Chapter 49
Zan Yunxiao looked at the Spiritual Flower Pot, deep in thought.
"If I place the World Tree seed inside this flower pot... perhaps it will finally sprout."
The idea lingered in his mind for a moment.
However, he soon shook his head.
"No..."
"I've already tried something similar."
He recalled the time he had poured his own spiritual energy directly into the World Tree seed.
Despite using the pure spiritual energy, the seed had remained completely motionless.
There had been no reaction whatsoever.
Zan Yunxiao let out a helpless sigh.
With that thought, he dismissed the idea of placing the seed into the Spiritual Flower Pot.
After all, if directly injecting spiritual energy had failed, merely surrounding the seed with a richer spiritual environment would likely produce the same result.
Speaking of the World Tree seed, Zan Yunxiao suddenly remembered the Zinnia Planet.
"It's been quite some time since I planted the seed there..."
A trace of curiosity arose in his heart.
He wondered whether the seed had finally sprouted.
Or perhaps it had been eaten by a spiritual beast...
Or even discovered by the white dragon.
For a brief moment, he considered using Dimensional Travel to check on it.
However, he quickly dismissed the thought.
"Forget it."
"I'm too lazy to make the trip."
After all, the Zinnia Planet was five hundred years ahead of his own world every time he visited.
If the World Tree was destined to grow, it would grow.
If not, forcing the matter would accomplish nothing.
Zan Yunxiao stretched lazily before shifting his attention elsewhere.
Since Zan Wei was still handling affairs in the Imperial Capital, there was someone else he could summon.
He spoke calmly,
"Shenyuu."
His voice was neither loud nor forceful.
Yet it echoed throughout the entire Zan Clan, carried by his vast spiritual sense.
Only moments later, a graceful figure landed in front of him.
Shenyuu respectfully cupped her fists and bowed.
"Patriarch."
"You called for me?"
Zan Yunxiao nodded.
"Yes."
"I have something for you to do."
Shenyuu straightened her posture.
"Please give your orders, Patriarch."
She waited quietly, ready to carry out whatever mission the Patriarch entrusted to her.
Zan Yunxiao looked at her calmly before speaking.
"Gather all the disciples."
Shenyuu was slightly surprised but nodded.
"Yes, Patriarch."
Zan Yunxiao continued,
"We are going to war."
A hint of surprise flashed across Shenyuu's eyes.
"The Northern Alliance has invaded the Crimson Empire. They also hired rogue cultivators"
"This is the perfect opportunity to temper our disciples."
"They have cultivated for many years, but true cultivators are forged through life-and-death battles."
"Cultivators who have never faced death will eventually perish when a real crisis arrives."
The Patriarch intended to use the war as a trial for the younger generation.
Zan Yunxiao added,
"Inform every disciple that participation is voluntary."
"I will not force anyone onto the battlefield."
"However..."
His voice became slightly firmer.
"Those who distinguish themselves in battle..."
"Those who fight bravely, protect their fellow disciples, and make significant contributions..."
"I shall personally reward them."
Shenyuu asked respectfully,
"What reward will they receive, Patriarch?"
Zan Yunxiao replied without hesitation.
"A sword technique."
"I will personally bestow it upon them."
Although his tone remained calm, Shenyuu's heart trembled.
A sword technique personally granted by the Patriarch was a priceless opportunity.
She cupped her fists deeply.
"I understand."
"I will immediately gather the disciples and announce your decree."
Without another word, Shenyuu departed.
Soon, the great bell of the Zan Clan rang throughout the mountains.
Dong!
Dong!
Dong!
The disciples paused their cultivation and training, looking toward the main square.
Hearing the summons, disciples hurried from every corner of the clan.
Some emerged from their cultivation chambers.
Others rushed over from the Alchemy Pavilion, the Law Enforcement Hall, and the training grounds.
Within a short time, hundreds of disciples had gathered in the main square.
They stood in orderly rows, quietly waiting.
Whispers soon spread through the crowd.
"Why has the entire clan been summoned?"
"I don't know."
"Could it be another tournament?"
"I heard Elder Shenyuu is the one who called us."
Curiosity filled the square.
Just then, a figure descended from the sky.
It was Shenyuu.
She landed gracefully at the front of the assembly.
The moment the disciples saw her, they immediately cupped their fists and bowed.
"Greetings, Elder Shenyuu!"
Shenyuu gave a slight nod before sweeping her gaze across the gathered disciples.
The whispers gradually faded.
Silence enveloped the square.
Everyone waited for her to speak, wondering why the entire Zan Clan had been assembled.
Then, she speaking in a clear, steady voice.
"Many of you have been cultivating within the Zan Clan for years."
"You have devoted yourselves to training and rarely paid attention to the outside world."
The disciples listened attentively.
Some exchanged puzzled glances.
Shenyuu continued,
"So, let me tell you what has happened."
"The Northern Alliance has launched a full-scale invasion of the Crimson Empire."
A wave of astonishment swept through the crowd.
"War?"
"The empire is being invaded?"
"I had no idea..."
The disciples whispered among themselves.
Shenyuu raised a hand, and silence quickly returned.
"The border cities have already fallen."
"Countless soldiers have lost their lives defending the empire."
She paused before continuing.
"The enemy has not only brought ordinary soldiers."
"They have also hired rogue cultivators."
Several disciples unconsciously clenched their fists.
For the first time, they realized that cultivators were actively participating in the war.
Shenyuu's expression remained stern.
"Until now, all of you have cultivated in peace."
"You have sparred with fellow disciples."
"You have trained in safe environments."
"But none of you have experienced a true battlefield."
"A place where a single mistake means death."
The square fell completely silent.
Every disciple could feel the weight of her words.
Shenyuu then declared,
"By the Patriarch's order..."
