263: Zhang Yide's Challenge

Zhen Gui Pass is one of the three great strategic passes in Barren State, personally guarded by the Marquis Shenwei, one of the Seven Marquis of the Borderlands, making it as stable as Mount Tai.

The history of this ancient city's existence is extremely long; it existed even before Great Qin established its unified Dynasty, and adding Great Chu, which later inherited Great Qin's territory, it has been over seven thousand years.

But Great Chu expanded the city outward by more than ten times the original main city, inscribing various fierce Formations and runes, turning it into an insurmountable strategic pass.

Zhen Gui Pass stretches for hundreds of miles, with city walls a thousand zhang high, piercing into the clouds, pressing against the horizon, like a steel Great Wall, magnificent and enormous.

When Chu Jiang crossed over, he was also shocked by the sight before him; the scale of Zhen Gui Pass was more than a hundred times larger than Langlang Pass, with countless killing Formations and runes forming several layers of energy shields, filling the sky.

It was like a monstrous gluttonous beast, standing at the end of the world, devouring any invading enemy.

This was merely the inner wall; how magnificent must the outer city wall, which resisted the invasion of the Barbarian Race, be?

Such a scale, who knows how much massive money, resources, manpower, and time it would cost to forge; each item is an astronomical figure.

Even if the Western Seven Provinces sold everything they had, it would be difficult to support such a giant city, not to mention the other two strategic passes and the nine secondary passes, which can only rely on the imperial court for blood transfusions.

Every year, massive resources are allocated from the rich southern and eastern provincial borders to support the west.

Chu Jiang followed Sun Taian and successfully entered Zhen Gui Pass.

Inside Zhen Gui Pass, it was also exceptionally vast, with elite soldiers visible everywhere, patrolling.

A black tower, reaching straight into the clouds, was extremely conspicuous in the center of the giant city.

“Demon Suppression Tower?”

Chu Jiang recognized the tower at a glance; it was identical to the Demon Suppression Sub-Tower of the Yunzhou Demon Suppression Division, the only difference being that this tower was much larger than the one in Yun Province.

“That’s right, this is indeed the Demon Suppression Tower of the Demon Suppression Division,” Sun Taian nodded.

“Its function is much greater than you imagine; not only can it suppress demons, but it can also serve as the central hub for various large Formations, coordinating the entire situation. With just one command, it can precisely control the Formation of a specific defense area!”

“Moreover, the Demon Suppression Tower also has the function of Formation networking, which can gather and arrange different Formations to unleash several times their power!”

Upon hearing Sun Taian’s words, a look of surprise flashed in Chu Jiang’s eyes.

The Demon Suppression Tower in Yun Province could only suppress or detain demons; it did not have the function of serving as a Formation hub.

“This Demon Suppression Tower shouldn’t be a sub-tower, right?” Chu Jiang asked.

“It is essentially still a sub-tower, but a super-enhanced version!”

Sun Taian replied.

He then introduced the special buildings within Zhen Gui Pass to Chu Jiang.

“This is the Artifact Forging Pavilion. Here are the most outstanding Artifact Refiners from the Heavenly Craft Institute, as well as the most advanced forging technology, providing weapon support for the border guards.”

Then he pointed to another building and said:

“This is the Military Affairs Pavilion, the intelligence center of Zhen Gui Pass, gathering intelligence from various places, not only the border of Barren State but also other borders, and even news from the Imperial Capital.”

“As a commander, one cannot only focus on one area; one must have an overall view to make accurate analyses.”

Chu Jiang then looked at a shrine, which occupied a considerable area.

“This is the Heroes’ Shrine, commemorating the generals and soldiers who sacrificed their lives throughout history. All those who died in battle, regardless of their strength, have a spirit tablet here, honored by future generations!”

“This was initiated by the Marquis Shenwei, who is our commander of the Western border, and later promoted nationwide by Your Majesty!”

Speaking of the Marquis Shenwei, Sun Taian's eyes could not hide his admiration. Not only was his strength profound, but he also cared for the morale of the army. Every policy he implemented benefited the grassroots soldiers and officers.

Aside from defending the country, what else is there to gain from joining the army but that spirit?

The Marquis Shenwei provided it.

