Avalon Mountain.
Over a hundred warships floated in grand formation, blotting out the entire sky.
Beneath their shadow, Heavenly soldiers moved ceaselessly to and fro, while countless cultivators gathered—an unprecedented spectacle.
For most rank-and-file cultivators, joining the Celestial Army was always considered a promising path.
Though the Heavenly Fleet was not highly regarded in the Heavenly Court, its fame among mortals remained unmatched. For a thousand years, it had fought at the forefront of demon suppression, earning illustrious battle honors and generous rewards—making it the most popular unit among mortal cultivators.
To join such a force, for grassroots cultivators far from the Heavenly Court’s internal strife, clearly offered a better chance to make a name for themselves than enlisting in defensive units like the South Heaven Gate.
After all, most grassroots cultivators on Avalon Mountain bore the Celestial Sect’s name but held no real status.
This round of emergency recruitment, with relaxed requirements and generous incentives, made the cultivators of Avalon Mountain rejoice.
Yet this unprecedented recruitment drive had been forcibly suspended. Outside the camp, cultivators craned their necks to watch, while the Heavenly soldiers stationed within grew increasingly at a loss.
Less than three li from the camp, in the Primordial Radiance Hall, Master Taiyi sat facing his guest.
With only two people left in the hall, an unusual atmosphere pervaded the air.
"General Nate."
"Yes."
"Has recruitment gone smoothly this time?" Master Taiyi personally pushed a steaming cup of tea toward General Nate.
"Thanks to your blessing, Master, it’s gone fairly well." General Nate picked up the tea with both hands, took a sip, and replied.
Master Taiyi nodded. "How many have you recruited?"
"Of those sent to me, 5,800 have passed the review. In total, there should be about 8,000 now."
"Oh?" Master Taiyi smiled faintly, stroking his long beard. "In such a short time, you’ve already recruited 5,800 people? This may be the largest recruitment ever. General Nate, do you think that’s enough?"
With that, he lifted his eyelids slightly and glanced at General Nate.
General Nate’s expression changed slightly. He coughed twice, forced a smile, and said, "The fighting at the front is intense; 5,800 is too few. Based on estimates, we need a hundred thousand to fully restore the current military structure. So, I ask Master to allow us to continue recruiting. After all, demon suppression benefits Avalon Mountain as well."
"A hundred thousand," Master Taiyi sighed deeply. "Avalon Mountain has only a million disciples. If you truly conscript a hundred thousand, even counting every cultivator at the Soul‑Gathering stage, there still wouldn’t be enough."
"There’s no other way—the demon army is too strong. I ask your understanding, Master. Demon suppression is everyone’s duty. On behalf of the Heavenly Fleet, I thank you for your steadfast support." General Nate cupped his hands respectfully.
Master Taiyi chuckled. "The Heavenly Fleet’s devotion to Heaven is plain for all to see. We are only doing our small part. However..."
After a pause, Master Taiyi changed the subject. "With such a large-scale recruitment, I have not received any request for cooperation from the Heavenly Court’s Military Affairs Bureau, as I have in the past. I find that rather puzzling."
General Nate’s face grew somewhat grim. He drained his cup of tea in one gulp, but said nothing.
Seeing this, Master Taiyi also fell silent, simply refilling General Nate’s cup again and again—however much Nate drank, he poured.
Time slipped by, moment by moment.
After a long silence, General Nate took a deep breath and said, "To be honest, our Heavenly Fleet has indeed encountered some difficulties. But rest assured, Master—every promise made during recruitment will be honored. The soldiers will not be shortchanged."
"Oh?" Master Taiyi again smiled faintly, lifted his tea, and played with the antique cup. "Though I dwell deep in the mountains, I still hear a bit about the Heavenly Court. Even if you say nothing, I know some of what’s going on. Your Marshal Silver seems to have gotten himself into serious trouble this time."
Staring at Master Taiyi, General Nate said slowly, "The Plague Toxin affair will be brought to light sooner or later."
"And before the truth comes out?"
"Well..." General Nate gritted his teeth. "You needn’t worry, Master. There may be misunderstandings, but ordinary soldiers will not be implicated, no matter what happens."
