<h4>Chapter 324: Spread</h4>


    As Li Pin quickly advanced his cultivation using the abundance of Primordial Electric Crystal, a major battle was about to erupt outside the Xiangye Territory.


    At the border, a coalition of eight thousand troopsprising three thousand from one faction and five thousand from another—faced off against a force of fewer than three thousand men.


    The two armies were hardlyparable, both in numbers and equipment. If the lesser army had anything to boast about over their enemies, it would be their morale and spirit. While the smaller army was brimming with fighting spirit, eyes zing with determination to fight to the death, to die defending their homnd, the enemy of eight thousand strong was sluggish and unmotivated.


    After a full day of standoff, the Lord of ck Gold loudly used Xiangye Territory of a series of crimes, attempting to justify the invasion.


    His words had no effect. The Xiangye soldiers stood firm, while even the forces under the Lords of ck Gold and Xiangshi seemed indifferent.


    For the soldiers just trying to make a living, the disputes of the powerful had little meaning. Who would choose to be a soldier unless they had no other choice?


    Even for those who did join, their wages were constantly deducted, and they never received their full pay.


    Under such circumstances, the so-called righteous words and justified reasons of the powerful not only failed to inspire them, but also made them feel somewhat bored.


    They only hoped to scare the enemy into surrendering quickly, so they could return home and rest.


    Whether it was confidence in his own strength or something else, Grand Lord Zhang Tian''nan took action despite sensing the low morale of his men. That night, he led an elite squad of two Astral Cultivators and eight Martial Saints to infiltrate the Xiangye army camp. They unleashed the full power of their Astral Cultivators'' auras, aiming to create panic and break the enemy without a fight.


    This was the most effective tactic for High-ss Astral Cultivators against regr troops—leveraging their inherent advantage tounch a preemptive strike.


    However, the oue shocked everyone.


    Zhang Tian''nan, a High-ss Astral Cultivator, was stopped by the son of the Xiangye Lord, Wen Xingchen.


    At first, Zhang Tian''nan had the upper hand, but Wen Xingchen quickly adapted to his strength, turning the tide of battle.


    After a fierce fight, Wen Xingchen dragged Zhang Tian''nan into the Celestial Force Field, where the vast, violent Celestial Force crushed him to dust. The sight stunned everyone watching, including the eight Martial Saints who had apanied Zhang Tian''nan.


    Having killed a High-ss Astral Cultivator, Wen Xingchen gained unstoppable momentum. With new-found courage, he turned his attention to the remaining two.


    Despite their attempt to flee, Xiangye''s Martial Saints kept them locked inbat, leaving no room for escape.


    Strictly speaking, Martial Saints and Astral Cultivators belonged to the same tier. While over ny percent of Martial Saints couldn''t defeat an Astral Cultivator in a one-on-one fight, three or five working together might have a chance of bringing one down.


    In the end, Zhang Tian''nan was in together with the two Astral Cultivators he brought along.


    As for the eight Martial Saints, they immediately pledged their allegiance upon learning that Wen Xingchen had achieved Martial God status and possessed such overwhelming strength.


    One of them, an almost fifty-year-old Martial Saint, was moved to tears. He pleaded to be Wen Xingchen''s disciple.


    It was as though they saw in him the hope for the rise of Martial Saints.


    However, Wen Xingchen, not even Li Pin''s official disciple, didn''t dare to ept such a request. Instead, he graciously epted their allegiance.


    These eight Martial Saints held considerable influence in ck Gold City, and with their assistance, the five thousand troops there were quickly brought under control.


    The three thousand troops of Xiangshi Territory put up only a symbolic resistance. After losing over a hundred men, the fear of death and the sight of blood drove them to surrender.


    In an instant, Xiangye Territory not only captured an army of eight thousand but also acquired advanced military equipment from ck Gold City.


    Among the spoils were numerous armed vehicles, twelve armored cars, and ten cannons.


    Most notably, ck Gold City''s army possessed four tanks. Though they were outdated models, tanks were still the kings ofnd warfare. Their presence alone was enough to crush any small territory with ease.


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    Xiangye understood the importance of swift action, and they wasted no time after their glorious victory. They left some troops behind to guard the prisoners while two thousand soldiers marched directly toward ck Gold City.


    Along the way, many territories that had long suffered under ck Gold City''s rule rose in revolt, answering Xiangye''s call. By the time Xiangye''s forces reached the gates of ck Gold City, their numbers had swelled to over five thousand.


    With a swift and decisive attack, ck Gold City fell, and Wen Xingchen killed the Astral Cultivators stationed there.


    With ck Gold City as their new center, Xiangye''s influence now extended across the entire ck Gold ins.


    It could be said, to some degree, that if the Molong Royal Family didn''t act soon, Xiangye would soon control the entire 100-thousand-square-kilometer ck Gold ins, home to five million people.


    In terms of poption and territory, this power would rival that of some smaller warlords.


    This oue sent shockwaves throughout the region. Not only did it astonish the Molong Country, but neighboring nations also began to take notice.


    Ambitious forces like Kanyun were especially eager, amassing troops at the border. If Molong failed to manage this incident, the entire country could face the fate of being torn apart by wolves.


