Chapter 466: Chong Er Reappears
Chapter 466: Chong Er Reappears
Li Hao nodded. Since the other party was unwilling to speak, he didn't press further, and he wasn't particularly interested in knowing anyway.
As the group approached the soldier, the people in front began to register one by one. Soon, it was the young man's and Li Hao's turn.
"Name, origin, Cultivation Realm."
The soldier pulled out an identity token and asked.
The young man recited his information: "Hu Xiaochi, from Shadows Province, Ashen Void Continent. Currently, my Cultivation is at the Eighth Tier of the True Immortal Realm."
As he spoke, he released his aura to reveal his Cultivation Realm.
The soldier nodded slightly and used Immortal Dao Law to inscribe the information onto the identity token. He then tossed it to Hu Xiaochi and said:
"Do not lose this. It is a symbol of your identity, and without it, you cannot enter the city."
"Additionally, there are some Military Formations on the battlefield that indiscriminately attack certain areas. Wearing this token will identify you as an ally, protecting you from attacks. You can engrave your spiritual essence power on it. If another Soul Spirit attempts to invade and seize it, the token will self-destruct!"
Hu Xiaochi nodded, took the token, and stepped aside.
"Name."
When Li Hao stepped forward, the soldier pulled out another blank token.
Li Hao thought for a moment and reported the same way Hu Xiaochi had:
"Chong Er, from Conscience Pagoda City. Currently, my Cultivation is at the Third Tier of the True Immortal Realm!"
Hearing Li Hao's words, the soldier looked up at him but didn't question the authenticity of his name or origin. These details weren't particularly important to the Wildfire Army.
"Only a Third Tier True Immortal, why did you come here to enlist?"
The soldier raised an eyebrow and asked.
Li Hao's expression turned serious as he replied, "I want to slay demons."
The soldier met Li Hao's gaze for three seconds before nodding slightly and saying, "Your courage is commendable. I hope you can survive in the Wildfire Army. Within three years, if you can earn immortal merit and bring back three ancient demon heads, come find me, and I'll let you join my unit!"
Li Hao was somewhat surprised but bowed and said, "Thank you."
Although he didn't plan to make a name for himself here, he appreciated the soldier's goodwill.
"Go on."
The soldier waved a hand, and a soldier in black armor led Li Hao and the others to the Wildfire Army's location.
The Wildfire Army was stationed in a part of the city. Along the way, Li Hao and the others saw many warriors in various types of armor.
These warriors all wore standardized armor, clearly belonging to different legions. For example, armor with a wolf's head emblem belonged to the Heavenly Wolf Army, which had different units and commanders, each with unique battle patterns on their shoulder armor. Those familiar with the area could easily identify which unit a warrior belonged to.
"This is the Wildfire Army. You will go with him to collect your supplies and then report in."
The guide instructed.
In front of Li Hao and the others was a vast complex. The Wildfire Army here wore less formal attire, each in their own True Treasure armor, which varied in design but all featured a shoulder badge True Treasure. These True Treasures could emit special light during battles, slightly enhancing the wearer's Immortal Power.
They also served as a means of identification on the battlefield.
Someone came to take over and led Li Hao and the others to collect their shoulder badges.
"There are no weapons or armor here. If you need them, you must exchange them with immortal merit. Once you join the Heavenly Wolf Army, you will receive a set of Heavenly Wolf Battle Armor, which are high-quality True Treasures capable of withstanding attacks from ancient demons up to the Seventh Tier of the True Immortal Realm!"
A Wildfire Army leader explained to Li Hao and the others before leading them to a building.
"Go and report. This is the Yinglong Yiwu Camp of the Wildfire Army. Commander Shi Tianjin is waiting for you inside."
The guide waved them forward.
Li Hao and Hu Xiaochi, along with the others, looked around as they entered the compound.
They saw various barriers scattered throughout the courtyard, each filled with a misty aura. Inside, figures could be seen cultivating, practicing with guns, or training with swords.
In the main hall, a robust middle-aged man, clad in the rugged Heavenly Wolf Battle Armor, was drinking and eating heartily.
Hearing the commotion, he lifted his head and noticed Li Hao and the others approaching.
"A new batch, huh?"
The man placed his wine flask on the table, his eyes slightly slanted with a hint of drunkenness, and spoke with a scornful tone.
The others exchanged glances, some of them timid, and no one responded.
Hu Xiaochi stepped forward and said, "That’s right."
"Oh, Eighth Stage True Immortal Realm, not bad for courage."
The man’s previously fierce expression softened into a smile as he noticed Hu Xiaochi’s aura. He then called out, "Everyone, stop what you’re doing! We have new friends here, come welcome them!"
His voice was loud and boisterous, echoing through the various barriers.
In an instant, the figures within the barriers paused their activities and gathered around, totaling about seven or eight people.
"An Eighth Stage True Immortal, that’s not bad."
