Chapter 255: Dragon and Elephant Strength, Uproot the Mountain!

The dragon and the elephant are both beings of immense strength in this world.

The dragon, needless to say, possesses the power to move mountains and fill seas; the elephant is a beast of unparalleled strength in the mortal realm. Together, dragon and elephant embody the ultimate limit of force.

"Elephant Strength."

Li Rui felt an endless supply of strength coursing through his entire body.

He had a solid foundation and was already strong by nature; he never expected that even the first level of Elephant Strength would grant such a notable boost.

His peripheral vision happened to catch the rockery in the back courtyard, still bearing the scarred traces left by his sword qi during training.

"Just bear with it a little longer."

Li Rui took several strides and arrived before the small hill.

He drew in his sleeves.

His sturdy, muscular arms were fully exposed as he gripped the rockery's body, muscles swelling with power.

"Lift!"

The rockery, two zhang tall and three zhang long, rumbled loudly as its body slowly rose from the pond's mud and soil.

Not long after.

The entire structure emerged above the water.

Only when he held it above his head did Li Rui lower it back into the pond.

Top-tier weightlifting!

If those bodybuilders from his past life had seen this, they would surely revere Li Rui as the God of Weightlifting.

"Thrilling!"

Wang Zhao, awakened by the commotion outside, emerged from the stable and saw his master, Li Rui, standing in the small pond.

He set down the three-eyed white tiger he had been holding.

Mumbling sleepily, he asked: "Master, what are you doing? Fishing?"

Li Rui grinned: "Training."

"Training?"

This left Wang Zhao utterly baffled.

Li Rui offered no further explanation.

Training left him soaked; he changed into dry clothes and stepped out into the courtyard just as smoke curled from the kitchen, where Wang Zhao's busy figure could be seen.

When Yang Yong emerged.

The meat porridge was just ready.

The three sat together at the table and ate heartily.

After eating.

Li Rui donned his long-unworn official robe, tidied his attire, ensured he was properly dressed, then stepped out and headed straight for the General's Mansion.

Only a matter of great importance would compel him to wear his official robe.

At the gate, he found Ning Zhongtian smiling warmly at him.

"Big brother, you're here."

Li Rui nodded: "Let's go, or we'll miss Cao General's meal again."

"We've been waiting for you."

As they chatted.

The two entered the main hall of the General's Mansion.

As they stepped inside, they saw the other four Garrison Commanders already seated. They found their seats, and barely had they sat down when all faces remained calm—clearly, they all knew what was coming.

Soon after.

A clamor of footsteps sounded outside.

Cao Wei, Jiang Lin, and a bearded giant entered the hall together.

Behind them followed several heavily armored soldiers, clad in black iron armor that covered every inch of their bodies except for a narrow slit in their helmets; their steps clanged loudly, sending a shiver through the air.

Yunzhou Garrison, Black Armor Army!

The elite among elites.

Ning Zhongtian knew the bearded giant well—he was Lei Yong, Assistant Regional Commander of Yunzhou Garrison.

"Sit, sit, no need for formalities."

Lei Yong saw the six men in the hall rising to greet him and waved them off with a brisk gesture.

Seeing this.

Feng Yu and the others hesitated, their buttocks hovering above the seats.

Ning Zhongtian and Li Rui, however, stood firm, bowing deeply: "Greetings, General Lei!"

As a long-time subordinate.

Ning Zhongtian knew Lei Yong's temperament all too well.

Though he appeared boisterous and careless, he was a man who held grudges.

Any lapse in proper etiquette would be meticulously recorded in his mind.

Later, when one suffered consequences, one wouldn't even know when one had offended Lei Yong. That's why Ning Zhongtian had waited at the gate for Li Rui—to remind him and prevent his big brother from stumbling.

Of course, Lei Yong had a small heart, but he was generous to his men, never stingy—otherwise Ning Zhongtian would never have devoted himself so utterly to Lei Yong, now calling him "Boss Lei."

Lei Yong walked up to Ning Zhongtian and clapped his shoulder:

"Little Ning, long time no see—you've gotten even handsomer."

Ning Zhongtian replied dryly: "General Lei, you've gotten even bulkier."

Hearing the compliment, Lei Yong's spirits lifted. He hadn't seen his little brother in ages; seeing Ning Zhongtian lively and vigorous, he burst into loud laughter and plopped onto the high-backed chair at the head of the hall, the chair groaning under his weight.

Li Rui quietly assessed Lei Yong.

"A formidable general."

Broad-backed and bear-waisted, his frame was massive, built by nature for the battlefield.

From Ning Zhongtian's accounts, Lei Yong had once risen from the northwest frontier troops.

On the battlefield, he was fearless, earning multiple honors for capturing enemy banners, and he knew how to flatter the powerful.

