In the early morning, clouds shrouded the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, and on the snow-capped ridges to the east and west of the lake, eight Zhen Jian Towers stood tall for thousands of miles. The Mo family cultivators worked with extreme speed, completing eight Zhen Jian Towers in a short period. Under the transport of the Great Ao Immortal Boat, the construction of the remaining three Zhen Jian Towers was already in full swing.
At noon, the sun dispelled the mist, bringing a serene and beautiful atmosphere to the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake. Many players from the Fusu Great Wall set foot on the lake, embarking on their leveling journey within its boundaries. In reality, the demon race's military strength was now almost entirely concentrated in the Panyun Mountain area, making the leveling resources in the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake not particularly outstanding, even inferior to those around Fusu Great Wall and Tongjing Lake. The reason for the influx of so many players was none other than to visit the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake chapter of history. Everyone wanted to see the place where Lin Baiyi had sacrificed himself for the realm, and to witness the site of the earth-shattering battle of that year.
...
"My Lord."
Inside Tian Ran Ju, as Lin Zhao was drawing a Divine Speed Talisman, Wu Zhi arrived and said softly, "Han Yetang, leading thirty thousand Vermilion Bird Cavalry, is about to arrive at the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake. Shall we welcome them?"
"They're finally here."
Lin Zhao clapped his hands and smiled, "Call Mu Gua, Chu Yu, Chen Ben, and Xiang Ji. Let's go and welcome Commander Han together."
"Yes!"
At the mountain gate, Lin Zhao waited quietly with his subordinates. Han Yetang, clad in deep red armor, rode a fine steed up the mountain, followed by a vast army of thirty thousand cavalry, men and women, organized into separate formations. The male Vermilion Bird Cavalry were almost exclusively heavy cavalry, all armored and armed. The female Vermilion Bird Cavalry, wearing lighter armor, had swords at their waists and war bows slung over their backs, forming a pure archery unit. Han Yetang had been researching battle formations for years and had developed this set of cavalry tactics. Though the Shanhai Pass defenders were few, only about fifty to sixty thousand, their combat strength was not to be underestimated, and no other of the six commanders dared to belittle Shanhai Pass.
"Commander Lin!"
Han Yetang rode forward, cupped his fist, and smiled, "We meet again."
"Indeed!"
Lin Zhao smiled and asked, "Where do you plan to make camp?"
"To the north."
Han Yetang said solemnly, "The mission of the six commanders here at the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake is to garrison the eleven Zhen Jian Towers. Therefore, I will not be staying in the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake and will lead my men down the north mountain."
"Ah? So soon?"
"Yes."
Han Yetang smiled, "Military intelligence waits for no one, so we must be swift. I'll be going now?"
"Alright."
Lin Zhao turned and watched Han Yetang lead the continuous stream of Vermilion Bird Camp cavalry down the mountain. As the thirty thousand Vermilion Bird Cavalry fully descended the north mountain, a scout cavalryman ascended from the south, a scout from the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake. He cupped his fist respectfully and said, "Commander Lin, Chen Xi, leading one hundred thousand Cangnan Iron Cavalry, is about to ascend the mountain. She has sent me to inform you."
"Understood."
Lin Zhao nodded, "Send orders to the cavalry guarding the mountain pass to allow them passage."
"Yes!"
Not long after, a deep blue silhouette appeared in the distance, forming a ribbon on the mountain road. Pure heavy iron cavalry steadily ascended, orderly, with only the sound of hooves and the clinking of armor and weapons. No one spoke. At the forefront of the hundred thousand Cangnan Iron Cavalry rode a peerlessly beautiful woman in armor, her horse carrying her forward, emanating a faint aura of fist intent. She was Chen Wanli's granddaughter, the commander of the Cangnan Iron Cavalry, and the ruler of Yun Prefecture, Chen Xi, a Heaven Origin realm female martial artist renowned for her strength and fame.
"Chen Xi greets Commander Lin."
Chen Xi stopped her horse ten meters away, cupped her fist respectfully, and smiled, "How has Commander Lin been?"
"Very well."
Lin Zhao clasped his fist with a smile, "Will the Commander also be descending the north mountain?"
