【Simulation Year 9, Spring】
【You are 24 years old, Wu Yingxue is 18】
【The winter snow has melted, and spring has revived. The snow covering the earth's surface disappears a little each day, gradually revealing the soil beneath】
【You know well that the Survival Army is in desperate need of food. Only a large amount of food can ensure the survival of the people】
【You and the girl split up】
【One heads to the border, leading the Survival Army to slay demons and harvest as much flesh as possible】
【The other stays in Pingshui County, responsible for the spring plowing】
【The girl chooses to pick up her spear and head to the border to hunt demons, as it is what she excels at】
【"Mr. Xu and his Demon-Slaying General."】
【This is how people describe the relationship between you and the girl】
……
【Twenty-some days later, Wu Yingxue returns with the army, having harvested a lot of demon flesh, but many are injured】
【The border is still in the aftermath of the demon tide】
【Far more dangerous than usual】
【Fortunately, with the advantage of numbers and Wu Yingxue's innate strength, no major incidents occurred】
Bright spring sunlight pours down from the sky, illuminating the barren yet lively land.
The soil is turned over.
Grass and leaves mix with dew.
Emanating a subtle, earthy scent unique to nature.
The returning girl, in a carefree manner, squats beside Xu Xi, watching the bustling scene of spring plowing with him.
Pingshui County doesn't have many plow oxen, but there are many who have cultivated the Fool's Technique.
"The power of an ox!!"
In the newly plowed field.
Niu shouts to the heavens, transforming into a human plow, rumbling past, loosening the soil with sheer brute force.
"Bravo!"
"Magnificent!"
The onlookers exclaim in admiration.
They praise Niu for being even stronger than a real ox, a true master of farm work.
"Mr. Xu, why is everyone so happy?"
The girl squatting beside Xu Xi asks curiously, not understanding why something as simple as plowing could cause such excitement.
Xu Xi chuckles.
Explaining to the girl.
"Yingxue, many common folk will never leave their hometowns in their entire lives."
"All they know is the sky above and the earth beneath their feet."
"But the land at the border..."
"Is unusable, tainted by demon blood, unable to grow much grain..."
Xu Xi's voice is soft.
So soft it seems to dissipate in the wind, yet it reveals the heavy sorrows and joys.
The "criminals" living at the border of Daqian not only face the harassment of demons but also the erosion of the land they rely on for survival.
It is precisely for this reason.
That people are so excited.
Grabbing the soil with their hands, what slips through their fingers are normal grains of earth, not the foul, demon-blood-soaked black cursed soil.
Nor are they whipped and beaten by the "nobles" above.
The "criminals" who are not treated as humans can finally, in this turbid and evil world, take a difficult breath.
"Niu, save some energy, don't forget you have to practice boxing this afternoon!"
"I know, Brother Xu!"
In the field.
Hearing Xu Xi's words, the simple-minded man stops plowing, wiping his sweat with a foolish smile.
Yellow-brown grains of soil are scattered into the air with his movements.
Briefly dyeing the sky above with the same color as the earth.
The people who couldn't survive before, standing on the solid and thick earth, even if covered in sweat and dust, will show genuine smiles under the sun.
……
【Simulation Year 9, Summer】
【Spring plowing ends, and Pingshui County becomes slightly quieter, but that quiet is short-lived】
【The flames of war burn fiercely】
【You still haven't waited for the Daqian army, but you have been surrounded by the neighboring counties】
【You are slightly surprised, thinking you would be the one to attack first, but instead, the neighboring counties have come for you】
"It seems I underestimated the officials of Daqian."
"Perhaps they are not as incompetent as I thought."
On the battlefield.
Xu Xi looks at the dark mass of the enemy army in the distance, commenting with a heavy expression.
As the distance closes, besides the sound of hooves, Xu Xi also hears the roars of the enemy's leader.
"Kill! They're just a bunch of refugees, not worth living!"
"Haha, what luck this year, such easy military merit falling into our laps!"
"Such audacity, not staying outside the pass, daring to break in!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill! Let them never return!"
Scornful tones.
Arrogant attitudes.
Overconfident expressions.
Xu Xi sighs, deciding to retract his earlier assessment.
These attacking county soldiers, and the officials behind them, have no idea of the Survival Army's strength, they are just here to seize "military merit."
Before the real battle even begins.
There is already a heated rivalry among the counties, each fearing the other will gain more merit, completely underestimating the Survival Army.
Thus, the outcome of the war is clear.
……
【You achieve a great victory】
【Thanks to the stupidity of the neighboring counties, you effortlessly sweep through multiple counties, like an autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves】
【The so-called noble families, the so-called high-ranking officials, all flee upon hearing of your approach】
【"Mr. Xu, they are so weak."】
【Wu Yingxue complains to you】
【In Wu Yingxue's imagination, this year should have been a tough battle, she even prepared for sacrifice, but the stupidity of the Daqian officials almost handed victory to you】
【You truly couldn't lose even if you wanted to】
【You laugh and comfort the girl, saying such an easy victory is exactly what you wanted】
【Unfortunately, such foolish victories will only happen in the early stages. As the territory you conquer grows, you will face real challenges】
【The thirteen provinces of Daqian, each with elite troops】
【Soon, perhaps this autumn or winter, or next spring or summer】
【You will face the provincial capital of Xuanqi Province, a powerful enemy force that will determine whether the Survival Army can continue to exist】
【You feel the pressure】
【The good news is, your cultivation is beginning to loosen】
【Day after day, you persist in observing the world with your Martial Dao Heavenly Eye, gradually understanding the workings of heaven and earth, and imitating it with your vital energy】
【Now, the circulation of vital energy in your body has completely diverged from the original technique, becoming a mysterious network of heaven and earth】
【You have not relied on any external forces】
【The only thing you have is the effort and perseverance witnessed by the sun and moon】
"Observing the principles of heaven and earth to build a foundation."
"Containing the spirit of Martial Dao to form branches."
"Seeing the true self to bloom leaves."
"Now, it is time for me to ascend to the next realm."
Pingshui County.
After leading the Survival Army to conquer several counties, Xu Xi returns to this original county.
He waits for the autumn harvest while attempting to break through to the Soul Condensation realm.