Chapter 262: Chapter 223: Arrangements for the Martial Artists, Spirit Storage Technique

「One month later.」

On the plaza of the Inner Castle of Broken River Castle, the atmosphere was solemn and oppressive.

Eight hundred Mortal Martial Artists, clad in various fighting attire and exuding fierce auras, were like a driven flock of sheep. Led here by Cultivators from the major factions, they eventually gathered into a dense, dark sea of people.

The air was thick with the smell of sweat, dust, and an indescribable tension.

These Martial Artists—some of whom had volunteered, others rounded up by the major factions from their vassal mortal settlements—were now all gathered within this Immortal Fortress.

The one who came out to receive them was Zhao Xiaoshu.

He stood on a slightly elevated stone platform at the front of the plaza, his calm gaze sweeping over the dark mass of people below.

The aura of his Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer Cultivation formed a terrifying pressure in the face of these Mortal Martial Artists, quickly silencing the restless stirrings in the crowd.

Looking at the eight hundred faces before him—some young, some weathered; some resolute, some uneasy—Zhao Xiaoshu couldn’t help but recall the brief instructions he had received in Lu Zhao’s cave residence two days prior.

"Little Shu, those people are yours to handle." Lu Zhao had been seated on a meditation cushion, his voice flat and calm. "Divide the ordinary Martial Artists and Warriors into squads of twenty and select a captain for each."

"Martial Artists are eligible for Long Blade Puppets and Sword Box Puppets; ordinary Warriors will receive Sword Box Puppets. After distributing them, have them train and break in for three months in the designated area outside the castle. They must become familiar with controlling the Puppets and develop basic coordination."

"As for the Grand Martial Artists," Lu Zhao paused to think, "give them the Spirit Storage Technique first. Observe their progress, then form them into a small team. For now, use them as an experiment to see if they can partially replace a squad of Cultivators."

Zhao Xiaoshu bowed in acknowledgment, but his heart was still filled with doubt. He couldn’t help but ask, "Elder Lu, forgive this junior’s foolishness, but these Mortal Martial Artists... even with Puppets, I fear that when facing Demon Beasts, they will..." He didn’t finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear: ’They’re just cannon fodder. Why go to all this trouble?’

Hearing this, Lu Zhao glanced up at him. His gaze was profound, and the corners of his mouth seemed to curve into an extremely faint arc, carrying a meaning that Zhao Xiaoshu couldn’t comprehend. "Mortals have their uses."

"To say nothing of the fact that the number of Mortal Martial Artists is far greater than what we Cultivators can field, the Wilderness is vast. How much ground can a mere twenty squads of Cultivators possibly scout? These Qi and Blood Martial Artists, when paired with special Talismans and Puppets, can also become excellent ’probes’."

Probes!

Zhao Xiaoshu’s heart jolted. In an instant, everything became clear. ’So that’s how it is! No wonder Elder Lu wanted these Mortal Martial Artists and even insisted on equipping them with Puppets!’

The goal wasn’t to have them slay High-Tier Demon Beasts, but to use their vast numbers to explore the areas that Cultivators simply couldn’t cover!

It wasn’t that Zhao Xiaoshu was stupid, but that the disdain Cultivators held for mortals was practically etched into their bones. He had subconsciously assumed they were useless, fit only for menial labor. Who would have thought that the Lord Commander would want to use them as probes?

Standing on the high platform now, looking at the crowd below, he sighed internally. ’I really was trapped in the typical Cultivator mindset before, subconsciously thinking that mortals were worthless. I completely overlooked the advantage they have that Cultivators lack—their sheer numbers.’

Suppressing his thoughts, Zhao Xiaoshu cleared his throat. He infused his voice with a trace of Magical Power, and it carried clearly across the entire plaza:

"Silence!"

The single word, like falling ice, silenced the last whispers of conversation. All eyes focused on him.

"I am Zhao Xiaoshu, and I am acting under the orders of Elder Lu, the Commander of Broken River Castle, to make arrangements for you all." Zhao Xiaoshu’s gaze was sharp, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "To be selected and brought here is your opportunity, but it is also your responsibility! What I say next concerns your very lives and deaths, so you must listen clearly!"

He paused, letting his words sink into every person’s heart.

"Elder Lu has given an order: Warriors and Martial Artists are to form squads of about twenty men each. Within each squad, there must be no fewer than four Martial Artists! After forming your squads, you will elect your own captains!"

As soon as he said this, various expressions appeared on the faces of the warriors below.

The more experienced warriors immediately realized this was preparation for a future operation. Squads meant cooperation, and a captain meant responsibility—but responsibility also meant power.

"Once the squads are formed and captains are chosen, ordinary Warriors may receive one ’Sword Box Puppet’! Martial Artists, in addition to the Sword Box Puppet, may also receive one ’Long Blade Puppet’!"

"These Puppets were personally forged by the Commander. They can be used even by mortals and are powerful Artifacts for fighting Demon Beasts."

BUZZ!

Even though they had been mentally prepared, when the purpose of the Puppets was clearly stated and they were told they would actually receive them, the crowd couldn’t help but erupt into a wave of suppressed gasps and commotion.

Countless gazes instantly grew fervent! ’The rumors were true! We mortals really do have a chance to obtain Immortal Artifacts capable of contending with Demon Beasts!’

Zhao Xiaoshu took in the crowd’s reaction, and his voice suddenly turned cold. "Don’t get excited too soon! These Puppets are not toys; they are deadly weapons! They are being bestowed upon you to give you a means to survive under the claws and fangs of the Wilderness Demon Beasts, and perhaps even fight back! But whether you can use them well depends entirely on you!"

"Starting tomorrow, all your squads will undergo three months of training and drills in a designated area outside the castle! You must familiarize yourselves with Puppet controls and practice squad coordination! After three months, you will venture deep into the Wilderness to undertake the grave mission of searching for traces of Tier Two Demon Beasts!"

Venture deep into the Wilderness! Search for Tier Two Demon Beasts!

Like a bucket of cold water poured over their heads, the words instantly extinguished the flames of excitement that had just been kindled in some of the warriors.

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