Chapter 616: Unlike Ning Zhuo's Scalp Tingled

Hearing Li Xiangshang say that he could help her create a temporary army, Qing Chi was greatly astonished.

She asked: "Is there such a talent in this world? This is too powerful; is it a top-tier talent?"

Li Xiangshang touched his smooth back of the head and said the truth: "It's only low-tier."

Qing Chi immediately became suspicious: "A low-tier talent can also create an army? I'm not a three-year-old child; I know how difficult it is to create an army. Every step is a hurdle, and it gets harder the further you go."

"You can create an army just by relying on a low-tier talent?"

Li Xiangshang had to add: "It's temporary, a temporary army."

"Then what kind of talent is it?" Qing Chi pursued.

Li Xiangshang did not answer directly this time: "Even if it's only temporary, such a major event as building an army should be discussed with others."

"Why don't we go see your father first."

For these past few days, Qing Chi had come to the Yang-Boosting Courtyard to find Jiao Ma (Unlike Ning Zhuo) many times, failing every time.

She had also bumped into Li Xiangshang several times.

Therefore, Li Xiangshang knew quite a bit about Qing Chi's situation.

Very quickly, he found Qing Yan.

Hearing that Li Xiangshang wanted to support Qing Chi in organizing an army, Qing Yan was shocked.

But he did not ask about Li Xiangshang's talent, instead asking about his motivation: "How did my girl get the favor of Lord Li?"

Li Xiangshang touched his smooth back of the head: "I was ordered to come to the White Paper Xiancheng; my Dragon King wants to help the White Paper Xiancheng survive this ghost tide. Therefore, solving the predicament of the White Paper City Lord is the key."

"I brought the Golden Nest Demon Seed this time, which can help people increase their Jin Yan bloodline, and then by utilizing the Spirit Contract Treasure Refining Array, refining the Jin Yan Fork is ten-to-nine certain."

"I checked the list of the Yang-Boosting Courtyard and found that the only suitable candidate was Sun Sun Tiesheng."

"I picked him and took the initiative to give him the Golden Nest Demon Seed, but he refused."

"I sought advice from Dean Zheng, and the Dean told me to find the Sun family in the city and let Sun Sun Tiesheng's family pressure him."

"I found them."

"As a result, this Sun family actually protected Sun Sun Tiesheng."

"Sigh, they are family after all."

Speaking of this, Li Xiangshang spread his hands: "Sun Sun Tiesheng is the most suitable candidate; I have checked the list many times and confirmed that no one is more suitable than him."

"I had to seek advice from Dean Zheng again, and he told me that this was the Sun family calculating my situation, feeling secure because they had something to rely on, so he suggested I deliberately choose someone else to stimulate the Sun family and Sun Sun Tiesheng. He doesn't believe that the Sun family, having arranged for Sun Sun Tiesheng to enter the Yang-Boosting Courtyard, would be indifferent to the ownership of the Jin Yan Fork!"

Qing Yan listened for a long time but still didn't understand, and couldn't help but frown: "Then what does your wanting to help my girl build an army have to do with this?"

Li Xiangshang chuckled: "Listen to me."

"I know Qing Chi likes a young man named Jiao Ma. He cultivates the Jiao family's cultivation method, and his yang energy is very sufficient. Although his cultivation is currently weak, he will definitely surpass Sun Sun Tiesheng in the future, or at least be on par."

"Thanks to Qing Chi coming to the Yang-Boosting Courtyard many times, I know: this Jiao Ma has quite a bit of quick wit, cleared his own name, and caught the eye of the White Paper Xiancheng Lord."

"I thought of using Jiao Ma to stimulate the Sun family and Sun Sun Tiesheng."

Speaking of this, Li Xiangshang looked at Qing Chi again: "But I have an agreement with Qing Chi; I won't really choose Jiao Ma."

"I am willing to help others achieve their goals; this is my nature. Seeing Qing Chi go over full of expectation time and time again, only to leave disappointed, I don't feel very good inside either."

