Chapter 287: Mobilizing All Troops

When the soldiers placed the billboard in the middle of the square, Chen Yiming had already left the camp by himself.

In order to let the plan go smoothly, at least in the early stages, he wanted to keep everyone at the same starting line. He did not intend to reveal the truth about the rocky plains to anyone, including the Myriad Phenomena Sect.

This way, the unaffiliated people who did not join any martial arts factions would have more chances.

When unaffiliated people who formed the largest numbers reaped the benefits, they would automatically send the news back to Jiangnan province to further help with the development of the otherworld.

…

The area near the exit of the space-travel passage was almost completely packed with people.

There were recruitment signs raised everywhere in the square and on both sides of the street. Everyone looked excited, and many people were shouting excitedly.

A rumor spread that Chen Yiming was going to hold the fort for the stronghold, and his target was the rocky plains.

Although the rumors were not completely accurate, the general direction was correct.

He planned to let the spiritual figure search for traces of the Western martial master while clearing out the powerful creatures from the otherworld in the rocky plains.

As for the relatively weak creatures from the otherworld in the rocky plains, they would be left for the martial arts practitioners in the stronghold. How much they could get would depend on their own abilities.

The small factions and independent martial arts practitioners formed the bulk of the people in the stronghold. After hearing this news, how could they not be excited?

There were many people who yearned for someone to lead them to take the initiative to attack. Only this way would the independent martial arts practitioners and small factions dare to go further away from the stronghold.

Chen Yiming was enveloped by the illusory internal force. He walked along the congested street and eavesdropped on the conversations of the people on the street.

“Is the news true? Are they really leading us to attack the rocky plains?”

“What a fierce person!”

“By the heavens, tears are streaming down my face.”

“I’ve used up all my assets to enter the otherworld. I’ve finally gotten a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

“Fight! Fight! Fight!”

“You only have one life. If you’re unlucky, you won’t even be able to return to the stronghold. Aren’t you going to observe the situation first?”

“If he isn’t trying to trick us, I’m willing to call that person God from now on.”

After he turned to leave, he whispered, “The overall mood of the stronghold is going the way I expected. Next, we have to ensure that there are no otherworld creatures at the master realm in the area where the humans will attack the rocky plains for the first time.”

…

As time passed, the figures of the large martial arts factions gradually appeared in the square at the exit of the space-travel passage and the nearby streets.

These people relied on their strong backing to offer generous conditions to recruit a large number of independent martial arts practitioners.

This action undoubtedly confirmed the rumors. Therefore, the recruitment conditions on the signs on the street were further reduced, and the terms were further improved.

Other than that, there were also many people who were not satisfied with working for the martial arts factions. They directly gathered their friends and formed a temporary alliance, preparing to go all out.

As Chen Yiming strolled along the street, he saw a few people tearing up their contracts.

“The information is definitely correct. I have to give it my all!”

“That’s right. You want us to work for you with just this kind of treatment? We won’t do it.”

“You must be dreaming!”

“Haha! That was then, and this is now. Looking at this temporary team contract, we’ve made a huge loss. Why don’t we find a few more people to work together?”

“That makes sense. Let’s fight it out this time. When we break through, won’t it be better to lead our own team?”

After the various martial arts factions made their stance clear, the price offered for recruitment increased step by step. The independent martial arts practitioners realized their value and more and more people started to tear up their contracts.

The martial arts factions that had wanted to recruit cannon fodder were also troubled. At this time, the rocky plains was like a mountain of gold that attracted all of their attention.

The net worth of cannon fodder at the disciple realm was rising, so they had no choice but to raise the price. This was because if the news was true, the price they had to pay would quickly be earned back tenfold or even a hundredfold.

…

When a large number of martial arts factions started to recruit people at a high price, the sound of horses galloping could be heard at the entrance of the stronghold. On the wide road, a huge cavalry team was slowly leaving the city.

There were nearly 500 cavalry troops. Under the circumstances that modern technology did not work in the otherworld, they were comparable to a fast-moving team.

Each of these cavalrymen was wearing heavy black armor made from the scales of the creatures from the otherworld. Their defense was not something that ordinary steel armor could compare to.

They were also wearing black helmets made of a similar material that only revealed their eyes. On the side of the horses were bows and arrows, and on their backs were huge sabers.

The cavalrymen were tall and muscular, and the width of their arms were three times that of an ordinary adult man.

The warhorses they rode were also not ordinary horses. Instead, they were horses that had evolved due to the influence of the space-travel passage. However, because they were bred by humans, they were not as wild.

Furthermore, the warhorses were also wearing heavy armor made of similar materials. They had thick necks and strong limbs.

