Chapter 111: No Meat This Time

Upon seeing the visitor, Zhao Jiandu merely pointed at his watch and said, “You’re five minutes late.”

The man tossed himself into the chair in front of the table, boldly examining Zhao Jiandu, then burst out laughing, “How did you end up in such a pitiful state? I thought the Imperial Marshal would be much more majestic, but it seems even you get bloodied!”

Zhao Jiandu, expressionless, replied calmly, “No matter what, I’m still better off than someone who hasn’t even become a Marshal yet.”

The man leapt to his feet, fuming, “Becoming Marshal is just a matter of time for me! What’s so special about being a Marshal? It’s the Heavenly King that’s hard to achieve!”

Zhao Jiandu chuckled, “Has anyone ever said you have a chance at becoming a Heavenly King?”

The man’s demeanor immediately deflated, and he admitted, “No.”

Zhao Jiandu leaned forward, supporting himself on the table, and asked, “So, do you think you can reach the pinnacle of Heavenly King?”

His confidence waned further, and he reluctantly said, “I’m the kind of man who aims to break the sky. A mere Heavenly King… well, it’s quite difficult, I must admit.”

“Let’s not talk about breaking the sky. Can you beat Yuying now?” Zhao Jiandu’s smile was somewhat eerie.

The man sitting at the table was Wei Potian. Hearing this, he beamed with pride, “Although I can’t beat her, she can’t hurt me either!”

Zhao Jiandu’s smile grew stranger, pointing at Wei Potian’s face, “Is this what you call unharmed?”

“What?”

Zhao Jiandu smiled and produced a new, gleaming short blade, sliding it across the table to Wei Potian. “Take a look for yourself. Though I’m covered in blood, I’m still faring better than you.”

Wei Potian picked up the blade and used it as a mirror. As he looked at his reflection, he saw a face with two large, dark circles under his eyes. The bruises were clearly from a fight.

Wei Potian exclaimed, jumping to his feet in anger, “This has nothing to do with Yuying. It was from my last battle before coming here. I encountered a spider demon, and we fought for a long time. I accidentally got hit twice. Of course, I won in the end. I just didn’t expect that sneaky bastard to use a hidden force. These bruises haven’t healed yet.”

“Don’t explain. Even if Yuying did it, that’s fine.”

“Of course not! She can’t touch me now!” Wei Potian shouted.

Zhao Jiandu shifted to a more comfortable position and said, “Enough, no need to elaborate. Why did you rush to see me?”

“What else could it be? To explore the new world together! Surely, you won’t refuse such a small request, right?”

“Are you abandoning the Far East?”

“Even without me, the defense will hold. The black-blooded scum in the Far East have been more docile lately. Many have been transferred to the new world. I tried every way to provoke them, but only managed a few fights. This place is too boring. I, Wei Potian, am born to live on the battlefield!”

Zhao Jiandu coolly replied, “If you don’t speak reasonably, go back. I’m in charge here, and seeking help from others won’t change anything.”

Wei Potian stared at Zhao Jiandu for a long while, realizing he was serious, and his arrogance faded. He confessed, “I heard that even Song Zining has ascended to Divine General. How can that be? So, I want to try my luck in the new world. My Thousand Mountains technique only progresses in battle.”

“Zining took a great risk, nearly dying, to succeed.”

“When have I, Wei Potian, ever feared death?!”

Wei Potian grew excited again.

Zhao Jiandu raised his hand, calming him down, and said, “That wasn’t just danger; he almost died. Now, he’s lying low in the new world.”

“That’s fine. As long as I can break through the Heavenly Gate and not be left behind by that guy, I’ll do anything!”

Zhao Jiandu nodded, “Alright, pack your things and get ready to go.”

Wei Potian pointed at the bloodstains on Zhao Jiandu’s robe, “Your wound is still bleeding.”

“It’s fine. Scratches from that kind of thing always bleed for a while. Let it flow.” Zhao Jiandu was indifferent.

He pulled out a map from a drawer and pointed at it, saying, “This is our next phase of operations. These forests are the headquarters of the Beast Legion, and our target. I’ve already given you the details on the Beast Legion and the forests.”

“I’ve read them all.”

“Good. We have one forest with three Holy Trees, four with two Holy Trees, and seven with one Holy Tree, each with varying difficulty. Your task is…”

“Of course, the forest with three Holy Trees. Isn’t that obvious?” Wei Potian stated confidently.

