: Military Advisor Libationer

Zhang Hei originally wanted to refuse, but his eyes were fixed on the Netherworld Black Soil, unable to look away for a moment.

Guan Hong continued stroking his beard.

Liu Er, staring at the Primordial Mother Stone, coughed lightly and said, "Young friend Ning Zhuo, you are thoughtful. To be honest, I was troubled about going to the battlefield soon without a suitable weapon. This Primordial Mother Stone, being at the Nascent Soul level, is perfect as the main material for a weapon."

Ning Zhuo laughed heartily and directly shoved the Primordial Mother Stone into Liu Er's hands. "General Liu, I've heard that the court artisan Jin Li of the Two Notes Kingdom was dispatched to Canglin Immortal City half a month ago."

"This humble material, gifted to General Liu for serving the nation, is putting it to its best use."

"This Ning kid sure knows how to talk!" Liu Er felt greatly satisfied inwardly, nodding slightly as he looked at Ning Zhuo with deep appreciation.

After accepting the precious material, he immediately promised, "Well, young friend Ning Zhuo has contributed treasures. Once we form the army, there will surely be a position for you."

Ning Zhuo was overjoyed and quickly clasped his hands, expressing that joining the three generals' command was an honor and a chance to avenge his family, considering the three generals as his benefactors.

Since they were benefactors, he urged the other two generals to accept these gifts of gratitude.

Zhang Hei was much more straightforward than Guan Hong, directly taking the Netherworld Black Soil and giving Ning Zhuo a hearty pat on the shoulder. "Good lad, Zhang owes you one. Let's share a drink sometime!"

Guan Hong narrowed his eyes, accepted the Blood Fiend Demon Stone, nodded at Ning Zhuo, and inwardly acknowledged this Foundation Establishment junior.

Ning Zhuo said, "Today, witnessing the Oath of the Pear Garden is a rare honor for me."

"The unity of the three generals is a blessing for the nation."

"Why not add to the joy and go directly to Master Jin Li to commission weapons?"

Liu Er nodded. "Very well."

Thus, the three Golden Core cultivators, along with Ning Zhuo, quickly headed to the artifact forge.

Upon seeing the three precious materials, Jin Li examined them carefully, his eyes gleaming. "Excellent materials, top-tier among Nascent Soul level items."

Such high praise made Liu, Guan, and Zhang glance at Ning Zhuo again.

"Since you three are all Golden Core cultivators and wish to join the army, according to the court's assignment to me, I am to forge a magic treasure for each of you free of charge."

Jin Li's tone was rather casual, as his cultivation was higher than Liu, Guan, and Zhang's, having reached the Nascent Soul level.

Liu Er, prepared in advance, handed over a blueprint for the "Primordial Yellow Sword."

Zhang Hei rummaged in his storage belt for a moment and produced one for the Black Snake Spear.

Guan Hong, however, had no such preparation.

Jin Li gave him a catalog of weapons to choose from.

After browsing through it, Guan Hong selected the Blood Dragon Blade.

Jin Li then inquired in detail about their usage habits and personally measured their hands, height, and other dimensions.

During the conversation, Jin Li specifically asked, "These three materials of yours are of astonishing quality. Could you tell me their source?"

Liu, Guan, and Zhang did not hide it, recommending Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo had been unable to interject earlier, as Jin Li was not only a Nascent Soul cultivator but also a court artisan of the Two Notes Kingdom, carrying an air of pride.

Now, learning that Ning Zhuo had provided three Nascent Soul level materials as gifts, Jin Li looked at him with newfound respect.

"Fire Persimmon Immortal City's Ning Family of the Southern Bean Kingdom?" After Ning Zhuo introduced himself, Jin Li firmly remembered the Ning Family.

In his view, a family capable of providing such resources to a Foundation Establishment youth traveling abroad must be powerful and wealthy.

Jin Li spoke kindly to Ning Zhuo, "Young friend Ning Zhuo, if you have more materials of this quality, consider selling them to me."

"As a court artisan of the Two Notes Kingdom, I won't shortchange you."

"I'm willing to pay twenty percent above market price for your materials."

Ning Zhuo smiled. "I am deeply honored by Master Jin's appreciation. I will keep your request in mind. If I ever intend to sell materials, you will be my first choice!"

Jin Li laughed heartily upon hearing this. "Young friend, saying that surely means you have more materials. Why not show them to me?"

Ning Zhuo then produced several more precious materials.

Zhang Hei was astonished to see them.

Guan Hong narrowed his eyes.

Liu Er felt even more regretful. "This Ning Zhuo is so wealthy. With only Foundation Establishment cultivation, he carries so many Nascent Soul level materials. I've never seen anything like it in my life."

He also thought, "The Ning Family must be a great clan. Ning Zhuo, as a young master of the Ning Family, surely holds a significant position. Traveling abroad with such treasures, he must have a powerful guardian or life-saving trump cards."

"Since he has Nascent Soul level materials, his protective measures are likely at the Nascent Soul level as well."

