Chapter 469: Inwardly Refined

Generals and Soldiers Share the Helm!

This is a precious treasure, a military force marked in history for its tenacity, and a defensive battle worthy of being called great!

The chief general, Tian Han, was born into a simple farming family. Due to his family's poverty in his youth, he joined the army early.

His character was grounded and steady, and he treated others warmly. As he accumulated military achievements and rose to a leadership position, he always mingled with his soldiers in the most unadorned manner.

He trained and toiled alongside his troops, earning their deep support and affection.

At a time of foreign invasion, as the defending force, he bravely resisted, leading his army in heroic combat. He always insisted on fighting for the common people, prioritizing their livelihood and safety.

He advocated the concept of "the people's hearts make soldiers strong," believing that the army's strength originated from the will of the people.

During their驻扎, he also led his subordinates in many practical deeds for the farmers, such as digging wells and irrigation ditches.

Therefore, the Iron Guard army he led held high prestige among the populace. Whenever war erupted, the common people would voluntarily support his army, providing food, shelter, and even coming forward to help personally.

The enemy force was mighty, occupying vast territories.

In many battles resisting foreign invasion, Tian Han always personally went to the front lines, unafraid of hardship. No matter how perilous the fighting, Tian Han always led his soldiers in charging forward, personally directing them and leading by example.

Finally, in a fierce defense battle, the situation was dire. Tian Han fought alone with all his might, sealing a breach. He thus suffered numerous encirclements and was shot dead by a secretly fired poisoned arrow.

His subordinates wept bitterly, wanting to carry him down, but he stopped them, saying, "I know this potent poison, I cannot be saved! Let me stand a little longer. The enemy is intimidated by me, so let me stand a little longer, and the enemy will take more time to regroup, giving you more time to catch your breath."

"General!" his subordinates cried out in grief.

Tian Han stood from dusk till night. The enemy, seeing him still standing on the battle line, dared not make a move and chose to rest.

Tian Han used his final moments of life to continue the fight.

Though he died in battle, the morale of his army reached its peak!

The soldiers were determined to avenge their chief general, and their homeland was behind them, leaving no path for retreat.

"Without the General, the enemy will surely be greatly emboldened tomorrow and launch a strong assault. Why not..." a soldier suggested pretending that Chief General Tian Han was still alive, which was agreed upon by the others.

They then selected the strongest person among themselves, put on Tian Han's complete set of armor, and impersonated him, fighting to the death.

Days later, this impersonator also succumbed to severe injuries.

Soon, they selected a third impersonator.

After many such impersonations, "Tian Han," though increasingly weaker, still fought tenaciously. No matter what treacherous schemes the enemy used, he showed no sign of falling, keeping the enemy's morale consistently low and preventing them from exerting their full strength.

The Iron Guard army was few in number, but they held their ground firmly, blocking an enemy force dozens of times their size, relying on their peak morale, skilled battle formations, and the geographical advantages they had cultivated for years.

The enemy commander cursed, having changed three chief generals in succession, yet unable to break through this seemingly thin defense line.

Even when their own royal capital was under siege, this defense line had not been breached.

Their military provisions had long run out. The Iron Guard ate horses, ate turf, and gnawed on leaves. The crossbow carriages were long since broken, and though the cannons were intact, they were out of ammunition.

When the enemy cut off their water supply, they drank their own urine, holding fast and refusing to retreat.

In the later stages of the battle, the enemy also saw through the Iron Guard's disguise. When they realized that the real Tian Han had died in battle long ago, they fell into extreme shock.

Because, in their eyes, "Tian Han" had truly been fighting all along!

The enemy's veteran general, well-versed in military strategy, suddenly understood: "This is the armor developing sentience. This sentience was not created solely by Tian Han himself, but by the unified spirit and will of the entire army, infused into it!"

"Our various detection methods are very comprehensive, yet they were all concealed. This is because we faced the extremely condensed will and spirit of this army!"

"Tian Han desired someone to take his place and lead the overall situation, to continue the fight. And the soldiers yearned for 'Tian Han' to remain, to deter the enemy."

"Everyone's thoughts converged on this armor, making its sentience extraordinary from the moment it was born!"

"We were all deceived."

"What a respectable army this is."

The old general sighed deeply.

When the Iron Guard army was reduced to the last dozen or so individuals, the enemy voluntarily gave up further engagement with this army.

They abandoned the attempt to break through the defense line and bypassed it from both sides.

As they passed by the hills, the enemy soldiers would pay their respects with a salute, and even a military salute!

Even the enemy developed a strong admiration and reverence for this army united in will and spirit.

And that set of armor, worn by almost everyone in the entire army, was named — Generals and Soldiers Share the Helm!

Thereafter, this military treasure, full of sentience and born from the battlefield, fell into outside hands.

Sometimes, the military treasure was worn by outstanding generals. Sometimes, because of its unassuming appearance, it was buried and only worn by soldiers. And sometimes, it became a collector's item for those who recognized its value.

