67: One person camping

Soon, Suan Tianji meticulously detailed their preparations.

Overall, despite their current small force, they possessed great potential, and once they made a move, they would undoubtedly be able to seize a large territory in a short period.

Then, by rapidly assimilating these lands and populations, quickly restoring production capacity, and enhancing supply capabilities, they would be able to establish a firm foothold, and from then on, only steady advancement would be needed.

Of course, the issues involved were far from solvable with just a few words, but Gu Chang now had a sufficient number of talents under his command, and the relevant matters had been rehearsed more than once.

"Very good, since you all understand what needs to be done, you may begin operations three days from now. At that time, I will go talk to Xuan King. If he is reasonable, that's for the best; otherwise, I will personally eliminate this hidden danger first."

"Afterward, you will lead the army to directly take the three cities outside Da Wu Mountain. Remember, absolutely no indiscriminate killing or destruction. Any violations will be met with immediate execution!"

After listening to Suan Tianji's summary, Gu Chang immediately stood up and issued his commands to them.

"We obey!"

"Yes!"

"We will not fail our Lord!"

"..."

Seeing Gu Chang agree, everyone present was instantly overjoyed, and they all bowed to him, making their pledges.

"Lord, there's one last thing: what banner should we raise?"

Finally, Suan Tianji looked around and saw no one else asking, so he could only step forward and ask Gu Chang.

"A banner? Right, after all this time, I hadn't even thought about this issue."

"Then let's set it as the character 'Martial.' All soldiers under my command can become Shenwu Troop, all generals and officers are Divine Martial Generals, and as for myself, you can call me Martial King!"

Gu Chang was different from Xuan King, King Mu, and others; his primary goal was not to become a king or overlord, but to Breakthroug into a higher Realm.

For him, the only value in taking over the entire Dynasty was to utilize the power of billions of people and resources to continuously Breakthroug to higher levels.

"Yes! Your subject, greets Martial King!"

When Suan Tianji heard Gu Chang utter this title, he was instantly shaken, his entire being filled with surging emotions, and he immediately shouted "Martial King" and bowed down again.

"Your subjects greet Martial King!"

"Your subjects greet Martial King!"

"..."

The others also reacted instantly and bowed down again. At this moment, they too felt incredibly excited, and they recognized Gu Chang's grand aspirations!

Just like that, all the military camps in Da Wu Mountain quickly entered the war preparation phase. Large numbers of soldiers began preparing to depart, every household was busy making dried rations, and the forging workshops were bustling with activity.

That afternoon, Gu Chang left Da Wu Mountain alone and rapidly flew towards where Xuan King was located.

In Lizhou, at Xuan King's military camp, the exhausted Xuan King was currently reviewing reports from various armies.

Ever since his army suffered a great defeat a few days ago, he hadn't had a single good night's sleep. Almost every time he slept, he would dream of large numbers of rogue soldiers attacking him, forcing him to flee in a hurry, but the final outcome was still the ruin of his family and a terrible death.

This world had no preferential treatment for those who failed in the struggle for power. If he truly suffered a complete defeat, then being able to keep his body intact would be considered extremely lucky.

"Godfather, is it truly impossible to persuade that person in Da Wu Mountain to help me?"

After reviewing a series of shocking reports, Xuan King suddenly felt irritable, so he turned to the serene, meditating Spirit Refining Expert Zheng Lieya beside him and asked.

In the past, when he had many soldiers and generals under his command, Xuan King could remain calm and ignore the situation within Da Wu Mountain. However, with the current losses of troops and generals, and internal and external troubles, the existence of Da Wu Mountain made him restless.

According to his idea, he could make promises and persuade Da Wu Mountain to send troops with him to conquer the world. Doing so would both alleviate his pressure and consume the other party's strength.

"How firm are the minds of Spirit Refining Martial Artists? If the other party has no such intention, then no amount of persuasion from others will work!"

Zheng Lieya slowly opened his eyes and answered him without hesitation.

"Alas, now the front-line battles are unfavorable, the rear is in constant disarray, and there's a tiger lurking nearby. It truly makes one uneasy!"