Thinking this, Liu Er wished he could hit his own head.

What was he thinking back then?

The Oath of the Pear Garden only had three people—such a pity.

It would have been better to include Ning Zhuo!

Liu Er mused, "If Ning Zhuo were the fourth brother, would I only have gotten one piece of Primordial Mother Stone?"

Jin Li's eyes gleamed as he looked at the materials, softening his tone and smiling. "Young friend Ning Zhuo, let's make a deal. Could you sell all these to me?"

As a master artisan, Jin Li naturally craved high-quality materials.

Now, tasked with an important mission by the court to craft high-level weapons and magic treasures in Canglin Immortal City, his desire for such premium materials was even greater, with a high demand.

After some thought, Ning Zhuo selected only three items and clasped his hands to Jin Li. He explained that he carried these Nascent Soul level materials not for personal use but for trading with another major faction.

"However, trading in Canglin Immortal City, especially with Master Jin, is an honor for both my Ning Family and myself!"

"Still, I must keep some to trade at my destination, so I can account for it when I return to my family."

Ning Zhuo's excuse came naturally and smoothly.

Liu, Guan, and Zhang nodded inwardly, finding it reasonable.

Jin Li was even more convinced that Ning Zhuo had powerful protective measures or a guardian following him secretly.

Though disappointed not to buy everything, Jin Li was still pleased to get some.

This pleasant surprise genuinely lifted his spirits.

In his happiness, he said to Ning Zhuo, "Young friend, though we've just met, I feel a connection. Why not come to my private storeroom and pick a weapon?"

Jin Li wanted to foster goodwill.

His goal was simple: to do more and longer business with Ning Zhuo and the Ning Family.

Ning Zhuo quickly clasped his hands in thanks.

This was an unexpected delight for him as well.

Jin Li waved his hand, and a section of the wall slid aside, revealing a hidden door.

Entering the hidden door, Ning Zhuo saw several shelves.

Wow.

The shelves were lined with all sorts of weapons: axes, dagger-axes, hooks, spears, knives, forks, swords, halberds—a dazzling array, almost everything imaginable.

Ning Zhuo, however, felt rather indifferent to them.

"Although I trained diligently in close combat at the Ten Thousand Herbs Sect, I only practiced unarmed skills to cover my weaknesses and never learned weapon techniques, let alone long weapons."

"Besides, the battlefield is unpredictable; I'd rather not engage in close combat recklessly. Ranged spellcasting is the safest."

Thus, Ning Zhuo's selection range drastically narrowed from hundreds of items to just three.

The first was a drum, its surface not made of usual leather but a thin, dark silver metal engraved with multiple lightning talismans, called the Golden Thunder Drum.

The second was a ring emitting a dazzling golden light, named the Blade Ring.

The third was a half-person-high iron fan with a leather surface, called the Iron Thorn Fan.

After careful inspection, Ning Zhuo was not very satisfied with any of the three.

The Golden Thunder Drum, though resembling a magical instrument, was actually a weapon for smashing enemies, activating the talismans upon impact to release strong electric currents.

The Blade Ring and Iron Thorn Fan were handheld; the former for cutting, like an oddly shaped dagger, and the latter similar to a club, forming iron thorns upon hitting the target to penetrate deeper into the enemy's body.

Ning Zhuo did not want to get into close combat on the battlefield.

Before that, he would try to retreat and maintain distance to avoid such situations.

Though Ning Zhuo hadn't specifically studied military strategy, his foundational education at the Ning Family school and broad reading gave him insight into the differences between battlefield warfare and individual combat.

A major difference is coordination.

Battlefield warfare emphasizes coordination, meaning cultivators must leverage their strengths and avoid weaknesses.

"My current combat strengths are the Five Elements realm and Five Elements spells."

"Long-range attacks are my main strategy."

"As for close combat, I'll rely on comrades to cover for me and avoid it as much as possible."

This was one reason Ning Zhuo chose Liu Er, Guan Hong, and Zhang Hei. These three Golden Core cultivators all had notable physical prowess, clearly skilled in close combat.

Ning Zhuo took the iron fan and left the storeroom.

Upon parting, Jin Li specifically gave Ning Zhuo a token and advised, "Young friend Ning Zhuo, if you have any materials to sell, just show this token, and you can see me directly."

Ning Zhuo showed great delight, thanked him profusely, and carefully stored the token.

Liu, Guan, and Zhang showed varying degrees of envy.

Anyone could see that the magic tool-level iron fan was far less valuable than the small token, as it represented a connection with Nascent Soul level master artisan Jin Li.

Seeing Ning Zhuo store the token, Liu, Guan, and Zhang realized they could no longer treat Ning Zhuo as an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator.

If nothing else, this connection alone meant that if their weapons needed repairs in the future, contacting Jin Li through Ning Zhuo would be ideal.

Liu Er, along with Guan Hong and Zhang Hei, went to the city lord's mansion and successfully obtained three游击将军 (roving general) seals.

