Chapter 996
Meet Princess Biluo!
"My ascension to the Immortal Realm this time is truly different from before."
Standing on the command platform, listening to the thunderous shouts of loyalty from below, and feeling the heavy tiger tally and general's seal in his hands, Fang Qing couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.
In the realm of immortality, he had also ascended to the immortal realm, but at that time he was only a half-step golden immortal. In the heavenly court of the immortal realm, there were emperors everywhere, and several heavenly rulers. The order was strict and the hierarchy was clear.
As a half-step Golden Immortal who ascended to the Immortal Realm, he was nothing more than an ant, and had to be careful to accumulate power in the outside world. He had never had such power and prestige as he did now, having just arrived in the Immortal Realm.
In the Taihuang Celestial Realm, although it is also a first-class celestial realm, the rules are different.
The first to ninth levels of the Shattered Realm are the main cultivation stages.
Even the Heavenly Emperor was only at the level of Shattering the Ninefold and Shattering the Dao.
Although the gap between the ninth level of the Shattered Realm and the first level of the Shattered Realm is still as vast as an insurmountable chasm, compared to the terrifying gap in the Eternal Realm where the difference can easily span many epochs, this "nine-level" gap is not entirely insurmountable.
This is especially true for Fang Qing, who possesses the Ancient Serpent Talisman of the Supreme Emperor and the inheritance of the Holy King.
More importantly, it's about status.
Based on his outstanding achievements in the mortal realm, he was directly granted the powerful position of a celestial general, commanding 800,000 celestial soldiers and establishing his own government. This meant that he had his own base of operations and the right to legally acquire resources and cultivate his power, and was no longer a rootless duckweed.
Since that's the case, then we should make the most of this opportunity and establish a true foundation for ourselves in this Heavenly Realm of the Thai Emperor.
He immediately began to reorganize the Tianxuan Army with swift and decisive measures.
Under the pretext of familiarizing himself with military affairs and boosting morale, he personally inspected the entire army. With the insight of the Lord's Eye, he quickly identified those officers who were truly talented and capable, as well as those who were just going through the motions and even spies who might have ulterior motives.
He was generous in promoting and rewarding the former.
The latter are ruthlessly eliminated, punished, or even sent on the most dangerous scout missions under some pretext.
Secondly, he began to deploy troops on a large scale.
He combined his understanding of formations and set up a series of profound and mysterious formations that integrated offense and defense in military camps and key defensive lines, including the Chaotic Celestial Star Formation, the Five Elements Revolving Trapping and Killing Formation, and the Mysterious Netherworld Frost Sealing Demon Formation.
These formations can gather star power and earth vein power to enhance defense and attack, disrupt enemy formations and divide and surround them, or restrain certain characteristics of demons, greatly improving the overall combat power and survivability of the Tianxuan Army.
The materials needed for the formation were partly sourced from the military's reserves and partly paid for by Fang Qing himself.
His grand gestures and ingenious formations secretly alarmed generals like Lei Bao and Yin Yuanhua, who were initially somewhat unconvinced, giving them a new understanding of Fang Qing's background and capabilities.
At the same time, Fang Qing began to cultivate his elite troops in a targeted manner.
He simplified and improved the first three levels of the "Nine Heavens Thunder Control True Technique," creating the "Heavenly Thunder Battle Qi," which was more suitable for large-scale cultivation in the military. He selected loyal, reliable, and highly qualified officers and soldiers to teach it first, and supplemented it with elixirs and immortal stones to quickly enhance their strength.
He also provided more advanced guidance to core deputy generals such as Lei Bao, Yin Yuanhua, and Leng Yue, based on their individual characteristics, and bestowed upon them some suitable cultivation techniques and resources.
Under a combination of kindness and severity, these deputy generals gradually put away their ulterior motives and began to genuinely serve Fang Qing.
In just a few months, the Tianxuan Army underwent a complete transformation.
Military discipline became stricter, morale was higher, overall strength improved significantly, and respect and trust for the new commander Fang Qing grew day by day.
Once the army was reorganized, Fang Qing ceased his seclusion.
The Tianxuan Starfield is adjacent to the Wanyao Mountain Range and the Dark Demon Realm, and small-scale conflicts and frictions occur almost daily.
Fang Qing took this opportunity to train his troops and earn merit, and began to take the initiative!
He proactively purged the infiltrated demon spies and scouts, and even organized several medium-sized raids to penetrate the outer perimeter of the demon-controlled areas, eliminate their strongholds, and plunder resources.
Fang Qing himself also took action on several occasions.
Faced with several demon kings of the Shattered Mind Realm attacking from the demon race, he would often only use one move, either crushing them out of thin air with the Hand of Heaven, or having the Ancient Serpent Talisman of the Supreme Emperor devour their essence, or simply throwing a punch containing the power to shatter the void.
