by Tony Tran
Seconds turned into minutes while minutes turned into hours as the group sat in silence, taking in and circulating as much essence as they could. So far within the group the one undergoing the most visual changes was Little White, who had been absorbing essence for roughly eight hours.
Strangely enough despite being a wind element demonic beast, lightning bolts began appearing and wrapping around its body. Its fur looked sleeker while it’s fangs and claws appeared many times sharper.
Although no one else noticed, thanks to the Underworld Heart. Zhang was able to tell that Little White had gone from a level six demonic beast to a level seven demonic beast. He could also see that the essence around Ling was swirling about and about to undergo a transformation also.
Within the group, Ling was the one who had been at the seventh level of cultivation the longest and had been at the stuck there for a while. But from the looks of things, it appeared she only needed a slight push in the right direction to finally step foot into the next level because roughly an hour or two after Little White’s cultivation advanced Ling stepped into the eighth level of cultivation.
Lingqi who had been at the fifth level of cultivation, making her the one with the lowest cultivation within the group, had stepped into the sixth level not too long after Little White had leveled up. Since there wasn’t a bottleneck for those at the fifth level she didn’t really have a hard time leveling up.
Meanwhile, Ai did not have any changes at as far as Zhang could tell. From beginning to end he had never been able to understand how she was able to level up so quickly when they had run into her after escaping from the Underworld. But her freakish cultivation speed had seemed to stall as she no changes could be seen from her despite absorbing an abundant amount of essence from the Dragon’s Vein.
After Ling’s Cultivation stabilized, Little White crawled onto her lap where it curled up and fell asleep. With a smile, Ling began petting the small furry kitten like liger in her lap. After advancing to the eighth level it would take a large amount of essence and quite some time before she could advance into the ninth level.
But realistically speaking, Zhang’s group besides Lingqi, could all be considered genius or monsters. This was because regular people stop at the fourth level of cultivation and many only manage to make it to the sixth or seventh level after a hundred or two hundred years of cultivating, well unless they are a part of a large sect with massive amounts of cultivation materials.
So, without accounting for the people apart of large sects, not many people can accomplish what Zhang, Yuying, Ai and Ling have done. Hence the reason to why level seven and above warriors are all generals and why high mages are considered national treasures. As for saints, they generally stay within large kingdoms or empires due to how revered and worshiped they are.
If a saint asked two small kingdoms to fight one another with the promise of placing himself under the service of the kingdom that wins, then these two small kingdoms would instantly set out and wage war against each other. With that being said that were quite a few saints within the Wulin continent, however many of them choose to do what Xin Tao did and roam the continent or travel the world.
It was not until a total of sixteen hours had passed before the pocket of essence was completely absorbed. Zhang and Yuying had barely managed to join Ling in the eighth level of cultivation while Ai did not seem to make any progress at all.
“If I remember right, once we step into the ninth level our bodies will undergo a great change.” Yuying said as she got up from the ground.
“Wahhhhh. I’m so tired… Don’t know how people can do this for days on end.” Ai said with a yawn.
“Well now that there's nothing else to do, we should eat some dinner and get some sleep. We have to head back to camp tomorrow morning.” Zhang said as he waved his hand and made a large boar appear on the ground. Yesterday he had actually hunted quite a few of them, some he stored away in his interspatial ring, others he fed to the Wraith Spiders residing in the Ruler’s Domain and one he cooked for his wives to eat.
“Here you go Little White.” Zhang said he as bent down and sliced off one of the boar’s legs and tossed it over to the furry liger. Once the boar leg was in front of it, the flurry liger began to nibble away until there was only bone to gnaw on.
Soon the cavern was filled with the aroma of perfectly grilled boar as the group enjoyed their meal.
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Once the sun was up, Zhang and the beauties scaled up the face of the steep cliff and headed back toward Dark Sea City.
While they were making their trip, the other various armies of Aurora began moving southward. Guan Yu, Lu Xun, Jian Wei, Zhang Liao, Leng Zai, and a dozen or so others each lead an army toward the southern provinces.
Many hundreds of thousands of men stomped through open fields and cut through forests as the forces of Aurora began its journey south. Each and every one apart of this colossal force was fill with confidence and bravery as they thought about the honor and riches that may come if the invasion is a success.
There were some who were eager to impress the ladies or marry their sweethearts once they return, while many others sought to raise through the military ranks and gain prestige and honor. Each person had their own purpose for joining the expedition north and each and every one of them was making history as they marched onward.
The south was filled with riches to be claimed, beautiful women to meet, and untold opportunities for those who wished to raise through the ranks.
They had long ago received word from Zhang of his exploits within the Dark Sea Province and everyone of Aurora’s generals were eager to prove themselves because once the south was conquered, Aurora would become a small empire.
