Chapter 59: An Eye for an Eye

Lu Zhaoyang smiled and said, "Little Chen really has grown up. What I couldn't accomplish, you've managed to do."

Lu Xingchen chuckled lightly, "We are family; there's no need to draw such clear lines between us."

He continued, "Father, begin the conscription! Let's make preparations to recover our lost territories. At the same time, issue a proclamation: I intend to form an elite archer squadron, requiring a cultivation level of at least the eight-star Martial Master realm, and they will report directly to me. Anyone who successfully joins will be rewarded with a first-grade Spirit-Elevating Pill."

A first-grade Spirit-Elevating Pill could elevate a martial artist's minor realm instantly without the need for cultivation, allowing for an immediate breakthrough.

There were also higher-grade Spirit-Elevating Pills capable of elevating a martial artist by a minor realm corresponding to their respective stages, though one could only consume a single pill of this kind in a lifetime.

Hearing this, Lu Zhaoyang looked somewhat puzzled.

"Any medicinal pill is priceless, and first-grade Spirit-Elevating Pills are extremely precious even among first-grade pills. Little Chen, where did you get so many of them?"

Lu Xingchen chuckled, "I may not have that many pills on hand right now, but I can refine them at any time."

Hearing this, Lu Zhaoyang was greatly astonished: "You are an alchemist?"

Lu Xingchen nodded slightly: "Third-grade!"

Lu Zhaoyang looked at Lu Xingchen with sheer disbelief.

"You mean to say that within the span of half a year, you advanced from the Martial Disciple realm to the Grand Martial Master realm, and you're also proficient in alchemy?"

Lu Xingchen smiled, "It's merely third-grade, hardly proficiency."

There was no helping it; who told him to have a cheat system?

As long as he refined medicinal pills, he would gain professional experience points, making leveling up ridiculously effortless.

"Little Chen, you are simply too formidable!"

"No wonder you have the confidence to overthrow the Fengming Kingdom. A third-grade alchemist alone is enough to attract a cluster of Grand Martial Master realm powerkeepers. You could single-handedly sustain the entire Great Yan Kingdom."

Lu Xingchen nodded slightly, "That's precisely what I was thinking. I can continually attract talent by virtue of my identity as an alchemist."

Yun Li, standing beside them, wore a look of utter shock.

"Lu Xingchen, you are an absolute freak!"

Although a third-grade alchemist was nothing special in her eyes, this was merely Lu Xingchen's starting point.

Who could say whether he might become a fourth-grade, fifth-grade, or even higher-grade alchemist in the future?

By then, even the Cangxuan Sect would have to treat him with utmost respect!

Lu Zhaoyang went on to ask, "You are forming this archer squadron to counter the Martial Master brigade sent by the Tianhui Kingdom, aren't you? But isn't the eight-star Martial Master standard a bit too low?"

"Even if you manage to form it, it will be difficult to pose a serious threat to Tianhui Kingdom's Martial Master brigade."

Lu Xingchen said in a deep voice, "I know. But I have no other choice. The Great Yan Kingdom is merely a low-level nation with a weak foundation; finding a batch of eight-star Martial Masters is already fortunate. However, I have another method."

"What method?"

Both Lu Zhaoyang and Yun Li pricked up their ears.

"First, we gather a batch of eight-star Martial Masters, and then replace their Mysterious-tier cultivation techniques with better ones. It shouldn't be much of a problem for them to advance to the nine-star Martial Master realm within a month. Then, by having them consume first-grade Spirit-Elevating Pills and second-grade Realm-Breaking Pills, we can forcefully elevate their realms to the Martial Master realm."

"Ah, this..."

Lu Zhaoyang pondered for a moment before saying, "No wonder alchemists hold such a lofty status in the Tianyuan Continent—they can practically rival entire nations single-handedly! Little Chen, you are truly magnificent!"

Yun Li also gave Lu Xingchen a thumbs-up.

"Lu Xingchen, I have to hand it to you!"

