Chapter 628: All-Out Army Building

Outside White Paper Immortal City.

At the Ghost Soldier Camp.

Sun Lingtong scanned her surroundings, transmitting everything she saw and heard to Ning Zhuo via her Life Threads.

Ning Zhuo "saw" a large number of ghost soldiers applying an ointment.

The ghost soldiers opened the ointment containers and spread the substance evenly over their bodies. As they patted and rubbed the ointment, sounds of living beings' tragic deaths often emanated from it. These sounds were absorbed into the ghost soldiers' bodies and quickly dissipated.

Sun Lingtong explained promptly, "I've inquired about it. This elixir is called the Ointment of Echoing Death. Its main ingredients are Netherworld Grass, Moonlight Dew, and Ghost Flower Mud. The entire ghost army now applies this ointment daily at a set time. Initially, it has no effect, but with repeated application, it gradually accumulates, eventually transforming the soul body with the sounds of death, creating a heavy armor-like protection."

Sun Lingtong finally added, "However, because this medicine temporarily transforms the soul body, once its effects wear off, the soul body will fall into extreme weakness. Without subsequent consumption of other elixirs, it can also lead to severe after-effects such as soul deformity, memory confusion, and loss of intellect."

Ning Zhuo immediately recalled the dangerous practice of the Liangzhu Nation army increasing their heavy armor during a major battle he participated in there. He realized the gravity of the situation: "This means the ghost army is actively preparing for a decisive battle! When this ghost army first established its garrison, its scale wasn't large. But after so many ghost tides, continuously absorbing the ghost entities within them, and with the Wangchuan Underworld constantly sending reinforcements, their numbers are now approaching one hundred thousand! If the entire army attacks, can White Paper Immortal City hold out?"

Ning Zhuo felt immense pressure. Although he was the Deputy City Lord, the White Paper City Lord had not truly delegated authority to him. Thus, Ning Zhuo remained completely unaware of White Paper Immortal City's true reserves. At most, he knew that the Paper Figurine Colossus possessed Nascent Soul combat power.

"The true key to this great battle, however, lies not with White Paper Immortal City, but with the Wangchuan Underworld!" Thanks to Meng Yaoyin's arrangements, Ning Zhuo had acquired comprehensive intelligence. However, he had not divulged any information regarding the Heavenly Ghost Calamity Offering Ritual or the Wangchuan Underworld Lord's century-long scheme. Keeping these secrets did not hinder the White Paper City Lord, Yang Sanyan, Wen Ruanyu, and others from actively defending.

Sun Lingtong asked, "Little Zhuo, we don't have much time left. What about the Azure Ember Army? Can you ensure that in the final moment, they'll have the courage to charge into the Underworld and fight to the death? Even if you control Qing Chi with Life Threads, although this young girl has the army's loyalty, can she force the Azure Ember Army to risk death fighting the enemy?"

Ning Zhuo sighed, "This requires careful planning." He cut off contact with Sun Lingtong, pondered for a moment, and then summoned Qing Chi.

Hearing that Ning Zhuo wanted to see her, Qing Chi immediately beamed with joy and hurried to Ning Zhuo's residence. "Little Ma, did you miss me?" Qing Chi was as enthusiastic as ever. "You're always focused on cultivation, or busy helping the City Lord. It's good now; you've found the traitor, so you can finally rest properly. I'll keep you company, and we can do some things we enjoy!" Qing Chi's gaze was ardent.

Ning Zhuo's scalp began to tingle. He coughed, "Miss Qing Chi, although we've identified a traitor, we didn't capture him alive, so we don't have crucial intelligence. Whether there are other traitors, we don't know. Under these circumstances, it's best we maintain our previous caution and vigilance, and not relax. Moreover, the enemy forces outside the city are now approaching one hundred thousand. White Paper Immortal City's situation is critical; we have no right to relax!"

Although Qing Chi adored Jiao Ma, she also understood the bigger picture. She sighed, "Thanks to you, Little Ma, we managed to secure investment from the Myriad Phenomena Sect. Now, the military supplies hurdle is cleared. We also have two military systems established, a foundation. Once I comprehend the third, we can move to the next phase. Once the military armaments are built, our Azure Ember Army will be officially established. It's just a pity that we're still a step behind. If we had succeeded in establishing the army earlier, we could have mobilized the entire force as soon as the enemy started their garrison, and perhaps even annihilated them. Now, not only have we allowed the enemy to establish a firm foothold easily, but their scale is also enormous. If our Azure Ember Army goes out to fight, it would be suicide!"

