Chapter 31: Chapter 31 - The Wilderness Chronicles: Seeking Immortality

"Spectacular!"

"Wonderful!"

Mr. Jingzhi, who had been watching the battle from behind the crowd, laughed.

Master Jingzhi, who had watched the battle from behind the crowd, smiled.

Especially when he saw Zhou Hao blend the true meaning of wind with his footwork more and more perfectly, his whole body seemed ready to ride the wind away at any moment, and the light in his eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Especially as he watched Zhou Hao blend the True Meaning of Wind with his footwork more and more perfectly, until he seemed ready to ride the wind away at any moment, the light in Master Jingzhi's eyes grew ever brighter.

"The Crimsonbright Nine Heavens Chart has reached the Xiantian stage, divine sense has manifested, and he's comprehended the true meaning of wind..." Mr. Jingzhi murmured. "Moonshadow, before my time is up, were you the one who sent him here?"

"The Chiming Nine Heavens Map has entered the Xiantian realm, his divine sense has manifested, and he's comprehended the True Meaning of Wind..." Master Jingzhi murmured. "Yueying, did you send him to me before my time runs out?"

The winner was decided!

The victor had been decided!

On the training grounds, the same thought flashed through everyone's mind.

Everyone at the Drill Ground had the same thought.

When even Hu Yong's most prized movement technique couldn't match Zhou Hao's, the outcome was already sealed.

When even Hu Yong's most vaunted footwork proved inferior to Zhou Hao's, the outcome had been sealed.

"I concede." Hu Yong's voice rang out, tinged with bitterness.

Then he pulled away and turned to leap off the platform.

He then disengaged and leaped down from the arena.

Whoosh! Zhou Hao's figure also came to a halt after Hu Yong leaped away.

Whoosh! Zhou Hao stopped as soon as Hu Yong leaped away.

"He conceded?"

Now only Zhou Hao remained on the platform, and everyone's gaze gathered on him.

Now he was the only one left on the arena, and everyone's gaze was fixed on Zhou Hao.

Zhou Hao stood there, looking up toward the stands at the front of the training grounds.

Zhou Hao stood there and looked up at the grandstand at the front of the Drill Ground.

There, the Lord of Yulong City, the general of the Azure Flood Dragon Army, and the Myriad Manifestations Adept Mu Xuan were watching him with warm smiles.

There, the lord of Jade Dragon City and general of the Green Flood Dragon Army, Myriad Phenomena True Person Mu Xuan, was watching him with a smile.

"I hereby declare that this selection of new commanders is over! The new commander of the Fifth Company of the Yulong Army is—Zhou Hao!"

"I hereby declare the newcomer commander selection concluded! The new commander of the Jade Dragon Army's Fifth Squad is—Zhou Hao!"

Adept Mu Xuan's voice rang across heaven and earth, lingering over the vast training grounds for a long time.

True Person Muxuan's voice resounded through the heavens and earth, lingering over the vast Drill Ground.

轰~~~~

Rumble~~~~

"Zhou Hao!"

The Xiantian beings, who had been silent all this while, suddenly erupted into loud cheers.

The Xiantian Lifeforms, who had been silent until now, suddenly erupted into cheers.

Whether it was his destruction of the vinewood puppet in a single breath or his movement technique's overwhelming superiority over Hu Yong, Zhou Hao's strength had won over every Xiantian being on the training grounds.

Whether it was his destruction of the Vine Wood Puppet in a single breath or his footwork overwhelming Hu Yong, Zhou Hao's strength had won over every Xiantian Lifeform at the Drill Ground.

Though Zhou Hao had been calm before, the earth-shaking cheers stirred a wave of excitement in him. He cupped his fists and saluted the crowd.

Zhou Hao, who had been calm until then, felt wave after wave of excitement as the earth-shaking cheers rang out. He cupped his fists and saluted the crowd.

"That's...?"

"What's that?"

A lonely, desolate figure appeared in Zhou Hao's sight. "Mr. Jingzhi?"

A somewhat lonely, solitary figure caught Zhou Hao's eye. "Master Jingzhi?"

"Zhou Hao, come up to the stands." Adept Mu Xuan's voice reached him. With no time to think further, Zhou Hao leaped off the platform and headed for the stands.

"Zhou Hao, come up to the grandstand," True Person Muxuan called. Zhou Hao had no time to think further. He leaped down from the arena and headed for the grandstand.

The Xiantian beings below parted to make way for him, their gazes filled with admiration and envy.

The Xiantian Lifeforms below made way for him, their gazes filled with admiration and envy.

A commander!

Even the Violet Palace cultivators of the several hegemon clans of the Great Wilderness Plains treated a commander of the Azure Flood Dragon Army of Yulong City as an equal.

