Blood Qi Like Dragon

The moment he broke through to the Houtian realm, a powerful force erupted from within him, continuously strengthening his flesh, bones, and physique.

This power originated from the most fundamental source deep within the human body.

His body seemed to have shattered some kind of limit, allowing this power to surge forth, vast and fierce.

Soft cracking sounds continuously emanated from within him; these were his bones being forged and strengthened by that power.

His skin and bones were tinged with a faint golden hue, as if undergoing a transformation. His potent bodily density was continuously reinforcing his flesh and blood cells.

All the tendons and bones in his body were currently undergoing a baptism by this power, making them even tougher and stronger.

The surging blood qi was enough to shock many who witnessed it.

Many soldiers felt the powerful aura and rolling blood qi emanating from Sheng Huai'an's tent.

The blood qi flowing within him roared like a dragon's cry.

The powerful blood qi was felt by everyone outside the tent.

"Is this Blood Qi Like Dragon?!" Tang Yunshan and the others were exceptionally shocked.

"Such powerful blood qi!"

Sheng Huai'an was like a blazing sun at this moment, causing the soldiers outside the tent to feel his scorching aura.

"No wonder some people say Battalion Commander Sheng is a monstrous talent, to cultivate his blood qi to this extent at this realm."

"Those so-called once-in-a-millennium monstrous talents are probably no match for Battalion Commander Sheng."

"Battalion Commander Sheng must have succeeded in his breakthrough. Such a young Houtian Martial Practitioner..."

Many fell silent, especially Guo Xiaoping and Hu Bing. They were already over thirty and hadn't yet broken through to the Houtian realm.

Now, Sheng Huai'an had broken through before them. At less than twenty years old, he had already reached the Houtian realm. Such talent left them amazed.

Many felt envious, but at the same time, they were happy for Sheng Huai'an. The stronger Sheng Huai'an became, the greater their hope of survival on this grassland.

After the surge of power subsided, Sheng Huai'an opened his eyes, a sharp golden glint flashing within them.

The roaring and surging blood qi within his body also calmed down.

He then looked at the golden light screen:

Name: Sheng Huai'an

Race: Human

Realm: Early Houtian

Cultivation Techniques: [Great Sun Heart Sutra (Beginner)] [Ferocious Ox Strength (Minor Success)] (+) [Blood Fiend Saber Technique (Major Success)] [Overlord Spear Technique (Beginner)]

Strength: 15,000 jin

Talent: Silver Archer (+)

Slaughter Value: 232

Upon breaking through, his strength immediately reached 15,000 jin, comparable to that of a Xiantian Martial Practitioner.

Of course, having strength comparable to a Xiantian Martial Practitioner did not mean his overall combat power was comparable to a Xiantian Martial Practitioner.

However, even facing a peak Houtian Grand Perfection, he was now fearless.

There was a world of difference between Houtian and Xiantian Martial Practitioners; this gap could not be bridged by strength alone.

After breaking through to the Houtian realm, his combat power had also greatly increased.

He wouldn't claim to be invincible in the Houtian realm now, but he doubted he would have many opponents.

After his cultivation broke through, Sheng Huai'an did not stop cultivating. Instead, he continued to circulate the Great Sun Heart Sutra, cultivating further, absorbing the Spiritual Energy between heaven and earth, converting it into Martial True Essence, and strengthening his blood qi, tendons, bones, and flesh.

Martial cultivators continuously temper their physiques, making themselves stronger and breaking through human limits.

Seeing Sheng Huai'an's successful breakthrough, Guo Xiaoping and Hu Bing also began preparing to consume Breakthrough Pills, intending to break through to the Houtian realm in one go.

Those in the troop whose cultivation could break through and who had received Breakthrough Pills also began cultivating, consuming the pills and preparing to break through and increase their strength.

This was a rare opportunity, and acquiring so many pills was considered good luck.

That night, the Anning Army's strength had improved, becoming much stronger than before.

The next morning, before dawn, soldiers had already prepared breakfast.

Guo Xiaoping and Hu Bing walked out of their tents with joyful smiles, their lips curved upwards more than an AK could be suppressed.

It was as the saying goes, "A person in good spirits is happy."

That's right, after consuming the Fourth-grade Breakthrough Pills, both of them had successfully broken through to the Houtian realm.

They greeted everyone they met with smiles.

"Yo, you two look so happy. Did you have a good dream last night?" Sheng Huai'an teased.

Guo Xiaoping: ...

