Chapter 1170: Chapter 1169: Dongyong Dynasty
Jiangning City is not a purely military town; it houses a large civilian population and was initially an ordinary city before being fortified.
Currently, there are nearly a million troops stationed in Jiangning City, with a substantial number of soldiers in nearby cities.
At this moment, a commander on the city wall spoke, "Master Qin, if we surrender, can we become soldiers of your Skyfire Dynasty?"
The soldiers within the city felt their hearts tense up upon hearing their commander’s words, as this was indeed their main concern.
They all knew the benefits of being a soldier in the Skyfire Dynasty—not only could they learn middle-grade lower quality cultivation skills, but they also received a generous stipend in spirit stones. Most importantly, they could earn merit to attain higher-level cultivation techniques, divine skills, weapons, and elixirs as rewards.
Qin Hao contemplated and replied, "If you sincerely wish to surrender, I can allow you to become soldiers of the Skyfire Dynasty. However, you must go to the military training base for training. The spiritual energy there is abundant, enabling your cultivation to increase rapidly."
The commanders inside the city, upon hearing this, responded, "Master Qin, we surrender, we surrender!"
Qin Hao, being the indomitable State Preceptor of the Skyfire Dynasty, had a reputation even higher than the King of the Skyfire Dynasty, and his words were not to be questioned by anyone.
Quickly, the soldiers inside Jiangning City dismantled the defensive formation and opened the city gates, allowing Qin Hao to lead his army inside.
Not long after, officials from the Skyfire Dynasty arrived to take over Jiangning City.
Qin Hao met with the defending commanders of Jiangning City in the City Lord’s mansion, "What is your name? Do you know the commanders of the other cities?"
The person respectfully replied, "Reporting to the State Preceptor, I am Lv Ming. The commanders of the other cities are my colleagues, and they are also from the nearby counties. If I persuade them well, they should surrender too."
Qin Hao nodded slightly, "I will arrange for the soldiers to be sent to the White Tiger Army’s training base, which is not far from here and is a prime location for cultivation."
"Thank you, State Preceptor!"
This was a prime location for cultivation, a place they had never had the opportunity to train at while under the Daliang Dynasty, as such places were exclusive to sects and nobles.
In the Skyfire Dynasty, military personnel hold very high status, whereas the sects have no standing at all, and the future of the soldiers seems promising. This is the main reason why they surrendered.
Under the Daliang Dynasty, their status was low, and their future seemed bleak.
On this day, under Lv Ming’s persuasion, the defending generals of several nearby cities all surrendered. The main reason was that they saw no hope of victory, and nobody wanted to die, leaving surrender as the only option.
The three-million-strong army set up by the Daliang Dynasty surrendered entirely and was assigned by Qin Hao to bases for training and cultivation.
Qin Hao took a county without any effort.
Jinyang County, within the Commandery Princess’s residence in Jinyang City.
Qin Hao said to Lv Ming, "For persuading so many cities to surrender, you deserve the highest merit!"
Lv Ming hastily replied, "The main reason is the various policies of the Skyfire Dynasty have won people’s hearts. The army is strong; I dare not take the credit. Even without me, Jinyang County would be the State Preceptor’s possession!"
Qin Hao was pleased with his words, smiling and nodding as he produced an elixir, "This is a Heavenly Human Elixir. You’re currently at the peak of the Late Stage Grandmaster Realm. After taking this, you can break through to the Early Stage of Heavenly Human Realm."
Lv Ming’s eyes widened, looking fervently at the elixir in Qin Hao’s hand, and the surrounding onlookers were equally stunned. This was a Heavenly Human Elixir, something impossible to purchase in the Daliang Dynasty, and here was Qin Hao casually giving it to Lv Ming as a reward.
Such generosity was astounding.
Lv Ming received it excitedly, "Thank you, State Preceptor. Thank you, State Preceptor. I, Lv Ming, swear to follow the State Preceptor loyally and go through fire and water without hesitation."
Qin Hao replied indifferently, "It’s just a mere Heavenly Human Elixir. If you achieve great merits, even Peak Ascending Elixirs, Transformation Elixirs, Extreme Realm Elixirs, and Transcendent Elixirs can be yours!"
Upon hearing this, the people were astounded beyond measure. A Heavenly Human Elixir isn’t considered significant?
Qin Hao produced a variety of elixirs, including Peak Ascending Elixirs, Transformation Elixirs, Extreme Realm Elixirs, and Transcendent Elixirs, leaving everyone wide-eyed, dazzled, and deeply shocked.
He really had so many elixirs; it was terrifying.
Qin Hao quickly put them away, "Don’t doubt whether I have elixirs. As long as you achieve merits, you will be rewarded. I have top cultivation techniques, divine skills, elixirs, and more."
Lv Ming spoke up, "State Preceptor, may I apply to join the White Tiger Army and fight alongside you?"
Qin Hao replied, "Your strength is quite good; once you break through to the Heavenly Human Realm, join the White Tiger Army. I’ll give you an opportunity to make achievements."
"Thank you, State Preceptor."
The former Commandery Princess of Jinyang County cautiously asked, "State Preceptor, may I have my family disciples join the White Tiger Army as soldiers?"
Qin Hao replied, "Of course you can, but once in the army, they must abide by military law."
...
The next day, Qin Hao led his army to continue their expedition. Although the Daliang Dynasty received the news, they did not dispatch troops, as to them, doing so would be a dead end.
Laying aside Qin Hao’s strength, the Skyfire Dynasty’s secret weapon was more than they could handle, being beyond human resistance.
Half a month later, Dong Mengqi, Xian Yin, and Ling’er emerged from seclusion, having all broken through to the Early-stage Extreme Realm.
Another half-month passed, and those mid-ranked commanders who had been trained emerged from seclusion, all having reached the Heavenly Human Realm, then returned to their respective armies.
During this month, Qin Hao led his army in conquering cities along their path without much resistance, as the Daliang Dynasty didn’t deploy heavy forces to counter them, knowing they wouldn’t stand a chance.
Later, Wu Yutong emerged from seclusion. Qin Hao handed over command to Wu Yutong, putting her in charge of the conquests while he returned to the royal city.
Skyfire City, within the royal palace, in the Imperial Study.
Qin Hao entered and saw Ye Lingyi chatting with Dong Mengqi, Xian Yin, and Ling’er.
Upon seeing Qin Hao entering, the women were startled, their eyes widening slightly, "Aren’t you attacking the Daliang Dynasty?"
Qin Hao replied, "The Daliang Dynasty hasn’t retaliated at all; it’s boring. I’ve left it to Yutong. Even if the Qingfeng Taoist sends experts, they can’t match the White Tiger Army. I’ve made all the arrangements."
"Master, does that mean you won’t leave?" Ling’er ran over and clung to his arm.
Qin Hao replied, "Now that the major armies are powerful, attacking the Daliang Dynasty shouldn’t be much of an issue even without my intervention, just a matter of time. However, we should pay some attention to the Blood Leopard Dynasty. The forces of the Blood Leopard Divine Sect are formidable."
Ye Lingyi spoke up, "Our eastern neighbor, the Dongyong Dynasty, is under attack. Should we also seize some benefits? I’ve heard there are numerous rare metal veins there, which are excellent for artifact refining, as well as several spirit stone veins."
Qin Hao replied, "Then send the God Demon Army to attack the Dongyong Dynasty and seize those resources, but be careful not to harm ordinary people."