Even Purple Mansion Cultivators from the Great Wild Plains' major hegemonic clans treated a commander of Jade Dragon City's Green Flood Dragon Army as an equal.

Not to mention that once he became a commander, he would receive one high-grade primordial stone each month, and would have the chance to enter an immortal sect as an inner disciple in the future.

What's more, after becoming a commander, he would receive one High-Grade Origin Stone each month, and might one day enter an immortal sect as an inner disciple.

"General." Zhou Hao walked up to the stands and respectfully saluted Adept Mu Xuan.

"General." Zhou Hao stepped onto the grandstand and bowed respectfully to True Person Muxuan.

"Zhou Hao." Adept Mu Xuan looked at him. "Starting today, you are the commander of the Fifth Company of my Yulong Army!"

"Zhou Hao." True Person Muxuan looked at him. "From this day forward, you are the commander of my Jade Dragon Army's Fifth Squad!"

"Yes!" Zhou Hao replied loudly.

"Yes!" Zhou Hao answered loudly.

"Present him with the command talisman and Yulong armor!" Adept Mu Xuan said.

"Present the Command Token and Jade Dragon Armor!" True Person Muxuan ordered.

At once, the silver-haired elder beside them rose and walked over to Zhou Hao. With a flip of his hand, a tray appeared.

At once, the silver-haired old man beside them rose and walked up to Zhou Hao. With a flip of his hand, a tray appeared.

On the tray lay a set of black, old-fashioned armor, with a black command talisman resting on top.

On the tray lay a set of simple, ancient black armor, with a black command token resting on top.

Zhou Hao accepted them solemnly.

"Zhou Hao, every commander in my Yulong Army receives a set of black jade dragon armor. The talismanic markings on it let you form a Dao-soldier formation with your men, combining your true essence into one. Even Violet Palace cultivators can be matched in battle." The silver-haired elder smiled gently. "Put on the black jade dragon armor first, then refine the commander's talisman."

"Zhou Hao, every commander in my Jade Dragon Army receives a set of Black Jade Dragon Armor. The runes on it allow you and your soldiers to form a Dao Soldier Formation, combining your true essence into one. Even a Purple Mansion Cultivator can be challenged," the silver-haired old man said with a gentle smile. "Change into the Black Jade Dragon Armor first, then refine the Commander's Command Token."

"Yes. Thank you, Elder Ji." Zhou Hao bowed.

Before going up to the stands, Zhou Hao had asked Zhao Hu about the two deputy generals and several commanders of the Azure Flood Dragon Army. He knew the silver-haired elder was named Ji Kang and was said to be a collateral descendant of the Guangling Marquis Ji clan, as well as the most senior member of the Azure Flood Dragon Army. He had been stationed in Yulong City for several hundred years. Even the general addressed him as "Elder Ji." He was a powerful Qi Refining cultivator who had reached the peak of the Violet Palace realm.

Before going up to the grandstand, Zhou Hao had asked Zhao Hu about the Green Flood Dragon Army's two vice-generals and its commanders. He knew the silver-haired old man was named Ji Kang, and was said to be a collateral descendant of the Ji Clan of the Marquis of Guangling. He was the longest-serving member of the Green Flood Dragon Army, having guarded Jade Dragon City for several hundred years. Even the general addressed him as "Elder Ji." He was a powerful Qi-refining cultivator at the peak of the Purple Mansion realm.

Zhou Hao refined the command talisman, which had the words "Commander" carved on the front and a flood dragon design on the back, then changed into the black jade dragon armor. Seeing Cao Rong wiggling his eyebrows at him, he went over and stood beside him.

Zhou Hao refined the command token, with the words "Commander" engraved on its front and a flood dragon design on its back, then changed into the Black Jade Dragon Armor. He saw Cao Rong winking at him and went to stand beside him.

"Brother, you're something else. You just made me twenty high-grade primordial stones." Cao Rong lowered his voice. "No need to say anything else. Dinner at the Cuiyun Pavilion is on me tonight. Pick whichever girl you like..."

"Brother, you really came through. I made twenty High-Grade Origin Stones this time," Cao Rong said in a low voice. "No need to say more. I'm treating you at the Emerald Cloud Pavilion tonight. Pick whichever girl you like..."

"You beast!" a soft scold came from beside them.

"Beast!" a woman snapped from nearby.

Zhou Hao turned to look.

It was a tall, stunningly beautiful woman.

She was a tall, stunningly beautiful woman.

Even beneath the black jade dragon armor, her prominent curves still stood out. Combined with the mature charm of a young married woman, she was dazzling.

The pronounced curves beneath her Black Jade Dragon Armor, coupled with the mature charm of a young wife, made her all the more captivating.

"Yunyun, I'm only going to the Cuiyun Pavilion to drink and listen to music. At most, I'll chat with the girls there." Cao Rong hurriedly explained. "I'm just arranging a celebration for Brother Zhou Hao."

