The scene became incredibly quiet.
On one side, three thousand soldiers knelt on one knee, their expressions solemn and faces filled with reverence.
On the other side were Yan Yi, Yan You, and the others, exchanging confused glances.
And then there was Ji Xia, smiling.
Ji Xia gazed at the Tai Cang Silver Guards and the Cang Shou Army before him, feeling a sense of warmth and closeness.
He had traveled all the way to Da Fu, and although only a month had passed, it felt as though much more time had passed.
"I just arrived in the vast wilderness, and as soon as I opened my eyes, I was in Tai Cang. Tai Cang became my homeland, and I feel as though I have truly accepted this emotion in my heart."
"After being away for a month, I've been thinking about Tai Cang, worrying about Tai Cang, and now, I'm finally back!"
He couldn't help but think of the countless spirit crystals, treasures, and techniques in the Void Ring, and the spiritual symbol scroll. His heart surged with excitement.
This journey to Da Fu was not in vain!
Moreover, the gains far exceeded his expectations!
Tai Cang would surely benefit from his trip to Da Fu!
"Rise."
Ji Xia gently spoke, his voice resonating in the ears of the three thousand soldiers ahead.
When the order reached their ears, the soldiers did not hesitate for a moment and immediately rose to their feet in perfect synchronization, impressive in their precision.
"Lord... Lord of the country?"
Yan Yi, Yan You, and Su Yao stared at Ji Xia in shock.
Wasn't this Qin Ji a member of a noble, prestigious family? How did he become the Lord of Tai Cang?
Can humans, too, be called part of a prestigious family?
Before they could process their surprise, the red-armored female general and Shi Yang came before Ji Xia, both saluting him.
"Lord of the country!"
Ji Qianqing, with her usually cold expression, now revealed a rare trace of joy.
"General Ji, it's been a month, and your cultivation has greatly improved."
Ji Xia's bright eyes clearly saw that on Ji Qianqing's spiritual wheel, there was now an engraved spiritual seal.
This seal seemed to be the Qing Jun Sword Technique.
"Thanks to the Tai Lai Spirit Water left by the Lord, I was able to inscribe the spiritual seal so quickly."
Ji Qianqing spoke, her joy uncontainable in her eyes.
"You all made such a big fuss when leaving the city. The officials of Tai Cang should know by now, right? When they find out I secretly went to Da Fu, I'm sure my ears will be sore from their complaints."
Ji Xia shuddered at the thought of Tai Cang's officials' incessant nagging.
"Rest assured, Lord. After I saw your letter, I immediately informed the high-ranking officials, the Supreme Ministers, the Chief Yīn, the Record Keeper, and others to convene a meeting.
The Chief Yīn issued an official decree, which was delivered to all administrative departments and military units, commanding me to lead one thousand Tai Cang Silver Guards and two thousand Cang Shou Army soldiers out for training.
Only then did I bring the army here, ensuring everything was flawless."
Ji Xia was still not entirely at ease. He glanced at the neat and imposing Tai Cang army, hesitating for a moment before asking, "These soldiers..."
"I already informed them. I told them that the Lord had already left the pass and gone to Zhou Qing for an investigation. After this military exercise, we will welcome the Lord's return."
Ji Xia finally sighed in relief, nodding in satisfaction.
Ji Qianqing's eyes flickered with a hint of amusement, now understanding Ji Xia's caution, considering how much the officials of Tai Cang would complain if they knew the Lord secretly went to Da Fu.
This situation would likely persist for half a year.
Yan Yi and Yan You, who had remained silent, suddenly kneeled down.
They bowed to Ji Xia and loudly called, "Greetings to the Lord of Tai Cang!"
Su Yao, still stunned, immediately attempted to kneel as well but suddenly felt a gentle spiritual force lift her up. Ji Xia's voice came gently, "I am still your Young Master at this moment. When we reach Tai Cang and I become the Lord, you can then pay your respects."
Su Yao froze, her face flushed with embarrassment, nodding in understanding.
Ji Xia turned his gaze to Yan Yi and Yan You, his tone becoming stern, "Rise."
Yan Yi and Yan You immediately stood up.
Yan You attempted to speak, but was stopped by Yan Yi's glance. Both stood at attention, silent.
Ji Xia sighed inwardly. These two, in order to save their bloodline, were clearly being overly cautious, showing the utmost respect.
"Yan Yi."
Ji Xia spoke.
"Here, Yan Yi is here."
Yan Yi instinctively knelt again, but Ji Xia stopped him.
"Earlier, you said that the Shiya tribe has over a thousand Sixfold Heaven cultivators, and their leader is a godly power user?"
Yan Yi hurriedly nodded.
"Do you know how many spiritual seals are engraved on their leader's spiritual wheel?"
Ji Xia asked again.
"Spiritual... spiritual seals?"
Yan Yi froze. He had seen similar records in his clan's books.
But, given that the human clan hadn't produced a godly power user in over a hundred years, how could he know how many spiritual seals were engraved on the Shiya tribe leader's wheel?
Yan You's face grew anxious, afraid that if they couldn't answer Ji Xia, the young Lord might be displeased.
Ji Xia glanced at Yan You and said, "You don't need to be so fearful of me. I promised you earlier, and I will keep my word."
"Shi Yang."
He called out softly.