"Therefore, on one hand, helping Qing Chi build an army makes it more likely for her to win the man's heart. On the other hand, Qing Chi and Jiao Ma are so intimate, it will inevitably make Jiao Ma's momentum soar. By then, I will release the wind that I have already chosen Jiao Ma, which will inevitably make the Sun family feel threatened, receive stimulation, and finally agree to this cooperation of mine."

Qing Yan listened to this argument and fell into silence.

He thought for a moment, looked up at Li Xiangshang, his expression somewhat complex: "You are indeed a warm-hearted person."

He looked at his own daughter and indeed saw Qing Chi looking at him full of expectation.

Thus, this old father sighed deeply, his tone somewhat desolate: "I have never been optimistic about their future. After all, one is human, and the other is a ghost."

Qing Chi immediately retorted: "In our village, there are quite a few well-matched couples, all intermarriages between the two races."

Qing Yan glared: "Those are ordinary people; the situation of our family and the Jiao family is different!"

Qing Yan said indignantly: "The old saying is so right, a grown daughter cannot be kept! You have grown up and feel your wings are hard..."

Qing Chi interrupted: "Dad, I should be the master of my own life!"

"You!" Qing Yan was angered, but after all, it was his own daughter, what else could he do?

Qing Yan knew that if this conversation continued, it would inevitably lead to an argument. He took the initiative to return to the original topic: "I know that if I don't let you try, you will absolutely not be reconciled."

"Forget it, I will agree to help you with all my might this time!"

Qing Chi's eyes shone brightly; she hadn't expected her father to agree so straightforwardly, thinking there would be many arguments.

"Dad!" Qing Chi hugged Qing Yan excitedly.

Qing Yan sighed again, gently patted Qing Chi's shoulder, his tone quite desolate: "Dad is already old and hopes you find a good home."

"I have always believed that Jiao Ma is not your match. Although I agreed to help you, I have never changed this point of view."

"And the reason I agreed this time is mainly because I feel this is of great benefit to you!"

"Even if it's just a temporary army, as long as you can make contributions and walk into the eyes of the high-level Xiancheng, it will definitely be of great benefit to your cultivation in the second half of your life!"

"People ultimately have to rely on themselves."

"If you achieve success in cultivation and reach the Nascent Soul level, I will absolutely not control you!"

Qing Chi pouted: "Dad, I don't have any immortal talent; how can you expect me to reach the Nascent Soul cultivation at this age? My current cultivation is already very excellent, okay?"

Qing Yan shook his head, looking as if he really couldn't do anything about his daughter.

He looked at Li Xiangshang and carefully asked how to proceed with building the army.

Li Xiangshang was quite satisfied with Qing Yan's decisive style and said immediately: "Although it is only a temporary army, the steps to build an army remain the same."

"The first step is to condense the military heart."

"The 'Three Armies Military Appraisal' says: The three armies are the vessel, and the military heart is the spirit—viewing the entire army as a spiritual treasure, the military heart is the vessel spirit."

"Just like drawing a dragon and dotting the eyes, only with a spirit can the three armies achieve true integration and cooperation."

Li Xiangshang shifted his gaze and landed on Qing Chi: "I see that Qing Chi has performed with style recently and has become famous; she is the carrier of the military heart."

"One should utilize the military tactic 【Military Heart's Direction】, guiding the military heart to gather as one and bless her body."

Qing Yan was a commander, Golden Core level, and had his own perspective: "This step and the military tactic are both correct, but if an army could really be built like this, the White Paper Xiancheng would have had it long ago, instead of the current city guard army that exists in name only."

"The military tactic 【Military Heart's Direction】 is not difficult, and it is easy to learn."

"But relying on this method to condense a military heart is extremely difficult. Countless forces have been stuck at this first hurdle."

Li Xiangshang was well prepared: "Therefore, this is the time to utilize my talent."

"With the help of my talent, condensing the military heart should not be difficult."

Qing Yan finally heard the key point and hurriedly delved deeper: "May I ask what the name of Lord Li's talent is?"

Li Xiangshang scratched the back of his head and said somewhat embarrassedly: "The name doesn't sound very good; it's called 'Making Up the Numbers with Rotten Fish'."

Qing Yan and Qing Chi looked at each other for a long time.

Outside the White Paper Xiancheng.

