Simultaneous travel: I am rampant in the domestic area

As Russell had predicted, the next day, all the young men who had participated in the martial arts demonstration the previous day were summoned to the royal palace.

Inside the magnificent palace, the atmosphere was solemn and dignified. Baili Jinghong sat high on the throne, while his personal attendant announced the rewards for yesterday's martial arts competition.

As expected, Lord Wuyang Youyin was appointed as the deputy general. However, when Ji Ye's name was announced, the news surprised some people. He was appointed as Russell's direct bodyguard.

These so-called guards were not registered in the Lower Tang army and remained commoners.

Since Russell had communicated with him the night before, Ji Ye did not have much emotional fluctuation at this moment. He simply stepped forward calmly, bowed, and received the imperial decree.

Seeing this, Ji Changye, who was standing beside him, couldn't help but show a hint of disdain on his face. He thought to himself, "So what if he can fight? In the end, he's just a nobody who can't be brought to the table. He hasn't even managed to get a single official position."

Russell naturally held Ji Changye in utter contempt.

This kid is like a vampire, sucking Ji Ye's blood from beginning to end.

In terms of positioning, it's comparable to the "God of Cars" from Gaolianghe.

Ji Ye later founded the Xie Dynasty, and the throne passed to his brother, Ji Changye.

After Ji Changye succeeded to the throne, he massacred Ji Ye's descendants.

He can be described as the Kyushu version of Zhao Guangyi.

After the investiture ceremony concluded, the young men withdrew.

Baili Jinghong then led several key ministers into the inner room and dismissed all the eunuchs and palace maids, leaving only Luo Su, the Imperial Preceptor Gong Yuyi, General Xi Yan, and Tuoba Shanyue.

The atmosphere inside the hall instantly became even more somber.

Baili Jinghong looked at Tuoba Shanyue and said in a deep voice, "Speak."

Tuoba Shanyue first bowed to the king, then faced the crowd and reported with a stern expression: "Urgent report from the front: the Li Kingdom has mobilized 30,000 elite troops, departed from Jiuyuan City, passed through Canglan Road, and has broken through the natural barrier of Semei Valley, invading our border. Our army has suffered heavy losses, and the specific casualties are still being tallied."

Baili Jinghong frowned: "Semei Valley is a natural stronghold, easy to defend and difficult to attack. How could it have fallen so easily?"

Tuoba Shanyue's voice was low and deep: "The Li people have used the Red Fang, and our soldiers are finding it difficult to resist."

Upon hearing the words "Red Fang," both Xi Yan and Gong Yuyi's eyes flickered slightly.

Those were monsters bred by the Chenyue Sect using bizarre secret techniques. They were impervious to pain, possessed immense strength, and were like puppets in war.

"It seems that the Li Kingdom has learned of our alliance with Qingyang and can no longer sit idly by." Baili Jinghong snorted coldly, then turned his gaze to Luo Su and Xi Yan: "How do you two think we should deal with this attack by the Li Kingdom?"

Russell smiled calmly and said, "Your Majesty, for many years, our Lower Tang has been preparing for war and stockpiling resources, precisely to deal with today's situation."

Since entering Xia Tang, he has strongly advocated strengthening military preparedness, and these words resonated with Baili Jinghong.

The Lower Tang was wealthy, but unfortunately it lacked a capable army and was looked down upon by the other warlords.

Several years ago, Russell presented the plan for the formation and training of the Xuanjia Army. Now that this elite force has been formed, it is time to show its strength and let the world know that Xia Tang is not a place that can be coveted at will.

Xi Yan frowned and advised, "Your Majesty, the Red Fang Army of Li Kingdom is a fierce and ruthless force. In my humble opinion, it is not advisable to engage them in a direct confrontation..."

Before he could finish speaking, Baili Jinghong's face showed displeasure: "General Xi, have you been scared out of your wits by that Ying Wuyi? Why are you boosting the morale of others while diminishing your own!"

Xi Yan knew that Baili Jinghong's ambition had been stirred by Russell's words, and there was no point in trying to persuade him further. So he could only get up and apologize: "This humble general has misspoke."

Baili Jinghong waved his hand, his tone resolute: "Forget it. I originally wanted General Xi to lead the troops, but since you have concerns, then General Tuoba will take on this important task!"

He turned his gaze to Tuoba Shanyue and ordered, "General Tuoba, I hereby command you to immediately lead 30,000 Xuanjia soldiers to the border, and you must reclaim Semei Valley for me and defeat the Li army!"

Tuoba Shanyue had been waiting for this opportunity for far too long. He immediately bowed and clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice booming, "This humble general obeys!"

Xi Yan glanced silently at Luo Su, then at Tuoba Shanyue, and understood.

He was aware of the connection between the two, but he never revealed it to Baili Jinghong.

