Chapter 830: Demon Crystal Cannon

"General Sun, whether someone is useless has nothing to do with physical disability. Some people have eyes yet see nothing—no different from the blind."

Ling Feng shot Commander Xiao a sidelong glance, startling the man so badly he dropped to his knees. "This lowly one was blind! Please forgive me, General!"

Ignoring him, Ling Feng addressed Sun Gongming calmly. "Though my medical skills can't regrow your right arm, I have a sky-tier sword technique specifically for the left hand. Take it."

"A sky-tier martial skill?" Sun Gongming's eyelids twitched. "No, no—that's far too precious!"

"Call it fate. If this can lift your spirits, what's one sky-tier martial skill?" Ling Feng smiled faintly. "Consider it thanks for helping me today."

Commander Xiao watched with burning envy.

This Little General Ling tosses out sky-tier martial skills like candy!

Regret gnawed at his gut. Had he curried favor instead of antagonizing Ling Feng, perhaps he too could've gained something—even an earth-tier skill would've been a treasure beyond reach for someone of his rank!

What a fool I was!

After some small talk, Ling Feng explained his purpose for visiting. Sun Gongming provided the current passphrase—essential for clearing checkpoints to Qingtian Fortress during these tense times.

Commander Xiao's earlier hostility stemmed partly from Ling Feng's failure to provide it while claiming to be a general. Still, his attitude had been inexcusable.

Not one to dwell on minor slights, Ling Feng bid Sun Gongming farewell and continued toward the fortress with his group.

...

Passing eight checkpoints, they finally beheld Qingtian Fortress in all its staggering grandeur.

Towering walls nearly a hundred zhang high bristled with artillery platforms mounting fearsome Demon Crystal Cannons.

These masterworks of imperial craftsmen consumed top-grade elemental stones as fuel, compressing their energy into bursts rivaling a king-tier expert's full-power strike—with a range of several thousand zhang.

Usually, each shot consumed millions of top-grade elemental stones, essentially burning through money with every blast. Because of this, the Demon Crystal Cannons were rarely used on a day-to-day basis.

Even so, their mere presence atop the city walls was enough to strike fear into anyone who laid eyes on them.

Before Ling Feng's group could approach the main gates, Silverwing Griffins soared into the sky, their riders leveling lances.

"Halt and identify yourselves!"

"Peak after perilous peak we came! I am Ling Feng, here to meet the Northwestern Commander-in-Chief!"

Ling Feng's clear recitation of the passphrase satisfied the griffin riders, who signaled for a side gate to open.

Thank goodness Sun Gongming gave us the phrase.

Ling Feng couldn't help but break into a cold sweat. The soldiers riding the Silverwing Griffins were all at least at the fifth level of the Spiritual Element Realm. With the griffins' charge added into the mix, even if they managed to dodge the first wave of spears, they wouldn't escape the second assault.

Inside, the fortress's scale dwarfed expectations. Soldiers drilled endlessly on parade grounds while arrow towers and artillery emplacements covered every visible inch of terrain.

Awe was the only possible reaction for first-time visitors!

Soon, an officer dismounted from a winged tiger, saluting sharply. "Sir, are you General Weiyuan Ling Feng?"

𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"Indeed."

Ling Feng nodded, mimicking the gesture and offering a polite salute in return. He smiled and asked, "May I ask how to address you, General?"

"Modest General Fang Wentong," Fang Wentong replied sternly. "General Ling, the Commander-in-Chief is currently occupied with urgent matters and cannot meet you at the moment. However, he has instructed that you be treated with respect. Please follow me to the camp to rest."

"My thanks, General Fang."

Ling Feng rubbed his nose. Clearly the commander-in-chief had anticipated his visit—unsurprising, given the 300 military honor points awarded. Not coming would've been idiotic.

Fang Wentong led them to a relatively luxurious tent.

"The Commander-in-Chief will summon you once the war council is over. Please feel free to rest here in the meantime."

"Thank you." Ling Feng nodded. "By the way, is General Yue Tengfeng in camp right now? If possible, I'd like to meet with him."

"General Yue volunteered to lead the vanguard against the northern Snow Wolf and Ice Fox clan two days ago. He likely won't return for several more days."

"I see." Ling Feng arched an eyebrow. "Commander Fang, might you share why the northern demon tribes suddenly harass our borders? Beyond those two clans, are others involved?"

"Apologies, but that's classified intelligence. As you're not a Northwestern Army personnel, I cannot disclose details."

Fang Wentong saluted again. "If there's nothing else, please make yourselves comfortable. My subordinates will attend to any needs."

Having said that, Fang Wentong left the camp. As a general, he naturally had his own responsibilities, especially during such a crucial time.

"Judging by the military posture, this northern demon incursion is more than mere harassment," Li Bufan remarked, taking a seat.

"

Oh?

You understand warfare?" Ling Feng was surprised—he'd assumed Li Bufan cared only for the sword.

"The Grand Commandant supervises military matters among the Three Lords. While I have little interest in it, my family's teachings and the old man's constant lectures have given me some understanding."

Li Bufan smiled wryly. "Based on today's observations, the fortress is at minimum Level Four Alert—indicating enemy numbers exceeding ten thousand, including demon king-level expert!"

...