Without exception, they were all overwhelming victories.
His terrifying combat prowess made both the demon and monster races take the newly arrived Tianxuan General of the Tianxuan Star Region seriously, and the entire Tianxuan army worshipped him to an almost fanatical degree.
Following such a commander whose strength is unfathomable and who can lead everyone to victory, military merit, and spoils of war, the future is bright!
After several brilliant counterattacks and proactive strikes, the Tianxuan Army achieved considerable success, not only consolidating its defenses but also capturing several mines and resource points.
Fang Qing distributed most of the spoils of war, keeping only the essential parts beneficial to his cultivation, which earned him the love and respect of the entire army.
News of victories and military achievements flew to the Ministry of War of the Thai Royal Court like snowflakes.
Initially, the Ministry of War officials considered it a routine minor victory on the border and did not pay much attention to it.
However, as Fang Qing achieved victory after victory, and even once defeated a demon army of over ten thousand led by three Shattered Thought Realm demon generals at a very low cost, and captured an important Dark Command Flag, the Ministry of War finally began to take this newly promoted Tianxuan General seriously.
The results were compiled and reported, and came to the attention of higher-ups.
The Thai royal court is not a monolithic entity.
His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor reigns supreme, ruling over all, but beneath him, princes, princesses, nobles, and even ancient immortal clans and aristocratic families are all deeply intertwined, constantly vying for power.
The presence of such a capable and rapidly rising new general on the border naturally attracted the attention and courting intentions of certain forces.
The first to extend an olive branch to Fang Qing was the Crown Prince of Thailand—an envoy from the Thai Qingcang faction.
On this day, a celestial official dressed in a magnificent brocade robe, whose aura was at the peak of the Shattered Thought Realm, and who called himself the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince's Palace, arrived at Tianxuan Star with generous gifts and in a splendid celestial carriage.
"General Fang, His Highness the Crown Prince is very pleased to hear of your bravery and skill in battle, and your many outstanding achievements."
The Crown Prince's Chamberlain smiled broadly and spoke warmly, "Your Highness said that General is a pillar of the nation, yet he is relegated to the frontier, which is truly unfair. If General is willing to serve Your Highness, Your Highness can arrange for General to be transferred back to the central government of Heaven to assume a more important position and enjoy a more generous salary and resources. In the future, it is not impossible for General to be ennobled, appointed as a general, or even become a regional celestial king."
After saying that, he presented a gift list, which listed various rare elixirs, high-grade immortal materials, and even a mid-grade immortal artifact as a gift for meeting.
These conditions are undeniably generous.
They were directly transferred away from the dangerous border and into the core of power.
However, Fang Qing listened calmly, had his subordinates accept the gifts, and then politely but firmly expressed his refusal.
The Crown Prince's tutor was met with a lukewarm response and was displeased, but he knew that Fang Qing was currently enjoying the Emperor's favor and had made great military achievements, so he could not force him and had to leave in a huff.
Not long after the Crown Prince left, another important figure's messenger arrived.
This time, he was the chief secretary under the Prince of Zhennan.
The King of Zhennan is the younger brother of the Heavenly Emperor of Tai. He reigns over the vast southern star field, wielding immense power and harboring ambitions to seize the throne.
The terms offered were equally tempting. If Fang Qing surrendered, he would be transferred to the main force of the Prince of Zhennan as a deputy commander, and would be given a secret martial arts technique treasured by the Prince's palace.
Fang Qing politely declined as well.
Despite rejecting two major powers in succession, Fang Qing was not worried. He knew that the greater the value he demonstrated, the less these powers would dare to use force. Moreover, he already had a preference in mind.
The day after he saw off the envoy of the Prince of Zhennan, a woman dressed in a light green palace gown, with a cold and aloof temperament and a cultivation level that had reached the Shattered Yuan Realm, quietly arrived at the Tianxuan Star General's Mansion with only two maids.
The woman was extremely beautiful, yet she possessed a coldness that kept people at a distance. However, deep within her eyes, there was a subtle hint of intelligence and wit.
She carried only a short note and a jade pendant of emerald green.
"General Fang, my princess requests your presence."
A maid handed over a note.
Fang Qing opened the note, which contained only a line of neat yet powerful small characters: "Having heard of the General's noble character, I admire him greatly. Bi Luo Xing, I await you with open arms. — Bi Luo"
Princess Biluo!
A knowing glint flashed in Fang Qing's eyes.
This princess is a rather special existence in the Heavenly Court of the Thai Emperor. She has a remarkable background and is the granddaughter of the current Heavenly Emperor. Moreover, she is rumored to be a reincarnator.
Fang Qing put away the note and smiled slightly at the woman in palace attire. "Please inform the princess that Fang Qing will soon express his gratitude for her kindness."
