Chapter 1828: Hellish Tempering

Ye Liuyun singled out more than fifty soldiers at once and said to them, "You've been eliminated; go back to your original units!"

Ah?

Why?

Someone asked in surprise.

Before I left, I said whoever moves gets eliminated. Do you not know in your own hearts whether you moved? Ye Liuyun retorted.

I just wiped my eyes; rain got into them! a soldier explained.

Ye Liuyun snapped, "Nonsense! Over five thousand people, and you're being finicky? You're the only one who knows rain got in your eyes? I told you to stand still like a zombie, not move, not even understand orders—what do you want me to make you do?"

But we can't be eliminated just because we moved a little! that soldier protested.

Ye Liuyun raised his hand and with one stroke cut him in half.

That shocked everyone. They hadn't expected Ye Liuyun to actually kill someone.

You talk too much! You don't even know how to obey orders—what good are you? Ye Liuyun said indifferently.

The remaining fifty-plus soldiers immediately turned and fled in fright.

Ye Liuyun didn't bother with them, just reorganized the formation.

Then he used Golden Crow Holy Fire to erect a wall of fire. Rain striking the wall sent up white smoke.

Everyone, listen up! The time to test your courage has come! Maintain your current formation and spacing—no running. Male soldiers may not use true essence to form an external protective shield; female soldiers may only protect their clothing. March at your normal pace through the wall of fire.

After issuing the order, Ye Liuyun added, "If anyone doesn't dare to step forward, come out now. You may leave directly."

Seeing no one leave, Ye Liuyun then gave the order to march.

The few martial cultivators at the front were all criminals released from prison earlier.

As long as they could make it out alive, they certainly didn't want to go back, so they walked straight through the fire wall. Their clothing burned away, their armor seared into their flesh, making a sizzling sound, yet these few didn't utter a sound.

They set an example for those behind. The following people did the same, gritting their teeth and pushing through.

The whole unit heard only heavy panting and the "hiss" of indrawn breath. Occasionally a soldier hesitated or lagged before the fire wall, and Ye Liuyun instantly kicked him out of the ranks.

Afraid of a little fire, yet you dare say you're not afraid of death!

After everyone had passed, Ye Liuyun finally withdrew the Golden Crow Holy Fire, smirking, "You were just roasted; now I'll cool you down! Remember, you must not use true essence to resist."

What is true essence for? To kill people? It's not for pulling out at the slightest danger. When two opponents of similar strength fight, the deciding factor is true essence—whoever has even a little more left can survive.

Having said that, Ye Liuyun began slowly releasing Ice Power, enveloping them all.

Of course, he was controlling it—not freezing them solid all at once.

But the soldiers' scorched skin had already stuck to their armor; now, as it froze, the armor contracted and began pulling on the skin, causing pain and itchiness.

The soldiers gritted their teeth and endured. But the bone‑deep cold, mixed with rain, made them shiver all over, their teeth chattering.

Does it hurt? Only by enduring pain can you learn to ignore it! After experiencing pain, your will becomes tougher than metal and stone. Then you need do nothing—just stand before your opponent, and they will feel fear.

Of course, if you still find this hard to take, think of the five million crystal stones, a hundred third‑rank pills, and third‑rank gear…

Ah! I can't take it! a soldier finally couldn't endure, using true essence to block the cold while healing himself, but he also stepped forward and left the ranks.

Then another soldier who couldn't take it left the ranks.

Someone even said as they were leaving, "If we keep training like this, we'll die before we even reach the battlefield!"

Ye Liuyun scoffed, "With that willpower, you'll never become strong—just remain an ordinary soldier and muddle through life."

After a while, Ye Liuyun felt the time was about right and withdrew the Ice Power.

You have fifteen minutes to treat your wounds, get dressed, then fall in. Time starts now!

All the soldiers immediately began treating their wounds and putting on their clothes.

When the fifteen minutes were up, Ye Liuyun immediately had the soldiers fall in; anyone dawdling was instantly kicked out.

This time they formed ranks of three abreast.

Ye Liuyun led from the front, first stating the rule: "All soldiers, you may not use true essence; follow me running out of the city, and no talking along the way!"

Saying that, Ye Liuyun ran at the head, leading the unit out of the city.

Next, he intended to drill the soldiers in formations, not wanting to show it to everyone.

Xiao Yunfang also refrained from using true essence, running at the rear.

The martial cultivators were accustomed to using true essence to hurry along; suddenly having to run without it left them panting heavily. Even Xiao Yunfang found it somewhat taxing, but she gritted her teeth and persisted.

Along the way, if anyone fell behind, Ye Liuyun immediately pulled them out and eliminated them.

Ye Liuyun ran with them for over ten li before stopping in an open field.

Then he called out the three martial cultivators in the first rank, demonstrated basic formations and coordination, had them practice while the others watched.

Throughout the process, he did not allow them to use true essence.

Afterwards he began checking and correcting each unit one by one, teaching with great patience.

For common problems that arose, he would single them out and explain them to everyone; during this period he did not eliminate anyone for a martial cultivator being slow.

Then he had them repeat the drills over and over. Without true essence, it looked rather childish, but Ye Liuyun insisted that every movement be performed correctly.

Afterwards the rain stopped and the sky lightened.

The soldiers, having trained all night without using true essence, were utterly exhausted.

Fifteen minutes to rest and recover, then keep running with me! Ye Liuyun ordered the soldiers.

Huh? Immediately some soldiers complained that the training was too painful.

But complaints aside, after fifteen minutes they quickly reassembled, ran another ten li with Ye Liuyun, then repeated the earlier movements until each group had passed the drill, after which Ye Liuyun proceeded to teach more advanced coordination.

Thus, whenever they grew tired they rested only fifteen minutes, then resumed running and drilling; those who couldn't keep up were eliminated.

At first, after a fifteen‑minute break the soldiers still showed fatigue in their eyes, but after three days Xiao Yunfang noticed that once they had rested, their gazes became markedly more resolute.

Moreover, Ye Liuyun's regular training forbids the use of true essence, so these soldiers' true essence remains abundant, ready for any major battle.