Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Commander and the General

Wang Li nodded, suddenly recalling something.

He said, “Since that’s the case, we must make preparations.”

After thinking for a moment, he added, “Hong Luanfeng, you’re well acquainted with everyone. Gather all disciples of Foundation Establishment and above; I have further instructions. Tell the others: those in Body Refinement should retreat to the mountain for safety, while the Qi Training disciples will form a defensive line at the base—nothing complicated, just the Three Talents Formation. All disciples should have learned it, right?”

Hong Luanfeng replied, “The Three Talents Formation is a required course for Pure Yang disciples—there shouldn’t be any issue. But forming so many small formations, won’t they interfere with each other if fighting breaks out?”

“Then split them into inner and outer layers, just ensure there are no blind spots on the front slope. Adjust the rest as needed.” Wang Li turned to Nan Qi, “Nan Qi, check if any disciples remain in the city. If so, bring them back; also, see if any have been injured.”

“Yes!” The two took their orders and were about to leave.

Wang Li suddenly called after them, “Have you seen Ling Xiao, the disciple who unleashed the big move?”

“Yes, he’s resting on the northern slope,” Nan Qi replied.

“Bring him here, and if you encounter anyone from other sects, bring them as well.”

After a few more instructions, Wang Li took two pills from his storage bracelet and handed them over. “You’ve expended much energy just now. After your tasks, recover quickly—I have more arrangements.”

The two accepted the pills without hesitation, thanked him, and departed.

Wang Li watched as more and more disciples gathered on the nearby slopes, weighing his options.

“With so many people, I can’t manage alone—I need some helpers.”

“Judging by the situation, the Earth Howl beasts won’t attack immediately, but we must quickly establish a defensive line to prevent casualties from chaos.”

“The Earth Howl leader is trouble; I don’t know its cultivation stage. Hopefully it’s not at the Golden Core stage, or many will die.”

“Steward Wang, I am Jin Lan from Divine Weapon Valley. After discussion, until this crisis is resolved, the thirty-five disciples of Divine Weapon Valley will follow your command.”

Jin Lan approached Wang Li, breaking his train of thought.

Seeing others willing to follow his lead, Wang Li didn’t stand on ceremony. “What is the cultivation of your thirty-five?”

Jin Lan was not surprised by Wang Li’s directness. “One at Foundation Establishment eighth level, two at fifth, seven at fourth, five at third, twelve at second, and eight newly entered Foundation Establishment.”

Wang Li considered briefly. “Those above fourth level stay. The rest, join other sect disciples to form a team, send some to patrol in the air and watch the rear of the mountain. If anything unusual occurs, alert us immediately.”

“Very well, I’ll make arrangements at once.” Jin Lan saluted and left.

No sooner had he gone than the people from Five Elements Pavilion arrived.

Jiang Yu and Senior Sister Huang came before Wang Li.

Senior Sister Huang said, “Huang Tao of Five Elements Pavilion greets Steward Wang.”

Jiang Yu, with a strange expression, followed suit. “Jiang Yu greets Steward Wang.”

Wang Li acted as though he hadn’t seen Jiang Yu, addressing Huang Tao, “Are your disciples willing to follow orders?”

Huang Tao nodded in affirmation.

They had already discussed this internally—their thinking was much like Divine Weapon Valley’s. They would temporarily follow Pure Yang Temple’s main force and reconsider their plans once the situation stabilized.

Wang Li said, “Then follow my arrangements. Those above fourth level remain; others go to the rear to join Divine Weapon Valley disciples. Later, you’ll be grouped with other sects to patrol the rear.”

“Any other ideas?”

“No, we obey your arrangements,” Huang Tao replied, turning to organize her peers. At that moment, Jiang Yu, who had remained silent, spoke up, “Steward Wang, I saw your disciple Hong Luanfeng setting up defenses at the mountain base. I’m from the Wei imperial family and know a bit about military formations, having trained with Dragon City Guard. I can help with the defenses.”

