Inside the room, Ye Tian fixed his gaze intently on the small vial handed to him by the one-armed bandit, his eyes filled with fervor and his breath quickening.
Despite possessing the innate talent of a green martial soul, the enhancement of Ye Tian's cultivation had begun to slow as he advanced. Now, at the seventh level of Martial Master, any further breakthroughs would require no less than half a year's time.
Thus, the prospect of a Qi Unblocking Pill that could elevate his cultivation filled Ye Tian with longing.
However, lamentably, only the highest-grade Qi Unblocking Pill would be effective for him at his current level, and such top-tier elixirs were simply unavailable for sale in Blood Jade City or Black Blood City.
So, when Ye Tian laid eyes on the supreme Qi Unblocking Pill in the possession of the one-armed bandit leader, he was both shocked and exhilarated.
"Why is this?" Ye Tian, regaining his composure, took a deep breath and looked quizzically at the one-armed bandit leader without reaching for the vial. "Such a pill should be priceless to you. Why bestow it upon me?"
"You need not be puzzled, my lord. While the pill is indeed valuable, one must also have the life to enjoy it." The one-armed bandit leader gazed earnestly at Ye Tian, a bittersweet smile playing on his lips. "By revealing the entrance to the small world, the lord of Black Blood City will surely trace it back to me. As a mere mountain bandit, how can I withstand the onslaught of the Black Armored Army?"
"What? Are you blaming me?" Ye Tian squinted his eyes and replied coolly. "However, without my involvement, you would have done the same, wouldn't you?"
"I dare not!" The one-armed bandit leader's face paled with fear as he knelt before Ye Tian, pleading, "This path was my own choice; I bear no regrets. I offer this pill in hopes that you might grant me refuge!"
"You wish to follow me?" Ye Tian asked in surprise, glancing at the one-armed bandit leader. He had heard of weaker warriors on the Divine Continent who often chose to ally with more powerful martial artists.
The adage holds true: when one ascends, their companions also rise. Those with poor talent would seek to advance further in martial arts by following gifted and powerful warriors.
However, such individuals are rare.
After all, once one pledges allegiance to a martial artist, their life is at the mercy of another, much like that of a servant. Those who become martial artists are not ordinary people and would not readily follow another.
Especially since the one-armed bandit leader was already a fifth-level Martial Master!
Thus, Ye Tian was quite astonished. Could it be that his "kingly aura" had indeed manifested?
"It would be an honor to follow you, my lord, yet I am self-aware. With my strength, I would only burden you. I hope you can provide me with a safe haven, allowing me to serve as one of your Blood Cloak Guards," the one-armed bandit leader said respectfully.
"You do have a way with words!" Ye Tian mused, a smile emerging on his face. He understood the man's intent—to use the title of Blood Cloak Guard to evade the lord of Black Blood City's pursuit.
"However..." Ye Tian pondered for a moment, his brow furrowing. "You were once part of the Black Armored Army and should be aware that the Blood Cloak Guard prohibits anyone with physical impairments from joining!"
"I am fully aware of this rule, which is precisely why I come to you for assistance. With your talent, you should hold considerable sway within the Blood Cloak Guard, rivaling that of a centurion!" The one-armed bandit leader's expression was filled with hope; he had once served in the Black Armored Army and, had it not been for his unfortunate circumstances, he would not have chosen to become a bandit.
"Hmm..." Ye Tian fell into contemplation as he regarded the one-armed bandit leader, a sudden epiphany illuminating his thoughts.
"You cannot join the Blood Cloak Guard, but I have another option. Would you be willing to consider it?" Ye Tian looked intently at the one-armed bandit leader.
The one-armed bandit leader paused, feeling a twinge of disappointment but still clinging to a flicker of hope as he asked, "May I inquire, my lord, where that might be?"
"It is my hometown, Baiyun Town!" Ye Tian replied with a smile, a hint of pride in his expression. "Although it was once merely a small town, our Ye family has since constructed a small city, now named Ye City. I am confident that in the near future, Ye City will surpass both Black Blood City and Blood Jade City."
"I wholeheartedly believe that! With your unparalleled talent, it is only a matter of time before you ascend to the realm of Martial Spirit. Furthermore, your youth works in your favor; one day, you will surely surpass the lords of Black Blood City and Blood Jade City. By then, Ye City will grow powerful alongside your rising renown," the one-armed bandit leader responded enthusiastically.
Unlike the warriors of Black Blood City, he had fought Ye Tian and recognized his prowess. At just nineteen years of age, he was already a seventh-level Martial Master. If he consumed the vial of Qi Unblocking Pills, he could become an eighth-level Martial Master by the age of nineteen.
Such terrifying talent is rare even throughout the entirety of Nanlin County.
The one-armed bandit leader pinned his hopes on Ye Tian, recognizing his boundless potential.
"Given all this, would you wish to join Ye City? You should understand that I will be adventuring outside, and I need you to help guard Ye City!" Ye Tian looked deeply into the one-armed bandit leader's eyes. With a fifth-level Martial Master on his side, he would no longer have to worry during his excursions.