"Two Seventh Stage True Immortals as well, the quality this time is quite good."
These people, armed with weapons, chatted casually, but their bodies exuded a natural ferocity.
When they saw Li Hao, one of them frowned and said, "How did a Third Stage True Immortal slip in? Without at least Fifth Stage True Immortal Realm, you’re just asking for death at the border."
Among the group, excluding Li Hao, the lowest cultivation was Fifth Stage True Immortal Realm.
Commander Shi Tianjin also noticed Li Hao’s cultivation, and the smile on his face quickly turned cold. He let out a cold laugh, drained the remaining wine from his bowl, and stood up.
"You’ve come to my Yinglong Yiwu Camp, so you’ll have to listen to me. If you perform well, I can recommend you to the Heavenly Wolf Army. Of course, the first condition is that you have to survive here!"
"Follow orders, and I can guarantee you’ll live longer. If anyone disobeys during battles, don’t blame me if they die!"
He scanned the group with his fierce gaze, exuding authority.
Except for Li Hao and Hu Xiaochi, the others’ faces changed slightly, showing signs of unease.
"Don’t worry, I meant what I said. I’ll protect you."
Hu Xiaochi sent a telepathic message to Li Hao, trying to reassure him.
Li Hao replied telepathically, "Thank you."
"Over there are the empty quarters. You can choose your own. There aren’t many rules here, but don’t wander out of the city or cause trouble. Don’t provoke people you shouldn’t, and on the battlefield, don’t run around recklessly or retreat in the heat of battle."
Shi Tianjin waved a hand and then sat back down to continue drinking.
Li Hao caught the smell of his cheap wine and food, finding it hard to look at the rough fare after having eaten finer meals.
"Let’s pick a place together."
Hu Xiaochi suggested to Li Hao, clearly fond of the younger man and wanting to take care of him.
Li Hao didn’t refuse and followed him to the back of the compound, where they found several small, separate courtyards. They chose two adjacent ones.
"By the way, if there are any miscellaneous items in the courtyard, clean them up or throw them out."
Shi Tianjin’s voice echoed from the front yard.
Li Hao noticed other clothes and bedding in his courtyard, clearly belonging to a woman. The scent was strong, indicating recent use.
His gaze flickered, but he didn’t ask. It was obvious that the owner of these items was likely no longer around.
"Let’s take a look around."
After finishing his inspection, Hu Xiaochi, satisfied with his new quarters, invited Li Hao to explore.
Li Hao, having nothing else to do, agreed and wanted to see the place as well.
As they left the camp, a few resting veterans, one of whom spoke to Shi Tianjin, said, "Commander, that Third Stage True Immortal kid should be kicked out. He’s just here to die and might drag us down."
"Exactly, we don’t need him to wet his pants on the battlefield."
Shi Tianjin sensed the discontent of the veteran soldiers, took a bite of dragon sinew, and said, "No worries. Just ignore him on the battlefield. A kid like him won't survive the first battle."
Hearing this, the others didn’t say anything more.
They all knew that once they entered this city, there was no turning back. Such a soldier, if kicked out to another camp, wouldn’t be accepted by anyone.
...
"That way seems to be the positions of the various sects."
"Let’s go check it out."
Hu Xiaochi led Li Hao out of the Wildfire Army’s camp and into another part of the city. He seemed somewhat familiar with the place but kept a low profile.
Li Hao didn’t expose him and followed him around.
Before long, they arrived at a cluster of spire-like buildings.
High in the air, there were enormous banners with rays of light cascading down.
Li Hao looked up and saw that these banners were the Immortal Technique Rankings of various sects.
Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Tower Immortal Technique Ranking.
Star Hall Immortal Technique Ranking.
Illusion Sea Sect Immortal Technique Ranking.
...
Nine Depths of the Great Dream Immortal Technique Ranking.
Li Hao also saw his own sect’s ranking, where the top position was not held by Ji Qingxuan but by someone named Zhuang Wuyou.
Ji Qingxuan was in fourth place!
Despite being fourth, he was ranked ninety-ninth on the overall Immortal Merit list, which showed that the three people ahead of him were also well-known on the overall list.
Li Hao had heard that even elders within the sects would come here to accumulate Immortal Merit, not just disciples.
Some Dizong Sects even had their patriarchs come, but this was rare. After all, the battlefield was unpredictable, and if a patriarch were to meet with an accident, it would be a severe blow to the sect.
Moreover, if other forces knew that a patriarch was at the border, they might seize the opportunity to attack the sect, so precautions were necessary.
Hu Xiaochi’s gaze roamed around, pausing on the various Immortal Technique Rankings. Li Hao noticed that he lingered the longest on the Illusion Sea Sect Immortal Technique Ranking, with a subtle change in his eyes, as if they were gleaming with determination.
Li Hao immediately understood. The Illusion Sea Sect, along with the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Tower, was one of the Tianyi Sects.
