Chapter 507: Rest

Wood Wheel Town.The Red Flower Battalion set up camp.Within the main general's tent, Mu Lan slowly awoke, seeing Ning Zhuo and Zhang Zhongyi standing by the bed.She attempted to rise, but Ning Zhuo pressed down on her shoulder: "General Mu Lan, though you are awake, resting is still paramount. The Red Flower Battalion has now returned safely. Your deputy general has already reported to Marshal Du, and we are currently encamped outside Wood Wheel Town. All is well."Mu Lan's expression softened.Zhang Zhongyi, at her side, added: "General Mu Lan, you forcefully unleashed the second arrow, exceeding your physical limits.""Fortunately, Young Master Ning Zhuo assisted once more, even retrieving many Golden Core and Nascent Soul level treasures to use as medicinal ingredients.""Otherwise, you would not have awakened so quickly."Mu Lan then looked at Ning Zhuo: "Young Master Ning—thank you."Ning Zhuo smiled: "General Mu Lan need not be so polite, my mechanical army is under your command.""Speaking of which, the reason I crushed the protective talisman you gave me was actually to see if there were any military merits to be gained on your side.""Your two arrows were truly world-astonishing, causing one Nascent Soul level combatant to die and the other to flee. This humble one is filled with admiration!"The combat power of the Ancient God of Azure Moon was also at the Nascent Soul level.If he were at the Divinity Transformation level, he would have long been on equal footing with the Dragon King of Ginseng Whiskers. The status of the Azure Moon tribe would be much higher than it is now.Mu Lan said: "If the opponent were an existence like Old Man Long, I could only unleash one arrow even with all my strength.""But against the Ancient God of Azure Moon and Di Lu, I deliberately held back power in the first arrow, thus making it possible to shoot the second."Ning Zhuo praised: "As expected of a Divine Ability level technique, even the domain cannot suppress the might of the divine arrow. How swift is the escape of a Nascent Soul, yet Di Lu truly had no such opportunity."Mu Lan said with a slight hint of pride: "I have been cultivated in this technique since I was a child. My father, based on my talent,spent heavily in wealth and connections, inviting several famous masters to teach me martial arts and military strategy.""To this day, there are finally some results."In fact, after this battle, Mu Lan also felt a little relieved.In the previous ambush, she led the Red Flower Battalion in battle, achieving meager results, which greatly increased the pressure on the Marquis Mu's Estate. So much so that after returning to Azure Forest Immortal City, she immediately suffered the schemes and difficulties from various factions within the country.This time, although the situation was dangerous, the outcome was good. Causing the death of one and the flight of another two Nascent Soul level enemy combatants, this achievement is enough to restore the face of the Marquis's Estate. It allows Mu Lan, who led the Red Flower Battalion on this expedition, to be viewed with greater importance, greatly alleviating the pressure from the court.Zhang Zhongyi said: "Speaking of which, last time in Azure Forest Immortal City, it was thanks to Young Master Ning Zhuo that our predicament was resolved, giving us the opportunity to continue leading troops and build achievements.""This time, the perilous expedition to Thousand Peaks Forest was also greatly due to Young Master Ning Zhuo's timely rescue. Otherwise, if the Red Flower Battle Formation had failed, we would surely have suffered heavy casualties and very likely been defeated."Zhang Zhongyi sighed.Ning Zhuo quickly waved his hand: "Where, where. Without me, with General Mu Lan's ability, there was still a chance of winning."Mu Lan slightly shook her head: "The chance of winning was not great. To win this time and achieve such results, Young Master Ning Zhuo, you have contributed greatly. Rest assured, I will report your merits, without any omission."Ning Zhuo immediately smiled: "General, please rest first. My mechanical army has suffered heavy losses and needs timely production and replenishment. Please allow this one to take his leave."Zhang Zhongyi was startled, glaring at Ning Zhuo's back.Mu Lan nodded: "Replenishing troops is very important, Young Master Ning Zhuo does indeed need to race against time. I will not see you out."Zhang Zhongyi glared again, this time at Mu Lan.Both Mu Lan and Ning Zhuo found Zhang Zhongyi inexplicable.Zhang Zhongyi sighed deeply, shaking his head repeatedly.Ning Zhuo left the Red Flower Battalion and returned to the Three Generals' Camp, where he paid respects to the three generals: Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.The four conversed, each recounting their experiences.After the Three Generals' Camp emerged victorious, under Shen Qinghe's escort, they immediately marched, retreating from the Dice Bone Giant Tree Mountain and returning all the way.Zhang Fei of the Lone Determination battlefront rarely sighed: "Had I known this, I should have gone with the Military Advisor. It's such a pity, truly such a pity. My two sworn brothers and I have only captured Nascent Soul level demon cultivators alive; we have yet to truly kill one."Ning Zhuo spread his hands and smiled bitterly: "General Zhang, I was just being passively beaten. The one who truly took action was General Mu Lan."Guan Yu stroked his beard and sighed: "The Red Heart Magpie Arrow is truly sharp!"Liu Bei looked at Ning Zhuo: "Having heard the entire account, I know that