Ning Zhuo fell silent in thought. On this point, he held a different view. "This is likely the evolution of the Yang World's Heavenly Fate. The Yang Heaven intends to inflict divine punishment upon the Wangchuan Underworld Lord, and thus has made various arrangements. According to Old Man Greybone's plan, the Azure Ember Army is the sharp weapon against the Wangchuan Underworld Lord! In normal times, establishing a new army is too difficult. It not only requires resources but also consensus from all forces. White Paper Immortal City is wealthy, so why hasn't it had a cultivation army until now?"

Having stayed here for a long time, Ning Zhuo gradually understood the deeper underlying structure. "Since it's Heaven's arrangement, I should all the more bring the Azure Ember Army to its destined stage. But before that, I must do my utmost to strengthen this army. I believe the Yang World's Heaven chose me as the savior, likely having accounted for what I possess. Since that's the case, I shall follow Heaven's will."

Ning Zhuo had already made up his mind. Thinking of this, he took out a helmet. Qing Chi immediately cast a curious glance, seeing the helmet was semi-circular, with a wide faceguard, and its crest slightly tilted back, as if it were a phoenix about to spread its wings. Its antique bronze color showed numerous scratches and dents on its surface, all marks of battle.

Qing Chi exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, this is a military armament! Although armaments follow military systems... giving it to me now is still too early." The ghost-race maiden then gazed affectionately at Ning Zhuo: "Little Ma, I knew you loved me. You've prepared so many treasures for me already. Even though this armament is incomplete, I still love it. Thank you!"

Ning Zhuo's expression immediately turned serious: "Miss Qing Chi, you're overthinking. This armament isn't a gift for you; it's just for you to borrow. It's one of the components of the Helm of Shared Duty."

The ghost-race maiden: ?

Seeing her bewildered expression, Ning Zhuo knew she was completely unfamiliar with the Helm of Shared Duty, so he explained the details. Qing Chi couldn't help but examine the helmet again: "So it's still a treasure. But with such a grand background, how can it help us?"

Ning Zhuo then said, "And we also need this." Qing Chi saw the young man take out a book. The book was made of metal. On its cover, four large characters were vertically inscribed: GAOSHENG'S TESTAMENT. Their strokes were vigorous and powerful, making one feel, upon a single glance, as if a fierce storm was bearing down, creating an indescribable sense of oppression.

"This is a military treatise?" Qing Chi brightened. "I've read many military treatises; I don't find them difficult." She curiously took *Gaosheng's Testament* into her hands, flipped through a few pages, and asked, puzzled, "Oh, this book is too damaged. The content inside isn't complete at all."

Ning Zhuo smiled slightly: "These two items need to be used together. Try it; the effect should be excellent." Back then, Sun and Ning had used these two treasures. One had comprehended the Light Body Swift Wind Formation, and the other had enlightened the Sturdy Earth Recovery Art. Ning Zhuo was optimistic about Qing Chi's talent in military strategy and believed she would gain more.

Qing Chi nodded: "Okay, Little Ma, I'll listen to you. Quickly teach me how to use them." After Ning Zhuo instructed her, Qing Chi put on the round helmet, poured her spiritual sense into the military treatise, closed her eyes, and meditated, carefully comprehending. Ning Zhuo observed, and soon his expression showed surprise. He saw the Helm of Shared Duty and *Gaosheng's Testament* glowing simultaneously, and corresponding to them was the military system within Qing Chi! The radiance of all three connected as one, shining for the duration of a burning incense stick before dissipating simultaneously.

"How was it? Did you comprehend anything?" Ning Zhuo patiently waited for Qing Chi to slowly open her eyes, then immediately asked. Seeing Ning Zhuo's concerned look, a warm current immediately flowed through Qing Chi's heart. She was very excited: "I've comprehended two military strategies. One is called 'Money-Links-Ghosts,' and the other is 'Life-Purchasing Coinage'."

Ning Zhuo was surprised but quickly accepted it. He had high expectations for Qing Chi's talent in military arts. Indeed, Ning Zhuo was right; Qing Chi was extraordinary!

"Tell me in detail," Ning Zhuo asked again. Qing Chi didn't hide anything from her beloved and directly explained the details. The military strategy "Money-Links-Ghosts" can consume military funds to recruit a batch of ghost entities as soldiers, adding them to the Azure Ember Army. The military strategy "Life-Purchasing Coinage" consumes military funds to form a powerful healing force, curing the entire army.

"Both of these are quite practical!" Ning Zhuo nodded, feeling both joy and a sense of oddity. "But why are they both related to military funds?"

Qing Chi scratched her head awkwardly: "Perhaps it's because I've been stimulated by the recent costs of building the army. I couldn't earn this much wealth even if I worked hard for hundreds of lifetimes!"

Ning Zhuo looked at Qing Chi, not hiding his admiration: "You have exceptional talent in military strategy, Miss Qing Chi. You shouldn't underestimate yourself; your future achievements will be very high."

