With a loud explosion, the True Yuan Power burst forth, causing both of them to stagger back; they were evenly matched.
"Very well, you can actually take one of my casual strikes. You are worthy to stay," the person in the True Martial Ninth Realm said with a slight surprise, yet still with vast arrogance. Indeed, that strike was just a casual one, and he believed that if he got serious, Xiao Feng would definitely not be his opponent.
"You are not bad either, managing to block one of my casual swords. You're not too weak," Xiao Feng said unapologetically, showing no face since his opponent did not show him any.
"Hmph! Stubborn, but considering a great battle is imminent, I will not stoop to your level for now. Take your men and patrol outside the mines," the man from True Martial Ninth Realm furrowed his brow and coldly snorted.
"Patrol outside the mines? You want us to be cannon fodder, which I must respectfully decline," Xiao Feng's expression darkened as he spoke coldly.
Staying in the mines, protected by the Array Formation Light Shield, even if people from the Gray Wolf Kingdom attacked, there would at least be some time to prepare. Outside, however, there would be no defenses, making the risks substantially higher.
"Cannon fodder? You and these newcomers have no battle experience. Besides being cannon fodder, what else can you do? I am in charge here. You are only here to assist me in defense. You must obey my commands. If I say go out, you must go out," the True Martial Ninth Realm person said dismissively, scanning Xiao Feng and others with a tone as cold as ice.
"I said, I cannot comply. If anyone is to go out, let it be your men. I will assist in defending, but how I do so is my affair. You need not trouble yourself. If you are displeased, feel free to report me to the military, or you can resolve it by force. I, Xiao Feng, will see it through to the end," Xiao Feng stated detachedly.
"What an arrogant brat, defying military commands, seeking death, are you?" the person from True Martial Ninth Realm slightly narrowed his eyes, staring intensely at Xiao Feng, with his True Yuan Power surging around him.
"Stupid orders, what of it if I defy them? Come at me if you want to fight," declared Xiao Feng fearlessly, his own True Yuan Power surging powerful.
"How dare you, a mere new recruit, continuously defy me. If I don't discipline you today, how can I lead my troops?" the man from True Martial Ninth Realm said, both shocked and furious, about to lift his long spear and strike again.
"Captain, let it be, he's just a new recruit, not understanding the big picture. Don't stoop to his level. With a great battle imminent, we must unite. Internal strife is absolutely unacceptable; otherwise, once the people from Gray Wolf Kingdom arrive, we are all doomed," a person from True Martial Eighth Realm hurriedly intervened.
"Hmph! Fine, I'll let you stay within the Array, but when the people from Gray Wolf Kingdom attack, all actions must be under my command. If you agree, we will leave it at that. If not, I don't mind teaching you a lesson before the Gray Wolf people attack," said the man from True Martial Ninth Realm.
"That's acceptable. We came here to assist in the defense, and having you command us is reasonable. However, your commands must apply to everyone equally. Otherwise, I must decline to comply," Xiao Feng responded.
"That is natural; I treat everyone impartially and never show favoritism. Send your men out to patrol the surroundings," the person from True Martial Ninth Realm said earnestly.
"All units, disperse in small teams."
Xiao Feng ordered everyone.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!..."
As soon as his words fell, everyone scattered and quickly dispersed to various corners of the mine.
Zhao Letian, along with his team, took charge of patrolling a specific area.
"An abandoned mine tunnel? You all go patrol around, I'll check it out."
While walking, Zhao Letian suddenly saw an abandoned mine tunnel on the mountain slope ahead, and with a burst of inspiration, he instructed his team and then walked over.
The mine tunnel had been deserted for quite some time, with dim lighting inside, and soon Zhao Letian reached the end of the tunnel.
"This place should be secretive enough, let's base here," Zhao Letian thought to himself, and then took out the Spiritual Weapon Longsword and began to carve Array Path Runes on the ground.
About fifteen minutes later, a teleportation array had appeared on the ground beneath Zhao Letian's feet.
Next, all he needed to do was figure out how to leave the mine, go outside to find a secluded location, and carve another Array Formation, which would complete the whole teleportation array, thus providing him with an escape route in case of danger.
"Continue patrolling, I'm going to find Xiao Feng."
After leaving the mine, Zhao Letian located everyone, left a message, and then went straight to look for Xiao Feng.
On the mountain, there were Array Formations guarding it, and leaving wasn't as easy as one wished; only Xiao Feng and another practitioner of the True Martial Ninth Realm had the authority to allow people to leave.
"Brother Xiao Feng, I've been studying Alchemy recently and heard that this grassland has a lot of Spirit Grass and Medicine. I want to seize this opportunity to look around nearby to see if I can gather some herbs. Brother, could you allow me to leave for a short while?" Zhao Letian found Xiao Feng and made up a reason, as the matter of the teleportation array was too significant to reveal to Xiao Feng yet. Thi%s is pa%r^t* of a s%erie%s from My V!i#r-t.ua-l L&i%brary% E+mp@i+re (M|*V@|&L%1E^MPY!R)@.$
"Oh? Brother Letian is also skilled in Alchemy?" Xiao Feng remarked with surprise. Zhao Letian's achievements in martial arts training were already impressive. If he could also perform Alchemy, that really would make him a prodigy.
"It's just a little understanding, this is an elixir that I've concocted," Zhao Letian said with a shake of his head and smile, took out a small white porcelain bottle, and handed it to Xiao Feng.
"A Level Four Grade One Elixir? Moreover, it's an elixir that enhances cultivation? These kinds of elixirs are invaluable. Brother Letian, you truly hide your talents well." Xiao Feng glanced at the elixir in the bottle, somewhat astonished. He originally thought that Zhao Letian just wanted to try his hand at Alchemy and would at most be able to produce a Level One Grade One elixir, but to his surprise, Zhao Letian could actually make a Level Four Grade One elixir.
"Brother, this isn't much compared to your Seven-layered Sword Force. I would like to offer this bottle of elixir to you," Zhao Letian said nonchalantly.
"To me? Well, I indeed need some elixirs to enhance my cultivation, so I won't be polite with you. However, Letian, as a fellow sect brother, I must remind you that Alchemy is extremely time-consuming. Do not let your practice in Alchemy delay your martial training, as cultivation is the essence of a Martial Artist. You may go; I will have them open the Array Formation Light Shield for you," Xiao Feng accepted the elixir and spoke earnestly.
"Thank you, Brother," Zhao Letian rejoiced internally and nodded, then headed directly outside the mountain. He didn't take Xiao Feng's advice to heart, as it only applied to ordinary Martial Artists, not to someone like him.