----Cangwu Desert, Black Flame Army Camp.
The wind in the Cangwu Desert always carried grains of sand like scattered gold, whipping the Black Flame Army's banner beside the training ground into a flapping roar. The two characters "Murong" embroidered in red gold gleamed coldly beneath the midday sun, reflecting off the armor of the ten thousand Black Flame Army soldiers assembled on the training ground.
Murong Huai wore the Black Dragon Shining Light Armor and a cloak bearing a four-clawed black dragon. He stood on the elevated platform overlooking the training ground.
Soul Power surged, and the Immortal Lord Nine-Arrival Sword appeared in his left hand, radiating an invisible, overbearing presence.
Then he raised his right hand slightly. In an instant, the entire training ground fell silent save for the rustling of windblown sand against armor. Below the platform, the Black Flame Army stood in ten orderly formations: cavalry in front, infantry in the middle, and archers and crossbowmen in the rear, like a frozen black sea.
"Form ranks, everyone!" Tie Yun stepped forward and issued the command to the gathered Black Flame Army, his voice cutting through the wind and sand.
The three thousand cavalrymen in the front rank sprang into action. Their Black-maned Horses reared and neighed, their cries resounding across the desert. The cavalry held long spears, their tips angled toward the sky as black iron tassels fluttered in the wind like rolling dark clouds. Their armor was sealed tight at every joint, and even their horses were wrapped in dark leather, with only clouds of sand flying beneath their hooves.
Next came the four thousand infantrymen. They advanced in perfect step, each footfall making the ground tremble faintly. They were divided into swordsmen with shields and spearmen. Fierce beast faces were painted on the rattan shields,