Chapter 206

Due to his excellent performance in the battle, Zhao Qi received an additional military honor reward.

The reward this time was a mid-stage of gathering energy elixir called the Spirit-Nurturing Pill, which could increase breakthrough chances.

Using this pill, Zhao Qi advanced his cultivation level to the third level of Gathering Qi.

After a short half-month rest period, Zhao Qi received another private summons.

The base commander personally called him into the military tent.

Inside, Zhao Qi encountered someone who both shocked and delighted him.

"Third Young Master!"

"Zhao Qi pays respects to Third Young Master!"

Yang Lingshu had been operating in the southern region since their separation six months prior.

Yang Lingshu felt relieved seeing Zhao Qi unharmed.

Though the Central Frontline wasn’t as dangerous as the northern or southern fronts, casualties remained high after prolonged warfare.

Having reviewed the battle records of five squads, Yang Lingshu knew Zhao Qi’s contributions had prevented any deaths in their unit for half a year.

"Zhao Qi, you’ve endured much these past six months."

"You flatter me, Third Young Master. I merely fulfilled my duties."

Yang Lingshu gave a slight nod before addressing the base commander. "General, with his arrival, we may begin discussing crucial matters."

The commander activated the tent’s shielding restrictions before explaining the secret operation.

Yang Lingshu had covertly traveled from the southern region to execute a surprise assault and elimination mission.

Their targets included a concealed Eastern Wilderness frontline outpost and its exceptionally skilled young cultivator.

Tiger-Chasing had kept this information tightly sealed from lower-ranking members.

But why "kept" rather than "completely sealed"?

Because Tiger-Chasing deliberately leaked traces to let suspicious mid-level operatives discover the intel.

"The court’s rats have stayed quiet on the Eastern Expedition battlefield for half a year. Though they occasionally caused minor troubles, they’ve remained cautious – too patient to act without perfect timing."

The commander glanced at Yang Lingshu. "This time, Friend Lingshu proposed using himself as live bait to lure out central region’s hidden rats."

Zhao Qi now grasped the situation’s full context.

Yang Lingshu aimed to expose Tiger-Chasing’s spies by becoming their target.

Zhao Qi’s growing military reputation made him ideal for secondary bait duty – a decoy to make the trap believable.

"We’re forming a temporary squad with three additional members besides you two."

The commander continued, "Zhao Qi will serve as visible captain and field commander. Lingshu will disguise himself as a regular accompanying cultivator."

Selection criteria demanded absolute trustworthiness to Yang Lingshu, strong adaptability, and frontline recognition.

Now, on the Central Frontline, only Zhao Qi could meet all three requirements simultaneously.

"Zhao Qi understands. I’ll spare no effort to complete this mission!"

Zhao Qi answered with steel resolve.

Since this concerned his own Third Young Master, he would naturally give his utmost.

"Good!"

The commander examined Zhao Qi with deep satisfaction. This young cultivator had shown remarkable talent soon after entering battlefields, repeatedly achieving military feats beyond his supposed capabilities – a rare prodigy indeed.

After finalizing plans, Zhao Qi departed the command tent.

Only Yang Lingshu and the commander remained beneath the canvas.

"Junior Brother, your household breeds talent unexpectedly. Though Zhao Qi’s cultivation potential appears mediocre, he’s revealed battlefield instincts no rear-area training could forge."

The commander’s voice remained steady, but new languidness seeped into his eyes.

Yang Lingshu smiled. "Your words hold truth."

For this operation, he and Zhao Qi served as visible hooks while Xiao Yize lurked unseen. Xiao Yize’s Central Frontline deployment held higher secrecy, known only to top officials. Yet observant eyes might discern clues from Southern Frontline troop movements.

Opponents might restrain themselves against Yang Lingshu and Zhao Qi. But adding Xiao Yize – Tiger-Chasing’s rising star – would surely make certain parties twitch. As for trapping these rats? Tiger-Chasing’s preparations stood complete, awaiting their blundering steps.

Yang Lingshu opened his mouth to speak when sudden clarity blossomed in his sea of consciousness. His gaze turned momentarily translucent.

Identical clarity struck Yang Lingrui thousands of miles north. Meditating in his tent, he jolted as dormant awareness activated. Like his cousin, his eyes briefly emptied before refocusing. Probing Chen Yang’s consciousness revealed profound evolution – mere contact now nourished divine awareness beyond Gathering Qi realm’s limits!

Excitement surged through Yang Lingrui. Striding from his tent, he stared westward toward Song Mountain’s silhouette. Heart pounding, he breathed:

"The Immortal Master… has succeeded."

Within Songshan Yang Family’s restricted ancestral hall,

No celestial fanfare accompanied the breakthrough. When sufficient true essence accumulated, Chen Yang simply nudged upward. The years-old barrier above him shattered like spring ice.

This half-year acceleration came from Li Yuande’s Dao of cultivation insight. The described "Primordial Dan Weaving Method" proved invaluable – while human cultivators used it to form core pills, Chen Yang adapted it to refine true essence conversion.

As barriers fell, starlight cascaded from heaven’s vault, freezing his awareness momentarily. When perception returned, he floated in Star Sea space before a fractured hall – chunks torn from greater architecture, edges jagged as broken teeth.

His form now resembled a spiritual body. Willing himself forward, he drifted through roofless ruins where starscape served as ceiling. The barren interior held only a central platform bearing five archaic stone chairs. Behind each rose cloud-piercing pillars.

Four chairs lay shrouded in gray mist. Approaching them triggered repelling forces. Only the central throne remained accessible – its towering backrest stabbing starward like stone lightning.