Moreover, whether it was military pay or Cultivation resources, they were never lacking or delayed. This was the Marquis Shenwei.

“A good initiative!”

Chu Jiang didn't expect that people in this world would also have such foresight. Heroes' Shrines are not rare; since ancient times, there have been monuments and shrines for great figures who made significant contributions. What is rare is the establishment of monuments for ordinary people, which had never appeared before.

It was as if every victory was attributed to a few great figures, while the people under them were hidden in the long river of history, unknown to anyone.

Although people cannot remember so many names on the Heroes' Shrine, at least they left their insignificant mark, proving that they had existed in this world and fought for this country.

If this were in another novel, this would definitely be the protagonist's exclusive act; if the protagonist hadn't come, no one would have done this.

In this world, there are countless bad people, but there are always a few who defy fate, becoming lighthouses in the darkness, guiding the Human Race forward and back onto the right track.

Sun Taian continued to lead Chu Jiang forward, introducing each place, allowing Chu Jiang to feast his eyes and gain much knowledge.

Suddenly.

Chu Jiang heard a burst of noise, a surging crowd, and shouts and applause that were incessant.

Thousands of elite soldiers were watching the contest between two people below a huge arena, cheering them on.

“This is the Divine Martial Platform, usually open for soldiers to spar and release pressure. Occasionally, Prodigies from the army will compete here, attracting many spectators.”

Sun Taian said with a smile, as the border is not always at war; there is a considerable amount of free time.

On the arena, the two separated.

“Brother Yide, you yield!”

A dark-skinned young man chuckled.

“Dali, I entered the Faxiang Realm before you, but I still can’t beat you, you monster!”

Zhang Yide said with a troubled expression. After Niu Dali advanced to Faxiang, his strength became increasingly abnormal.

A Faxiang Second Layer could easily defeat someone at Faxiang Sixth Layer, and his true combat power was probably already at Faxiang Seventh Layer.

He was only at Faxiang First Layer and could fight a Faxiang Fourth Layer, but compared to him, he was still too far behind.

Three months ago, the two were bestowed a few drops of Dragon Blood by the Marquis Shenwei, and their strength surged, allowing them to advance to the Faxiang Realm one after another.

“Oh, we have guests!”

Someone looked at Chu Jiang and the other person not far away, a smile on their face.

They didn't recognize Chu Jiang.

But Sun Taian’s name was famous in Zhen Gui Pass; after all, someone who could be hailed as the God of War of Jialing Pass was not someone with an undeserved reputation. The number of barbarians who died at his hands was countless.

“Greetings, General Sun!”

“Greetings, General Sun!”

“…”

Everyone saluted. Sun Taian’s strength was enough to rank among the top five in the Faxiang Realm across all twelve passes. He had also served as an instructor at the Zhen Gui Pass Prodigy special training camp, and his prestige was quite high.

Many people knew him.

“Little rascals, did you miss your instructor?” Sun Taian walked forward with Chu Jiang, teasingly.

Many people took half a step back.

Don’t dare to think, don’t dare to think…

Some people still had lingering shadows from Sun Taian’s special training.

“Instructor Sun, aren’t you going to introduce this guest to us?” Zhang Yide said with a faint smile. Compared to ‘General,’ he preferred to call him ‘Instructor,’ which sounded more intimate.

“Alright, then I’ll introduce him to you!”

“This is the Yun Province Pacification Commissioner, Marquis Wuan, Chu Jiang!”

Sun Taian laughed heartily and introduced him.

“What?!”

Zhang Yide said in surprise.

“So it’s Brother Chu! I’ve admired you for a long time and always wanted to find an opportunity to spar with you, but I never had the chance!”

His words were sincere, like a loyal fan.

Niu Dali shook his head. Here he goes again, the familiar rhetoric, the familiar expression. Except for the name, nothing had changed.

“Zhang Yide, are you crazy? Spar with him? What kind of joke is that?!” Sun Taian’s mouth couldn’t help but twitch.

This was a peerless fierce man who could fight against someone in the Heaven and Earth Realm, and his combat power was even above his own. Wasn't this just asking to be abused?

“What’s wrong? Is it not allowed?” Zhang Yide scratched his head, completely bewildered.

In the past, Sun Taian had always strongly supported him, but today he was so uncharacteristically strange.

Something was off?