Only a man like this.

Could have risen from the northwest armies to become Garrison Commander of Annan Town.

"A talent."

That was Li Rui's assessment.

He had heard that Lei Yong had played a key role in establishing the guard battalion at Qinghe in Annan Town.

Everyone was seated.

Cao Wei, as the senior officer, cleared his throat: "You all know this man—Lei Yong, General Lei. He has been dispatched by Commander Xue to assist us in Qinghe in suppressing the witch kingdom rebels. From now on, you will cooperate fully with General Lei. Any failure to do so will be punished by military law!"

"Yes."

Li Rui and the other six responded in unison.

They had already heard rumors of this; no one dared object.

The Emperor himself had decreed it, and even Viceroy Yuan had arrived.

Who would dare risk their life by causing trouble over this?

Cao Wei nodded in satisfaction and turned to Lei Yong: "General Lei, do you have anything to add?"

Lei Yong grinned: "What needs saying has already been said by Cao General. I'll say only this: whoever kills the most enemies gets rewarded; whoever dares harbor treacherous thoughts—I'll kill them."

Instantly, his bandit-like nature was laid bare.

The men in the hall were startled.

They had heard rumors that General Lei was wild and brutal; now they saw it was true.

From the stories, it was clear Lei Yong would do exactly as he said.

Li Rui's eyes narrowed slightly, and a phrase flashed in his mind:

"A rabid dog."

He now understood why Lei Yong had risen to the position of Assistant Regional Commander—and especially why he held such a critical post in Yunzhou Garrison.

It was because Lei Yong was mad enough to fight recklessly, yet fiercely loyal.

Everyone needed such a subordinate.

Perhaps that was precisely why Lei Yong had become Commander Xue's trusted man, left behind in Yunzhou.

Cao Wei's gaze turned icy:

"Gentlemen, battle is no game. If any of you wish to withdraw, speak now. If anyone dares retreat once on the battlefield, I will execute him on the spot!"

The men stiffened.

The main event had begun!

The entire Anning Garrison could not possibly send everyone to the witch kingdom—otherwise, who would manage the region?

The two senior officers had already been decided: Cao Wei would lead the expeditionary force.

Now, three Garrison Commanders must be chosen to accompany the campaign.

Li Rui was, of course, on the candidate list.

Lu Jun's expression grew noticeably tense; though he was under Jiang Lin's faction, he longed to earn glory on the witch kingdom battlefield—it was his only possible chance to enter the Ocean Viewing realm.

Cao Wei had already leaked the news.

Several Garrison Commanders—who gets in depends entirely on ability.

As for withdrawing?

Who would be foolish enough to turn down an opportunity right in front of them?

Silence.

The main hall sank into brief silence.

Jiang Lin sat with eyes closed, cultivating tranquility, as if none of this concerned him—and indeed, it didn't.

Lei Yong watched the scene before him with keen interest.

Ten breaths passed.

Just as Cao Wei was about to speak, someone spoke up:

"This official suffered qi deviation and has not yet recovered; I shall remain in camp and not add to the trouble."

All eyes turned to Li Rui.

Li Rui's face was still pale, clearly still recovering from serious injuries.

Cao Wei nodded.

He knew Li Rui had suffered qi deviation—he had personally confirmed it—and this was a coveted opportunity everyone was fighting for. Li Rui was no slouch in strength; if he withdrew now, his subordinates' chances of securing a slot would increase.

He was perfectly happy with that outcome.

"Officer Li is unwell and advanced in age; he is unsuited for campaign. He shall remain in camp."

Ning Zhongtian glanced at Li Rui and sighed inwardly.

'Big brother has just missed a perfect chance to earn merit.'

With Li Rui's strength and wit, he could have slaughtered enemies on the battlefield.

'What a pity.'

'Big brother's qi deviation couldn't have come at a worse time.'

Then came the much-anticipated martial contest.

Everyone coveted the chance to join the campaign. Cao Wei had already secured his own spot and didn't want to appear too greedy by taking all three Garrison Commander slots.

In the army, strength ruled.

The most convincing way to select men was direct combat.

Those who remained would join the campaign.

Li Rui instantly shifted from contestant to spectator.

Go to war?

Are you kidding?

He had no lack of money or cultivation techniques. Why risk his life for a few military merits?

All he needed now was to cultivate calmly—he was guaranteed to reach the Fifth Rank, Sea Gazing Realm. No need to risk himself on the battlefield now.

Battlefield conditions shifted in an instant.

Even if the threat from Wu State was minor, low risk didn't mean no death.

If some expert suddenly struck him down, all his advantages would be wasted.

In short, the risk didn't match the reward.

No need to force it.

Even if Cao Wei hadn't spoken today, he'd have found some excuse to avoid going.