"Yunyun, I'm only going to the Emerald Cloud Pavilion to drink, listen to music, and at most have a chat with the girls," Cao Rong hastily explained. "I'm just arranging a little celebration for Brother Zhou Hao."

"Hmph. What you two do has nothing to do with me." The woman turned her head away and ignored them.

Zhou Hao felt somewhat helpless.

Zhou Hao was somewhat at a loss.

The woman was named Yang Yun. She was the only woman among the four commanders and came from a collateral branch of the Yang clan, one of the hegemon tribes of the Great Wilderness Plains.

The woman was named Yang Yun. She was the only woman among the four commanders and came from a collateral branch of the Yang Clan, one of the hegemonic tribes of the Great Wild Plains.

Her family had arranged for her to marry into another hegemon tribe, the Hu clan. Later, for reasons no one knew, she fell out with her husband's family. After leaving the Hu clan, she did not return to the Yang clan. Instead, she came to Yulong City, joined the Xiantian Battalion, and became commander of the Fourth Company.

Her family had arranged for her to marry into another hegemonic tribe, the Hu Clan. Later, for reasons unknown, she fell out with her husband's family. After leaving the Hu Clan, she didn't return to the Yang Clan. Instead, she came to Jade Dragon City, joined the Xiantian Battalion, and became commander of the Fourth Squad.

Zhao Hu had said that ever since Yang Yun arrived, Cao Rong had been pursuing her relentlessly.

"He really lives up to his name as the head of the 'Four Beasts of Yulong'—Cao Rong, who only likes married women."

"Just as expected of Boss Cao, one of the 'Four Beasts of Jade Dragon' who only has eyes for young wives."

Thinking of how proud Zhao Hu was to be ranked among the "Four Beasts of Yulong," Zhou Hao could only silently admire him.

Remembering how pleased Zhao Hu had been to be counted among the "Four Beasts of Jade Dragon," Zhou Hao could only marvel inwardly.

"Kid Zhou, here's the wager you won."

"Kid Zhou, here's the bet you won."

A streak of light suddenly flew over, and Zhou Hao reached out to catch it.

A streak of light suddenly shot over, and Zhou Hao reached out to catch it.

It was a storage ring.

"Thank you, Lord Baili." Zhou Hao smiled and bowed.

"I went to all that trouble just to do the work for you." Ren Baili glared at Zhou Hao. "Your movement technique looks pretty good, but it still needs work. After the tournament, I'll give you a hand and polish it up a bit."

"I went to all that trouble, and it was all for your benefit." Ren Baili glared at Zhou Hao. "Your footwork looks good to me, but it still needs work. Once the martial contest is over, I'll give you a hand and polish it up some more."

Zhou Hao's smile froze.

If you want to hit me, just say so. Why dress it up as "polishing"...

If you want to beat me up, just say so. No need to talk about "polishing"...

What is this nonsense?

What kind of mess was this?

But Zhao Hu had told him that Deputy General Ren Baili had come from humble beginnings. He had once been the leader of a band of pirates on the Eastern Sea, but later grew tired of risking his life for ill-gotten gains and submitted to Yulong City. He was a body-refining cultivator who had reached the late Violet Palace stage. His whole body was as hard as diamond, and his strength was formidable.

Still, according to Zhao Hu, Vice-General Ren Baili had come from a rough-and-ready background. He had once led a band of pirates on the East Sea, but later grew tired of the cutthroat business that brought no steady income and surrendered to Jade Dragon City. He was a powerful body-refining cultivator in the late Purple Mansion realm, his entire body as hard as diamond.

In the Azure Flood Dragon Army, Ren Baili had a strong air of a rough-and-tumble martial hero, and he didn't put on the airs of a Violet Palace cultivator. The soldiers of the Xiantian Battalion loved him.

In the Green Flood Dragon Army, Ren Baili's strong outlaw air and lack of a Purple Mansion Cultivator's airs had earned him the affection of the Xiantian Battalion soldiers.

When they were short on cultivation resources or primordial stones, they could go to Lord Baili for an emergency loan. Naturally, they had to pay the necessary interest.

Whenever they ran short of cultivation resources or Origin Stones, they could go to Lord Baili for a temporary loan. Of course, the necessary interest was never waived.

He owned the biggest gambling house in the eastern district of Yulong City.

The biggest gambling den in East City, Jade Dragon City, was his business.

Zhou Hao had been appointed commander of the Fifth Company and was standing with Cao Rong and Yang Yun.

Zhou Hao had been appointed commander of the Fifth Squad and stood with Cao Rong and Yang Yun.

On the other side, Shangguan Yun, Shangguan Yu, and four other newcomers at the late Xiantian stage had been summoned to the stands by the silver-haired elder Ji Kang. They, too, were awarded command talismans and armor.

