Chapter 1844: Chapter 1701: The Battle of the Northern Desert Begins (Part 2)

Just as Chen Xi had predicted, both the Iron Cavalry Soldiers and the Vanguard Soldiers relied on their formidable willpower to successfully negate the negative effects of the potion. As for needing to have a big meal to replenish nutrients, that was not a problem at all.

"Indeed, when Military Spirit Soldiers reach this level, they undergo a fundamental change compared to other soldiers." Chen Xi said, looking with respect at the Military Spirit Legion who were completely unaffected. Their terrifying willpower was enough to forcibly negate negatives like Inner Qi Manifestation.

"Now, the power of Military Spirit is probably enough to withstand eight hundred soldiers who have just entered Qi Refining to Gang." Gao Shun suddenly spoke, causing Chen Xi to turn his head in interest.

"The improvement shouldn’t be that significant, right?" Chen Xi asked in amazement.

"For an entire legion, a slight improvement in everyone results in a huge collective enhancement." Hua Xiong replied in place of Gao Shun, "If the Hun Guards were on par with us before, now the average level gap across the legion is terrifying!"

Chen Xi’s understanding of troop command was shallow, but Hua Xiong’s explanation was straightforward, so Chen Xi got it, "Well, I wish you triumph in advance!"

Nearby, Xun Yu and Zhou Yu silently observed the Vanguard and Iron Cavalry soldiers, understanding Jia Xu’s approach. The opponent’s achievement had indeed given enough face, and they had nothing to be unhappy about.

The entire afternoon, all the military generals were engaged in fierce battles within the Martial Arts Arena. Clearly, the potion significantly enhanced those with stronger physical qualities compared to those with lesser ones.

However, after the afternoon’s battles, it became evident that the military generals from the Central Plains had mostly reached the level of Inner Qi Manifestation Perfection. As for those like Le Jin and Zang Ba, who had just broken through, were the exceptions.

As for the more powerful ones, like Zhang He, Sunx Ce, and Ma Chao, their combat abilities were basically at the Ultimate Inner Qi Manifestation level, leading some to express dissatisfaction with this level classification during casual chats.

Considering Zhang Fei, there’s hardly anyone present who could definitively beat him, even though none of his Essence, Qi, and Spirit cultivation levels had truly reached Ultimate Inner Qi Manifestation.

"Whew, whew!" Xu Huang swung his Great Axe with revolving wheels, truthfully feeling the presence of so many experts for the first time, and likewise felt for the first time that he was fighting for justice. Previously, he rarely pondered the rights and wrongs of war, and this time he truly felt his correctness.

"Tomorrow, I must slay three hundred!" As the sunset was about to dip below the horizon, Xu Huang shouldered his Great Axe and roared as he turned to leave, finally understanding what fighting for the country meant, driving his confidence and lifting his combat power by three folds out of thin air.

Upon hearing this, others too roared about how many they intended to slash, and the Martial Arts Arena almost vibrated like youthful vigor preparing to disrupt a site.

The dinner was sumptuous, both for soldiers and commanders alike, and due to the frequent emergence of Inner Qi Manifestation Generals over this period, the soldiers—originally elite troops—were fearless, facing tomorrow’s battle with a spirit of assured victory.

"Tomorrow morning, everyone shall wear armor, the full army shall charge!" Chen Xi addressed Liu Cao Sunx with a bow and spoke on their behalf.

All military generals sharpened their fists, while Chen Xi continued, "Tonight is the last night before battle, hence someone must patrol, and the number must be elevated to three times the usual, to ensure tomorrow’s warriors’ combat strength!"

Instantly, all generals stopped sharpening their fists, lowering their heads instead, unwilling to be selected for such duty. Over previous nights, five Inner Qi Manifestation led the elite night patrol without problems, but tonight it could not happen, tomorrow’s battle must be participated in.

It might be the last battle between Han and Huns; failing to participate in that would void the northern expedition’s meaning.