Time and war had ground countless marks of damage onto it.

Because its birth experience was too special, it was difficult to repair!

What was once a complete set of full body armor had long since been scattered amidst the vicissitudes of fate.

Therefore, what Ning Zhuo saw at this moment, taken out by Lu Hongtu, was just a helmet.

The helmet's shape was sturdy, with no superfluous decorations on the surface. Simple lines outlined an elegant and solemn war helmet.

The overall shape was slightly hemispherical, with a wide brim that effectively protected the wearer's face and neck. Unlike traditional war helmets, its design appeared slightly cumbersome but did not lack in deterrence.

The helmet's crown slightly upturned towards the back, like a phoenix about to spread its wings, symbolizing the spirit of its origin: generals and soldiers united as one, advancing waves upon waves, no matter how many times they died, they could "reborn" again!

The main material of the helmet was ancient refined iron, smelted and forged multiple times, presenting a bronze luster, with a faint aura of time's precipitation.

The surface of the helmet was covered in many scratches and dents. These scars were the marks of battle, witnessing countless acts of steadfastness and sacrifice.

The interior of the helmet originally had a lining, but too much time had passed, and the lining had completely disappeared.

Ning Zhuo's gaze was drawn to it. This rare military treasure was very suitable for him now.

Ning Zhuo pondered for a moment and said in a hoarse, firm voice, "This method of transaction is indeed good. But the lending of the *Posthumous Manuscript of Gao Sheng* must be entirely up to me. In other words, even if Thousand Peak Forest faces life and death, as long as I deem the timing unsuitable, I will not lend it!"

Ning Zhuo deliberately said this to gain leverage for the upcoming negotiation.

Because this condition was excessive, even Sun Lingtong felt it.

If "Old Monster in the Stone" felt it was unsuitable and wouldn't lend it, then he could completely fail to fulfill this contract.

However, Lu Hongtu narrowed his eyes and fell into deep thought.

After a moment, he actually nodded and smiled, indicating his agreement!

"Very well, I agree to this condition."

Please go to to see!

Ning Zhuo, Sun Lingtong: ?!

Even after both parties had signed the contract, Sun and Ning were still somewhat dazed.

"What exactly is going on?"

"Lu Hongtu was actually so easy to talk to?"

"Not just easy to talk to, he's practically foolish!"

"No, that's not right, there must be something we've overlooked."

Lu Hongtu, carrying a large quantity of military equipment, transformed into a rainbow of light and flew towards the main sect of the Six Caves Sect.

"This time, there is absolutely no trace of the Divinity Transformation aura on Old Monster in the Stone."

"Impressive!"

"This indicates that he has likely fully digested and mastered his power, and then completely disguised himself as a Nascent Soul level."

"However, he is still very cautious, not wanting to expose himself too early before the Whisker Dragon King, to prevent being seen through."

"Therefore, he doesn't even meet with Venerable Long, only communicating with me."

"This old monster is truly far-sighted! He intends to use me as a bridge to cooperate with the Dragon King's forces and jointly resist the armies of the Two Pillar Nations!"

"Then, he will slowly plot..."

"Unlike the Whisker Dragon King, he is alone and has no force serving him. That's why he wants to support me."

"On one hand, I already have a grudge with the Dragon King. From a certain perspective, the Dragon King is our common enemy."

"On the other hand, he wants to befriend me through the transaction of captured military equipment, laying the groundwork for his future struggle with the Dragon King."

"Good, good, good."

"Old Monster in the Stone, I underestimated you before."

"You are truly outwardly clumsy but inwardly brilliant, and extremely far-sighted!"

Thinking of this, Lu Hongtu's lips couldn't help but curl up in an arc.

"Hmph!"

"Old Monster in the Stone's actions, so cautious, likely mean he intends to contend with the Whisker Dragon King for the territory of Thousand Peak Forest."

"Whether from the habits of the Ten-Thousand Year Earth Spirit or the extremely high value of Thousand Peak Forest, it signifies that the two great Divinity Transformation cultivators will inevitably engage in a fierce struggle."

"After repelling the Two Pillar Nations, my Six Caves Sect might be able to profit from the conflict between the two sides."

"Given my current relationship with both parties, there is great potential here."

"Good, this is excellent!"

Sun and Ning did not immediately return the way they came.

They were both made uneasy by Lu Hongtu's strange attitude.

After all, the other party was of the Nascent Soul rank, and Ning Zhuo's divine ability, Fates Hung by Threads, could not fall upon his head.

"Could it be that he has already discovered we are impostors?"

With this doubt, "Old Monster in the Stone" deliberately circled several large loops within Thousand Peak Forest.

After confirming there was no tail, Sun and Ning then entered a cave, put away the stone sphere, and returned to Canglin Immortal City using the Ten Thousand Li Traveling Dragon.