Chapter 470 – War Zone Commander

Soon after the Tianyuan army arrived, the Dragon’s Slumber Valley forces, which had initially appeared ready to launch a desperate assault, retreated behind the void passage.

Azure Mountain Lord gazed at the star-filled sky and thought to himself, “Dragon’s Slumber Valley isn’t just a powerful overlord faction—they also have a deep understanding of human tactics and combat styles. They clearly know that a Taixuan expert just used a strategic skill or performed some large-scale or combined spell.”

However, whether it was a strategic skill, large-scale spell, or combined spell, they all had usage limitations.

Once used, it would be difficult to deploy them again for some time.

Dragon’s Slumber Valley was too cunning. Otherwise, they could have counterattacked or even eliminated some of the enemy’s effective forces by leveraging the continuously falling stars.

In the sky, the vast starry expanse quickly dissipated, revealing the previously blue sky with drifting white clouds.

Beneath the sky, wisps of crimson mist drifted like stains on white paper, particularly conspicuous.

Seventeen slowly released her bowstring, halting the ‘Mindless Arrow’ she had been charging.

Isloria also dispersed the Authority of the Starry Sky, allowing the four seasons of heaven and earth to return to normal.

At this moment,

Around the void passage defense line, the defenders seized the time to eliminate any remaining monsters with lingering vitality, tally and assess losses, clear the monster corpses from the area, and repair the damaged defenses.

The defense line at the passage entrance was constructed around ten garrison camps as its core.

These ten camps were not directly blocking the collapsed void passage but were situated twenty to thirty miles away.

This distance allowed Taixuan city defense weapons to cover the passage entrance and exit while providing the various guard camps with some strategic space.

However, twenty to thirty miles was still far too close for those in the Legendary Realm.

Earlier, experts from Dragon’s Slumber Valley had used interference methods and swarmed out, destroying two guard camps and countless city defense weapons in one fell swoop before crossing the defense line and rushing outward.

The construction of this defense line in the Shattered Isle Warzone was far from complete and remained overly fragile.

“Fortunately, the reinforcements arrived just in time and scared off Dragon’s Slumber Valley. Otherwise, our defense line would have suffered even more collapse… By the way, which pioneer legion was it that just intervened?”

Azure Mountain Lord, in his giant form, found it inconvenient to move extensively. He had only detected that the reinforcing expert had struck from a considerable distance away from the defense zone.

The newcomer had acted from dozens of miles away.

This alone allowed him to judge that this was an absolute expert—marvelous, truly marvelous.

Beside Azure Mountain Lord stood a young man wearing a feathered crown, with a pair of cyan wind wings spread behind him.

Whispering Wind Lord.

A two-star Legendary Realm pioneer lord.

His expression was somewhat astonished. “I heard the one who struck was a Tianyuan expert. Could I have misheard?”

“No, you probably didn’t mishear.”

Azure Mountain said, “Although I’ve never seen a Tianyuan expert in action, I’ve long heard from Dragon Heaven, Flying Flame, and others that Tianyuan Territory has several exceptionally powerful generals. Tianyuan is a very young lord, but he likely already has several Legendary Realm experts under his command, each far from ordinary.”

“To be that powerful?”

Whispering Wind Lord gaped, “I only have three Legendary Realm experts under me. Am I already an old-timer crushed by the rising tide?”

He looked at Azure Mountain Lord. “But Azure Mountain, you’re definitely still stronger…”

He immediately slapped himself after speaking.

It was a given that Azure Mountain was stronger than Tianyuan, and it wasn’t something to boast about.

Azure Mountain was a 5-star pioneer lord, a veteran expert in the Pioneer Group.

Azure Mountain didn’t deny it.

He merely looked up at the sky, his gaze weathered. “I actually hope that Tianyuan Lord is stronger than me.”

That way, the heavy burden of the warzone wouldn’t have to be forced upon his shoulders.

He couldn’t bear it.

…

“We must quickly decide on the candidate for commander of the Shattered Isle Warzone. We were already preempted by Dragon’s Slumber Valley, and our overall strength is inferior to theirs. Without a commander to lead the entire army and exercise authority at a time like this, how can we possibly resist Dragon’s Slumber Valley?”

Tianze Lake Main City, Pioneer Group conference room.

Various experts had either arrived in person or projected their presence.

The vast majority were in the Legendary Realm, while the few non-Legendary individuals held key positions in the association, wielded significant authority, and were veteran figures in the Pioneer Group with deep seniority and numerous merits.

One veteran pioneer general said, “Why not directly appoint Azure Mountain Lord? If we insist, he has no reason to refuse. This is an opportunity many pioneer lords seek but cannot obtain.”

“Not appropriate. Azure Mountain’s personality does lack some confidence, and this battle is an uphill struggle. He truly isn’t suitable.”

