The bald cultivator shouted loudly, "With just one Fire-attribute spell, after joining the camp, you can attack the battlefield from afar, kill countless enemies, not only safely but also reap great military achievements easily."
"Hmph! A group of greedy folks." A young cultivator with a black mole at the corner of his mouth disagreed, stood up assertively, looked around, and raised his arm to shout loudly.
"The best choice to join the military is the Red Flower Camp!"
"Not to mention others, just consider that the Red Flower Camp was founded by General Mu, who established numerous meritorious services for the kingdom."
"Now, with General Mu bedridden, General Mu Lan is substituting for his father in the military, and truly needs our capable heroes to assist fully. Joining the military should be to serve the country, not just for rewards or military exploits. Such cultivators, I am ashamed to associate with!"
Such provoking words immediately aroused dissatisfaction among the surrounding guests.
Thus, the argument broke out abruptly.
Groups of people chose their respective camps and cursed at each other. Among them, the astute-eyed, the big-toothed, the bald, and the young man with a mole were particularly red-faced and heated in their argument.
Just then, a local cultivator appeared near the city gate. He was seven feet and six inches tall, had four ears, and his arms extended past his knees. He approached the Recruitment Decree next to the inner city gate and gazed at it for a long time, finally sighing deeply.
In the crowd, a muscular man expressed his dissatisfaction, "What are you sighing about? A real man just joins the military!"
The local cultivator turned to look at the speaker, who was eight feet tall, had a short neck, and a face covered in black beard like steel needles, his aura powerful, reaching the Golden Core.
The local cultivator then asked, "May I have the honor of knowing the courageous sir's name?"
"Heh!" Black Beard chuckled, "My surname is Zhang, given name Hei, styled Feisheng. I recently moved to Canglin Immortal City and enjoy making friends with heroic characters. Seeing you sigh before the notice, I spoke up."
The local cultivator sighed deeply, "I am a royal relative of the Blood Slaughter Dynasty, surnamed Liu, the sixth in my family, thus called Liu Six."
"Today, as I see the kingdom preparing to campaign against Thousand Peak Forest, with desires to defeat the rebels and secure the peace, I sighed for feeling alone and powerless."
Steel Needle Beard Zhang Hei laughed heartily, "I have substantial wealth and my cultivation has reached the Golden Core. Seeing you, although veiled, you seem to be a peer. Why don't we join forces and undertake a great cause together?"
After hearing this, the local cultivator Liu Er was pleased and immediately invited Zhang Hei, "Brother Zhang has good discernment. Come, let's eat and talk."
Having said that, he led Zhang Hei into the nearest tavern to drink.
The two walked into the hall, ascended the staircase, passing the second floor.
The arguing sounds of the astute-eyed, the big-toothed, the bald, and the young man with a mole were significantly reduced by the arrival of the two Golden Core cultivators.
Liu Er and Zhang Hei reached the third floor, found a table, and sat down to eat and chat.
During the conversation, a big man, dusty from travel, flew directly through the window on the third floor of the tavern and shouted, "Bartender, quickly serve me some wine. I am in a hurry to join the army outside the city."
Seeing this big man's Golden Core aura, standing nine feet tall with an eight-foot beard almost dragging on the floor, and his face shining with red light, quite imposing, Liu Er invited, "This strong sir, we two also intend to join the military. Since we're on the same path, why not drink together first?"
The Golden Core big man glanced at them and gladly accepted.
After sitting down, he introduced himself, "My surname is Guan, given name Hong, styled Maicheng. I have always enjoyed the 'Spring and Autumn Military Strategy,' and have studied it extensively. Hearing that Liangzhu Country is mobilizing a large army to initiate warfare, I volunteered to participate and put my military knowledge to the test."
Though the three had just met, they found their conversation increasingly congenial.
After three rounds of toasting, the atmosphere among them grew even more energetic.
At that moment, Ning Zhuo brought out White Jade Wine and approached proactively, "The three seniors, I am Ning Zhuo from the Ning Family of Fire Persimmon Immortal City in Southern Bean Country."
"I also wish to join the military to avenge my family."
"In the past, the Six Cave Sect of Thousand Peak Forest betrayed our agreement, schemed against my clan, and nearly led us all to death. Being young and having limited strength, I pondered which military camp to join. Seeing the three of you with such vibrant energy, clearly not ordinary Golden Cores, I wished to follow you, hoping for your protection."
Liu Er, Zhang Hei, and Guan Hong looked at each other.
They initially intended to band together and join a military camp, but it seemed that Ning Zhuo assumed they were going to establish their own sect.
Life Hanging Thread!
"Eh?" Ning Zhuo's heart trembled quietly. The thread landed on Zhang Hei and Guan Hong's heads, but when it landed on Liu Er's head, it was off-center.
It slipped off again.
Ning Zhuo hastily withdrew his hand.
Buddha Heart Demon Seal!
He subtly influenced Zhang Hei and Guan Hong.