“Actually, it’s the forest with one Holy Tree.” Clearly, Zhao Jiandu didn’t intend to discuss it further and wrote an order, handing it to Wei Potian, “Don’t die. I don’t want Yuying to scold me.”

“No problem. If I die, Yuying will only be sad for a few months, it’s nothing.”

Zhao Jiandu replied coolly, “At most, she’ll forget you after a drink in three days.”

“I…” Wei Potian’s eyes widened, about to argue about his status in Zhao Yuying’s heart.

Zhao Jiandu didn’t give him the chance, stuffing the order into his chest, “Take your soldiers to get the potions. I’ve prepared a unit to support your operation. You’re lucky; the Imperial Research Institute just developed a potion for the new world environment, and you caught it just in time.”

Wei Potian laughed, “My luck is unquestionable. Oh, isn’t the adaptation to the new world supposed to use the Holy Tree sap? What’s in the potion?”

“Holy Tree sap.”

Wei Potian was confused, “Then why make it into a potion?”

“To save materials. One drop of sap used to be enough for one person. Now, it can be enough for five.”

“Sounds good, but there must be some downside, right?”

“There might be some discomfort, and the duration you can stay in the new world will be reduced from a month to ten days.”

“Ten days?! That’s too short!”

Zhao Jiandu patted Wei Potian’s shoulder, “For you, it’s already quite long.”

With that, he left the study, leaving Wei Potian standing there, suddenly realizing something, and yelling, “What do you mean? Stop! Explain yourself! Do you think I can’t win, or I won’t live long, or both? You, stop!”

But Zhao Jiandu was already gone.

Wei Potian, helpless, had to participate in the battle under Zhao Jiandu’s command and couldn’t afford to quarrel. Plus, he wouldn’t win in a fight. He could only suppress his anger and went to the quartermaster to gather supplies.

The equipment for individual soldiers was acceptable. The Wei family in the Far East was a top-tier clan, constantly fighting against the dark races, and had substantial reserves. In terms of equipment, they were at least as good as the Imperial troops.

However, the Far Eastern Province was thousands of miles from Qin Continent, making it impossible to transport all the heavy weapons. He had to ask Zhao Jiandu. Moreover, the potions that adapted to the new world environment were essential. If they ran out, he wouldn’t have time to come back.

At the quartermaster, seeing the mountain of supplies, Wei Potian grinned, “You’re such a tough cookie!”

Humming a tune, he led his bandit-like Wei family soldiers into the new world.

Several days later, a convoy appeared outside the advance base in the new world. The trucks were dilapidated, with some engines still steaming, giving the impression of an ethereal scene.

Each truck was filled with soldiers, surrounded by sandbags, armor plates, luggage, and half-dried meat. If it weren’t for the new world and the Imperial trucks, the fort guards would have thought it was a refugee convoy.

The advance base guarded the portal back to Qin Continent, and the guards wouldn’t let any unknown convoy approach. They first fired warning shots, then two armored vehicles intercepted the convoy hundreds of meters away.

A man, with a scruffy beard and dirt-stained armor, jumped down from the lead truck, saying, “I just won a battle, and you don’t recognize me? Send Zhao Jiandu to see me!”

The officer, startled by the man’s audacity, said, “It’s my duty to protect the fort. May I know, sir, who you are?”

He examined the man, suddenly recognizing him, “Lord Bowen! You… why are you like this?”

“What Lord Bowen, I’m Lord Potian. I rushed back after the battle, no time to clean up. Look at my men, they’re in the same state.”

Wei Potian’s attitude won the respect of the front-line soldiers. The officer’s tone warmed, “Lord, you truly care for your soldiers. Please follow me to the rest area.”

The officer led the way, and they talked about the battle. Wei Potian said, “Damn, that six-armed monster was tough. I barely managed to take it down. Zhao Jiandu should have warned me, but thanks to my strength and my brothers’ efforts, we made it back.”

The officer praised, “Lord, you’re truly formidable! You single-handedly captured a forest. I hear you’re also famous in the Far East, and rightfully so!”

Wei Potian laughed, “Those black-blooded scum in the Far East aren’t as tough as that six-armed monster. If I can handle a single Holy Tree forest, imagine a three Holy Tree one. By the way, what’s Zhao Jiandu doing now?”

“Lord and Lord Zining led the army a few days ago to capture a three Holy Tree forest.”

“What? They get the meat, and I get the soup?” Wei Potian raged, forgetting his earlier words.