: Ten-Mile Blazing Forest

Frontline Camp, Two Pours Country.

A military council was underway.

"Everyone, that's the current specific situation," a Golden Core level general concluded his report.

The others began discussing.

"Ever since our camp was established, petty thieves have continuously infiltrated the surrounding areas to scavenge spoils. Previously, our weapons eliminated a number of them, yet some remain unrepentant."

"If I were the enemy and discovered Glazed Heartblood, Ginseng Root Wall Soil, and Dragon Pattern Talismans here, I'd be tempted to take the risk too."

"It's truly shameful. The enemy discovered these three treasures before we did. We were slow to realize."

"It was the Heaven and Earth Twin Ghosts who detected them. Not only are they from the Soul Devouring Sect, but their combined supernatural powers are terrifyingly formidable. It's no surprise they found them first."

"Hmph! The Soul Devouring Sect is too bold. Our country is suppressing unrest, yet they dare interfere in our affairs? Their crime warrants execution!"

The officers were highly dissatisfied with the Soul Devouring Sect.

After some cursing and complaining, they dropped the subject.

Everyone knew Two Pours Country wasn't a major power, and the Soul Devouring Sect's base was far away. Facing such a super sect, Two Pours Country would ultimately only issue a formal protest.

"If we could collect the Heartblood and Wall Soil, we might use them as clues to divine the location of the Ginseng Whisker Dragon King."

"They could also serve as materials for curses."

"Better than nothing, I suppose. But currently, our army lacks such specialists."

A brief silence fell.

An old general spoke: "Those two treasures aren't critical. Even if the enemy obtains them, it won't affect the overall situation. The truly important thing is the Dragon Form Talisman; it must not be destroyed. The longer it remains on this battlefield, the more advantageous it is for us."

"Agreed!"

"Concur."

"Indeed."

The generals nodded one after another.

The Thousand Peaks Forest was home to numerous deities of all sizes, granting a powerful home-field advantage.

Once the Dragon Form Talisman integrated into the ley lines, it would diminish the enemy's geographical advantage.

Unanimous in their opinion, the generals decided to first assign troops and powerful experts specifically to guard this giant Dragon Form Talisman. Later, when the army had spare capacity, they could install various defensive facilities deep underground.

"Currently, among all our forces, the Three Generals Battalion has recovered the fastest and is in the best condition. They are the most suitable to be responsible for guarding the Dragon Form Talisman."

"Correct."

"Agreed!"

The generals reached consensus again.

However, Zhao Xi, who had been silent until now, let out a light laugh.

He scanned the room, his eyes full of mockery and disdain.

"Too late," he said softly. "I issued them marching orders long before this meeting began."

"By this time, they have probably already left the camp."

"What?!" The generals were astonished.

The old general from earlier frowned: "Lord Zhao, guarding the Dragon Form Talisman is a matter of great importance."

Zhao Xi sneered again: "Then, your troops can handle it."

The old general spread his hands: "But my forces haven't finished resting and recuperating; they lack combat effectiveness, Lord Zhao."

Zhao Xi narrowed his eyes, staring at the old general: "So, you wish to plead guilty to me. You are indeed guilty. Why are your troops still recuperating at this point, while a unit like the Three Generals Battalion was ready much earlier? Have you been too negligent?"

The old general's expression changed. He immediately stood up, clasped his fists, and gave a serious explanation.

No one supported his words, because the armies these other generals commanded were also still in a state of recuperation.

Inspector Zhao Xi scanned the room: "Our army is stationed in the heart of the Thousand Peaks Forest, surrounded by enemies on all sides. Advancement is preferable to defense. The Three Generals Battalion has performed excellently and should naturally take on the responsibility of attack. Anyone who disagrees can use their own troops to replace them."

The room fell silent.

Zhao Xi laughed heartily three times, slowly stood up, cast a cold glance around, put his hands behind his back, and strolled out.

Although Du Tiechuan was in seclusion, his confidants and loyal followers were dissatisfied with Zhao Xi's power grab. Targeting the Three Generals Battalion became a natural consequence.

But Zhao Xi was also deeply experienced in officialdom and had made arrangements in advance.

"Ultimately, the core of this main force is still newly formed troops. That's what gave me room to intervene."

"Otherwise, with Du Tiechuan's ability, he would need only one or two months to forge his subordinates into a tight-knit group."

"Three Generals Battalion, Ning Zhuo... do not disappoint me..."

Zhao Xi worried privately.

To some extent, he and the Three Generals Battalion were already bound together, sharing glory and loss.

Battle Formation - Single File Serpent Formation.

The Three Generals Battalion left the frontline camp and advanced rapidly in this formation.

Their speed was more than four times faster than before.

The soldiers' training had improved, but that wasn't the main reason.

This time, the entire Three Generals Battalion utilized Marching Talismans, Swift Wind Talismans, and other enhancements, significantly increasing every soldier's speed.