Wherever they passed, the pedestrians behaved like someone pressed the pause button. There was an awed silence as they were all shocked by the sight of the cavalry.

The most eye-catching one was the person at the front of the cavalry.

The man had the back of an ape and the waist of a bear. He was a size larger than the other cavalrymen, and he carried a black spear that was nearly three meters long on his back. Under him was a black panther. The black panther’s four palms burned with black flames, leaving charred marks wherever it passed.

“It’s Zhang Jun from Shaodong province. It’s going to be dark soon. What is he doing?” some people who knew him said in disbelief after the entire cavalry team left.

“Looking at the direction those cavalry are heading in, there’s a high chance that they are aiming for the rocky plains,” the person beside him replied in a solemn voice.

The cavalry team led by Zhang Jun came from the famous Expedition Corporation in the eastern province. Their factions corresponded to the large provincial sects.

Before the Daxia Kingdom decided to establish a long-term stronghold in the otherworld, the Expedition Corporation had been active in various space-travel passages in the eastern province all year round.

Because their target had always been the otherworld, they had long abandoned modern modes of transportation such as vehicles. Few factions of the same level were more suitable for the environment in the otherworld than the Expedition Corporation.

“Damn it, the cavalry of the Expedition Corporation is powerful, but the current situation in the rocky plains is still unclear. Aren’t they afraid that they will attract the attention of a large number of creatures from the otherworld if they enter alone?”

Some people cursed under their breath, but in their hearts, they did not want anyone to beat them to it.

“I think the Expedition Corporation is planning to camp near the rocky plains overnight and make a move at dawn tomorrow.”

Some people widened their eyes in disbelief.

The hundreds of cavalrymen were indeed powerful, but on the other hand, they were also a huge target. Furthermore, they were moving at night, so the risk they had to take was greatly increased.

This was unacceptable to most people.

Chen Yiming blended into the crowd. He was very satisfied with the fact that the first to take action was a martial arts faction outside of Jiangnan province.

If only the local factions in Jiangnan province participated, they might reach a consensus to monopolize the territory after a period of time. It might be beneficial to the leading martial arts factions, but it would not be healthy for the development of the entire stronghold, and it did not meet his expectations.

With the Expedition Corporation leading the charge, the martial arts factions of the same level in the stronghold would probably be unable to sit still for long.

As for the small factions and independent martial arts practitioners, due to their own limited strength, they could only set off tomorrow morning. Chen Yiming couldn’t provide any more help to them.

…

Night fell. Near the exit of the space-travel passage,

Chen Yiming sat cross-legged on the top of a three-story building. A ball of black fog hid his figure, and the situation in the square could be seen clearly from this spot.

He was continuing his cultivation towards the master realm, constantly communicating with the power of nature to find the attribute he had the highest affinity for.

“Skill points +1”

“Skill points +1”

“Skill points +1”

Once in a while, the system notification would appear.

The square not far away was still bustling with noise and excitement, even though many people knew that they should go back and have a good rest to save their energy for their departure tomorrow.

Suddenly, there was a commotion in the crowd as people started to flow towards the gates of the stronghold.

Chen Yiming noticed it and stood up. He looked past the countless buildings and saw a commotion in the distance.

An expedition team of more than 10 people was dragging a giant lizard corpse back to the stronghold. Countless people blocked the entrance of the stronghold as they watched.

“A familiar aura.”

He groaned.

On the empty thigh of the giant lizard’s corpse, he could feel the remnants of the Undying Sword Aura.

This team had unbelievable luck. The giant lizard had suffered far more serious injuries than they had expected.

When it was surrounded by the exploration team, the giant lizard used its injured leg to attack. However, its injured leg was unexpectedly broken due to its action.

In the end, the giant lizard was not killed by their joint attack. Instead, it just bled to death.

“Tell me quickly, what’s the situation on the rocky plains?”

Someone who knew the expedition team questioned them.

“We don’t know the exact situation. We only saw that the area was very chaotic, and injured creatures from the otherworld could be seen everywhere,”

the leader of the exploration team explained helplessly as he was surrounded by the crowd.

As soon as he finished speaking, cheers erupted at the entrance of the stronghold.

Connecting the dots, the situation in the rocky plains was clear at a glance. It was equivalent to gold lying everywhere. Those who had the ability to pick up the heavy items would be able to do so, while those who did not would be able to pick up the light items.

“Impressive. I can’t hold it in any longer.”

“Is there anyone who wants to team up and go out at night? Please bring me along!”

“I feel like I missed out on everything.”

“Other than the Expedition Corporation, are there no other martial arts factions of the same level that will set off overnight? I’m willing to spend money to follow you.”

