Feng Qingyan interjected from the side, "Aren't they afraid of fighting?"

Jiang Zhaoyue glanced at her and said slowly, "A squad leader told me—'Legion Commander, when I look at orcs now, they aren't orcs; they are walking merit points and mobile Class Change Books.'"

Feng Qingyan burst out laughing, and the Fire Crystal on her staff flickered. "Alright, this guy has a future. I'll get to know him later."

Lin Feng nodded as he listened, a smile on his lips. "I can understand everyone's feelings. After all, I also leveled up from Level 1."

He sat up straight, tapped his fingers lightly on the table, and his gaze fell upon Ye Lan and Jiang Zhaoyue.

"Ye Lan, Lord Jiang, you can each list fifty core members. These people won't need merit points. Once the matter with Annan Country is over, we will arrange their class changes immediately."

The Council Hall instantly became lively.

Feng Qingyan was the first to spring up from her chair, her staff nearly poking Feng Qingshuang beside her. "Lord Lin, you are too generous! Fifty spots! You just gave them away like that!"

Feng Qingshuang tried to pull her back but failed. Feng Qingyan continued, "No, I have to go tell Zhou Tie to stop moping around all day. The spots are coming right away!"

Su Yurou held her bone healing staff, her eyes curving into crescent moons. "Lord, once these fifty spots are released, the morale of the Night Whisper Legion and the New Moon Legion will double."

Ye Lan did not speak, but she pressed her right fist against her chest and bowed slightly.

Jiang Zhaoyue stood up and cupped her fists. "Lord Lin, the New Moon Legion will certainly not let down your trust."

Lin Feng waved his hand, signaling them to sit down, and continued, "For the Night Whisper Legion's spots this time, take forty-five for the Awakened in Fenghuo County. These people have followed me since the Black Wind Camp. It hasn't been easy for them after such a long time."

He looked at Ye Lan. "Ye Lan, you handle the arrangements."

Ye Lan nodded. "Understood."

Lin Feng was about to continue when his expression suddenly shifted. He lifted his head, his gaze turning toward the stairs on the north side of the hall.

The aura of the territory core on the second floor was fluctuating. He was too familiar with that frequency—there was a new application for allegiance.

He stood up, picked up the Wildfire Spear from the side of the chair, and slung it on his back. His tone carried a hint of irrepressible lightness. "The allegiance application for Nha Trang County should have arrived. Wait for me."

He turned and walked up the stairs, the wooden steps creaking slightly beneath his feet.

Behind him, the Council Hall fell silent. Everyone's gaze followed his back until he disappeared around the corner of the stairs.

On the second floor, the territory core hovered in the center of the room, its golden light appearing exceptionally soft in the twilight.

Lin Feng walked over and reached out to press his hand against the crystal.

A message exploded in his mind, clear and direct.

【The Lord of Nha Trang County requests to set Nha Trang County as a subordinate territory of your territory. Do you agree?】

Lin Feng did not hesitate and thought, "Agree."

The crystal vibrated slightly, and the light flashed twice.

【Nha Trang County has become a subordinate territory of Beacon Fire Territory.】

【The citizens and Freemen of Nha Trang County have pledged allegiance to Beacon Fire Territory.】

【You may view the status of Nha Trang County at any territory core in Beacon Fire Territory.】

Lin Feng was not in a hurry to go downstairs.

He moved his mind again, and the operation interface for Great Wall unfolded above his head. On the holographic map, the location of Nha Trang County was one hundred and twenty li northwest of Linshan County, right next to the sphere of influence of Zhenyue City.

He extended his finger and drew a line on the map, framing Nha Trang County along with the surrounding empty areas into the coverage of Great Wall.

【Dynamic territory adjusted. Consumed Stone × 2000, Wood × 1000, Iron Ingot × 100. Resources have been deducted.】

Lin Feng retracted his hand, the corners of his mouth curling into an arc.

Nha Trang County was now secure. He had obtained another five hundred recruitment slots for Great Qin Elite Soldiers. He turned and went downstairs.

In the Council Hall, everyone was waiting for him.

