"No, no... can't I just eat it?"
Yao Qianming glared at Orion, his face flushed with irritation. The fear that had gripped him moments ago evaporated, replaced by a simmering frustration.
Without further argument, Yao Qianming snatched the elixir from Orion's hand and swallowed it in one swift motion.
"There! Are you satisfied now?" Yao Qianming's voice was laced with sarcasm, though the dissatisfaction was hard to miss.
Orion said nothing, his eyes fixed on Yao Qianming, watching him like a hawk. After a tense moment of silence, the only thing that happened was a nosebleed trickling down Yao Qianming's face—nothing dangerous, just a harmless side effect.
Orion finally exhaled in relief.
"Well, looks like you didn't tamper with this batch," he said with a grin. "Master Yaogu, no hard feelings, right? One must always be cautious!" He added, smirking. "The elixir's potency must be something if even a powerful Martial Saint like you has a reaction!"
Yao Qianming shot him a murderous glare, dabbing at his bleeding nose with the sleeve of his robe. The blood smeared across his garments was a stark reminder of the elixir's potency—and the fact that all his spiritual power had been sealed. He couldn't even suppress the effects coursing through his body.
Seeing his discomfort, Orion grinned wider, satisfied that the elixirs were genuine. He turned to his subordinate, Luo Yi, and handed over the rest of the pills.
"Here, Luo Yi, these are for you. Get your strength back quickly. We need you at your best."
"Thank you, Lord!" Luo Yi bowed, his gratitude evident.
Without hesitation, Luo Yi took five of the seven pills. His body needed to recover, and these elixirs would speed up the process. But even for someone as powerful as him, taking more than five pills in one go would be overkill.
The remaining two pills were distributed among the remaining Yanyun riders, ensuring the most critically injured soldiers had a chance at recovery.
Orion glanced back at Yao Qianming. "Master Yaogu, looks like you're back in business. We still need twenty-two more elixirs."
Yao Qianming glowered at Orion, his patience wearing thin. He crossed his arms defiantly. "I'll continue making the elixirs," he said coldly, "but first, I need to see my daughter. I won't make another pill until I know she's safe."
Orion arched an eyebrow, surprised but not offended. The old man's concern was valid. Yao Qianming's daughter was a delicate beauty, and in times like these, any father would be protective.
"Fair enough," Orion replied, snapping his fingers. "Xu Chu, escort him."
Xu Chu grinned as he stepped forward. This wasn't the first time he'd handled a protective father like Yao Qianming.
It wasn't long before Yao Qianming was allowed a brief reunion with his daughter, Yao Xi'er. Satisfied that she was unharmed, Yao Qianming was promptly ushered back to his makeshift lab to continue his work, his protests falling on deaf ears.
As Yao Qianming was herded away, Orion turned to his trusted companion, Yingmo.
"Yingmo, send a message to Yuan Zuozong. Tell him to lead the hundred thousand Dragon Cavalry back immediately. We need everyone here."
Yingmo nodded, disappearing into the shadows to carry out the command. The war wasn't over, and Orion wasn't about to take any chances.
With the elixirs secured and his troops rallying, Orion finally allowed himself to focus on his own cultivation. The power of the Holy Body of the Great Wilderness still pulsed within him, its untapped potential calling to be tested.
Another night passed in intense practice. By the next morning, Orion opened his personal interface, his excitement growing as he scanned his stats:
[Host: Orion]
[Strength: Mid Martial Emperor]
[Forces: Eighteen Yanyun Cavalry, Hundred Thousand Dragon Cavalry (enhanced), Fifty Thousand Trapped Camp, Shadow Guard, Beifu Army]
[Guards: Li Sandao, Xu Chu]
[Luck value: 9,820,375]
A smile tugged at his lips. His strength had finally advanced to the middle stage of Martial Emperor, and with the Holy Body of the Great Wilderness, there was no telling how far he could go.