Military School Seeks the Worthy; Envoys Fear Divine Powers

"Was I seeing things? It looked like I was seeing Exiled Immortal?"

In the barracks, the veterans withdrew their gazes, looked at each other, and murmured to themselves.

A faint Martial Thought drifted around them, flowing back through their pores and orifices. The vital Qi and Blood contained within was almost exhausted, but it was mixed with an indescribable insight that merged into everyone's hearts.

However, enlightenment is a mysterious and profound thing, and one needs to have certain experiences to understand its deep meaning. Many ordinary soldiers don't even know how to read, so they can't effectively understand slightly complex or obscure sentences, let alone such enlightenment.

It's not that they're stupid, but rather that their environment has prevented them from having any accumulated knowledge or skills. It's like having no tools at hand; even the smartest person can't react effectively without them.

However, most of the insights gained from returning to Martial Thought originate from the heart. Although they cannot be understood at present, they will remain in the heart and can be understood in the future by combining them with words and deeds.

Of course, not everyone was unable to understand it. Among the soldiers, there were some who could taste a bit of the meaning, including Old Kai, who was hiding in the camp.

This veteran, despised by everyone, received Qiu Yan's Qi and Blood and immediately felt refreshed and energetic, shaking off his sickly appearance. When Qiu Yan had stirred up the Martial Thought of the entire camp, he had also felt something. Now, feeling the Martial Thought flowing back, he had an epiphany and walked out of the tent, just in time to see Qiu Yan's figure flying away with a crane in his hand. He seemed to be deep in thought.

"This top scholar fought that chieftain without being at a disadvantage, and now he's even given chase. Perhaps he's the legendary figure who has grasped the true essence of Order. My hard work might just be able to flourish under his guidance..."

As he was thinking, he was suddenly targeted by several malicious gazes. Helpless, Old Kai had no choice but to retreat back to his tent and curl up in a corner.

On the other hand.

Generals Xiao Lan and Yuan Xing arrived at this location, leading the soldiers in their camp to gather their Martial Thought Qi and Blood to support Qiu Yan's attack.

It can be said that Qiu Yan's actions this time were largely due to the support of Xiao Lan and others. However, even without their help, Qiu Yan had other ways to deal with the situation, but he was unable to grasp the deeper meaning of Military School or test the Military School's attitude.

This is simply a different choice; the gathering of troops and generals' Martial Thought is not only for fighting enemies, but also allows Qiu Yan to further refine his understanding of Human Path and deepen his understanding of the Zhou Rao Order —killing multiple birds with one stone.

Unlike the soldiers who were gossiping, Xiao Lan and the other generals had an extraordinary feeling about the returning Martial Thought. Even though Qiu Yan and the Left Wise King had left and the terrifying celestial phenomena were slowly dissipating, they still kept their eyes closed, sensing the returning Martial Thought and cultivating some insights.

Shock!

Suddenly, Lu Jiang's body trembled, his Qi and Blood reversed, his muscles and bones shook, and blood flowed from his seven orifices!

"Huh?" This sudden change startled the others who were meditating with their eyes closed, and they all turned their attention to it.

Xiao Lan swayed and arrived beside Lu Jiang. She placed her hand against his back and transmitted a wisp of extremely pure True Qi. The energy circulated within Lu Jiang's body, slowly spreading and calming the chaotic and tangled True Qi and Qi and Blood in his meridians.

"Phew~" Lu Jiang let out a long breath, disregarding his image and status, and plopped down on the ground, his face showing lingering fear. "Good heavens, this enlightenment is indeed not something that can be easily grasped. I was slightly touched and wanted to absorb it all at once to break through the bottleneck, but I lost control and the backlash almost killed me!"

Yuan Xing walked over, looked at Lu Jiang's grim face, and shook his head. "The insights gained from Martial Thought's return, through Qiu Yan's heart, are the most precious exposition of the true meaning of Order. He should be in seclusion to study it diligently. Even if he is in the border region and in charge of the army, he should not rashly operate it if he does not have the time. How can the mysteries of Order be easily controlled?"

"Not bad," Xiao Lan withdrew her hand and nodded in agreement. "In the past, when we led troops and encountered the Left Wise King of Rouluo, he always manipulated the Order and pressured our army. We were forced to passively endure and defend more than we attacked. To win, we had to put in much more effort and strategize than the enemy. Now, we can finally experience what it feels like to have the support of Military School Order."

"Lord Marquis is right!" Lu Jiang cross-legged and regulated his breathing, taking a couple of breaths until his complexion returned to normal. He then sprang to his feet. "Our spies sent to Rouluo said that after this Order has stirred the will and Qi and Blood, returning will bring great gains. Today I experienced it firsthand, and the insights that came back are invaluable to us. No wonder those who swore allegiance to that chieftain were able to improve so quickly!"

"Their rapid progress is not solely due to the feedback from the Military School Order," Yuan Xing shook his head, a thoughtful expression on his face. "However, I now understand why the spies sent to the Hu Tribe were discovered so quickly."

Xiao Lan glanced at him and nodded, saying, "I've also figured this out. It seems that after the Order was disrupted, the spies' Qi and Blood and will were also affected and sensed by the Left Wise King. How could they not be exposed? But it is precisely because of this that the importance of Military School Order is highlighted! Qiu Yan must not be given to the Confucianism!"

Lu Jiang immediately said, "As expected of the Marquis! You hit the nail on the head! If Mr. Qiu stayed, he could mobilize the Military School Order from time to time and give us feedback. Wouldn't that be wonderful?" As he spoke, he imagined the future and couldn't help but yearn for it.

