The Hundred Schools of Thought were no mere legend; each one possessed its own distinct and powerful heritage. The Confucians had their Righteous Qi, capable of shattering evil spirits and demons with a single thunderous rebuke. The Novelists could cultivate through illusion, harnessing the willpower of the masses to empower themselves. A top-tier Novelist could create entire worlds with a single thought. The Mohists were known for non-aggression and their unparalleled mechanical engineering—in matters of siege and conquest, they were unmatched.
As for the Militarists, revered as the foremost doctrine of slaughter among the Hundred Schools, they had their own unique strength—military strategy and war manuals. Through a specialized cultivation method, they could condense a War Manual and open up a unique War Dao Life Aperture, something exclusive to the Militarist tradition. Within this aperture, one could infuse their cultivation base with their military acumen—this was the essence of the Militarists. Without it, others found it nearly impossible to step onto the path of the War Dao.
This was true heritage.
Fortuitously, Qi Jiguang had inherited the teachings of the Militarists at the Imperishable Academy, including the method to open the War Dao Life Aperture.
Once opened, a cultivator could condense a War Manual and use it to unleash War Dao Divine Abilities. However, this was no easy feat. To do so, one had to undergo a War Dao Simulation, where they must successfully enact the military tactic they sought. If they failed, the War Manual could not take shape, and the divine ability would never manifest.
While anyone could attempt to cultivate the War Dao, whether one could truly condense a War Manual depended entirely on their talent and comprehension. Those without aptitude would forever remain crude warriors—unable to command an army, destined to fail at mastering real tactics. In Grand Yi's Military Cabinet, nearly all the generals were part of the Militarists, practicing their secret methods.
War Manuals and strategies were not lacking in Grand Yi. In the Scripture Pavilion, countless military classics from across time and realms had been collected under Yi Tianxing's directive from the very start—complete works, not fragments.
Yang Ye and others had long since begun dual-cultivating Militarist methods, opening their War Dao Life Apertures and condensing War Manuals, thus gaining War Dao Divine Abilities.
Yi Tianxing had been aware of this all along.Nothing that happened in the Imperishable Academy could escape his notice. The legacies of the Hundred Schools were also archived in the Scripture Pavilion—he had personally reviewed them.
"Deceiving Heaven and Crossing the Sea may be powerful," Yi Tianxing said, nodding before shaking his head, "but with your current cultivation, I fear you alone cannot sustain it. It won't be enough to conceal an army of millions."
This operation aimed to annihilate an elite foreign army preparing a sacrificial ritual. That meant occupying advantageous terrain beforehand—covertly covering the entire Bramble Plains, placing the army at key positions while keeping them hidden. The troops had to disperse, and even Qi Jiguang couldn't be in several places at once.
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. We have all condensed War Manuals and each of us has comprehended the divine ability 'Deceiving Heaven and Crossing the Sea'. By exhausting our strength, we can cloak the army for a time," the twelve Legion Commanders, including Yang Ye, declared in unison.
As military leaders, they could not afford to fall behind. The rapid growth of the Grand Yi Dynasty placed unseen pressure on all of them, urging them to train relentlessly, to cultivate and improve. As soldiers blessed with the dynasty's fortune, their cultivation progressed at astonishing speeds.
Backed by vast resources, they had entered the Imperishable Academy and inherited Militarist legacies, opening their War Dao Life Apertures. No one wished to be disgraced in the army. Once inducted into the Militarists, they studied diligently, memorized strategy, conducted tactical simulations, and eventually grasped War Dao Divine Abilities—among them, nearly every Legion Commander had mastered Deceiving Heaven and Crossing the Sea.
"Good. Everyone knows the terrain well. Now take your legions to your assigned positions. Once the signal is given, wipe out the alien scum—leave none alive!" Yi Tianxing commanded decisively.
"By your command!" Qi Jiguang and the others responded in unison.
