A chorus of soldiers echoed their agreement, shouting in unison. Luo Kedi remained outwardly calm.

Though he knew well that the cultivators who accompanied his Martial Uncle were likely several times more skilled than himself, he stood unflinching, displaying considerable fortitude. Mo Li’s face was ashen, but he could only remain silent.

A year had passed since he last saw this young man who dreamed of cultivation; now, he had become a hardened general in the mortal realm. Feng Zikang nodded slightly, then sighed, reflecting that the fortunes of the world were ever unpredictable.

Feng Zikang explained the purpose of his visit to Luo Kedi, who was overjoyed to hear that the objective was to slay Wuduya, the chieftain of the Man'gu Cave. "Wuduya’s demonic arts are formidable.

Governor Wu has long hoped someone would come! I never imagined it would be Martial Uncle—this is excellent news!" As a disciple of the Military Faction's outer sect, he naturally preferred that reinforcements from the cultivation world were his own clan's uncles or seniors; this brought him honor.

To find that the visitor was someone he already knew was even better. "Martial Uncle, why don't you accompany me back to the main camp first, to report to the Governor?" Feng Zikang pondered for a moment before agreeing.

He glanced back at Mo Li, who was also frowning in thought and indicated his willingness to go along with Feng Zikang. Mo Li's purpose in coming was to mediate the Southern Barbarian conflict, hoping to turn weapons into peaceful implements.

However, witnessing the deep-seated hatred between the two armies weighed heavily on him, leaving him helpless. Nevertheless, he resolved to see the main camp of the Lizhou Governor first.

Due to their earlier conflict, Luo Kedi hadn't paid much attention to whether Mo Li would accompany them, especially since Mo Li was a Mohist disciple whose views clashed sharply with his own. He had only offered the barest courtesies.

As they marched, Mo Li insisted on remaining with the captured soldiers, quietly tending to their wounds, for which the captives were immensely grateful. Luo Kedi and the regular soldiers largely ignored him.

They followed the cavalry detachment, significantly slowing their pace. It took nearly another day and night before they reached the central military camp.

Governor Wu Ji of Lizhou had established his camp by the Lancang River, maintaining strict military discipline. Yet, a 'No Engagement' banner was flying high at the gate, suggesting fear of Wuduya’s sorcery.

Luo Kedi spurred his horse forward, and the patrolling guards saw him and cheered loudly. "Vanguard Luo has returned!

Vanguard Luo has returned!" In an instant, the camp erupted in cheers, welcoming Vanguard Luo's triumphant return. Luo Kedi smiled broadly, saluted the assembled troops with a hand gesture, and strode proudly through the gates.

As he neared the Governor’s tent, a junior officer rushed out, bowed to Luo Kedi with a smile. "Vanguard Luo, your timing is perfect!

The Governor was just looking for you. An Immortal Elder arrived today, offering to help us eliminate Wuduya.

The Governor is delighted and wants to confer with you on military strategy!" "Oh?" Luo Kedi was startled. He exchanged a look with Feng Zikang, wondering which sect's cultivator had arrived a step ahead of them.

"Martial Uncle... this..." "No matter." Feng Zikang waved his hand.

"The various sects share the same meritorious deed of vanquishing Wuduya. We shall cooperate in this endeavor." He recalled Elder Yun telling him that other sects categorized the meritorious deed of killing Wuduya as a Class A mission for those in the late Qi Refining stage.

This implied that the newcomer, if their goal was indeed Wuduya, was likely a powerful disciple at that late stage. Feng Zikang felt a touch of curiosity as to which sect they belonged.

The group walked toward the tent entrance. Just as they reached the threshold, they heard a clear, resonant laugh booming from inside.

"Governor, slaying Wuduya is merely the work of turning my hand! There is no need for worry!" Luo Kedi was startled by this boastful declaration and was eager to enter and see who it was.

"However..." The cultivator's tone shifted, adopting a different cadence. "Governor, have you considered that killing one Wuduya leaves how many more within the thirty-six Southern Barbarian Caves?