"The Immortal Merit foundation of the Tianyi Sects is indeed unmatched by other sects, all reaching a million Immortal Merit!" Hu Xiaochi exclaimed.
On the Immortal Technique Rankings of the various sects, only the top hundred names were recorded, but below the rankings, the total Immortal Merit was displayed, all in the millions.
The Heaven Two Sect, by comparison, had a highest total of just over seven hundred thousand Immortal Merit.
The Heaven Three Sect had even less, around five hundred thousand.
The Nine Depths of the Great Dream, one of the standout sects in the Tiansi Sect, had nearly five hundred thousand Immortal Merit!
"Let’s go."
After finishing his observations, Hu Xiaochi turned to leave.
Li Hao glanced once more but didn’t linger. This time, he had come incognito, not planning to reveal himself to Ji Qingxuan and the others. If they did, they would undoubtedly send people to protect him, which would make it harder for him to hunt ancient demons.
Boom!
As Li Hao and Hu Xiaochi were returning, a massive bell sound suddenly resonated through Qinghe Moe City from the skies above.
The sound came from the heavens but echoed throughout the city.
Immediately, Li Hao and Hu Xiaochi saw the people who had been leisurely strolling and haggling at street stalls suddenly change their expressions. Warriors from various camps, clad in battle armor, hurriedly rushed back to their respective camps.
“Enemy attack! The ancient demons are invading again!”
“Hurry, hurry!”
Boom!
As many warriors rushed through the streets, another bell toll echoed through the air.
This time, the warriors in the streets moved even faster.
“It’s two chimes, a Disaster-level Assault!”
In the blink of an eye, all the idle warriors in the streets had vanished.
Li Hao and Hu Xiaochi exchanged a glance and hurried back to the Yinglong Yiwu Camp.
By the time they arrived, everyone else in the courtyard was already waiting.
Seeing Li Hao and Hu Xiaochi return, Shi Tianjin’s face darkened. He was about to scold them but, glancing at Hu Xiaochi, he held back. As for Li Hao, a man who was about to die, scolding him would be a waste of breath.
Once the two of them were in place, Shi Tianjin said in a solemn voice, “It’s a Disaster-level Assault. The attacks here are divided into four levels: Evil, Disaster, Heaven, and Extinction!”
“An Evil-level Assault is generally handled by the Heavenly Wolf Army. A Disaster-level Assault is led by the Tiger Lion Army. A Heaven-level Assault involves both the Dragon Battle Army and the Peacock Army, and such battles are rare, occurring only once in a thousand years, with rivers of blood flowing!”
He scanned the room with a serious gaze. “As for the Extinction level, don’t even ask or think about it. In such a battle, the Wildfire Army can only serve as cannon fodder, and even the Heavenly Wolf Army might be wiped out!”
Hearing his words, the others’ faces changed slightly, while Li Hao and Hu Xiaochi grew more solemn.
“Look.”
Shi Tianjin suddenly looked up.
Everyone involuntarily followed his gaze and saw dark figures flying past in the distance. In an instant, they formed a dense cloud, a vast army soaring overhead.
The soldiers in the army wore battle armor adorned with a tiger on the left and a lion on the right, dark gold and extremely majestic.
“The Tiger Lion Army has joined the battle.”
Shi Tianjin's eyes narrowed, a hint of admiration and envy in their depths. He was part of the Heavenly Wolf Army, assigned to lead the Wildfire Army here. Once he led the Wildfire Army to establish ten hundred-level immortal merits, he could apply to join the Tiger Lion Army, which would significantly improve his treatment and benefits.
For a full ten seconds, the massive cloud of the Tiger Lion Army slowly drifted past.
Soon, another rush of sound filled the city, this time accompanied by various colors of light. The True Treasures they rode were diverse, including a prominent giant sword, the Ten Thousand Mountains Sword Tower, and a path of starlight, light and graceful, belonging to the Star Hall.
Li Hao also spotted the War Banners of the Nine Depths of the Great Dream, towering dozens of feet high, fluttering majestically.
Among them, he recognized several familiar figures: Ji Qingxuan, Wei Hongye, Lu Wuchen, and Lin Yufeng, who was from the Spear Abyss Sect.
At that moment, they all had solemn expressions, their gazes fixed on the city’s outskirts, paying no attention to the ground or the young man looking up at them.
“The sects have joined the battle.”
“It’s our turn. Get ready!”
Shi Tianjin’s eyes gleamed, and a thick aura of Immortal Power enveloped him, revealing his True Immortal Realm Tenth Rank.
As the disciples from the various sects flew past, the Wildfire Army’s camp position sprang to life. Li Hao used his Divine Sense to look down from above and saw that the place was indeed lit up like sparkling stars, illuminating the entire camp!
“Follow me and fight! Earn immortal merit!”
Shi Tianjin roared, taking the lead as he soared forward.
(End of Chapter)
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