'Being old has its advantages.'

Had he not suffered qi deviation and been eighty years old, Cao Wei, concerned for face, would never have let him off so easily—he'd have been forced to fight at least once, and when the battle turned dire, he'd have been dragged straight to the front.

Now, at least, his priority had dropped.

An hour later.

The selections were finally confirmed.

Feng Yu, Ning Zhongtian, and the most junior Garrison Commander, Liao Wu.

The losers, Guan Xinrong and Lu Jun, looked dejected.

They were both veterans of Annan Army, come to Anning Guard for one final shot—and now, with such a golden opportunity slipping away, they naturally couldn't accept it.

But skill is skill; there's nothing to be done.

In literature, no first place; in martial arts, only one winner.

When it comes to fists, the outcome is clear after one fight.

Cao Wei gazed at the three men standing in the hall's center, a faint smile on his lips.

Two of the slots went to his men—Feng Yu and Liao Wu—and he was quite satisfied.

If he'd taken all three, it would've looked too crude.

This was perfect.

Lei Yong, seeing the results settled, grinned at Ning Zhongtian: "Little Ning, haven't seen you in years—your skills have improved greatly. Good, good."

The other Garrison Commanders, seeing how close Ning Zhongtian was to Lei Yong, felt envy.

It was clear Ning Zhongtian's gains in Wu State would be substantial.

Though Jiang Lin didn't go, he had Lei Yong, someone even closer, watching his back—military merit would just blow into his pockets like a strong wind.

Everyone was pleased.

In the days that followed,

Anning Guard grew tense; training shouts could be heard constantly.

The atmosphere of war thickened.

But all this meant nothing to Li Rui.

After all, he wasn't going to war.

"The Dragon-Elephant True Mechanism lies hidden in the Primordial Void; when true origin awakens, the spine becomes a spirit vine, thirty-six palaces."

Li Rui silently recited the Dragon-Elephant True Origin Art's incantation.

He had already opened his Qi Sea; all he needed now was to nurture it, and the Fifth Rank would come naturally. This couldn't be rushed—haste would only backfire.

He'd once suffered from lacking a master's guidance.

Only by chance had he met Old Tie, who lent him the Flame-Scorching Heaven Hammer, solidifying his foundation—he wouldn't repeat the same mistake.

That's the advantage of having a master or elder.

They pass down experience and spare you countless detours.

Now, Li Rui spent his free days chatting with Old Tie, learning things never mentioned in any book.

Old men really are the best.

Full of treasures.

Li Rui began practicing his sword form according to the Dragon-Elephant True Origin Art, gradually becoming absorbed.

On the battlefield, where would he find time to practice his sword?

In the past, he might have felt tempted.

But now he had the Dragon-Elephant True Origin Art—an elite technique—and he was already too busy cultivating to want being dragged into war.

Others wanted promotion, wanted breakthroughs.

Li Rui, however, felt his own promotions had come too fast—he'd rather slow down, and his realm was the same.

Haste makes waste.

This held true for both office and martial cultivation.

After completing his sword form, Li Rui sat in the courtyard and sipped the tea on the stone table, now cold.

At that moment,

Someone knocked on the gate. When he opened it,

It was Ning Zhongtian.

"Fourth brother, are you ready?"

Li Rui pulled Ning Zhongtian down to drink tea.

Ning Zhongtian took a sip of the cold tea and grinned: "Big brother, don't worry—I'll treat you to wine when I return victorious."

"You kid"

Li Rui smiled lightly.

Then he took a token from his sleeve and said, "Fourth brother, if you encounter danger, send someone with this token to Dao Mo in Wu Bei City."

Ning Zhongtian took the token: "Thank you, big brother."

He knew Li Rui had a good relationship with Dao Mo.

Dao Mo was from Wu State and a Fifth Rank, Sea Gazing expert—he might truly save Ning Zhongtian's life in a crisis.

"Remember, don't be shy. I can repay the favor, but your life matters most."

"Understood."

Ning Zhongtian nodded firmly, warmth spreading in his chest.

That was all Li Rui could do.

Anning Guard's campaign would end in victory—no doubt about it.

To Li Rui, this was no different from the barbarians of the northwest riding south to raid and flee—how could they lose?

But that was the big picture.

When it comes to the details, it's entirely different.

Common soldiers die, squad leaders die, even garrison commanders die.

That is the cruelty of war.

Ning Zhongtian is still young; he has already completed Qi Condensation, but to open his qi sea, he needs vast resources to assist him.

Li Rui understands this deeply.

Li Rui patted Ning Zhongtian on the shoulder:

"I know you won't die."

Ning Zhongtian blinked: "Why?"

"Evil-doers live a thousand years."

"."

(End of chapter)