On the other side were Shangguan Yun, Shangguan Yu, and four other newcomers in the late Xiantian stage. The silver-haired elder Ji Kang called them up to the grandstand as well, where they too received command tokens and armor.

According to the Yulong Army's ranks, apart from the commander, a company had 125 Xiantian beings and five squad leaders. Now, however, there was one person too many.

According to the Jade Dragon Army's establishment, each squad had 125 Xiantian Lifeforms besides its commander, divided among five platoon leaders. This time, however, there was one extra person.

"My sister and I are skilled at combined attacks. You can count us as one person," Shangguan Yun said to the silver-haired elder Ji Kang.

"My sister and I excel at combined attacks. You can count us as one," Shangguan Yun said to the silver-haired elder Ji Kang.

"That's fine," Ji Kang replied indifferently. "But the other person's pay can only be at squad leader level."

"Fine," Ji Kang said indifferently. "But the other person's pay will have to be calculated at the squad leader rate."

"No problem, no problem." Shangguan Yun nodded repeatedly.

Seeing this, Zhou Hao smiled. Wasn't that still one squad leader and one deputy squad leader?

Zhou Hao smiled at the sight. Wasn't that still one platoon leader and one squad leader?

"Hmm?"

"Hm?"

Just then, Zhou Hao felt a cold gaze on him.

At that moment, Zhou Hao felt a cold gaze on him.

When he looked over, the other person had already closed his eyes, as if he had never opened them.

By the time he looked over, the other person had already closed his eyes, as if they had never been open.

"Li Zhan?"

Zhou Hao was curious about the cold young man, who also cultivated the Crimsonbright Nine Heavens Chart and had already reached the sixth layer, the peak of the Xiantian stage, only one step away from becoming a Violet Palace cultivator.

Zhou Hao was curious about the aloof young man, who also cultivated the Chiming Nine Heavens Map and had reached the peak of the sixth Xiantian stage, only one step away from becoming a Purple Mansion Cultivator.

In the information Zhao Hu had given him, Li Zhan was described as mysterious.

In the information Zhao Hu had given him, Li Zhan was described with one word: mysterious.

His background and origins were unknown. The only thing they knew was that he was Adept Mu Xuan's disciple, whom the general had brought into the Xiantian Battalion.

His origins and background were unknown. All they knew was that he was True Person Muxuan's disciple, whom the general had brought into the Xiantian Battalion.

He had displayed astonishing strength on numerous missions and was the undisputed top expert in the Xiantian Battalion.

He had displayed astonishing strength on many missions and was unquestionably the Xiantian Battalion's top expert.

He was simply extremely cold and never interacted with anyone. He had no real hobbies either; he was a cultivation fanatic who seemed to practice at any time and in any setting.

He was simply extremely aloof, never interacting with anyone and having no particular interests. He was a cultivation fanatic, seemingly training anywhere, anytime, no matter the occasion.

Thinking of the cold gaze devoid of any emotion that his divine sense had just detected, Zhou Hao smiled and paid it no mind.

Remembering the emotionless, icy gaze he had sensed with his divine awareness, Zhou Hao smiled and paid it no mind.

The Third Company commander, Guo De, standing beside Li Zhan, was quite friendly.

The Third Squad's commander, Guo De, standing beside Li Zhan, was much friendlier.

When he saw Zhou Hao looking their way, Guo De cupped his fists from afar and sent him a voice transmission of admiration.

Seeing Zhou Hao look their way, Guo De cupped his hands from afar and sent him a voice transmission of praise.

Zhou Hao hurriedly returned the salute.

Zhou Hao quickly returned the salute.

Now, that was more like it!

Now that was more like it!

A cultivation fanatic like Li Zhan was clearly showing one of the signs of social withdrawal, wasn't he?

A cultivation fanatic like Li Zhan was clearly showing signs of social anxiety, wasn't he?

The Daoists spoke of engaging with the world and withdrawing from it. If you didn't enter the world and experience its mortal affairs, how could you cultivate the state of mind needed to withdraw from it and pursue the immortal path?

Daoism spoke of entering the world and leaving it. Without experiencing the Red Dust, how could one cultivate the state of mind needed to withdraw from the world and pursue the Immortal Dao?

Besides, what was the point of becoming an immortal if you cast aside every human emotion?

And if you cast aside every human emotion, what would be the point of becoming an immortal?

Zhou Hao sighed inwardly.

Just then, he heard the silver-haired elder Ji Kang announce the end of the tournament. Next, each company would arrange to change into their uniforms together, and the military would transmit the new Dao-soldier formation into every person's identity talisman.

Just then, the silver-haired elder Ji Kang announced that the martial contest had ended. Next, each squad would change into its new armor, and the military would transmit the new Dao Soldier Formation into everyone's identity token.

Chapter 31

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