ATG: Formation Master c27

Feng Hengkong grimaced in pain as he rushed away from the city that was turning into ice.

He just witnessed in person how absurd the power of Dharma Body was!

‘That woman is merely late, Throne, yet she can cause this much damage!? Where is she getting this much Profound Energy!?’ 

The Emperor turned around and saw the Blue Wind forces entering the city from different gates.

He lost one of the key cities that produced a lot of raw minerals for his Empire. This area's loss could potentially cripple his nation’s production; all the mines will be lost to the Blue Wind Empire.

However, the true reason he wanted the ceasefire was that behind this city, the Phoenix Empire's heartland would open—no mountains, only valleys and rivers.

This would be fantastic for his nation, just from sheer superior numbers, he can still conscript…

If not for the fact that these crazy Blue Wind practitioners can create a fortress in any location!

‘I don’t like this, but I will need to ask Royal Father’s help.’

With that in mind, he flew away with a few remaining survivors.

He has lost even more elders, his useless crown son, and another battalion of troops.

With this loss, his sect has lost around half its members! The numbers are… staggering!

~~~

SLAP

Feng Tianwei, the previous Emperor, slapped his son. The injured Feng Hengkong flew and slammed into the wall on the other side of the Hall.

“Ridiculous! Do you even hear yourself!?” The Monarch’s power surged as he was angry.

“You didn’t even send spies to figure out their actual strength! 

How were you able to miss all the Earth Profound Soldiers? Sky Profound experts and Thrones!?

Earth Profound soldiers make the bedrock of the army. Because they are easy to train and have decent resources, even average talent in the Divine Phoenix Empire by the age of sixteen can already be a soldier.

If he survives, then he can be promoted to officer at Sky Profound.

This is how all the Empires do it on the Continent. Obviously, Sacred Grounds do it differently; their most common practitioner is Sky Profound, who has countless Thrones.

But the Divine Phoenix Empire is huge, while Sacred Grounds are Sects.

The differences in the lands they govern are absurd, and resource management is on a completely different scale.

“I did!” Feng Hengkong grimaced as he accepted the beating, though his body is hurting… he has burns and frostbite…

“But those weird formations hide them! We couldn’t trust our senses.”

“Then you had to be even more cautious you damn fool! Haven’t you forgotten that we don’t have Phoenix God anymore!?” Feng Tianwei roared as his son’s rash decisions started to annoy him.

“Tianwei, take Tianyu and Tianqing and go to settle this matter. It’s a grave danger we are in. Our Imperial foundations and reputation are in shambles.” The Feng Zukui, the strongest and their Ancestor spoke for the first time in a very long time.

“Yes, Royal Father!”

He and his two brothers stood up and walked over to Feng Hengkong.

“Get up, you are under house arrest until further notice. I- we are very dissapointed in you.” Feng Tianwei coldly said while his brothers slightly nodded before leaving the underground area.

Feng Hengkong grimaced as he followed after them.

~~~~~~Meanwhile~~~~~~

While the city might have fallen, Cang Long realised it would take him a while to get this place running again.

This Solid Earth Territory has a direct border with the Blue Wind Empire, but many mountains separate them.

The Prince made a detour and conquered the lands around this one before advancing here. The reason is that he wanted supply lines for his regular troops.

While he and his Thrones don’t need food at all, the same can’t be said about Spirit Profound and Earth Profound soldiers.

“So many burn people… many of them are soldiers.” Chu Yueli commented as she realised that the Phoenix Empire burned itself this time around! They won without doing anything!

“Clearly not knowing that Our Prince can wield countless chains.” Cang Long’s lieutenant, Ji Chen, replied as the group was walking towards the city centre, the manor.

The centre of the city looks in the most decent condition.

“I want people to be counted, people with injuries to be treated in our healing formations. The corpses are to be destroyed with Frozen Cloud arts, and buildings are to be fixed.

The ones that are completely gone, I want that land to be used as barracks.” The Crown Prince gave the orders, and his commanders scrambled to fulfil his wishes.

With the group reduced to only three, Cang Long and the Chu sisters, they arrived at the centre, where the luxurious manor was located.

There were clear signs that the military was here: Divine Phoenix banners, a camp of soldiers in the yard, and fortifications.

“M-My Price, welcome to Solid Earth City.” The City Lord with his whole family bowed. He had a pretty wife, three sons and a young daughter.

All of them had decent cultivation. Their parents were Thrones. His sons were in different stages of Sky Profound, while his daughter was in Earth Profound.

Such a lineup… for a city lord and not a sect is impressive…

‘The sheer difference in resources.’  

“Hn. I shall be taking your Manor for the time being. I will fix the city and help whoever I can.” He said with a sigh. He wants the city to be functional and begin shipping minerals to Blue Wind Imperial City.

“In the meantime, assist my soldiers with management, and find out how many died and who survived, who needs medical assistance.” 

“Of course, please follow me.” The city lord motioned to enter his ‘humble’ home.

The Prince walked over to the throne. He could see that it was very luxurious, most likely brought over and used by Feng Hengkong.