Lin Feng walked to the head of the table but did not sit down. His gaze swept across the crowd, and his voice was steady. "Meng Yi."

Meng Yi stood up from the back row on the left, his war halberd planted on the ground. His voice was steady. "This general is here."

"In half an hour, assemble two thousand five hundred Great Qin Elite Soldiers at the North Gate. Hand over the city defense to Bai Yi and Bai Er."

Meng Yi pressed his right fist against his chest. "Understood."

He turned and strode out of the Council Hall.

"Ye Lan, Lord Jiang." Ye Lan and Jiang Zhaoyue stood up simultaneously.

"The Night Whisper Legion and the New Moon Legion will each bring one battalion. Assemble at the North Gate in half an hour."

The two of them cupped their fists simultaneously. "Understood." They walked out of the Council Hall side by side.

Lin Feng finally looked at Su Yuehua, his tone becoming more solemn. "President Su, please take care of the Daxia Awakened at Hangu Pass. Keep a close eye on logistics, medical care, and task distribution."

Su Yuehua stood up and bowed slightly, her voice gentle as jade. "Rest assured, Lord Lin. I will arrange things properly for the Awakened."

Lin Feng nodded and said, "Dismissed."

Everyone stood up one after another.

Feng Qingyan was the first to rush out, shouting as she ran, "Sister, hurry up! Don't be late!"

Feng Qingshuang followed behind her expressionlessly, her pace unhurried.

The Council Hall fell silent.

Lin Feng stood at the head of the table, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and set it down.

He picked up the Wildfire Spear from the side of the chair, slung it on his back, and strode out of the Council Hall.

Outside the door, the sunlight was just right.

...

Half an hour later, outside the North Gate of Hangu Pass.

Two thousand five hundred Great Qin Elite Soldiers were arrayed in the center, black armor like ink, war halberds like a forest, Qin Crossbows on their backs, silent as iron.

Five phalanxes were neatly arranged, five hundred men in each, with three steps between the front and back and two steps between the left and right, stretching out a long line of nearly three hundred meters from the front to the end.

One battalion from the Night Whisper Legion and one from the New Moon Legion were stationed on either side, their equipment not as uniform as that of the Elite Soldiers.

Black armor was mixed with various leather armors, silver-white and variegated colors interspersed. They held spears or machetes, shields resting in the crooks of their arms, yet their formations were equally strict, and their morale was high. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

At the very front of the Army Formation, Meng Yi stood in the center, wearing black armor and a black robe, his war halberd planted on the ground, silent as iron.

Behind him, five Commanders of Five Hundred were lined up, and further back were twenty-five Centurions.

Jiang Zhaoyue and Ye Lan stood side by side beside Meng Yi.

One wore silver-blue battle armor with a silver-white spear on her back; the other wore black leather armor with the shadow moon blade hanging at her waist.

Feng Qingyan stood behind Jiang Zhaoyue, her staff planted on the ground, the flame on the Fire Crystal leaping high, her face unable to hide her excitement.

Feng Qingshuang stood beside her, expressionless, but her fingers ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ gently stroked her staff, a hint of imperceptible anticipation in her eyes.

A figure descended from the sky.

Lin Feng descended slowly from the air, landing at the very front of the Army Formation.

The firm rock leather armor shimmered with a dark purple luster in the sunlight, the yellow turban sacrificial officials headband was tied across his forehead, and the Wildfire Spear was slung on his back.

He turned around, his gaze sweeping across the three phalanxes, and said two words: "Departure."

The troops set off, the Great Qin Elite Soldiers marching in the center, with Night Whisper and New Moon on either side, advancing northward in a huge "Pin" formation.

Lin Feng walked at the very front, with Jiang Zhaoyue and Ye Lan on his left and right.

On both sides, the gray-blue walls of Great Wall stood forty meters high, the battlements casting jagged shadows under the sunlight.

The distance between the two walls was ten li, and the troops walked in the middle, as if traveling through an endless stone corridor.

The wind poured in from the north, echoing between the walls and emitting a low, wailing sound.

No one spoke; only the sound of footsteps and the rubbing of armor plates blended together, like a monotonous yet powerful march.