"Yes, we will."
Chen Xi smiled, "All one hundred thousand Cangnan Iron Cavalry will camp north of the snow ridge, relying on the Zhen Jian Towers to guard the border. Supplies and personnel will continue to arrive. I request Commander Lin to grant passage."
"Of course."
Lin Zhao nodded, "In that case, are you leaving? If Commander Chen has time, you are welcome to visit the mountain peak villa for tea."
"I will."
Chen Xi smiled slightly and, with several ten-thousand-cavalry commanders, rode past. Instantly, the hundred thousand Cangnan Iron Cavalry ascended the mountain in a mighty wave. The Snow Domain Heavenly Lake had not been so lively for a long time. Lin Zhao gazed at the powerful warhorses and cavalry, feeling a pang of envy. Everyone said that the Yun Prefecture cavalry was the best in the world, but there was also the saying that the Cangnan Iron Cavalry was the best in Yun Prefecture. These Cangnan Iron Cavalry hailed from Yun Prefecture, both their warhorses and their riders. In terms of combat strength, the Cangnan Iron Cavalry could be considered the foremost among humans.
By afternoon, the hundred thousand Cangnan Iron Cavalry had all passed through the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake. Lin Zhao took a deep breath. The last time the six commanders had come to the pass was a hundred years ago, and after the six commanders gathered, it led to that earth-shattering decisive battle at the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake. This scene now made Lin Zhao recall the past. Would this time also be a decisive battle? This novel was from Baimao Novel.
However, in this decisive battle, Lin Zhao was no longer the strategist, but merely a participant. If the four northern tribes were to attack the Zhen Jian Towers from the south, the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake would inevitably be dragged into it.
...
As he turned to return to Tian Ran Ju, a clear voice suddenly came from afar: "Dong Chun of Yuzhu Garden, leading ten thousand Yuzhu Garden cultivators to reinforce the northern region, and also to pay respects to Commander Lin!"
In the air, a figure in green descended, riding the wind, followed by countless human cultivators. The green-clad figure landed gracefully before Lin Zhao. He was a twelfth-level cultivator named Dong Chun, the current commander of Yuzhu Garden at Tongguan Pass. The previous commander of Yuzhu Garden was the thirteenth-level great cultivator Qin Yushan, who tragically sacrificed himself during the Battle of Snow Domain Heavenly Lake.
Yuzhu Garden was known for its large number of cultivators. The ten thousand cultivators following Dong Chun all started from the sixth level, with several even reaching the eleventh level. In terms of the strength of the upper five realms, Yuzhu Garden could be considered the foremost among the six commands.
Lin Zhao hastily clasped his fist, "Lin Zhao greets Commander Dong!"
Dong Chun smiled and said, "Commander Lin, no need for formalities. Dong Chun is leading the Yuzhu Garden cultivators to descend the north mountain to garrison the Zhen Jian Towers."
"Won't you rest for a while?"
Lin Zhao asked with a smile.
"No, no."
Dong Chun cupped his fist and smiled, "I must be going."
"Farewell."
On the Heavenly Lake, Lin Zhao, Wu Zhi, Mu Gua, and others watched as Dong Chun led the ten thousand Yuzhu Garden spiritual cultivators to soar across the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake. It wasn't just them; the tens of thousands of Snow Domain cavalry in the camp were also watching. With the arrival of the six commanders, the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake had truly become lively.
"Is there anyone else?"
Wu Zhi looked south.
"Yes."
Lin Zhao said, "There are two more commands, Dinghai Army of Yanmen Pass and Wuzhen Tower of Hulao Pass. Judging by the situation, they should be arriving at the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake together. Let's wait a bit longer."
"Okay."
Not long after, another scout from the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake reported from the south: The armies of Dinghai Army and Wuzhen Tower were about to arrive.
Lin Zhao gazed into the distance. The vision of a Golden Core sword cultivator was far superior to that of ordinary players. He could see dense armies appearing south of the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake through the clouds. He remembered the appearances of these two armies: the Dinghai Army, wearing green armor, and Wuzhen Tower, wearing grayish-white armor.
Amidst the clouds, two figures floated up the mountain.
