C84 Experience Imparted

Upon entering the village, the scene differed from Lee Yu's expectations of a massive, overwhelming force moving in unison. Instead, the soldiers behind him branched off, swiftly taking up strategic positions on either side. Their efficiency was remarkable; they had established control of the central area before Lee Yu even caught sight of any bandits.

Qing Yangde noticed the puzzled expression on Lee Yu's face and offered an explanation, "In an unfamiliar environment, controlling the flow of information is crucial to avoid walking blindly into a trap."

"I understand!" Lee Yu responded with a nod. He was aware that Qing Yangde was imparting wisdom not covered in the teachings of the Qing's, and he absorbed these lessons with an open mind, welcoming the new knowledge.

The ground was stained with splashes of bright red, the origins of which were clear, as the victims lay close by.

Matching Qing Yangde's leisurely pace, Lee Yu walked as if on a casual stroll, not rushing.

"Walking too fast can cause you to miss important details," Qing Yangde remarked, his gaze sharp as he gestured towards a meter-long slash mark on a nearby building. "These extensive damages were inflicted by cultivators wielding blades, but there are subtle differences."

He pointed out that, unlike the previous marks, this particular slash was imbued with wood spiritual energy of a more violent nature, clearly not the work of the same individual.

Lee Yu concentrated his attention. The five elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—while broadly categorized into five groups, were as diverse as humanity itself, with countless variations within each category: some gentle, some bursting with life, others explosive or intensely hot.

It dawned on Lee Yu, much like during combat, how Qing Yuan's wood spiritual energy was notably explosive, each strike bristling with a thorny sharpness, while Qing Tiangan's was more subdued, a continuous, vine-like entanglement that was hard to escape.

As they continued, pausing and proceeding while absorbing Qing Yangde's insights, Lee Yu began to discern the nuances. The vast battle scars, though wrought by weapons, were infused with distinctly different spiritual energies.

"Are there six types?" Lee Yu mused, closing his eyes to sense the variations, his brow furrowing slightly in concentration.

Based on the intelligence feedback, there weren't just three Supreme Dao cultivators—there was one at the Eighth Grade and two at the Ninth Grade.

"Exactly, there are six types in total," Qing Yangde confirmed with a nod. He continued at a measured pace, "Often, we have to rely on experience to make judgments. Take the bandit leader, for example; if he's at the Eighth Grade, it's likely that's the highest level of strength within the group."

"Time is of the essence, and solely relying on observation can lead to oversights. So, even with intelligence, it's crucial to integrate it with our own discernment!"

"It's like trying to stick to a plan when everything around you is changing," Lee Yu added.

Who knows, maybe this bandit will suddenly reveal his true power, showing us he's actually a Third Grade cultivator.

Qing Yangde's brief words prompted Lee Yu to tighten up his relaxed mindset and begin observing with renewed seriousness.

Observing Lee Yu's focused demeanor, Qing Yangde silently approved. He was a few years Lee Yu's senior and, though his spiritual energy might not match up, his life experiences and insights left Lee Yu far behind.

Upon their meeting, Qing Yangde noted that Lee Yu's character hadn't changed with his newfound status, but there were subtle shifts in his attitude that weren't for the better.

Having talent only ensures a smooth journey in cultivation, but true cultivation also involves refining one's character. Lee Yu had quickly caught up with Qing Yuan and others who had been in training for years, which could easily breed a sense of invincibility. Yet, there will always be those with even greater talent, and after all, isn't cultivation about more than just overpowering the less powerful? Some will stop at nothing to get ahead.

That's why Qing Yangde intentionally slowed things down, imparting his wisdom through his actions.

The village they approached was quite similar to Stone Village, with its primary wooden structures, but it was significantly larger. There were more houses here, and the facilities were more developed.

"Thanks, Brother Yangde," Lee Yu said, his voice carrying a weight of gratitude.

He wasn't foolish and quickly grasped Qing Yangde's underlying message and the kindness behind it.

"What's there to thank me for? Anqi sees you as her brother, too!" Qing Yangde's eyes widened in feigned annoyance before his tone softened, "Here we are. Let's head over."

Lee Yu looked up, taking in their destination.

Before they knew it, they had reached the street corner. This unnamed village bore a striking resemblance to Stone Village, with a spacious square at its heart where a crowd had now gathered, their voices tinged with fear.

The Azure Sun Army soldiers were strategically positioned nearby, keeping a watchful eye on the situation. The bandits who had plundered the village had been aware of their presence but realized too late that they were completely encircled by the military forces.

The army had herded them back to the square and now stood in silent vigil nearby. Caught in this eerie standstill, the bandits were at a loss, unsure of their next move.

"General, Young Master Lee Yu!" greeted the adjutant, approaching them. "We've managed to corral the escapees back here."

Qing Yangde offered a simple nod, steering his mystical beast to lead the army's formation.

Lee Yu trailed him, eyeing the scene with curiosity. It wasn't until he encountered the Azure Sun Army that he fully grasped the difference between a true military force and mere bandits. Lin Sanjin's rabble, the first adversaries he had faced in the Otherworld, paled in comparison to these soldiers.

The disparity was stark; it was like comparing an egg against a rock, with not even the remnants left intact. The Azure Sun Army's standardized weaponry, their beast mounts, and the impeccable discipline were leagues beyond Lin Sanjin's disorganized gang.

Now, faced with these bandits, Lee Yu couldn't help but marvel. Standing to Qing Yangde's left, he could see the general's cheek twitching, a sign he was holding something back.

"What do we do now?" The bandits huddled together in fear, with a man in his thirties at the core. He struggled to speak, and after a long pause, he finally eked out a few words.

"What do we do? Guess we'll just have to deal with it!"

Two elderly men stood by his side, their bandit attire ill-fitting, their presence among the group conspicuously out of place upon closer inspection.

The two onlookers watched as the man in his thirties trembled in his legs, a flicker of disappointment passing through their eyes, particularly in response to his stammering question. They couldn't help but feel speechless.

Had it not been for his peculiar penchant, would they have been herded onto this square like ducks?

After what seemed an eternity, one of the elders finally offered some reassurance, "Don't worry. It must be a coincidence. Given the old master's connections, we shouldn't run into any serious trouble."

Just then, the other elder noticed two individuals of seemingly high status strolling leisurely down the street.

The sight of the deputy, whose rank within the military was unmistakably high, sent the elder's spirits plummeting.

"We're done for..."

His mouth twitched, unable to utter a word, and all that remained was a deep, drawn-out sigh.