CHAPTER 356: CHAPTER 356: PHOENIX

Chen Guan felt that with his current strength, even if he couldn’t walk sideways in the Blessed Land, it shouldn’t be hard to save his life.

After checking a lot of information and considering whether to try his luck in unknown areas, his level finally increased by one, reaching level 17.

The Primordial Energy cap soared directly to 65536, and rising one more level would directly break through 100,000.

"Just three more levels to go, but these three levels are too hard to level up." As Chen Guan was contemplating whether to go to unknown areas, something major happened in the Qilin Corps.

Beyond the Qilin Mountain Range is a stretch of Primordial Forest, containing various bizarre Secret Spirits, the most common of which is the "Phoenix."

Because of the existence of the Phoenix, that forest is called the Phoenix Forest.

Although the Phoenix has the name of immortality, it does not have much in common with the Undying Ghost, as the Phoenix can also die.

Previously, the Phoenix and Qilin of the Qilin Mountain Range were arch-enemies, often clashing at the border.

But with the presence of the Qilin, the Phoenix usually did not cross the boundary into the Qilin Mountain Range, at most circling a few times in the sky before flying back.

After the Qilin of the Qilin Mountain Range was cleared, the Phoenix had no opponents, and more and more Phoenixes have been crossing the boundary into the Qilin Mountain Range, with many Corps soldiers and squads being attacked by them.

Because the Phoenix is too fast and has flying abilities, there’s no good method to deal with it, so the Qilin Corps had not taken any action.

However, the cross-boundary behavior of the Phoenix is becoming more intense. The scouts sent out reported back, saying there are signs that the Secret Spirits on the side of the Phoenix Forest are gathering towards the border of the Qilin Mountain Range, likely forming a Secret Spirit Tide to invade the Qilin Mountain Range.

With the current strength of the Qilin Corps, it would be difficult to cope with a large-scale Secret Spirit Tide.

The Corps camp is still fine, but the problem is the newly established Qilin City nearby, inhabited by soldiers’ and officers’ families, which would be hard to protect.

Ji Nanhong, along with Bai Yueguang, Zhu Hongzhi, Zhang Yujian, Jiang Tianqing, and other core high-level members, discussed and decided to act first by dispatching troops into the Phoenix Forest to scatter the gathering Secret Spirits.

Such an action naturally requires full effort, with combat troops primarily from the Jade Qilin Camp, Ink Qilin Camp, and Fire Qilin Camp of the Three Awakenings Camp. Other camps also need to provide support and be ready for auxiliary and logistical work.

As the Corps Commander, Ji Nanhong naturally could not easily put herself in danger. She initially planned to choose one person from Bai Yueguang, Zhu Hongzhi, and Zhang Yujian as the commander for this action.

But none of the three were willing to give way, each striving to become the commander of this action, making it difficult for Ji Nanhong to decide.

Ji Nanhong looked at Jiang Tianqing, realizing he might be the one to resolve this deadlock.

Jiang Tianqing cleared his throat and, smiling, said, "All three Commanders are capable and responsible individuals. Any one of them would suffice as commander, but it’s crucial that military command be clear to avoid conflicts that could sabotage the operation. Therefore, we must choose one to take the lead."

"Commander Jiang, among the three of us, who do you think knows the Beimang Mountain Secret Realm best and should be the commander?" Zhang Yujian said.

"Commander Zhang, I don’t like what you’re saying. You’ve indeed stayed in the Beimang Mountain Secret Realm longer than I have, but you’ve never been to the Phoenix Forest, right? So you’re no different from me, but as for combat experience in the Corps, probably no one in our Corps has more than I do?" Zhu Hongzhi immediately retorted.

"Both of you are rare talents, but to be a commander, it’s not enough to have rich combat experience; strategy and tactics are crucial. In this area, if I claim second, nobody would dare claim first, right?" Bai Yueguang said calmly.

"If you’re second, then I must be first," Zhu Hongzhi countered without any hesitation.

Seeing the three about to start arguing again, Jiang Tianqing spoke up, "In my opinion, none of you three are suitable to be this commander."

Three icy gazes focused simultaneously on Jiang Tianqing’s face. If looks could kill, Jiang Tianqing would have been disfigured.

Jiang Tianqing braced himself, maintaining a composed smile, "As a commander, one must have the prestige to command respect, otherwise disharmony will jeopardize the operation. You three are equally matched, so from my perspective, none of you are suitable to be this commander."

"If we’re not suitable, then are you?" Bai Yueguang’s three voices harmonized accusingly as they stared at Jiang Tianqing.

"I am even less suited. Compared to the three of you, I am lacking in capability and prestige to be a commander, so I would like to recommend Chen Guan, Commander Chen, as this commander. What do the three of you think?" Jiang Tianqing actually believed his troop-leading abilities were decent, but felt unable to control the three, hence he didn’t intend to be the commander himself, as it would be a thankless task.

Ji Nanhong didn’t choose Jiang Tianqing due to his lack of qualifications and prestige. Otherwise, Jiang Tianqing would indeed have been more suitable.

Hearing Chen Guan’s name, Bai Yueguang and the other two said nothing.

"If Commander Chen is the commander, I have no objections." Eventually, it was Zhu Hongzhi who first spoke.

Bai Yueguang and Zhang Yujian also nodded in agreement, this time with no objections.

Ji Nanhong was somewhat surprised. She knew Chen Guan was well-liked in the Qilin Corps, especially among the Second Awakening Camp, having a cordial relationship with Bai Yueguang and others.

But she hadn’t expected Chen Guan’s reputation to be enough to make the three troublemakers willingly yield.

"This is quite a pleasant surprise, I didn’t expect Chen Guan to have such an effect." Ji Nanhong felt as if she had won a lottery by surprise.

She hadn’t expected Chen Guan to help her much, but his consistent performance had provided her with significant assistance.

In the end, it was decided that Chen Guan would be the commander, with Bai Yueguang and the others each obeying Chen Guan’s directions from their respective camps, while Jiang Tianqing would handle logistics and coordination.

Chen Guan, upon learning about this decision, had already been nominated as the commander.

Chen Guan was more delighted than worried by this, as he was just considering where to get resources and now someone was bringing the pillow to him.

Generally, resources conquered by the Pioneer Corps require only a small portion to be submitted, with the majority distributed to the Pioneer Corps as rewards.

How the distribution within the Corps goes is naturally decided by Commander Chen Guan, making this a great opportunity for wealth accumulation.

Chen Guan naturally became the interim commander of the Corps.

However, Chen Guan’s own command abilities were rather average, and with Jiang Tianqing responsible for logistics and coordination, it was challenging to find a suitable deputy to assist with command.