They departed in the morning, marched all day, and by evening, reached the Ten-Mile Blazing Forest.

The result of the previous military council pointed to this place.

The elixirs stored in the Curling Root Hundred Herb Cavern were too easily damaged, making guaranteed profits difficult.

The Cloud Shoulder Audience Dragon Platform had the greatest potential, but building an operational camp there would certainly consume vast funds. Only Ning Zhuo could cover that cost; Generals Liu, Guan, and Zhang lacked the financial means.

Even with sufficient funds, ample materials and manpower would be needed to extensively modify this floating peak.

The modification would also require a long time, while the battlefield situation changed in the blink of an eye.

That left only the Thousand Vine Talisman Sky Corridor and the Ten-Mile Blazing Forest.

In terms of value, the Thousand Vine Talisman Sky Corridor was undoubtedly higher, containing millions of talismans. But precisely for that reason, the difficulty of assaulting it was dozens of times greater than the Ten-Mile Blazing Forest.

"In my opinion, for this battle, we must consider not only profit but also safety!"

"After all, we are the first unit leaving camp to attack a stronghold. The risks are hard to predict."

"Considering both our current situation and Zhao Xi's position, we need a victory, not a defeat."

Ning Zhuo's words ultimately led the three generals to choose the Ten-Mile Blazing Forest.

As newly prominent figures, the Three Generators Battalion had attracted much attention, and countless people envied and resented them in secret.

Too many hoped for their failure, which would provide legitimate reasons to suppress them. This would further implicate Zhao Xi and push out this newly established Inspector!

Therefore, this first battle was crucial; it had to be won, it had to succeed!

Dusk was falling. The Ten-Mile Blazing Forest roared with towering flames.

A thousand mountain ridges resembled the vertebrae of a crimson dragon, with molten gold-like firelight flowing through the rugged ravines.

The peaks and valleys seemed like open furnaces, their spewing orange-yellow tongues of flame licking the sky, roasting the clouds into swirling caramel-colored silk.

Upon closer inspection, the endlessly burning trees had a glassy form, like countless crystal pillars encasing infernos.

The forest interior was entirely scorched earth, wreathed in flames that danced eerie jigs on the cracked rock faces.

*Thump.*

Every now and then, a tree in the Blazing Forest, burned to its limit, would suddenly explode and disintegrate with a dull sound.

At that moment, flames would surge violently, forming a tongue of fire tens of *zhang* high that shot skyward before vanishing in an instant.

Waves of heat washed over them, the firelight reflecting on the faces of the entire Three Generators Battalion.

The soldiers stared wordlessly.

"So this is the Ten-Mile Blazing Forest," Liu Er sighed.

Guan Hong stroked his beard: "Magnificent."

Zhang Hei: "Great place!"

Ning Zhuo reminded them: "To avoid complications, we should immediately prepare the army and attack."

Liu Er readily accepted the advice and ordered the entire army to rest.

The soldiers had clear divisions of labor: some stood guard on the perimeter, others inside ate, drank water, sat to relieve fatigue, polished their weapons, and conserved their energy.

This scene fell into the eyes of Luo Chen and others.

Luo Chen, a Nascent Soul level cultivator, was the Forest Chief of the Ten-Mile Blazing Forest. He frowned deeply: "Although the Three Generators Battalion is a newly established army, after several battles, it has almost lost the greenness of a new force."

One of his Golden Core deputies, Fairy Yanliu, sighed: "Who would have thought Two Pours Country would suddenly send a unit specifically heading our way."

"What should we do?"

"In such haste, I could only gather some easily portable treasures to leave."

Luo Chen looked at his other Golden Core deputy: "The Fire Crown Sacred Fir cannot be moved. The Vermilion Bird Incense Burner is the heart of the grand formation. That leaves only taking the Fire Within Wood."

"Yan Jin, have you found it?"

The old man Yan Jin shook his head, transmitting via divine sense: "Sir, the seed of the Fire Within Wood constantly wanders within the Ten-Mile Blazing Forest. In a short time, unless we are extremely lucky to stumble upon it, we would need to activate the grand formation and search inch by inch, eliminating areas."

Fairy Yanliu's face turned grim: "Sir, have you sent a request for reinforcements?"

Luo Chen nodded, then shook his head: "Given the current situation, reinforcements are hard to come by."

Fairy Yanliu looked at Yan Jin: "If the three of us simply retreat, we根本无法交代 to the Dragon King Temple and the other factions!"

"But if we can leave with the legitimate reason of protecting the Fire Within Wood and preventing the enemy from seizing its seed, then we might have a decent future."

"Therefore, we must find the Fire Within Wood!"

Yan Jin nodded, gritting his teeth, his expression solemn: "I will spare no effort."

Luo Chen reassured them: "Set your minds at ease somewhat."

"Our layered defenses in the Ten-Mile Blazing Forest are enough to hold the enemy army for ten days to half a month."

