Chapter 842: The Three Thousand Realms

"By the way, General Ling," Han Li's voice deepened as he studied Ling Feng, "though your initial troop movements seemed chaotic, they gradually bore the mark of the Ascendant Eagle General Deng Xian's art of war. Have you studied under him?"

Ling Feng felt a jolt of surprise.

So this is the Commander-in-Chief of the Three Armies... he actually managed to discern General Deng's influence from that disordered formation.

"General Deng did gift me a few military texts," Ling Feng clasped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute, smiling faintly. "But this junior's understanding remains shallow."

"Shallow?"

The surrounding officers nearly choked.

Shallow?

At first, maybe—but now?

This kid was just rubbing salt in their wounds!

Still, knowing he'd been guided by a legendary figure like General Deng explained how a youth could best Wu Ku in the sand table simulation.

That Ascendant Eagle General, Deng Xian, was a renowned veteran commander whose name had long struck awe across the army. Anyone personally taught by him in the art of war was bound to be exceptional.

Of course, they didn't know Ling Feng had merely skimmed those texts by chance—hardly what one would call "instruction."

"Night has fallen. General Ling, rest here tonight. At dawn, I'll send someone to escort you to the Ancient Tower Grove."

Han Li cut to the chase. With the northern front tense, he couldn't afford to waste time.

"Many thanks, Commander-in-Chief!"

Bowing again, Ling Feng and his group followed Fang Wentong back to their tents—where the lieutenant's attitude had noticeably warmed. After today, no one could question Ling Feng's right to the title of General Weiyuan.

...

Night deepened.

The group was allotted two tents—one for Ling Feng and Li Bufan, the other for Mu Qianxue and Tuoba Yan.

Despicable Donkey, having wheedled some Blood Soul out of Ling Feng, had long since retreated into the Five Elements Heavenly Palace to cultivate.

As the two men meditated, war horns suddenly blared across the fortress. Boots pounded outside; wings thrummed overhead. The entire stronghold bristled with tension.

"What's happening?" Ling Feng's eyes snapped open.

"Just an escalation from Level Four Alert to Level Five." Li Bufan frowned. "The northern demon tribe's assault intensifies. Multiple king-tier demonic beasts have appeared."

"What are they after?" Ling Feng muttered.

"Whatever it is, they won't breach Qingtian Fortress." Li Bufan closed his eyes. "We will enter the Ancient Tower Grove tomorrow. Conserve your energy and let the Commander-in-Chief handle the rest."

"

Mm

." Nodding, Ling Feng sat back down cross-legged and resumed cultivating, circulating the

Sacred Mystical-Heaven Art

. As a king-tier art, it was far more powerful than his previous

True Art of Xuanyuan.

...

At first light, Fang Wentong arrived—only to find Ling Feng and Li Bufan already sparring outside.

Without channeling true qi, their swordplay was evenly matched. Li Bufan's title of "Little Sword God" was well-earned.

"General Fang," Ling Feng sheathed his blade, "are we to meet the Commander-in-Chief?"

"He's occupied today. I'll take you to the Ancient Tower Grove."

Fang Wentong's brow furrowed slightly—last night's events weighed on him.

After gathering Mu Qianxue and Tuoba Yan, the group trekked through the camp's heart until they reached a towering peak.

There were four stone guardians, each wielding a different weapon. They stood tall at the base of the mountain, like fearsome door gods, eyes wide with fury and exuding an awe-inspiring presence.

"Halt!"

One stone guardian shuddered to life, morphing into a three-zhang-tall giant. Its roar sent a gale-force wind buffeting the group. The other three followed suit.

Ling Feng's pulse quickened. These guardians' power eclipsed even the Despicable Donkey's emperor-level might.

What kind of place was the Ancient Tower Grove, that such beings guarded it?

"This humble general, Fang Wentong, pays respects to the Heavenly Guardians!" Fang Wentong bowed deeply, presenting Han Li's edict. "By the Commander-in-Chief's order, I escort General Ling and his party to the grove for enlightenment."

The guardian snatched the scroll, scanned it, then tossed it back. "Proceed."

"Our gratitude, Lord Heavenly Guardian."

Only after ascending the mountain path did one guardian—a broadsword wielder—mutter, "That girl... Why does she carry the aura of the divine race?"

"Nonsense," a giant axe-bearing guardian scoffed.

"No. We guardians frequent the Three Thousand Realms and have met Lord Tianshu often. Her energy differs from ordinary humans'."

"Now that you mention it..." The giant axe-wielder stiffened. "She does resemble Lord Tianshu. A divine race descendant?"

"Our duty is guarding the Three Thousand Realms," a golden spear-wielding guardian cut in coldly. "Nothing more."

Nodding, the giants reverted to stone, lifeless once more.