Fierce Tiger's First Roar

## Chapter Thirty-Five

The strength of the Meridian Condensing Realm mid-stage surged through his meridians, like a ferocious beast that had broken free of a second set of shackles, restless and ravenous. The Fierce Tiger Domain stabilized within a two-zhang radius, dark red energy coiling around him like a living thing, allowing for more precise and intricate control.

Chen Qing emerged from his tent, his gaze sweeping across the training grounds.

The expanded Black Tiger Camp had undergone a complete transformation. Three thousand elite soldiers, their armor gleaming, weapons sharp, maintained a solemn formation. After the hellish training regimens of Old Niu, Sun Quezi, and others, coupled with Chen Qing's occasional "baptisms" of malevolent energy, the new recruits had rapidly acquired a fierce and brutal aura, blending seamlessly with the veterans. The blood and malevolent energy of the three thousand men were faintly connected, forming an invisible, chilling dark red cloud above the camp.

This was a peerless, ferocious blade, fully tempered and awaiting the taste of blood!

"General!" Old Niu, Sun Quezi, and three newly promoted Squad Leaders hurried forward, bowing respectfully, their eyes filled with fervent admiration.

Chen Qing nodded slightly, his gaze fixed northward. "What are the Northern Mang's recent movements?"

Old Niu immediately replied, "Reporting, General, that scoundrel Wuwei suffered a great loss and has completely retreated. Forward scouts report that the Northern Mang's main camp has significantly reinforced its defenses, and their scouts have been reined in considerably. It seems they are truly frightened!"

"Frightened?" A cold arc curved across Chen Qing's lips. "They are not frightened; they are waiting."

"Waiting?" Sun Quezi's eyes flashed. "General, do you mean they are waiting for reinforcements, or... for news from other routes?"

Chen Qing did not answer directly but instead asked, "How much spirit jade do we have left?"

"Of the thousand spirit jades bestowed by His Majesty, General, you used most of it during your seclusion, leaving over two hundred. Additionally, Captain Zhou and the command tent have allocated some cultivation resources, but their quality is average," replied the Squad Leader in charge of logistics.

"Distribute all the spirit jade, along with any elixirs of acceptable quality, to the Squad Leaders and the brothers at the peak of the Skin Refining Realm," Chen Qing ordered. "I want them to increase their strength as much as possible within ten days."

Everyone was stunned, then overjoyed. "Thank you, General!"

Such generous rewards were enough to allow their cultivation to advance further in a short period! The General was clearly planning something big!

"Go and prepare," Chen Qing waved his hand.

The men took their orders and departed. The training on the field intensified, shouts like thunder, malevolent energy filling the sky.

Chen Qing walked alone to the camp's watchtower, gazing into the distance. The Northern Mang's main camp resembled a dormant beast, silent and dangerous. He knew Wuwei would not give up so easily; the temporary quiet was undoubtedly brewing a more violent storm.

Passive defense was not his desire. He needed to take the initiative, to tear open a gap before the storm arrived, or perhaps even... divert the storm elsewhere.

His target was no longer scattered scouts or supply lines, but the Northern Mang's forward support point – the military town that was like a nail driven into the flank of the Great Yan's defense line, guarded by another of Wuwei's great generals, known as the "Mad Wolf," Bater – Wolf Fang Fortress!

If Wolf Fang Fortress could be taken, it would not only sever one of the Northern Mang's tentacles but also greatly boost their own morale, and perhaps even force Wuwei to launch a decisive battle ahead of schedule!

The risk? Attacking a well-established, sturdy military town guarded by a late-stage Meridian Condensing Realm general was naturally extremely risky. But the rewards were equally astonishing! The merit and resources gained from breaching Wolf Fang Fortress far surpassed harassing supply routes. More importantly, it was bound to be a source of higher-quality "malevolent energy" that he desperately needed!

Ten days later.

The atmosphere in the Black Tiger Camp had been stretched to its absolute limit. With Chen Qing's cost-no-object resource allocation, Old Niu and Sun Quezi had successfully broken through to the Meridian Condensing Realm early stage! The other three Squad Leaders had also reached the peak of the Skin Refining Realm, just a step away from breaking through. The overall strength of the Black Tiger Camp had surged significantly!

On this day, at dusk.

Chen Qing summoned all officers above the rank of Squad Leader.

There was no pre-battle mobilization, no rousing speeches. He simply spread out a simplified map of Wolf Fang Fortress and stated in a calm but irrefutably decisive tone:

"Target: Wolf Fang Fortress. Tonight at midnight, we depart."

Silence filled the tent, followed by the sound of heavy breathing. Attacking Wolf Fang Fortress! The General was truly going to do something big!

"Old Niu."

"Your subordinate is here!"

"You will lead your contingent as the vanguard, carrying all siege equipment. Upon arrival, regardless of the cost, attack the South Gate fiercely!"

"Understood!" Fierce light erupted in Old Niu's eyes.

"Sun Quezi."

"Your subordinate is here!"

"You will lead your contingent, flanking to the east of Wolf Fang Fortress. The terrain there is slightly gentler, and the defenses are relatively weaker. When the battle at the South Gate begins, find an opportunity to infiltrate, create chaos, burn the barracks, and cooperate from within!"

"Understood!" Sun Quezi licked his lips like a venomous snake.

"The remaining three teams will follow me in the center to provide support, engaging as the situation dictates."

"Yes!"

Chen Qing's gaze swept over them. "This battle, victory is mandatory, defeat is not an option! Wolf Fang Fortress must be taken! Any who fear battle or retreat will be executed!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!" The generals roared, their malevolent energy filling the tent.

At midnight, under a dark and windy sky.

The three thousand cavalry of the Black Tiger Camp, like a surging black tide in the dead of night, silently left their encampment and swept towards the direction of Wolf Fang Fortress.

Chen Qing rode at the forefront, his mid-stage Meridian Condensing Realm spiritual sense like an invisible spiderweb, covering several miles. He could clearly "see" the three thousand riders behind him, their blood and energy like burning flames, their malevolent energy like condensed dark clouds, converging into an irresistible torrent.

This time, it was not a surprise attack, not a harassment.

It was a righteous army, a force of thunderous might!

He wanted to show the Northern Mang, the Imperial Capital, and everyone under heaven just how terrifying a roar this Black Tiger, cultivated by his own hands, could unleash!

In the darkest hour before dawn, the ferocious silhouette of Wolf Fang Fortress, like a giant wolf's fangs, appeared at the edge of their vision. Torches blazed on the fortress walls, and the figures of patrolling soldiers were clearly visible.

"Halt!" Chen Qing raised his hand.

The three thousand riders instantly reined in their horses, falling into absolute silence. Only the occasional snort from a warhorse was clearly audible in the still night wind.

Chen Qing took a deep breath, feeling the surging power within him and the condensed killing intent and belief of the three thousand fierce soldiers behind him.

He slowly drew the ring-pommel sword from his waist.

The blade was dark red, shrouded in killing aura, emitting a bloodthirsty hum in the darkness.

The next moment, he pointed the tip of his sword forward, his voice not loud, but like a clap of thunder, exploding in the ears of every Black Tiger Camp soldier:

"Black Tiger Camp—"

"Break the formation!"

"ROAR—!"

The three thousand men erupted in earth-shattering roars as if ignited volcanoes! Iron hooves shattered the earth, like a black storm of death, launching a fearless charge towards Wolf Fang Fortress!

The Black Tiger's first roar vowed to drink the blood of Wolf Fang!