It was snowing.

The locals often said that the southern borderlands had no spring or autumn, only winter and summer. But this year was unusually different—the first snow of early winter had arrived ahead of time, fluttering down to drape the vast Qingmu City in silver.

A group of warriors halted their horses outside the 'Jiawei' tavern, their steeds exhaling white mist through flared nostrils.

These were martial artists, and despite their hangovers from the previous night’s revelry, they seemed even more spirited in the crisp morning air.

"Brother Li!" Zhong Zhenyue called out.

"Coming!"

Li Mo had just finished assimilating the last of his spiritual essence. Of the seventy-two transformations, only one remained incomplete:

Wuzhiqi.

This spiritual essence was even more ferocious and unruly than the Yazi—perhaps the most difficult to integrate into his divine abilities. Yet, it had also been personally chosen by the Jade Phoenix Deity.

"I’m heading to the Qingmu Barracks now."

Li Mo changed into winter attire and announced his departure.

Since dawn, Ying Bing had been standing by the window, clad in a white fox-fur cloak and a feathered gown, her ice-mirror eyes gazing southward. The falling snow outside seemed to grow more serene and beautiful in her presence.

Only when she heard Li Mo’s voice did she snap out of her reverie.

"I’ll go too."

"Huh? Wouldn’t it be... improper for a woman to visit the barracks?"

"I’ve already informed Zhong Ling."

Assuming she was merely curious, Li Mo agreed and descended the stairs with her.

Then, a problem arose.

They weren’t taking a carriage today, but there was only one spare horse—and Li Mo had never ridden before.

"Brother Li, you don’t know how to ride?"

"Does riding a person count?"

"???"

Li Mo suddenly missed Brother Donglai.

Whoosh—

Beside him, the young girl effortlessly swung herself onto the saddle. Her jade-like left hand gripped the reins while her right extended toward him, palm upturned and slightly flushed, snowflakes melting upon contact.

"Get on."

Li Mo made a mental note to find a riding manual later.

He’d even spend some martial insights on it if he had to!

Before long, the group arrived at the Qingmu Barracks. The towering aura of blood and iron within the camp made the air feel noticeably warmer.

The same training ground from yesterday had been freshly compacted, though it was far livelier now, with squad leaders and decurions from every battalion gathered.

On the command platform sat a row of Qingmu City’s generals. Qu Sheng occupied the central seat, sipping from a steaming teacup.

"This humble officer has studied a hundred schools of martial arts, yet I’ve never heard of a technique that allows one to transform into a calamity beast," questioned Wu Lang, the garrison commander, his brow furrowed.

"Neither have I."

"Even those who’ve mastered internal and external realms shouldn’t be capable of such a feat. And this young man is certainly not at the sixth realm of Dharma Body," mused another blue-clad garrison commander, equally intrigued.

"We’ll see soon enough."

Qu Sheng’s eyes sharpened as the group approached. Under the escort of his personal guards, they ascended the platform.

Standing atop the command stage, Li Mo looked down at the forest of halberds below, their imposing aura like a coiled dragon. A surge of heroism swelled in his chest, his blood boiling despite the winter chill.

What would it be like to fight in such a formation?

They say a man’s valor is forged on the battlefield, where glory and merit are won.

Li Mo couldn’t help but feel fired up by the sight.

When he turned back, he met the varied gazes of the assembled officers.

Qu Sheng rose with a smile, his voice clear and resonant:

"Young Hero Li, every squad leader and decurion in the army is gathered here. I’ve made quite the boast on your behalf—in the military, words are not spoken lightly."

His voice carried across the entire Qingmu Barracks.

Li Mo, already prepared, nodded.

"Of course. What kind of calamity beast experience does the army require?"

After a brief discussion, the generals reached a consensus.

"The Qiongqi tribe."

"No problem."

"Shall I take command again?" Zhong Ling asked.

Qu Sheng tossed her his command flag with a chuckle.

"Aside from me, no one in this army wields a formation as skillfully as you."

"You flatter me, Commander."

Zhong Ling straightened slightly, her proud, heroic demeanor unmistakable.