Lu Xingchen chuckled, "It was merely a stroke of luck. Father, I am going to the Yunyin Kingdom to seek reinforcements. I'll leave the recruitment of new soldiers and the establishment of the archer squadron in your hands."

Lu Zhaoyang nodded heavily, "Your old man isn't someone who takes a free ride. Leave these two tasks to me; by the time you return, I will present you with a fully formed, battle-ready army!"

Yun Li anxiously interjected, "Lu Xingchen, I am coming with you. I want to see how you manage to persuade the ruler of the Yunyin Kingdom. Following you around is so much fun!"

Lu Xingchen scratched his head, "I was actually hoping you would help me train the archer squadron. You did give me your word."

Yun Li smiled, "Training a qualified archer takes months of time; a few days more or less won't matter. Along the way, I can even teach you archery! Take me with you!"

Hearing this, a thought stirred in Lu Xingchen's heart.

He had long coveted Yun Li's supreme archery skills.

"Very well, then let's go together!"

Lin Jing said softly, "Lady Yun Li is more than enough to protect you. I will stay behind in the royal city to guard against any counter-attack from the Fengming Kingdom's forces."

Lu Xingchen chuckled, "That's what I was thinking, too."

"Father, Lady Lin Jing, I must be off. When I return, it will be the dawn of the Great Yan Kingdom's resurgence!"

Lu Xingchen summoned Xiaoyou, and he and Yun Li leaped onto the dragon's back.

The Netherworld Dragon spread its wings and soared toward the Yunyin Kingdom.

Though they had witnessed Xiaoyou several times already, the people in the royal city were still deeply awed.

A noble dragon-species beast was actually willing to serve as the young general's mount—proof enough of the young general's formidable strength.

The resurgence of the Great Yan Kingdom was just around the corner!

Standing upon the dragon's back, a system prompt rang in Lu Xingchen's ear.

[Congratulations to the host for receiving a quest: An Eye for an Eye]

[Quest Objective: Annihilate the Fengming Kingdom]

[Quest Rewards: Five thousand experience points, five thousand redemption points, and an upgrade in grade for the Shadow Sword and the "Shadow Sword Art" to Earth-tier Low Grade.]

Lu Xingchen was somewhat surprised.

The rewards for this quest were simply too generous!

Five thousand experience points were more than double what he received last time.

But a moment later, Lu Xingchen came to terms with it.

Annihilating the Fengming Kingdom was no simple task; it required a massive investment of time and energy, so richer rewards were only natural.

Anyway, he had long intended to wipe out the Fengming Kingdom, and now that the quest had triggered, he had even less reason to let them off!

Yun Li patted Lu Xingchen on the shoulder.

"Lu Xingchen, what are you daydreaming about? Weren't you eager to learn my Silent Arrow technique? Since we're in the air and there's nothing else to do, I might as well teach you now!"

Only then did Lu Xingchen snap back to his senses. He closed the system panel and smiled, "Let's begin then!"

Meanwhile, in Zigui City.

Inside the City Lord's Mansion, Li Ning was leisurely sipping tea.

Sun Sheng rushed in frantically.

"Lord Li Ning, the report of our defeat has arrived."

Li Ning said in a deep voice, "The army besieging the royal city was defeated? That's to be expected, considering the number of Grand Martial Masters they have, not to mention being led by Lu Zhaoyang. In terms of military capability, I must bow to him."

Sun Sheng nodded heavily, "There's worse news. Lu Xingchen is not dead! During the battle of the royal city, he made another move, causing heavy casualties to our forces."

Hearing this, Li Ning spat out a mouthful of tea.

"What did you say? Not dead? How is that possible!"

Sun Sheng said solemnly, "Not only is he not dead, but he suffered no injuries. Less than a day after returning to the royal city, he launched an attack on our army."

As he spoke, a deep-seated fear toward Lu Xingchen took root in Sun Sheng's heart.

This Lu Xingchen was an absolute monster!

Li Ning demanded harshly, "How can this be? My full-power strike would have severely wounded even a powerhouse of the exact same realm. Yet Lu Xingchen is still alive! He is merely a Martial Disciple!"