"The highest cultivation among the Three Generators Battalion's commanders is only Golden Core."

"Of course, the sooner we find the Fire Within Wood, the sooner we can leave, and the safer we'll be."

Meanwhile, Liu, Guan, Zhang, and Ning were also discussing the Fire Within Wood.

"The Thousand Peaks Forest consists of giant wooded mountains with no fire veins. The Ten-Mile Blazing Forest was built by the Dragon King Temple in alliance with surrounding forces at great cost as a forging site."

"Since the Ginseng Whisker Dragon King led it, they used Human Fire, specifically the Fire Within Wood. This fire is one of the Samadhi Fires, very precious."

"If we obtain it, in the future, by combining it with the Fire Within Stone and the Fire Within Air, we can condense the Samadhi True Fire!"

"The seed is good, but for us, I'm afraid there isn't enough time."

"Not necessarily. According to the structure of the Ten-Mile Blazing Forest, the Fire Within Wood must be released into the raging flames, following the power of human heart changes and the path of incense deity worship."

"So, finding a tiny fire seed in the vast sea of fire isn't easy! But there is still hope."

After their discussion, the four felt even more eager.

Although Ning Zhuo had obtained a Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence before, Fire Essence and a Fire Seed were fundamentally different.

He was precisely lacking a fire seed suitable for forging and alchemy. It would also be extremely convenient for his future construction of mechanical artifacts.

Seeing the soldiers had finished resting, the three generals immediately marshaled the troops and launched a frontal assault directly into the Ten-Mile Blazing Forest.

The Blazing Forest's defensive formations had long been activated. Now, the flames reached the heavens, capable of melting gold and smelting iron.

In the past, the Three Generators Battalion could only sigh at the flames. But now, they were different. With ample financial resources and Zhao Xi's backing, the soldiers were fully equipped.

They consumed elixirs and applied Frost Talismans.

The entire army of over six hundred soldiers (having absorbed many remnants from other units) immediately found their armor coated in frost, turning a whitish hue.

"Advance!" Liu Er organized the troops into a triangular arrowhead formation and led the charge into the sea of fire.

Countless tongues of flame lashed at the soldiers, but could only lick the frost, unable to threaten their lives in the short term.

*Squeak, squeak, squeak…*

After advancing one *li*, hordes of rats surged from all directions.

Firevelvet Rats!

Ning Zhuo was very familiar with this type of demon beast, as large numbers thrived on Fire Persimmon Mountain.

The Firevelvet Rats on Fire Persimmon Mountain were often large, able to swim in lava and prey on birds. Those in the Ten-Mile Blazing Forest were smaller but far more numerous.

This was the first time Ning Zhuo had seen such a massive horde of rats.

Dense, layer upon layer of rodents surged like a tide towards the Three Generators Battalion.

The entire army was already poised for battle.

Exercising caution, Liu Er raised his Xuanhuang Sword high and activated the military tactic 'Hold the Land, Secure the Foundation' contained within, bestowing protective enhancements on the whole army.

Guan Hong was more adept at dealing with individual strong opponents. Zhang Hei's military tactics were better suited for the current situation.

Military Tactic - Great Army Presses the Border!

The Three Generators Battalion's military strength suddenly consumed forty percent, transforming into numerous Blackwater Soldiers.

The soldiers stood silent, holding weapons also condensed from black water, and counter-charged the rat horde.

Ning Zhuo's eyes flickered, keenly noticing that this time, the Blackwater Soldiers' weapons were no longer uniformly spears as before, but included common arms like axes, dagger-axes, hooks, spears, broadswords, and swords.

Ning Zhuo thought: *It seems Zhang Hei has gained many insights into the Path of the Military Strategist after experiencing multiple battles.*

The mass of Blackwater Soldiers, a dark tide, crashed directly into the vermilion-red rat horde.

The soldiers stood firm like reefs.

The rat horde's losses mounted.

Although the Blackwater Soldiers suffered casualties, compared to the rat horde, they were clearly more resilient. Each Blackwater Soldier killed at least a hundred Firevelvet Rats before perishing.

Hidden behind the scenes, Fairy Yanliu controlled the rat horde using the Blazing Forest's grand formation.

Seeing the Blackwater Soldiers showing signs of pushing back, she decisively took measures, deploying other demon beasts.

Swarm upon swarm of Crimson Flash Mayflies, mingling within the flames like glittering stars shimmering in black and red, descended upon the Blackwater Soldiers.

Caught between the rat horde and the Crimson Flash Mayfly swarms, the Blackwater Soldiers immediately showed fatigue, their casualty rate rapidly increasing.

The battle line was gradually pushed back. Zhang Hei took a deep breath and once again employed the military tactic Great Army Presses the Border.

The recently recovered military strength was again heavily depleted, transforming into new power injected into the battle line.

The effect was immediate; the battle line was swiftly pushed back!

Seeing this situation, Fairy Flowing Flame proactively withdrew her forces.

(End of )