Meng Qinglu, originally a student at the White Deer Academy of Confucianism, was sharp-witted from childhood. He had the Four Books and Five Classics memorized backward and forward. At the age of five, he could listen to his teacher explain the Mencius and nod in agreement, earning him the title of a young prodigy. Upon reaching his coming-of-age ceremony at twenty, he began practicing the ancient orthodox laws. After three months of ascetic cultivation where he lost the taste for food, he shockingly broke through to the fourth layer of Qi Induction.
The Headmaster of White Deer Academy, Elder Fang, was ecstatic, believing he had discovered a true genius.
Who would have thought that when questioned about his aspirations, Meng Qinglu’s thoughts veered away from the Confucian Way of self-cultivation, managing one’s household, benefiting oneself when poor, and benefiting all when successful, toward the stratagems and decisive cruelty of the Military School of Thought.
“The world is in chaos, and I shall sweep it clean; the various means required for this endeavor are inconsequential!”
The young man held his neck stiffly, refusing to yield to his teachers' instruction.
Elder Fang was so enraged he suspended his lectures for half a month, claiming illness, but he could not defy the established rules of the cultivation world. He had no choice but to send this genius to the Military School on Dragon Tiger Mountain.
Meng Qinglu arrived at Sunset Peak only three days ago.
He could have skipped today’s grand competition, but upon hearing about it, he became eager to participate, insisting on joining. Yuan Buhuan naturally raised no objections.
Everyone assumed that in a contest of battle formations and military strategy, he would merely be a foot soldier. Unexpectedly, through means unknown, he managed to gain the complete trust and willing deference of all his comrades in Squad A, who unanimously chose him as their team leader.
“Could it be they were attracted by his Ju…”
Gu Ya stuck out his tongue, knowing the next two characters would be vulgar. He finally managed to bite off the end of the word. He had always been unrestrained in speech, constantly berated by his Master and senior brothers, and had finally cultivated a sliver of self-awareness. But when he stole a glance at Feng Zikang, he saw no reaction; Feng Zikang seemed utterly unfazed by the impropriety of his words, instantly endearing himself to Gu Ya.
The demonic nature values freedom most highly. Feng Zikang certainly heard what the boy was trying to imply, but he only offered a slight smile, entirely unbothered. He was no pristine gentleman; such coarse words, while vulgar, were mere jest, so why take offense?
However, the reason Squad A disciples of Sunset Peak favored Meng Qinglu was certainly not for such a reason. Feng Zikang knew this man must possess some method for winning hearts, and his skill in military tactics and formations should not be weak, otherwise these people would not entrust their hopes to him so readily.
He had come today only to observe the battle between Huo Zhongguang and Liang Si’an, but now, he found himself intrigued by this Meng Qinglu.
The squad assignments complete, Yuan Buhuan smiled faintly and tossed out a formation diagram.
The diagram spun ceaselessly in the air, radiating brilliant light, and in an instant, it sucked in all one hundred and thirty-six disciples of Sunset Peak.
The outer disciples, unaccustomed to such sights, gasped in amazement. They watched as the formation diagram slowly settled on the ground, depicting mountains, rivers, and peaks in miniature. The one hundred and thirty-six disciples appeared as small as ants, scattered across the diagram. Approaching closer, one could still discern their features and clothing clearly.
The leaders of each squad held aloft a conspicuous banner bearing their team’s designation.
Liang Si’an’s Squad C was located in the southeast corner of the diagram. Two adjacent teams were closing in on them, one behind the other, clearly intending to seize that advantageous corner position.
Huo Zhongguang’s Squad G was situated in the center of the diagram. Under the leadership of Hong Tao, one of the three elders, they leisurely set up camp. Although there were many teams around them, no one made an aggressive move against them.
Meng Qinglu’s Squad A, originally appearing in the southwest of the diagram, moved toward the center at the fastest possible speed, without even taking a moment to rest.
“Huo Zhongguang is in for trouble!”
