The Transmigrator’s Cultivation

Arc 24: Nine Void Battlefield | Chapter 442: Team

With the unusual movements of the demons, General Li Xinglong sent someone to bring Li Xiuzhu to discuss matters together.

Xu Ziqing felt a stir in his heart and asked, “Is it because of the demon attack a few days ago?”

The burly man nodded in response.

Since it was an important military discussion, Xu Ziqing naturally could not accompany them and chose to stay behind to keep Tianfu company.

Although Li Xiuzhu was reluctant to leave Tianfu, he prioritized the war. He placed several protective measures around Tianfu before quickly departing.

The discussion lasted for two to three hours, and when Li Xiuzhu returned, he shared the details with Xu Ziqing.

It was not anything particularly confidential, and once the discussion was concluded, it could be shared.

Li Xinglong had urgently summoned the generals because he had received messages from the other four major military groups—these groups had all suffered similar attacks on the same night, led by three powerful demon beasts and numerous high-level demons. Countless lower and mid-level demons had also banded together, causing significant casualties for these military groups. Although demon attacks were not rare, the scale of this one was quite unusual.

The simultaneous attack on all five major military groups was unprecedented.

Naturally, this made them wary.

On the Nine Void battlefield, the five major military groups were established as large forces from the very beginning. Although there was some competition between them, they communicated more often and presented a united front against external threats. Not only did they control most of the resources flowing in from the outside world, but they were also the five mainstays in the fight against demons.

Given the unusual nature of the situation, a discussion was necessary.

After Li Xinglong and the generals deliberated, they needed to communicate with the other four major military groups. Several generals had to be especially cautious until they devised a plan.

Then, the five major military groups would act in concert.

Upon hearing this, Xu Ziqing felt a bit unsettled with his chess pieces.

With the unusual movements of the demons, he did not have a deep understanding of the numerous demons on the Nine Void battlefield, and he couldn’t come up with a solution. Moreover, facing high-level demons and even powerful demon beasts required at least the concerted effort of Entering Tribulation stage shen cultivators or transcendent-level cultivators to stand a chance.

What if his shixiong encountered them…

For a moment, he couldn’t help but feel worried.

To Xu Ziqing, his shixiong Yun Lie was undoubtedly a formidable figure, but Xu Ziqing also understood very well that his shixiong would not stand a chance against the powerful demon beasts. All he could do was hope to meet his shixiong soon; at that time, regardless of life or death, as long as they could be together, it wouldn’t matter.

A few days later, Li Xiuzhu came to visit Tianfu daily, and Xu Ziqing learned quite a bit about the Li family army’s movements.

Additionally, several missions were announced within the camp.

Among these, the unusual movements of the demons were clearly explained, and the mission involved investigating the cause of these movements.

Not only would the military group send out teams to investigate, but other shen cultivators and cultivators in the camp who had not entered the military could also take on missions. Those who uncovered useful information would be handsomely rewarded.

As the saying goes, “A brave man emerges under a heavy reward,” so many people began to stir with excitement at the prospect of such generous resources.

At the same time, Xu Ziqing knew that over half of Li Xinglong’s trusted aides were proficient Transforming Tribulation-stage cultivators and would form their own teams to investigate the matter.

Li Xiuzhu, holding a key position, of course, was no exception.

After some contemplation, Xu Ziqing felt that this might be an opportunity. Not to mention that he hadn’t hunted demons or sought out the power of time-space crystals in recent days, but if his shixiong was well, he would certainly be slaying demons to hone his skills, or perhaps… he was also searching for Xu Ziqing.

Moreover, with the Li family army taking action, the other major military groups would likely be doing the same. If that were the case, he might have the chance to meet his shixiong.

With this in mind, Xu Ziqing spoke to Li Xiuzhu when he arrived.

Li Xiuzhu, holding Tianfu, looked up at him and asked, “Do you want to come with me?”

Xu Ziqing smiled slightly. “To be honest, Brother Li, I didn’t come here alone. I have some reasons related to my shixiong…” He paused. “My partner is also lost. If I can get involved in this matter, perhaps I can gather information about my shixiong, or maybe my shixiong could find out about me. Hence, I have this request. I wonder if Brother Li could be accommodating… Although my cultivation level is limited, I won’t be a burden to you all. If my presence hinders your plans, you can just leave me behind without any issue.”

Li Xiuzhu had been somewhat restless, but upon hearing the term “partner,” he suddenly froze. He then looked deeply at Xu Ziqing, set down Tianfu, and stepped outside the tent.

Xu Ziqing’s gaze softened as he picked up Tianfu. He understood that Li Xiuzhu had gone to ask General Li Xinglong about his request, and that Li Xiuzhu personally did not oppose it.

This was not surprising.

Li Xiuzhu had someone he loved, and even though he had lost that person, she remained dear to him.

Xu Ziqing also had someone he loved.

And whenever there was deep affection, it was always understood between hearts.

—If there was anyone in the Li family army who could comprehend his concern for his shixiong, it would only be Li Xiuzhu, who had also entered the Entering Tribulation stage due to love.

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before Li Xiuzhu returned.

And indeed, General Li Xinglong had agreed to this request, which Xu Ziqing had anticipated.

Li Xinglong was a man of great loyalty and righteousness, and the military spirit of the Li family army was quite commendable. He had saved Tianfu, thus they owed him a favor.