The city lord's office assigned their camp location to the west of the city and provided several hundred top-grade spirit stones, along with ordinary wood, tents, and other supplies.

These supplies were, of course, minimal, only symbolic.

To set up a decent camp, they had to spend their own money.

Liu Er sighed. "Next, we need to recruit soldiers. The camp must be presentable; otherwise, being too shabby will deter cultivators. At the very least, it should be better than the Red Flower Camp."

Guan Hong stroked his beard silently; he was only slightly wealthier than Liu Er. By Golden Core standards, they were dirt poor.

Zhang Hei said, "I have considerable family assets."

Ning Zhuo also said, "I can also contribute some funds to do my small part."

With their financial support, Liu Er purchased basic supplies to set up the camp.

He first chose a hill as the camp site.

A higher elevation aided observation and setting up detection arrays, avoiding low-lying wetlands to some extent, which helped prevent dampness and disease spread.

Behind the hill was a small river, providing a natural water source and saving on daily expenses.

Although it was the rear area, Liu Er meticulously set up three arrays.

The first was the Heavenly Light Reflection Array, placed on the outermost perimeter for scouting and monitoring the surroundings.

The second was the Iron Wall Bronze Barrier Array, which, when activated, could quickly raise iron walls and bronze barriers, drastically boosting the wooden camp's defense.

The third was the Seven Stars Chain Array, connecting all cultivators in the camp. On one hand, it facilitated communication; on the other, it could coordinate with many enhancement spells, distributing the spell effects evenly among all camp personnel.

After setting up the three arrays, they began constructing the camp.

The camp was roughly circular, with the three generals' tents in the center. Surrounding them were the guards' quarters, currently empty, as Liu Er, Guan Hong, and Zhang Hei had all joined the army alone.

Outside the guards' quarters were the tents for ordinary soldiers, typically divided by troop type. These were also empty for now.

After setting up the camp, they arranged wooden barriers, cheval de frise, and other obstacles.

According to Liu Er's plan, they also needed to dig a moat. However, doing it themselves would be undignified. Since they were in the relatively safe rear, moat digging was scheduled for later, to be done by recruits once they joined.

After most of the camp was roughly established, Zhang Hei and Ning Zhuo began posting notices in Canglin Immortal City, heavily promoting and recruiting.

The response was enthusiastic.

"Have you heard? The Three Generals Camp's recruitment condition is that all spoils go to the individual cultivators!"

"Yeah! That means when we campaign in the Thousand Peaks Forest, the gains from looting along the way will be unimaginable."

"Even the Savage Demon Camp doesn't have such good terms!"

"But the three commanders are only Golden Core level, not Nascent Soul..."

"Compare it to the Red Flower Camp then?"

"Hmm? Thinking that way, the Three Generals Camp really is a great place to go!"

A large number of cultivators flocked to the Three Generals Camp.

The originally empty camp gradually filled with people.

Several days later, most of the camp was populated.

Seeing the time was ripe, Liu Er gathered all personnel to formally establish various commands and positions.

He appointed himself as the Great General, Guan Hong as the Second General, Zhang Hei as the Third General, and Ning Zhuo... as the Military Advisor Libationer.

Liu, Guan, and Zhang were one thing, being Golden Core level.

But Ning Zhuo was only at Foundation Establishment; how could he become the Military Advisor Libationer? This position,表面上 (superficially) second only to the three generals,实际上 (in practice) held authority comparable to the Second and Third Generals.

Some were不服 (discontent).

Immediately, many people clamored loudly, questioning the appointment.

Liu Er's face darkened, about to speak.

Ning Zhuo stood up with a smile.

Wood Element—Tree Realm Descent!

Crack, creak...

Within a few breaths, towering trees grew, vines and branches like dragons or pythons,侵占 (occupying) the entire muster field.

Countless cultivators were thrown into disarray.

Wood Element—Deadly Bloom.

Next, numerous buds sprouted on the vines and roots.

These buds swelled with the wind in one breath, blooming fully in the second.

The petals were extremely sharp, like countless blades drifting in the air.

Occasionally grazing a cultivator, they immediately drew lines of blood.

Many cultivators慌乱 (panicked) and dodged, some raising defenses, looking quite狼狈 (disheveled).

Ning Zhuo stood expressionless on the muster platform, hands behind his back. "Now, who still objects?"

He spoke softly, but the floral rain, amplified by his spell, echoed clearly throughout the field, reaching everyone's ears.

For a moment, the chaotic noise of the crowd stilled.

Liu, Guan, and Zhang each showed changed expressions, scrutinizing Ning Zhuo.

Liu Er gradually smiled.

Guan Hong stroked his beard, his movements gentle.

Zhang Hei threw his head back and laughed heartily.

In the forest, many Foundation Establishment cultivators used various means, hiding in tree trunks or standing on branches, looking back at Ning Zhuo with wariness, no longer objecting.

Ning Zhuo.

Three Generals Camp, Military Advisor Libationer!

(End of )