One was an elder martial artist, his hands clasped behind his back, enveloped in a dense fist intent. The other was an eleventh-level sword cultivator stepping on a flying sword. They were none other than Lü Fengxian, commander of Hulao Pass, and Bei Minghai, commander of Yanmen Pass. Both were renowned generals of their time, having made significant contributions a hundred years ago. However, both had aged considerably. Bei Minghai was only a tenth-level sword cultivator back then, and after much struggle, he had finally reached the eleventh level. Although Lü Fengxian was now a Rebirth Realm martial artist with a thrumming Soldier God's heart, the years had taken their toll, and he appeared extremely aged.
"..."
Mu Gua's body trembled slightly, almost unable to withstand the pressure of the Rebirth Realm martial artist's fist intent. Chen Ben, however, widened his eyes, clenched his fists, and a War God's heart in his body emanated fist intent, allowing him to completely disregard the oppressive aura of Lü Fengxian, a Rebirth Realm martial artist. As for Wu Zhi, she gently raised her delicate eyebrows, looking at Bei Minghai, the eleventh-level sword cultivator, with no discernible expression. In her eyes, Bei Minghai's eleventh-level foundation was not particularly impressive, but as a renowned general of a generation, he deserved respect.
"Ah?"
The two old generals landed side-by-side before Lin Zhao. They stared at Lin Zhao for a moment, meticulously discerning his appearance and bearing. In an instant, they recognized him. Old General Lü Fengxian was the first to kneel on one knee, followed by Bei Minghai. Both their eyes welled up with tears, and they stammered, "Your subordinate has arrived late... Greetings, Commander Lin..."
Lin Zhao's nose tingled with emotion. He quickly stepped forward, placing a hand on each of their arms to help them up. "Please rise, two old marshals. Lin Zhao cannot bear it."
Lü Fengxian rose, wiped his tears, his voice still trembling slightly, "After parting a hundred years ago, I thought Commander Lin had long since perished in battle. I never thought I would have the chance to see Commander Lin again in this lifetime..."
"Old Marshal."
Lin Zhao clasped his fist towards him and said softly, "It has been a long time. You are now a Rebirth Realm cultivator. If Old Marshal Chen Wanli knew in the netherworld, he would be immensely pleased."
Lü Fengxian's eyes immediately reddened, "If Old Marshal Chen knew that Commander Lin had been reborn, that would be true solace."
Bei Minghai said solemnly, "Commander Lin, the legendary Lord of the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, that white-robed sword cultivator, was actually Commander Lin?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhao smiled, "After rebirth, my heart did not die. I was unwilling to watch the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, which the sages of our human race shed blood to defend, fall into the hands of the demon race, so I returned."
Bei Minghai nodded.
Lü Fengxian then gathered his voice into a thread and spoke into Lin Zhao's mind, "The current court of the Great Shang is in turmoil. Commander Lin alone in the northern border might be unable to hold the fort. But as long as Commander Lin gives the word, Lü will lead the fifteen thousand martial cultivators of Wuzhen Tower through fire and water without hesitation!"
At the same time, Bei Minghai's gaze met his, and he also spoke in his mind, "The current situation in the Great Shang is unpredictable. If Commander Lin needs anything, Bei Minghai is willing to lead the thirty thousand Dinghai Army to follow, with unwavering loyalty!"
"Understood."
Lin Zhao nodded, clasped his fists towards the two, and said solemnly, "Lin Zhao thanks the two old marshals for their kindness. But as commanders of our human race, we must act with a public heart! Let's finish this battle first. Of course, it would be best if we don't have to fight. I don't think we are truly ready for a decisive battle with the four northern tribes."
"Yes!"
The two old marshals nodded in unison, then led their troops down the north mountain.
Lin Zhao felt a surge of emotion. The two old marshals had likely lost faith in the Great Shang Dynasty, which was why they were so open and sincere with him, the supreme commander of the human race from a hundred years ago. The total strength of Dinghai Army was three hundred thousand, and Wuzhen Tower had one hundred and fifty thousand. If these two old marshals wholeheartedly followed him, with Lin Zhao's strategic mind, he might truly be able to shake the empire of the Great Shang.
He frowned, then dismissed the thought.