Due to differing mindsets and ideas, the three large armies all maintained their independent states tacitly, fighting their own battles.
While it's difficult to say they completely ignored each other, at the very least, they avoided any interaction!
Regarding this, "Daoist Zi Shu" was very philosophical. "I wasn't planning to command you anyway, so figure it out yourselves!"
The result of them figuring it out themselves was that "True Person Yuan Yuan" and "Fairy Cai Jing," among others, led the "Er Guizi Army" and charged towards "Mu Wang City."
In their view, "Mu Wang City" was the rear base of the "Yi Army." If they captured "Mu Wang City," the "Yi Army" would lose its foundation and inevitably collapse.
Cao Ang, on the other hand, disdained the idea of a "sneak attack" and led his army directly to "He Ze Important Town," intending to confront the "Yi Army" head-on.
As for the army led by "Daoist Zi Shu," it remained encamped in its original position, showing no signs of immediate attack.
"You guys fight first. When you're tired, and an opportunity arises for profit, er, a chance for battle appears, then we'll strike!"
Thus, the "Yi Army War" officially entered version 2.0.
Fortunately, both the "Cao Ang Army" and the "Er Guizi Army" were composed of a motley crew, and their march required considerable time. They couldn't launch an offensive in a short period.
This meant there was still enough time to prepare countermeasures.
This was why Hao Ren changed his mind and decided to personally meet the "Mountain-Descending Traveling Squad" led by Yun Tian Zhong, "Little Spirit Monkey King," and Yun Zhao Zhao.
These young cultivators, though only at the "Golden Core Realm," and some like Wang Xiao Hu even at the "Foundation Establishment Realm," were individually powerful and formidable, many possessing the ability to "challenge across major realms."
Now that the "Yi Army" was in precarious danger, allowing this "fresh force" to join the "Yi Army" and help Liu Xiu Er against the powerful enemy wouldn't be a bad strategy.
A certain senior's "clever plan" was clicking into place with satisfying clicks.
He was making the best use of everything!
Since Yun Tian Zhong and the others were descending the mountain to gain experience, it didn't matter where they trained, so why not help the "Yi Army"?
When Yun Tian Zhong and the others knelt outside the cave and paid their respects to their revered, wise, and god-like senior with three kowtows,
The voice of the certain senior, filled with majestic power and an air of supreme confidence, boomed out.
"Tian Zhong, and all you young members of the Yun family, you are all heaven-blessed prodigies, and I greatly admire you!"
This "remarkably ordinary" compliment was like celestial music to Yun Tian Zhong and the others. Every pore on their bodies opened, and they felt an unparalleled comfort deep within their bones.
Joy!
To receive the "recognition" of a senior was the greatest honor of their lives!
Some "Yun family disciples" felt their minds become clear in that instant, and their cultivation surged uncontrollably...
Rumble!
A "spiritual energy tide" erupted.
Several "Yun family disciples" actually broke through minor realms, their cultivation and progress reaching a new level.
Good heavens!
The certain senior was shocked.
I just made a casual compliment, and these guys have to be this insane?
But Yun Tian Zhong and the others didn't think that way. They had a deeper "understanding."
Yun Tian Zhong exclaimed,
"My heavens, Senior is so powerful!"
"That speech just now, Senior, contained the profound truths of the Great Dao, mysterious and immeasurable!"
"A moment of your wisdom is worth ten years of arduous cultivation!"
"Senior's guidance is like a divine revelation, enough to increase our cultivation and break through minor realms..."
The certain senior
(￣ェ￣；)
Was speechless!
He finally understood why Yun Zhen Ting always told him that Yun Tian Zhong was the most outstanding disciple among the younger generation of the Yun family!
It wasn't because of Yun Tian Zhong's high talent.
It wasn't because Yun Tian Zhong had refined the "Town Mansion Stone Tablet."
Nor was it because Yun Tian Zhong had refined the Houtian spiritual treasure "Sword Tomb"!
It was because Yun Tian Zhong had inherited his "Dehua" (dilution/transformation) power from Yun Zhen Ting.
Everything could be "Dehua"-ed!
Hao Ren's casual "ordinary flattery" had, under Yun Tian Zhong's "Dehua," transformed into the most powerful pronouncements containing the "profound truths of the Great Dao," utterly awe-inspiring!
He had to admit it was incredible!
Most importantly, Yun Tian Zhong's "nonsense talk" was believed by everyone else.
Wang Xiao Hu stepped forward and declared loudly,
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior. I feel enlightened!"
Then, the black remnant blade in his hand suddenly erupted with endless "black malevolent energy."
Its might was vast and terrifying!
Roar, roar, roar!
Accompanied by howling roars, a colossal, ferocious, and bloodthirsty "black giant tiger" appeared.
The "Black Tiger Fierce Blade," its demonic aura soaring!
Previously, although Wang Xiao Hu was the owner of this "demonic blade," his control over it was very limited.
Especially during battles, the "Black Tiger Fierce Blade" essentially fought on its own, and Wang Xiao Hu was in a "semi-controlled state."
This situation was extremely dangerous.
As the "Black Tiger Fierce Blade" continued to kill, its power and demonic energy would grow stronger. Eventually, it could usurp control, its boundless demonic energy devouring Wang Xiao Hu's consciousness and reason, turning him into a "blade slave" who only knew how to kill.
The previous eight owners of the "Black Tiger Fierce Blade" all met the same fate.
But now, everything was different!
Wang Xiao Hu, after hearing the certain senior's "profound truths of the Great Dao," had enlightened. He had a sudden realization!
Wang Xiao Hu unleashed a powerful aura.
He pointed one finger to the sky and the other to the ground, his demeanor solemn and awe-inspiring, declaring,
"Heaven and earth above and below, I alone am supreme. My destiny is mine to control, not Heaven's!"
Good heavens!
How awkward, how chuunibyo the line was!
Hao Ren, listening from inside the cave, felt his awkwardness meter about to explode.
But outside the cave, the "Yun family disciples" were all excited and filled with passion.
"Junior Brother Wang, how domineering!"
"What a magnificent statement, 'My destiny is mine to control, not Heaven's!'"
"The malevolent energy of the Black Tiger Fierce Blade seems insignificant before this grand declaration!"
...
The "black giant tiger" in the sky, upon hearing Wang Xiao Hu roar "My destiny is mine to control, not Heaven's!", stopped roaring and lowered its head slightly, as if genuinely submitting to Wang Xiao Hu.
At this moment, everyone clearly saw streams of black malevolent energy emanating from the "Black Tiger Fierce Blade," actively entering Wang Xiao Hu's right arm, forming an ancient, wild, and ferocious "tiger head imprint" on his limb.
Someone seeing this couldn't help but exclaim in shock.
"My heavens, could this be the legendary Tiger Fierce Seal?"
Ancient legends say that the "Black Tiger Fierce Blade" will completely submit to one of its owners. The sign of submission is the "Black Tiger Fierce Blade" actively releasing black malevolent energy to form a "Tiger Fierce Seal" on its owner's right arm.
With the "Tiger Fierce Seal," the terrifying malevolent energy contained within the "Black Tiger Fierce Blade" can no longer harm its owner; instead, it becomes the owner's strongest aid!