"Ann Guochu has repeatedly requested to lead the troops to the Snow Territory to exterminate the demons personally, but I did not agree," Huang Ce continued.

Wang Xiaoqiang asked, "Why is that? I think Prince Ann is the most suitable candidate!"

Huang Ce replied, "Currently, Ann Guochu controls the military power of the Empire. He has gathered his forces and his ambition for rebellion is as easy as turning his hand..."

"It's easy to rebel but difficult to achieve great success!" Wang Xiaoqiang said, "With His Majesty's restraint, I doubt he would dare. Before strong power, mere numbers are meaningless..."

"I understand that, but do not underestimate the army. If a military unit assembles into a grand formation, it will be a formidable and terrifying force."

Huang Ce continued, "This time, I am sending you to the Snow Territory to divert part of the forces from Ann Guochu's hands and dilute his military strength..."

"I understand!" Wang Xiaoqiang nodded.

Huang Ce said, "I will give you 100,000 Superior Pills and 100,000 troops. What do you think?"

Wang Xiaoqiang replied, "The value of troops lies in their quality, not their quantity. More people make management difficult; actually, 20,000 are enough."

The mention of the "Ring Spirit Formation" by Huang Ce made Wang Xiaoqiang think that if he had 10,000 soldiers at the True Immortal Realm, he could form the "Myriad Circle Spirit Formation."

In considering formation creation, it's not just about numbers. Asking for an extra 10,000 troops as a supplement is advantageous. Therefore, he requested 20,000 troops.

Huang Ce agreed, "Very well, I'll transfer 20,000 elite soldiers from Ann Guochu's forces to you..."

"How elite are these soldiers His Majesty mentioned? If they are below the True Immortal Realm, I would rather not have them," Wang Xiaoqiang stated firmly.

Huang Ce assured, "Since they are elite soldiers, they are naturally cultivators above the True Immortal Realm, including those at the Immortal Venerable Stage."

"Great! Excellent!" Wang Xiaoqiang said happily.

"Don't cheer just yet. I'm worried that you won't be able to lead those soldiers."

Wang Xiaoqiang asked, "Why couldn't I?"

"These soldiers have been with Ann Guochu for a long time, and they only follow his orders. Once they change commanders, there will likely be resistance," Huang Ce explained.

Without much hesitation, Wang Xiaoqiang replied, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I can handle it."

Huang Ce, intrigued, said, "I'm curious to hear how you plan to solve that."

"If one person doesn't follow my orders, I'll execute one; if 20,000 don't obey, I'll execute all 20,000, leaving none alive!" Wang Xiaoqiang said calmly. "Though I'm afraid you might blame me then."

"I didn't expect you to have such capability." Huang Ce stroked his beard with a smile, "Compassion doesn't lead soldiers; benevolence cannot control troops. Xiaoqiang, go forth boldly, you have my support."

With Huang Ce's words, Wang Xiaoqiang naturally proceeded with confidence.

Huang Ce quickly drew 100,000 Superior Pills from the national treasury and transferred 20,000 elite soldiers from Ann Guochu to Wang Xiaoqiang. However, before these 20,000 soldiers came under Wang Xiaoqiang, Ann **** had privately instructed them.

Ann Guochu called the minor leaders of these 20,000 soldiers to his side and solemnly advised, "You have all followed me for years; I've treated you as my personal guards, and your loyalty is evident...

If you still recognize me, Ann Guochu, do not heed Wang Xiaoqiang's orders. Don't rush into exterminating any Demon Sect. Act accordingly when the opportunity arises; if possible, eliminate Wang Xiaoqiang for me. When you return, I will greatly enhance your positions and heavily reward you!"

The twenty minor leaders all accepted the order, showing great loyalty.

These minor leaders had been with Ann **** for a long time and held high trust in him, recognizing only him in the army. Following his instructions was natural for them.

These 20,000 troops were truly elite soldiers, all with cultivation bases above the True Immortal Realm Fifth Stage, and some even reaching the Fivefold Body of the Immortal Venerable.

Wang Xiaoqiang placed the 100,000 Superior Pills in his Sumeru Ring. The mountain-like pile of pills was easily accommodated thanks to the vast space of Wang Xiaoqiang's Sumeru Ring.

Then he took control of the troops...

After taking command of these 20,000 elite soldiers, Wang Xiaoqiang was quite happy and immediately summoned Cheng Jin from the Five Spirit Sect. The Myriad Circle Spirit Formation couldn't be set up without Cheng Jin. Although Wang Xiaoqiang also understood the art of formation creation, Cheng Jin was more proficient.

Moreover, as the marshal of this expedition, he needed to strategize and plan, with no time to worry about the Myriad Circle Spirit Formation.

While summoning Cheng Jin, he also called upon twenty elite disciples from the Five Spirit Sect.

Since leading troops on a campaign requires thorough consideration, and these 20,000 elite soldiers were Prince Ann's, naturally they wouldn't be loyal to him. However, the disciples from his own sect were more loyal, serving as twenty eyes and ears in the army, which was quite beneficial.

The twenty elite disciples from the Five Spirit Sect were thrilled to follow Wang Xiaoqiang on the expedition. Hearing it was to the Snow Territory to exterminate demons filled them with honor.

For convenience, Jiang Yingxue disguised herself as a man. Compared to ordinary female disciples, Jiang Yingxue had more spirit, and her cross-dressing was quite attractive, combining the heroic posture of a man and the softness of a woman, embodying an unrestrained androgynous beauty.

Dressed in a form-fitting outfit that highlighted her gallant demeanor, her robust figure could not be concealed, causing many soldiers who saw her to swallow secretly.

Jiang Yingxue's attire also caught Wang Xiaoqiang's attention. When Wang Xiaoqiang's gaze suddenly fell upon her, that long-lost fiery feeling resurfaced, reminding Jiang Yingxue of their days in the Five Spirit Sect's Pill Storage, where he had her explain the pills.

At that time, she was very averse to Wang Xiaoqiang's gazes, but now she only felt her heartbeat accelerating, even longing for the time they spent alone.

This day was the day for the troop's departure.

The 20,000 elite soldiers assembled at the battleground.

The battleground was a place reserved by the Dragon Empire for assembling and training military units.

On this day, Huang Ce personally came to the battleground to see them off.

After the farewell drink, the 20,000 soldiers took to the sky, densely packed, blocking out the sun with a magnificent display, leaving the surrounding populace in awe.

On the battleground, the soldiers were restrained by Huang Ce's authority and dared not act recklessly. But once they left the battleground, they immediately became wanton, disregarding Wang Xiaoqiang, behaving without order, changing flying formations repeatedly, with some deliberately falling out and leaving the ranks.

"Sect Leader, why are these soldiers so unruly?!" Jiang Yingxue whispered to Wang Xiaoqiang in dissatisfaction.

"Don't call me Sect Leader here; call me Marshal!" Wang Xiaoqiang said solemnly.

"Uh, Marshal, aren't you going to do something about them?" Jiang Yingxue was visibly displeased.

Wang Xiaoqiang knew the soldiers were acting deliberately to provoke him. However, having just left Dragon City, if he punished the soldiers heavily here, they might return to Dragon City seeking Prince Ann's protection, which would complicate matters. Thus, any strict measures would have to wait a bit. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com for reading.)

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