The frenzied looting lasted most of the night before finally coming to an end.
Nearly every Red Flame Army soldier's horse was loaded with numerous parcels, packed full of miscellaneous items, including medicinal ingredients, gold and silver, jewelry, jade artifacts… a wide variety.
And after the looting was completed, an overwhelming fire instantly spread.
The blazing flames turned half the sky a vivid red.
The scorching heat waves could be felt from miles away.
Xia Longhai took one last look at the small town, then glanced coldly at Jiang Shi, whipped his horse, and dashed madly into the distance.
"Go!"
Five to six hundred Red Flame Army soldiers immediately rushed forward, each fully loaded, heading into the distance.
"Brother Jiang, didn't you loot anything?"
Xiong Kaishan looked at Jiang Shi in surprise.
"I did, some gold and silver, all here."
Jiang Shi gestured to the parcel behind him and moved forward.
Xiong Kaishan glanced at it and said, "Too little, others might find fault with you. Take this bag of mine!"
He casually threw Jiang Shi a large bag of jewelry.
Jiang Shi caught it, glanced over it briefly, nodded lightly, and continued on his way.
The journey lasted three more days.
Jiang Shi's power continued to silently grow.
Finally!
The morning of the fourth day.
The group completely returned to the Red Flame Army headquarters.
Upon arriving, a large number of soldiers quickly came to unload all the materials off them and moved them into tents.
"Jiang Shi!"
Suddenly!
Xia Longhai's voice became cold as he called out to Jiang Shi, his single eye glinting with icy light, "Once we've returned, you know what to say and what not to say."
"Don't worry!"
Jiang Shi replied and continued to turn away.
Xia Longhai snorted coldly, turned around, and headed towards the Central Army Tent.
After Jiang Shi returned to his residence, Chi Huo, Chi Long, and Chi Yuan quickly came over and immediately started asking meticulously.
Jiang Shi gently shook his head, "There's nothing, elders need not worry. Oh, I've reached perfection in the First Realm of the Red Sun Body Refining Technique."
He headed straight to his room.
First Realm perfection?
Chi Huo, Chi Long, and Chi Yuan were all shocked and revealed joy.
Reached perfection in the First Realm so quickly?
Good, worthy of an Innate Vajra!
Just like the rumors.
Any Horizontal Training Technique, once mastered, can naturally reach fruition.
Such a short time?
"Though Jiang Shi's inner strength qualification is poor, his horizontal training qualification is incredibly extraordinary. In time, he might even surpass the Observatory Master."
Chi Huo Daoist said excitedly.
"Indeed!"
The two nearby elders nodded repeatedly, secretly pleased.
···
Inside the room.
After returning, Jiang Shi immediately took out the four secret manuals and placed them in front of him for review.
Shadow-Following Body Technique!
Bursting Flower Rain!
Gale Sword Technique!
Iron Stone Body!
Four secret manuals, covering body technique, hidden weapons, swordsmanship, hard skill.
And the hard skill of the Iron Stone Body is different from the Red Sun Body Refining Technique's hard skill.
The Iron Stone Body, while not enhancing strength as much as the Red Sun Body Refining Technique, mainly serves to enhance physical defense, similar to an Iron Cloth Shirt.
Jiang Shi pondered.
"Now that I have trained the Red Sun Body Refining Technique, along with the Dragon-Breaking Spear Technique and the assistance of Star Meteorite Iron, in a direct confrontation, few should be able to defeat me. What I lack now is a body technique, and hidden weapons…"
Especially hidden weapons.
If another hidden weapon expert targets me, no matter how strong I am, it will be hard to avoid becoming a live target.
Thus!
I must learn a hidden weapon for self-defense.
Only by mastering hidden weapons can I understand how to counter them.
Next is the body technique.
With a good body technique, I won't be outmaneuvered by others.
Of course, during this time, I still need to prioritize the Red Sun Body Refining Technique.
This cultivation technique adds too much to my strength and is effortless to cultivate, fully achievable in half a month.
···
Central Army Tent.
The man in the green robe with a fair face, Yang Hongtian, frowned and quietly listened to Xia Longhai's account, saying, "So, he really didn't make a move?"
"Yes, General. Not only was he unwilling to make a move, but he almost turned against me!"
