Secretly Training Elite Soldiers

"Come in."

Di Xin heard Gu Changqing's voice and knew that the other party had also come out of seclusion.

"Zi Shou has neglected court affairs for three years, leading to unrest among the common people and instability in the court. I have specially come to beg for forgiveness from Teacher."

Di Xin bowed again when he saw Gu Changqing.

Gu Changqing replied, "You are the Human King. If you wish to beg for forgiveness, it should not be from me, but from the people of the world."

"Zi Shou was shallow."

"Rise."

Gu Changqing didn't overly reprimand Di Xin. Perhaps it was fate, perhaps it was Di Xin's personal decision.

This outcome hinted at the greater trend of the Heavenly Dao.

Great Shang was destined to decline, and Di Xin was ultimately unable to turn the tide.

This was the original major trend.

Gu Changqing continued, "Great order often follows great chaos. What do you plan to do next?"

Di Xin replied, "Rectify the court and sweep away the gloom."

"Alright." Gu Changqing thought for a moment and added, "Changes are coming to the world. We must also prepare for what's ahead."

Di Xin replied, "A few rebellions are merely insignificant troublemakers, nothing to worry about."

Now, Di Xin possessed the Kongtong Seal, wielded the Human Emperor Sword, and his cultivation had reached the mid-stage of Great Luo Golden Immortal. He was more confident than ever before.

He didn't believe anyone could shake his empire.

As for the harm caused by Immortal Sects, Great Shang was backed by the foremost sect in the Primordial World. Those troublesome Immortal Sects were merely minor ailments.

While Saints were certainly formidable, they wouldn't personally deal with him.

Gu Changqing glanced at Di Xin. This fellow is still too young!

He didn't know that the Tribulation was approaching, and he underestimated the Saints' resolve.

Gu Changqing couldn't explicitly tell Di Xin about these matters, so he simply said, "It's always good to be prepared."

"Teacher's lesson is well-received," Di Xin replied. "What does Teacher wish Zi Shou to do?"

"Select ten thousand armored soldiers," Gu Changqing replied. "They must be absolutely loyal to the Human Race and loyal to you. Hand them over to me, and I will train a special force for you."

"Good," Di Xin replied. "Zi Shou will assign ten thousand Black Bird Guards to Teacher. These Black Bird Guards are absolutely loyal and have not been infiltrated by any forces."

"Good."

Di Xin led Gu Changqing to the Black Bird Camp, where tens of thousands of armored soldiers were training. Their formation was orderly, and their morale was high—truly the elite of the elite.

"Teacher, you may choose any number of these armored soldiers you wish."

Di Xin then addressed the soldiers, "All soldiers, listen to my command. This True Immortal beside me is a master from the Intercepting Sect and also the current Imperial Preceptor. He wishes to select ten thousand personal guards. You are to cooperate fully."

"By Your Majesty's command!"

Tens of thousands of soldiers responded in unison, their shouts echoing like mountains and their aura swallowing rivers.

"Good!"

Gu Changqing raised a hand to stop the shouts. Secretly, he exchanged ten billion Merits for an Innate Supreme Treasure, the Heavenly Mystery Abode.

The Heavenly Mystery Abode was a mobile dwelling, similar to a Mustard Seed Space, capable of expanding and contracting.

Gu Changqing threw out the Heavenly Mystery Abode, and it instantly expanded.

"I need ten thousand armored soldiers. Those willing to follow me, please enter the Heavenly Mystery Abode on your own. Once inside, you will be cut off from the world, perhaps for ten, twenty years, or even longer. You will not be able to leave the Heavenly Mystery Abode."

"Those with elderly mothers, wives, or children at home cannot enter. The rest of you may choose freely."

"Entering the Heavenly Mystery Abode is an opportunity, but also a mission. Of course, it may also cost you your life."

"Begin choosing now!"

As Gu Changqing's voice fell, people began to enter the Heavenly Mystery Abode one after another. In less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, ten thousand armored soldiers had been selected.

"I'll return to the Grand Tutor's Mansion first."

Gu Changqing bid farewell to Di Xin and then retrieved the Heavenly Mystery Abode.

Upon returning to the Grand Tutor's Mansion, Gu Changqing also entered the Heavenly Mystery Abode and asked, "Who among you is the commander?"

"Xuan Ye greets the Imperial Preceptor." At this, a lean general stepped forward and said, "Xuan Ye holds the highest military rank here."

