The so-called Immortal of Southern Mountain turned out to be a monster born from a non-human being!
Not only was it a spirit formed from an unusual creature, but it had infiltrated Li Rubi’s army, obtained the title of “Immortal,” and usurped the heavenly mandate!
In an instant, Wu Ming recalled the background information he had previously gathered about this “Immortal.”
The Li family, to which Li Rubi belonged, was originally a prestigious clan in Jiushan Prefecture, possessing vast wealth and numerous servants. Li Rubi himself was a juren (a degree holder in imperial examinations), enjoying a solid reputation.
At that time, the Immortal Hu had styled himself the “Old Man of Southern Mountain.” He arrived in Jiushan Prefecture and gained fame for his fortune-telling, which was always accurate. As a result, Li Rubi summoned him to read his physiognomy.
Unexpectedly, upon seeing Li Rubi, the Old Man of Southern Mountain was astonished and knelt down, exclaiming, “This is truly the rightful ruler of the world!”
Li Rubi was immediately moved and secretly plotted with him for a long time before finally deciding to raise an army.
Initially, although the Li family was wealthy, they lacked armor and bows. The Old Man of Southern Mountain, skilled in the Five Ghosts Transportation technique, transported over a hundred sets of armor, hundreds of bows and arrows, and countless quantities of gold and silver, greatly inflating Li Rubi’s ambitions.
Later, he encouraged Li Rubi to seize horses and establish the Black Mountain Cavalry Unit, which became the foundation of his military might.
When the time for rebellion approached, Li Rubi hesitated, recalling his family’s ancestral teachings. He said to the Old Man of Southern Mountain, “Although our ancestors selected a favorable geomantic site that provides protection and ensures thirteen generations of wealth and honor, its power lies dormant and cannot be used for dominance or ascension. What should I do?”
The Old Man of Southern Mountain replied, “My lord need not worry! This old servant is skilled in Feng Shui and geomantic divination. I shall select a new site for you, activating the dragon’s energy to serve you. This method gathers the fortune originally destined for future generations and concentrates it upon you, surely laying the foundation for kingship!”
Li Rubi remained hesitant, worrying about the blessings of future generations.
The Old Man of Southern Mountain then added, “As for your descendants, once you have established your rule, you can relocate the ancestral tombs to superior sites. There is no need to worry!”
Thus, Li Rubi finally made his decision. He allowed the Old Man of Southern Mountain to alter the ancestral site’s fortune, changing the dormant configuration into a rapid-rising one. He officially raised his rebellion, met with continuous success, and appointed the Old Man of Southern Mountain as his military strategist.
After capturing Jiushan Prefecture, they faced a shortage of troops. The Old Man of Southern Mountain said to Li Rubi, “Among the nine mountains, there are many fierce bandits and powerful robbers. I shall go and persuade them to join us!”
Riding alone into the mountains, he indeed convinced many outlaws to surrender. He repeatedly offered strategies that led to great victories over the prefectural and provincial troops.
From then on, Li Rubi fully trusted the Old Man of Southern Mountain, bestowing upon him the title of Immortal and following his every word.
…
“But now, looking back, it seems everything was a scheme!”
Wu Ming felt a chill in his heart but maintained an even more respectful demeanor on the surface: “No, no, the Immortal is our army’s military strategist, brilliant in strategy and planning. It’s my honor to meet the strategist today. I hope to receive your guidance in the future…”
These words even made himself feel a bit embarrassed.
But there was no choice. The Immortal of Southern Mountain was the second most powerful figure in the Jiushan Army, and possessed formidable magical abilities. Offending him would mean certain death with no place to bury his body.
“Haha… You’re good, very good!”
Upon hearing Wu Ming’s words, the Immortal of Southern Mountain’s narrow eyes glimmered with green light as he examined Wu Ming up and down: “You carry the aura of calamity, destined to be a person involved in heavenly trials! Perfect for the General’s use… In the future, follow the General and achieve glory. Now, go!”
“Understood!”
Wu Ming was delighted as he bowed and quietly withdrew.
“Prince, the people you’ve chosen are quite good. Go and see them off!”
The Immortal of Southern Mountain said, and Yu Shaojun immediately bowed and walked out to accompany Wu Ming.
After the two left, the Immortal of Southern Mountain flicked his sleeve, automatically closing the two doors behind them. After a long silence, he calculated something with his fingers:
“His true fate is hidden, and he carries the aura of calamity! Rare indeed… But no matter his origins, as long as he serves my purpose, it is sufficient… People like him, whose fates are hidden from heavenly insight, are the best at deceiving heaven. With their arrival, great matters can be accomplished, and great vengeance taken… Hehehe…”
A cold, eerie laughter echoed in the darkness, like ghostly wails, extremely terrifying.
…
“My master came to find you because he originally had an important task for you!”
Yu Shaojun accompanied Wu Ming to the door, his eyes flashing with an unusual light: “Originally, you being a squad commander was quite suitable. But now that you’re a high-ranking officer and a major battle is approaching, it’s somewhat inappropriate!”
“But it’s okay. Xiao Jidu recently earned some minor merits and was promoted to cavalry squad commander. Adding that woman, it’s about balanced enough…”
“What exactly is the task? Don’t forget our mission just to please them!”
Wu Ming feigned concern as he reminded.
“Don’t worry! I know what’s important. The punishment from the Main Temple isn’t something to joke about…”
Yu Shaojun’s face briefly showed disdain before he smiled lightly: “Xiao Jidu told me about your theory of great victory followed by great defeat. I think it makes a lot of sense!”
“… With me and Master Hu supporting you now, you can act freely! The personnel adjustments for that entire battalion have been approved for you!”
