More the Merrier When Mustering Ice Blocks

In the end, the two switched to playing Go, mainly because the military formations represented by Gomoku were too abstract for Zhong Ling to grasp.

Zhong Ling had considerable talent for military strategy, which was slightly reflected in her chess skills.

But as she sat across from Ying Bing, watching those slender, ivory-white fingers place a black stone with effortless grace, she couldn’t help but feel a tremor in her heart.

"Miss Ying, were you already well-versed in military formations? I feel like you’re even harder to handle than Uncle Qu..."

"Somewhat, I suppose."

"Somewhat?"

"I just learned it from you."

Ying Bing placed another stone, effortlessly trapping Zhong Ling’s main formation.

Zhong Ling stared at her in utter bewilderment.

Looking back, the "Cold Fairy" had indeed been watching her intently while she commanded the troops. Zhong Ling had assumed Ying Bing was already familiar with the art of formations.

Turns out, she had learned it on the spot.

"Why did you learn this?"

"......"

Ying Bing’s fingers paused briefly, her gaze drifting subtly toward the training field below as she murmured,

"Focus on the game."

"Oh."

Zhong Ling’s expression grew even more complicated.

Though Ying Bing had told her to concentrate on the game, Ying Bing herself kept glancing downward—sometimes at Li Mo, other times at the formations commanded by Qu Sheng.

She couldn’t help but suspect that Ying Bing had also spotted flaws in Uncle Qu’s military tactics.

While Zhong Ling was receiving guidance, command of Zhong Zhenyue’s formation was handed over to Qu Sheng.

Under the leadership of this seasoned commander, who had long guarded the frontlines of Qingmu City, the hundred soldiers moved as one, their coordination seamless, their momentum unbroken.

With him at the helm, the effectiveness of the drill improved even further.

"No wonder the pressure’s gotten heavier."

Li Mo, currently transformed into the Zhu Yan, spared a glance and noticed that the commander had switched to Qu Sheng.

"Couldn’t resist showing off—hope you don’t mind, Young Master Li."

Qu Sheng’s voice carried over.

"Wouldn’t dream of stopping you!"

Far from being dismayed, Li Mo was thrilled.

The stronger the commander, the better the results of his "investment"—and the greater the feedback he could reap.

Not to mention, it would push his own limits even further.

Would today be the day he finally integrated the last remnant of the Wuzhi Qi’s spirit into his transformations?

And he was also curious—just how much military power could he personally sustain?

Earlier, he and Zhong Zhenyue had agreed to first simulate the rampaging calamity beasts plaguing the southern borders. Once that was done, they could test his limits.

"Brothers, so this is what a pureblood Zhu Yan looks like! Its bloodline power can actually harness bloodlust—strengthening itself while devouring others!"

"If we hadn’t seen it today, we’d be caught off guard and slaughtered!"

"And it’s not just Zhu Yan—Qiong Qi, the Nine-Headed Bird, they’re all like this!"

"After today, we’d better remember this well. Might save our lives someday."

Gasps of astonishment rose intermittently from the edges of the training field.

No one took this lightly. They all knew that while supplies were crucial in war, there was something even more vital—

Information.

Many of history’s most shocking battles had hinged on this very factor.

By personally demonstrating the calamity beasts’ traits, Li Mo was giving them knowledge far more vivid than any written record.

Meanwhile, notifications chimed incessantly in his ears:

[Congratulations, Host. You have successfully invested in the soldiers of Qingmu Barracks by helping them understand Zhu Yan.]

[You have unclaimed investment rewards.]

[Congratulations, Host. You have successfully invested in the soldiers of Qingmu Barracks by helping them understand the Great Wind.]

[You have unclaimed investment rewards.]

......

As the drill progressed, the focus of the soldiers’ awe gradually shifted from the calamity beasts to Li Mo himself.

"Hey, have you noticed? Young Master Li doesn’t seem the least bit exhausted—his energy isn’t flagging at all!"

"Holy—now that you mention it!"

"He’s been trading blows with an entire formation single-handedly, and he’s about to wear them out!"

"Just how strong are his soul and body?"

"No wonder the Grand Commander said he could become a future Divine General..."

"How much military power can he sustain right now? Could he already be at the level of a high-ranking commander?"

The officers on the platform grew increasingly astounded.

They’d always known Commander Qu was a man of his word, but they hadn’t expected his praise to be so literal.

Even the legendary feats of the Prince in his prime might not have matched the impact Li Mo was making now.

Calling him a future Divine General was no exaggeration.

"Halt!"

Qu Sheng lowered his command flag. Listening to the murmurs around him, he exhaled deeply—he, too, was curious.

Because the reason he’d stopped wasn’t due to Li Mo’s limits.

It was because Zhong Zhenyue, after channeling military power for so long against Li Mo, had reached his breaking point—his soul and stamina utterly spent.

"Let me rest for a bit."

"Sure, we’ll continue later."

"Ah? Brother Li, you should test your military power absorption first. We can resume the drill tomorrow."

Zhong Zhenyue waved weakly, smiling bitterly.

What the others didn’t know was something even more absurd—

Li Mo was even more terrifying when he wasn’t transformed, because then he could wield his hammer...

"Alright, Old Zhong, take it easy."

Li Mo tossed him a high-grade recovery pill, slightly disappointed.

He hadn’t milked enough feedback yet.

And he hadn’t had the chance to fuse the last remnant of Wuzhi Qi’s spirit.

Honestly, the timing was perfect...

"Young Master Li, how was the experience within the formation?"

Qu Sheng personally greeted him on the command platform, the fine snow still clinging to his cloak.

"Left me wanting more."

"Hahaha! That’s the spirit! Why not test your military power absorption now? Any expectations?"

"How much... Well, probably more than Zhong Zhenyue."

Li Mo nearly borrowed the famous phrase "the more, the better" from a certain legendary general.

But since he wasn’t a commander of armies, it felt inappropriate.

"Can we do it now?"

Qu Sheng’s gaze drifted subtly toward a nearby Go game. "Normally, no. The formation’s core and commander need time to build rapport."

"Huh?"

Li Mo didn’t quite follow.

But then he followed Qu Sheng’s line of sight—

There, amidst the falling snow, sat Ying Bing in her feathered dress, her cold beauty elevating the winter scene to something transcendent.

She placed a stone on the board with an air of effortless command, as though orchestrating battles with a mere flick of her wrist.

And across from her—

Zhong Ling sat frozen, mouth agape, steam practically billowing from her head.

Had her soul left her body?

"Earlier, Zhong Ling asked Ying Bing how many troops she could command."

Qu Sheng lowered his eyelids slightly, his hands trembling.

"What did she say?"

"The more, the better."

"......"

Li Mo stiffened as if struck by lightning, nearly tipping backward.

Qu Sheng chuckled dryly.

Seemed these two young prodigies shared an uncanny synergy.

...

(Advance request for support—heh~)