Chapter 803: Breaking the Array Alone

“The main ingredient for a Nascent Soul Pill?” Li Ji’an’s pupils tightened slightly, a faint surge in his heart.

He now needed to plan for Nascent Soul Formation, and the most crucial thing was the Nascent Soul Pill.

But his Alchemy Skill was only at Tier Three and he simply could not refine a Tier Four Nascent Soul Pill; he could only pin his hopes on gathering the main ingredients, then relying on the power of the Qinglan Sect to invite a Tier Four Pill Master from the Celestial Essence Immortal City to refine it.

And all three main ingredients for the Nascent Soul Pill were Heaven and Earth Treasures; an ordinary Loose Cultivator would find it hard to obtain even one in their entire life. The Ye Race might actually take one of them as a reward—this, to him, was undoubtedly a heaven-sent opportunity.

What was more, the Tier Four Pill Masters of the Celestial Essence Immortal City held exalted status; without a Sect standing behind one, they simply would not easily refine Pill Medicine for others.

Although he was now an Honored Guest Elder of the Qinglan Sect, his foundation was far too shallow; he had to reveal sufficient value before the Sect would willingly expend this resource for him.

In an instant, Li Ji’an had already made up his mind: on this trip to the front lines, he could no longer remain as low-key as before.

If he wanted to obtain the main ingredient of the Nascent Soul Pill and borrow the momentum of the Qinglan Sect, he had to display enough strength—even if it meant directly contending with Black Marsh Pool for the position of commander of the army, he would not hesitate.

Seeing the expression of the Chang’an Ascendant shift slightly, Qingyue’s tone grew all the more solemn as he said in a deep voice, “Chang’an Ascendant, though this information is speculative, its reliability is not low. If you can help my Qinglan Sect stabilize the situation, this main ingredient for the Nascent Soul Pill may very well end up in your hands.”

Li Ji’an nodded slightly and did not say much, only replied, “Let’s go to the main camp first.”

Seeing this, Qingyue said no more and respectfully took the lead.

The two of them rode their Spiritual Light and soon arrived at the army’s main camp.

The outer perimeter of the camp was encircled by a thick defensive Array, Spiritual Light flickering; Cultivators on watch patrolled back and forth, vigilance extremely tight.

True Man Qingyue led Li Ji’an straight toward the central command tent. Just as they reached the outside of the tent, a Cultivator from Black Marsh Pool stepped forward to block them: “Hold it! Who goes there? The central command tent is not a place you can enter and exit at will!”

“This is our Qinglan Sect Elder, the Chang’an Ascendant, here by order of True Monarch Qingxiao to report to the front. Go and report at once!” True Man Qingyue stepped forward, presenting the Sect Token.

That Cultivator of Black Marsh Pool, seeing it was a Qinglan Sect Elder, had a slight change of expression and did not dare be too presumptuous; he turned and entered the tent to report.

A moment later, an impatient voice came from within the tent: “Let him in!”

Li Ji’an lifted the curtain and entered the tent, only to see a curtain of water-formed magical images floating in midair, while eight Cultivators in differing Magic Robes sat to the side—these were the eight late Core Formation commanders of the allied army.

Four of them wore the black Magic Robes of Black Marsh Pool and sat in the top seats, expressions arrogant;

The other four were Core Formation Ascendants from other vassal powers, their expressions calm;

While the two Ascendants of the Qinglan Sect sat in the lowest seats, looking somewhat constrained; only when they saw Li Ji’an enter did a trace of joy show in their eyes.

“This is our Qinglan Sect Elder, the Chang’an Ascendant, who has come to support the front lines.” Qingyue stepped forward, bowing as he introduced Li Ji’an to everyone, then turned to introduce the others to Li Ji’an one by one, “This is Master Mo Chen of Black Marsh Pool, the current commander of the army, whose Cultivation has reached the peak of the late Core Formation stage; this is Black Marsh Pool’s…”

After the introductions, the atmosphere in the tent became somewhat subtle.

The Ascendants of the other forces, seeing that the Qinglan Sect had gained another late Core Formation member, all came forward to pay their respects in a friendly tone. With the Qinglan Sect’s strength increased, they could share more of the pressure, which they naturally welcomed;

The two Ascendants of the Qinglan Sect hurried forward even more, looking at Li Ji’an with excitement and expectation written all over their faces.

Only the four Ascendants of Black Marsh Pool remained seated where they were, expressions indifferent, even tinged with a bit of disdain.

Master Mo Chen raised his eyes and gave Li Ji’an a glance, his tone lordly and commanding: “Since you are here, you will be under this commander’s direction. As it happens, the western side of the Grand Array is under heavy pressure and needs an Ascendant to sit in town. You go and garrison the western side of the Grand Array.”

The western side of the Grand Array was notorious as a perilous place, originally a baleful region where Blood Fiend Spiritual Qi lingered year-round. Now that Blood River Valley was stationed there as well, several groups of Qinglan Sect disciples had already fallen in that area.

With his very first words, Mo Chen tossed this scalding hot potato over, clearly doing it on purpose to make things difficult.

The faces of the two Ascendants of the Qinglan Sect changed; they were just about to speak in rebuttal when Li Ji’an raised a hand to stop them.

Li Ji’an looked calmly at Mo Chen and asked directly, “Everyone, how is the position of commander of the army here determined?”

At these words, the tent instantly fell silent; all eyes focused on Li Ji’an, full of shock.

No one had expected that this Qinglan Sect Elder who had just arrived would, right off the bat, point straight at the commander’s seat, revealing such sharp-edged ambition.

Mo Chen’s face darkened at once, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes: “On the battlefield, naturally strength speaks! Whoever is stronger has the right to sit in this position. What now? The Chang’an Ascendant has just arrived and already wants to challenge this commander’s seat?”

“Exactly.” Li Ji’an’s tone was flat, yet carried an unquestionable certainty. “Li intends to sit in this commander’s position today.”

“Insolence!” A Black Marsh Pool Ascendant beside Mo Chen slammed the table and stood up, murderous intent blazing in his eyes. “You’ve only just arrived at the front and have yet to earn a single merit, and you dare covet the commander’s seat?”

The other three Black Marsh Pool Ascendants also rose to their feet, Magical Power surging around them; the air in the tent grew heavy in an instant, clearly signaling their intent to act immediately.

“You mustn’t!” The Ascendants of the other forces hurried forward to block them. “With the enemy before us, internal strife is a deadly taboo! If the True Monarch learns of this, none of us will be able to bear the blame!”

“Indeed!” A white-haired Ascendant said in a deep voice, “If the Chang’an Ascendant wishes to vie for the commander’s seat, why not wait until the battle eases somewhat and then have a fair Magical Combat contest with Master Mo Chen? Right now is precisely when we need every man—this is no time to throw our formation into chaos!”