Xia Longhai said in a low voice.
"I see."
Yang Hongtian frowned, his fingers kept tapping on the tabletop, his expression changing unpredictably for a while.
To be honest, he was extremely fond of Jiang Shi's talent.
Especially after Jiang Shi defeated Yang Lian, he was practically infatuated with Jiang Shi.
But love is love, Jiang Shi was never one of their own.
If Jiang Shi had been part of the Red Flame Army from the beginning, or if his background had been clear from the start, he would definitely have used Jiang Shi swiftly, cultivating him as a trusted subordinate, and there would be no need to probe and pressure him afterward.
But alas, Jiang Shi came from a Jianghu sect, which inevitably called for probing and pressure.
Originally, he thought that this time, Jiang Shi would obediently make a move...
Yet now the situation had once again exceeded expectations.
"What do you all think would be the best way to deal with Jiang Shi?"
Yang Hongtian's gaze was profound as he looked at everyone.
"General, if I may speak bluntly, now is not the time to be soft-hearted. Talents can be found at any moment, but if any problem arises, there will be trouble later, so it's best to eliminate him directly!"
Zhang Shan stood up, clasping his fists, and said coldly.
"Indeed, it's safer to kill him directly. After all, the major Jianghu sects and we are not on the same path."
Xia Longhai also spoke in a low voice.
"I also agree to kill him!"
"I suggest using him for a while longer until we've completely defeated the Red Turban Army before killing him!"
"I also suggest defeating the Red Turban Army first!"
···
Everyone spoke one after another, each expressing their opinion.
Xiong Kaishan stood silently on the side, sweating profusely.
Suddenly!
Yang Hongtian's gaze swept directly towards Xiong Kaishan, as if he could see through what he was thinking, and said: "Xiong Kaishan, you recommended Jiang Shi. Do you think he should be killed or kept?"
"Everything is up to the General's decision. I dare not speak carelessly..."
"Speak boldly, I grant you immunity."
Yang Hongtian said softly.
"Yes, General, maybe we should keep him for now in case the Red Turban Army makes a comeback..."
Xiong Kaishan spoke, saying: "Besides, people's hearts are made of flesh. If we explain the stakes and continuously tempt him with benefits, he will eventually come around.
Further, if he can be easily swayed by the General now, it might not be safe—since if he can be swayed easily by you today, he might be swayed by others tomorrow. His loyalty to Zhenwu Temple shows he's not someone who easily forgets gratitude, and such people are indeed rare."
"Nonsense!"
Zhang Shan said coldly, "Just for an unrealistic goal, do we keep showering him with benefits?"
"With investment comes return. Once such a person is won over, he will be loyal."
Xiong Kaishan said.
"But what if he doesn't come around?"
Zhang Shan sneered.
"If he doesn't come around, then it's not too late to kill him."
Xiong Kaishan responded.
Yang Hongtian pondered for a moment before speaking, "Forget it, my decision is made!"
Suddenly, he looked towards Zhang Shan and asked, "Zhang Shan, have you found the whereabouts of the Red Turban Army?"
"Reporting to the General, it has been found. They are hiding three hundred miles away at Yunxiang Temple!"
Zhang Shan stood up and clasped his fists.
"Yunxiang Temple? They are quite bold to hide right under my nose. Immediately mobilize the army and prepare to set out."
Yang Hongtian said calmly.
"Yes, General!"
Zhang Shan shouted, clasping his fists.
"General, what about Jiang Shi?"
Xiong Kaishan asked cautiously.
"Keep him for now, we'll deal with him after defeating the rebels!"
Yang Hongtian said with an indifferent gaze.
Xiong Kaishan's heart tightened, and he clasped his fists in acknowledgment.
···
"Strike camp and set off, the entire army, move out!"
Voices shouting orders quickly echoed throughout the army camp.
The vast military camp surged at once.
Everyone moved swiftly, rushing out of their quarters.
"It's time for action!"
"Is the great confrontation coming?"
All Jianghu people looked surprised, quickly coming together.
The innermost ranks of the Red Flame Army were the first to gather, a fiery red mass, strict and disciplined, each person exuding a murderous aura, their eyes sharp.
Then, following an order from Yang Hongtian, they all surged and officially set off.