On the one hand, he himself was also a Skywarrior; on the other hand, he had long been disappointed by Baili Jinghong's stubbornness.

After the meeting concluded, everyone emerged from the inner hall.

Ling Yuan pushed Russell's wheelchair, with Ji Ye silently following behind, as they walked along the long palace corridor.

Just then, they ran into Yu Ran and Asule, who were walking and talking.

Behind Asule followed a gentle woman named Su Shunqing.

Su Shunqing and Ling Yuan's eyes met briefly in the air before parting again.

When Yu Ran and Asule met Russell, they first bowed.

Yu Ran then looked at Ji Ye excitedly: "Ji Ye! I heard you won four consecutive matches in the martial arts arena. Tell me quickly, what high-ranking official position did the King appoint you to?"

Ji Ye calmly replied, "I have been appointed as Mr. Luo's personal bodyguard."

"What?" Yu Ran blurted out, her pretty face full of surprise: "Why? You clearly won the most, why are you only a guard?"

Russell coughed and looked at Yu Ran with some helplessness: "Little Yu Ran, I'm right here. Didn't you know to keep it from me when you said that?"

Yu Ran then realized what was happening, stuck out her tongue, and said to Russell in a coquettish tone, "Oh, Mr. Russell, it's just because we're so familiar with each other!"

Ji Ye then spoke up, "Being able to become your bodyguard is the happiest thing in my life so far. You don't need to feel sorry for me."

Yu Ran carefully observed his expression and, seeing that he didn't seem to be forcing himself, breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good. I was worried you would be sad."

Russell turned to Asule and asked gently, "Is the Crown Prince going to meet the King?"

Asule nodded and replied respectfully, "Yes, the Ghost Festival is approaching, and I would like to request permission from the King to leave the palace."

Yu Ran immediately perked up and invited Ji Ye: "Ji Ye, you just won the competition, why don't you come out with us tonight? The Ghost Festival in Nanhuai City is so lively!"

A flicker of longing flashed in Ji Ye's eyes, but he then looked at Russell with some hesitation.

Russell smiled, his tone gentle and tolerant: "Young people should live like young people. Go, you don't need to be by my side all the time."

Ji Ye's face immediately lit up with a smile, and he quickly thanked Russell, "Thank you, sir!"

The group passed each other under the corridor.

Su Shunqing led Asule and Yu Ran to the palace in Baili Jinghong. Ling Yuan pushed Russell out of the palace. Ji Ye silently followed behind the wheelchair, but his eyes involuntarily followed Yu Ran's lively figure until they turned the corner and disappeared.

“Youthful spirit, how wonderful,” Russell suddenly sighed softly, breaking the silence.

Upon hearing this, Ji Ye withdrew his gaze and said in a low voice, "Sir, you flatter me." "What's there to laugh about?" Russell said calmly, "Acting spontaneously and valuing loyalty are the most precious qualities of young people."

……

That night, Tuoba Shanyue mustered his troops and rushed towards the border, but they stopped at the entrance of a valley called Mingyue Cliff.

Tuoba Shanyue waved his hand, and his deputy Qiu Haoze rode forward, leading the large group of men to continue their journey. Tuoba Shanyue himself led three thousand elite cavalry into Mingyue Cliff.

The Mingyue Cliff Valley is deep in forest, and the moonlight can only filter through the interlacing branches and leaves to cast scattered, dappled spots of light.

Three thousand elite Xuanjia cavalrymen stood silently in the valley like ghosts, their bodies and men utterly still, save for the faint metallic scraping sound of the night wind rustling through their armor plates.

Tuoba Shanyue reined in his horse and stood at the front of the procession, his gaze calmly fixed on the depths of the valley.

There, Russell and Yi Tianzhan had been waiting for a long time.

Upon seeing the arrival of the army, Yi Tianzhan stepped forward. Facing the thousands of iron cavalry standing solemnly, he said nothing, but simply raised his right hand, clenched his fist, and pounded it heavily on his left chest, near his heart.

"Boom!"

A muffled thud was heard, but it was all the more clear in the silent valley.

In the next instant, except for Tuo Kaiba Shanyue, the three thousand elite cavalrymen moved in unison, dismounting in unison, the thousands of pounds of iron armor clashing together producing a deep and unified roar.

Everyone faced Yi Tianzhan, knelt on one knee, heads slightly bowed, and performed the highest salute of the Sky Chariot Warriors.

Yi Tianzhan's gaze swept over the loyal warriors hidden among the Xuanjia Army, and a deep, ancient oath slowly flowed from his lips, each word seemingly carrying the weight of a thousand pounds:
"The god of the North Star, the lord of the vastness; he roams the azure sea, to the utmost extent."

"The armor is still intact!"

"The armor is still intact!" The roar of three thousand men was like a thunderclap, echoing through the valley and causing the leaves to rustle down.

