Chapter 127: The Military Strategist

Just as Shang Yang was about to proceed according to the rules they had previously agreed on.

Mu Yi was also teleported into the venue.

"Jiuzhou junior?" Shang Yang's expression softened a bit.

For juniors of the same origin, they are even willing to include the other party within the competition's scope.

"Hm?" Shang Yang's complexion suddenly turned strange; from this little fellow before him, he sensed multiple auras.

The Buddhist Sect's, the Underworld's, the Heavenly Court's, the Military Strategist's, the Daoist's… the complexity was absurd.

Moreover, he saw a familiar blood glow on Mu Yi; if he wasn't mistaken, it must have been Wu Anjun's handiwork, which made him feel a bit more friendly toward Mu Yi.

Mu Yi staggered into the venue, and before he could steady himself, Shang Yang appeared before him.

With a wave of his hand, Mu Yi's dizziness cleared by more than half.

"Whose child are you?" Shang Yang stared at Mu Yi, finding him increasingly strange; the only certainty was that this little fellow must have been selected by Zongwang.

The Zongwang network was not unfamiliar to them; they also encouraged juniors to undergo trials via Zongwang.

"Kid Mu Yi, you are a Military Strategist disciple!"

"Military Strategist?"

Shang Yang's complexion grew even stranger; indeed there was a hint of Military Strategist power, but the auras were overly chaotic, and the Underworld component was so strong it even eclipsed the Military Strategist's level.

"Did you teach yourself?" Though phrased as a question, Shang Yang was certain; anyone with a reliable master could never have learned like this.

The only explanation was that this kid was a drifter, a hapless soul relying solely on his own struggle.

"I also once received a bit of guidance from seniors!" Mu Yi replied politely, not knowing who his counterpart was, but just by looking, he knew this person was no ordinary individual.

"Interesting little fellow, I'll send you to the Military…" Shang Yang was about to wave Mu Yi away when he saw several figures teleporting from the Zongwang side.

Glancing at the violent auras on those guys, Shang Yang frowned, halted the gesture to send Mu Yi away, and pointed at the newly appeared figures.

"Draw the Ground as Prison!"

A golden ring of light enveloped the several figures within.

In Mu Yi's perception, these players from the chaotic camp were like tiny insects sealed in amber, their time button pressed.

"Hm?" Shang Yang looked at Mu Yi oddly; he discovered Mu Yi had actually discerned the time aspect of the Draw the Ground as Prison.

The Buddhist Sect's Six Divine Powers include the Divine Foot Technique; it's unclear how Mu Yi learned it.

"Draw the Ground as Prison… is it a Legalist method?"

Mu Yi stared at the ring in surprise; indeed the prominent school among the Hundred Schools, its first move was extraordinary, and he wondered how much power a Legalist disciple could have compared to this big boss before him.

After all, to attend the Hundred Schools Contest, he had also searched the Zongwang for some information, learning about the Hundred Schools.

Although not comprehensive, he still had a rough understanding.

The Hundred Schools is a generic term, originally referring to the various schools that emerged during the Spring and Autumn, Warring States, Qin and Han periods.

But today it has gradually evolved into the collective name for all Transcendent sects in Jiuzhou.

In Jiuzhou, the current structure can be roughly divided into three tiers: mortal dynasties, Transcendent schools, and Heavenly Gods and Earth Deities.

Yet the three are intermingled and inseparable; each world has its own unique survival system, such as worlds that have Heavenly Gods and Earth Deities but revere the Human Emperor.

Other worlds have Heavenly Gods and Earth Deities worship, yet honor the foremost masters of the Hundred Schools; the Confucian school may dominate a world, venerating Sage Kong.

It is for this reason that the Hundred Schools gradually became the umbrella term for all Transcendent sects in Jiuzhou, with some new schools even joining the Hundred Schools.

For example, the Wudang established under Zhenwu Emperor, and Taiping under the central Huangji Huangjiao Great Immortal Sect; these schools are linked to Daoist schools yet distinct.

Of course, this is an old Jiuzhou tradition: breaking bones and tendons, one stroke cannot write two Dao characters, so concrete divisions are based on each school's doctrines and beliefs.

Putting aside minor sects, the prominent schools within the Hundred Schools currently number ten: Confucian, Daoist, Legalist, Mohist, Military Strategist, Yin‑Yang, School of Names, Diplomatic, Miscellaneous.

