Translated by: La0o9
Edited by: VindiFan#1
One of them was wearing the same armor set as Gu Qing Shan, while the other two wore Grey-white armor with blue patterns.
Those are Yu Wu Chaplain standard armor sets, a step lower than Xiao Qi Chaplain, but itâs still a decently high military rank.
Since there is still some time, the 4 of them sat around in a circle and introduced each other.
âLi Chu Chen, Spirit Beast sectâ
âZhang Fang, West Mountain Sword sectâ
âBai Hai Dong, Yao Guang sectâ
âGu Qing Shan, Bai Hua sectâ
After the 4 of them greeted each other, Bai Hai Dong was the first to look at Gu Qing Shan and smiled: âSenior brother Leng has told me a lot about youâ
âYouâre Leng Tian Xingâs junior brother? How fortunate, we can look out for each other thenâ Gu Qing Shan smiled back.
The 3 of them were all very young, looks to be about 20 years old, Zhang Fang and Li Chu Chen were at Foundation Establishment perfect peak, while Bai Hai Dong is Foundation Establishment last stage.
Gu Qing Shan had the lowest cultivation, and was the youngest.
But no one dares to look down on him.
All three of them were people that made it to Foundation Establishment realm at a young age, as well as slowly accumulated Military Merit to reach their current rank, each and every one of them anywhere else would be considered a genius among geniuses.
The fact that Gu Qing Shan is able to become a Xiao Qi Chaplain means that he has actual ability and actual mettle to reach where he is.
Military Merit does not lie.
Not to mention, heâs a disciple of Bai Hua Saint.
As smart as they are, everyone only needed a second to understand the best treatment to give him.
Li Chu Chen looked at Gu Qing Shan and clasped his fist: âSo youâre the famous Sword 15â
Everyone lightly laughed, obviously the matter that happened at the semester examination has become quite wide-spread.
Bai Hua Sect, a Saintâs direct disciple, the young sword cultivator, heâs quite the famous figure recently.
Zhang Fang asked: âFellow Dao seeker Gu, I saw that you went to the Merit tent, seems like you had some harvest?â
Gu Qing Shan looked at him ââ-he was the same Xiao Qi Chaplain as Gu Qing Shan, 1 rank higher than Bai Hai Dong and Li Chu Chen.
âThatâs right, before I was part of the vanguard legion, so I compiled what I know of the demons and sent it inâ Gu Qing Shan refreshingly admitted.
The 3 peopleâs expressions changed slightly.
Ah, so Sword 15 actually belonged to the vanguard legion.
That place is where the battle was the fiercest, to be able to return from there in one piece is already quite impressive.
There are simply too many demons, too many types.
Their characteristics and attacks are so varied that unexpected situations happen very often, enough to drive cultivators crazy.
The fact that Gu Qing Shan got Merit from compiling monster characteristics means that what he reported must be true, otherwise it wouldnât fly past all the great cultivators at the Merit tent.
Zhang Fang then said: âSince you know about the monstersâ characteristics, weâll have to trouble you on the way forwardâ
These words were very well said, because heâs clearly letting Gu Qing Shan be the leader, yet the tone was that heâs troubling him.
Of the 4 of them, only Gu Qing Shan and himself were Xiao Qi Chaplains.
Since Zhang Fang has given up the position, the leader can only be Gu Qing Shan ââ-because there is no way two Yu Wu Chaplains are going to command two Xiao Qi Chaplains.
Leng Tian Xingâs junior brother Bai Hai Dong was the first to agree, then Li Chu Chen also followed
Just like that, a temporary party has been formed.
A guard cultivator went and gave the 4 of them this monthâs salary in advance âââXiao Qi Chaplains get around 300 low-tier spirit stones, while Yu Wu Chaplains get 200.
Zhang Fang put the spirit stones in his bag, saying: âWe have no idea when we can lose our lives, so I gotta spend the money I have. When we make it to the camp, Iâll treat everyone here to a round of drinksâ
Gu Qing Shan finished putting on his armor, smiled and said: âAfter your treat, itâll be mineâ
Everyone laughed heartily, creating for a harmonic atmosphere.
At this time, a guard cultivator came and called: âGu Qing Shan, Zhang Fang, Li Chu Chen, Bai Hai Dong, get ready to move outâ
âRoger!â
Their expressions became serious, the relaxedness from before disappeared without a trace.
The 4 of them quickly walked and stepped into the Generalâs tent.