if it weren't for the Military Advisor's timely reinforcement, I fear the Red Flower Battalion's fate would have been dire. The Military Advisor risked great danger this time and is the greatest contributor to this battle's victory; such military merit is deserved. If this commendation comes down, and the Military Advisor doesn't take the lion's share, I will not approve."When Liu Bei said this, he was serious and sincere, speaking from the bottom of his heart.His dislike for Ning Zhuo was no longer as intense as before.Zhang Fei was puzzled: "Didn't Lord Shen Qinghe say that each path had a Nascent Soul level expert secretly escorting them?""Why did the Red Flower Battalion have no strong reinforcements appear from beginning to end?"Ning Zhuo smiled bitterly and shook his head.Liu Bei and Guan Yu exchanged glances and both fell silent.Zhang Fei asked again: "Speaking of which, why hasn't the Golden Halberd Army returned yet?"Liu Bei speculated: "The Golden Halberd Army is powerful; perhaps they pushed too deep, and their route of retreat is much longer than ours."Just as the four were discussing this, a soldier urgently reported, bringing them a shocking piece of news."What? The Golden Halberd Army was completely wiped out!"When Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Ning Zhuo heard this news, they looked at each other, their expressions all astonished.Guan Yu was the first to react, his brow furrowed, his expression exceedingly solemn as he said: "If we were to discuss overall combat strength, my Three Generals' Camp would not be a match for the Golden Halberd Army."Zhang Fei nodded: "Even if my two sworn brothers and I went together, performing exceptionally well and tying down Sun Gan, the Golden Halberd Army could still utterly defeat the Three Generals' Camp."Liu Bei sighed: "Four armies attacked, and we never expected that ultimately, the most powerful Golden Halberd Army would be annihilated."The Golden Halberd Army was one of the imperial guards of the Two Note Kingdom.Their equipment was the most sophisticated, and their usual training was the most rigorous.The Three Generals' Camp had only mastered three battle formations, while the Golden Halberd Army had mastered no less than ten.Their commander, Sun Gan, was also a strong expert among the Nascent Soul level.The Golden Halberd Army was completely a first-class army in the Two Note Kingdom.According to this positioning, they were considered a trump card among the Two Note Kingdom's great army.Logically speaking, they should not have been used as cannon fodder.But the reality is that they not only attacked Thousand Peaks Forest but also became the only army among the four paths that suffered a complete and disastrous defeat.Even the Nascent Soul level expert secretly dispatched by Du Tiechuan also perished!Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Ning Zhuo studied the military report together.Zhang Fei: "The Golden Halberd Army's opponents were only two Nascent Souls. One was Gu Ya, and the other was the current Elephant King.""We all know Gu Ya's strength. It seems the current Elephant King was the key to annihilating the Golden Halberd Army."Guan Yu: "This demon cultivator originates from the Pale Barbarian Elephant lineage. Normally, he is not irritable or impulsive and rarely takes action. We never expected that this time he took action, it would be world-shaking, eliminating a first-class army of the Two Note Kingdom!"Liu Bei: "From the battle results, this time Marshal Du's probing attack, our side killed one Nascent Soul level,severely wounded several, but lost Sun Gan and the Golden Halberd Army. Overall, it was a small defeat."Ning Zhuo remained silent.He recalled the intelligence about the current Elephant King, sighing in his heart: "If I had a physical body like his, I would surely be able to withstand more uses of the Brave Man Returns technique, and wouldn't be in such a predicament as when I dealt with Di earlier."The Brave Man Returns technique has great potential.This military technique is of great origin, comprehended by Ning Zhuo from the "Gao Sheng's Posthumous Writings". When comprehending it, he also utilized the Officers and Soldiers as One Helmet.Both the "Gao Sheng's Posthumous Writings" and the Officers and Soldiers as One Helmet are treasured artifacts of the military school.It was Ning Zhuo's physical foundation that limited the full display of this military technique.Ning Zhuo recalled the previous battles, where even though Yuan Dasheng and Meng Yehu successively sacrificed themselves, he did not dare to incorporate them into the Brave Man Returns technique, fearing that he would be unable to withstand it and be forcibly exploded."Is there any way to rapidly increase my physical foundation in a short amount of time?"Ning Zhuo was somewhat troubled.After returning to Azure Forest Immortal City, he purchased many war materials. Among them were many talismans,and medicinal pills that could enhance his physical foundation in a short time.But compared to the needs of the Brave Man Returns technique, this was completely a drop in the bucket.Ning Zhuo calculated - to truly compare the effects, these medicinal pills, spiritual food, and talismans are far less effective than the evil cultivation method of the Fetal Breathing Spirit."Of course, this is also because the medicinal pills and talismans in Azure Forest Immortal City are not particularly high-end, mainly aimed at war materials.""If this time, Marshal Du's side can reward merits, perhaps I can request some high-end medicinal pills,or talismans?"Ning