Chapter 729: Commanding the Silver Mist Guard
After the Council of the Nine Kings concluded, Jiang Yinlan, Lin Langtian, and their party, having reclaimed the Universe Spirit Pool Commander quota, returned once more to Silver Mist Palace.
Once news of the confrontation in the great hall spread, the newcomer Lin Langtian suddenly gained considerable fame within Heaven of the Universe.
Everyone came to know that the new Commander of Silver Mist Palace not only hailed from a lower plane, but also possessed remarkable strength; even without summoning his Sovereign Law Body, he had been able to easily defeat an old, veteran Commander of Calamity Palace.
For a time, both Lin Langtian and Silver Mist Palace became hot topics of heated discussion throughout Heaven of the Universe.
As for the outside world's clamor, Lin Langtian paid it no heed. During this period, aside from cultivating and improving his strength, he devoted himself to familiarizing himself with Silver Mist Palace's affairs.
The distribution of power within the Universe Sect was somewhat peculiar. Perhaps in order to foster competition, each King-level faction under the sect, in addition to the sect's own standing army, was allowed its own private army.
If any King-level faction wished to gain a broader territory, it could only rely on its own army to seize and annex land outside the Universe Sect.
Thus, every King-level faction spared no effort in developing its army, striving to make its forces ever more formidable.
For instance, Calamity Palace had the Calamity Guard, Spear Palace had the Spear Army, and Fierce Tiger Palace had the Fierce Tiger Regiment.
Of course, although these forces were mighty, the most terrifying fighting strength within the Universe Sect was generally acknowledged to be that of the sect's direct army.
The Universe Guard.
However, this army was not under the command of any King, but answered directly to the Sect Master.
In the present, with the Sect Master in long-term seclusion, the Great Elder also held the authority to command the Universe Guard.
The Silver Mist Guard, naturally, was the army belonging to Silver Mist Palace.
Yet because Silver Mist Palace had been founded relatively recently, and because Jiang Yinlan, despite her great talent, was not adept at managing such matters, the Silver Mist Guard had, up to this day, become the weakest of the Nine Kings' armies.
Even so, Silver Mist Palace was still a King-level faction. Though the Silver Mist Guard could not compare to well-resourced forces like the Calamity Guard, it was not to be underestimated.
Silver Mist Palace, training grounds.
On the broad training grounds, countless white-clad figures stood silently.
They wore white armor and stood as still as a placid lake, not moving in the slightest.
Their breathing was as one. Each exhale surged forth like a tidal wave, their combined momentum quite extraordinary.
From the high platform at the front, three streaks of light swept in and revealed three figures.
They were Jiang Yinlan, Lin Langtian, and Mu Honglian.
"Greetings, Palace Master!"
The instant Jiang Yinlan appeared, the nearly thousand figures as calm as still water bowed respectfully.
The Silver Mist Guard pressed their fists to their chests, and their unified voices boomed like a distant sea, deep and resonant across the grounds.
Standing upon the platform, Lin Langtian gazed down upon this army that looked like a boundless white cloud, and a trace of amazement rose in his eyes.
This was indeed a true army. Their breathing seemed to be shared, seamlessly merged into a single rhythm.
Vast spiritual power circled around their bodies, interweaving without the slightest sign of rejection.
Clearly, only through years of training and tempered tacit understanding could they reach this level.
"The Silver Mist Guard has always maintained a thousand-man roster. According to the Palace Master's orders, we use an elimination system.
"At the end of each year, the last one hundred in the assessments are eliminated and reassigned as other forces under Silver Mist Palace, while the top-performing newcomers take their place," Mu Honglian said with a smile.
Lin Langtian nodded slightly. He could sense that almost every member of the Silver Mist Guard possessed strength comparable to the Samsara Stage of the Tianxuan Continent, and several figures at the very front showed faint signs of breaking into the Sovereign realm.
If this army were placed on the Tianxuan Continent, it would be enough to sweep everything before it, unstoppable.
And this was still just the weakest King-level army within the Universe Sect.
Jiang Yinlan looked upon the orderly and awe-inspiring army before her, and her red lips pressed together slightly. Then she cast Lin Langtian a brief glance, her clear voice turning cold and solemn.
"From this day forth, Lin Langtian will be the Commander of the Silver Mist Guard."
As her words rang out, every member of the Silver Mist Guard lifted their gazes toward the tall figure in green robes upon the platform.
"Greetings, Commander Lin!"
Moments later, every soldier of the Silver Mist Guard bowed in unison, their thunderous shout exploding across the training grounds like a storm.
No one voiced any dissatisfaction. After all, they had all repeatedly heard of how Lin Langtian had brought glory to Silver Mist Palace during the Council of the Nine Kings.
Strength reigned supreme in the Universe Sect, and Lin Langtian's performance had not only cowed Calamity Palace but also won the hearts of the people of Silver Mist Palace.
Seeing this, Lin Langtian's expression remained calm. Back on the Tianxuan Continent, he had commanded armies of thousands and served as a Plane Lord. Compared to that, the scene before him was hardly daunting.
He swept his gaze over the army like white clouds, eventually focusing on the three figures at the very front, all of whose auras had reached the Sovereign realm.
After a brief examination, Lin Langtian let his gaze roam, then leaped down from the platform. Staring at the Silver Mist Guard, he spoke in a deep voice, "Since you have acknowledged me as Commander, then from this day forward, the rules of the Silver Mist Guard will be amended.
"From now on, the Silver Mist Guard will establish a Merit Hall. Any outstanding battle achievements will be rewarded with merit points. These points may be exchanged in the Merit Hall not only for Sovereign Spirit Liquid to help you assault the Sovereign realm, but potentially even for Sovereign Law Bodies."