"Will no one volunteer? If none do, then I’ll start naming names." Chen Xi insidiously smiled while saying, prompting all generals to lower their heads further, praying internally not to be picked, for though night patrol wouldn’t render one combat-less on the next day, it certainly massively impacted performance.

"Let me do it. I shall have ten thousand Aristocratic Family Private Soldiers guarding outside; rest assured and sleep well." Just as Chen Xi was ready to name Yu Jin, Yu Jin—perhaps sensing Chen Xi’s gaze—promptly spoke first.

For were Chen Xi to pick, others would certainly laugh and be glad they were not chosen; by volunteering early, Yu Jin sacrificing for others won the favor of the thirty-plus Inner Qi Manifestation who surely would remember this favor.

"Alright, it’s up to you then." Chen Xi raised an eyebrow and smiled, then displayed a dissatisfied look towards others, who naturally spouted various praises for Yu Jin, since they wouldn’t need to patrol tonight, they could rest up and wait to fight the next day.

After finishing dinner, Yu Jin expressed feeling possibly the coolest Qi Refining to Gang person in the world, with more than thirty Inner Qi Manifestations treating him to drinks and another ten Inner Qi Manifestations offering to introduce him concubines.

That night, Yu Jin led tens of thousands of Aristocratic Family Private Soldiers on patrol, and around Han Army Camp at night, patrols were everywhere, impossible to bypass to launch surprise attacks.

Although Northern Huns and Dingling had heightened alerts due to Han Army’s morale shift, their intentions remained estimated, even contemplating night raids; yet upon seeing dense patrols outside Han Camp, extinguished all notions instantly.

The next day, all soldiers completed breakfast, tied prepped marinated meats to their waists, and instinctively gathered toward each Chief General, from whom Zhang Zhongjing distributed three Super Speed Recovery Capsules and three tonics.

Thereafter, official troops began departing the camp; besides the footsteps and clashes of armor and weapons, communication among ranks was minimal.

With Liu Cao Sunx settling in positions, autumn’s sun rays bathed everyone, yet no warmth was felt, although Zhuge Liang’s planned blizzard was preemptively ceased by Chen Xi and others; the cold climate was perilous indeed.

Upon mutual meeting of Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sunx Ce, the legion’s morale soared consistently, cloud Qi above rolled and vibrated as soldiers’ intent scaled.

After which Liu Bei and Cao Cao ascended command racks, Sunx Ce mounted his steed and hid aside, delegating command execution to Zhou Yu.

Meanwhile, Chen Xi, Jia Xu, Fa Zheng, purely civil officials, joined the chariots flanking Liu Bei and Cao Cao, ready to go down and fight as needed.

"Zhongde, how are you? Soldiers seem somewhat cold, right?" Chen Xi turned his head to inquire of Cheng Yu.

Cheng Yu immediately flared up at Chen Xi, "My talent is adaptation, not making soldiers oblivious to the cold; they still feel cold, but through my forced adaptation, this level of chill no longer hampers their performance across areas."

"Oh, that makes some sense I guess." Chen Xi pondered while touching his chin.

"Gong Da, are you ready?" Chen Xi turned towards seemingly thin air beside him.

"I’m on your opposite side." Xun Youi appeared expressionlessly beside Chen Xi.

"Seems all well." Chen Xi said with satisfaction, "Being able to reach this point."

"I added double layers of Spiritual Talent, also doubled Formation effects." Zhuge Liang emerged partially and said, "I suddenly spotted Yuanzhi’s weakness."

"If there were formations able to shift another formation’s structure seamlessly, say shifting life doors to death doors, and vice versa." Xun Youi spoke indifferently, not attempting concealment, probably aware Zhuge Liang already saw through it, understanding hiding served no purpose, opting for openness to save face.

"Gongjin, how’s it your side, maintaining formation easily?" Chen Xi turned to inquire, "Are standby formation channels all fine?"

"No issue." Zhou Yu simply nodded, barely elaborating.