[Basic Knife Technique: Great Success (610/1000)]
[Golden Bell Body Refining Technique: Minor Achievement (320/500)]
[Fishing Toad Force Secret Technique: Initiate (25/100)]
Before he had even finished refining the elixir's full effects, Chen Sheng was thrilled to discover that his progress in the *Fishing Toad Force* had suddenly surged, saving him at least half a month of hard work.
Sensing this, he immediately focused his mind, cleared all distracting thoughts, and devoted his full effort to guiding the cool, pure medicinal energy through his body, immersing himself in refining it.
As the medicinal energy continued to permeate his body, he could clearly feel minute, filthy impurities being slowly expelled from his pores.
The effects of the Purifying Essence Pill did not disappoint Chen Sheng. After spending half a day completely refining it, although he hadn't been completely transformed, he could clearly sense a significant change throughout his body.
His progress in the *Fishing Toad Force*, in particular, had advanced by leaps and bounds.
[Basic Knife Technique: Great Success (610/1000)]
[Golden Bell Body Refining Technique: Minor Achievement (322/500)]
[Fishing Toad Force Secret Technique: Initiate (75/100)]
This progress had saved him more than a month of arduous training.
More importantly, after this Bone Marrow Cleansing and Body Refining, he could clearly feel his Inner Breath condensing faster when he cultivated the *Golden Bell Body Refining Technique*. This was equivalent to a direct boost to his cultivation aptitude, compensating for the shortcomings in his innate constitution.
Such a miraculous effect made Chen Sheng crave the Purifying Essence Pill even more.
'If I could get just one more, I could probably master the initiate stage of the *Fishing Toad Force* in an instant.'
Unfortunately, he also understood that this elixir was precious and rare. Even Wu Kuang had to go to great lengths to ask for it from Captain Nie. With his current status and connections, it was nearly impossible for him to obtain one.
By the time Chen Sheng had bathed and changed his clothes, the sky was already growing dim.
Without waiting for Wu Kuang to send someone to hurry him along, he changed into a standard-issue Vice Commander's light armor and hurried over.
When he arrived, he saw Wu Kuang chatting and laughing with Huang Ren. Wu Kuang gave a slight nod upon seeing Chen Sheng, while Huang Ren stood up and offered a polite greeting.
Anyone could see that Wu Kuang relied on Chen Sheng more, not only entrusting him with real authority but also with the important task of selecting soldiers for transfer.
Huang Ren naturally felt a bit sour about this, but that was as far as it went. He had only been transferred under Wu Kuang's command thanks to his brother pulling some strings and the face of Captain Nie. It was this connection that allowed him to be transferred back to the rear, so he would never dare to openly clash with Chen Sheng, who was clearly in their superior's good graces.
However, wary as he was, seeing Wu Kuang's undisguised favoritism toward Chen Sheng, Huang Ren still secretly harbored a competitive streak, hoping that one day he could surpass him.
Chen Sheng was aware of this but didn't pay it any mind. As long as the other man didn't start any trouble, he couldn't be bothered to deal with him.
"It's about time. Let's go."
After waiting a little longer, Wu Kuang stood up and gestured for them to follow, instructing the two in a low voice, "Once we're in the tent, watch more and speak less. Don't try to stand out. You must keep a low profile."
"Yes, sir!"
Chen Sheng and Huang Ren answered in unison and followed closely behind him.
...
Inside the main tent, figures were already milling about. Seeing Wu Kuang arrive, several commanders who were already present greeted him with smiles, their words tinged with both envy and teasing.
Being transferred back to a post in a rear-area county town was undoubtedly an enviable assignment.
In the entire Mountain Camp, only a couple of people had the connections to pull off something like this. To get such an opportunity, strength alone was far from enough; what was crucial were solid connections.
In fact, the latter often carried even more weight.
Facing his colleagues' banter, Wu Kuang just laughed it off and took the opportunity to introduce Chen Sheng and Huang Ren to the group. Because of his brother, everyone was already familiar with Huang Ren and didn't pay him much mind.