A hint of surprise flashed in the eyes of the woman in palace attire, seemingly not expecting Fang Qing to agree so readily. She bowed slightly and said, "This servant will certainly convey the message. The princess said that if the general comes, there is no need to make a fuss."
Having said that, he left behind the emerald green jade pendant and departed with his maid.
Fang Qing played with the warm, smooth jade pendant in his hand, lost in thought.
Choosing Princess Biluo was inevitable.
Who made this person a "reincarnator"? They have a very significant background!
That's a must.
So Fang Qing went directly to see Princess Biluo.
It was a quiet room decorated with an extremely elegant and refined style, with a light and warm jade base, and decorated with several pots of fairy plants that exuded a tranquil fragrance.
The walls are engraved with mysterious array patterns, which not only gather spiritual energy, but also have the effect of calming the mind and isolating the inside from the outside, making the room full of spiritual energy but not at all restless.
When Fang Qing entered the quiet room under the guidance of the female immortal, Princess Biluo was already sitting upright on a cloud-patterned futon in the main seat.
Today she wore a simple moon-white belted long dress, with a matching sheer shawl over it. Her dark hair was loosely tied up with a single jade hairpin, with a few strands falling down her temples.
Although her attire was simple, it only accentuated her jade-like skin and her exquisitely beautiful face. However, deep within her clear, pool-like eyes, there remained her usual coldness and a hint of scrutiny that seemed to see right through people.
Upon seeing Fang Qing enter, she did not rise, but simply nodded slightly and pointed to the prayer mat opposite her: "General Fang, please sit down."
His voice, like his personality, was clear and pleasant, yet carried just the right amount of distance.
"Thank you, Princess."
Fang Qing remained calm and sat down as instructed.
The maidservant silently served two cups of celestial tea.
The tea soup was emerald green, with wisps of steam rising from it, exuding a refreshing aroma of herbs and plants—clearly no ordinary tea.
He then bowed and withdrew, the door to the quiet room closing silently.
For a moment, only the two of them remained in the room, along with the faint aroma of tea and the almost stagnant spiritual energy.
Princess Biluo broke the silence first. She picked up her teacup, her fingertips gently stroking the warm rim, but her gaze never left Fang Qing's face: "General Fang arrived faster and more calmly than I expected."
"Since the princess has summoned me, how could I dare to be negligent?"
Fang Qing smiled faintly, picked up her teacup, and smelled the aroma of the tea.
“I invited you here not to be anyone’s advocate, but because I value you, General Fang, and the shared future we might have.”
Princess Biluo carefully examined Fang Qing before speaking.
"A shared future?"
Fang Qing chuckled.
"Your Highness's words have surprised me somewhat. Why would someone of your stature choose to discuss a shared future with a newcomer like me, a border general with little experience?"
Princess Biluo did not answer immediately. She remained silent for a moment: "General Fang, do you know that although I am a princess, I am actually walking on thin ice? If I do not want to become a pawn, I need to have my own strength, real strength."
Princess Biluo paused, her gaze refocusing on Fang Qing's face, becoming sharp.
"As for my own cultivation, I have been stuck at the peak of the Shattered Dao realm for a long time and can hardly make any progress. Without sufficient strength to support me, all my plans are nothing but castles in the air."
"So, the princess has taken a liking to me because she believes I might be able to help her break through her bottleneck?"
Fang Qing asked directly.
"Yes, not all."
Princess Biluo shook her head slightly. "What I value is you, Fang Qing, as a person. Your potential, your methods, your ability to rise from the brink of disaster, and that quality about you that I can't quite fathom. My intuition tells me that cooperating with you might break my current deadlock. As for cultivation, that's a difficult matter, and I shouldn't force you to do it."
Fang Qing listened quietly, a smile appearing on her face. "Perhaps I can give it a try; maybe it will work."
His voice was not loud, but it carried a strange rhythm and persuasiveness, as if every word contained the ultimate truth of heaven and earth, striking the heartstrings of Princess Biluo.
This is not merely simple words; rather, it subtly incorporates the true meaning of the art of great domination, compelling people to unconsciously believe and follow.
It possesses both the wisdom and brilliance of great debate and the grandeur and confidence of a powerful ruler, as if he can do it and he definitely can, giving people an unquestionable and powerful belief!
Princess Biluo felt that Fang Qing's words were like a warm spring, slowly flowing into her heart, which was feeling slightly anxious and lonely due to the bottleneck in her life.
The once rock-solid, cold defenses of the heart softened involuntarily in the face of the power of these words, which contained dominance, wisdom, and arrogance.
Even though the other party only said "give it a try," it gave her an unprecedented, almost certain feeling that "it will definitely succeed."
This made her feel that entrusting the most crucial and vulnerable part of her cultivation to the person in front of her was not a risk, but an absolutely correct choice, even an opportunity.
"Alright, then let the general give it a try." (End of Chapter)