Master Taiyi raised his head in thought and chuckled. "If you say so, I’ll take your word for it. But I hear your forces have been struggling in Eastrealm, and the Heavenly Court has forbidden all immortals from helping. If my disciples from Avalon Mountain join your army, won’t their prospects be grim?"
General Nate retorted coldly, "Master, do you doubt the strength of the Heavenly Fleet?"
"The Heavenly Fleet is formidable, I do believe that. But these disciples, regardless of seniority, all call me Grandmaster Uncle. Their safety is my responsibility—I cannot just stand by." Master Taiyi tapped the floor lightly. "Naturally, I must consider their welfare very carefully. Not a single detail can be overlooked."
"Master, the Celestial Army and the Celestial Sect have long agreed: whether Avalon Mountain disciples join the army is up to each individual—no one has the right to interfere!"
"Yes, you’re right, you’re absolutely right." Master Taiyi waved his hand, swept aside his sleeve, and poured General Nate another cup of tea. "Enlisting is entirely voluntary. But if I publicly reveal the Heavenly Fleet’s current predicament, how many do you think would still want to join?"
"You—!" General Nate suddenly stood up and shouted, "Master Taiyi! Without the Heavenly Fleet fighting across the land, would Avalon Mountain enjoy peace today?"
Master Taiyi straightened and stared at General Nate. "Without the Celestial Sect, would there even be a Heavenly Court today? Where would the Heavenly Fleet come from?"
For a moment, General Nate’s face flushed red, but he was left speechless.
After a long while, Master Taiyi smiled and said, "If I truly didn’t understand, would I let you recruit at all? The bystander sees most clearly—Marshal Silver is loyal to the core. Even if you say nothing, I understand. But everything has its limits. The Celestial Sect can only do so much. You have 5,800 already; I hope your fleet will be satisfied. If I reveal the truth to everyone, your recruitment will never reach even this number. So, once you finish this cup of tea, please set out for Blossom Mountain to support Marshal Silver. If you delay, the campaign will suffer..."
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With that, he poured another cup of tea.
......
"Avalon Mountain only allows us to recruit 5,800?"
"According to General Nate’s report, Master Taiyi has issued an order to send us away."
Inside the war tent, Marshal Silver clenched his jaw and closed his eyes tightly.
If even Avalon Mountain wants to draw a line...
"Marshal, more and more demons have been coming to Blossom Mountain these past few days. If this keeps up, I’m afraid..."
General Ward didn’t finish, but Marshal Silver knew all too well what he meant.
Blossom Mountain withstood the Heavenly Fleet’s assault, and its reputation among demons is bound to soar. This is only the beginning.
In time, as news spreads, even more demons will flock to join. Then, on one side, there’s the exhausted Heavenly Fleet; on the other, the resurgent Blossom Mountain...
Even if all one hundred thousand reinforcements from the Heavenly Fleet arrive, what then?
This is Blossom Mountain’s territory. Even if they defeat its army head-on, they’ll still face the greater challenge—how to seize control of the vast underground network...
This campaign has become a war of attrition—a contest of endurance. If it continues, the outcome is clear.
The war tent was empty and silent.
"General Ward, do you think we should retreat now?" Marshal Silver asked quietly, opening bloodshot eyes.
After a long pause, General Ward bowed slightly. "I dare not presume to advise, sir."
Just then, a Skyward Legionnaire lifted the tent flap and entered. "Marshal, Blossom Mountain has released the Pagoda King Li Jing of South Heaven Gate."
"Hm?" Marshal Silver’s eyes widened as he stood up. "Take me to him!"
Following the Skyward Legionnaire, Marshal Silver and General Ward quickly left the tent and headed for the front lines.
Standing atop a ridge, he saw Li Jing in prison clothes, supported by Nathan Young as he shakily boarded a South Heaven Gate Fleet warship. The ship raised its sails and slowly sailed toward the South Heaven Gate Fleet.
"General Ward, arrange a meeting with Li Jing," Marshal Silver said quietly.
"Yes, sir."