Chapter 272: Chapter 226: Harnessing Collective Strength, Opening a Mineral Vein

They needed to return immediately and mobilize every ounce of their power to round up every Martial Artist in their territories!

For the next half a month, the entirety of Broken River Castle and its subordinate territories were plunged into an unprecedented mobilization frenzy for Martial Artists.

The three great families—the Wang, Xu, and Hann families—dispatched all their Stewards and even some of their Cultivator descendants. Riding swift horses and carrying documents stamped with their Patriarchs’ Great Seals, they rushed to every mortal town and village under their jurisdiction.

The contents of the documents were simple and blunt: "All able-bodied Martial Artists between the ages of sixteen and fifty, regardless of gender, are to report to the family headquarters immediately!"

"Martial Artists and Grand Martial Artists will receive preferential treatment, and their families will be granted the family’s protection! Those who defy this order will be severely punished! Those who conceal themselves or fail to report will have their entire families punished alongside them!"

The Qingyang and Red Fire Demon Hunting Teams were not to be outdone. The areas they controlled were mostly inhabited by Hunters and Mountain People, where the locals were fierce and the proportion of Martial Artists was even higher.

They directly offered even more tempting conditions: Martial Artists and Grand Martial Artists would be supplied with a daily portion of Non-Tiered Demon Beast meat!

Those who performed exceptionally would even have the chance to receive guidance from the Immortal Master himself!

As for the leaders of the smaller families and minor Demon Hunting Teams, they were so excited they shed tears of joy after receiving the order relayed by Zhao Xiaoshu.

In the past, when had they ever had a chance to participate in a "grand project" like this, one involving a Tier Two Spirit Ore?

But now, Elder Lu had actually given them a chance to compete fairly! They immediately poured all their resources into organizing their family guards and the affiliated village Martial Artists. Though their numbers were far from matching the five major powers, they gave it their all, hoping to get a piece of the pie.

The order swept across the land like a hurricane.

At first, the common Martial Artists were filled with shock, doubt, and unease. After all, when had those high-and-mighty Cultivation Forces ever truly treated Martial Artists as human beings?

However, when the news that "the Commander is recruiting" spread like a spring breeze, and especially after they learned that the initiative came from the Lord Commander himself, most of the Martial Artists’ doubts and fears quietly subsided.

Furthermore, when the various families and Demon Hunting Teams put forth real gold and silver and promised to provide for their families, all remaining doubts were swiftly replaced by a fervent desire for the generous rewards.

One village and town after another erupted with activity. Martial arts instructors were recruited to organize squads, and common Martial Artists from the villages bid farewell to their wives and children. Carrying simple luggage and tools, they were led by family Cultivators or members of the Demon Hunting Teams, merging into streams of people heading toward Broken River Castle.

However, this was the reaction of common Martial Artists who didn’t know any better. The truly well-informed and well-connected Martial Artists were, at this moment, thrilled.

Over the years, they had confirmed that the rumor from several years ago was true: the Lord Commander truly possessed a powerful artifact that could help them fight Demon Beasts. And, it was said, they wouldn’t have to pay any price to use it.

The roads were choked with dust, filled everywhere with the figures of Martial Artists traveling in groups. Their eyes all held hope for the future.

「On the eastern plains, outside Broken River Castle.」

The half-month period passed in a flash.

When Lu Zhao, accompanied by Zhao Xiaoshu, arrived above the plains in his Escape Light, even his steadfast will was slightly shaken by the sight before him.

As far as the eye could see, the once-empty plains were now filled with a tide of people! A dense, dark mass of bobbing heads stretched to the horizon! A rough estimate put the number at well over thirty thousand!

They were organized into large and small encampments by family or Demon Hunting Team.

The banners of the Wang, Xu, and Hann families fluttered above the largest formations, where the ranks of Martial Artists were relatively orderly and their equipment slightly better.

The encampments of the Qingyang and Red Fire Demon Hunting Teams, by contrast, appeared more rugged. The Martial Artists’ auras were fierce, and they all carried a wild, untamed air of the mountains and forests.

As for the other minor powers, they either clung to the periphery of the five major powers or formed their own small groups, with several factions relying on each other.

The air was thick with the smell of sweat, dust, and livestock, as well as the aura emanating from the Martial Artists—a mixture of tension and anticipation.

The roar of the crowd was a constant, rolling thunder. Countless gazes, filled with awe, curiosity, and bewilderment, were fixed on the figure in the sky radiating a powerful aura.

The leaders of the five major powers were already waiting below. Seeing Lu Zhao’s arrival, they hurriedly flew forward and bowed respectfully.

"Elder Lu, the Wang Family has mobilized over five thousand Martial Artists in total, of whom three hundred twenty are ranked as Martial Artists, and four are Grand Martial Artists!" Wang Zhen’s voice was loud and clear, carrying a hint of pride.

"The Xu Family: over four thousand Martial Artists, with two hundred eighty ranked as Martial Artists, and three Grand Martial Artists!" Xu Kui added immediately.

"The Hann Family: over eight thousand Martial Artists, six hundred ten of them ranked as Martial Artists, and eight Grand Martial Artists!" Hann Song reported in a deep voice.

"The Qingyang Demon Hunting Team: over six thousand Martial Artists, five hundred ranked as Martial Artists, and seven Grand Martial Artists!" Zhao Tieying’s voice boomed like a great bell.

"The Red Fire Demon Hunting Team: over five thousand Martial Artists, four hundred eighty ranked as Martial Artists, and six Grand Martial Artists!" Sun Lie said, clasping his fist.

Representatives from the other minor powers also stepped forward one by one to report their numbers. Although each faction only brought a few hundred to one or two thousand, their combined numbers still approached ten thousand!

In total, there were over thirty thousand Martial Artists! Among them, over two thousand were ranked as Martial Artists, and there were more than thirty Grand Martial Artists!

Lu Zhao’s gaze swept over the massive, ant-like throng below, and he felt a ripple of emotion in his heart.

’The power of the lowest rungs of the Cultivation Realm, once effectively organized, is astonishing in its own right.’ He nodded in satisfaction. "You have all worked hard. Very well done."

His voice wasn’t loud, yet it carried clearly across the entire plain, as if he were speaking into each person’s ear. The boisterous plain fell silent in an instant. Everyone held their breath, gazing up at the figure in the sky.

"You are to train here for three months. Your performance during this time will be evaluated. Outstanding Martial Artists can earn a Non-Tiered Sword Box Puppet or a Long Saber Puppet."

"As for the Grand Martial Artists, you may cultivate the Spirit Storage Technique. Based on your performance, you can earn either an Entry Tier Puppet or a Non-Tiered Puppet."

"Now, begin!"

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