The events in the Hall of Supreme Harmony had thoroughly ignited the confidence of all Tai Cang officials in Ji Xia.
In the boundless wildlands, this was a world of cultivators, and ultimately, only great strength ensured the right to survive.
The foundation of a nation or a race lies in its countless citizens and armies. Yet, the number of peak cultivators directly determines whether one has the right to converse with the great powers.
Recently, Tai Cang had gained not only another Spirit Realm cultivator but also a young ruler—Ji Xia, only twenty years of age—whose cultivation was already shockingly profound.
"The speed at which His Majesty progresses is astounding, bordering on miraculous. Not long ago, he had just stabilized his cultivation at the Third Heavenly Layer, and now, within barely a month, he has reached the threshold of the Celestial Barrier," said Ji Qianqing, standing on the low walls of the southern city, watching the two thousand Tai Cang Guards assembling in the distance. Her face was filled with unconcealed joy.
"I only learned from you that His Majesty has been cultivating for less than two months. In my experience, this is not just miraculous—it's nothing short of divine," replied Bo Xian with a sigh, his gaze fixed on Ji Xia, who stood at the forefront of the troops below, hands behind his back.
Ji Qianqing nodded. "I initially thought the king might have consumed some dangerous forbidden elixirs to forcefully elevate his cultivation. Yet, seeing his spirit energy so pure and crystalline, as flawless as polished jade, I can only attribute it to an unparalleled natural talent."
"Not long ago, you mentioned there was someone in Tai Cang whose cultivation speed surpassed all others. I never imagined that person would turn out to be His Majesty himself," Bo Xian added.
Ji Qianqing's eyes drifted toward Ji Xia. Standing tall before the troops, his posture radiated vigor and charisma, a stark contrast to the previous ruler.
"The king is truly a remarkable figure…" she thought, a surge of admiration welling up within her. The realization startled her, and she felt a complex mix of emotions. "I used to disdain him openly, calling him a 'useless prince' countless times. Yet now, I find myself genuinely respecting him."
Outside the southern city, two thousand Tai Cang Guards had fully assembled. Their expressions were solemn, their postures erect, and their gazes were fixed on Ji Xia.
The young ruler, younger than many of them, had already earned their admiration through countless deeds. His introduction of the Tai Lai Elixir had revolutionized their strength, and his fearless presence on the battlefield during the recent Gou Quan invasion had further solidified their loyalty. Now, as he prepared to personally lead them into battle, they held nothing but respect and trust for him.
"Gou Quan and Crocodile Horn have entered into war," Ji Xia began, his voice steady and clear. "Gou Quan has dispatched large numbers of troops to their border with Crocodile Horn. Their capital is now defended by only five hundred Hound Guards and three thousand Hunter Soldiers."
His voice echoed across the southern city. Ji Xia couldn't help but recall Meng Gui, who had previously assisted him with amplifying his voice in such moments. Though he no longer needed Meng Gui's help, the memory brought a tinge of nostalgia.
"Since the founding of Tai Cang, we have endured endless harassment from the Gou Quan people. When our nation was weak, they imposed exorbitant demands on us, draining our treasury and forcing us to offer grain for their livestock. And we had no choice but to endure it silently!"
His gaze was icy, as still and chilling as a deep, dark lake. "Should such a nation, such a people, not face extinction?"
The two thousand soldiers felt their emotions swell. Memories of a dark era surged forth—when their ancestors starved to death due to the incessant demands of Gou Quan, when countless Tai Cang children perished in infancy for lack of sustenance, when mothers fed their children with their own blood to keep them alive.
All these horrors were inflicted by the Gou Quan and Zhou Qing nations!
The soldiers erupted in deafening shouts:
"Death to them! Death to them! Death to them!"
Ji Xia raised his hand to quiet the crowd. His voice resonated again:
"When Tai Cang grew in strength, Gou Quan realized we were no longer fully under their control. Thus, they launched invasion after invasion, slaughtering our warriors and seizing our lands. When they found themselves at a disadvantage, they proposed false peace treaties, demanding our youths as tributes for their abuse and consumption."
"A nation and a people capable of such atrocities are no better than beasts. Should they not be eradicated?"
The older soldiers clenched their weapons, recalling the horrors of past invasions. They remembered their siblings being taken away by the Gou Quan as lifeless shells, resigned to their fates. Tai Cang had been a mere slaughterhouse to Gou Quan, its people nothing more than cattle awaiting their turn.
Ji Xia continued, his voice steady but cutting like a blade:
"Now, Tai Cang's military power grows rapidly, while Gou Quan is distracted by Crocodile Horn. Should we cower in our lands and wait, squandering this golden opportunity?"
A brief silence fell over the troops before their weapons shot into the air.
"Revenge! Revenge! Revenge!"
Ji Xia lowered his hand again, quieting the crowd. He declared:
"You are the finest among the Tai Cang Guards, surpassing even the elite Cang Wei in strength. From this day forth, you are no longer part of the Cang Shou. You are bestowed the title of the Silver Guard of Tai Cang!"
"As your general, I shall lead you into battle. This day, we ride for Gou Quan. Their king's head and their treasury's treasures shall be Tai Cang Silver Guard's gift to our nation!"