Qing Yan and others led the team to engage in battle again with the outer reconnaissance cavalry of the ghost army.

Qing Chi was wrapped in green flames, dancing on the gloomy battlefield, light and fierce.

Under the fierce attack of the green flames, the ghost cavalry immediately suffered casualties.

The ghost entities let out miserable screams under the burning of the green flames, and finally their bodies turned into mist, dissolving in the air.

The cavalry squad suffered rapid attrition, and a moment later, they were all wiped out.

The end of the battle did not mean rest.

Qing Chi walked on the battlefield full of scars; as she walked, the green flames spread, attaching to every wounded soldier.

The wounds on the cultivators' bodies healed rapidly, and their expressions were astonished.

This was because many of them were ghost clan members, and the energy in their bodies contained not only vitality but also death energy.

This was quite different from the human clan.

But these green flames were clearly full of vitality, yet they could stimulate the vitality of the ghost clan cultivators without hindering their death energy.

"I didn't expect Qing Chi's green flames to have such mystery!"

"It makes people look at her with new eyes."

"But why didn't she take action before? We have already been through so many battles; this would have saved a lot of healing elixirs."

Everyone was astonished and puzzled.

Qing Chi "complained" in public: "Uncles and aunts, it's not that I didn't want to show off, it's that my dad forbade me from doing so!"

Everyone laughed loudly, and some scolded Qing Yan jokingly.

Most of them were related to Qing Yan and Qing Chi, having strong blood connections.

Therefore, even though they only had Foundation Establishment strength, they dared to point fingers at Qing Yan, this Golden Core, and say some strange things.

Qing Yan endured the "denunciation" of the crowd and admitted frankly: "Qing Chi is my girl; as the saying goes, the protruding acorn rots first. I didn't want her to be too prominent, so I suppressed her."

"Why let her show this hand now? There is a reason."

Immediately, Qing Yan told the others about the matter of building a temporary army.

The cultivators were all pleasantly surprised and excited when they heard this.

"Oh my, building an army, this is great!"

"Doesn't that mean we can go head-to-head with the main force of the ghost army?"

5

"Is building an army such an easy thing? It's a bit unreliable, Commander Qing Yan, don't be deceived by others."

Qing Yan waved his hand, responding to more and more doubts: "Whether I am deceived or not, let everyone witness it next."

"The first step in building an army is to condense the military heart."

"This step has stumped countless forces; it is extremely difficult!"

"As long as the military heart is condensed on Qing Chi, everyone will see it at a glance!"

Everyone came to their senses, and immediately a senior Foundation Establishment powerhouse asked: "To condense the military heart, it should naturally be on you, Commander Qing Yan."

"You are a Golden Core, with the highest cultivation and strongest strength. If the military heart condensed falls on Qing Chi, what if she dies in battle? This is not safe!"

Qing Chi immediately became anxious: "I can do it!"

Then, she looked at Qing Yan, her eyes filled with worry.

Qing Yan waved his hand: "That won't do! I am old, and my highest cultivation is only Golden Core. What I want most is for my girl to stand out and make contributions."

"This is my selfishness; do you accept it?"

The cultivators laughed loudly.

"Sure, Commander, your selfishness is too great."

"We understand, so what if we recognize Qing Chi as the next commander?"

"Little Qing Chi, your dad has such expectations for you, don't let him down. I heard you've been looking for your human little lover recently; this is not right!"

Qing Chi immediately bristled: "My private affairs, even my dad can't control them, you guys shouldn't either!"

Everyone laughed loudly again.

Qing Chi looked angry, but in her heart, she was secretly grateful.

The matter of condensing the military heart must be publicized and recognized by others before it can be carried out. At the same time, its political significance is also extraordinary, equivalent to determining that Qing Chi is the next successor.

No one else objected.

Qing Yan's prestige and his deep control over his relatives were evident.

Of course, the most critical point was the close connection between them; they had strong blood ties and were truly one family.

One family is so easy to talk to.

Unlike Ning Zhuo walked out of the All-Books Building.

The White Paper Xiancheng was the largest cultivator stronghold in the Yin Tide Black Swamp; super forces like the Wanxiang Sect and the Shihun Sect all had outposts here, and the All-Books Building naturally had one too.

