Chapter 450 - 16: Drill for All Members
After parting ways with Zong Shaoqing, Yue Jinghua immediately returned to White Moon Pavilion.
Once she had gathered the members of the July Mercenary Team, Yue Jinghua announced cheerfully, "Considering everyone’s hard work over the past few months, I, as the team leader, have decided to treat everyone generously."
Upon hearing this, even the stoic-faced Qin Dongting was moved, showing a trace of joy.
Five Saints Town was originally a scenic resort village, but because of the intense schedule of the Mercenary Team’s missions, everyone hadn’t had the chance to relax properly.
Now, seeing the improved operating condition of the Mercenary Team, everyone believed that Yue Jinghua was showing kindness by wanting to reward the team.
Shalman was even clamoring on the side, "Hot springs! I want to soak in hot springs, and it would be best to book the entire White Moon Pavilion, so no one can disturb us and we can vacation exclusively."
"Rest assured, absolutely no one will disturb you," Yue Jinghua said with a smile that reached her eyes.
"And we’ll need a professional chef to provide us with enough gourmet food and endless alcohol," Weiwei added eagerly.
"Don’t worry, I’m always happy to listen to the masses’ opinions. I will take all your suggestions into account. It’s about time, I assure you, the upcoming ’vacation’ for a month will definitely be unforgettable for you," Yue Jinghua said with a broad smile.
Unfortunately, everyone was immersed in the joy of the "vacation," completely oblivious to the sly look flashing in their foxy team leader’s eyes.
Thus, the July Mercenary Team entered their first "fully-sponsored" and "all-inclusive" special vacation without disturbances as promised by their leader.
"What is this place?"
"I’d rather go back to missions."
"Yue Jinghua, you even trick your close sisters!"
"Brother Yue, Weiwei wants to go home."
"..."
When the members of the July Mercenary Team, intrigued by their unprincipled leader, stepped into a Transmission Array and then opened their eyes, the expressions on their faces were unforgettable for Yue Jinghua.
Hot springs?
None.
Vacation?
None.
Alcohol?
Absolutely none!
They were informed that they had arrived at a place known as the July Trial Arena.
It was a desolate expanse with no village in sight and no hills in view, the skies blazing with lightning, echoing with roars like dragon chants.
Worst of all, the person who had brought them here, after giving a triumphant and scheming smile, promptly vanished without a trace, leaving only a beautifully patterned parrot snail flashing behind. From the parrot snail, the voice of their nefarious team leader resonated.
"Welcome to July Trial Arena, you might wonder why I brought you here, but as a very democratic leader, I need to explain before we start this ’vacation’. Your great and wise leader has, through unofficial channels, come to learn some secrets about the Ancient Hero Treasure. The true identity of the Ancient Hero Treasure is the legendary Divine Pool, the Dragon Transformation Pond, which can help Dark Practitioners break through to the Dan Realm." To enhance the dramatic effect, Yue Jinghua deliberately paused.
As expected, upon learning of the existence of the Dragon Transformation Pond, everyone’s interest was piqued, and no one questioned where they actually were any longer.
"This is an ancient trial arena, created by two truly exceptional powerhouses. You have two options; endure a month here and I will reopen the Transmission Array to take you back. Or you can choose to give up midway, but those who give up will not be able to participate in our next mercenary mission or the Ancient Hero Treasure expedition." Yue Jinghua, having experienced the Thousand Swords and Ten Thousand Intentions Formation herself, was well aware of the fearsome nature of this Sword Array.
Since Yue Jinghua had decided to fish in troubled waters, naturally, she had to be thoroughly prepared. Only by training this group of individuals well could she ensure that the July Mercenary Corps could emerge unscathed in their next adventure.
The Thousand Swords and Ten Thousand Intentions Formation, a trial space left to Yue Jinghua by Yun Zhao of the Cloud Dragon Clan’s Silver Holy Dragon.
After Yue Jinghua received the information about the Dragon Transformation Pond from Zong Shaoqing, for a moment, she considered giving up the idea of joining the treasure hunt.
However, immediately after, she thought that even if she couldn’t obtain the treasure, taking advantage of the chaos to profit a little from troubled waters was essential.
Moreover, as long as the Ancient Hero Treasure wasn’t found, everyone still had a chance.
But to participate in this treasure hunt and escape unharmed, relying only on herself was very difficult. Thus, she thought why not keep the benefit within her own people, as she did have a few mercenary companions under her command.
However, compared to herself, these people were neither quick-witted nor cunning enough to face the impending dangers.
After some thought, Yue Jinghua suddenly remembered the Thousand Swords and Ten Thousand Intentions Formation; why not use it to train the members of the July Mercenary Team?
When Yun Zhao left, he had said that the formation was a plane beyond reality, created jointly with the Spiritual Power of the owner of the Lianyun Great Sword.
Before leaving, Yun Zhao had imparted the secrets of the Sword Array to Yue Jinghua.
Yue Jinghua also learned that the Thousand Swords and Ten Thousand Intentions Formation was actually composed of two major formations.
One is the Thousand Sword Formation, which was originally created by the owner of the Lianyun Great Sword.
The other is the Wanyi Array, created by Yun Zhao himself.
Both being talented individuals from the Dragon Clan, their combination of the two formations led to the mighty and vast Thousand Swords and Ten Thousand Intentions Formation.
As Yue Jinghua’s cultivation and spiritual power grew significantly, added with the genius Array Master Qian Luo by her side, she gradually mastered these two formations.
In this enclosed space, Yue Jinghua could manipulate these two formations at will.
Take Feng Buhui for example, he excels at the crossbow and can transform into a demon crossbow capable of breaking a thousand troops. Facing him, the Wanyi Array would transform into a Crossbow Killing Bow to match.
Originally, Yun Zhao and the owner of Lianyun excelled in swordsmanship, and when Yue Jinghua entered the Sword Array, what she encountered was indeed the Sword Array.
This time, what she had the July Mercenary Corps face was the second type of formation, the Spirit Array.
Compared to the Thousand Sword Formation, which brings immense physical pain, the Wanyi Array is the best way to temper one’s will.
It excels in breaking a person’s will, bringing immense pain.
On the contrary, if another person enters, the Wanyi Array will change, varying according to who enters.
This place is extremely hidden; apart from Yue Jinghua, no third person knows of it.
In the Wanyi Array, everyone will face a dilemma that matches their own situation, and if they break through, their own cultivation will also make significant progress.
Just like the initial Yue Jinghua, everyone was skeptical at first when they entered the Thousand Swords and Ten Thousand Intentions Formation. However, once inside, everyone realized that their approaching days would be exceptionally miserable.
The first day passed, and not a single person was still standing.
Fortunately, they also received plenty of food every day. The Spiritual Food personally prepared by Chi Xi, which was mixed with Green Liquid water, truly showed that Yue Jinghua had spared no expense this time.
Watching several people practice in the formation, collapsing over and over again, exhausted each day like stray dogs, yet not a single person spoke of quitting.
As time slowly passed, everyone’s strength gradually increased.