Excitement, grief, and regret filled the air at the entrance of the stronghold. Everyone made up their minds to find an opportunity to charge straight at the rocky plains.

Countless people imagined that as long as this trip went smoothly, they would not have to worry about the resources needed for cultivation for a long time. They could even trade them for rare treasures needed to break through to the next level.

…

In the middle of the night, the independent martial arts practitioners saw that there was no longer anyone leading the way like the Expedition Corporation. Almost all of them had returned to their residences to rest.

At some point, the various martial arts factions in the stronghold, including the military, seemed to have discussed it beforehand. In less than 10 minutes, they had all gathered, and nearly 100,000 people were rushing towards the rocky plains.

The entire stronghold was woken up and suddenly became lively. Countless independent martial arts practitioners got out of bed cursing.

The braver ones quickly followed the rest of the group, while the timid ones remained in their residences, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

…

Late at night, about three to four kilometers away from the stronghold,

“Brother, if that big bug rushes over later, you have to make a move in time.”

Chen Yingying drew her bow and aimed her arrow at a cave more than 100 meters away. A large bug with whiskers all over its face was hiding there.

“Don’t worry. I’m asking you to practice archery in actual combat, not swordsmanship. I won’t let that bug get close to you.”

Chen Yiming agreed readily.

His gaze shot into the darkness. At this moment, the spiritual figure was secretly following the main team that had set off from the stronghold to ensure that nothing unexpected happened.

Since he had nothing to do, he woke Chen Yingying, who wanted to rest, up. He decided to let her make the best use of her time and use actual combat to improve.

In reality, this was the first time that the humans in the stronghold were going so far out, and it was nighttime. He was a little worried and planned to use the spiritual figure to keep an eye on them.

He thought about how his talent was outstanding and how he had not rested at all. How could his sister, who was so mediocre in talent, rest? That was why he had made her practice archery so late at night.

“Then I’ll shoot.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Chen Yingying released the bowstring and the armor-piercing arrow shot out.

The large bug at the entrance of the cave moved its whiskers. Sensing that the air was moving abnormally, it disappeared into the cave with a whoosh.

The armor-piercing arrow hit the stone wall at the entrance of the cave and pierced deep into it.

“The large bug’s perception is so sharp.”

Chen Yingying pouted, her confidence somewhat shaken. This was the first time she had used archery in actual combat, and she had failed.

Chen Yiming sensed that the bug had gone very far underground. He said, “Go and get the armor-piercing arrow. Even if it’s for practice, you can’t waste it for no reason.”

When Chen Yingying heard this, her expression changed slightly, and she stopped in her tracks.

She thought to herself: What if the big bug is lying in ambush at the entrance of the cave? Wouldn’t I be walking into a tiger’s den if I pulled out the arrow? Could it be that my brother wants to see how fast my reaction is?

She was feeling extremely conflicted. The foul-smelling mucus flowing out of the surface of the large bug was disgusting to look at, let alone get close to it.

Chen Yiming didn’t think too much about it when he saw the change in his sister’s expression. For a moment, he also felt that there was no need to let his sister get close to the cave where the smelly mucus still remained.

Therefore, he materialized his spiritual power and used it as an extension of his hand. He gently pulled out the arrow, threw it back and caught it.

“There’s no need to clean up the areas that didn’t hit the mucus.”

Chen Yiming handed the arrow to his sister.

Chen Yingying’s face was filled with shock. When she took the arrow, she asked, “Brother, you can actually move things from a distance. It’s amazing.”

“…”

Chen Yiming’s expression turned awkward. During the day, he had used his spiritual power to pretend to be an expert archer. He suddenly wondered if his sister had suspected that he was cheating.

Fortunately, his sister had a look of admiration on her face after she got over the shock, which made him heave a sigh of relief.

“This is a technique using the internal force as an extension of your hand. Once you master the internal force, you will understand the principle.”

Chen Yiming continued to lie to her.

Chen Yingying’s eyes lit up when she heard this, revealing her strong yearning for the warrior realm. She was extremely interested in the power of the internal force.

Seeing this, Chen Yiming praised his own ability to trick others.

When one just broke through to the warrior realm, his control over his internal force was very rough. Even if his internal force could move things from a distance, it would still take many years of cultivation to reach an extremely high level of control.

With his sister’s mediocre talent, she would not be able to do it even if she knew about it. He could only try his best to trick her.

In the next two hours, the improvement in Chen Yingying’s archery skills was visible to the naked eye. She used what her archery teacher had taught her during the day in actual combat and successfully killed a few weak creatures from the otherworld.