"Very good." Gu Changqing said, then exchanged ten thousand Nine Revolutions Golden Pills and handed them to Xuan Ye, saying, "The Nine Revolutions Golden Pill can help you reach Golden Immortal. Distribute them shortly, one pill per person."

He exchanged ten thousand Mid-Grade Acquired Spiritual Treasures, threw them onto the open ground, and told Xuan Ye, "Distribute these Mid-Grade Acquired Spiritual Treasures as well, one for each person."

He then exchanged the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation Diagram and the Six Souls Banner, handing them to Xuan Ye, and said, "Once you all break through, practice this formation."

"Did you hear me!"

Seeing Xuan Ye's dazed expression, Gu Changqing immediately let out a low shout.

"I... I heard you!"

Xuan Ye, and indeed all the armored guards, were stunned by Gu Changqing's outrageous move.

Even though they were mortals, they hadn't eaten pork, but they had at least seen a pig run.

They had heard many legends of cultivators, and it wasn't as if they'd never seen legendary immortals.

It was just...

They had heard of a single Nine Revolutions Golden Pill elevating someone to a Golden Immortal.

But... but there were ten thousand here!

If they consumed these pills, they would become ten thousand Golden Immortals!

Even the Intercepting Sect, renowned for having "ten thousand immortals paying homage," didn't have ten thousand Golden Immortals!

No!

Even all Four Sects combined didn't have ten thousand Golden Immortals!

And there were also ten thousand Mid-Grade Acquired Spiritual Treasures beside them.

This wasn't just an exaggeration; it was simply...

Was the Intercepting Sect's true master really this extravagant?

The Intercepting Sect's true master wasn't like this before!

What was the Imperial Preceptor trying to do?

Was he trying to unify all races in the Primordial World?

Forget it, he dared not think!

After giving his instructions, Gu Changqing left the Heavenly Mystery Abode.

Tong Tian's Ten Thousand Immortals Grand Formation, which hadn't even begun, was already abused, leaving the Ten Thousand Immortals Grand Formation with merely a name.

Such a powerful weapon was best kept in his own hands.

With these ten thousand Golden Immortals, and this Ten Thousand Immortals Grand Formation composed of ten thousand soldiers, if Di Xin still couldn't turn the tide, then Di Xin could truly die!

Over two hundred billion Merits would also be wasted!

The Investiture of the Gods was about to begin, or perhaps it had already begun.

When the Saints signed the Investiture of the Gods List, it had already begun to operate silently. It was just that Jiang Ziya had not yet emerged from the mountains, and it hadn't been officially activated, lacking only a ceremony.

If not for that, why would Shi Ji have gone to Kunlun Mountain to seek death?

It was time to discuss the Tribulation with Tong Tian!

Thinking of this, Gu Changqing left the Heavenly Mystery Abode and headed towards Golden Turtle Island in the Eastern Sea.

Several days later, Gu Changqing returned to Biyou Palace and met Tong Tian.

"Master, you don't look so good."

When Tong Tian saw Gu Changqing, his heart filled with joy, and thinking of the treasures this young man possessed, he replied,

"Alas, my Six Souls Banner suddenly disappeared a few days ago. Can you help me find it?"

What?

Gu Changqing's heart skipped a beat. Could this be too much of a coincidence?

Could the Six Souls Banner he exchanged be Tong Tian's?

Gu Changqing tentatively asked, "Master, besides losing the Six Souls Banner, have there been any other changes? Such as changes in Luck, or anything else?"

"Well..." Tong Tian thought for a moment and said, "There hasn't been any change in Luck, but suddenly I gained a lot of Merits."

Damn it!

So that was it!

The system's Merit exchange was a forced trade.

No wonder it was so cheap!

But what about the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation Diagram?

Theoretically, Tong Tian hadn't yet researched the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation Diagram at this time.

So where did the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation Diagram come from?

Or did he forcibly exchange Tong Tian's future research results with Merits?

This was too outrageous!

Was the system too overbearing?

Never mind that for now!

Gu Changqing then said, "Master, which do you think is better, those Merits or the Six Souls Banner?"

"Of course, the Merits are better," Tong Tian replied. "It's just..."

He didn't have the nerve to say the rest. Ever since he took Gu Changqing as his disciple, he had gained a lot of Merits and Luck effortlessly.

Gu Changqing gave a wry smile and said, "This matter, your disciple truly cannot help you, Master."

"Your disciple has returned this time to discuss an important matter with you, Master." Gu Changqing changed the subject and added, "Your disciple wants to discuss the matter of the Tribulation with you, Master."