It wasn’t until Bai Yu Xiaobai’s sailboat had sailed far away that Jiang Wang suddenly thought to himself, as a ‘lord’, sending a retainer alone to Wan Qin Island to play, he should have given him some yuan stones for pocket money.

But then he thought about it; he didn’t have many yuan stones, and they should be left for those who needed them more.

Compared to Bai Yu Xiaobai, who was born into wealth and never lacked money, it was obvious who the needier person was.

Thus, he waved his hand with peace of mind and led his personal guards to the camp.

General Qi allocated 5,000 soldiers to Jiang Wang’s command, none of whom were elite soldiers from the Xia Corps. He clearly stated that this was only for Jiang Wang to practice initially, and whether he could lead them into battle independently would depend on Jiang Wang’s performance.

Training soldiers is truly a profound subject, not something that can be summarized by simple rewards and punishments.

It goes without saying that given Jiang Wang’s background, he fundamentally had no opportunity to come into contact with this kind of knowledge before. Later, he had opportunities and channels, but not that much time.

Ultimately, he was stretched thin; he felt he didn’t have enough time even for cultivation, so it was impossible to attend to everything. In the matter of training soldiers, military formations are the most important part.

Flying Corner, Wild Goose Row, Cloud Dragon, Arrowhead, Hook Moon…

Every kind of military formation must be practiced repeatedly until the various changes of the military formation are ingrained into instinct before they can be applied on the battlefield.

Of course, the basic military formations of the Qi army are all unified and regularly optimized and upgraded. The 5,000 soldiers didn’t need Jiang Wang to train them from scratch.

His retainer Bai Yu Xiaobai was exceptionally talented, with good military strategy, and his personal guard commander Fang Yuan You was loyal, steadfast, and worked hard without complaint. The soldiers were trained extremely well.

Nearly 200 guards scattered throughout the camp played a very good central role.

Furthermore, after several major battles, Jiang Wang already had rich battlefield experience; he had not only seen pigs run but had also eaten quite a bit of pork. Following the military books and maps, after several days of hard work, he actually managed to make it look like a model.

But true leadership talent can never be cultivated within one’s own camp.

Just as Jiang Wang’s camp was taking shape, two military orders arrived simultaneously. One order notified him that his diligent military administration these past few days was deemed satisfactory and he could go on an expedition. However, it wasn’t excellent enough, so based on the principle of being responsible for the warriors on expedition, the number had to be reduced.

The original words were—’Soldier matters rough, not the talent of a Wufu commander, reduce by 2,000.’

Taking the nine armies of Great Qi as an example, a commander commands 1,000 soldiers, so the talent of a Wufu commander is the ability to handle the affairs of 5,000 soldiers.

Qi Xiao didn’t know when he found the time to inspect Jiang Wang’s military administration and gave his judgment, directly cutting off 2,000 of his soldiers.

Although Jiang Wang didn’t know where he lost points, it was impossible for him to question the judgment of such a contemporary famous general, let alone challenge a military order.

He could only obediently watch as the soldier transmitting the order transferred away the soldiers he had painstakingly trained over the past few days.

With 2,000 soldiers drawn away, the vast drill ground suddenly felt half empty. That feeling was truly not good. Fang Yuan You even shed tears there; the tough man’s eyes were red.

Jiang Wang glanced at him and seriously unfolded the second military order—3922—Sea Affairs Military Order—Commander Jiang Wang—01. Target: Assist in defending the first floating island in Ding Mao Area.

Duration: Three days.

On the fourth day of Jiang Wang’s arrival at Jue Dao Island, Qi Xiao ordered him to lead his soldiers into the Huan Jing. Failure to arrive before midnight on June 22nd would be considered missing the deadline.

Up to this point, he had only attended one lesson, and he and Qi Xiao had only met once.

“The whole team, within a quarter of an hour, make ready for the expedition.” Jiang Wang put away the military order, his voice calm.

“Whole team!” Fang Yuan You wiped away his tears and roared angrily.

The people on the entire drill ground scattered like a flowing river, quickly and orderly retreating from the field, disappearing in an instant, each with their military equipment. At that moment, the sea was vast and the sky hung low, the wind was gentle and the flag rolled.

A tense and solemn atmosphere never left Jue Dao Island.

Jiang Wang asked, “Fang Yuan You, why are you shedding tears?”

