Fierce Qi Soars to the Heavens

The news of the battle at Eagle Beak Ravine struck both the Northern Frontier and the Imperial Capital like a colossal boulder.

Inside the Northern Mang royal tent, Left Virtuous King Wuwei stared at the secret report detailing the complete annihilation of the Blood Wolf Guard squad. His face was so grim it could wring water. His five fingers tightened, and the hard jade wine cup instantly turned to dust.

"Chen Qing!" he gritted out the name, his eyes filled with undisguised killing intent and a hint of... apprehension. The Blood Wolf Guard were his elder brother, the Blood Wolf King's, personal retinue, and one of Northern Mang's symbols. To have them wiped out by an unknown Great Yan border general was an utter disgrace!

"Great Marshal, this brat has become a major threat. We can't let him grow any further!" an aide said, bowing. "Should we mobilize the 'Shamanic Sorcerers' under the Grand Tutor, or... request the 'Azure Wolf Death Warriors' from the royal court?"

Wuwei's eyes flickered, but he eventually shook his head slowly. "The Grand Tutor is in seclusion, attempting to break through to a higher realm and cannot be disturbed. The Azure Wolf Death Warriors are the royal court's ultimate trump card, not to be deployed unless it's a war of annihilation."

He stood up and walked to the enormous map of the Northern Frontier, his finger heavily pressing on Chen Qing's defensive sector. "Transmit orders to all units: halt frontal assaults for now. Consolidate forces and focus on hit-and-run tactics with cavalry. Also... raise Chen Qing's bounty to fifty thousand taels of gold and a hundred li of territory! I want to see if this world's desperate outlaws can wear down this Fierce Tiger!"

"Yes!"

***

Imperial Capital, Marquis Zhenbei's Manor.

Han Wenyuan stood once again in the quiet study, presenting the latest Northern Frontier battle report.

Marquis Zhenbei looked at the words on the report – "Chen Qing led his troops to completely annihilate the Northern Mang Blood Wolf Guard squad at Eagle Beak Ravine, slaying a late Meridian Condensing Realm leader in battle" – and remained silent for a long time. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the tabletop, making a soft tok-tok sound.

"The Blood Wolf Guard... even they were defeated," he murmured, his tone betraying no emotion. "This brat's growth speed is beyond imagination."

Han Wenyuan said in a low voice, "My Lord, according to our informants in Northern Mang, Wuwei has already raised his bounty to fifty thousand gold and a hundred li of territory. Furthermore, here in the Imperial Capital, it seems some people are... restless."

He gently placed a secret report on the table, detailing clues of certain factions secretly colluding with Northern Mang, as well as potential instigators behind the ambushes at Soul Severing Valley and Eagle Beak Ravine.

Marquis Zhenbei glanced at it, his eyes growing cold. "Clowns, not worth worrying about. As for this Chen Qing... what is his current reputation in the army?"

"Skyrocketing," Han Wenyuan replied concisely. "The name 'Fierce Tiger' has become almost mythical in the Northern Frontier. The Black Tiger Camp is rumored to be a force of tigers and wolves; many elite border soldiers consider it an honor to join. Word is, even the Marshal's tent has started paying attention to him."

"A tree that stands out in the forest..." Marquis Zhenbei sighed, his gaze returning north with a complex, unreadable expression. "Transmit orders to our people in the Northern Frontier: when necessary... you may offer him some convenience. But remember, do not reveal your identities."

A flicker of surprise crossed Han Wenyuan's eyes, followed by a bow. "This subordinate understands."

***

Black Tiger Camp Garrison.

Chen Qing was unconcerned by the storm brewing outside. He was fully focused on digesting the spoils from the battle at Eagle Beak Ravine.

The five Blood Wolf Guards, especially the late Meridian Condensing Realm leader, provided purer vital energy and malevolent energy than ordinary enemies. The proficiency of Fierce Tiger Iron Body surged, bringing it close to the "Mastered" realm. What surprised him even more was the newly comprehended killing move – Fierce Tiger Roar.