A General wearing golden armor looked at them and spoke: âYouâre all Foundation Establishment here, then thereâs a perfect place for youâ
He ordered: âThe 4 of you shall sortie to Water Valley Camp, move out immediately, do not make any mistakesâ
He then gave them an arrow with runes on it, saying: âThis will be your only Decree Arrow, do not use it lightlyâ
âRoger!â
The 4 of them clasped their fists.
Gu Qing Shan received the arrow and put it in his bag.
Leaving the outpost, they all get their spirit beasts out and flew up.
About 10 minutes later.
âHow much longer can we fly?â Zhang Fang asked.
Once youâve entered the battlefield, any flying creature is a living target for the demons to hit, unless theyâre a great cultivator, no one dares to fly without thought.
Checking the map, Gu Qing Shan answered: âWeâll enter the battlefield after 100 miles, after that we must land and continue on footâ
âUnderstoodâ they all nodded and replied.
Everyone kept silent, their expressions became cold.
Theyâre about to enter the battlefield.
After a while, Gu Qing Shan waved his hand: âLand hereâ
Everyone landed together.
In front of them was a green forest valley, luscious and vast, yet there isnât a single sound of birds or insects.
It was like the valley itself had lost its life.
Bai Hai Dong grabbed the air and smelled it.
âThereâs no essence of death for the last 3 daysâ he reported.
This seems to be his Godâs Chosen Skill or thaumaturgy, but no one bothered to ask.
No essence of death means there hasnât been any large-scale battles.
Everyone loosened a bit.
Gu Qing Shan then said: âLetâs get to know each other first, that way itâs easier to delegate rolesâ
âThatâs reasonable, Iâm an Elementalist, Water root 2nd stageâ Bai Hai Dong answered.
âAlthough weâre a sword sect, my expertise is with the spearâ Zhang Fang said.
âIâm a spirit beast tamer, I have a few spirit beasts for scouting, other than that I know a bit of martial artsâ Li Chu Chen answered.
Gu Qing Shan nodded, saying: âIâm a sword cultivatorâ
He then quickly assigned them: âIâll be the vanguard, Zhang Fang at the back. Brother Chu Chen should release a few spirit beasts to scout out our left and right, as well as one to scout right behind me. Bai Hai Dong will be in the middle, to help out all sidesâ
They all replied at the same time: âUnderstoodâ
That is the best way to assign them.
Li Chu Chen also sighed in relief.
His biggest fear is meeting a superior that doesnât understand how things work and order his spirit beast to go scout in front.
Fighter-type beasts arenât suitable for scouting, and scouting-type beasts canât go out in front.
Because if they ever meet a powerful demon, it will be eaten immediately, unable to be of any use.
Itâs very hard to tame and raise a spirit beast, so if any of them die uselessly, the tamer would feel hurt.
The best place for spirit beasts is in the middle, since itâll be easy for them to adapt and to in front or back as the situation calls for it.
The best way to use them is to only let the fighter-type spirit beasts out after the fight begins.
Holding the Earth sword in hand, Gu Qing Shan led them through the forest.
Seeing his expression cold and acted without any hesitation, the other three could also relax a bit and followed.
2 hours later.
The 4 of them were taking a short rest.
âKeeping up our current speed, weâll reach the Water Valley Camp by noon tomorrowâ Gu Qing Shan said.
âYou can keep going as today, Iâll follow your leadâ Zhang Fang crossed his arms and spoke.
Li Chu Chen and Bai Hai Dong both nodded.
During the journey, regardless of marching or scouting, Gu Qing Shan showed himself to be an extremely experienced frontline soldier. The rest of them here also came from the frontline, so it was right now that they fully accepted him.
âVery well, Iâll keep up the arrangements after thisâ Gu Qing Shan doesnât act humble at all, only calmly said.
He was originally a tactical commander in the past life, so his experience fighting with demons doesnât fall short of anyone, the journey just now was simply him following old habits.
After eating their rations, the 4 of them continued on their way.
A long while later, they finally exited the forest and entered a vast grassland.
âStop!â Gu Qing Shan suddenly stopped.
He squints his eyes and looked around.
He could feel a very faint scent of spirit energy dissipating in the air.
Could it be there was a battle on this grassland area?
The 3 people heard him and also stopped their feet.
âWhat happened?â Li Chu Chen placed his hand on the spirit beast bag and asked in a low voice.
âFellow Dao seeker Bai, please check againâ Gu Qing Shan spoke in a low voice.
Hearing so, Bai Hai Dong grabbed a handful of air and smelled it.
âEssence of death isnât very heavy, but the smell of blood is, thereâs also a strong stench of demons âââin that directionâ
He pointed far into the grasslands.