"The Zan Clan will participate in this war."
A ripple spread through the crowd.
Some disciples became excited.
Others looked nervous.
"The Patriarch has decided to use this war as an opportunity to temper every disciple."
"This is not merely a battle for the empire."
"It is also a trial for all of you."
Her gaze swept across the crowd.
"The Patriarch has made one thing clear."
"Participation is voluntary."
"No one will be forced onto the battlefield."
"However..."
"Those who choose to fight and distinguish themselves through courage, discipline, and merit..."
"The Patriarch himself will reward them."
The disciples held their breath.
Shenyuu's next words caused the entire square to erupt in excitement.
"The reward..."
"...is a sword technique personally bestowed by the Patriarch."
After hearing this, countless voices erupted at once.
"A sword technique from the Patriarch?"
"Is that true?"
"I'll join!"
"I've been waiting for an opportunity like this!"
Excitement spread rapidly through the gathered disciples.
To them, there was no greater honor than receiving a technique directly from the mysterious Patriarch who had guided the Zan Clan to prosperity.
. . .
Two weeks later...
At the northern frontline of the Crimson Empire.
A military camp had been established several kilometers behind the battlefield.
The atmosphere was grim.
Outside the command tent, wounded soldiers lay on stretchers as military physicians hurried from one patient to another.
Some had lost limbs.
Others bore deep sword wounds or burns from talismans.
The sounds of pain and exhaustion filled the camp.
Inside the command tent, the commander of this sector studied a map with several officers.
Unlike the main battlefield, Grand General Jin Zhou was commanding another front.
This camp was under the command of General Xu Jian, one of the empire's veteran generals.
His brow was tightly furrowed as he examined the latest reports.
Suddenly.
The tent flap was thrown open.
A messenger rushed inside, breathing heavily.
"General!"
"The frontline is requesting reinforcements!"
"Our left flank is under heavy pressure!"
"The enemy has sent another wave of cultivators!"
Before General Xu Jian could respond.
Another messenger burst into the tent.
"General!"
"The center is requesting reinforcements!"
"Our defensive line is beginning to falter!"
The officers' expressions immediately darkened.
General Xu Jian clenched his fists.
He looked at the deployment map before him.
Every reserve force had already been committed.
Every available unit was holding another section of the battlefield.
After a long silence, he let out a weary sigh.
"...We have no reinforcements left."
The entire tent fell silent.
The officers lowered their heads.
They all knew the truth.
The Crimson Empire's forces were stretched to their limit.
If another breakthrough occurred...
The enemy would pour through the defensive line.
General Xu Jian slowly closed his eyes before issuing his orders.
"Tell the frontline..."
"...Hold the line."
"No matter the cost."
The two messengers hesitated.
"But Commander..."
"Our soldiers—"
General Xu Jian interrupted them.
"I know."
His voice was calm, yet heavy with exhaustion.
"I know the situation at the front."
He stared at the battlefield map.
"But if we withdraw troops from another sector..."
He pointed to several positions on the map.
"...the enemy will encircle our forces."
"The moment one defensive line collapses, the neighboring sectors will be surrounded."
"Our entire front could crumble."
Silence filled the command tent.
Every officer understood the gravity of the situation.
There were no reserves left.
Every soldier was already fighting somewhere along the front.
Xu Jian slowly clenched his fist.
"Tell the frontline..."
"They must hold their positions."
"No matter the cost."
The two messengers lowered their heads.
"...Understood, Commander."
They saluted before hurriedly leaving the tent.
Xu Jian remained standing before the map, his expression filled with frustration.
He truly felt powerless.
He could only hope that someone, somewhere, would arrive before the Northern Alliance broke through their defenses.
Two hours later...
The command camp had grown eerily quiet.
Every officer waited anxiously for news from the battlefield.
General Xu Jian remained standing before the map, his fists clenched behind his back.
Suddenly.
The tent flap burst open.
A soldier stumbled inside.
His armor was drenched in blood.
His left arm was gone, crudely wrapped with a blood-soaked bandage.
His face was pale from blood loss.
The moment he entered, he dropped to one knee.
"General..."
Xu Jian immediately stepped forward.
"What happened?"
The messenger struggled to catch his breath before speaking.
"The... the frontline..."
He coughed up a mouthful of blood.
"...has fallen."
The entire command tent fell silent.
The messenger continued with great difficulty.
"Our brothers are still fighting..."
"They're sacrificing themselves to buy us time."
"But..."
"They won't be able to hold much longer."
He lowered his head.
"At this rate..."
"The enemy will reach the command camp at any moment."
With the last of his strength, the messenger forced out one final sentence.
"I... have completed... my mission..."
His body suddenly went limp.
The messenger collapsed onto the ground, his breathing ceasing.
He had died.
The command tent became deathly silent.
General Xu Jian slowly knelt beside the fallen messenger.
He gently closed the soldier's eyes.
After a long moment, Xu Jian stood up and gave the messenger a solemn military salute.
The officers followed his example.
One after another, they saluted the fallen soldier in silence.
No one spoke.
No words were needed.
The messenger had fulfilled his duty until his final breath.
Only after paying their respects did Xu Jian turn toward the battlefield map once more.
His expression hardened.
"If the frontline has fallen..."
"Then this camp will become the next battlefield."
He looked toward every officer present.
"There will be no retreat."
"If we abandon this position, the enemy will break through and march deeper into the empire."
He slowly drew his sword.
"Prepare every remaining soldier."
"We will make our final stand here."
The officers straightened their backs.
Though grief weighed heavily on their hearts, none of them showed fear.
They saluted firmly.
"Yes, General!"
Outside the camp, the thunder of marching footsteps and the sounds of battle grew louder.
The Northern Alliance's army was drawing ever closer.