Chapter 606 - 255: Marching North, Ji Hai Leaves the Pass

"Moving Stars and Changing Constellations, Dragon and Snake Rising..."

Chen Ping held the Celestial Observation Mirror, amplifying the "Celestial Secret Manual" gained from Trace Origin and Steal Fortune, and some nuances became apparent.

Compared to the Qi Number displayed on the Azure Dragon Seal screen of his territory, it’s a different form of presentation.

Although Chen Ping had not cultivated this Celestial Secret Manual to a profound level, it was still sufficient.

He could observe the Qi Number from all directions, the fate of Heaven and Earth.

In the northwest, layers of bloody light soared into the sky, extending directly to Yujing.

While directly north towards the Great Desert, there was a retreat of dark Qi, serene and tranquil.

For some reason, the Qi Number of Great Li in the direction of Yujing, that fiery bright radiance, suddenly intensified, echoing with the stars in the sky.

"Could it be that reinforcements have arrived, and there is still a variable in the matter?"

Turning to look at the southern sky of his territory, Chen Ping saw a green hue transform into a giant sword, seemingly overshadowing the vast sky, with a faint posture of defying fate and angrily slashing at the heavens.

"The morale of the army is usable, but this battle rests with me."

Chen Ping understood immediately what that enormous sword shadow, resembling a consolidated wave of blue, truly represented.

It symbolized the morale of the army and the will of the people, which ultimately came down to himself.

"In this view, the victory or defeat of this battle relies not on the army, nor in the rivalry of a city or place, but on personal martial force."

"This Celestial Secret Technique from the Imperial Extreme Hall indeed has merit."

After observing for a while, Chen Ping generally understood.

At this point, matters such as training soldiers didn’t seem necessary.

Instead, it would be better to stabilize the morale of the people, gather Fortune extensively, and enhance Enlightenment and Innate Talent; that would be proper.

"Issue a decree to the entire region to prepare for war; one month later, gather the troops from three routes, depart from Liiyang, break through the Three Passes, and head straight for Yujing."

Chen Ping handed the Celestial Observation Mirror to Ji Mingyue, with a slight furrow in his brow, issuing the order.

"Wouldn’t that be too rash? If the Beizhou troops attack..."

Ji Mingyue was somewhat puzzled.

Some time ago, Seventh Brother was still inclined towards rest and recovery, gradually growing stronger.

Even the Celestial Heart Pavilion dispatched numerous spies, preparing to infiltrate Great Li and Beizhou for next year’s campaign.

But now, the decision suddenly changed.

No matter that the Southern Region had just stabilized, immediately mobilizing troops for a full expedition.

"Preferably, the battle should conclude before spring sowing next year to avoid disrupting farming time."

Chen Ping offered an explanation but didn’t know how to articulate finer details.

Should he discuss at length with the civil and military officials under his command, expressing that he felt a slight unease within?

A sense that the longer the time dragged on, the more unfavorable the situation would be for him?

In truth, even he didn’t fully comprehend why the Qi Number in Yujing soared, resembling an old tree sprouting new buds.

"The timing is accurate; knowing misfortune and fortune, pursuing auspiciousness and avoiding calamity. That’s why I said the golden opportunity contributed by that Wind and Cloud List’s manipulator Situ Yun isn’t useless, it must greatly benefit my current situation; it turns out the application is here."

"It seems that one cannot forego cultivating this Celestial Secret Manual. Not only must it be cultivated, but one shouldn’t be stingy about using Tribulation Points; once breaking through the Divine Martial Fourth Layer, the focus should shift to this Cultivation Technique."

Chen Ping essentially didn’t know the grade of the cultivation techniques in the Nine Demon Suppression Halls, but at least he understood one thing.

Behind Situ Yun is the Imperial Extreme Hall’s true disciple, Li Xuanji.

This fellow, who even aimed to contend with Ji Haikuang for the chief position among the ten true disciples, proved that he not only had ambition but also tactics; at the very least, he had the hope to pursue it.

This is a fundamental principle.

In this view, the Celestial Secret Manual surely stands as an exceptionally advanced Cultivation Technique among the Imperial Extreme Hall.

Perhaps, it’s not inferior to the Stinging Dragon Scripture in the Azure Dragon Hall.

Chen Ping had already cultivated his Fundamental Technique to this extent, so there’s no need for a switch.

However, supplementing it with a Cultivation Technique for avoiding misfortune and calculating intricacies isn’t necessarily a bad idea.

Inspecting the [Celestial Secret Manual] entry-level mark on his Attribute Panel, Chen Ping pondered slightly.

With his current 18 points of Enlightenment, he couldn’t instantly comprehend and breakthrough into the Proficient Realm; this revealed that this Manual, compared to Purple Sky Divine Thunder and Sword Control Technique, was slightly harder to cultivate.

However, this Cultivation Technique can be slowly understood and cultivated, gradually breaking through.

There’s no rush to consume Tribulation Value now.

Currently, the optimal approach is actually enhancing Enlightenment.

Enlightenment is about increasing cultivation speed, understanding Heaven and Earth’s rules, enhancing Divine Sense usage, and dissecting the progress of Cultivation Techniques.

Overall, its utility is quite broad.

Chen Ping primarily hopes that after boosting Enlightenment, increasing his cultivation speed will save him Tribulation Value for breaking through the Divine Martial Fourth Layer.

Quickly let the Stinging Dragon Dharma Body transform, multiply cultivation combat power, and be flexible in advance and retreat at that time.

Even if some contingency arises, it can be better managed.

Of course, since seeing his own Qi Number as a Heaven-Covering Sword, Chen Ping shifted most of his focus onto Swordsmanship.

Mortal Swordsmanship and various Sword Control Techniques, the mysteries of Sword Techniques, had essentially reached Perfection.

But as they say, learning has no bounds.

Isn’t there still Divine Martial Realm Swordsmanship to cultivate?

Upon reaching Soul Perfection and a surge in spirit, Divine Sense broke through to the Soul Seventh Realm Arc Light Realm, simultaneously allowing several Secret Techniques to enter the Proficient Realm; now is the prime time to strike while the iron is hot, patiently study this Sword Technique while waiting for the increase in Fortune.

In the near future, it might come in handy.

...

In Beizhou, Sufang City, heavy snow fluttered down.

The weather turned bitterly cold.

Yet in the Lotus Heart Pavilion, it remained as warm as spring, flowers in full bloom.