Although it wasn't the first time he had heard such a reply, Xuan King still felt incredibly weary.

"Hmm?"

However, at this moment, Zheng Lieya, who had been somewhat lethargic, suddenly stood up, and then his entire body's Qi instantly erupted, rushing directly out of the military camp and attacking outwards.

Seeing this scene, Xuan King's body almost instinctively trembled. For Zheng Lieya to personally take action, it had to be a Spirit Refining Expert of the same Rank!

Xuan King himself was also a Martial Artist, though his strength was only at the Copper Skin Flesh Refining level, but he was well aware of the terrifying nature of Spirit Refining Expert!

Outside the military camp, Zheng Lieya had just appeared when he saw a scarlet blood-shadow rapidly flying from the distant sky.

"He really Broke through?"

With just a glance, Zheng Lieya recognized the red giant with an overwhelming Aura in the sky, but the Martial Dao Divine Paragon now was vastly different from the one he fought against back then!

Not only had his body expanded many times, but his appearance was also distinctly different, especially this mid-air flying posture, which caused a huge impact on him.

It made him wonder if this was truly something martial arts could achieve?

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

"Alert!!!"

"Clang clang clang!"

"..."

At the same time, the other soldiers and officers in the military camp also discovered the scarlet giant in the sky. After a brief moment of shock, they immediately shouted in alarm.

"Boom!"

However, the next moment, the scarlet giant, like a Heavenly God descending, directly fell from the sky and heavily crashed outside the military camp.

It was only at this moment that the soldiers and officers in the military camp clearly saw how massive this scarlet giant truly was!

Its ten-foot-tall body, even just standing there, was as towering as a city wall, far taller than the walls built by the military camp, and even comparable to an arrow tower.

What's more, this scarlet giant was radiating a terrifying pressure in all directions that made people unable to even look up!

All soldiers and officers within a hundred feet of the scarlet giant knelt down under this terrifying pressure, unable to stand up, and even breathing was extremely difficult.

"You all retreat!"

Seeing this, Zheng Lieya immediately leaped out, and then ordered the soldiers and officers behind him, who were fearful but had to advance.

"I didn't expect you to truly reach such a level. It's simply astonishing!"

After sending these soldiers and officers away, he then came to the top of the wall and looked up at the Martial Dao Divine Paragon's massive body.

"Long time no see. It seems you can still live for several more years."

Gu Chang was quite grateful to Zheng Lieya; he was a pure Martial Artist, and even willing to actively assist him in his Breakthrough back then.

"Yes, this old bone of mine can still move, but in a few more years, I'm afraid it'll be hard to even get out of bed!"

Facing Gu Chang's question, Zheng Lieya couldn't help but smile bitterly. He was already old, and seven or eight years had passed since Gu Chang Broke through to the Spirit Refining Realm. His entire body's Qi and blood were beginning to decline.

"You are a true Martial Artist; you should not die in bed!"

Gu Chang looked deeply at the other party, feeling a pang of regret for his situation.

"Indeed, that's why this old man has also come to the battlefield, hoping to die in battle and earn a name for himself after death."

Zheng Lieya was quite open-minded, even making a joke.

"But why have you come here?"

Then his tone shifted, becoming serious. Gu Chang's grand entrance clearly wasn't for the sake of fostering friendship with him.

"Next, I will lead the army out of the mountains to pacify the world and cleanse the universe!"

"So, I have specially come to give Xuan King an opportunity, an opportunity to survive and retain his wealth and glory."

Gu Chang heard his question and directly stated his purpose.

Upon hearing Gu Chang's two sentences, Zheng Lieya's brows immediately furrowed. As expected, when the other party didn't appear, nothing happened, but once he appeared, he was bound to stir up the world.

"This old man will ask one last question: have you truly Broke through beyond Spirit Refining?"

After a brief period of thought, Zheng Lieya seemed to have understood something, and then, with a hint of expectation, he asked Gu Chang this question.

"No, I'm still a little short, which is why I need this world, the power of billions of sentient beings to help me Breakthrough!"

However, Gu Chang's answer made his heart sink, and at the same time, he understood the reason for Gu Chang's actions.