"Master Zhuge, I'll need you and Wu Yong to act together this time. The alien tribes have captured countless human civilians—we cannot let that pass. To think they'd dare use our people as sacrificial offerings!" Yi Tianxing turned toward Zhuge Liang and Wu Yong with a firm expression.
"Your Majesty is merciful. I shall do my utmost," Zhuge Liang replied, gently waving his feather fan.
Clearly, Yi Tianxing had chosen to rescue the imprisoned human civilians. It was a matter of millions—he could not just watch them be butchered for a dark ritual.
"The Hall of Calamities will support you if necessary," Yi Tianxing added with a nod.
"Azure Dragon Legion—form ranks!"
Qi Jiguang stood before his 500,000-strong army, already assembled in perfect formation. He stepped forward.
Whoosh!
As the formation solidified, a flash of light appeared before Qi Jiguang—revealing a blood-red book radiating thick killing intent. One could almost hear the clashing of weapons within. The aura was so intense that the faint-hearted might suffer mental shock at first glance.
Two ancient characters emerged on its cover: War Manual (兵书).
The War Manual opened, revealing pages filled with esoteric military writings and painted scrolls depicting real battles. Each was a tactical case study from history:
One showed Duke Huan of Qi and Hu Yan tricking Chong'er into leaving Qi while drunk.
Another depicted He Ruobi of the Sui Dynasty conducting conspicuous troop movements to confuse the enemy before launching a surprise assault on Nanxuzhou.
Each scroll wasn't just text, but a reenactment of strategy brought to life. Every simulation strengthened the War Manual through some mysterious force.
"War Tactic—Deceiving Heaven and Crossing the Sea!"
Qi Jiguang shouted.
A divine light shot out from the War Manual, enveloping the Azure Dragon Legion. In an instant, they vanished from sight—no eyes, no divine sense, no ocular art could detect them. This was the might of the War Dao. On the battlefield, the iron-blooded aura and surging vital energy often disrupted spells and divine powers. War Manuals extended this effect naturally.
"Such a wondrous War Manual… such profound strategy. It contains actual laws of the War Dao."
"The Militarists are indeed unmatched in slaughter. On the battlefield, none can rival them. With this one tactic, they can move entire legions silently into key positions and strike when least expected—absolutely devastating."
The power of the War Manual was undeniable.
Even Yi Tianxing nodded in secret. Even he, if not actively scanning, could hardly detect the Azure Dragon Legion. Though if he went all out, his Innate Yin-Yang Eyes could still pierce the veil—those divine eyes were immune to iron-blooded interference.
"Move out!"
Qi Jiguang gave a sharp command. With a wave, the Azure Dragon Legion vanished into the distance.
Though powerful, the War Tactic was costly—burning through vast reserves of true essence and magical power. At Life Diagram Realm, it couldn't be sustained long. Only solution: pills.
The legion didn't march directly out of the valley but entered a space gate, transporting them silently and precisely to their designated location. This avoided noise and preserved the valley's concealment.
This valley had been specially chosen by the Temple of Catastrophe. Enshrouded in fog all year round, its interior was naturally hidden from the outside world. A perfect staging ground.
As the Azure Dragon Legion disappeared, Yang Ye and the others activated their own Deceiving Heaven and Crossing the Sea divine abilities.
One by one, the legions vanished into their respective space gates—millions of soldiers were gone in moments.
"Let's move. Time to see what kind of demonic being these aliens intend to sacrifice to," Yi Tianxing said calmly, stepping into the space gate.
Zhuge Liang, Jia Xu, and the others exchanged glances before following.
Whoosh!At the edge of the Bramble Plains, several figures silently emerged in the void—and immediately cloaked themselves with stealth techniques.
"These alien tribes really mean to destroy our Grand Yi Immortal Cities."
"Truly despicable."
Scanning the Bramble Plains, Huang Chengyan and the others' expressions turned cold and furious.
No one could remain unmoved by the scene before them:
A vast sea of alien troops had already gathered...