If this favor wasn’t repaid, it would create discomfort. Xu Ziqing’s request was merely a trivial matter for them… Such a good deal was certainly harmless. Moreover, in General Li Xinglong’s eyes, given Xu Ziqing’s strength, even if he had ulterior motives, he wouldn’t pose a threat if he accompanied Li Xiuzhu. In fact, it would be easier to deal with.

In this way, it was better to go with the flow.

So, after some quick preparations, Xu Ziqing followed Li Xiuzhu to the camp where his team was stationed.

Tianfu couldn’t join them and had to stay behind. He was genuinely reluctant to part from Xu Ziqing, but being naturally well-behaved, he merely pouted his lips.

Seeing this, Xu Ziqing gifted him a jade talisman.

This talisman contained a thread of sword intent from his shixiong. Although it was merely crafted from his shixiong’s sword soul during refinement, once released, it would provide some protective power against low-level demons. It served as a bond… between him and Tianfu.

Li Xiuzhu’s tent was not far, allowing him to visit Tianfu frequently. With their departure scheduled for tomorrow, he intended to introduce Xu Ziqing to the others in the team.

These were also his trusted subordinates who had accompanied him for many years.

After walking approximately fifty to sixty paces, the tent appeared before them.

Li Xiuzhu lifted the tent flap and entered with Xu Ziqing.

Immediately, they saw nine people inside.

Xu Ziqing looked up and saw that among these people, seven were shen cultivators at the Gathering Origin realm, most likely at the upper level of that realm, while two were clearly at the Entering Tribulation realm, which was a step higher. However, compared to the divine energy exuding from Li Xiuzhu, they seemed slightly inferior, lacking even the unique oddness characteristic of those at the Entering Tribulation stage. Just a glance was enough for him to discern this.

When Li Xiuzhu entered, everyone stood up and greeted him, saying, “Greetings, Vice General!”

Li Xiuzhu waved his hand and introduced Xu Ziqing.

Having witnessed their leader’s frantic state earlier, they already knew about Tianfu’s disappearance and how a lower realm cultivator had returned him. Now that they saw him, they did not dare show any signs of disrespect and greeted Xu Ziqing warmly.

Xu Ziqing also smiled and returned their greetings.

With both sides being courteous, the atmosphere turned out quite pleasant.

As for Xu Ziqing’s intention to accompany them, since their leader found no objection, they would not say much more.

That night, Xu Ziqing sat cross-legged in meditation, while the others did not sleep, conserving their energy for the next day’s journey.

Li Xiuzhu went to check on Tianfu once more during the night before returning to rest at ease.

When dawn approached, everyone immediately got up and headed out of the camp together.

The Nine Void Battlefield remained desolate, and even the place where the troops were stationed could turn into a real battlefield at any moment, making the area outside the camp even more perilous.

Countless demons lurked beyond the heavens, watching greedily, some gathering in groups, while others dispersed in search of food. Their grotesque forms pressed against the defenses of the Nine Void realm, like they were clinging to a crystal ball, coveting the world within it with greedy eyes.

And now, under the effect of the Void Mirror, the people inside the ball could see their ugly appearances clearly.

Xu Ziqing had been acting alone previously, only observing the soldiers of the military group battling demons from the sidelines. But now, acting alongside the camp’s team, he began to understand more.

As soon as they stepped out of the camp, a bright sun rose behind the soldiers, releasing numerous fierce beasts transformed from the Yang Spirits.

Except for Li Xiuzhu, the one that emerged from among the Yang Spirits was a three-headed, six-armed monster!

When the monster first appeared, it stood at least several dozen zhang tall, towering and magnificent. But in the next moment, it shrank to only one zhang high, crouched down, and let Li Xiuzhu sit on its shoulder. At the same time, it extended its palm in front of Xu Ziqing.

Xu Ziqing was taken aback and turned to see many soldiers mounting the fierce beasts, suddenly understanding.

They were about to set off, likely concerned that he wouldn’t be able to keep up, which was why Li Xiuzhu had this gesture. However… while Xu Ziqing appreciated their goodwill, he couldn’t accept it at this moment.

Shen cultivators cultivated differently from regular cultivators. Since the latter were already declining on this battlefield, Xu Ziqing couldn’t be too humble and let others look down on him. After all, he had to show some spirit as a cultivator.

How could he rely on shen cultivators for everything?

Therefore, Xu Ziqing smiled and said, “My escaping technique is decent; thank you for your kindness, Brother Li.”

Li Xiuzhu nodded, not insisting.

Xu Ziqing maintained a calm expression, and under the gaze of the soldiers, he cast a ball of green light onto the ground.

In an instant, his feet were lifted by a gigantic leaf, with curving stems supporting it below, which was quite stable.

This technique was something the shen cultivators had never seen before, making them curious.

How could one ride such a thing?

Xu Ziqing sat calmly on the leaf.

With a command from Li Xiuzhu, the beasts surged forward, and the giant ran swiftly, while the peculiar plant also moved forward smoothly along the ground.

It was as if the vine were continuously extending, yet it left no trace behind.

It was as smooth as flowing water, as if there were no obstacles underground.

This was not actually a form of escape technique, but at that moment, it proved to be as useful as one.

Translator: Lynn

Translations are not 100% correct. Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.

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