Feng Zikang shook his head. This Hong Tao, one of the three elders, not only failed in his cultivation but was also an utter fool when it came to military strategy.
The central area was a nexus, accessible from all directions—a crucial point for any military force, yet inherently easy to attack and difficult to defend. Initially, no team dared assault the center rashly, lest they become the losers in a fight between two others. But Hong Tao showed no ambition for advancement, immediately setting up camp there. Sooner or later, someone would lose patience and attack him. Even if he wasn't the first team eliminated from the diagram, he would likely be among the last few.
Given his temperament, he probably just wished to avoid finishing last and having to serve in various departments for a year—he possessed no desire for supremacy. Naturally, Huo Zhongguang was bound to suffer because of him.
Liang Si’an’s approach was by the book. He first contacted a team situated slightly farther away, and the two teams joined forces to annihilate another team.
Upon hearing the news that Squad X had been eliminated, the remaining disciples of Sunset Peak seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Since the punishment phase was over, the contest was now for the grand prize of first place. Everyone became cautious, unwilling to act rashly.
The next phase of the competition grew incredibly dull. Most teams engaged in tactical maneuvers—forming temporary alliances, attacking distant foes while befriending neighbors—leading to a stalemate between the North and the South.
Five teams held the North, and four teams held the South, separated by a great river running through the center, where they launched attacks against each other.
As predicted, Hong Tao’s Squad G grew careless and was ambushed by Squad A, leading to its swift collapse. Both Hong Tao and Huo Zhongguang were 'killed,' their battle flags seized, and the remaining smaller half of their disciples were absorbed under Meng Qinglu’s command.
Of course, being ‘killed’ within the formation diagram only resulted in temporary restriction, not actual death, but the resulting suffering was unavoidable.
“This Meng Qinglu is no simple character!”
Feng Zikang remained silent. While others focused on preserving strength, this man dared to take on a difficult battle, crushing the seemingly powerful but actually hollow Squad G in one stroke, thus immediately establishing the dominance of the Southern Alliance. From then on, even if he didn't fight, others couldn't criticize him and dared not provoke him easily. The subsequent mutual attrition between North and South turned into a war of exhaustion.
As a result, although Squad A expended strength first, it was now the team most likely to survive until the very end!
The situation developed exactly as Feng Zikang had predicted. After several fierce battles, the Southern Alliance finally wiped out the North, but their strength was severely diminished. One team was completely shattered and subsequently destroyed by Liang Si’an. Another, Squad R, launched a desperate counterattack, and although they still lost to Squad C, they inflicted massive damage upon Liang Si’an’s forces.
Consequently, only two teams remained on the Mountain and River Geography Formation Diagram: Meng Qinglu’s Squad A, which had conserved its energy, facing Liang Si’an’s Squad C, which was at the end of its tether! Both had absorbed the remnants of several defeated squads and now had comparable numbers.
The strength of the two remaining teams was almost balanced!
“I bet Big Senior Brother wins again…”
Gu Ya was listless. He found the whole thing tedious—a pointless game of kill-and-be-killed among a group of people playing house.
Feng Zikang slowly shook his head: “Not necessarily. I estimate Meng Qinglu’s chances of winning have already exceeded eighty percent!”
“What?”
Gu Ya froze, rubbing his head as he peered into the formation diagram.
“Although Meng Qinglu has only been here three days, he already knows Big Senior Brother’s temperament like the back of his hand, yet Big Senior Brother knows nothing about him. How could he not fall into his trap?”
Before he could finish speaking, the final battle erupted within the diagram.
Liang Si’an led his team charging into Squad A’s formation. With his Foundation Establishment cultivation, he swept aside everything. Squad A retreated while fighting back, and even Meng Qinglu was wounded, fleeing in disarray while carrying the battle flag. Liang Si’an pursued relentlessly, on the verge of success!
At that critical moment, the unexpected happened!
Gu Zhongli, who was rumored to have been injured in the decisive battle against Squad G and had not shown himself since, suddenly appeared at the rear of Squad C!