Yuan Xing shook his head and said, "Don't think so highly of yourself. To cleanse your marrow and strengthen your meridians with Order every day is such a great blessing. If your own Fortune cannot bear it, the final result will be like the four wise generals of the past, dying young and violently on the Sand Battlefield!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Jiang's face turned ashen. Recalling the four great generals of past dynasties and the few who had just perished, he quickly shook his head and said, "In that case, it's better not to keep Qiu Yan alive. Let him go and wreak havoc on the Confucianism."

"You..." Yuan Xing shook his head helplessly again, then said to Xiao Lan, "My lord, although our ideas are good, we still need to consider other matters."

Lu Jiang then asked, "However, why did the Left Wise King leave so decisively?"

At this moment, a slightly weathered voice rang out—

"That's because the Dragon Qi clashed, Order retreated. Even if he Thought-Convergent Order, he would find it difficult to maintain control. Without Order, a cultivator with Divine Ability alone cannot suppress a battle-hardened lion. If he stays, he will be surrounded by the army just like that ordinary cultivator!"

What can suppress a large army is not the Divine Ability of cultivators, but the Military School Order. In comparison, no matter how powerful the cultivators are in combat, they cannot harm the military formation in the slightest!

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Elder Xu.

The old man sighed, "You only saw Qiu Yan confronting the enemy with Order, but you didn't notice the Confucianism contained in his few strokes of ink. If I'm not mistaken, Qiu Yan's understanding of Human Path Order is already showing signs of transformation. Those few strokes of his ink already have the rudiments of the Sage Spirit, Creation from Nothing, almost tangible!"

"So impressive!" Lu Jiang knew what this Creation from Nothing meant and was startled upon hearing this. "Such a powerful figure must be brought to our Military School, but how could the Confucianism be willing to let him go?" He suddenly changed his mind again.

But Xiao Lan, standing to the side, said in a deep voice, "It's not impossible. I don't know what Qiu Yan's plans are, but he displayed his Divine Ability today, exposing himself to everyone. We Military School are fine, but even if the people in the city see it and spread it around, it'll just be a strange tale. But don't forget, there's also an envoy delegation from Three Rivers in the city, all of whom are high-ranking officials of the court, educated in Confucianism Sage. Seeing this situation, they will definitely take action and send memorials. Even if they don't make Qiu Yan lose his position, he won't be able to hold a position in the court for several years. This is Military School opportunity!"

"Indeed," Elder Xu nodded. "I heard that the Mohist School also discovered a virtuous and capable person two years ago, and went so far as to issue the Giant's Decree, expending manpower and resources to search for him. The other schools have also made moves, showing that they all realize that this reform will either lead to a complete overthrow of the regime or a major power struggle, and they are unwilling to miss the opportunity. The Military School should not lag behind either. However, we cannot allow the Confucianism to harm Qiu Yan. We should explain the matter clearly to the envoy..."

While the generals were discussing, Meng Qingbin, the chief envoy of the delegation, stared at the sky where the strange phenomenon was gradually subsiding, revealing a hint of horror.

"Qiu Yan is so powerful! I've heard Lineage elders talk about his ability to summon objects from nothingness before. It's said that top figures in the Daoist Sect can do this! Anyone who can do this is a true prodigy! So, could Qiu Yan be some old monster from the Daoist Sect in disguise? Or perhaps he possessed another's body? Or maybe he's simply a reincarnation?"

As various thoughts flashed through his mind, Meng Qingbin's desire to deal with Qiu Yan immediately faded, and instead, he felt fear!

"Such a powerful being, with boundless Divine Abilities, is not someone we can defeat by force! To be his enemy would be too foolish. Even if we force him to leave the court, what good would it do? If we anger him, Official Qi with the protection of the Dragon Court, we will not be able to withstand it. Not only will I be unlucky, but my descendants will also be plagued by endless troubles!" Sometimes, power that exceeds the limits can actually make others restrain their thoughts.

Having figured this out, Meng Qingbin's rationality became even clearer, and he completely abandoned any intention to make a move. However, he was willing to risk his life and fortune to go on a mission to Three Rivers, and he would be unwilling to let Qiu Yan steal the credit.

"Yes, I won't make a move, but it might be better if..."

As he pondered this, he withdrew his gaze and glanced at the three people in front of him.

These three were none other than Di Ai, Zhao Can, and Zhong Yan.

All around, exclamations of surprise and astonishment rang out from the city's residents and the inn's innkeepers, expressing their amazement, admiration, and astonishment.

Unlike the others, Di Ai's expression grew increasingly grim. Coming from a family of former officials, he understood everything Meng Qingbin could think of, but...

"Qiu Yan is truly despicable and shameless! If his Dao Arts are so profound, why did he infiltrate the imperial court? That top scholar title was probably obtained through underhanded means! He possesses profound cultivation and longevity, yet he still gains the emperor's favor—how unfair this world is! Why is it that someone with my talent has such a life of hardship, living under someone else's roof, and now I have to rely on that old man's reputation to recruit followers! While Qiu Yan, that scoundrel, hides his cultivation, yet he isn't ostracized by the court! I am not convinced! I am not reconciled! I am indignant!" (To be continued...)

P. S.: Thanks to "A Cigarette Travels the World" for the monthly ticket and the reward!

Thank you to "Book Friend 140715183321431" for the reward and urging me to update! I've been busy with renovations lately, so time is limited. I might try to release a large amount of content at the end of the month.

Thank you "Dragon Ghost" for the monthly pass!

Last night, while correcting a typo, I made a mistake and accidentally placed chapter 641 on 640 when editing VIP chapters in the backend. It has now been corrected. Readers just need to refresh the page. My apologies.