    ***


    King Wu Muxuan of Molong appeared to revel in a leisurely life, surrounded by blooming flowers, yet he remained acutely aware of the shifting situation within his kingdom. The moment Zhang Tian''nan''s forces faced annihtion, he was already informed.


    For a time, the Top-Tier Astral Cultivator erupted in fury, shattering countless objects in a mere half hour. In his rage, he executed three pce maids and one consort.


    However, when Chief Sen presented more detailed intelligence half an hourter, Wu Muxuan quickly regained hisposure.


    After studying the report, Wu Muxuan fell silent for an extended period.


    Nearly a minute passed before he spoke in a low voice. "I initially thought this was a mere demonstration—a case of killing a chicken to scare the monkeys. Instead, it seems we''ve inadvertently rattled a tiger![1]


    "To think that the few lots of the Dragonfist Sect aren''t simply Martial Gods in name, mere pretenders who''ve only formed the Lifeform Force Field!"


    "The situation isplex. We still don''t know whether another faction has intervened or if they have genuinely broken through to the Martial God realm," Manager Sen conveyed solemnly.


    Two possibilities arose.


    The first: only the Six Extremities, or the top-tier factions closely rivaling them, could cultivate true Martial Gods. If a new top-tier faction intended to involve itself in the Great Moon''s affairs, with its first move in Molong, it certainly posed a headache for him.


    Wu Muxuan, however, found the second possibility more scary.


    <i>If someone has truly broken through to the Martial God realm, wouldn''t that mean....</i>


    "Li Pin was the founder of the Martial God realm. His profound understanding of the Celestial Force Field allowed him to drag a Legendary Mage down with him in mutual destruction. As for others... even if they inherited his martial arts, they shouldn''t possess that level of power, right?" Wu Muxuan spected.


    "ording to research from the Six Extremities, other Martial Gods should theoretically struggle to achieve that feat. Furthermore, even if they could, Your Majesty, once you transform your body into starlight, you should be able to escape the crushing force of the Celestial Force Field. But, how it would unfold is uncertain," answered Chief Sen.


    He paused. "Li Pin died too early for the Six Extremities to provide a definitive answer."


    Wu Muxuan fell silent.


    It would be one thing if the conclusions from the Six Extremities were urate. But they were uncertain. What if he charged foolishly into danger, only to meet a fate simr to that of the Legendary Mage, Cang Shengdao, exchanging his life for the opponent''s?


    The Six Extremities would benefit from the data, while he would be merely a data point, eternally marked on the disgraceful pir of Astral Cultivators.


    "There are three Martial Gods in the Dragonfist Sect?" Wu Muxuan asked.


    "Yes," Chief Sen responded quickly, "but I believe one person grasping the Celestial Force Field would have been as far as they could go. The other two are likely just Quasi-Martial Gods bluffing."


    "I don''t want spection; I want proof!" demanded Wu Muxian.


    He absentmindedly tapped his fingers on the table. After a while, he made a decisive statement.


    "Issue mymand! The actions of Xiangye Territory and the Dragonfist Sect amount to treason! Any lord, general, or Astral Cultivator, regardless of their allegiance to Molong Country, who can destroy Xiangye Territory and the Dragonfist Sect will be granted the title of the new lord of ck Gold City!"


    Chief Sen quickly grasped Wu Muxuan''s intent. The prospect of a new power entering the fray or a Martial God potentially dragging down a Legendary Mage filled him with unease.


    As a Top-Tier Astral Cultivator, Wu Muxuan had chosen not to join a leading faction like the Six Extremities, opting instead to carve out Molong Country in Great Moon. On one hand, they refused to remain forever subservient to others; on the other... it was also for the thrill of freedom.


    In this uncertain situation, they would never recklessly put themselves at risk.


    ***


    Wu Muxuan''s orders, along with Wen Xingchen''s achievements in battle, swept through thend like a storm after Xiangye Territory imed ck Gold City.


    For a moment, the eyes of everyone across Great Moon were drawn toward them. Even spies from Great Shang and the Royal Empire couldn''t ignore themotion.


    A true Martial God had risen! One that likely achieved the status without the aid of a Master Astral Cultivator, making them the first true Martial God since Li Pin, the founder of the Martial God path!


    This was a piece of news they couldn''t overlook.


    However, it was only a matter of attention and nothing else. For the Six Extremities, the real focus remained on the operation at the Burial Grounds of ck Moon Ind.


    The failure of the Degenerate Temple mission had already cast doubt on the Human Alliance and the Special United Squad''s abilities, which had finally begun to unify. In the next operation, they had to ensure that nothing went wrong.


    With these responsibilities on their shoulders, the significant events urring in the primitive and backwardnd of Great Moon drew minimal interest.


    It was like a starving chieftain from a poorly clothed tribe suddenly dering they could build a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Most people would simply brush it off.


    ***


    While the world outside was in turmoil, Li Pin remained unfazed. His daily life continued as usual, devoted steadily to his cultivation.


    At most, the nces from Shi Shihu, Xing Ying, Xing Hui, Yue Ying, and others grew more respectful, fervent, and filled with admiration.


    However, just half a month after Xiangye Territory seized ck Gold City, a special group led by Wen Xingchen and Wen Yusheng arrived at the Dragonfist Sect.


    1. Implies that Wu Muxuan had underestimated the opponent, which led to his original intention of a small-scale warning to lead to a much worse situation. ?