The most secure job in Dajin

Chapter 560, The Nine-Day Vermilion Bird Formation

Yun You accepted the order and left. In less than half a day, an order to recruit more Zhuque soldiers, bearing the double seals of Lingguang Palace and Nanxiang County Government, spread like wildfire throughout the Central Continent, taking advantage of the new settlement policy.

If the previous settlement policy was a "hot commodity" attracting independent cultivators and ordinary cultivators, then this recruitment order is the "tinderbox" that completely ignites the fervor in the hearts of countless cultivators.

"Lingguang Palace is going to recruit another 50,000 Vermilion Bird soldiers?"

Upon receiving the news, Wei Zhenjie was both surprised and confused, and couldn't help but wonder to himself: "Could it be that among the cultivators who flooded into Nanxiang County, there were too many outstanding talents, prompting Lingguang Palace to expand its military?"

Although they couldn't fathom the intentions behind Lingguang Palace's actions, the Central Holy Land and Xuanyuan Mansion did not intend to intervene.

As for other forces, even if they felt that Lingguang Palace was taking the opportunity to recruit talents, they had neither the position nor the strength to obstruct it, and could only watch helplessly as this wave of enthusiasm swept in.

Amidst the silence and observation of all parties, deep within the underground palace of the Dongxiang City ruins.

Dongfang Xu rushed back from outside, covered in dust. As soon as he stepped into the dark underground palace, he saw his elder brother staring intently at the divination tortoise on the table.

"elder brother!"

Dongfang Xu strode forward.

Dongfang Hao looked up at his younger brother, who had strode down to sit: "How is the situation at Lingguang Palace?"

Dongfang Xu's tone revealed an undisguised exclamation, and he said with a slightly exaggerated tone, "You didn't see it, the Lingguang Palace was absolutely packed with people!"

"As soon as the conscription order for the Vermilion Bird Army was issued, a long line formed outside the Lingguang Hall. Judging from the situation, it wouldn't be long before the 50,000 Vermilion Bird Army soldiers could be recruited."

Of the four most orthodox armies in the Four Spirit Realms—Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, Azure Dragon, and White Tiger—the Vermilion Bird Army has been the most active and renowned since the revival of spiritual energy.

It's not surprising that independent cultivators and those without sects or factions want to join the Vermilion Bird Army.

Strangely, why did Lingguang Palace suddenly summon the Vermilion Bird Army?

Dongfang Xu swallowed hard, looked at his elder brother, and finally couldn't help but blurt out what had been on his mind: "Brother, our Azure Dragon Army has been hiding like this all along. Although it's safe, our reputation is really not good."

"Without fame, we can't attract outstanding cultivators. I think we should learn from the Vermilion Bird Army and make a splash; we can't continue to remain unknown!"

After saying that, he stared straight at Dongfang Hao, his eyes filled with a desire to break the status quo.

Dongfang Hao gazed at his younger brother quietly for a long time, then slightly raised his hand, gesturing for Dongfang Xu to look at the ancient divination tortoise on the table.

Dongfang Xu looked down as instructed, and in just one glance, he felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head—he saw that on the originally simple tortoise shell, there was a shocking scarlet bloodstain that had been cracked open.

"An extremely ominous divination!"

Dongfang Xu's expression changed drastically, and he cried out in shock.

He suddenly raised his head, his voice trembling uncontrollably: "Brother, what exactly are you?"

Dongfang Hao slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air: "The fortune or misfortune of the Azure Dragon Army in this world at this moment."

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Xu was stunned, his face full of confusion: "How could this be? The Vermilion Bird Army has developed so powerfully, yet the appearance of the Azure Dragon Army is an extremely ominous sign. What is the reason for this?"

Dongfang Hao did not answer immediately, but stared silently at the scarlet crack.

After a long while, he finally spoke softly: "The struggle for destiny between the human race and the demon race must have a beginning."

"The Lingguang Palace's sudden expansion of its army at this time must be because the Palace Master of Lingguang Palace sensed something."

Dongfang Xu listened intently, seemingly understanding why the Azure Dragon Army was not suitable for the present moment.

Meanwhile, Hua Changxi had already led Ye Liyue, Yan Guichen, and eleven others into the territory of Flaming Mountain.

The first test was once again led by Hua Changxi himself, who used his formidable strength to protect them and help them get through it.

However, when they reached the volcanic avenue that tested their perseverance and courage, five out of the eleven people could not withstand the cruel high temperature and extreme pain. They collapsed halfway through, unable to leave the lava tunnel.

Hua Changxi did not reprimand them. He asked Duan Jishan for a new list of candidates and then sent them back to Lingguang Palace.

After that, I made several trips back and forth.

She hadn't expected that gathering twelve generals capable of commanding an army of ten thousand would be far more difficult than she had imagined.