What lasting effect will sheer slaughter achieve? This point, Governor, you must deeply consider." "This..." A deep, authoritative voice, clearly belonging to the Duke of Ying, Governor Wu Ji, the Grand Marshal of this Southern Expedition, echoed from within the tent.

"What does the Elder suggest?" The previous voice chuckled lightly. "The Southern Barbarians all practice demonic arts.

This has been a millennia-long affliction for the Central Plains. Since the time of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, these people have never submitted to royal governance.

The Great Tang's attempt to annihilate them will not be easy..." "Are you suggesting a shift from annihilation to pacification?" Wu Ji's tone betrayed no hint of agreement or opposition. Mo Li, however, was nodding vigorously.

Without waiting for an invitation, he stepped into the tent and declared loudly, "What this Elder says is absolutely correct! The Southern Barbarians have long refused assimilation; they are simply poor mountain folk.

If we can teach them methods for farming and development, they will surely stabilize and eventually move toward the great unity of the world..." "Who is that?" Wu Ji inquired, and Luo Kedi hastily brought Feng Zikang inside with him. "Governor, this is your subordinate, Vanguard Luo, returned from pacifying the Pingcang River Cave, here to report!

On the road, I encountered two Immortal Elders—one is my Martial Uncle Feng, and the other is the Mohist Immortal Elder, Mr. Mo..." He pointed toward Mo Li, who was still speaking animatedly.

"It is this gentleman." Cultivators disregard mortal laws, and unauthorized entry into a military camp is usually a capital offense. Since they were cultivators, it was overlooked.

"Oh?" Wu Ji was overjoyed to see Luo Kedi, and even happier to hear he had brought back two Immortal Elders. However, Mo Li's speech caused him some unease.

He then looked at Feng Zikang, who appeared to be only fourteen or fifteen, and a hesitation crossed his face. Luo Kedi understood his concern and laughed, "Governor, do not let my young Martial Uncle's age fool you; his mastery of Daoist techniques is profound, and he is also an expert in military strategy, hailed as the foremost strategist among the third generation of our Longhu Mountain Military Faction disciples.

He has come specifically to earn merit by slaying Wuduya. Governor, you must not judge by appearance!" Luo Kedi had witnessed Feng Zikang subdue Meng Qinglu in the military strategy contest during the Luofeng Peak Grand Competition, an event that left a deep impression on him.

Now, he touted Feng Zikang as the top strategist of the third generation. Wu Ji was overjoyed.

He quickly stood up and cupped his hands towards Feng Zikang. "So, Little Immortal Elder is so formidable!

Please forgive my ignorance, and quickly, take a seat of honor!" Feng Zikang returned the bow indifferently. Regardless of their worldly status or power, he did not need to show excessive deference to mortals.

His gaze, however, was drawn to the person speaking next to Wu Ji. This individual possessed a slender, refined appearance, adorned in ornate robes and coronet, radiating layers of auspicious energy and vibrant luminescence.

He stroked his beard, carrying an air of carefree elegance, and nodded and smiled toward Feng Zikang from a distance. "Ah!" Wu Ji clapped his forehead and laughed.

"Seeing so many esteemed Elders has made this old man muddled. Come, come!

Let me introduce everyone." He stepped aside, and the other man rose, slightly bowing his head toward Feng Zikang and Mo Li. "This is the Immortal Master Leng Jinchan, of the School of Diplomacy from Luochuan.

In truth, he belongs to the Nine Schools of Immortals, just like you two—we share the same lineage..." "School of Diplomacy?" Feng Zikang was slightly surprised. The Way of the Diplomat has never centered on warfare; why would they send a disciple to eliminate Wuduya?

Could there be some mistake? Leng Jinchan smiled, "Greetings to you both, Daoist Friends?

With you two here concerning the Southern Barbarian affair, Cold Iron Cicada feels doubly confident!"