Once Aurora became an empire, a large variety of government positions would appear and everyone wished to show Jian Wei they were worthy of being bestowed the highest of ranks.
While Aurora’s armies marched south, the southern provinces had marched north. Thousands of encampments and forts had been erected to welcome Aurora’s soldiers. Countless miles of trenches were dug to prevent cavalry soldiers from playing a large role in the battles that would ensue.
Unlike the Dark Sea Province who had been caught off guard by Zhuge Liang’s defection, the other provinces had all gathered their troops within the provinces that bordered Aurora. The provinces that directly bordered Aurora did not take any chances and had established themselves as the frontlines for the incoming war.
Their civilians were relocated while support from the other provinces in the south arrived. Countless men were drafted, while countless more were made to help with construction. Defenses had to be strengthened while weapons had to be made, causing most of the southern provinces to fall into a frenzy of production and construction.
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Within a large hall, hundreds of dignitaries and lords who resided in the southern provinces gathered on the day Aurora’s troops began to move. They were all seated at a large square table with scowls on their brow as war would soon being.
“Have sufficient supplies been sent to the Stone Ridge Province yet?” One man dressed in fancy robes said.
“What about my New Wind Province? I need more men to reinforce the borders.” A chubby bald man said.
“Lord Ma, we will be sending another battalion to reinforce you as soon as more soldiers are trained.” The fancy dressed man said.
“Trainees? You think trainees can fight back those bastards from Aurora? Can’t you send over the Dark Legion?” The chubby bald man said as he slammed his hand onto the table.
“The Dark Legion has been sent toward Lord Chang’s province, since we have yet received word from Lord Liu. If the Dark Sea Provinces falls then Lord Chang would have to be able to repel the enemies that come from the west.” The fancy dressed man said.
“Then what about the troops of the Dragon
Core?”
“They’ve been sent to Lord Dong, to help him defend against the enemy troops that will be coming from the former Green Clover Province.”
The leaders of the Southern Alliance were all working diligently to spread their forces to prepare for Aurora’s arrival, however each and every lord was only looking out for themselves so despite having sufficient forces they would request for more reinforcements.
These requests of course, would often be shot down because no one was truly willing to loan their army to someone else.
But besides these issues, overall the southern lords had all banded together in the hopes of maintaining their rule because once Aurora sweeped south they all faced the possibility of death or being dethroned from their positions.
Hence large amounts of funds and supplies were funneled to the provinces that would become the front lines for the war and although no one wished to loan out their elite troops, new regiments and battalions were made and trained daily so send out as reinforcement.
But will their cooperation be enough? Will they be able to repel Aurora’s forces? No one knows because the future has yet to be written.
Chapter 45: Deadline
While the flames of war were about to spark in the other provinces, an eerie silence swept over the Dark Sea Province. Today was the deadline that Zhang had set for Liu Biao, today would become a turning point in the Dark Sea Province’s history depending on the path that it decides to take.
Early in the morning, Yuying’s one thousand disciples rose a massive army of undead skeletons in case Dark Sea City decided not to surrender. These skeletons would serve as the vanguard and help lessen casualties.
With all sides of the city surrounded and nowhere to go, the soldiers of the Dark Sea Army stood atop the city walls with uneasiness in their hearts. Unlike Zhang’s soldiers who would only begin to move in after the massive army of skeletons broke into the city, the soldiers atop the walls did not have the luxury of someone else fighting the battle for them.
If their lord chooses to fight, then it was highly likely that many if not all of them would be sent to the Underworld. Anxiousness loomed in the air as no one knew what Liu Biao’s decision was going to be.
“You lot, move the trebuchets into range and prepare the battering rams, I’ll move in once the skeletons scale up the city walls. I also want forty thousand men mounted and ready to move in case the enemy decides to try to break through our lines and escape.” Gan Ning could be heard issuing commands.
As one army prepared to attack and one army prepared to defend the sun rose to its peak.
“Brother, do you think they’ll surrender? This is pretty boring; can I go break down the wall?” Ai asked as she sat beside Zhang.
“They should be sending out a messenger anytime now if they don’t then I’ll let you have a go at the wall.” Zhang said with a smile as he stroked Ai’s hair.
Almost instantly after the words left Zhang’s mouth, all of the gates that led into Dark Sea City opened and hundreds of white flags were raised into the air.
Moments after the city gates were opened, the eight hundred thousand soldiers within the city marched out, not in orderly rows but more like a mob of regular people.
Once they were outside of the city gates, every one of these soldiers tossed their weapons onto the ground and took off their armor, creating a hill of weapons and armor in front of the city walls.
They had taken things a step further then what Zhang had anticipated, opening the city gates and allowing him to enter and disarming their soldiers. This was a show of good faith and trust that earned Liu Biao a few good marks in Zhang’s book.