Wang Li, who had been worrying about the defenses, was delighted by this unexpected offer, though he kept his composure. “Very well. But with over ten thousand people, a single commander won’t suffice. Check if there are other disciples versed in formations. Form a squad; you’ll lead it and take full charge of the defensive line. Handle matters as you see fit—no need to report everything to me.”

This was delegation, for Wang Li himself was only a temporary commander and limited in ability. Better to empower the disciples and let them organize themselves for greater efficiency.

With the city’s situation unclear, time was precious.

Over the next quarter hour, disciples from Beast Taming Sect, East Sea Sect, and Myriad Mountains Prison arrived to receive their assignments. Only those from Holy Land of Zhengyang and Immortal Town kept their distance, observing.

Aside from those two, farther from the city in a mountain hollow, dozens of cultivators hid, afraid to show themselves for fear of being discovered and wiped out.

These were all from the Seven Demon Sects—originally spies lurking near Pure Yang Temple, now caught up in the teleportation.

Their cultivation was low, mostly Body Refinement and Qi Training, normally beneath Pure Yang Temple’s notice. But in this unknown environment, things were different.

Moreover, while evading the Earth Howl beasts, they had used demonic arts, exposing themselves, and now dared not appear before the righteous disciples.

A young demonic cultivator, troubled, said, “What do we do now? They’re busy dealing with the Earth Howls, but when those are mostly killed, it’ll be our turn.”

Another demonic cultivator replied, “I have a suggestion that might keep us alive…”

“Let’s hear it.”

While the demonic cultivators discussed their options, the two groups from Holy Land of Zhengyang and Immortal Town, gathered together, were also conferring.

“The Pure Yang disciples are truly domineering—they don’t even acknowledge us,” grumbled Young Lord Mo Qian of Immortal Town, his expression sour.

Among the eight great righteous sects, Pure Yang Temple and Immortal Town were the strongest. The Immortal Town disciples present were also the most powerful, boasting two Golden Core prodigies and over a dozen Foundation Establishment disciples—a formidable force.

From the situation near the ruins, Pure Yang Temple’s disciples had only one Golden Core, and other sects had none. In terms of high-level power, Immortal Town was unmatched.

But Pure Yang’s sheer numbers overwhelmed them, and lacking someone like Wang Li to inspire confidence, they had no choice but to follow the crowd outside the city, reduced to near irrelevance—much to the chagrin of the proud Immortal Town disciples.

The disciples of Holy Land of Zhengyang shared the sentiment.

They had always believed themselves the origin of the righteous path; other sects were merely branches from their lineage. Why should the main line obey the branches?

If they returned home as mere followers trailing behind Pure Yang disciples, they would surely face scorn.

Ling Jianzi, the leader of the Zhengyang disciples—though only temporarily—felt uncertain as he glanced at Wang Li issuing orders in the distance, then at Mo Qian’s indignant face and his own dispirited peers.

Still, as their leader, he had to step up or else face even worse consequences upon returning.

He said, “The situation is unclear. My opinion is we should watch and wait. With our ten thousand gathered, safety should not be an issue. I suggest we remain stationary for now; if the battle turns dire, we can act as the righteous alliance and assist as needed. What does Senior Mo Qian think?”

“What else? Neither of us wants to lose face, so let’s do as you say.”

To Mo Qian, Ling Jianzi’s speech was empty. They’d love to be the shining stars, but would the ten thousand Pure Yang disciples allow it?

“Since Senior Mo Qian agrees, let’s rest here for a while.”

Ling Jianzi looked at the increasingly organized Pure Yang disciples, thinking privately, “They lack nothing in commanders, and their numbers are overwhelming—this so-called Chosen is truly fair!”

Compared to the somewhat frustrated Mo Qian and Ling Jianzi, Wang Li at that moment was full of vigor and spirit.