"Honored guest, walk slowly." The building manager personally sent Unlike Ning Zhuo off.

This time, Unlike Ning Zhuo entered the All-Books Building mainly to purchase a military tactic, named the "Bearing Military Evil Aura Art," which cost a significant amount.

The market price of military tactics is often higher than other spells.

On one hand, when applied to reality, military tactics can often exert a powerful force that most methods cannot reach. On the other hand, those who choose military tactics are often from large families and powerful backgrounds. Those without power or position wouldn't have any thoughts about military tactics.

Unlike Ning Zhuo did not return to the Yang-Boosting Courtyard. He also found out that Qing Chi often went there to find him, which made him feel quite troubled.

For this period of time, Unlike Ning Zhuo had been hiding in the paper figure giant statue to cultivate.

On one hand, by managing the Qianmo Lamp, he could contact Sun Lingtong at any time. On the other hand, the paper figure giant statue was left behind by his mother; here, he felt a sense of peace from the bottom of his heart.

But this time, an accident occurred.

Just as Unlike Ning Zhuo was about to step into the paper figure giant statue, Qing Chi suddenly appeared.

The latter said excitedly: "Haha, Little Ma, so you are here! I finally blocked you!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo frowned immediately, his expression cold: "Miss Qing, I have already made it clear to you in the flying letter; my identity has changed, and things between us have ended."

Li Xiangshang stood behind Qing Chi: "Human young man, do you know how much effort Qing Chi has put in just to see you!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo snorted coldly: "You are quite nosy."

He also knew about Li Xiangshang's existence; after all, this information was easy to collect.

"You can leave; don't disturb my cultivation." Unlike Ning Zhuo flicked his sleeves to see them out.

Qing Chi laughed proudly: "Little Ma, look what this is?"

She showed a token with the seal of the White Paper City Lord on it.

Unlike Ning Zhuo frowned, his expression puzzled.

Qing Chi said: "I have a pass token; I can leave if I want, and stay if I want. You can't control me!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo: "How can that be?"

Qing Chi held her head high and chest out, urging the embryonic form of the military heart: "I am currently condensing the military heart! Did you see that?"

Li Xiangshang, who was beside her, added: "We have already reported to the City Lord, and have received her permission and appointment. Now, Qing Chi is already the Deputy Commander of the City Guard."

Unlike Ning Zhuo stared fixedly at Qing Chi, his gaze as if he wanted to pierce through the ghost clan girl in front of him.

He suddenly spoke: "The first step in building an army is to condense the military heart. This is—too difficult."

Qing Chi wiped the side of her nose: "For me, it's a piece of cake."

She clenched her fist again and confessed to Unlike Ning Zhuo: "Little Ma, I am so valued by the City Lord now! Just watch, sooner or later, I will take you back!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo:

He secretly thought in his heart: "So, it was actually like this?"

Thinking again of the spell he had just bought, his scalp couldn't help but tingle.

Seeing him silent, Qing Chi thought he was shocked by her, and couldn't help but be triumphant: "Little Ma, I came here to see you just to tell you this."

"I don't want to disturb your cultivation either; you didn't participate in that Spirit Contract Treasure Refining Array, I am very happy!"

"I'm leaving, you cultivate well."

"Wait." Unlike Ning Zhuo suddenly interrupted, "You want to condense the military heart, but it doesn't have to be on the battlefield. There is a lot of military evil aura left here; it used to be a place of fierce fighting."

"I have a copy of the 'Bearing Military Evil Aura Art' here, which can help you collect military evil aura and condense the military heart even off the battlefield!"

Li Xiangshang let out an "ah": "'Bearing Military Evil Aura Art'? This spell is very rare, that's great. Now your speed of condensing the military heart will at least triple!"

Qing Chi stared deeply at Unlike Ning Zhuo, almost shedding tears: "Little Ma, I knew you hadn't forgotten me!"

At this, Unlike Ning Zhuo's scalp tingled even more. ===== CHAPTER 617 =====

At this, Unlike Ning Zhuo's scalp went even more numb.