“Have the skeletons move in and secure the outer walls and city streets, all of the soldiers who had just disarmed themselves are to be watched in case of enemy deceit.” Zhang said to a handsome yet sturdy looking man who stood beside his throne. After the orders were given, the army of skeletons entered the city and secured the walls.
Zhang had to make sure that Liu Biao was truly surrendering and not trying to pull off some kind of trap. Perhaps Liu Biao did not truly surrender and was simply luring Zhang into the city so he could close the gates and rain arrows down from the city walls. There were a number of possible traps that could have been laid, however this would not matter since Zhang had sent the skeletons into the city first.
If anything was to occur he would not lose a single soldier while Liu Biao’s ploy would be exposed, that was of course, if Liu Biao decided to act when Zhang was entering the city. There was still the chance of assassination or poison coming into play after the city fell into his control so Zhang had to be careful.
After the skeletons had complete control of the city walls and the streets were lined with them, Zhang’s soldiers began to enter the city. Sitting atop a lavish golden throne that was laid onto a large cart pulled by a team of fiery horses, Zhang made his way through the empty city streets.
No one dared to leave their homes nor even peek outside once the skeletons had marched into the city, which was a good thing since it would allow Zhang’s army to move inside without having to mind the civilians.
It did not take long after Zhang entered the city before a procession of people arrived to welcome him. Liu Biao, his sons and hundreds of government officials and high ranking military personnel had gathered and kneeled on one knee in the middle of the streets, showing that they had submitted to Zhang.
“No need to be so courteous.” Zhang laughed as he hopped off of his throne and walked over to help Liu Biao up.
“We welcome your highness into our city and hope that you will take care of us in the future.” Liu Biao said politely.
After some formal introductions to the various dignitaries that were in Dark Sea City, Zhang and the beauties were led to the provincial lord’s mansion where a feast was being held in their honor. Gan Ning, Sima Yi and Zhuge Liang were also to be honored but they had declined due to the number of duties that they needed to do.
Gan Ning needed to find housing for the soldiers while Sima Yi had to city’s treasury, granary, and army. Lastly, Zhuge Liang had to rally his supporters and create a list to give to Zhang, this list would be used to replace corrupt or inept officials. Since one of the main problems that the Dark Sea Province faced with cause by the two fractions of rival government officials, a purge was needed.
Truly corrupt and heinous officials would be executed while others would be replaced or given punishments according to their crimes. Of course, Zhang had ordered Zhuge Liang to keep the number of individuals purged to the minimal because he did not wish to replace all of the Dark Sea Provinces officials since that would only serve to cripple the government. But by ridding the province of many of its corrupt officials, Zhang would not only be establishing his dominance by making an example out of those who abuse their power and preventing future problems, but this would also aid him in obtaining the hearts of the civilians.
Since it was the common folk who suffered the most at the hands of the corrupt officials, they would more than likely see Zhang as their savior instead of a ruthless conqueror.
So, while Gan Ning, Sima Yi and Zhuge Liang were busy with their various tasks, Zhang and the beauties headed off to the provincial lord’s mansion.
Much like Liu Yuan’s suggestion, Liu Biao was wholeheartedly submitting to Zhang and inwardly praying that he had made the right decision. But without having Yuying scan Liu Biao’s thoughts, Zhang still remained somewhat vigilant.
Within a large hall filled small rectangular tables, each only large enough for a single person to sit, Zhang was given the seat of honor that was located at the very end of the hall up above a few marble steps.
Although the table was only large enough for one person to sit, since the beauties either sat on Zhang’s lap or closed in beside him they were all seated at the same table. Besides the fact that they wanted to sit with him, for security purposes, Lingqi would taste all of the dishes first.
Being a maste
r at concocting poisons and medicine, if there were anything wrong with the food Lingqi would know instantly.
Of course, no one else knew this since some were too busy being envious of Zhang while others were too lost in thought about what will happen to them now that Zhang was in charge. Without knowing what plans Zhang had in store for them many people were filled with fear.
“Here darling, have a bit.” Lingqi said as she used a pair of golden chopsticks to pick up a piece of meat and brought it in front of Zhang’s mouth.
“Damn if only I knew more about poison… She’s totally using this opportunity to her advantage.” Ling complained in her mind.
While the same thought appeared in Yuying’s mind, Ai was delighted that she could now enjoy the extravagant meal that was laid out on the table since all of the dishes had been checked and no poison was found.
As the festivities continued on and dancers filed into the hall, Lingqi decided to join in the fun by withdrawing a zither from her interspatial ring and gracing those within the hall with a few songs. Songs of joy and love echoed out from the large hall and uplifted everyone’s mood as Lingqi skillfully played the zither and sang.