This is not just a response, but a declaration of conviction, a release of loyalty and passion after a long period of silence and repression.

The training plan for this Xuanjia Army was presented to Baili Jinghong by Russell. Baili Jinghong had a tight grip on this army, but the soldiers were selected by Tuoba Shanyue.

These three thousand elite cavalrymen and their deputy general Qiu Haoze were members of the Sky Chaser Warriors. Among them were veterans and newcomers who had recently joined, but without exception, they all believed in the God of the North Star and in justice.

Yi Tianzhan raised his hand, suppressing the rousing roar, and said in a deep voice: "War is coming. The shadow of Chenyue has already loomed over Li Kingdom. They will use blood and chaos to stir up trouble on this land and realize their ambitions."

The knights listened silently, their eyes gleaming with unwavering determination in the darkness.

"With the guidance of the Void God, Chenyue has bewitched people and created war. After the catastrophe of the end of the world and the long years of silence, the Desolate God has finally cast his gaze upon us again! Everyone, the one who will reveal the truth has arrived, and the light will ultimately guide us!"

"The One Who Reveals!?"

Upon hearing this, the more senior Skywarriors in the crowd looked up in disbelief, their eyes gleaming with astonishment.

Since the end of the Benmo era, after the death of the last Grand Master with divine power, the Sky Chaser Warriors lost their direct connection with their guardian deity, and their power and beliefs have been eroded over time.

Has the legendary Awakener reappeared?
Just then, Russell, who had been sitting quietly on the bluestone, slowly stood up.

He walked to Yi Tianzhan's side, and facing three thousand pairs of burning, expectant eyes, calmly extended his right hand, using the Ming Cult's illusory and wondrous appearance to bewitch:

"Gentlemen, you must remember that we fight for justice, driven by our faith. Wherever our blades point or our horses gallop, it is all for the sake of the gods, not for the benefit of any one nation or family."

The moment he finished speaking, a vast and warm power surged forth from Russell's outstretched right hand.

This power, like an invisible tide, instantly filled the entire Bright Moon Canyon, enveloping every Skyward Warrior.

Everyone, including Tuoba Shanyue, trembled violently at that moment.

They clearly felt a vast energy suddenly injected into their bodies, and this energy began to circulate in their meridians along a seemingly fixed route.

With each complete cycle, they could clearly perceive that the power they could mobilize and control was becoming more solid and stronger.

This is the exhilarating feeling of rain after a long drought.

This is... divine power!

Only in ancient legends, under the guidance of the Grand Master, would the Wild God bestow the blessing upon the Sky Chaser!
"The armor is still intact!" Someone shouted first, their voice trembling with excitement.

The next moment, the entire Bright Moon Canyon was engulfed by a frenzied roar like a tsunami.

"The armor is still intact!!"

"The armor is still standing!!!"

The sound waves rose higher and higher, soaring into the sky.

Three thousand pairs of eyes were now focused on Russell with fervor.

They knew that the banner of the Skywards would once again fly high over this continent under the guidance of the true "Awakeners," and they were the beginning of this new era!
Ugh……

Feeling the continuous flow of heat emanating from his body, Yi Tianzhan sighed inwardly.

He doesn't know whether his choice today is right or wrong.

All he knew was that from this day forward, Russell would be the agent of the will of the Wild God.

Russell's every word and action was an instruction from the Wild God, and the goal that the Skywalkers fought for their entire lives.

This statement itself doesn't mean anything, but if you interpret it in another way, it means that what others say doesn't matter, as long as you listen to me, I am the spokesperson for the gods.

Nodding in satisfaction, Russell withdrew his right hand and punched his left chest: "God's gaze will always be upon you. Where the sun and moon shine, all is barren land. In the end, the armor will still remain!"

Boom!

The three thousand cavalrymen mounted their horses again, but this time, they were no longer confused.

He didn't say anything else, and Tuoba Shanyue knew what to do next.

The 30,000 Xuanjia soldiers who set out on this expedition will inevitably face a bloody battle against the 30,000 elite cavalry of the Li Kingdom. In the end, the Li Kingdom will suffer more than half of its casualties, and the Xuanjia army will be completely annihilated.

These three thousand elite cavalry will also go from the open to the shadows, becoming a ghost army.

These three thousand Xuanjia soldiers were Russell's foundation for conquering the world, and were a non-renewable resource in the short term.

It was thanks to the existence of nuclear energy that he was able to cosplay as a divine messenger. Otherwise, given the unyielding nature of the Sky Chaser Warriors, he would have had to devise a more elaborate plan to prevent them from getting carried away by their sense of justice and ruining themselves one by one.

"Next up is the Azure Cloud Ancient Tooth Sword." Russell stretched and looked at Yi Tianzhan: "It's time to convene the next round of the Sect Master Conference." (End of Chapter)