Guan Hong stroked his beard and mused, "According to the Recruitment Decree, we Golden Cores joining the military will hold the position of Guerrilla General."
"Though a Guerrilla General is a general of mixed rank, indeed, it would allow us to command an army."
Ning Zhuo smiled and interjected, "With the imposing demeanor and powerful aura of the three generals, I thought, upon first sight, that leading an army independently is truly fitting for your capabilities!"
Zhang Hei laughed heartily, "Well said! If we three join forces and command an army, we could cover for each other and have more freedom without too much restriction. Often on the battlefield, we could also move forward or retreat at will according to our wishes and achieve greater military exploits."
Liu Er remained silent, deep in thought.
Ning Zhuo said, "Generals, why not talk over a drink? This is the unique White Jade Wine from my family."
"Fine wine matches heroes' spirits, and the cool and refreshing taste of White Jade Wine complements the heroic vigor of the three generals perfectly!"
"Please allow this young one to pour wine for the three generals."
Liu Er hesitated, Guan Hong was self-assured, while Zhang Hei burst out laughing, "Young man, if the wine is good, we will accept you!"
Ning Zhuo continued to pour wine for the three generals.
The White Jade Wine was indeed unique, and after tasting it, the three Golden Core Cultivators nodded in approval.
The three continued to converse, and Ning Zhuo stood by, occasionally topping up their wine and interjecting, pushing the already warm atmosphere to new heights.
Assisted by Ning Zhuo, the three felt more congenial the more they drank, feeling a sense of regret for not having met earlier.
Zhang Hei said, "I have bought an estate in Canglin Immortal City. Behind the estate, there's a pear garden in full bloom now."
"Why don't we three go to the pear garden, make offerings to heaven and earth, and then swear to become sworn brothers, united in heart and mind, and thereafter aspire to accomplish great things."
Liu Er and Guan Hong chorused, "Great!"
Ning Zhuo clapped his hands, "For such a grand and elegant affair, please allow this youngster to witness it."
"You speak well, young man; you'll come with us," said Zhang Hei as he nodded, grabbed Ning Zhuo by the collar, and strode out the window.
Guan Hong followed closely, and Liu Er was the last to leave. Before leaving, he placed a Spirit Stone on the table.
The three arrived at the pear garden.
Zhang Hei immediately instructed his servants to prepare the sacrificial offerings, including black oxen and white horses, and then lit the Divine Incense.
Seeing Ning Zhuo in white standing by, Zhang Hei became spirited, "You lad, I find you agreeable. Why don't you join us today and become brothers as well?"
Ning Zhuo was momentarily startled but showed a joyful expression on his face. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Liu Er cough.
Guan Hong gave Ning Zhuo a disdainful look, "How can a mere Foundation Establishment like you be compared with us Golden Core Cultivators?"
Seeing the displeasure of the two, Zhang Hei laughed it off and waved Ning Zhuo away.
Ning Zhuo secretly heaved a sigh of relief, though his face showed great disappointment.
Then, Liu, Guan, and Zhang knelt together and swore in unison, "Liu Er, Guan Hong, and Zhang Hei, though not blood brothers, now that we have sworn to be brothers, we should unite our hearts and efforts to help the needy; report to the nation, secure the populace. We do not ask to be born on the same year, month, and day; we only wish to die on the same year, month, and day. Heaven and Houtu, truly witness our hearts, betraying righteousness and forgetting kindness, heavens and people shall condemn together!"
Once the oath took effect, the three looked at each other and burst into laughter.
Zhang Hei said, "Though we are brothers, we still need to establish who is the elder and who are the younger."
Zhang Hei's estate was quite exquisite, containing a Martial Arts Arena.
The three sent Ning Zhuo outside, then entered the Martial Arts Arena and exchanged blows.
Moments later, the three emerged from the arena with the rankings decided.
Liu Er was the big brother, Guan Hong the second brother, and Zhang Hei the third.
Liu Er looked uneasy and volunteered, "Now, we need to consider recruiting troops and buying horses. However, as I'm alone and have limited funds, why don't we three pool what we have?"
Zhang Hei laughed heartily, gesturing around him, "I have considerable family resources, I can handle it. After all, how much can recruiting cost?"
Guan Hong stroked his beard and named a figure.
Zhang Hei's expression suddenly froze.
Ning Zhuo stepped forward, "Generals, I come from the Ning Family and would like to offer some treasures."
As he spoke, he produced the Xuanhuang Mother Stone, the Blood Fiend Demon Stone, and the Netherworld Black Soil.
These were treasures derived from the corpse of the Old Monster in Stone, each of Nascent Soul Level.
"I have considerable family resources... huh?" Zhang Hei was about to refuse, not really believing that Ning Zhuo, just at the Foundation Establishment, could offer anything worthwhile, only to start when he saw the items, his eyes bulging.
Guan Hong's beard-stroking halted mid-gesture.
And Liu Er was also greatly shocked, looking at Ning Zhuo with newfound respect, regretting that he should have included Ning Zhuo in their oath-taking.