201: Chapter 201 Assigning Tasks

Master Xuanyue ignored these subtle reactions and continued, "The Corpse Refining Sect will arrive in half a month, and their offensive will inevitably be fierce. Hongshi County is located between the Crimson Python Ridge and Fallen Star River, serving as one of the eighteen small passes leading to the hinterland of Hongshan Prefecture. Its strategic position cannot be lost."

He raised a hand and pointed to the stone platform at the edge of the drill ground, where a row of Jade Slips and Formation Plates was placed. "I will divide the defense zone of Hongshi County into seven sectors, with each of the seven factions guarding one. Before the defense zones are distributed, we must do one thing first."

His tone paused slightly, "Before setting out this time, I obtained a large amount of materials and raw materials for the hundred arts of cultivation from the Sect. Anyone among you who possesses a single specialty, regardless of Rank, must report it truthfully, and I will naturally put you to good use!"

Li Changqing's heart stirred slightly. Registering the hundred arts of cultivation seemed like a routine pre-war statistics gathering, but it actually carried profound implications.

Materials were scarce during wartime, and Cultivators with high-Rank skills were often arranged in relatively safe positions to ensure the continuous production of Talismans, Medicinal Pills, and Formations.

This was a tried-and-true convention in the Immortal Realm, and the Tianxuan Sect was naturally no exception.

"Everyone, step forward in turn and inject your Divine Sense into this Jade Slip, stating your own cultivation Rank and skill Rank."

The Xiao Family took the lead in registering. Among the six Foundation Establishment Cultivators, Xiao Yuanzheng was at the Peak of Foundation Establishment and a Second-Rank High Grade Alchemist. Among the remaining five Foundation Establishment Cultivators, two others possessed Second-Rank cultivation skills: one Second-Rank Medium Grade Artifact Refiner and one Second-Rank Low Grade Alchemist.

The Cultivators from Qingyang Prefecture and Yushan Prefecture followed closely behind. Among the ten Foundation Establishment Cultivators, their skills varied, with the highest being only Second-Rank Medium Grade.

When it was the turn of the Cultivators from Huangfeng Prefecture, Yuan Xiuyuan stepped forward first.

He placed his right hand over the Jade Slip and injected his Divine Sense. Spiritual light flickered on the surface of the Jade Slip, revealing a line of text: "Yuan Xiuyuan, Late Stage Foundation Establishment, Second-Rank High Grade Artifact Refiner." Master Xuanyue raised his eyes to look at him, with an extra fraction of attention in his gaze.

Li Xuanji followed closely: "Li Xuanji, Late Stage Foundation Establishment, Second-Rank High Grade Talisman Maker."

Clan Leader Li Huaming then stepped forward, truthfully registering his Ranks as a Second-Rank Medium Grade Talisman Maker and a Second-Rank Low Grade Formation Master.

When it came to Li Changqing, he calmly stepped forward, placed his palm against the Jade Slip, and slowly injected the information he had long calculated— "Li Changqing, Peak Foundation Establishment, Third-Rank Low Grade Talisman Maker."

Master Xuanyue's previously half-closed eyes suddenly snapped open, his gaze falling upon Li Changqing like a tangible substance.

A Third-Rank Low Grade Talisman Maker meant having the ability to create Golden Core-level Talismans—even if it was only Third-Rank Low Grade, its value at any time far exceeded ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

"A Third-Rank Talisman Maker..." Master Xuanyue slowly spoke, a hint of scrutiny and inquiry in his tone, "What is your success rate in making Third-Rank Low Grade Talismans?"

"Reporting to the Immortal Master, the difficulty of making Third-Rank Talismans is extremely high. Currently, the success rate is around thirty to forty percent." Li Changqing's expression remained unchanged, his voice steady.

He did not truthfully state his actual seventy percent success rate. Thirty to forty percent was enough to prove his value without arousing excessive covetousness and constraints.

This number had been repeatedly deliberated by him—too low and he would be looked down upon, too high and he would court disaster.

Thirty to forty percent happened to be in the delicate range of a qualified Third-Rank Low Grade Talisman Maker, enough for Master Xuanyue to attach importance to him without pulling him away from the Family for individual requisition.