Qing Chi immediately wanted to jump for joy: "Little Ma, you think so highly of me? Haha, I knew it! You want to cultivate me so that I can take you far away and soar in the future, right?"

Ning Zhuo coughed twice, firmly denying it: "No. Alright, let's not talk about anything else. Do you still remember the Human-Ghost Guise Transformation spell mastered by the Azure Ember Army?"

With the Myriad Phenomena Sect's funding, the military system steadily improved, and the Azure Ember Army, both officers and soldiers, received training from the military system, subsequently mastering various spells. One of these was called Human-Ghost Guise Transformation. When this spell was activated, it could temporarily transform the ghost-human soldiers within the army into a pure human form or a ghost form. When transformed into human form, they were humans. When transformed into ghost form, they were ghost entities!

Ning Zhuo said, "Your comprehension of military strategies this time was deeply influenced by the military system. I suggest you undergo special training immediately to master these two military strategies as soon as possible; it will be very beneficial for the Azure Ember Army. During future intense battles, it can save many lives." Half of the people in the Azure Ember Army were related to Qing Chi. Hearing Ning Zhuo's words, Qing Chi also became solemn and serious: "I will practice diligently!"

Ning Zhuo then stepped forward again, requesting the City Lord to open her private cultivation chamber, leveraging its time-accelerating properties to provide Qing Chi more practice time.

On the third day, Qing Chi excitedly rushed to Ning Zhuo's residence. "Little Ma, I've comprehended the third military system!" Just as she said this, Qing Chi's stomach rumbled.

Ning Zhuo was eating. Hearing the sound, he smiled, "Have you eaten? If not, eat with me, and we can talk while we eat." Qing Chi had trained hard, almost day and night, eagerly striving to master the two military strategies earlier, hoping to save the lives of one or two relatives or friends in battle. She truly hadn't eaten.

She immediately sat down and took a few bites of food: "Ptui, ptui, ptui!" Qing Chi spat it out directly: "What is this? Is this even fit for human consumption?"

Ning Zhuo shook his head seriously: "Although the taste isn't great, it can enhance one's foundation. Do you know how much that mouthful you just spat out is worth?" Ning Zhuo quoted a number, instantly making Qing Chi's face change color. She stared wide-eyed at the spirit food: "I was wrong, I shouldn't be so wasteful. I'll eat it; no matter how bitter, I can eat it!" Qing Chi swallowed the spirit food with a twisted expression, experiencing both pain and joy.

These spirit foods were excellent in effect but terrible in taste, made by the Old Spirit Chef of the Dark Cuisine School. It turned out that the Old Spirit Chef had initially agreed to the City Lord's clone, choosing to confess and use his life to stabilize the morale of the city's residents. However, Ning Zhuo's investigation uncovered the traitor, indirectly saving his life. Upon learning this, the Old Man immediately sought out Ning Zhuo, stating that he must repay the kindness of being saved and wished to offer whatever small help he could. Ning Zhuo then arranged for him to prepare spirit food.

While eating, Ning Zhuo asked Qing Chi what the third military system was. Qing Chi replied, "It's called 'Father and Son Soldiers in Battle'!" Ning Zhuo immediately understood what had triggered Qing Chi's comprehension of this principle. Qing Chi, focused on mastering the previous two military strategies, had become more deeply aware that the Azure Ember Army consisted of two major groups: the ghost-race Qing family and the human-race Jiao family. Regardless of which family, Qing Chi felt a familial connection to them. From this, she comprehended the military system known as "Father and Son Soldiers in Battle."

With this, the military systems had gathered three principles. They were, respectively: Orders Strictly Followed, An Army for the Epoch and Ten Years of Reserves, and Father and Son Soldiers in Battle. These three military systems laid the foundation for the Azure Ember Army's fundamental style. First, their military discipline was strict. Second, their military expenditure was substantial. Third, they were related by kinship. After establishing the army, more military systems could still be added. However, once three were gathered, they could proceed to the next phase.

"It's time to prepare the military armaments," Ning Zhuo stood up.

Qing Chi: "Aren't you eating?"

Ning Zhuo shook his head: "I was just taste-testing; these are all prepared for the Azure Ember Army. I'll go find someone now to see if I can secure a grant to help us get through this armament phase. Although there are several stages after the armaments, those are all paths to a strong and elite army. As long as the armaments are completed, the army building will be considered a success!"

Qing Chi was surprised again, looking at the table full of spirit food: "Giving all this to our Azure Ember Army, isn't that too luxurious?"

Ning Zhuo shook his head. For the sake of the final decisive battle, this was nothing. Moreover, Ning Zhuo had already obtained the consent of the White Paper City Lord and the Old Spirit Chef. The spirit food was made by the Old Spirit Chef, and the meal expenses were paid by the White Paper City Lord. Ning Zhuo had merely been responsible for persuading the two beforehand.