After saluting, Shi Yang, who had been standing to the side, stepped forward, but instead of placing his hand on his chest as before, he knelt on one knee, his head bowed, and said, "Greetings, Lord."
Ji Xia raised his hand, signaling for Shi Yang to rise, seeing the lingering confusion in his eyes.
"You want to ask how someone like Qin Ji, a noble bloodline, who is revered as part of a prestigious family, could suddenly become the Lord of Tai Cang?"
Ji Xia smiled, addressing Shi Yang.
"Not just those from Da Fu's noble families."
Shi Yang respectfully replied, "I have always prided myself on my perception. When I sensed the Lord's bloodline, I felt a magnificent aura flowing within it, and a strong, fiery essence hidden within the Lord's Snow Mountain. That is why I always believed the Lord was of noble birth!"
"That magnificent aura should be the Star of the Year bloodline, and the fiery essence must be the Great Sun Spirit Furnace."
Ji Xia secretly thought, "This Star of the Year bloodline, I wonder if it is from the human race of this world, or from another mythological world."
"If it is indeed from the human race of the Vast Wilderness, then humanity must be hiding many secrets. At the very least, the Star of the Year bloodline can be considered noble."
Thinking thus, he said to Shi Yang, "It's just a technique. I am a native of Tai Cang, of the same kind and origin as you, which is why I saved you."
"And..." His expression grew cold, "Who says human bloodlines aren't noble?"
Shi Yang, Yan Yi, Yan You, Su Yao, and even Ji Qianqing all fell silent.
"One day, the human bloodline will also be worthy of being called 'noble' by other races!"
Ji Xia seemed to be muttering to himself, his gaze unexpectedly serious.
The others were moved.
"The Lord may be in a barren land, but he possesses an immense spirit!"
Shi Yang took a deep breath, his expression serious, as if lost in thought.
"General Ji, Shi Yang, you two will lead these three thousand soldiers, along with Yan Yi and Yan You, to Jian Gu Mountain. Eliminate the Shiya tribe completely."
In the silence, Ji Xia spoke, his tone increasingly cold, "They want to use Jian Gu Mountain as a stronghold, plotting against the surrounding thousand miles of kingdoms? You will cut off their heads and stack them into a ceremonial mound, placing them at a prominent spot in Jian Gu Mountain. If any strong bandits pass by, let them feel their necks, and see if they can withstand the sharp blades!"
"If Jian Gu Mountain is completely destroyed, and cannot support the survival of the Jian Gu humans, bring them back to Tai Cang."
Yan Yi and Yan You's faces suddenly showed great joy, while Ji Qianqing and Shi Yang bowed in acknowledgment.
After a moment's thought, Ji Xia raised his hand and retrieved a golden scissor, handing it to Ji Qianqing.
"The Shiya leader is unlikely to be a strong cultivator with three or four spiritual seals engraved. Such a person wouldn't need to bring a thousand weak soldiers to raid for survival."
"But just in case, take this Dragon Beard Scissors with you. I have already prepared it. If you cannot deal with the Shiya leader, use this scissor. For anyone below the Sixth Heaven of Divine Power, a single cut will end their life."
Ji Qianqing froze for a moment, taking the scissors and thinking to herself, "Sixth Heaven of Divine Power, a single cut to kill? This scissor has such power?"
She recognized it immediately. It was a treasure found when they defeated the Dog-People, but at that time, she hadn't thought much of it. Now, in the hands of the Lord, it exuded terrifying power.
Shi Yang, too, was astonished at the scissors' might, thinking, "These scissors are truly exceptional."
The others took their orders, and the three thousand Tai Cang soldiers, their spiritual energy roaring, exuded a remarkable might.
Just as Ji Qianqing and Shi Yang were about to leave, Ji Xia suddenly looked toward the dense fruit forest.
He spoke aloud, "The chaos in Zhou Qing should be over now, right?"
Ji Qianqing nodded, "Your Lordship's analysis was completely correct. Zhou Qing recalled the soldiers from Cang Qing Mountain to quickly mine the Scarlet Flame Stone."
"Then, perhaps after the mining was completed, Da Fu calmed down, and the internal forces in Zhou Qing had no external pressure, sparking a brutal power struggle for control."
"In just over a month, Zhou Qing's population has decreased by seventy percent, and its military strength is almost completely depleted... Some time ago, I even heard from the reconnaissance unit that the high-level officials of Zhou Qing had realized the severity of the situation and decided to seek peace!"
Ji Xia sneered coldly, "Seek peace? Do they think Tai Cang is a sick cat? That we won't react?"
Ji Qianqing remained silent.
"When you return, enter Zhou Qing's territory and have the two thousand Cang Shou soldiers escort the Jian Gu humans back to Tai Cang."
Ji Xia's face was relaxed, as if casually chatting with Ji Qianqing, "As for you and the one thousand Tai Cang Silver Guards, you can completely wipe out the remaining forces of Zhou Qing."
Ji Qianqing's expression remained calm, without any joy from wiping out an enemy, bowing in acknowledgment.
In her eyes, Zhou Qing had long been on its last breath; all she needed to do was deliver the fatal blow to stop its struggle.
"From this moment on, this fruit forest belongs to Tai Cang."
Ji Xia gazed at the forest, letting out a soft sigh.