“Perhaps we should seek reinforcements from above and directly transfer a general from the Great Warzone.”

“Who can we transfer? The Crimson Mist tide is approaching, and transferring a general at this time would take considerable time.”

“Generals can’t be transferred, but some garrison generals from the Great Warzone could be reassigned. Ice Fist Lord from Cold Valley Mountain seems quite suitable.”

“Yes… that seems possible, but he isn’t more suitable than Azure Mountain.”

“Everyone, how about having Tianyuan take up the position of warzone commander?”

The conference room suddenly fell silent.

People looked toward the projection at one side of the round table.

Old Qin, Minister Qin.

Old Qin was only a Legendary Realm expert, not even at the peak, but as the head of the Pioneer Logistics Department, no one could disregard his suggestions.

However… Tianyuan?

Wasn’t Tianyuan still a young lad?

“If it’s Tianyuan, it might just work.”

The speaker was a lord about the same age as Minister Qin but showed no signs of aging, instead exuding graceful charm.

Tianhua Lord.

Her true form wasn’t present, but she had not only invested in and established Tianhua Academy in Tianze City but had also built one pioneer camp after another deep in the wilderness of the Twilight Great Domain.

Figures from the Tianhua faction were active in warzones like Cold Valley Mountain and Dragon Mountain Pass.

The Tianhua faction held considerable weight throughout Taixuan.

‘Why is even Tianhua Lord saying this?’

‘But Tianyuan Lord, whether in terms of combat power, seniority, or pioneer merits, is far from qualified, right?’

Several veteran pioneer generals exchanged glances.

Before they could say anything, Tianhua Lord spoke, “Bring some information on Tianyuan Lord.”

“Yes.”

The secretary standing behind Tianhua Lord responded.

Soon, the secretary brought over a stack of documents.

Tianhua Lord glanced through them and then tossed them to the others.

“This briefly records some of Tianyuan Territory’s battle achievements. You can also inquire yourselves.”

In the conference room, several experts picked up the stack of documents.

The top page displayed:

「Tianyuan Lord (Four-Star Pioneer Lord)」

Veteran pioneer generals: “???”

Four-star, pioneer, lord?

In the Pioneer Group, those above three stars were considered veteran generals, with illustrious military exploits and esteemed status.

Merits in the Pioneer Group could accumulate continuously, but without sufficiently significant major accomplishments, a pioneer lord might never advance to three stars in their lifetime.

Three stars represented status and achievements. Moreover, only three-star pioneer lords and their subordinate generals had the possibility of serving as high-ranking officers in the Great Warzone.

Tianyuan Territory’s high-end combat power was indeed remarkable, with several Legendary Realm experts under its command. But how long had Tianyuan Territory been established? How long had it been in the Pioneer Group? How could he have accumulated such high merits?

The veteran generals looked further down.

Tianyuan Territory’s primary major accomplishments were two:

Preventing and purifying a Filth Nexus under construction;

Preventing and repelling Dragon’s Slumber Valley’s vanguard squad;

These were merits that could be verified within the Pioneer Group’s system—they couldn’t be falsified.

“Back when the Arrow Sword Master squad launched a surprise attack on Dragon’s Slumber Valley and severed one of its claws, Tianyuan had a hand in that?”

“To be able to purify a Filth Nexus and repel Dragon’s Slumber Valley’s vanguard squad…”

Clearly, Tianyuan Territory’s strength was far greater than they had imagined.

These were major accomplishments.

Opportunities to achieve major accomplishments were rare, but even if others encountered such chances, they might lack the capability to seize them, instead plunging themselves into danger.

Tianyuan had seized them—twice—which spoke volumes.

Not only did Tianyuan Territory have major accomplishments, but it also had one minor achievement after another.

Previously, when Tianyuan Lord rushed to reinforce Red Mountain City, he turned the tide, repelled the monster tide, and slew the flesh dragon—this counted as two minor merits.

Additionally,

Tianyuan General·Red Robe led logistics transport teams back and forth to the Great Warzone multiple times. Through strategy and strength, she twice enabled the transport teams to evade danger, which counted as several merits.

Tianyuan General·Rakshasa and Tianyuan General·Uta repeatedly rescued allies in peril within the Cold Valley Mountain Warzone and slew numerous Legendary Realm monsters, amassing illustrious military exploits.

Tianyuan City also had several records of defeating regional monster overlords.

The number of flesh dragons slain by Tianyuan Lord and his subordinate generals might exceed ten.

Tianyuan Lord was already among the pioneer lords with relatively rich experience in “resisting Dragon’s Slumber Valley.”

“To think Tianyuan Lord already has so many illustrious battle achievements.”

A veteran general murmured.