Master Xuanyue pondered for a moment and nodded, "Reaching thirty percent with Peak Foundation Establishment cultivation is already not easy. Even among the tens of thousands of Foundation Establishment Cultivators in our Tianxuan Sect, those who can achieve the status of a Third-Rank Talisman Maker at the Peak of Foundation Establishment can be counted on two hands."

"It seems my Luck is not bad to be assigned a Third-Rank Talisman Maker. Since you can make Third-Rank Talismans, you will be a major asset to the defense of Hongshi County. I have gained another shred of confidence in holding Hongshi County." He withdrew his gaze and said no more.

But Li Changqing keenly noticed that Master Xuanyue held a brush and added a small cinnabar mark beside the Li Family's name in the registration booklet beside him.

After the registration was complete, Master Xuanyue unfolded the defense zone scroll of Hongshi County and began distributing the defenses.

"There are seven key defense zones in Hongshi County. The Crimson Python Ridge pass to the north is the frontline and most likely to directly face the Corpse Refining Sect's offensive. The Xiao Family will dispatch two Foundation Establishment Cultivators to lead a team, stationed jointly with the Huang Family of Qingyang Prefecture and the Sandao Sect of Qingyang Prefecture. I will also dispatch three Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivators from our Tianxuan Sect to assist in overseeing this area."

"The eastern and western mountain paths will each have a defense zone, guarded respectively by the Zeng Family of Yushan Prefecture and the Yuan Family of Huangfeng Prefecture. I will also dispatch two Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators to assist in overseeing them."

The heads of the factions whose names were called successively accepted their orders.

"Three defense zones are established along the Fallen Star River to the south to protect the county town and Mortals. The southwest ferry will be garrisoned by a team led by three Foundation Establishment Cultivators from our Sect, and the southeast river valley will be garrisoned by a team split from the Xiao Family."

Master Xuanyue paused, his gaze falling upon Li Changqing, "As for the Hongshi County town defense zone, it will be garrisoned by the Li Family of Huangfeng Prefecture and the last team of the Xiao Family. This place is the rear command center, responsible for ensuring the safety of the entire county and material scheduling. The responsibility is heavy, and I will personally oversee it here."

"There is one point I need to remind you all of—the duration of this battle will be very long. There will be plenty of opportunities to make contributions, but you only have one life."

"Remember: focus on defense, do not take the initiative to attack, drag things out as much as possible. As long as no Golden Core Cultivators from the Corpse Refining Sect appear, I will not easily make a move."

The Hongshi County town defense zone. Li Changqing's heart stirred slightly, but his expression remained unchanged as he bowed to accept the order.

The county town defense zone was adjacent to the main body of the county town and backed against the Fallen Star River, making it the furthest back position among all defense zones.

Compared to the frontline battlefield at the Crimson Python Ridge pass to the north that directly faced the Demonic Cultivator army, this place was undoubtedly much safer.

Master Xuanyue assigning this defense zone to the Li Family was clearly not unrelated to the registration of the "Third-Rank Talisman Maker" just now. This was preferential treatment, and also an invisible exchange—giving you a safe position meant you had to produce corresponding Talisman outputs.

Li Changqing did not reject this. Safety was inherently one of his biggest goals in this battle. He was not here to play the hero; he was here to lead his clansmen to survive these twenty-five years.

"Everyone." Master Xuanyue's voice suddenly rose, "The defense zone distribution has been decided. Guard your respective lands and perform your respective duties. Within half a month, be sure to complete the deployment of the Restrictions in your respective defense zones and ensure sufficient material reserves."

"Once the Corpse Refining Sect's offensive is launched, all defense zones must keep communication Talismans unhindered, act as mutual supports, and not leave their posts without authorization or delay military opportunities—otherwise, this master has the right to execute you personally!"

With the final sentence, the coercion of a Golden Core Cultivator burst forth overwhelmingly.

Everyone on the drill ground collectively trembled and bowed, shouting in response, "We will strictly obey the Immortal Master's orders!"

After the meeting, the various factions each collected their defense zone scrolls and material manifests, dispersing in a hurry.

Just as Li Changqing was about to lead his clansmen to their garrison defense zone, a gentle voice came from behind.

"Fellow Daoist Li, please stay a moment."

He turned around to see Xiao Yuanzheng walking over briskly, cupping his hands with a smile: "Fellow Daoist Li turns out to be a Third-Rank Talisman Maker. I have been disrespectful. For Hongshi County to have the assistance of a talent like you is truly a fortunate event."