A Brand New Journey

The night grew deeper, and bonfires blazed in the Vanguard Camp. Soldiers sat around them, cleaning their weapons and tending to their wounds. Though weary, their faces couldn't hide the joy of victory. The air was filled with the aroma of roasted meat, spoils from the battle with the Exotic Races.

Fang Yan sat before his tent, gazing at the lively scene, but his heart felt heavy. Though they had won, the cost was immense. Hundreds of soldiers were gone forever, their faces still vivid in his mind. He took out a flask of wine, poured a cup, and sprinkled it on the ground. "Brothers, rest in peace. I will lead everyone to fulfill our mission."

Zhao Hu and Li Gang walked over, their expressions turning somber as they saw Fang Yan. Zhao Hu patted his shoulder. "Commander, don't blame yourself too much. War always comes with a price. It's already a great achievement that we won this battle."

Li Gang nodded. "Indeed, Commander. Not only did we repel the Exotic Races' army, but you also broke through to the Martial King Third Layer and unlocked new functions. This is all great news for us."

Fang Yan took a deep breath, suppressing his emotions, and nodded. "You're right. Now is not the time for sadness; we have more important things to do. The Exotic Races' army may have been repelled, but they won't give up easily. We must recover our strength quickly and prepare for the next battle."

"Yes!" Zhao Hu and Li Gang responded in unison.

Fang Yan stood up and looked at the soldiers by the bonfire. "Pass down the order: get a good rest tonight. Tomorrow morning, we break camp and set out to continue investigating the Exotic Races' movements."

"Yes!"

The next morning, the Vanguard Camp broke camp and set out. After the great battle yesterday, the soldiers' morale was higher than ever, knowing they had a powerful Commander leading them. Fang Yan, while on the move, studied the System's newly unlocked "Martial Skill Fusion" function.

He opened the System panel to check the requirements for fusing Martial Skills. Fusing two Martial Skills required Experience Points, and the skills had to be of the same type, such as both spear techniques or both fist techniques. He currently knew the spear technique Prairie Fire Spear Technique, and the fist techniques Great Desolation Prison Heaven Finger and Five Finger Fist Heart Sword.

"I'll try fusing the fist techniques first," Fang Yan decided. He selected Great Desolation Prison Heaven Finger and Five Finger Fist Heart Sword and clicked the fusion button.

[Ding! Do you wish to consume Experience Points to fuse Great Desolation Prison Heaven Finger and Five Finger Fist Heart Sword?]

"Yes!"

[Ding! Fusion has begun. Estimated time: 10 minutes.]

As Experience Points were deducted, Fang Yan felt the power of the two Martial Skills intertwining and merging within him. A new power was being born. Ten minutes later, the System's voice sounded again.

[Ding! Martial Skill fusion successful. New Martial Skill obtained: Prison Heaven Sword Finger.]

Fang Yan immediately checked the attributes of Prison Heaven Sword Finger.

Prison Heaven Sword Finger: High-grade Earth-tier Martial Skill. Fuses finger force and sword energy, granting infinite power. Can emit finger-swords from a distance with extreme penetration, and can also immobilize enemies. Proficiency: 0/.

"Excellent! A High-grade Earth-tier Martial Skill!" Fang Yan rejoiced. The power of Prison Heaven Sword Finger was several times stronger than using Great Desolation Prison Heaven Finger and Five Finger Fist Heart Sword individually.

He couldn't wait to test the power of this new Martial Skill. He found a clear area, circulated his true qi, and condensed it on his finger. With a flick of his finger, a sharp finger-sword shot out, striking a large rock in the distance.

"BOOM!" The boulder instantly shattered, leaving a bottomless pit in the ground. Moreover, the moment the finger-sword was unleashed, the surrounding space seemed to be momentarily frozen.

"So powerful!" Zhao Hu and Li Gang happened to pass by and couldn't help but exclaim as they witnessed this.

Fang Yan smiled. "This is a new Martial Skill I fused, called Prison Heaven Sword Finger. With it, we have another sharp weapon to deal with the Exotic Races."

Just then, a scout ran over in a hurry. "Commander! Bad news! We've discovered an Exotic Races' city ahead!"

Fang Yan's heart sank. "An Exotic Races' city? Take me to see it!"

He followed the scout to a high ground and looked forward. In the distance, on the plains, stood a massive city. The city walls were built of black giant stones, tens of feet high, covered with ferocious bone spurs. Several Exotic Races soldiers stood at the city gate, weapons in hand, vigilantly scanning their surroundings.

"It seems this is a major stronghold of the Exotic Races," Fang Yan said grimly. He could sense many powerful auras within the city, including cultivators in the middle and even late Profound Connection Realm.

Zhao Hu frowned. "Commander, this city appears to be heavily fortified. If we attack head-on, we might suffer heavy losses."

Li Gang nodded. "Yes, Commander. Besides, we don't know how many Exotic Races soldiers are inside. A blind attack would be too dangerous."

Fang Yan pondered for a moment and said, "Let's not alert them yet. Zhao Hu, lead a team to the rear of the city and scout the situation. Li Gang, lead a team to conceal yourselves around the city and monitor the Exotic Races' movements. I will lead the remaining men to stand by here. Report immediately if anything happens."

"Yes!" Zhao Hu and Li Gang accepted the orders and left.

Fang Yan looked at the Exotic Races' city in the distance, a cold glint in his eyes. He knew a greater battle was imminent. But this time, with Prison Heaven Sword Finger and his strength at the Martial King Third Layer, he was confident he could defeat the enemy.

"System, this time, we will definitely win," he murmured in his heart.

Just then, he felt a powerful aura emanating from the city, as if someone had discovered them. His heart leaped, and he immediately ordered, "All troops, prepare for battle!"

The soldiers quickly formed ranks, weapons in hand, ready to face the enemy.

The city gate of the Exotic Races slowly opened, and a troop of soldiers rushed out, led by an Exotic Races general in the late Profound Connection Realm. He looked at Fang Yan and his men, his eyes filled with killing intent. "Humans, how dare you spy on our city? Today, none of you will leave!"

Fang Yan sneered, condensing finger force in his hand. "Then let's try!"

A new battle erupted once more.