All along, apart from the novice trials, Festival Grounds, and Dragon Court conflicts, Tianyuan City had been exceptionally low-key, with no public battle records.

But now, a glance revealed that Tianyuan City not only had battle achievements but had also accumulated numerous merits.

In terms of merits? A four-star pioneer lord was already quite high—at least, he had the qualification to be nominated as commander of the Shattered Isle Warzone.

In terms of combat power? These battles were sufficient to prove that Tianyuan Lord wielded formidable strength.

In terms of experience and capability? Tianyuan Lord wasn’t someone who secluded himself for cultivation; he was a lord who had fought his way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood. The wars he presided over were often uphill battles.

Tianyuan was too young, giving them the initial impression that he fell short in every aspect.

In reality, however, he met the requirements in every way.

“Now then, share your thoughts.”

“I agree.”

“Seconded.”

“Seconded.”

However, the commander of a medium-sized warzone wasn’t a position that could be decided by a simple small meeting.

The commander needed to command respect.

Naturally, before assuming the position, the warzone commander had to gain the support of the majority of warzone pioneers.

This meeting merely discussed potential nominees.

The pioneer lord himself also needed to have the desire to take up the commander’s position.

“Then, let’s convene a formal meeting.”

…

The formal meeting was soon held in the conference hall of Tianze City.

Veteran generals and heads of major associations took their seats.

Some were present in person, some had incarnations present, and more appeared via projection.

Participating lords of the Shattered Isle Warzone, pioneers of one star and above, also had seats here and could offer suggestions and cast their valuable votes. Higher-star pioneer lords had greater voting weight.

The participating pioneers also took their seats.

Only a few were present in person; some lords attended via projection or sent their representatives to observe.

Tianyuan City’s representative was Daisy, who had already arrived in Tianze City.

“In this meeting, we will select the commander and deputy commanders for the Shattered Isle Warzone.”

“Nominees are: Tianyuan Lord, Azure Mountain Lord, Crushed Rock Lord, Rain Dust Lord, …”

As soon as Tianyuan’s name was mentioned, many in the audience were stunned.

Tyrant Dragon was among them.

He had also responded to the warzone’s call—his strength could play a greater role in such a new warzone.

Soaring Dragon Lord was also among them.

He had witnessed the prowess of Tianyuan experts in the Great Warzone. But at that time, both Tianyuan experts and his own Dragonblood Royal Cavalry were novice generals in the warzone.

In the blink of an eye, Tianyuan was already a nominee for commander?

Dragon Heaven Lord was also among them.

He thought they were all young pioneer lords, but in a flash, he was still the young one while the other had become a big shot.

Was that reasonable?

Dragon Heaven Lord and Soaring Dragon Lord had at least seen Tianyuan in person. Many other pioneers and lords present only knew Tianyuan by his reputation as a “young genius.”

They found it unreasonable, too absurd.

However, upon glancing at the distributed materials, their eyes widened once more.

Listed on them were dozens of illustrious battle achievements by Tianyuan City.

Slaying Legendary Realm monsters and defending cities or territories were merely the most common and ordinary types among these achievements.

Tianyuan Lord had once led his troops to a major victory over a monster overlord; he had thwarted Dragon’s Slumber Valley’s schemes; and he had also sniped experts from Dragon’s Slumber Valley.

A major victory by the Taixuan Alliance against Dragon’s Slumber Valley half a year ago was closely related to Tianyuan Lord.

If these military exploits weren’t illustrious enough, then whose could be considered illustrious?

Tianyuan Lord was merely a novice in the Pioneer Group.

He hadn’t been in the Pioneer Group for long, yet he had already garnered countless merits. This was simply too competitive!

Tyrant Dragon: “As expected of Tianyuan! A man capable of taming dragons!”

Dragon Heaven Lord: “I… I am not his equal.”

Some lord: “Tianyuan has repeatedly defeated monster overlords, his rise like a comet. Having such a commander leading us seems… not bad?”

After all, there was no more suitable choice.

Moreover, Tianyuan Lord’s potential was peerless. With him here, if they couldn’t repel Dragon’s Slumber Valley this year, then next year, the year after, or the year after that, surely they would succeed?

It seemed quite feasible.

“Does anyone have objections to the nominees?”

“Then, we now nominate Tianyuan Lord as acting commander of the Shattered Isle Warzone. Begin counting votes.”

“Votes exceed 2/3. The resolution passes.”

“The results will be reported to headquarters, and the Alliance will formally appoint Tianyuan Lord as acting warzone commander.”

The commander of the Shattered Isle Warzone was about to assume office.

Commander: Tianyuan.

Deputy Commanders: Azure Mountain, Rain Dust, Crushed Rock.

The news quickly spread throughout the warzone and reached the ears of countless lords and professionals following this battle.

(End of Chapter)