Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu

The rear guard began to join the attack, significantly reducing the pressure on those in front responsible for defense.

And further ahead, Lu Shenglong had already led his men into the fray, beginning to pursue and mow down the fleeing troops.

The armies of the Vermilion Bird Tribe were thrown into disarray, and no matter how loudly Zhu Ning shouted from the center, it was to no avail.

They had only assembled a large army, but had never experienced such a world-shattering situation.

Twice they were caught by surprise, with their rear forces being attacked twice.

Numerous Cultivators only thought of scattering and fleeing, rather than continuing to fight.

Even the eminent Foundation Establishment practitioners were wiped out, with over twenty killed in one encounter.

This kind of fear immediately lingered in their hearts.

For those at the Foundation Establishment level, this was too powerful.

When had those of high Foundation Establishment ranking ever been slaughtered like this?

The chaos lasted for a long time, and after leaving behind hundreds of corpses, Zhu Ning finally led the main force of the Vermilion Bird Tribe to regroup their army.

They began to mount an effective counterattack, but sadly, it was too late.

The army of the Vermilion Bird Tribe had a large number of soldiers fleeing in panic, with hundreds more being slain, leaving only about three hundred able-bodied fighters.

Adding on previous casualties, the Vermilion Bird Tribe had long been unable to maintain an effective formation; all that was left was an extended massacre.

The outcome of this battle was already decided.

"At the right time, our forces fought hard for a day, killing three hundred and twelve at the Foundation Establishment level, persuaded one hundred and eighty-three to surrender, and approximately a hundred Foundation Establishment practitioners have fled."

"Zhu Ning was jointly killed by Yan Bailiang and Zhang Can, our army is victorious!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing's lips curved into a smile, "Finally, we've won."

This battle was won not by sheer luck.

Because it involved a very critical point, that is, Chen Qing's army was composed of Foundation Establishment practitioners from both Wu Country and the Dragon Elephant Tribe.

Even those from Yan Country who had surrendered, that was the old guard of the Dragon Elephant Tribe.

Foundation Establishment practitioners from Wu Country had no connection with the Vermilion Bird Tribe, so there was naturally no possibility of collusion.

The Dragon Elephant Tribe and the Vermilion Bird Tribe already had an old feud, so collusion was impossible.

Yet within the Vermilion Bird Tribe, there were many from the Jiguang Sect.

Zhu Ning was practically playing his hand openly against Chen Qing.

But Chen Qing's movements were completely unknown to Zhu Ning.

Zhu Ning had not anticipated at all that Chen Qing would suddenly launch an attack.

Even daring to divide his forces into two hundred to cause a disturbance was another significant blunder.

Chen Qing stood up and immediately instructed, "Send a message to Xuantian City, bring forth the heads of all Foundation Establishment practitioners from the Vermilion Bird Tribe. I will accept their surrender."

"Otherwise, I will slaughter the entire city!"

Zhu Yan, who had been stunned on the spot, finally came to her senses and shouted angrily, "No, impossible, you must be deceiving me!"

"With my brother leading six hundred troops, how could they be completely annihilated!"

"You must be playing tricks, trying to deceive me out of Xuantian City."

Chen Qing said indifferently, "You're already of no use now."

Chen Qing continued to instruct, "I give the Foundation Establishment practitioners within Xuantian City three days. If I do not see the heads of those from the Vermilion Bird Tribe by then, I will commence the slaughter of the city."

After waiting for two days, Chen Qing saw Lu Shenglong leading a large group of troops toward this location.

Only upon seeing the large number of Vermilion Bird Tribe prisoners did Zhu Yan realize that the Vermilion Bird Tribe had truly been defeated.

Lu Shenglong, carrying Zhu Ning's head, strode forward, presenting the Great River Sword, "Your subordinate has honored his mission and defeated Zhu Ning; here is his head!"

Chen Qing laughed heartily as he received it. With this battle won, there would be no more forces in Yan Country capable of resisting him; the entire Yan Country would become his backyard!

Just as Chen Qing received his Great River Sword, he heard the sound of killing from atop Xuantian City; those were the subordinate tribes of the Vermilion Bird Tribe hunting down the Foundation Establishment practitioners of the Vermilion Bird Tribe.

What Chen Qing wanted was simple: to eliminate all Foundation Establishment practitioners from the Vermilion Bird Tribe, leaving only Zhu Yan, using the Vermilion Bird Tribe's banner to recruit all the major tribes of Yan Country.

Chen Qing helped Lu Shenglong rise, "Well done, you've done well. You are promoted to General."

"From now on, you will be the first rightful General of my Li Bingwei."

Afterwards, Chen Qing naturally also promoted Zhang Can, Yan Bailiang, and Su Yi to the rank of General.