An uproar immediately swept through the Silver Mist Guard.
Many men licked their lips as fervent light flared in their eyes. Over the years, they had become well aware of Silver Mist Palace's situation; Sovereign Spirit Liquid had always been scarce and tightly rationed, far inferior to what the other eight Palaces enjoyed.
Advancing to the Sovereign realm required a tremendous amount of Sovereign Spirit Liquid, which in turn demanded long-term accumulation.
Yet Lin Langtian's words had directly dispelled their greatest concern, to say nothing of the lure of obtaining a Sovereign Law Body. Even the three who had reached First Grade Sovereign without cultivating a Law Body felt their hearts blaze.
"But we Silver Mist Guards have always been resting and recuperating. Where are these battle merits supposed to come from?" someone asked in a low voice.
"That was in the past."
Lin Langtian's tone was calm. "From now on, Silver Mist Palace will become like tigers and wolves, using our fists to seize the benefits that belong to us.
"So the easy days of old will be gone for good. Anyone who is unwilling is free to leave the Silver Mist Guard, because from this day forward, the Silver Mist Guard will become an army of tigers and wolves that will tear any enemy apart."
Hearing his words, the Silver Mist Guards were inflamed with excitement. Their fists clenched, their bodies shook with fervor.
From this day on, Silver Mist Palace would cast off the insults of being a 'palace of women' and a 'palace of weaklings' and reveal its true strength.
"We shall obey the Commander's orders!"
Every member of the Silver Mist Guard straightened their backs, and their united shout thundered like rolling storm clouds.
On the platform, Jiang Yinlan watched this scene, her red lips pressing together slightly as her beautiful eyes fixed upon that slender figure in green.
No matter how strong she might be in daily life, she was ultimately not a man, and in her bones there was a touch less of that fierce and burning male bloodlust.
In terms of cultivation, Lin Langtian was temporarily weaker than she was, but when it came to that kind of bloodthirsty spirit, she was clearly no match for him.
"Commander Langtian really is impressive. Just a few words, and he's roused the entire Silver Mist Guard. He must have been a man of great deeds in the lower plane as well," Mu Honglian said admiringly.
Then, after a pause, she pouted slightly, showing a rare trace of girlish petulance. "But Commander Langtian is a bit too generous. Where are we supposed to get that much Sovereign Spirit Liquid from in Silver Mist Palace?"
As almost the weakest faction in the Universe Sect, Silver Mist Palace's territory was the smallest and the most heavily encroached upon. The Sovereign Spirit Liquid they produced each year was not even half that of Calamity Palace.
"He intends to use war to feed war," Jiang Yinlan said, sword in hand, a glint of cold light in her eyes. "Just as Lin Langtian said, it is time for Silver Mist Palace to change its ways.
"We must become an army of tigers and wolves and seize back the interests that belong to Silver Mist Palace."
Mu Honglian nodded slightly. Though this approach carried some risk, it was the best way to strengthen Silver Mist Palace.
For some reason, when she looked at Lin Langtian's back, her heart felt very much at ease. It was as if, under his leadership, Silver Mist Palace truly would grow ever stronger.
On the other side, Lin Langtian was quite satisfied with the momentum the Silver Mist Guard had displayed.
With a slight nod, and having gained their approval, he said nothing further and turned to leap back onto the platform.
"Your idea of establishing a Merit Hall is very good," Jiang Yinlan said, gazing at Lin Langtian. A rare smile graced her usually icy face.
Lin Langtian smiled. This method was nothing new; he had engraved it into his heart back on the Tianxuan Continent. Old as it was, it was undeniably effective.
"The Silver Mist Guard is also excellent," Lin Langtian replied with a smile.
"Of course. Elder Sister Yinlan personally forged this force," Mu Honglian said with a grin. Then she added, "But don't think that saying a few nice words means you can ignore the enormous amount of Sovereign Spirit Liquid the Silver Mist Guard will need from now on.
"There's so much of it that even if you sold me, you still couldn't afford it."
Lin Langtian nodded. That was indeed a serious problem.
Silver Mist Palace's territory was already the smallest, and it had been severely eroded besides. From here on, they would have no choice but to use war to support war.
"That part will have to depend on you all. I will keep a close eye on the Calamity King," Jiang Yinlan said with a smile.
According to the rules of the Universe Sect, a Palace Master could not personally take the field. All struggles had to be conducted by those below.
Lin Langtian nodded. "Don't worry. Once the struggle over the Universe Spirit Pool is finished, we can set the Silver Mist Guard war machine in motion. When that time comes, the various Kings will certainly be stunned."
"Do you have confidence regarding the Universe Spirit Pool?"
Jiang Yinlan's beautiful eyes fixed on Lin Langtian as she hesitated slightly.
This would be the first time in many years that Silver Mist Palace would compete for the Universe Spirit Pool. Surely all the factions were watching them closely.
As for Lin Langtian, Jiang Yinlan could not quite say why, but there was always something inscrutable about him—as if he were shrouded in thick mist, mysterious and impossible to fully grasp.
Her curiosity about him only continued to grow.
"Rest assured, Palace Master. Everything is under control."
Lin Langtian smiled faintly, his handsome face calm and composed.
Even though he said everything was in hand, the Universe Spirit Pool involved Sovereign Holy Water, so he could not afford to be careless.
He lightly brushed his fingers across his Sumeru bracelet and suddenly remembered the mysterious divine art he had taken from Han Lin: the scroll named "Eight Directions Primordial Art."
It seemed the time had come to cultivate it…
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Franklin1