At the edge of the forests in southern Yue Province, a column of more than three thousand men wound forward like a long dragon, struggling along.
They were troops under Zhao Kong's command, mostly mountain folk and hunters from the province, well accustomed to the terrain.
Even so, deep mountains and ancient forests had always been forbidden ground for ordinary mortals. These men alone could hardly establish a foothold.
Fortunately, the Great Qian army also had court-appointed Daoists whom the imperial court had recruited. Each battalion usually had at least one Qi Refining cultivator stationed with it, while an army had anywhere from six or seven to more than ten.
Zhao Kong had also assigned a court-appointed Foundation Establishment Daoist to this vanguard. Those whom the Great Qian Dynasty called Dharma Masters were all Foundation Establishment cultivators who commanded spells and could soar through the heavens or burrow through the earth. Core Formation cultivators above them were called True Persons.
At that moment, the entire column was advancing under the Dharma Master's guidance.
This Dharma Master could fly through the air, easily determine directions, and find routes. He had led them straight through the mountains to a small lake discovered during earlier reconnaissance, in an area of open terrain. This was truly putting divine abilities and spells to practical use.
"We've finally arrived. Make camp here!"
After their march, the army reached its designated destination.
The commanding officer swept his hand outward, and the men immediately unloaded their supplies, taking up various tools to fell trees, cut grass, and establish a camp.
The officer and the accompanying cultivators surveyed the terrain as they discussed it. "The ground here is open, and there's a water source. It truly is an excellent choice for clearing a mountain outpost. If we can build