All eleven Commanders present held a flicker of expectation in their hearts. If a new Commander was needed, it must surely be chosen from among them!

As for Pang Shan, Zang Feng, and Guan Lü, their hearts could not settle either! To select the First Commander? Pang Shan was the Second Commander, Zang Feng the Third, and Guan Lü the Fourth. All three of them aspired to advance further!

"My Meteor Blade has now reached minor accomplishment! Even Martial Uncle might not be my match... This First Commander position should be mine!" Zang Feng's heart burned with excitement. The Meteor Blade was one of the two Heaven-tier Secret Manuals of the Guiyuan Sect, and Zang Feng had been diligently cultivating this blade technique in seclusion. He rarely ventured out into the world, so his fame was not widespread. However, before Teng Qingshan arrived, Zhuge Yuanhong's most favored candidate had always been 'Zang Feng'! Zang Feng, who had cultivated diligently, possessed astonishing strength. When those of the younger generation like Zhuge Yun sparred with him, they were easily defeated!

"Second Martial Uncle has led the Black Armored Army in battle for the Guiyuan Sect for so many years. His meritorious service is immense! Starting today, Second Martial Uncle will serve as an Elder of our Guiyuan Sect!" Zhuge Yuanhong announced loudly. Ji Hong also showed a trace of a smile; aging and retiring to become an Elder was considered a worthy achievement. Many congratulated Ji Hong.

Zhuge Yuanhong paused for a moment before stating, "However, the position of Commander of the Black Armored Army cannot remain vacant."

Instantly, the great hall fell silent once more.

Zhuge Yuanhong's voice echoed in the vast hall: "The new First Commander of the Black Armored Army shall be the Commander Teng Qingshan, who served under the former First Commander!" The hall erupted in an uproar! Teng Qingshan as the First Commander? Many people turned to look at him.

"Teng Qingshan, step forward and accept the battle armor!" Zhuge Yuanhong called out. Teng Qingshan immediately rose and walked toward Zhuge Yuanhong.

"Why him?" Zang Feng's expression changed drastically. "I am already a Commander! Even if Teng Qingshan is promoted to Commander, he should at most become the Fourth Commander. The First Commander should be chosen from among the three of us! Based on my strength, I should be the one to become the First Commander!" Zang Feng's sharp eyes narrowed. Suddenly— Zang Feng abruptly stood up and strode to the center. Many people immediately looked his way. "Hmm?" Zhuge Yuanhong looked at his favored disciple.

"There's a show to watch!" "Zang Feng is probably unconvinced," the Elders and Protectors exchanged knowing smiles, keenly watching the unfolding scene. After all, this was an internal matter for the Black Armored Army. Selecting the First Commander would not involve the Protectors or Elders. Teng Qingshan also looked toward Zang Feng.

"Master!" Zang Feng said respectfully. "Junior Brother Qingshan's strength is extraordinary, and he has made great merits. He is indeed qualified to become a Commander! However, Junior Brother Qingshan is simply too young and lacks experience. When Martial Ancestor served as the First Commander, the three of us accepted it. But Qingshan... I suggest that for now, he should serve as the Fourth Commander!" Guan Lü and Pang Shan remained silent.

Zang Feng waited, his heart uneasy, for Zhuge Yuanhong's reply!

"Step down!" Zhuge Yuanhong commanded. Zang Feng choked on his words and looked up at Zhuge Yuanhong.

Zhuge Yuanhong's face darkened: "Who serves as the First Commander is a decision jointly discussed by myself and the Enforcement Elder. Is it for you to decide? Enough, Feng'er, step back for now." Zang Feng was deeply shaken. The highest authorities in the Guiyuan Sect were undoubtedly the Sect Master and the Enforcement Elder. Major matters were generally decided upon by them. As a mere disciple, he indeed had no right to question this decision. Zang Feng felt unwilling—for so many years, he had been the representative figure of the younger generation in the Guiyuan Sect. No one could compare to him.