‘I might take this as a souvenir,' The prince chuckled as he took a seat and leaned into his chair.

“Any refreshments, my Prince?” The City Lord’s wife asked respectfully.

“Bring me some tea.” 

“As you wish.” She motioned to her daughter.

The girl rushed to find some servants.

Meanwhile, the Chu sisters looked around.

“Show us the rooms. I need to recover my profound energy.” Chu Yuechan spoke to the woman.

“Of course.” She motioned for them to follow her. 

As the two left, only Chu Yueli was left with Cang Long.

“What now? It will take days to fix such a city.” The younger sibling began a conversation.

“Unlike the Phoenix Empire, we have time. In truth, they are the ones who are losing the longer this goes on.

That’s the beauty of formations. As we speak, my soldiers are beginning to reinforce the city walls and dig in.

It won’t take long until this land will be considered part of Blue Wind.”

As he spoke with her, the girl walked in with a tray of snacks and his tea. They prepared a large amount just for him.

“My thanks.”

“I-It’s my honour, my Prince. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.” The City Lord’s daughter eagerly said with a small blush.

Cang Long chuckled while Chu Yueli frowned. Regardless of the city, these girls just keep on trying to seduce! At least this one is decent-looking.

“I will. Don’t worry.” He smiled as he took a cup and poured some tea. Of course, he quickly cast a formation symbol to see if there was any poison inside it.

Thankfully, they are smart enough not to do that.

The Prince took a sip. By this point, the fairy walked over.

“Let me help you with this.” Chu Yueli moved in and sat down on his lap. She then took the snacks and began to feed him.

The City Lord’s daughter didn’t like such interference, but she was smart enough to know that she should pull back.

Not long after getting comfortable in the luxurious throne, one of his lieutenants walked in.

“My Prince, there were Sect Masters, elders and clan leaders who wish to speak with you,” Dunyun said to his Prince.

“Hn. Send them in, one by one.” With a sigh, he knew this was coming.

“At once, my Prince!” The lieutenant sharply nodded as he left the hall. Chu Yueli wanted to get up from his lap and let him do his job.

Sadly, she didn’t know that if he were going to suffer with all these audiences, she would suffer as well!

So he grabbed her and kept her in place.

“!?”

The fairy realised that he was keeping her in place.

“L-Let me go…” The Chu Fairy whispered, her panic growing.

“No, we will suffer together.” He whispered back, making her grimace as she looked at him. Yet, seconds later, she gave up and sighed.

“...fine.”

“Good girl.”

As he said that, the doors opened and the first Sect Master walked in. 

A middle-level Throne. He introduced himself and then offered a tribute, followed by asking for help, that burning attack destroyed large portions of his Sect.

Cang Long acknowledged the request and told him that his formation units would assist. 

After him, there were more.

They all did the same thing… 

They offered tribute, requested help, and accepted him as their overlord. The whole process lasted for many hours…

By this point, his fairy got a spacey look. She was mentally drained and just wanted this to be over.

‘If this is what I will have to do as his wife, I need to reconsider my options.’ Chu Yueli was internally struggling with this.

She is already thinking about how to retreat, become a person behind the scenes…

Maybe spend her days in the living quarters? It is possible. Just be the Mistress of the Palace.

As she was wondering what to do with her life. The audience was finally over. 

“Finally,” Cang Long sighed as he slowly stood up. He motioned for the fairy to stand, and Chu Yueli did just that; she stretched out a bit.

“Indeed. This was… eye-opening.” The Fairy of Frozen Glass commented as she didn’t want to do anything like this ever again.

“Hah, you will be experiencing this more often. After all, you do want to be my wife.” He teased her.

“...W-Wife…” She suddenly blushed. Sure, she suggested in a roundabout way, as even her big sister is not his fiancée or wife-to-be. He just told her that she was his, and that was about it.

“Hmm, maybe. I will think about it.” He then, all of a sudden, had a pondering look, stopping thinking in that direction.

After all, he was still young. Why marry? His lifespan is only getting longer.

“W-What do you mean?” She panicked. Why such a change!?

“Nothing. I am thinking that I am still too young.” He shrugged as he walked over, opened his mindscape, and took in all of the tribute he had received.

Many of these are rare items, herbs, and medicines that he got for free.

So, without wasting time, he pulled them all in and then walked to the City Lord’s wife and daughter, who were like his maids.

“Show me my room, I need to rest.”

“Of course.” City Lord’s wife motioned to his daughter.

“My Prince, please follow me.” The younger girl motioned for him to follow. 

As he began to walk, the fairy swiftly appeared next to him.

“Let me help you rest for tonight.” Chu Yueli whispered into his ear. 

Cang Long smirked. It would seem she is getting bolder by the day. It is about time; she has been his attendant for a considerable amount of time, and he is not teaching her the art she wants so much.

He was hasty with Chu Yuechan, but it’s different with her little sister.

The pair followed the girl. She showed them a beautiful room with a view of a garden. In the distance, there was a tall mountain with a white cap. It was beautiful scenery.

“If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.” With a bow, the girl left the pair.

Cang Long began to explore while Chu Yueli looked at him.