"Hmph, whatâs wrong with seven? Youâre only twelve, Hei Xiong, how much better do you think you are than me?" The leader of the Black-armored Gods on Xu Nianâs side immediately responded coldly.
Clearly, he did not get along with this guy named Hei Xiong.
"Thatâs still more than you. After the last battle, your Vermilion Bird Camp was already short on people, and youâve been getting less from the Ascension Pools these days. If this continues, wonât your Vermilion Bird Camp end up with no one?" The burly guy known as Hei Xiong laughed loudly.
The two Black-armored Gods behind him also wore mocking expressions.
"Hmph, itâs not your place to worry. If youâre so capable, why donât you compete with the Azure Dragon and White Tiger Camps." Li Tie said angrily, his face darkening.
Hei Xiong snorted: "As long as our Xuanwu Camp suppresses your Vermilion Bird Camp, thatâs enough."
After speaking, he arrogantly left with more than a dozen people behind him.
Li Tie clenched his fists, his eyes unwilling.
"The people of the Xuanwu Camp are becoming increasingly arrogant. If this continues, our Vermilion Bird Camp will really be stomped underfoot by them."
The Black-armored God who had previously exchanged blows with Xu Nian looked at the departing figures of Hei Xiong and the others and spoke angrily.
"Thereâs nothing we can do. The last battle caused great losses to our Vermilion Bird Camp, and weâve been getting little from the Ascension Pools these days. Seven today is already the best in recent days." Li Tie frowned and said.
However, when he looked at Xu Nian, his mood improved somewhat.
Xu Nianâs talent and strength were an unexpected surprise for them.
"Mr. Li, whatâs the story behind the camps?" Xu Nian asked, curious.
The others also showed curious expressions.
"The soldiers of Black Mountain Territory are divided into four camps: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Xuanwu. We belong to the Vermilion Bird Camp. Each camp has two fixed Ascension Pools, and those who ascend from an Ascension Pool belong to the camp it is assigned to. You ascended from the Vermilion Bird Campâs Number One Ascension Pool, so you naturally can only join our Vermilion Bird Camp." Li Tie replied.
"I see," everyone said, enlightened.
Black Mountain Territory obviously didnât consider the feelings of ascenders when determining their camp affiliation.
But then again, the newly ascended are weak, having no choice in the matter.
"How many people does the Vermilion Bird Camp have now?" Xu Nian asked curiously.
"We originally had over three thousand people, but after several recent battles, the Vermilion Bird Camp has suffered severe losses, leaving us with less than two thousand, making us the weakest among the Four Great Camps. The Xuanwu Camp has nearly three thousand people. As for Azure Dragon and White Tiger, they have more, exceeding eight thousand people each. Azure Dragon even has ten thousand." Li Tie replied.
"That many?" Xu Nian said, surprised.
"Is that considered many? In its heyday, Black Mountain Territory had nearly a hundred thousand warriors. Itâs just that the ongoing wars over the years have caused heavy casualties," Li Tie said disdainfully.
"Are there any at God Level among these people?" Xu Nian asked, amazed.
"No, Black Mountain Territory has only two Gods, the Vice Lord and the Great Lord." Another Black-armored God replied.
"Huh? Among tens of thousands, only two Gods?" Xu Nian was a bit surprised.
The others were as well.
They knew breaking through to God Level was difficult, but hadnât expected it to be so challenging.
"You think itâs easy to reach God Level? Take our Vermilion Bird Camp, for example, with eighteen hundred people, among them are thirty-plus God Peaks. Including myself, from Early Stage Divine-level to now has taken at least a hundred thousand years," Li Tie responded.
"That long?" Xu Nian was astonished.
The others were less surprised, having spent thousands of years on their own cultivation to ascend.
However, taking ten thousand years to reach the Peak of Divine level made Divine World cultivation seem far harder than they imagined.
"In Divine World, resources are the most important factor in cultivation. Even as members of Black Wind Territory, receiving three Low Grade Divine Stones every month, three Low Grade Divine Stones can hardly amount to anything. For ordinary divine beings like us, advancing is extremely difficult." Another Black-armored God, named Pei Yuan, said.
