li said with a nod. "Wu Ku, since you're so eager to challenge General Ling in a tactical simulation, I'll give you a chance. If you win, Ling Feng will transfer a hundred points to you. If you lose, all of your honor points will go to him. How about it?"
"Thank you, General!" Wu Ku's face lit up with a confident grin. He clearly believed victory was already his. "Though I must say, Commander-in-Chief, I only have ninety-one points. General Ling would be at a disadvantage."
"No matter. If you fall short, you'll owe the remaining points," Han Li said with a small smile as he stroked his beard.
"Ugh..." Wu Ku took a deep breath. Win, and it's glory. Lose, and it's hell!
1. unit of length, 1 chi = 33.33 cm, 10 chi = 1 zhang ☜