The Call to War

Seeing Jiang Hanyan in a meditative state, Lin Xu nodded. She was attracted by the new cultivation method and was trying to switch her cultivation.

Once she has transformed all her sword energy into new Lamp Kindling Magic Power, she will have mastered the basics of this sword technique.

"This was a significant gain, and now I have a much better chance of winning the battle in the dungeon."

Seeing her loyalty level quietly rise to 90 points on her personal panel, Lin Xu was overjoyed.

Don't be fooled by Jiang Hanyan's mediocre performance in the previous battles. Remember, she endured Lin Xu's spells to restrain her and was only defeated by a barrage of attacks from a group of Evil Eye Dharma Protector.

Even a mid-to-peak professional might not be able to withstand such a force, yet Jiang Hanyan still had the power to resist.

"Have Hu Da over here and take the prisoners back to Azure Cloud Mountain. While you're at it, also take over the Tiger Yao Lair!"

Lin Xu glanced at the tiger demon captive, activated a communication talisman, and instantly transformed into light and disappeared.

Several days passed in the blink of an eye, and the atmosphere at the front-line military camp of Xuanwei Monastery became increasingly tense.

The wounded soldiers' camp, however, was empty. In the past few days, neither the Daoist temple nor the underground city had any intention of fighting.

However, Lin Xu keenly sensed that the flow of magical power around the abbot and the two hall masters who were presiding over the formation in the camp was becoming increasingly rapid.

Clearly, a fierce battle is underway in the underground city, unseen by ordinary people.

"Judging from the current situation, the great battle will be in the next day or two—" Lin Xu felt a heavy weight in his heart. This was a great battle that would determine the future fate of the two forces, and even he felt a trace of worry.

At this moment, he was in Azure Cloud Mountain, standing halfway up the mountain, looking at the green carpet covering the hillside.

The traces of the previous battle have been covered by overgrown vegetation, and insects and birds can be seen on the uneven ground.

The Spirit Realm is desolate, and the mist is a forbidden zone for normal life. However, within the territory Source Fire Protection, insect beasts possess a vitality that surpasses reality—they are also affected by the Spirit Realm's refresh mechanism.

"Master." A deep voice came from behind him. Lin Xu turned around and glanced around. Behind Hu Da were more than thirty monsters wearing armor and holding weapons.

They have a unified name: Tiger Sha Army.

Jiang Hanyan, standing behind him, held her sword and glanced at him warily.

These demons have all accepted the Dharma Seed, and their mixed Yao Qi has been transformed into pure magical power. This alone makes them far stronger than wild demons in the wilderness who have no lineage.

Activating his Spirit Eye Technique, Lin Xu clearly saw this small number of demon soldiers. A dark red Tiger Sha- like aura swirled within their hearts, slowly circulating throughout their bodies.

The Black Tiger Demon Cultivator techniques and innate talent allow it to condense a strange Tiger Sha on a battlefield Sha Qi energy.

This demonic energy, containing a trace of the profound meaning of the White Tiger Soldier Sha, condenses into a higher quality special magical power after being nurtured and transformed by the Dharma Seed.

These seeds of magical power were implanted into the demon's sea of consciousness and then extended through his bloodline to his Essence Aperture, purifying the impure demonic power and bloodline around him.

For example, these tiger, leopard, jackal and wolf demons in front of us are originally transformed from carnivorous beasts, and are born with Sha Qi. After being transformed by the Tiger Sha, their bloodline is purified and nourished, and even their basic attributes have increased by a few points.

"All trained?" Lin Xu glanced at it. Hu Da hadn't been idle these past few days. After recruiting two tiger demons from the Tiger Yao Lair, it also conscripted the fiercest monster from among the captives.

Then Lin Xu took action, using the Mountain Lord Talisman Edict to summon the monsters that had spawned on Azure Cloud Mountain, and finally the entire demon army was assembled.

"Yes, Master, the demons' demonic power has all been converted into magical power." Hu Da swept his gaze over his three kin, his tone brimming with undisguised pride. "Master, I guarantee you, don't underestimate my Tiger Sha Army just because we're few in number. When it comes to fighting, we're definitely no weaker than the Red-Robed Ghost!"

It glanced disdainfully at the Ghost Bride standing quietly beside Lin Xu, a look of eager anticipation on its face. "Master, let me be the vanguard."

Yan Jingshu didn't even glance at the fool. She stared at Jiang Hanyan standing not far away, her cold gaze flickering with complex emotions—it seemed to be a jealous wariness.

This was supposed to be her private spot...

Alaites was taciturn, and the twenty-odd dark mages behind him remained silent as well.

Lin Xu smiled and reassured the Black Tiger Demon, who was eager for battle. "Don't rush, no one can be left out in this great battle."

He glanced into the distance; at the edge of the forest halfway up the mountain, dozens of red-skinned dwarves were heading towards the cave.

That was Bilusi's Fallen Demon Warband. After the last great battle, Lin Xu upgraded the monster camp and recruited the refreshed Fallen Demon.

"My lord!" Li Yingqiu rushed over and bowed.

"Is the logging camp already built?" he asked.

"Yes, and the paper mill is also complete, currently undergoing preparations before construction begins," Li Yingqiu quickly replied. "However, we still lack professional papermakers, and I've already posted information on the market seeking relevant NPCs and skill books."

Lin Xu nodded. "You stay and guard Azure Cloud Mountain."

"Yes, my lord." Li Yingqiu bowed solemnly.

"Let's go. We'll leave Azure Cloud Mountain to the protection of the Dharma Protector Corps; we should head to the underground city."

The war on the front lines does not affect farming in the rear. As long as his capable assistants are in place, he can remotely command the rear using communication talismans during lulls in the war.

Lin Xu swept his gaze across the sky, Evil Eye Battle Group dispersed, taking the entire sky into their field of vision.

"Yesterday, the abbot urged me to send troops, it seems that there are not enough troops at the front." He sat on the cloud, watching the supply train slowly move forward.

This time, the convoy was particularly large, with hundreds of oxcarts lined up, plus the escorting battalion and more than a hundred militiamen, making it look very impressive.

A major battle between two forces requires initial probing and skirmishes before the final showdown.

After destroying the front-line military camps of the underground city, the Daoist army of Xuanwei Monastery Temple did not remain idle in these days. Instead, they explored the surrounding area from the entrance of the underground city as the center, trying to find the enemy's hidden resource points.

This dispersed reconnaissance and combat, coupled with the later garrisoning, significantly weakened the Dao Army's numerical advantage.

"That's why I need to lead the security forces to assist in the defense." Lin Xu was very clear about the role of his legion. Compared with the professional Daoist soldiers and Daoist groups of Xuanwei Monastery, the several battle groups of Azure Cloud Mountain were at a disadvantage in both quantity and quality.

The evil creatures and monsters roaming the wilderness along the way were quickly defeated by the escorting forces as soon as they showed themselves, so he didn't need to worry about them at all. Soon the convoy arrived at the military camp.

"Master!" At the entrance to the underground city, Lin Xu saw the Daoist Xuanzhen sitting cross-legged.

"Lord Lin, take your auxiliary troops and take over the defenses of all areas. Do not allow a single grain of rice or drop of water to enter the enemy city."

The Daoist Xuanzhen gave instructions.

"As you command, Master!" Lin Xu bowed and left to receive the order.

A new task has appeared in the task panel:

[Urgent Mission: Take over all resource points in the original dungeon and prevent resources from flowing into the dungeon. Mission Reward: 12,000 Merit Points, Penalty for Failure: 24,000 Merit Points, Resource Points: 0/6]