After making several trips back and forth, and screening almost all the centurions and sergeants, they finally managed to gather eleven qualified candidates, including Duan Jishan.

We simply couldn't find a twelfth person.

Hua Changxi stood in the scorching canyon, looking at the formation with a missing piece before her, and sighed helplessly.

She had no choice but to bite the bullet and take the last spot herself. Inside the second valley of Flaming Mountain.

Ye Liyue and the others quickly passed the tests of the hundred-person formation and the thousand-person formation, but when they reached the ten-thousand-person formation, they began to suffer repeated setbacks.

At this moment, they are scattered, some frowning as they review the situation, others exchanging ideas in hushed tones on how to break the formation, trying their best to find a breakthrough.

Only Hua Changxi remained trapped in the thousand-person formation. With the formation relentlessly crushing her, she was repeatedly thrown out by the violent force, but she gritted her teeth, steadied herself, and returned to start over.

Duan Jishan, on the other hand, sat cross-legged in the center of the twelve ten-thousand-person army formations, his eyes closed, completely immersed in the mysterious operation of those twelve ten-thousand-person army formations.

Time slips away quietly in the midst of intense focus.

Once Duan Jishan had figured out the mechanism of the Twelve Directions Ten Thousand Person Army Formation, Ye Liyue and the others had passed the test of the Ten Thousand Person Army Formation, Hua Changxi skipped the Thousand Person Army Formation and the Ten Thousand Person Army Formation and came to the front of the Twelve Directions Army Formation.

She calmed her breathing slightly and glanced at the twelve enormous formations radiating terrifying pressure before her: "Let's try it out first and see what this twelve-directional formation is all about."

Even though the military formation could not be fully formed because of her, Duan Jishan and others were still able to gain experience in the process.

Once the centurions and captains who have reached the Soul Realm return and find replacements for her, this great formation will be able to operate.

"You should all have noticed that these twelve formations of ten thousand men each form a vermilion bird totem with outstretched wings."

"Duan Jishan, you occupy the heart of the Vermilion Bird formation. The others will obey your orders. You have full authority over this great formation."

As Hua Changxi finished speaking, everyone entered a formation of ten thousand soldiers.

Before the twelve military formations can start operating in unison, each individual military formation of ten thousand men must first be put into operation on its own.

To be honest, Hua Changxi was very unsure of herself. After all, she hadn't even passed the Thousand-Man Formation.

However, when she actually stepped into the formation, she keenly sensed the difference—this time, she was no longer going to 'integrate' into the formation, but rather to act as the core of the formation, 'controlling' the operation of this ten-thousand-strong army.

She may not be good at letting go, merging, or forgetting herself, but she is quite outstanding in terms of control.

As a result, all twelve separate 10,000-person army formations were successfully put into operation.

"Indeed, control is my true strength, rather than integration."

With all twelve military formations in a state of readiness, Duan Jishan took a deep breath, his hands suddenly forming a hand seal, and he shouted in a deep voice, "Activate the formation!"

"Boom!"

The earth trembled violently, crimson flames shot into the sky, and twelve army formations, each with ten thousand men, simultaneously unleashed a deafening pressure.

Twelve crimson-gold beams shot straight into the sky, intertwining and entwining in the firmament, eventually transforming into a giant Vermilion Bird totem poised to take flight!

The Vermilion Bird was so lifelike that every feather seemed to shimmer with fiery heat, and its eyes, like torches, gazed down upon the vast land beneath its feet.

Immediately afterwards, the power of the eleven military formations transformed into a surging torrent, flowing continuously towards the heart of the Vermilion Bird—the military formation where Duan Jishan was located—driven by the flow of energy.

"Ah~"

A massive amount of spiritual energy poured in instantly, and Duan Jishan was unable to withstand such a terrifying impact. His body let out a mournful cry of unbearable strain!

Hua Changxi was startled and forcibly broke the military formation, decisively dragging Duan Jishan out of the formation.

The others were thrown out by their respective battle formations.

"I was wrong."

"I was too impatient."

Seeing that Duan Jishan and the others were injured, Hua Changxi felt very guilty. Fortunately, none of their injuries were serious, and after taking healing pills, their injuries were brought under control.

Once his injuries had stabilized, Duan Jishan looked at Hua Changxi and said, "Palace Master, the Twelve Directions Formation is incredibly powerful. I'm afraid you'll have to guard the core of the formation."

Hua Changxi did not refuse. She might hesitate if she were to integrate into the military formation, but she was not afraid to control it.

"You all rest for a while, I'll ponder this for a bit."

"Then let's try again."

Hua Changxi had a vague feeling that this Vermilion Bird Formation was extremely important and he absolutely had to master it! (End of Chapter)