And the Buddhist school, later established under the Buddhist Sect, though a latecomer, benefited from Ling Mountain's full support and its extensive recruitment, leaping into the top tier of the Hundred Schools.

And within the Hundred Schools, the undisputed first tier consists of Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist schools.

"Interesting little fellow, go ahead, I look forward to your performance at this gathering."

After finishing his business, Shang Yang waved his hand to teleport Mu Yi away, then led the few restrained figures out of the venue; he conceived a new idea that might be useful in this contest.

In an open, flat area, many tables and chairs were set outdoors; atop them, silhouettes gathered, cups clinking merrily.

Although everyone came for their own aspirations, they were still fellow disciples, so a degree of closeness naturally existed, and with no big boss present, the group became convivial.

Perhaps they'll need to help each other later; more friends, more paths!

Mu Yi, standing in the banquet hall, stared dazed at the bustling scene, seeing one after another clutching jars and guzzling, all with impressive drinking capacity.

"Which sect are you a disciple of, and why did you arrive so late?"

Just as Mu Yi was bewildered, a handsome youth in a white robe emerged from somewhere unknown, handing Mu Yi a cup.

Mu Yi reached out and took the cup; the fragrance emanating from it made him swallow his saliva.

"This is fine wine, but it's a pity they drink like oxen and chew peonies like oxen!" the white‑robed youth chattered nonstop to Mu Yi.

"Tch, fake propriety, if you can't drink then you can't, what excuse are you making!" a burly man clutching a jar let out a snort.

"Black Charcoal Head, you want a fight!" the white‑robed youth, like a cat with its tail stepped on, tossed the cup and lunged at the burly man.

"Well taken!" the burly man also flung his jar, charging at the white‑robed youth; their fists and feet collided, sending an invisible shockwave rippling outward.

"Alright, alright! Li Jingang, take him down, make him fake propriety!"

"Lin Yi, don't lose, cut him in the middle, cut him in the middle."

The crowd that had just been toasting was instantly drawn to the duel, clearing a space for the two to fight, even cheering from the side.

Mu Yi, eyes wide, drained the fine wine in the cup in one gulp; the taste was indeed superb, richly fragrant and endlessly lingering.

Zongwang Prompt: You drank spirit wine, Inner Qi slightly increased, constitution slightly increased, gaining a minor power boost.

These guys truly waste resources; watching the wine splashing on the ground, Mu Yi felt a pang of sorrow.

The combatants didn't unleash massive attacks, merely testing strength and technique; Mu Yi guessed both were proficient in fist‑and‑foot combat.

"You observed a battle and successfully mimicked it!"

You activate the ten-item omnipotent talent effect!... You have gained some insight from observing combat!....

In the process of observing and imitating, you have mastered a new combat technique. You have obtained partial information on the specialty 【Melee Combat】!

………………

You observed a battle and successfully imitated it!

You activate the ten-item omnipotent talent effect!... You have gained some insight from observing combat!....

In the process of observing and imitating, you have mastered a new combat technique. You have obtained partial information on the specialty 【Fist and Foot Mastery】!

By analogy, after his swordsmanship advanced to the level of 【Sword Intent】, his speed of comprehending basic specialties became extremely fast; merely observing others' battles could yield some basic specialty information.

With a little training, one can master the relevant basic specialties.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sound of metal clashing rang out, and everyone in the venue immediately put down their tasks, stood up, and their faces were filled with solemnity.

Mu Yi looked bewildered; he had no idea what had happened.

This is the recall signal; the big shot is coming! The white-robed youth saw Mu Yi standing there dazed, seemed to understand something, and quietly explained to Mu Yi.

Mu Yi couldn't help but scratch his head; as a country bumpkin, he completely didn't understand these.

A not-so-tall figure appeared before them, his gaze sweeping over everyone and lingering on Mu Yi for a moment.

Although the figure was not tall, he was extraordinarily overbearing, and his gaze was extremely sharp; everyone couldn't help but shudder, feeling as if they had been completely seen through.

I am Sun Wu; you may call me Sun Wuzi, and this conference is led by me, the Military Strategists!

The representatives of each school have basically arrived; the conference is about to begin. According to convention, we will hold an internal lecture—follow me!

Sun Wu said, flicked his sleeve, and brought everyone to a training ground.