Chen Sheng, on the other hand, whose fame had recently been on the rise in the Mountain Camp, drew a few extra glances from the commanders. Not only had he been exceptionally promoted to Vice Commander by Wu Kuang, but he had also managed to escape from Zhou's case unscathed and had even been entrusted with the important task of selecting soldiers.
However, their curiosity went no further. A mere Vice Commander wasn't enough to warrant too much of their attention, and after some simple pleasantries, the topic of conversation quickly shifted.
Chen Sheng and Huang Ren were arranged to sit in an inconspicuous spot in the second row.
Soon, all six commanders and twelve Vice Commanders of the Mountain Camp had arrived.
A moment later, the tent flap was lifted, and a slender figure strode in.
The newcomer wore no armor, only a loose brocade robe. His face, though showing a hint of worldly wear, couldn't hide his handsome features. What was more startling was his age—he looked to be just over twenty. Yet, his aura, as deep as a still pool and as imposing as a mountain, had already quietly enveloped the entire tent.
"Greetings, Captain!"
"Captain!"
The moment this person appeared, everyone in the tent, regardless of rank, rose to their feet and bowed respectfully.
The newcomer was none other than the Captain of the Mountain Camp, Nie Yuanliu.
Chen Sheng didn't know much about this Captain Nie, having only seen him from a distance a few times before.
But from Wu Kuang, he had learned that this man came from a prominent family and possessed extraordinary talent, having already stepped into the realm of "Innate Chaoyuan" at the young age of twenty-one.
The figure he had seen back when he first transmigrated—the one who broke through enemy formations with a spear, looking like a War God—was this very man.
In comparison, Wu Kuang's promotion seemed insignificant. Nie Yuanliu had spent half a year suppressing rebellions, accumulating brilliant military achievements and gaining immense prestige within the Mountain Camp. With this new promotion, his future was limitless.
What concerned Chen Sheng the most, however, was the warning the *Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil* Celestial Book had given him yesterday:
[My name is Chen Sheng. By the time you read this, it will be too late for my regrets... During the feast in the main tent, Captain Nie, grateful for the commanders' support, will notice the growing respect from the Vice Commanders and, after a moment's thought, will propose a farewell duel with prizes. Because I will remember Wu Kuang's warning, I won't step forward. The result: when the prizes are revealed—a choice of one of three Treasure Soldiers—I will be instantly filled with regret...]
"There is no need for such formalities, everyone."
Nie Yuanliu nodded slightly, walked leisurely to the head seat, and sat down with a casual wave of his hand.
Soldiers waiting outside the tent immediately filed in, serving fine wine and delicacies.
After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food, the atmosphere in the tent gradually grew lively.
Midway through the feast, Nie Yuanliu raised his cup, took a light sip, and swept his gaze across the room, saying with a touch of emotion:
"I have been in the Mountain Camp for half a year, and I have been fortunate to receive the full support of all you commanders. After today, some of you may be heading to the frontier, while others may be returning to your hometowns. I, too, will be transferred away soon. Consider this feast a farewell. Before I leave, I have prepared some humble gifts to express my gratitude. I hope we will have the chance to meet again one day."
As he finished speaking, he gave a light flick of his sleeve, and six translucent jade bottles flew out from under the main table, landing with perfect accuracy before each of the six commanders.
True Qi Emission, manipulating objects from a distance!
This display of Innate-level skill, performed with such casual ease, immediately drew a wave of hushed gasps from the tent.
The expressions of the six commanders all turned solemn. They raised their cups and clasped their hands in a salute at the same time:
"Congratulations on your promotion, Captain!"
"Congratulations, Captain!"
The other Vice Commanders quickly chimed in, their eyes filled with fervent hope that they too might receive some reward.
Nie Yuanliu naturally had no intention of giving out that many gifts. Most of the Vice Commanders present had been rotated through several times, and he didn't even recognize all of them. But seeing their eager gazes, he couldn't bring himself to be too stingy. So, meeting their expectant eyes, he smiled nonchalantly and said:
"Very well. It is fate that you Vice Commanders are here today. I shall set up a competition. The winner will receive a prize, and it will serve as a fitting conclusion to this gathering."