Liu Er arrived outside the training ground and communicated through his Divine Sense, calling over Guan Hong and Zhang Hei.
He relayed Ning Zhuo's proposal and asked for their opinions.
Zhang Hei didn't hesitate, "I'll follow eldest brother's lead!"
Although he had only recently met Liu Er, their daily intense trainings had gradually built a tacit understanding and the warmth of sworn brotherhood was swiftly rising.
Externally, this meant Zhang Hei was increasingly compliant in following Liu Er's commands.
Guan Hong, on the other hand, pondered for a moment before speaking, "Ning Zhuo comes from a great clan, and at such a young age, he has already reached Foundation Establishment Cultivation. He can easily produce treasures of Nascent Soul Level, indicating a profound background that should not be viewed with conventional wisdom."
"I've observed that his actions are always targeted and purposeful. When dealing with people, he shows a great deal of boldness. In managing our army's accounts, he is also extremely diligent."
"Our military funds are limited, but Ning Zhuo, who manages the accounts, is far clearer on the details than any of us and understands the severity of the current situation."
"Under these circumstances, his suggestion for Array Calculation indicates that he genuinely foresees trouble!"
"Although I'm not sure about the extent of his mystical Divination Skill, from observing his character, he seems to possess considerable confidence."
"We are facing a great battle, and if we could foresee the developing situations, we would gain a huge advantage."
Liu Er listened attentively and nodded, "I have taken note of my two sworn brothers' thoughts."
"Even if Ning Zhuo's divination fails, it's still worth a try!"
"I'll go back and report to our military strategist right away."
Ning Zhuo, though inside the tent, had been eavesdropping secretly through his Life Hanging Thread.
He had gained Guan Hong's support without having to use his Buddha Heart Demon Seal.
This was slightly beyond his expectations.
He initially thought that he had the best relationship with Zhang Hei, who would speak up for him.
Yet Zhang Hei, looking up to Liu Er's leadership, did not speak a word for Ning Zhuo. Instead, it was Guan Hong, who was usually distant, who spoke up at length in strong support of Ning Zhuo.
Soon, Liu Er lifted the tent flap, re-entering and standing before Ning Zhuo once again.
"Good news, both my sworn brothers, like me, agree with and support your divination."
"I do not know what arrangements you have, military strategist, or how we can assist you. Please let us know your needs."
Ning Zhuo saw that Liu Er had a friendly smile and couldn't help but inwardly praise his remarkable interpersonal skills.
He shook his head slightly, "This Array Calculation must be carried out in secrecy, to prevent spell leakage."
Liu Er realized his mistake and quickly bowed, "I was thoughtless, do not hold it against me, military strategist."
Many secret spells are valuable and are not easily disclosed to others.
Ning Zhuo stated that since the three generals had agreed, he would immediately take action to go and purchase supplies before leaving the city alone for the Array Calculation. Whether he discerns something, or not, he would report back to Mr. Liu Er promptly.
Having said this, Ning Zhuo hesitated for a moment.
Liu Er said, "Military Strategist, feel free to speak your mind."
Ning Zhuo then expressed his unease. War was a matter of life and death, and one should consider the possibility of defeat even when planning for victory. He suggested that the three generals – Liu, Guan, and Zhang – should train more in quickly forming and transforming battle formations, to facilitate rapid maneuvers on the battlefield.
Liu Er showed a flicker of thought and nodded slightly.
After Ning Zhuo left the camp, Liu Er re-entered the training ground and called a halt to the whole army's activities, announcing extra training in the One-Line Long Snake Formation.
Ning Zhuo headed straight for Canglin Immortal City.
Within the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon, Sun Lingtong noticed Ning Zhuo's methodical actions and asked out of curiosity, "Little Zhuo, your mind is keen; have you already thought of a way to break the situation?"
Ning Zhuo nodded slightly, "Not exactly a way to break the game."
"I've thought it over, and we are all bound by the Divine Decree."
"Since we cannot seek assistance from the military of Liangzhu Country, we must follow the Divine Decree."
"This is actually not a problem!"
"We are currently cultivators of Southern Bean Country, and Liangzhu Country borders Southern Bean Country. If they suffer more casualties in the war against Thousand Peak Forest, it will benefit our Southern Bean Country."
"And before leaving, Zhu Xuanji specifically told me that some forces within Thousand Peak Forest receive support from Southern Bean Country."
"With Liu, Guan, and Zhang, as well as Zhang Zhongyi and others holding a good relationship with us, we will just have to bypass these people when the time comes!"
Ning Zhuo was just an outsider and had no sense of belonging to Liangzhu Country.
He had joined them merely to treat Sun Lingtong and to make plans for the Mechanical Car.
Sun Lingtong breathed a sigh of relief, "Little Zhuo, it's good that you can stay so level-headed."
Ning Zhuo continued, "The next issue is how we will participate in the ambush."
"At that time, both of us cannot show our faces; we must hide inside the Stone Ball."
"However, the Stone Ball cannot move on its own, so I plan to transform it into a Mechanical Artifact to help us disguise ourselves better."
"The Divine Decree requires that we give our all, and we should strive to meet that expectation."
"But don't forget, we only have Foundation Establishment Cultivation, and giving our all certainly won't satisfy the people from Thousand Peak Forest."
"At that time, the likes of Mo Yuan Cave Master will surely think we are not exerting our full effort. They might even supervise us on the battlefield and deal with us harshly as an example to others!"
"So, the demands placed upon us are actually quite high!"
Sun Lingtong's countenance turned grave, and he nodded in agreement, "Must we at least display the combat power of Transforming Spirit Level? Isn't that a little too difficult?"
Ning Zhuo corrected, "Nascent Soul Level."
"Based on our current detection, the core of the Stone Ball contains Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Earth Core, and around the Earth Core, there is a layer of Top Grade Earth Element Spiritual Stones."
"Most of the Old Monster in Stone's Mana from when he was alive is sealed within these spiritual stones. This foundational condition is critical."
"Don't forget, I've mastered the complete Stone Cast Earth Treasure Divine Power!"
"As long as I remodel the Stone Ball, and if it all goes well, treating the Stone Ball as a Mana Pool to help me cast the Divine Power Stone Cast Earth Treasure, then the people from Thousand Peak Forest will have no fault to find."