At his words, everyone frowned deeply.
Xu Nian understood.
In Divine World, it is extremely difficult for ordinary divine beings to obtain cultivation resources.
Previously, Xu Nian hadnât thought much of Divine Origin Liquid; now itâs clear that itâs considered a treasure in Divine World.
After all, the quality of Divine Origin Liquid can fully compare with Top-grade Divine Stones.
If people learn that he has a large amount of Divine Origin Liquid, it will certainly bring disaster.
Additionally, exposing treasures like Divine Artifacts and God King Artifacts is not advised either.
Understanding this, Xu Nian decided to hide all these treasures, not using them unless absolutely necessary.
At the same time, he conveyed this to Zhao Yanyun, advising her not to use the God Sword he forged for her, offering instead a Low Grade Divine Sword as a decoy.
She naturally understood Xu Nianâs intention, and agreed readily.
"Letâs go, Iâll take you to report to the Vermilion Bird Camp," Li Tie said.
After speaking, he headed toward the North City, the territory of the Vermilion Bird Camp.
Almost exclusively Vermilion Bird Camp members live there.
Compared to other areas in the city, the North City appeared particularly empty and desolate.
Clearly, as Li Tie said, the Vermilion Bird Camp now has the least number of people.
On the way, Xu Nian also came to understand the Vermilion Bird Campâs hierarchy.
Apart from the Great Lord and Vice Lord, each of the Four Great Camps has four Commanders.
The Vermilion Bird Camp is no exception, all four Commanders are experts at the absolute limit of Peak Divine level, just one step away from God Level.
Beyond the four Commanders, anyone who has reached the Peak of Divine level qualifies to form their own squad.
Li Tie is the captain of one such squad, leading over thirty people.
"Welcome back, Li Tie. Seven ascenders, looks like you had good luck today?" An elder with a Big Beard sitting at the main seat laughed.
He is the steward of the Vermilion Bird Camp, one of the few people exempt from combat.
"Seven considered luck? I just ran into the Xuanwu Campâs Hei Xiong at the city gate; he brought back twelve," Li Tie shook his head.
"Not bad, the other Ascension Pool brought three, Han Fengâs nose nearly went crooked from anger," the Big Beard Elder laughed.
"Only three?" Li Tie said, speechless.
"Oh, and thereâs a goddess here, so beautiful in appearance. Li Tie, youâve got yourself a treasure. If you present her to the Third Commander, youâre sure to receive his favor," the Big Beardâs eyes suddenly lit up, looking at Zhao Yanyun among the crowd, surprised.
Li Tieâs face changed at this, quickly glancing at Xu Nian.
The latterâs expression naturally turned cold.
"Elder Feng, I ask that you keep this matter to yourself," Li Tie reluctantly handed over a Low Grade Divine Stone to the elder and explained the situation in a low voice.
Xu Nianâs talent is high, and with cultivation, he could become a major asset to the squad.
Such talent is a huge boon he doesnât wish to lose.
However, Zhao Yanyun by Xu Nianâs side posed a significant problem, hence the mixed emotions of joy and frustration.
"Thatâs the case? Well, alright. But this matter wonât stay hidden for long; itâs not like she can avoid appearing, especially during warfare where she must participate." The elder smiled, taking the stone, and said.
"Naturally, weâll keep it under wraps as long as we can," Li Tie smiled.
"Well, then letâs proceed with registration. Just drip your blood on these Identity Tokens." The elder said.
Everyone did as instructed, and Xu Nian and Zhao Yanyun obtained their Identity Tokens.
They each received three Low Grade Divine Stones and an estate.
A long while later, they exited the elderâs office with Li Tie and the others.
"Thank you, Captain Li, for your help," Xu Nian smiled.
He knew Li Tie was trying to befriend him and draw him in.
"Iâve done all I can; the rest is up to you. But Elder Feng was right; as long as she remains in Black Wind Territory, her exposure is inevitable. Be careful." Li Tie sighed and turned to leave.
Leaving behind just Xu Nian and Zhao Yanyun.