Qingxiu Base.
Training Hall.
Liu Rui came to the center of the fighting arena bare-chested, wearing wide-legged pants and stepping barefoot on the floor.
A dozen muscular men were warming up. When they saw Liu Rui arrive, they all came forward, lined up, and bowed respectfully. "Good day, Mister Liu!"
Liu Rui nodded, picked at his ear with his pinky, and asked, "Any new developments from Smiling Tiger's side?"
A burly man covered in knotted muscles raised his head and said, "Nothing for now. They're still pursuing the enemy convoy, and no new information has been sent back."
Liu Rui flicked his finger and said, "I keep feeling that Red Ghost won't be that simple. Perhaps Smiling Tiger is going to suffer a major loss this time."
He then loosened up, stretching his muscles and bones as crackling sounds rang out from all over his body.
Finally, Liu Rui rotated his wrists and looked at everyone. "Let's warm up first."
The muscular man from before flashed a mouthful of white teeth. "Coming right up."
He turned and walked away. When he returned, he was carrying a heavy shield.
The heavy shield was a meter tall and astonishingly thick. It felt extremely heavy.
An ordinary person could not even lift it. Even a high-level cultivator like the muscular man found it difficult to carry.
Bang.
He set the heavy shield on the ground, gripped it tightly with both hands, spread his legs slightly, and assumed a stance in which he could brace against the shield with all his strength.
Only then did he nod at Liu Rui.
Liu Rui flexed his fingers, making a fist. When he clenched his fist, the muscles on his arm writhed like snakes, radiating an aura of strength.
Standing in front of the heavy shield, Liu