Zang Feng did not retreat. Gritting his teeth, he proclaimed loudly: "Master! The ranking of the Four Commanders is based on strength. Back then, Martial Ancestor defeated the three of us. And now! If Junior Brother Qingshan is to become the First Commander, he must convince the masses. I, first, issue a challenge... let's see what skill Junior Brother Qingshan possesses!"

The Sect Master, 'Zhuge Yuanhong,' sighed inwardly upon seeing this. His disciple, 'Zang Feng,' certainly had good perseverance and talent, but the only flaw was that he valued fame and fortune too highly! When he was in the Black Armored Army, Zang Feng was very focused on the hierarchy of ranks; most Commanders of the Black Armored Army felt intimidated by Zang Feng. "He even argues over something as trivial as who is the First Commander... his vision is narrow. Commander? Elder? These are all fleeting. Achieving Xiantian, becoming a Xiantian expert—that is true capability." Zhuge Yuanhong was clearly somewhat dissatisfied with his disciple 'Zang Feng.' "This time, I will use Qingshan's hands to properly teach him a lesson. I hope he awakens!" Zhuge Yuanhong still held hope for this talented and persevering disciple.

"Qingshan, are you willing to accept the challenge?" Zhuge Yuanhong looked toward Teng Qingshan. The Elders, Protectors, and Commanders in the hall all turned their gaze toward Teng Qingshan. "Your disciple is willing," Teng Qingshan bowed. Zang Feng glanced at Teng Qingshan, his gaze sharp as a knife.

Zhuge Yuanhong nodded slightly, then spoke loudly: "However, today is for Qingshan to officially take the mantle of First Commander! It is not suitable for immediate challenges... Feng'er, step back first! Today, Qingshan will first accept the battle armor. On the twenty-eighth day of the ninth month, the other three Commanders, if any are unconvinced, are welcome to challenge Qingshan! Whoever wins in the end shall be the First Commander!"

"Yes, Master," Zang Feng finally retreated, glancing sideways at Teng Qingshan. "Hmph, killing Meng Tian? Being on par with the Black and White Elders? His strength is likely not weak. But... at only seventeen, I do not believe he can withstand my Meteor Blade!" Zang Feng was supremely confident in himself.

... On the dais of the great hall, Teng Qingshan respectfully accepted the set of Black Iron Battle Armor and the badge of the First Commander!

"The Commander's 'Black Iron Heavy Armor' is indeed the heaviest," Teng Qingshan knew the weight the moment he held it. The Centurion's 'Crimson Iron Heavy Armor,' including boots, helmet, and the entire set, weighed over two hundred catties. A Commander's set of Cold Iron Battle Armor weighed over three hundred catties, as the inner Cold Iron Armor alone weighed several dozen catties. But the Commander's entire set of Black Iron Heavy Armor combined weighed over five hundred catties! Even a First-tier Martial Artist would feel uncomfortable wearing five hundred catties. Those with strength close to the Earth Ranking, like Ji Hong or Pang Shan, could bear it normally. But in one-on-one combat, it heavily affected flexibility, so they usually discarded it, fighting only in their inner armor. This demonstrated just how excellent the scales of the Scarlet Scaled Beast were! A complete set weighed only about a hundred catties. Yet, its defensive capabilities surpassed even the Cold Iron Heavy Armor, with better joint protection!

The new First Commander was settled in the great hall, but outside, the 27th generation disciples in white robes and the Black Armored Army Centurions in black combat uniforms clearly heard the voices from within. They all began discussing in low tones.

"The First Commander is actually Teng Qingshan." "I guessed as much; he can match the Black and White Elders of the Carefree Palace. The Black and White Elders... both are listed on the Earth Ranking; either one could kill us in a single move. Teng Qingshan wasn't defeated even when those two joined forces. Tsk, tsk, if only I could reach Junior Brother Qingshan's level someday." "Still calling him Junior Brother Qingshan? He's a Commander now." "He's still a 27th generation disciple like us. What's wrong with calling him Junior Brother?" "Never mind that, did you hear? Commander Zang Feng is challenging Commander Qingshan on the twenty-eighth of the ninth month." "Zang Feng... he has never lost among our younger generation." "But Teng Qingshan is capable of slaying masters on the Earth Ranking!"