Fang Yuan You, clad in armor, knelt down: “This general is incompetent, I have failed you greatly! Your reputation is sky-high, a heroic leader within the sea, how can you suffer the humiliation of having your soldier count halved? If Sir Bai had assisted you, it wouldn’t have come to this!”

“This marquis is an outsider in the way of soldiers, this is originally nothing to be ashamed of.” Jiang Wang said calmly: “Reducing the soldier count is Commander Qi’s judgment of my military ability, it’s not considered humiliation. Precisely because this marquis’s military ability is average, that’s why I wanted to learn under Commander Qi, isn’t that right? Stand up! Stop acting like a crying woman.”

Fang Yuan You immediately stood up, his armor clanking, all of it filled with unwillingness.

The so-called lord’s humiliation is the minister’s death. He felt completely that Jiang Wang being called only a commander meant that his and his brothers’ efforts all day were still not enough. No matter in Xia soil, in the demon realm, or in any place, where was their Lord not respected?

On the contrary, to properly lead these personal guards to the battlefield, yet not even become a Wufu commander. He was too mediocre, too unworthy of his Lord’s trust!

Jiang Wang walked forward and reached out to straighten the man’s armor: “Yuan You, I don’t recall you being so fragile. On the Qi Xia battlefield, we were majestic and unyielding. When breaking through Xi Ming, you were behind me. When sweeping Hui Ming, you covered my flanks. Now this? Do you want to cover up this marquis’s shame?”

Scene after scene from the Qi Xia battlefield surged up in his heart like a tide. Chasing the victory flag, riding his horse through blood and fire…

Fang Yuan You had many words choked in his throat, but he was clumsy with words and couldn’t speak them out.

Jiang Wang patted his shoulder: “Good. If you feel this marquis is not getting enough respect, then lead the brothers and perform well.”

He gazed out at the island, looking at the boundless sea, his voice also vast: “What we don’t get on the drill ground, we will get on the battlefield.”

At this moment, Fang Yuan You looked at him and truly saw a great figure standing on the peak of the East Country, wielding authority and heroically commanding ten thousand miles!

And not just the brave and invincible young general on the Qi Xia battlefield.

Tightening his fists against his heart, he confirmed that this was the flag he would follow for the rest of his life: “This general receives the order!”

Marquis Wu An led 3,000 armored soldiers and rode the tall ship ‘Fei Yun’ out of the island.

This ship was equipped with two Thorn Boats and three Yue Chong Nu, definitely considered a main tall ship of Jue Dao Island.

Yue Chong Nu was originally in the form of a crossbow cart and was a great killer for attacking cities and taking strongholds. After dismantling the cart body, the crossbow was directly fixed on the tall ship, making the Sea Clan even more fearful.

Going less than 3,000 sea miles east from Jue Dao Island is the area of ‘Death Sea’ where the wind is fierce and the waves are wild. Of course, that’s only what the Sea People call it.

Warriors fighting against the Sea Clan all know that although the so-called Death Sea area has stronger winds and waves, even rising tornadoes day and night, not many people actually die. The true death domain where blood flows like waterfalls and souls fall like hurricanes can only be seen after penetrating this sea area.

Driving through the mad wind and controlling the terrifying waves, the huge tall ship created by the Great Qi Engineering Institute moved through the sea like a thick and solid land.

Jiang Wang stood at the bow of the ship with his hands behind his back, directly facing the wind and waves.

Speaking of which, this was his first time going to the Huan Jing. He had no experience of the process. True Lord Chong Guang carried him there, changing light and turning objects; before he could even react, he had already arrived.

When he left, he rode the Yan Gu’s Burning Sun Flying Boat and narrowly survived the Blood King’s punch that destroyed the top. His soul was so startled it was hard to calm down, let alone feel anything.

Only this time, leading soldiers on an expedition, was he truly observing the wind and listening to the waves.

He liked this feeling of controlling his own fate, no matter what kind of wind and rain he would face. How could he not be the wind and rain himself?!

Suddenly, a red light cut through the long sky, piercing through the dark clouds and heavy rain.

Jiang Wang’s red eyes lit up. On that red boat, he saw a familiar person and immediately called out: “Brother Fu!”

The thirty-odd people sitting on the Burning Sun Flying Boat all turned their heads together, their aura solemn and full of killing intent. Obviously, they were all disciples cultivated by Yan Gu.

The person leading them leaped down from the flying boat and landed beside Jiang Wang. It was indeed Fu Yan Qing.