Hu Bing: ...

Do they look like useless people? They're both over thirty and have visited Yi Chun Lou more than enough to know better than to have dreams like this.

"Good morning, Captain Sheng!" Hu Bing said with a forced smile.

"Why the ugly smile? Did I hit a nerve?" Sheng Huai'an winked, raising an eyebrow.

Guo Xiaoping and Hu Bing exchanged glances. Their commander's personality was truly... hard to describe.

When killing enemies, he was like a god of slaughter emerging from hell.

Now, he was like a lecherous old friend from Yi Chun Lou.

"Captain Sheng, we've broken through to the Houtian realm," Guo Xiaoping announced.

"Oh, what a coincidence, I broke through too. How about we spar?" Sheng Huai'an's mischievous side flared up. Seeing their happy expressions, he felt an urge to spoil their mood.

"Uh-huh!"

The two shook their heads like rattles. They certainly didn't think that breaking through to the Houtian realm made them anywhere near Sheng Huai'an's level.

They knew their own limits, and they weren't masochists.

Seeing them refuse to spar, Sheng Huai'an continued, "You two can come at me together. Team up and spar with me."

"Mmm~"

Guo Xiaoping and Hu Bing still shook their heads. They might have slightly inferior talent, but they weren't stupid.

Seeing their stubborn refusal, Sheng Huai'an felt a pang of regret. His fists were itching for a fight after his breakthrough, but he couldn't find a suitable punching bag.

After preparing breakfast, they began to eat.

Before the morning sun had even risen, Sheng Huai'an and his men had finished breakfast and were continuing their journey deeper into the grasslands.

Today's objective remained the same: intercepting the Xiongnu army's supply and grain transport.

By cutting off the Xiongnu army's supply lines, they would prevent the Xiongnu from attacking the city, buying time for Anning Pass.

In the morning, the Xiongnu army did not attack the city. They were suffering from a lack of supplies.

Seeing the Xiongnu army inactive, Yang Ye and the other generals defending Anning Pass understood that Sheng Huai'an and his men had made their move.

"It seems this tactic of cutting off supplies is effective," a Brigade General remarked.

"It is effective, but Sheng Huai'an and his men are also in danger," General Polu Zhao Yong'an stated.

"Let's hope they can all return safely," Sun Hao added.

But these words were clearly a plea and a wish.

The Xiongnu army would not stand idly by while their supplies were cut off. They would undoubtedly dispatch heavy troops to annihilate those responsible.

Yang Ye remained silent, his heart heavy. This was a mission where lives were exchanged for a chance for the Anning Pass defenders to breathe.

It was merely trading one group of people to die for another.

"Reporting to Lord Left Virtuous King, the scouts have returned with news. The attackers of the supply convoy were approximately a thousand-strong cavalry unit, seemingly Anning Army cavalry." Early in the morning, a messenger officer came to report.

"Anning Army cavalry? A thousand men, daring to tug at this king's whiskers? How audacious."

"Send out three cavalry units and bring me back those thousand heads." The Left Virtuous King was furious.

He had been in a foul mood lately, having already killed several of his slave girls.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Upon receiving the order, a Xiongnu general immediately dispatched three cavalry units to eliminate those who had cut off the supply lines.

Each of these cavalry units consisted of two thousand men.

Sheng Huai'an and his men were about to face the encirclement and suppression of six thousand Xiongnu cavalry.

And at this moment, Sheng Huai'an and his men were unaware of this.

"Captain Sheng, the troops transporting grain and supplies seem to have been reinforced. It appears the Xiongnu have discovered us," Guo Xiaoping said with a grave expression.

"Being discovered was only a matter of time!"

They had destroyed over a dozen Xiongnu supply units in one day. It would be strange if the Xiongnu didn't know.

Looking at the Xiongnu supply transport force ahead, their numbers reached two thousand, with five hundred cavalry escorting the flanks of this transport unit.

The ordinary infantry had also increased to five hundred men, making a total of one thousand regular troops.

Those thousand herdsmen were also armed.

"Should we let them pass?" Hu Bing inquired.

"Let them pass? I never let meat that comes to my mouth get away."

"Brothers, follow me to kill the enemy, charge!" Sheng Huai'an raised his spear and shouted before charging on horseback.

"Giddy up!"

"Charge!"

"Kill!"

The charge of a thousand cavalry was like ten thousand galloping horses, shaking the earth and kicking up billowing dust, a magnificent sight.