Chapter 223: Chapter 223: Hundred Linked Array
"Don’t worry. If any enemies approach, I’ll know."
Only after Ye Xuan said this did the few Imperial Guardsmen finally circle around him.
Seeing the doubtful looks from the crowd that had gathered, Ye Xuan spoke calmly, "I know many of you were quite dissatisfied when you heard you were being assigned to me..."
"Young Master Xuan." Ouyang Xiaoshan tried to interject, but Ye Xuan cut him off. "That’s enough, Commander Ouyang. Don’t say another word. I, Ye Xuan, am capable of discerning that much."
The men below exchanged confused glances, wondering what trick Ye Xuan had up his sleeve.
Ye Xuan continued impassively, "I understand your concerns. And I, Ye Xuan, am not the type to force anyone against their will. So, I will make you all a promise right here. Once your mission is complete, if any of you do not wish to be part of the Ye family’s private forces and want to return to the Imperial Guard, I, Ye Xuan, will approve it, one and all. I will never stand in the way of someone’s livelihood."
The crowd erupted.
As soon as Ye Xuan’s words landed, the entire field was in an uproar, with everyone breaking into discussion.
This was precisely what they had been worried about, and they hadn’t expected Ye Xuan to address it so directly.
But Ye Xuan’s words weren’t enough to put them at ease. His Majesty, Zhao Jing, had clearly gifted them to this Ye Xuan. If they wanted to return to the Imperial Guard, would His Majesty even agree?
If His Majesty didn’t agree, Ye Xuan’s promise would be completely useless.
As if understanding their worries, Ye Xuan said flatly, "I know what you’re all thinking. Rest assured, if you wish to return to the Imperial Guard, I will personally speak with His Majesty. I, Ye Xuan, guarantee that His Majesty, Zhao Jing, will not refuse you in any way."
At this, Ye Xuan glanced at Ouyang Xiaoshan. "Commander Ouyang, this promise applies to you as well."
This promise from Ye Xuan left every Imperial Guardsman present, including Ouyang Xiaoshan, completely stunned.
No one could understand it. They were all bewildered, unable to grasp why Ye Xuan would make such a promise.
"Everyone has their own ambitions. I, Ye Xuan, have never been one to force others. However, I believe there must be some among you who want a change of scenery, who want to join the Ye family’s ranks. For you, I have another guarantee."
Ye Xuan’s eyes gleamed, emitting a light so brilliant that no one dared to meet his gaze. "I, Ye Xuan, promise that any Imperial Guardsman willing to join the Ye family will see their life ascend to a new level. At the same time, I dare to guarantee that within five years of joining my family, your strength will increase by at least one Tier."
"What?"
"An increase of one Tier?"
"Are you kidding? A one-Tier increase? Doesn’t that mean if I join the Ye family, I could become a Tier Five Martial Sect within five years?"
This time, the crowd’s shock was even greater than before. The small grove erupted like a pot boiling over, all semblance of calm utterly shattered.
The most shocked of all was Commander Ouyang Xiaoshan. The bombshell Ye Xuan had just dropped was simply too massive. If what Ye Xuan said was true, he, Ouyang Xiaoshan, wouldn’t even have to think about it—he would be the first to join the Ye family.
He was currently a Tier Five Martial Sect. An increase of one Tier would make him a Tier Six Martial Venerable, undoubtedly the strongest expert in the Liuyun Kingdom in a century. With that kind of power, he could practically run rampant throughout the Thirteen Nations Alliance.
It was a temptation he simply couldn’t resist.
’But can what Ye Xuan said really be achieved?’
As if sensing the doubt in Ouyang Xiaoshan’s heart, Ye Xuan looked at him. "Commander Ouyang Xiaoshan, this promise, like the one before, is also valid for you."
This sentence immediately unsettled many of the Imperial Guardsmen present.
Originally, seeing how respectfully His Majesty Zhao Jing and Lord Chu Yunfei treated Ye Xuan, many had been inclined to believe him. But after his words to Commander Ouyang Xiaoshan, they grew doubtful again.
Commander Ouyang Xiaoshan was a Tier Five Martial Sect; a one-Tier increase would make him a Tier Six Martial Venerable. Such an expert was a rare sight even in the Thirteen Nations Alliance. Could a young man like Ye Xuan really accomplish this? It sounded like a fairy tale.
Everyone hesitated, their minds a chaotic mess.
"This is my promise," Ye Xuan announced. "You can believe me, or you can remain skeptical. You all have time to consider it on our way back; I won’t force anyone. Any Imperial Guardsman who wishes to join the Ye family can come find me at any time. But let me be blunt: once you decide to join the Ye family, there is no backing out. Otherwise, I will make you regret it for the rest of your life. I, Ye Xuan, have no use for the fickle. Alright, you are all dismissed."
With that, Ye Xuan turned to leave.
"Master Ye Xuan, please wait."
Just then, an Imperial Guard captain was the first to step forward. He came before Ye Xuan and knelt on one knee. "This subordinate, Liu Xiaolong, is willing to join the Ye family and follow Master Ye Xuan."