Chen Qing did not concern himself with creating any noble titles or honors; what was the use of all those flashy titles at this stage?

His army structure was just that simple: Generals, Commanders, and Soldiers, three levels.

Once things stabilized in the future, he would further refine the ranks.

Chen Qing and the four generals sat in the main hall of Xuantian City. Su Yi asked, "Lord Wei, why not let us continue to hunt down the remnants of the Vermilion Bird Tribe?"

Chen Qing said, "I'm afraid that Yan Shiyin is about to arrive."

Hearing this, Su Yi exclaimed, "Is this one of Yan Shiyin's tricks?"

Chen Qing replied, "You could say that, but with our sudden strike and the subjugation of the Vermilion Bird Tribe, there's nothing Yan Shiyin can do now."

"With over a thousand of us guarding the city, and the advantage of Xuantian City's terrain, even Yan Shiyin can't do anything to us."

Upon hearing this, Lu Shenglong grew even more admiring of Chen Qing's foresight, realizing that the lord had everything calculated from the start.

September 21.

Yan Shiyin led eight hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators southward, approaching Xuantian City.

Chen Qing sat on the city wall, exchanging a glance with Yan Shiyin.

Neither of them said a word, just a calm exchange of looks.

After dozens of breaths, Yan Shiyin withdrew his troops and returned to Wu Country.

News of Zhu Ning's defeat spread rapidly throughout Yan Country, and many Foundation Establishment cultivators were restless with anxiety, fearing that at Chen Qing's command, a grand army might bear down on them.

With Zhu Ning's defeat, Yan Country could no longer muster an army capable of contending with Chen Qing, nor did anyone have the influence to do so.

Chen Qing took Lu Shenglong to the dungeons, looking at Zhu Yan, who was covered in filth and no longer noble.

Chen Qing said softly, "I've heard that there has been a long-standing grudge between the Dragon Elephant Tribe and the Vermilion Bird Tribe. Today, I wish to mediate, to put an end to the grievances between you."

Zhu Yan glared at Chen Qing, refusing to even look at Lu Shenglong who was by Chen Qing's side.

However, Chen Qing couldn't be bothered with Zhu Yan's attitude, "Marry Lu Shenglong, and I will spare the surrendered soldiers of the Vermilion Bird Tribe and your clansmen. They can join my Li Bingwei's ranks, under the command of Lu Shenglong."

"Three days. If you still disagree, I will not spare a single member of the Vermilion Bird Tribe, except for you!"

To Chen Qing's surprise, Zhu Yan didn't take long to decide and said, "I will marry."

Chen Qing regarded Zhu Yan with respect, as she was indeed capable of enduring.

But it was good that she would be a shackle for Lu Shenglong, not for himself.

For Lu Shenglong, this was also beneficial.

By marrying Zhu Yan, he would gain command over the Vermilion Bird Tribe and could control those great factions affiliated with it, using Zhu Yan's name.

Of course, the price was that he must rely on Chen Qing's influence.

Otherwise, Zhu Yan might turn on him at any moment.

"So be it. Lu Shenglong, I leave Zhu Yan in your hands."

"I will arrange your wedding, and I will ensure it's grand."

"After all, it's a union between the two mightiest top factions in Yan Country. I will make sure it is well organized."

As news of Lu Shenglong and Zhu Yan's upcoming wedding spread throughout Yan Country, all the Foundation Establishment cultivators understood.

The victor had emerged; the overall situation was decided.

The master of Li Bingwei's troops who entered Yan Country had now completely taken control of the situation there.

No Foundation Establishment cultivator in the entire Yan Country would dare to say 'no' in front of Chen Qing.

For a time, numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators set out to congratulate the marriage between the two great factions.

Zhu Yan sat in her old residence, still attended by her former maidservants.

Only now, the mansion belonged to Lu Shenglong.

Lu Shenglong simply placed her here, doing nothing further.

They both understood the principle of mutual benefit.

Zhu Yan clenched the tea cup in her hand so tightly it seemed as if she might shatter it the next moment, but ultimately she put it down.

"Qingxu, as long as you cannot leave the Death Realm, I am still the master of the Vermilion Bird Tribe!"

"If you ever fall in battle, I will show you no mercy."

Chen Qing had no interest in Zhu Yan's scheming.

There were plenty out there who wanted him dead; Zhu Yan was small in comparison, not even worth a finger of Ji Dang. Did she warrant much attention?

He was now pondering how to rightfully take over the reins of power in Yan Country.

Currently, control over Yan Country, to be exact, relied entirely on his military might, and entirely on the marriage alliance between Lu Shenglong and Zhu Yan.

This was not secure; he needed a better reason for a proper takeover.

Only then could the resources of the entire Yan Country be put to his use.

He would still need to pay homage to the Miao God.