She selected over a hundred squad leaders and decurions at the Inner Breath realm, and under her direction, the formation moved with lethal precision across the training ground.

With just a hundred men, she conjured the presence of a thousand-strong army.

Ying Bing’s tranquil eyes reflected the military might, deep in thought.

Zhong Zhenyue, serving as the vanguard’s focal point, merged with the formation’s momentum. His presence amplified its grandeur, making it seem unstoppable.

"Once the young marquis reaches a higher realm and pairs with Zhong Ling’s formations, our southern border will gain another peerless commander."

"Yet yesterday, this 'Lone Strange Sword' Li Mo shattered their formation single-handedly with just a hammer."

"Oh?"

"His martial arts must be credible—after all, he’s ranked eleventh on the Hidden Dragon Ranking. He wouldn’t make baseless claims."

As the officers watched, an ancient, savage aura began awakening within Li Mo. They straightened in their seats.

The next moment—

A tiger’s roar split the air. Li Mo’s form twisted and expanded into a massive winged tiger, its fur like steel needles, its wings sharp as celestial blades.

Gasps erupted across the training ground.

This was no mere martial art—who could believe such a transformation without seeing it firsthand?

The Qiongqi’s predatory aura, thick enough to suffocate, sent chills down every spine.

Qu Sheng pondered briefly before asking:

"Who do you think will prevail?"

"Even a seventh-rank pureblood Qiongqi wouldn’t withstand this formation, would it?"

"Hard to say. Their auras seem evenly matched."

"Tsk... The young marquis, bolstered by the formation, is only on par in terms of presence?"

The officers debated heatedly, yet none could predict the outcome with certainty.

Just as Qu Sheng was about to speak—

"Li Mo wins."

A clear, youthful voice cut through the snowfall, reaching every ear on the platform.

Silence fell.

Many officers glanced toward Ying Bing, who sat like porcelain amidst snow, quietly steeping tea. Though puzzled, none dared approach her.

"Why does she think so?"

"Yesterday, I saw her feeding Young Hero Li. Need I say more?"

"Ah—~~"

As the officers exchanged knowing looks, Qu Sheng narrowed his eyes.

He suspected this "Frost Fairy" hadn’t spoken out of mere favoritism.

Because he agreed with her.

In fact, she might have discerned the outcome far earlier than he had.

Could it be...

She understood military formations?

Meanwhile, the battle below commenced.

Zhong Zhenyue led the charge, feeling even stronger than yesterday, his Golden Halberd Iron Horse physique pushed to its limits.

But this confidence lasted only until the first clash.

"ROAR—"

The Qiongqi-Li Mo unleashed another roar.

It was the Qiongqi’s bloodline power!

Suddenly, Zhong Zhenyue’s body grew heavy, his mind flooded with distracting thoughts, as if invisible hands were dragging him down, sapping his strength.

He wasn’t alone.

The entire formation reeled under the tiger’s cry.

"My current realm limits this ability. A sixth or fifth-rank Qiongqi might drive you all to turn on each other."

"When facing the Qiongqi tribe, guard your minds above all!"

Li Mo offered advice mid-charge.

And this was just the first of his bloodline powers.

By now, even a fool could see how this would end.

Li Mo wasn’t just fighting—he was teaching.

"We can’t win."

Zhong Zhenyue collapsed to the ground, exhausted. The formation shattered.

[Congratulations, Host. You’ve successfully invested in the Qingmu City garrison.]

[You have a pending investment to claim.]

Qiongqi Li Mo transformed back to his human form. For the moment, he didn’t claim his reward and instead smiled at Zhong Zhenyue, saying:

"Young Marquis, there’s no need to belittle yourself. A true Qiongqi’s physique isn’t as strong as mine. Even with its powerful bloodline, it would’ve been trapped and slain by the military formation just now."

"......"

The soldiers exchanged glances.

Who taught you to comfort people like that?

What do you mean, "the calamity beast’s physique isn’t as strong as yours"?

Zhong Zhenyue took a deep breath, his eyes burning with intensity as he said:

"Brother Li, didn’t we discuss yesterday how much military formation power you could withstand?"

"How about... we test it now?"

......

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