“Killed two Ancient Demons of the True Immortal Realm Ninth Layer, five of the Eighth Layer, and nine of the Seventh Layer…”

In the courtyard, Shi Tianjin sat at the head seat, holding a saber and riding on horseback, tallying his Immortal Merits. At the end, he revealed a satisfied smile and said:

“Finally, I don’t have to stay with the newcomers in this Wildfire Army anymore. Adding up my previous accumulated Immortal Merits, there are a total of two hundred thousand. With my cultivation at the True Immortal Realm Tenth Layer Perfection, I can apply to join the Peacock Army!”

Hearing his words, several veteran soldiers showed envious expressions in their eyes and congratulated him one after another.

To join the Peacock Army, if one were to return on leave to the interior of the Immortal Dynasty during service, their status would even be comparable to that of an Elder of the Heavenly Four Sects (Immortal Monarch Realm).

After all, what the Peacock Army represents is the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty Royal Family, untouchable. Even an Elder of the Heavenly Four Sects with cultivation above one realm must show some respect.

Besides, if one were to go for an alliance through marriage, the partner would at least be the legitimate daughter of a millennium family or the commander’s daughter of various Immortal City Counties.

The other newcomers, although a bit slow to react, seeing the veteran soldiers’ flattering manner, also quickly followed suit and began to compliment him.

In the cultivation world, it’s both about individual power and interpersonal relations; this is true for sects and dynasties alike.

“Xiao Qi, what about you? You killed quite a few this time, right?”

Shi Tianjin looked at the young man sitting on the side.

Although this young man was a new recruit, thanks to him during this expedition, their war camp was able to claim the kills of so many Ancient Demons; otherwise, his Immortal Merits might decrease by ten to twenty thousand.

“Yes, over a hundred thousand.”

Huo Xiaoqi nodded, his expression rather calm.

“Over a hundred thousand Immortal Merits, combined with your cultivation, it’s enough to join the Tiger Lion Army. With more effort, you could get into the Peacock Army too!”

Shi Tianjin laughed heartily, patting his shoulder. Having interacted for months, he already regarded Huo Xiaoqi as an important network resource, showing goodwill multiple times. Their relationship could even be considered friends now.

The other people looked at Huo Xiaoqi with envy. Setting such a significant amount of Immortal Merits right after joining, they were aware of the treasures in the Immortal Merit Exchange Library; more than a hundred thousand Immortal Merits could exchange for quite a few cultivation resources.

Upon hearing Shi Tianjin’s words, Huo Xiaoqi didn’t feel particularly happy. He hadn’t come here to join the Peacock Army, but to temper himself for the Southern Domain Battle in ten years.

Of course, if he could earn some Immortal Merits along the way and achieve a higher military status, that would be a decent direction.

However, at this moment, he couldn’t help but think of that figure in his mind.

If he were still here…

Thump thump.

Suddenly, there was a knocking at the door.

Everyone turned their heads, looking towards the courtyard gate, and saw a young figure standing at the gate, gently knocking, and then walking in slowly.

“Chong Er?!”

Upon seeing Li Hao’s face, everyone was stunned, their eyes widening in shock.

Sitting with outstretched legs on the chair, Shi Tianjin shot up, stood blankly for a moment, and then quickly plastered a smile on his face, walking up quickly as he said:

“Chong Er, you’re back, this is great! We didn’t see you for months and were worried to death, thinking something happened to you!”

Li Hao ignored his enthusiasm, nodding slightly to Huo Xiaoqi when he saw him too.

Months had passed, and Huo Xiaoqi’s aura was noticeably more steady than before, exuding a sharp air.

Seeing Li Hao, Huo Xiaoqi was initially stunned but quickly reacted. His figure blurred as he reached Li Hao, and he couldn’t help but say:

“Where have you been these months? I thought you were too aggressive and had gotten targeted by the commanders among those Ancient Demons!”

Being too dazzling on the battlefield, only to be killed by the enemy commander, isn’t unexpected. It’s also one of the reasons why prodigies dare not easily step into the battlefield; unexpected things happen at any time.

Li Hao smiled slightly and said, “There were some small incidents, but overall, nothing major.”

Seeing Li Hao ignore him, Shi Tianjin wore a slightly awkward expression. Previously, when Li Hao arrived, he had outright ignored this little guy at the True Immortal Realm Third Level, deeming him a goner. Now being ignored by Li Hao, he could only feel resentful.

“We hadn’t had the chance to properly thank you for saving us earlier. Come, sit down.”

Shi Tianjin greeted Li Hao warmly, not showing his dissatisfaction, eager to network Li Hao into his resource pool.

Li Hao didn’t stand on ceremony, sitting down readily and noticing that the figures in the courtyard were significantly reduced by half compared to before. The missing half, he hadn’t even gotten to clearly see their faces. Perhaps this was the cruelty of border wars.

“With Brother Chong Er’s strength over these months, I presume you must have accumulated quite a bit of Immortal Merits, probably tens of thousands!”

Shi Tianjin chuckled and handed Li Hao some tea.

Li Hao lightly tapped the table with his fingers to express gratitude, but didn’t drink. Instead, he looked towards Huo Xiaoqi: “And you?”

“Can’t compare with you.”

Huo Xiaoqi shook his head, looking at Li Hao with a complex gaze. From the initial surprise and excitement upon meeting to now having calmed down, recalling the strength Li Hao displayed when rescuing them previously, he murmured: “Your cultivation realm, are you a disciple of the Heavenly Palace?”

Li Hao shook his head, recalling the Southern Domain Battle the other mentioned, he smiled and said: “At the Southern Domain Battle, you’ll find out.”

Huo Xiaoqi couldn’t help but smile wryly, remembering that when the young man asked him back then, he had given the same answer.

Seeing that Li Hao had no intention of befriending him, Shi Tianjin’s eyes flashed a hint of annoyance, but he maintained a cheerful expression and said:

“Brother Chong Er, with your kind of talent, I can recommend you to the Demon Suppression Bureau. I have a brother serving there as a Demon Suppression Guard.”

Hearing his words, the other people looked at Shi Tianjin in surprise, not expecting him to have connections with the Demon Suppression Bureau.