Zhuo is currently in the Nascent Treasure stage of the Foundation Establishment realm.In this stage, the focus is on the fusion of the three treasures: essence, qi, and spirit, no longer requiring the accumulation of quantity as in the previous Unimpeded Land Clearing stage.Therefore, the State Power Bricks are not as applicable."State Power Bricks are absolutely the more the better. It's just that..."Ning Zhuo desires the growth of his physical foundation even more.It's best if he can quickly reach the standard, allowing him to leverage the Brave Man Returns technique to display Nascent Soul level combat power!"War is dangerous.""Even a powerful army like the Golden Halberd Army was completely wiped out.""After a few battles, it can be seen that in this level of battlefield, at least the Nascent Soul level is relatively stable and reliable.""Of course, luck is also indispensable.""My destiny seems to..."He calculated his destiny, but in the Moon Hook Mountain battle not long ago, he only displayed five points of destiny."My destiny is no longer as strong as before.""In fact, at Azure Sky Giant Tree Mountain, Old Sun and I almost perished.""Ultimately, although I gained immense benefits, this also proves that my destiny is indeed on the decline.""Alas, what is all this about?"Ning Zhuo has always been unaware of these strange changes in destiny and luck, and it is completely a muddled account.After bidding farewell to the three generals, Ning Zhuo returned to his own camp, immediately drilling into the Mechanical Wandering Dragon, and began crafting mechanical puppets.His mechanical army is now less than two-tenths, suffering heavy losses and urgently needing replenishment.Moreover, from Ning Zhuo's current situation, the importance of the mechanical army is far greater than Meng Yehu and Yuan Dasheng.Losing one or two Golden Core level mechanical combatants is not that critical, but if Ning Zhuo had no mechanical army, he would have no way to enhance his own combat power. To survive on the battlefield, relying solely on a few Golden Core external forces for protection is definitely not as timely and reliable as relying on himself.Therefore, Ning Zhuo prioritized the crafting of mechanical puppets over repairing Meng Yehu and Yuan Dasheng first.The Xuanyuan Nine Crafting Platforms and the other three mechanical bases were put into operation, producing mechanical puppets dozens of times more efficiently than Ning Zhuo alone.Ning Zhuo was not idle either; he had to constantly control and monitor the production process.Sun Lingtong studied at the side."Xiao Zhuo, teach me.""I'll strive to learn earlier and replace you in crafting mechanical puppets.""That way, you'll have time to cultivate using the Fetal Breathing Spirit."Although Sun Lingtong's mechanical craftsmanship is considerable, it is still not as good as Ning Zhuo's after all.He earnestly sought guidance, and Ning Zhuo also taught without reservation, imparting everything.Sun Lingtong is exceptionally intelligent, understanding with a single point, and with serious concentration, his progress is extremely rapid.Just as the two were working and learning, a messenger came to transmit a message."Marshal Du summoned me?" Ning Zhuo left the Ten Thousand Li Wandering Dragon, feeling a bit surprised.Liu Bei expressed concern: "Could it be that we trapped and killed that Iron Eagle supervisor, and so Du Tiechuan has come to settle accounts?"Guan Yu was very loyal: "We three are all involved in this matter. If a reckoning is truly necessary, we will certainly accept the punishment together."Zhang Fei shouted: "What punishment? That Iron Eagle acted on impulse and had no military order whatsoever. Moreover,it wasn't us who did it."Ning Zhuo stroked his mechanical ring, his expression calm: "I reckon, if Marshal Du wanted to settle accounts, he would summon all four of us. Since he is summoning me alone, there must be something else.""No matter.""I'll go see him, and I'll know."Ning Zhuo then followed the messenger and left the Three Generals' Camp.The three generals saw him off.Zhang Fei: "Putting everything else aside, the Military Advisor is young but exceptionally courageous."Guan Yu stroked his beard: "Indeed, a fine young man."Liu Bei's annoyance with Ning Zhuo had significantly lessened by this time. He watched Ning Zhuo's retreating figure, silent.Ning Zhuo entered Wood Wheel Town and was led all the way, once again meeting the Divinity Transformation level existence."Military Advisor Libationer of the Three Generals' Camp, respectfully greets Marshal Du." Ning Zhuo performed a military salute.Du Tiechuan kept his gaze fixed on the documents, without lifting his head: "You have subdued the Dice Bone Demon God; this is very good.""There are some military matters that need to be inquired about from him.""You sit first, someone will come to calculate your destiny in a moment."Not long after, a young cultivator slowly walked in: "Song Ji, respectfully greets Marshal Du."Song Ji, radiating a Nascent Soul aura, had a face like autumn water, and wore a green robe, possessing the demeanor of a noble jade tree.Du Tiechuan finally looked up, slightly nodding at the young cultivator: "Trouble, Venerable Song, to first calculate Ning Zhuo's destiny."Song Ji received the order, came before Ning Zhuo, and began to calculate with his fingers."Although your destiny is strong, it is water without a source, and the greater half has already been consumed, with not much remaining.""Subduing the Dice Bone Demon God should be the achievement that consumed the most of your destiny."