This was not a mere physical attack. It combined the Black Tiger True Intent with highly compressed malevolent energy, unleashed through a special vibrational method that directly impacted the enemy's mind and soul. Its power was astonishing and difficult to defend against.

He decided to practice it in an uninhabited valley outside the camp.

Choosing a giant rock several times his height, Chen Qing calmed his mind. The malevolent energy within him and the Black Tiger True Intent rapidly condensed according to the cultivation route of Fierce Tiger Roar, compressing in his throat.

The next moment, he roared!

"Roar--!"

There was no deafening explosion, only an invisible, intangible, yet destructive wave of dark red sound that spread out like ripples, instantly washing over the giant rock!

Crack... crackle...

Innumerable fine cracks appeared on the rock's surface, followed by a grating sound as it collapsed into dust! Not only that, but wherever the sound wave passed, the weeds on the ground instantly withered and blackened, as if all their vitality had been drained!

[Practiced killing move 'Fierce Tiger Roar', Black Tiger True Intent proficiency +50, Mental energy consumed 15%]

Terrifying power! But the consumption was equally immense! With his current early Meridian Condensing Realm cultivation and soul strength, he could probably only unleash two or three strikes at full power.

"A decent trump card," Chen Qing nodded in satisfaction. Fierce Tiger Roar would be enough to turn the tide in a critical moment.

Besides the killing move, his control over the Fierce Tiger Domain had also become more refined. The range could be stably maintained at about five feet, and he could adjust the domain's suppression intensity and malevolent energy concentration at will. He could even simulate some simple illusions to disrupt the opponent's perception.

He felt as if he were touching the threshold of the mid-Meridian Condensing Realm. All he needed was a catalyst, or... more "resources."

However, for the next half a month, Northern Mang's offensive inexplicably eased. Large-scale attacks ceased, replaced by endless harassment from small cavalry units, buzzing like flies. They weren't fatal, but they were incredibly annoying.

Chen Qing led the Black Tiger Camp out several times, eliminating a few Northern Mang cavalry groups, but the malevolent energy and vital energy gained were like a drop in the bucket compared to before.

He knew Northern Mang had changed its strategy, intending to wear down Great Yan's morale and patience with this method of slow attrition.

"General, this can't go on," Old Niu said, scratching his head irritably. "Those Northern Mang brats have gotten smart. They don't engage us head-on at all. It's not satisfying to kill them, and we don't gain much merit!"

Sun Quezi said sinisterly, "They're waiting. Waiting for us to relax, or... for us to make a mistake."

Chen Qing stood on the watchtower of the camp, gazing at the dust kicked up by the Northern Mang cavalry in the distance, his eyes cold.

He naturally understood Northern Mang's intentions. But he knew even better that he couldn't afford to wait. The existence of the system meant he had to grow rapidly through killing. This stalemate was a slow suicide for him.

The deadlock must be broken!

His gaze swept over the restless soldiers below, who were agitated by their idleness, then looked further north, towards the direction of the Northern Mang army's encampment.

A bold and crazy idea gradually took shape in his mind.

Instead of passively waiting, why not... take the initiative!

The target: Northern Mang's vital grain supply base – Wild Wolf Plains!

If successful, it would not only cripple Northern Mang and acquire immense resources but also completely break the current stalemate!

The risk? Naturally, it was a near-certain death. But fortune favors the bold, and the path of martial arts is one of defying heaven!

He turned and walked down the watchtower, saying in a deep voice to Old Niu and Sun Quezi, who were following closely behind:

"Pass down the order: the entire Black Tiger Camp, travel light and with a small entourage, carrying five days' worth of dry rations, and ensure bows and crossbows are fully stocked."

The two of them were taken aback, "General, where are we going?"

A flash of dark red ferocity flickered and disappeared in Chen Qing's eyes.

"We're going to raid the Northern Mang's lair."