“Hmm?” Wu Ming’s mind sharpened.
Although he had prepared in advance, military discipline was strict. Even if he submitted the request, if his superiors did not approve, there was nothing he could do.
Even if he was allowed to be promoted, having Zhong Ting and Niu Yong transferred away would be like removing the firewood from under the pot.
Wu Ming had made some arrangements in this regard, but it was more about doing his best and leaving the rest to fate. However, with the Immortal of Southern Mountain’s approval, things were different!
This old fox had a high reputation in the army and served as the military strategist. With his support, the jealousy and hostility from other generals would be like a breeze passing through, nothing to be concerned about.
It was almost certain that his key subordinates would be promoted and remain with him. Moreover, he would have significant say in other positions.
That entire battalion would practically become his private troops.
“Thank you for the Immortal’s great kindness. What do you need me to do?”
Wu Ming kept his expression neutral and asked indifferently.
“It’s simple. You just need to…”
Seeing Wu Ming’s calmness, Yu Shaojun was somewhat surprised. He leaned close to Wu Ming’s ear, whispered a few words, then turned and left, walking away with remarkable ease.
“Indeed…”
Wu Ming stood still for a moment, then shook his head.
He was now certain that the Immortal of Southern Mountain held ill intentions toward Li Rubi!
Otherwise, aside from other considerations, upon seeing someone like himself who devoured heavenly fortune, the Immortal would surely issue a warning or even attempt to kill him. Yet now, he was not only not opposing Wu Ming but actively supporting him, as if hoping Li Rubi would fall even faster.
Such an attitude suggested a deep-seated grudge!
“To entrust the ancestral dragon vein to such a person, even allowing him to arrange its activation to stimulate fortune… Sigh…”
Wu Ming sighed and slowly walked away.
…
After returning to the camp, the official appointment orders soon arrived.
Zhong Ting, Niu Yong, and others were given important roles, all under Wu Ming’s command, leading to universal satisfaction.
With the Immortal of Southern Mountain as his patron, Wu Ming quickly received reinforcements in troops and equipment. He even secured two battalion commander positions, giving him full control over the battalion.
Xiao Jidu was also promoted and transferred to the Black Mountain Unit, becoming the commander of Li Rubi’s personal cavalry unit. This cavalry commander position was different from infantry roles and traditionally came with a rank promotion, so his official rank rose to the eighth degree, a position of great honor.
However, a month ago, he had led a cavalry unit with Xie Xiaodi and Yu Shaojun, escorting the Immortal of Southern Mountain, and disappeared without a trace. Only a few people knew their destination.
Wu Ming was naturally among the few who knew, but he kept his mouth shut, not uttering a single word.
If even the overall commander was kept in the dark about such a major matter as the ancestral dragon vein, how could a mere battalion commander knowing about it hope to survive?
Meanwhile, in the provincial capital, General Wang Xuanfan, the imperial-appointed Campaign Commander, finally consolidated control over the provincial and prefectural troops, began intensive training, and built up his forces to a total of forty thousand soldiers, advancing toward them.
Inside the military camp, within the main tent,
Wu Ming sat cross-legged, invisible to the naked eye as thin strands of red heavenly fortune continuously flowed into his body, causing his face to glow faintly.
“The innate physical cultivation of martial artists and the internal refinement techniques of magicians are inherently connected… And since I already had an innate foundation, with this heavenly fortune aiding me, success is natural!”
A vague premonition arose in his heart.
Wu Ming softly shouted, and the heavenly fortune he had obtained from Li Rubi above merged with the martial and killing qi contributed by his five hundred subordinates below, forming a cloud about a zhang (approximately 3.3 meters) in size. From this cloud, he extracted streaks of red energy, flowing down like a great river.
“Five energies united, internal refinement completed!”
With the aid of this great fortune, Wu Ming’s body crackled loudly, exuding a layer of black, stinky sweat. His entire body transformed: his bones became crystalline, his blood transparent, only a step away from the “pure body” of an immortal.
Boom!
At the same time, in his consciousness sea, light surged once more, and countless true script characters emerged, condensing within his consciousness sea, forming talismanic seeds of true magic!
“I’ve finally reached the rank of Magister!”
Wu Ming stood up, took a few delighted steps, and murmured to himself.
To be a Magister means to possess true magical power. The most important ability of a Magister is to “cast spells effortlessly!”
With a mere thought, one can cast a spell without needing external aids or catalysts.
The key to this ability lies in the formation of these talismanic seed scripts within the consciousness sea!
“From now on, every spell I learn will form corresponding true scripts in my consciousness sea. When I need to use them, I can activate them instantly with my magical energy!”
Wu Ming mused with emotion.
For Dao cultivators, reaching the rank of Magister is a significant milestone. At this stage, one can take disciples and transmit their teachings, and even establish sects as a wandering cultivator.
For ordinary cultivators, this is practically a lifelong dream.
Even Wu Qing had spent untold effort to reach this level.
Yet for Wu Ming, blessed with heavenly fortune, in just two months he had completed internal refinement and ascended to the rank of Magister! If he told others, it would surely shock them beyond belief.
After all, the conditions are extremely strict. Not every Dao cultivator can hold the position of a real seventh-degree official. Let alone the fact that Wu Ming was in the military, with even stronger fortune, and had the support of Li Rubi’s dragon energy.
“Luckily I didn’t enter the Dao Academy, or I wouldn’t be able to explain this at all…”
Wu Ming felt relieved:
“However, by joining the system, supporting the imperial court, and using Li Rubi’s dragon energy for cultivation, how could there be no karmic consequences? If this man suffers a great defeat, I will surely be dragged down with him!”
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