Chapter 1736: Chapter 1736: Forming an Independent Battalion

"Haha, let’s not talk about these things; after all, the old headmaster is still here, and these matters haven’t even begun."

"However, I have to congratulate you; you’ve just entered the Nine Layers Mountain and already obtained the position of Camp Captain."

Shi Huanshan laughed, turning to Li Feng.

Li Feng responded indifferently, "What’s there to congratulate about being a Camp Captain?"

Seeing Li Feng’s lack of enthusiasm, Shi Huanshan seemed to realize that Li Feng wasn’t aware of the significance: "You probably don’t know the benefits of being a Camp Captain, which is why you think it’s nothing."

"To know, even I as an Elder, don’t wield as much real power as you do as a Camp Captain."

"Oh?"

Li Feng looked at Shi Huanshan, intrigued, "Why do you say that?"

Shi Huanshan didn’t hide his thoughts; although he couldn’t be Li Feng’s mentor, he didn’t mind investing in Li Feng early to gain some good favor, even if he wasn’t his master, he had once been a guiding senior.

Just as the Fifth Elder said, although he fared well at Nine Layers Mountain, his own family was merely a lower-ranked one among the second tiers, and in terms of foundation and status, it couldn’t compare to the Yuwen Family.

Among the eight Elders, his family’s status was the weakest.

Thus, he couldn’t mix with the group led by the Second Elder, Xia Changhe, as they didn’t regard him highly, naturally resulting in opposition.

Shi Huanshan immediately said, "Nine Layers Mountain practices a rule within the Guards; when new disciples enter, they start as recruits and gradually advance their status. According to the ranking within Nine Layers Mountain, after recruits come veterans, above veterans are elite soldiers, and above them are Colonels ranked in three tiers, followed by Camp Captains."

"Colonels and Camp Captains are both considered lower-tier commanding officers, but Colonels are often deputies, or vice positions, whereas Camp Captains are different."

"Camp Captains are the main officers of a camp, and a camp is the most basic unit within Ancestor Dragon City, capable of forming an independent army."

"This treatment within Nine Layers Mountain is of the highest level. According to the rules of Nine Layers Mountain, only commanders entering Nine Layers Mountain can obtain a Camp Captain title and the qualification to form an army. Essentially, as a Camp Captain, you can directly recruit a camp of five hundred soldiers, and this five hundred is your personal guard camp, unchangeable by anyone else, obedient only to your orders."

Upon hearing this, Li Feng took a deep breath. Previously he thought the opponent was stingy, only granting him a Camp Captain. Unexpectedly, this Camp Captain role was substantive, enabling him to independently form an army.

Moreover, it is a personal guard camp.

This is incredibly impressive.

"Furthermore, this camp can be directly recruited within Nine Layers Mountain according to your methods and rules. Essentially, everything within this camp is under your control."

"Also, all expenses for this camp are covered by Ancestor Dragon City. In simple terms, once you’ve recruited people, all costs are shouldered by Ancestor Dragon City, equivalent to the treatment of various border armies."

Li Feng gasped, instantly invigorated; the military supplies for an army of five hundred are certainly not negligible, especially since cultivation within the Guards also consumes resources.

Li Feng previously thought if he were truly given a camp, he wouldn’t be able to manage it, lacking the funds to support it. Although he had won quite a bit from Fengyun Tower, a visit to Underground Palace City had depleted most of it, and he hadn’t planned to keep the remaining funds, as he was leaving Ancestor Dragon for Vermilion Bird Sacred Land, so hoarding money was pointless.

"Can I access it at any time?"

"Yes, Nine Layers Mountain will issue the paperwork to Ancestor Dragon City, which will then provide the funds. As for the procedures, I’ll urge them on your behalf, ensuring no interference occurs."

Shi Huanshan stated.

Li Feng nodded; he hadn’t expected such a substantial benefit from a reward he barely regarded.

Li Feng had previously recruited numerous war slaves from Underground Palace City and was concerned about their maintenance. Now, it was sorted with direct support.

"You’re speculating that though you can form your personal guard army now, as you’re still unestablished within Nine Layers Mountain, openly announcing the formation may not attract anyone."

"The best approach is first to integrate, become acquainted with Nine Layers Mountain, and find like-minded and reliable comrades to form the backbone of this personal guard camp; otherwise, you wouldn’t know who belongs within this camp."

Li Feng was discreet; not a novice, having organized the Dragon Guards mercenary group feared across the world, where a five hundred-member camp was perfect for his capabilities.

"Fourth Elder, can I recruit people from outside for this camp?" asked Li Feng.

"Oh, recruiting outsiders."

Shi Huanshan gave Li Feng a glance, "Of course, you can. As I mentioned, this camp is your personal guard camp; you can structure it however you like. Though I know, your family practically lacks useful people?" 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Yes, indeed, but I’ve purchased several hundred war slaves from the Duel Arena."

"War slaves from the Duel Arena? That’s not an ideal soldier source; those war slaves are trained more like disciples. They can be cannon fodder but aren’t suitable as personal guards; our well-trained soldiers from Nine Layers Mountain are far more reliable."

Shi Huanshan expressed disdain toward the war slaves from the Duel Arena, knowing how they were drilled.

These war slaves pursued rough training methods, emphasizing speed, where cultivation involved forbidden techniques, quick to enhance but also prone to madness and self-destruction.

Indeed, the Duel Arena even devised a disciple’s self-destruct approach to trade life for life, making this demographic apt only for cannon fodder duties.

"Follow my guidance, won’t I mislead you? My son is also at Nine Layers Mountain, and I’ll introduce him to you, as you’re about the same age; you two might get along."

Shi Huanshan proposed, pausing mid-sentence, prompting Li Feng to stop alongside him, puzzled for staring at Shi Huanshan.

Shi Huanshan directed his gaze towards the encampment surrounded by Nine Layers Mountain below.

"Look below; the entire layout of Nine Layers Mountain resembles a grand camp, with the core being the central camp. The central camp encompasses departments like the main tent, my Supervision Camp, Logistics Camp, Martial Arts Pavilion, among others."

"Surrounding it are camps named after the four Holy Beasts: Azure Dragon Camp, Southern Vermilion Bird Camp, Northern Xuanwu Camp, and Federation White Tiger Camp. After entering, Nine Layers Mountain disciples are distributed among the four camps."

"These four camps are siblings, yet competitive; after all, martial arts demand contention for status, resources, ranking. In essence, these camps mutually dislike each other, and soon you’ll have to choose one to join."