As countless purple auspicious clouds converged, forming a "Auspicious Cloud Battle Banner," endless purple light erupted from Cao Zhi's body, soaring into the sky to echo the celestial clouds.
Faintly, phantoms of countless heavenly soldiers and generals appeared.
These heavenly soldiers and generals were seen slaying demons and vanquishing evil, pacifying the four directions, and achieving immense military exploits.
In reward for their efforts, the Heavenly Dao bestowed vast amounts of golden fortune.
The sky filled with purple auspicious clouds was slowly dyed into a purplish-gold hue.
The "Purple Armor Precious Record" that Cao Zhi cultivated underwent an unimaginably miraculous transformation. Streams of golden light descended, enveloping his entire body, and the "Purple Armor Precious Record" was upgraded to the "Purple Gold Precious Record."
Not only did its might surge, but it also gained a trace of innate killing aura, sharp and unparalleled!
After the breakthrough, the "Purple Gold Precious Record" more than doubled Cao Zhi's command capability.
He could now command two thousand "Purple Armored Dao Soldiers," or rather, two thousand "Purple Gold Dao Soldiers."
Not only had the number of "Dao Soldiers" increased, but their combat power had also risen several tiers.
The current two thousand "Purple Gold Dao Soldiers" could effortlessly defeat a hundred thousand "Imperial Army" with no pressure.
It must be known that the "Imperial Army" was no ordinary mortal force; it was filled with numerous Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining cultivators, and even included "Golden Core Generals."
Yet, even this "high-spec Imperial Army" was no match for the "Purple Gold Dao Soldiers."
With a few charges, overwhelming and unstoppable, the two thousand "Purple Gold Dao Soldiers" could easily vanquish the "Imperial Army."
Secondly, the reason for the current strength of the "Purple Gold Dao Soldiers" was "demon beast mounts"!
Having all "Purple Gold Dao Soldiers" ride on "demon beast mounts" had always been Cao Zhi's dream.
It had finally come true.
It wasn't easy, to be sure!
"Demon beasts" were relatively easy!
With "Azure-Eyed Purple Gold Hou" as their "born leader," as long as it went out and persuaded others, any number of "demon beast subordinates" could be gathered.
Currently, there were even three or four "Golden Core Demon Beasts" following behind "Azure-Eyed Purple Gold Hou."
Despite being "Golden Core Demon Beasts" themselves, they willingly acknowledged "Azure-Eyed Purple Gold Hou" as their elder brother. This was likely due to his "beastly charm"!
Regardless, "demon beasts" were not an issue.
The main trouble lay in the "riding magic treasures."
Riding "demon beasts" required the use of "riding magic treasures."
This was because the demonic energy of "demon beasts" and the true essence of cultivators were not compatible and could not merge. They had to be converted through "riding magic treasures" before one could control a "demon beast" and make it obey commands.
Refining "riding magic treasures" was no simple task.
First, it required vast amounts of "heavenly materials and earthly treasures."
"Riding magic treasures" were a special category of magic treasures, and they themselves were graded, from first grade to the highest, ninth grade.
The more powerful the "demon beast" being ridden, the higher the grade of "riding magic treasure" required.
The quality and quantity of "heavenly materials and earthly treasures" needed for refining also increased.
In simple terms, it was a money pit!
Secondly, skilled "artifact refiners" were needed.
Like "alchemists," "artifact refiners" were "high-end technical talents" and difficult to cultivate easily!
Organizations like the "Rebel Army," a "makeshift team," didn't even have "alchemists," let alone "artifact refiners."
There were two or three blacksmiths in the rebel army's small city who specialized in forging farm tools like hoes and sickles.
These two major "hurdles" were like two "roadblocks." Without resolving them, it was impossible to acquire "demon beast mounts."
Cao Zhi, worthy of being a "filial son" and a prodigious disciple of "Dragon Tiger Heavenly Sect," quickly found a "solution."
It was, in fact, quite simple.
First, the "filial son" Cao Zhi feigned capture and wrote a "ransom note" to "Cao Man."
"Cao Man" was immediately flustered, sold off some of the "Cao family's ancestral property," and handed over a large sum of spirit stones to the rebel army.
Money was secured!
With money, a large quantity of "heavenly materials and earthly treasures" could be purchased.
The matter of refining materials was smoothly resolved.
Next, Cao Zhi, the celestial seed disciple of "Dragon Tiger Heavenly Sect," sent a "flying sword message" to his senior brothers within the sect who were skilled in artifact refining, tricking them into coming to the "rebel army's small city" to refine "riding magic treasures."
In this way, all problems were solved.
Those senior brothers were treated as "production donkeys," tirelessly refining "riding magic treasures" day and night, finally realizing Cao Zhi's ideal of "all-member cavalry," or rather, "all-member demon beast cavalry."
With the "Purple Gold Dao Soldiers" combined with "all-member demon beast cavalry," their combat power was astonishing.
Within two charges, the "Imperial Army" was routed and scattered.
The leading "Golden Core General" tried to maintain order, but Cao Zhi charged forward, directly cutting off his head.
The entire battle lasted less than half an hour. Over twenty thousand soldiers of the "Imperial Army" were either killed or captured.
Cao Zhi led the two thousand "Purple Gold Dao Soldiers" back to the "rebel army's small city," where "Liu Xiuer" personally welcomed him.
"I and the General shall shed our battle robes, the warm hibiscus tent, smoke arising..." Ptooey, omit the latter half, there is no latter half!
"General Cao fights bravely and is invincible!"
"Liu Xiuer" lavished praise upon Cao Zhi.
Cao Zhi, being humble and composed, quickly cupped his fists in salute and respectfully said to "Liu Xiuer."
"It is all thanks to my lord's guidance!"
This statement was not flattery but Cao Zhi's sincere gratitude and heartfelt emotion.
His "Purple Armor Precious Record" was not considered top-tier within the "Dao Soldier Divine Ability system"; it was merely upper-middle.
Yet, a casual remark of guidance from his lord "Liu Xiuer" immediately caused the "Purple Armor Precious Record" to undergo an unbelievable transformation, upgrading to the "Purple Gold Precious Record."
The "Purple Gold Precious Record," within the vast "Dao Soldier Divine Ability system," could certainly be considered first-class.
How could such an "unbelievable" promotion not make Cao Zhi feel deeply grateful to "Liu Xiuer"?
To this, "Liu Xiuer" responded, it had nothing to do with him.
It really had nothing to do with him!
He had merely casually said, "You will break through soon."
Such words were like asking "Have you eaten?" or saying "May you prosper," completely meaningless, just a pure greeting.
Who knew that Cao Zhi would actually break through!
Perhaps Cao Zhi's accumulation was sufficient, and he happened to break through at that time!
"Liu Xiuer" thought to himself.
This merit that doesn't belong to me, yet is being attributed to me, puts a lot of pressure on me!
And at this moment, above "Liu Xiuer's" head was not "pressure," but surging, powerful "golden fortune."
Ever since "Liu Xiuer" and "Princess Yin Lihua" had their unspeakable encounter and he became the "Rebel Leader," the "golden fortune" above his head had been unstoppable.
Now, the "golden fortune" was intensely boiling, almost bursting.
He thought he had just spoken casually, but it wasn't casual at all; when a "cheat" speaks, their words become law!
Let alone helping Cao Zhi break through, he could make anyone pregnant if he wished.