“You’re going out to sea so soon?” He wiped his dripping wet long hair back, his voice still clear amidst the mad wind and sudden waves.

“Although the soldier training wasn’t great, I always wanted to go to the battlefield and test myself.” Jiang Wang replied, then asked in return, “What about you? Why are you going to the Huan Jing this time?”

Fu Yan Qing had tempered himself in the Huan Jing for a long time. He had already won everything he could win by cultivating in the Huan Jing at that time. In the 3919th year of the Dao Calendar, he returned to the near sea islands around the same time as Jiang Wang and began to seek to reach the Divine realm.

Jiang Wang knew all this.

A few days ago, he had almost watched his battle challenging Chen Zhi Tao and thought he was developing quite well in the near sea islands.

Fu Yan Qing said, “I have always been in the Huan Jing. This time I specially returned to challenge Chen Zhi Tao and prove myself.”

His brows were extremely cold, and it didn’t look like a joke, which made Jiang Wang a little embarrassed.

“There should have been many opportunities in the near sea islands these past two years.” Marquis Jiang said casually, “I thought Brother Fu would make a big splash in the Zhen Hai Alliance.”

“Integrating the forces of the near sea is of course a good thing from a long-term perspective. From a short-term perspective, it also creates many development opportunities. The Zhen Hai Alliance has great authority and many resources… but I’m still used to life in the Huan Jing.”

Fu Yan Qing shook his head: “I can’t say I’m used to it. In fact, it’s still very hard to get used to after staying there for so long. After all, the rules in that place are different from the present world. Not only do you have to fight against the Sea Clan, but you also have to be constantly on guard against those damned heteromorphies.”

He sighed: “It’s just that I always feel… that I belong there. I can’t stay in the near sea, and I don’t know why.”

Jiang Wang also felt some emotion: “Perhaps because…”

Fu Yan Qing said: “Perhaps because I specially returned to the near sea to challenge Chen Zhi Tao, but couldn’t fight!”

“Ah, I don’t know what’s going on with this Chen Zhi Tao. Everything was going well, and then he said he wouldn’t fight.” Jiang Wang said seriously, “I was waiting to watch the show that day! Next time you two reschedule, remember to call me.”

Fu Yan Qing turned his head and looked at him for a while, then finally said: “This position of Great Qi’s State Marquis… is quite a training ground.”

He recalled borrowing money at that time.

The one surnamed Jiang was still very simple.

Captain Ding said whatever amount, that’s what it was.

If it were that time now, wouldn’t he still rely on it?

Great Qi’s Marquis Wu An seemed completely oblivious to the implied meaning and asked himself, “Brother Fu should also be in charge of an island now, right? Still in Ding Wei Area?”

The destination of this march was in Ding Mao Area.

This code name inevitably made Jiang Wang think of the place he had once fought, the Ding Wei Area, which was once guarded by cultivators from Yan Gu and fought against five sea nests with one floating island.

Thinking of Ding Jing Shan, who told him that all humans in the Huan Jing were comrades. Naturally, he also thought of that brilliant star bridge.

Time flies, year after year!

“Ding Wei Area is gone.” Fu Yan Qing said.

Jiang Wang was stunned: “How could that be? Wasn’t it already connected to the Floating Tu Pure Land at that time?”

He still remembered meeting two Yan Gu cultivators in the Floating Tu Pure Land, and remembered that the Floating Tu Pure Land belonged entirely to the human race, with Yan Gu, Yu Hai Tower, and Jue Dao Island all having bases there. With the support of the Floating Tu Pure Land, the Ding Wei Area shouldn’t have had any problems, right?

Fu Yan Qing looked into the distance: “That time the boundary river changed, in addition to the Floating Tu Pure Land, Ding Wei Area was also connected to the Sha Jia Dragon Domain.”

This was the first time Jiang Wang had heard the name ‘Sha Jia Dragon Domain’, but he could roughly guess what kind of place it was.

So many people’s struggles, defenses, and deaths in battle, all became empty in one morning.

Besides sighing, there was nothing else to say.

“Then, where is Island Master Ding now?” he asked.

At the bow of the ship, directly facing the mad wind and constantly smashing against the startling waves, Fu Yan Qing said calmly: “Dead.”

Dead.

Without any other modification, without any embellishment.

Just a simple sentence, ‘dead’, made people feel a huge emptiness! He recalled the first time he saw Ding Jing Shan, at that time he was sitting cross-legged on the mountaintop.