Military Formation, Military Technique, Military Yin-Yang, and Military Power Scheme are the fundamentals of the Military Strategists; although each has its emphasis, they are interconnected and can be understood by analogy.

Sun Wu spoke while waving his hand, evolving a virtual sand table before everyone.

Let's test you: how would you resolve this situation for the red side?

On the sand table, two armies of similar scale met in the wilderness; the red side's forces were slightly weaker, but it had a wide variety of troop types—infantry, chariotry, archers, cavalry—all present, whereas the black side consisted only of simple infantry and archers.

Triggered mission: Sun Wu's trial

A piece of information refreshed on Mu Yi's retina, and Sun Wu's gaze instantly fell upon him.

The Heavenly Net?

Sun Wu narrowed his eyes, said nothing; Jiuzhou's current attitude toward the Heavenly Net is neither encouraging nor opposing, quite laissez-faire.

However, the Military Strategists have many new ideas; compared to stable Jiuzhou, the chaotic Multiverse might be more suitable for the growth of Military Strategist disciples, and who wouldn't be envious of the Confucianists' few private worlds?

In a certain Confucian world, the Hundred Schools were all absorbed and assimilated by the Confucianists; even knowing that they are branches of different worlds, it still feels unpleasant.

Infantry on both flanks, archers in the center, chariots charging forward, cavalry circling to the rear!

After a brief silence, someone confidently stood up and answered.

Good, you come! Sun Wu nodded, and the next moment that person's figure vanished, appearing in the virtual sand table.

Pay attention to observe! Saying that, Sun Wu's figure also vanished, appearing on the black side's command platform.

Let us mourn for Yang Tiancheng! To be able to do battle with the Military Sage is also considered a great fortune across three lifetimes!

The people whispered among themselves, but most of it was schadenfreude laughter.

War depends on the commander; the commander's ability is largely the most important influencing factor.

Especially after the Military Strategists acquired the concept of Cloud Energy, the commander almost became the greatest factor determining victory or defeat in a war.

What is this? Mu Yi quietly asked the white-robed youth Lin Yi beside him.

You're really a country bumpkin, huh? Lin Yi was slightly surprised; although he had guessed earlier, when Mu Yi didn't even recognize something as basic as the Military Strategists, he became completely certain.

This is 'paper talk on warfare' from the Thirty-Six Stratagems; it can simulate actual war, train basic abilities, and to some extent forge one's will.

Enter the one called Yang Tiancheng; his family is also a lineage of generals in their world, he is forthright and straightforward, strong in strength, skilled with the spear, and has actually led armies on the battlefield.

He also participated in the previous conference; this year he is twenty-five, just meeting the cutoff, and can be considered a hot favorite to win this conference.

Once Lin Yi's chatterbox opened, it seemed impossible to close; not only did he popularize common knowledge for Mu Yi, but he also briefly introduced the opponents entering the arena.

You know quite a lot in detail!

Mu Yi looked somewhat surprised at Lin Yi beside him; this information gathering is very detailed—no wonder he approached me earlier, apparently intending to extract information from me.

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be imperiled in a hundred battles! Let's get acquainted—I'm Lin Yi; may I ask your esteemed name?

Mu Yi! Mu Yi didn't hide it either, directly telling Lin Yi.

Look, that is Yang Tiancheng's Legion Talent—Divine Might Descends from Heaven, an enhancement effect that directly boosts morale and increases soldiers' combat power! Compared to the last conference, he has improved tremendously! He may have already reached the extreme of Inner Qi leaving the body!

In Lin Yi's astonished explanation, Mu Yi acquired two new terms he had never heard before—Legion Talent and Inner Qi leaving the body.

He stared at Yang Tiancheng in the sand table; the other side seemed aware that his opponent was the Military Sage Sun Wu, so he dared not be careless and exerted himself to the utmost.

The virtual soldiers, too, under Yang Tiancheng's enhancement, emanated golden flames, morale high; following his command, they surged toward the black army like a sudden thunderbolt.

Without a hint of hesitation, it appeared utterly natural.

Impressive!

Mu Yi immediately realized that Legion Talent might be connected to Elite Talent, yet superior to it—somewhat like how he previously conveyed Iron-blooded Slaughter and Blazing Ruin Transmission to other soldiers, but it seems considerably different.