This man was a Tier Four Second Heaven Martial Artist. Now almost forty, his cultivation had stagnated in recent years, showing almost no growth.
He knew very well that if he remained in the Imperial Guard, with his talent, he would at most become a Third Heaven Martial Artist in another ten years or so before being forced to retire from his current position.
Now, Ye Xuan’s promise had stirred his heart.
He had always been a bold and unrestrained man, and with no family to consider, he made his decision almost without a second thought.
"Good. Very good." Ye Xuan nodded. "In a little while, come to my carriage. I will teach you a few things."
With Liu Xiaolong setting an example, a few more Imperial Guardsmen soon agreed to join the Ye family.
Aside from them, the vast majority of the Imperial Guardsmen didn’t move, but Ye Xuan didn’t seem to mind.
The procession set off once more.
Before long, the few Imperial Guardsmen who had agreed to join the Ye family arrived at Ye Xuan’s carriage.
For each guardsman, Ye Xuan gave some pointers on their cultivation, made a few modifications to their individual Cultivation Techniques, and finally, taught them a battle array.
"This battle array is called the Hundred Linked Array. It’s a type of Array that allows you to connect your Profound Qi, combining it to enhance your combat strength. Its greatest advantage is its inclusiveness—it can accommodate Profound Qi of any attribute. It can even connect and enhance the power of your Martial Souls. Another major advantage is its versatility. Any number of people can form the Hundred Linked Array—two people, ten people, even a hundred. There’s no limit. However, the more people there are, the greater its power. Now, I will teach you the Heart Method, formation, and variations of this Hundred Linked Array. Memorize it well."
He began to dictate it on the spot, and the few Imperial Guardsmen repeated it silently, over and over.
These Imperial Guardsmen had expected Ye Xuan to teach them some heaven-defying Cultivation Technique or bestow upon them some special Pills. They never imagined he would only make a few minor adjustments to their existing Cultivation Techniques. They were instantly disappointed, and began to doubt whether they had made the right decision.
After all, their belief in Ye Xuan was largely due to his relationship with Master Hua Luoxuan and Master Kuchen. When Ye Xuan gave them neither Pills nor a powerful Cultivation Technique, it was only natural for them to feel skeptical.
So, even as they silently recited the Heart Method and variations of the Hundred Linked Array, their minds were elsewhere.
But gradually, they all became deeply shocked.
They had originally thought the Hundred Linked Array was just an ordinary battle array, but after hearing its Heart Method, they instantly realized its value was simply immeasurable!
According to the Heart Method’s description, a two-person Hundred Linked Array could increase their combined power by twenty percent. Three people, thirty percent. And with ten people, it would be doubled.
And when a hundred people formed the Hundred Linked Array, it was enough to increase each person’s strength by several times over.
Forget a hundred people—just the ten-person Hundred Linked Array doubling everyone’s strength was already enough to leave them shaken beyond imagination...
You could say that if they were at the same strength level, an opponent with twice their numbers might not be able to withstand their combined assault.
The mere thought sent a chill down their spines. Looking at Ye Xuan’s nonchalant expression, as if he couldn’t care less, their previous disdain vanished completely. ’Is Ye Xuan really a sixteen-year-old boy?’ they wondered, utterly incredulous.
After he finished teaching, Ye Xuan said sternly, "Without my permission, you are absolutely forbidden from teaching this Hundred Linked Array to anyone else. Moreover, this Array has another benefit: if you cultivate in the Array’s formation, your cultivation speed will increase dramatically. The more people, the better the effect. I expect the few of you to be able to execute this Hundred Linked Array together in ten days. Now, you may go."
"Yes, sir!"
Liu Xiaolong and the others withdrew, their faces filled with ecstasy.
"Xiaolong, what did Master Ye Xuan teach you?"
"You guys look so excited. Did he give you Pills? What grade?"
"Hurry up and tell us."
The other Imperial Guardsmen had been watching them closely. Seeing the expressions on their faces, they immediately crowded around.
But Liu Xiaolong and the others were tight-lipped. With mysterious expressions, they said nothing and went off together to study the Hundred Linked Array, leaving the rest of the men frustrated.
But they still couldn’t bring themselves to make the decision to pledge allegiance to Ye Xuan just yet.
In the following days, Ye Xuan and his companions cultivated inside the carriage, while Liu Xiaolong and his group studied the Hundred Linked Array outside.
In addition to that, they all began to try out the new Cultivation Techniques that Ye Xuan had modified for them.
They didn’t realize it until they tried, but the moment they did, they were all startled. The Profound Qi in their bodies, which had been stagnant and barely improved no matter how they cultivated, had actually become active again.
After three days, they could all clearly feel the increase in their Profound Qi.
This was especially true for Liu Xiaolong. His Profound Power had already reached the peak of a Tier Four Celestial Martial Artist at the Second Layer. Now that his power stirred, he immediately felt the urge to break through to the Third Layer.
Tears welled up in his eyes, and he almost started crying.