He recalled that when his divine soul was injured, Ding Jing Shan sent him a cup of soul jade spirit liquid without hesitation, and even charged him ten taels of Illusion Crystal without politeness.

Ding Wei Floating Island needed resources too much.

Ding Jing Shan calculated meticulously, Ding Jing Shan seized by force, Ding Jing Shan thought he was a famous sect disciple asking for too much, Ding Jing Shan didn’t have the demeanor of a strong person… When the Sea Clan army surrounded the island, Ding Jing Shan firmly refused to hand over Jiang Wang.

Ding Jing Shan is dead.

“Do you know what this mountain is called?”

“I don’t know.”

“This mountain has no name, this mountain doesn’t need a name. Do you know why?”

“Junior doesn’t know.”

“Because it can disappear at any time. Not collapse, but disappear. So there’s no meaning to having a name. Not just this mountain, but this mountain, the island on the island, all the people on the island… Yes, what you see is the Huan Jing.”

Yes, this is the Huan Jing. Jiang Wang felt profound.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Wang said: “Just now when I came over, I saw quite a few teams heading towards the Huan Jing without flags… Are there many scattered people in the Huan Jing now?”

He still remembered that in the past few years, besides Jue Dao Island and Yu Hai Tower, the forces that had long undertaken the sea border defense, most of the scattered people who came to the Huan Jing were sent here to wash away their crimes, like Chu Mi from Liang An Lou, like him, Jiang Wang.

But now, many of the cultivators rushing to the Huan Jing were clearly free.

“There are quite a few more than before.” Fu Yan Qing said, “Mainly because last year, the Tai Xu Scroll opened the sea border assistance task, and the rewards were extremely rich, attracting many cultivators. It did alleviate some of the defense pressure.”

The spread of the Tai Xu Illusion to the near sea islands was something from a few years ago. Jiang Wang still had an impression.

At that time, an obscure sect in the near sea islands, Cang Lan Sect, had an obscure disciple, Hua Man Lou, who became a Tai Xu Messenger.

Unlike him and Chong Xuan Sheng, who used the Tai Xu Corner Tower to amass wealth, Hua Man Lou directly contributed the Tai Xu Corner Tower and linked it with the rewards of the Sea Merit List to attract more cultivators to participate in the sea border battles.

At that time, the stark contrast between the two Tai Xu Messengers still led many people to scold Chong Xuan Sheng.

After Jiang Wang returned from the demon realm, he was also running around, with no idle time, so he didn’t pay much attention to the Tai Xu Scroll.

Thinking of his title of second-rank Guard Sea Officer, he asked again: “Isn’t there a conflict between the Tai Xu Scroll and the Zhen Hai Alliance’s Sea Merit List?”

Fu Yan Qing glanced at him and finally said: “No matter how rich the rewards of the Sea Merit List are, they are ultimately not as widespread as the influence of the Tai Xu Illusion and do not spread very far. It has already been merged with the Tai Xu Scroll.”

Even Fu Yan Qing, who had been killing in the Huan Jing for years, said that the Tai Xu Illusion’s influence was widespread.

The Tai Xu Illusion has truly prospered…

Jiang Wang silently connected to the Tai Xu Illusion, unfolded the Tai Xu Scroll, found the sea border assistance task, and saw that the list name here was the Sea Merit List.

First on the Sea Merit List sub-list: Chong Xuan Zun.

The merit he created in the outer tower realm has not been surpassed by any outer tower cultivator to this day.

First on the Sea Merit List main list: Chong Xuan Zun.

He occupied the first place, opening a very large gap with the second name.

Second on the Sea Merit List main list: Chen Zhi Tao.

Third on the main list: Fu Yan Qing.

Ninety-seventh on the main list: Ji Zhao Nan.

Ji Zhao Nan had been conquering in the demon realm for a long time. Only before the Yellow River Meeting in the 3919th year of the Dao Calendar did he come to the Huan Jing to sharpen his skills for a while, killing until the blue sea was dyed red. His ranking has not fallen out of the top hundred to this day.

This shows how fierce the killing nature of this ‘Human Armor Unparalleled’ is on the battlefield.

Jiang Wang finally knew what Fu Yan Qing’s eyes meant.

Fu Yan Qing probably thought that Jiang Wang deliberately mentioned the Sea Merit List to show off the military achievements of the Qi people.

He truly misunderstood him!

This marquis isn’t even on the list.