"It's finally been half a month since you emerged..." Feeling the change in Ye Jingyu's aura, Bing Ming, who had been closely following him, suddenly spoke.

He was still clad in his black samurai uniform, seated astride a tall, dark steed, his face utterly devoid of expression, his gaze as frigid as ice.

"Do you think I'm being a bit selfish?" Ye Jingyu turned to ask.

Bing Ming paused, then realized Ye Jingyu was referring to holding back his true strength. He slowly replied, "Everyone has their trump cards; the more you possess, the longer you live. There is nothing wrong with you reserving your attainment of the Lingxian realm. However, you misjudged the opponent's might. You shouldn't blame yourself at all. Xue Hengzhi was in no state to wield the Tianjian Jue. That day, to kill Yuan Xiang, he forcibly executed the technique, shattering all his meridians. Even if he survived, he would be a crippled man; for him, life would be worse than death."

"But Yuan Xiang still isn't dead..." Ye Jingyu ground out.

"He isn't dead, but they don't know you've reached the Lingxian realm. This is an opportunity," Bing Ming continued placidly, his face showing no emotion, as if recounting something that had nothing to do with him.

"Trading a life for an opportunity—is that worth it?" Ye Jingyu scoffed.

"And trading a lifetime of hatred for a single life—is that worth it?" Bing Ming countered with a cold snort.

Ye Jingyu faltered. Yes, this was all his doing. If he hadn't sought revenge, none of this would have happened. Xue Hengzhi wouldn't have died. Everything was because of his hatred that Xue Hengzhi perished. Was that worth it?

But could he simply not seek revenge? Moreover, even if he gave up his vengeance, would Qin Yan let him go? No. The enmity between them had sunk to the bone; how could it be resolved?

In this world, there were always too many inevitable things. Whether he willed it or not, they would occur.

"Xue Hengzhi lingered in the Hundred Tombs Valley only for revenge. The moment he saw Yuan Xiang that day, he was ready to die. Why do you keep dwelling on it?" Seeing the shifting expression on Ye Jingyu's face, Bing Ming sighed softly.

Hearing Bing Ming's words, Ye Jingyu finally achieved complete clarity. Yes, in life, there were many deeds one knew would lead to death yet still pursued. Old Xue chose his path; why should Ye Jingyu constantly burden himself?

He was determined to kill Yuan Xiang, and in the end, he failed. So, he should simply help him achieve it. Why the self-recrimination?

Following Bing Ming’s counsel, the self-reproach hidden in his heart completely vanished. Ye Jingyu secretly vowed that in the future, he would strive with his utmost effort to keep those around him alive.

As for the matter of revenge, he vaguely understood that Qin Yan could gather so many masters, meaning his own strength could not be insignificant. To live, one needed not only one's own trump cards but also knowledge of the opponent's. He absolutely could not make the same mistake twice.

Without further discussion on the matter, and without further contemplation, he looked up at the two hundred elite soldiers beside him, all clad in black armor and mounted on black steeds, and spoke again, "How are those two sets of techniques prepared? When can they be taught to them?"

"Today," Bing Ming replied simply.

Ye Jingyu nodded, and a long-absent confident smile finally touched his lips. These two hundred men were the most loyal and promising Martial Masters he had selected from hundreds. Bing Ming, based on the various martial arts he knew, had personally created two unique techniques tailored precisely for these two hundred individuals.

One was a sword technique, and the other, a saber technique.

These were cultivation methods born from Bing Ming’s synthesis of diverse schools of thought. Once these two hundred men mastered them, reaching the Xiantian realm would be inevitable.

To imagine one Xiantian master was not terrifying, but two hundred Xiantian masters executing a saber strike or a sword thrust in perfect unison—what a magnificent spectacle that would be! Even a Grandmaster would likely retreat three leagues out of caution.

Ye Jingyu was intent on forging the strongest legion, and his personal guard was the very first step.

Hu Yanqi and Chi Yixiu had already been dispatched back to the Southern Wilderness Forest. Amidst this looming chaos engulfing the world, it was impossible for the tribesmen of the Southern Wilderness Forest to maintain their isolationist spirit.

According to Ye Jingyu's instructions, upon returning, Chi Yixiu and Hu Yanqi were to transmit the strength-enhancing cultivation methods to their clansmen, and also select several hundred Chi Yi warriors and several hundred Hu Yan archers to rendezvous with him.

He intended to choose the two hundred most formidable Chi Yi warriors and one hundred Hu Yan archers to form the ultimate personal guard alongside these two hundred men.

Of course, Chi Yixiu had not yet returned, but relying on these two hundred fiercely loyal guards was sufficient to ensure his safety.

He had acquired so many secret manuals in the Hundred Tombs Valley; if he didn't use them to strengthen himself, how could he justify it?

With Bing Ming managing this matter, Ye Jingyu asked no further questions. He trusted that a master whose comprehension of the Martial Way neared the level of Martial Saint would be far superior to him in these affairs.

At this moment, only Bing Ming and Ni Bo were by his side. Even Xiao Taotao, who had awakened and developed six claws, had been sent to Luo Ling'er.

After all, the expedition into the Tianyuan Empire might take a long time, and he did not wish for Luo Ling'er to suffer any harm. Having a Taotie nearby gave him considerable peace of mind; at least he wouldn't have to worry about Luo Xiaofeng forcing an unwanted marriage upon her.

Furthermore, Xiao Taotao was gluttonous and loved to eat. He imagined that with Xiao Taotao for company, she wouldn't be lonely in the palace.

The thought of Luo Ling'er brought a gentle, warm smile to Ye Jingyu's face. No matter how fiercely he fought on the front lines, the mere thought of the one waiting for him in Yunjing made all suffering seem insignificant.

Perhaps because of Luo Ling'er, Ye Jingyu was gradually integrating into this world, becoming a true citizen of the Shuyun Kingdom.

"General, we are approaching the Wei River ahead..." Just then, a black silhouette sped towards them from ahead. Before the man arrived, his voice carried to them—it was Ying Xiaoxiao.

The Wei River originates from the Tiangang Mountain Range, flowing through the Tian Prefecture and Yun Prefecture of the Shuyun Kingdom, and then into Yanzhou of the Tianyuan Empire. From Yun Prefecture in Shuyun, it flows out, entering Yunzhou of the Tianyuan Empire, before turning northward to empty into the Tian River.

It could be said that this river lay exactly on the border between the Shuyun Kingdom and the Tianyuan Empire. Once they crossed the Wei River, they would be entering the territory of the Tianyuan Empire.