Moreover, Ye Tian surmised that this man must have acquired a considerable number of treasures from the Wu family along with the supreme Qi Unblocking Pill. With those resources, he could very well elevate his rank to sixth or seventh-level Martial Master.
With that, Ye Tian would have one less worry regarding Ye City's safety.
"I am willing! I am eager to serve!" the one-armed bandit leader exclaimed, nodding vigorously, his face alight with joy.
He was a clever man. As Ye Tian had yet to rise to prominence, if he helped guard Ye City now, he would earn merit when Ye Tian eventually ascended. When Ye City grew strong, akin to Black Blood City and Blood Jade City, his status would undoubtedly rise in tandem. While currently it may not compare to joining the Blood Cloak Guard, its potential far surpassed that opportunity.
"Given that, you should set off for Baiyun Town immediately, and it would be best to bring along your bandit subordinates as well." Upon seeing his agreement, Ye Tian quickly procured paper and ink, hastily penned a letter, and handed it to him, saying solemnly, "Once you arrive in Ye City, present this letter to a martial artist named Ye Feng. And take this knife!" He then produced the dagger Ye Feng had initially gifted him and passed it to the one-armed bandit leader.
The one-armed bandit leader accepted it.
"With this knife and this letter, the people of Ye City will have no reason to doubt you," Ye Tian nodded, continuing his instructions, "After you reach Ye City, I want you to assemble an elite army akin to the Black Armored Army or the Blood Robe Guard. You may select soldiers from among your bandits or from Ye City. Remember, your tasks are twofold: one is to protect Ye City, and the other is to properly train this elite force. Ensure they become the strongest army for Ye City, just as the Blood Robe Guard and the Black Armored Army are for their respective domains!"
"Rest assured, my lord, I will fulfill the task!" The one-armed bandit leader, now revealed as Li Tie, exclaimed with fervor, fully grasping Ye Tian's intent to position him as a leader akin to those of the Black Armored Army and Blood Robe Guard—an opportunity shining with promise!
"Stop calling yourself 'little' all the time; after all this talk, I still don't know your name," Ye Tian smiled.
"In response to my lord, my name is Li Tie—Li from 'wood' and Tie meaning 'iron'!" the one-armed bandit leader, now identified as Li Tie, replied respectfully.
"Li Tie, that's a fine name! You must forge that elite army to be as strong as iron!" Ye Tian remarked, stroking his chin.
"Have no worries, my lord; Li Tie will not disappoint you," he declared with unshakeable confidence, suddenly asking, "By the way, my lord, what should we name this elite army?"
"Indeed, it's essential to give it a fitting name!" Ye Tian nodded thoughtfully. Like the Black Armored Army of the Black Blood City and the Blood Robe Guard of the Blood Jade City, Ye City's elite army deserves a name that can instill fear.
After a moment of contemplation, Ye Tian's eyes brightened, "Let's call it the Ye Family Army!"
He recalled a great hero from the history of Huaxia, Yue Fei, whose "Yue Family Army" was renowned for its invincibility and unmatched prowess in battle. Now, as he founded his own army, the name Ye Family Army seemed quite apt. Furthermore, the name signified belonging to the Ye family, instilling a strong sense of loyalty and serving as a deterrent against disloyalty or rebellion within the ranks.
"The Ye Family Army… an excellent name!" Li Tie praised, aware that he must support whatever name Ye Tian chose—a basic principle he understood well.
"Now, depart from Black Blood City. Once everything is arranged, head straight for Baiyun Town!" Ye Tian waved Li Tie off.
"Take care, my lord!" Li Tie bowed respectfully before exiting the room.
After Li Tie's departure, Ye Tian summoned his nine captains, explaining that he had gained insights and would be entering seclusion for training. He instructed them not to disturb him during this time, regardless of what transpired.
Once he had made all the arrangements, Ye Tian seated himself cross-legged on his bed, took the small vial Li Tie had left behind, and opened the jade cap. A rich fragrance of medicine immediately filled the room, an aroma so pleasing that it invigorated his senses.
He dropped a dark red pill into his mouth, its luster reminiscent of some exotic fruit.
Visually and aromatically, this top-tier Qi-Penetrating Pill bore little difference from the mid-tier variant, save for its intensified fragrance and vibrant hue.
Taking a deep breath of its heady aroma, excitement filled Ye Tian's eyes. With these pills, he could elevate his level before entering the Martial Sect's small world.
Achieving the rank of Martial Master at level eight, combined with the advanced martial skill "Starlight Hand" and his mastery of knife intent, would render his combat capabilities comparable to that of a Martial Master at level nine.
Such strength would be sufficient for self-protection within the Martial Sect's small world.
Resolving this, Ye Tian swallowed the top-tier Qi-Penetrating Pill whole. The pill dissolved upon contact, flowing down his throat like a torrential river, surging into his limbs and bones, erupting within him like a volcano, releasing a torrent of potent energy.
Drawing a deep breath, he swiftly activated the "Black Magic Battle Body," channeling this energy while unblocking his acupoints.
Before long, a radiant acupoint erupted with intense brilliance.