Chapter 397 - 171: Settling and the Limit

The Demon Alliance's counterattack grew increasingly fierce. While things were quiet in other parts of the Southern Border, the situation in Qing Province was utter madness.

The chaos caused by Demons and Monsters wasn't limited to a single area. In fact, ninety percent of the Nine Commanderies and Twelve Counties experienced demonic uprisings simultaneously.

The pressure on the Observatory skyrocketed.

The Observatory, Commander-in-Chief's Residence.

Four Marshals were gathered together.

Wei Qing and the other three Marshals looked up at Hong Miaojin, who sat in the seat of honor, their expressions grave.

"Commander, the situation has worsened recently. Our men have suffered heavy losses, and we're stretched thin. Can we call for reinforcements?"

One of the Marshals asked Hong Miaojin.

Hong Miaojin glanced at him. "What's your plan?"

At her words, the Marshal spoke up. "Commander, aren't there still hundreds of thousands of Profound Armor Army soldiers at Beiping Pass? Why don't we request their aid?"

"I think that's feasible," another Marshal immediately chimed in.

Hong Miaojin's expression was calm as she scanned the room. "Is that what you all think?"

Wei Qing and the other three Marshals exchanged glances and nodded silently.

Hong Miaojin's brow furrowed. After a moment of contemplation, she asked, "How many Recorded Captains are currently in the Observatory?"

Wei Qing looked at her and said, "Commander, we have just over twenty thousand Recorded Captains right now."

"Then promote them to Official Captains. Fill as many vacancies as we have," Hong Miaojin said coolly.

Hearing this, the four Marshals frowned.

"Commander, isn't that against the rules? Once we set this precedent, it will be hard to take back in the future. After all, these people only have Dark Force cultivation. The gap is simply too wide."

"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. Desperate times call for desperate measures."

"Any other problems?" Hong Miaojin's gaze swept over them.

Hearing her words, the four men exchanged glances. 'She's already made up her mind. What else can we say?'

The four men immediately stood up, clasped their hands, and bowed. "We will follow the Commander's orders."

Hong Miaojin looked at the four, her expression as calm as still water. "Go and make the arrangements. Select the outstanding individuals among them for exceptional promotion."

"Yes, Commander!"

The four men acknowledged the order and turned to leave.

However, Wei Qing remained behind.

Hong Miaojin looked at Wei Qing, her expression impassive. "Is there something else?"

Wei Qing clasped his hands and bowed, looking at Hong Miaojin. "Commander, when will Lord Fang be coming out of seclusion?"

"The situation is dire. Everyone's strength should be mobilized. Lord Fang's abilities are outstanding, and he has always been swift and decisive in slaying Demons and Monsters. At a time like this, shouldn't Lord Fang also contribute his strength?"

Hearing this, Hong Miaojin's eyes narrowed, her gaze sweeping over him. "He has his own things to do. What, do you want to order him around?"

Wei Qing's expression changed. He immediately bowed with clasped hands. "I wouldn't dare. Lord Fang is my superior. I only hope that Lord Fang can contribute his strength. After all, his accomplishments are plain for all to see, and his involvement would surely help alleviate the current crisis. I have absolutely no ulterior motives."

Listening to Wei Qing's explanation, Hong Miaojin smiled faintly and stood up. "I understand what you mean. However, he will do what he needs to do. You just focus on your own responsibilities."

"I understand."

Wei Qing nodded. Looking at Hong Miaojin, he clasped his hands. "In that case, Commander, I will take my leave."

Hong Miaojin nodded slightly. "Yes, go and attend to your duties."

Wei Qing turned and left the main hall. Hong Miaojin watched his retreating back, lost in thought.

'He's getting a bit impatient... Still, I hope you don't disappoint me.'

Hong Miaojin murmured softly, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

「Demon Suppression Mansion, Training Room.」

Fang Xing sat cross-legged, his entire body enveloped in a faint, radiant glow.

His aura filled the Training Room, compressing the very air.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. A divine light flashed within them, and his formless aura instantly retracted, returning to a state of calm.

"WHOOSH—"

He exhaled a breath of turbid air that shot out like an invisible arrow, causing ripples to spread through the air.

A powerful stream of Innate Celestial Gang Qi coursed through the meridians all around his body, suffusing every inch of his skin and muscle and continuously nourishing his form.

The power of four top-grade Divine True Origins had been completely absorbed, doubling his Power.

His cultivation had thoroughly climbed to the Ninth-Layer Extreme.

The Gang Seed within his body had also grown considerably.

'The next step is the Heaven and Earth Profound Palace,' Fang Xing thought. 'I'll probably need a few more top-grade Divine True Origins, or perhaps ones from the True Gang Perfection Realm.'

The Heaven and Earth Profound Palace!

This was the Dragon Gate, the barrier to breaking through to True Gang Perfection.

Breaking through in one go required immense energy to support it; otherwise, he could easily suffer a backlash.

Once he broke open the Heaven and Earth Profound Palace, he would be able to step into the True Gang Perfection Realm.

This step was also the final Dragon Gate of the True Gang Realm.

Taking this step would also mark the complete Primordial Unity of his Refining Qi into Gang, achieving the Perfection Realm!

'I'm out of Enhancement Points, too,' Fang Xing noted to himself. 'I need to get some more. Otherwise, crossing this Dragon Gate will take a very long time.'

His Root Bone was merely high-grade. Ascending through the True Qi Realm might have been fast, but in the True Gang Realm, a high-grade Root Bone was mediocre.

If he hadn't relied on vast resources to break through, he, with his Tenth Grade Gang Qi, would probably still be stuck spinning his wheels in the Early Stage of True Gang.

In terms of Comprehension, he already had a profound understanding. What he lacked now was energy.

As for Treasure Medicines and Elixirs, they were useless to him unless they were on the level of a Nirvana Golden Core.

Ordinary Treasure Elixirs had almost no effect on his progress.

Only by using Refinement on the Flesh Body of Demons and Monsters, or on the Flesh Body and Power of a True Gang Perfection Martial Artist, and converting them into Qi Blood Essence, could he advance quickly.