... As that group of core disciple experts and Centurions whispered amongst themselves, Teng Qinghu was the happiest. Soon, a large crowd emerged from the great hall. The Sect Master and Enforcement Elder walked in the front, followed by the Four Commanders, Elders, Commanders, and Protectors. Instantly, the Centurions and core disciples outside the hall quieted down.

"Cousin, please help me carry this set of Black Iron Heavy Armor back for me," Teng Qingshan handed the items to Teng Qinghu. "Got it," Teng Qinghu nodded repeatedly. "I have something to attend to and will be delayed before returning," saying this, Teng Qingshan followed the Sect Master, 'Zhuge Yuanhong,' and departed.

Teng Qingshan moved forward, following behind Zhuge Yuanhong.

"Qingshan, have you decided? Will you learn swordsmanship or spear techniques?" Zhuge Yuanhong asked. "Master, your disciple chooses spear techniques!" Teng Qingshan replied respectfully. Zhuge Yuanhong couldn't help but shake his head upon hearing this: "I knew it! Qingshan, actually, swordsmanship and spear techniques share commonalities! The sword emphasizes 'thrusting,' and spear techniques also emphasize 'thrusting'! With your mastery of spear techniques, you can completely translate it into swordsmanship." Teng Qingshan also understood that spear techniques and swordsmanship indeed shared similarities. A sword was simply a simplified spear!

"A spear is long; if two people keep their distance, the spear has the advantage! But due to its length, it is not as flexible to wield as a sword! A four-foot long sword, however, allows for the execution of various sword styles more easily. Especially after reaching Xiantian... since the emergence of the 'Poet Sword Immortal' Li Taibai, sword techniques across the world have reached their zenith. Among Xiantian experts, those who use the sword are the most numerous!" Zhuge Yuanhong explained. Teng Qingshan was also aware of the 'Poet Sword Immortal' Li Taibai. Even books like the Earth Ranking and Hidden Dragon Ranking mentioned figures such as the 'Poet Sword Immortal' Li Taibai, Emperor Yu, and the Qinling Heavenly Emperor. Based on various records, the most revered status belonged unquestionably to 'Emperor Yu' and the 'Qinling Heavenly Emperor,' as both had unified the world and their martial prowess surpassed all others. Among the countless experts who had not unified the world, only two could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Emperor Yu and the Qinling Heavenly Emperor. One was 'Shakyamuni,' who founded the 'Mani Temple,' created the cultivation methods of Buddhism, and was hailed as the Patriarch of Buddhism! The Mani Temple, capable of dominating two of the Nine Provinces, possessing countless formidable experts, and being unfathomably profound, became the most powerful sect among the Eight Great Sects of the Nine Provinces—a position inextricably linked to Patriarch 'Shakyamuni.' The other was the peerlessly elegant Poet Sword Immortal, 'Li Taibai.' This man, over three thousand years ago, traversed the world with only a single long sword, facing no equal. However, he never established a sect. His ultimate technique, the Green Lotus Sword Chant, had caused several catastrophes throughout history. For countless years, these four figures standing at the pinnacle left behind four major secret manuals: the Nine Tripod Heavenly Tome, the Green Lotus Sword Chant, the Golden Body Buddha, and the Heavenly Emperor Divine Mirror. These four manuals were known as the four 'God-tier Secret Manuals.' Yet, throughout countless years, although some had obtained these God-tier Secret Manuals, not a single person had achieved the success of those four figures.

"The Poet Sword Immortal 'Li Taibai'?" Teng Qingshan shook his head. "Master, I still wish to learn spear techniques!" If predecessors hadn't achieved great things in spear techniques, did that mean... he couldn't create his own set?

"You, I won't argue with you anymore. Come with me to the Martial Pavilion!" Zhuge Yuanhong shook his head with a faint smile.