"Impossible. You haven't led any battles, so why do you say I'm just talking theories?"
Qu Qingyan's voice lacked conviction as she spoke, having never led troops into battle herself.
"Is that so?"
Wan Lei wanted to mention leading the armies of Asgard to conquer countless realms in his past life, but considering it might be too astonishing, he opted to cite the only two battles he'd experienced since arriving in this world.
"Back when I was in the Wan family, I was only at the Core Formation stage.
Second Uncle's family rebelled, surrounding the city with over a hundred thousand troops. Do you think I could have defeated them with my meager forces?
Later, the allied armies of the three major families of Qishan Prefecture attacked the Wan family's southern manor. How do you think we won?
Do you know I patrolled the city walls every day? Do you know I killed three Nascent Soul cultivators with my Core Formation power? Do you know...
There's so much you don't know. Warfare isn't as simple as drawing lines on a map and placing flags on a sand table.
How many men do you have under your command? What are their combat capabilities? What are the personalities and fighting strengths of your generals?
What is the battlefield you're going to like? Are there enemy traps? Are there enemy ambushes around the battlefield?
How many soldiers does the enemy have? What is their troop composition? Are they elites or the weak and infirm?
What is the personality of the enemy commander? Is he steady or volatile? What decisions will he make? How will you counter his personality and strategy?
Are there enemy spies among your troops? Does your liege truly trust you completely? Do your subordinates have morale, and will they break ranks when at a disadvantage?
If the enemy has already secured victory, should you fight or surrender?
After defeating the enemy, should you pursue or consolidate your forces?
Have you researched any of this?
Every decision you make carries the lives of all the soldiers under your command. They trust you and follow your orders; you must bear that responsibility.
War is never about grand pronouncements, clanging swords, or an army that swallows thousands of miles like a tiger. It's not about waving your banner and the enemy surrendering without a fight.
Achieving victory to the greatest extent possible and minimizing your own casualties is what a commander should consider.
It's not about demanding the enemy fight according to your wishes.
Do you understand, you fool?"
"You... How could you understand these things? According to the intelligence I gathered, you were just a prodigal son since childhood."
"Oh, and one more crucial point. Is everything you see real? Could it be what the enemy deliberately wants you to see? Is it an enemy illusion?
You know, what you think, what you expect, could it be exactly what the enemy wants you to think?"
Qu Qingyan lay on the ground, motionless, not uttering another word, her gaze vacant.
On this day, all her previous perceptions were overturned. She began to doubt herself, wondering if she had been wrong all along.
Wan Lei wouldn't concern himself with what Qu Qingyan might do after her beliefs collapsed, nor did he ponder it.
He had said all he needed to say, done all he needed to do, even though he had been excessively harsh.
But this was also out of consideration for their status as fellow disciples. If someone outside had dared to provoke him like that, he would have killed them long ago; he wouldn't have spoken so much.
Wan Lei ascended the steps again, continuing to temper his physical body and his Daoist techniques.
After a long while, those disciples at the Primordial Spirit stage carefully lifted Qu Qingyan and fled without looking back.
In the days that followed, Wan Lei's life was monotonous. He cultivated for seven shichen under the Life and Death Disk every day, and when the time was up, he would return to his cave dwelling to continue his cultivation.
His cave dwelling had been furnished with some new items; they weren't extravagant but were sufficient.
No one dared to provoke him anymore, and the peaceful days passed quickly, lasting for over a month.
Until one day, the arrival of a certain person shattered this tranquility.
The good news was, he was a good person.
"Oh, Brother Lei, I've been looking for you for a long time, trying to find you in the Yin Yang Sect. Then I rushed here, which was quite difficult for your brother.
Alas, why isn't there even any tea? You're a successor disciple, yet the Yin Yang Sect doesn't even have anyone to serve you?"
Hong Lian sat on a chair with great familiarity, expressing his dissatisfaction, but in reality, he was seeking credit.
"I've always been accustomed to a simple and desiresless life; I don't need anyone to serve me. There's no tea either. How is the matter I entrusted to you progressing?"
"Of course, it's been handled. If it hadn't been, would I dare to come find you?"
"It's really rare for you to come. I thought you'd run off with the money."
Young Master Lei chuckled. In truth, he had already forgotten about this matter. When the disciples outside announced that someone named Hong Lian sought an audience, he couldn't recall who Hong Lian was for a moment.
"Come, Brother Lei, here are one million four hundred thousand spirit stones. According to our agreement, you take seventy percent, and we take thirty percent. We three brothers will split that thirty percent equally."
Hong Lian produced a storage bag and placed it on the table.
This was the bounty collected from the Fang family.
Young Master Lei took the storage bag, glanced at it, and then happily put it away.
The more he looked at Hong Lian now, the more he liked him. This lucky star, this bringer of wealth, his character was truly excellent. He felt almost embarrassed to rob him again.
"I say, Hong Lian, I think you and your brothers are all pretty good. Can you help me figure out a way to make money faster?"
"Oh, Brother Lei, you're still short of money? Over a million spirit stones, plus your rewards from the Ten Thousand Prodigies Ranking, with so much money, don't cry poverty."
"The Ten Thousand Prodigies Ranking rewards?"
Young Master Lei froze.
"Yes, when we first met, didn't we all tell you? The top ten all received rewards of a million spirit stones. You haven't gone to claim it, have you?"
Hong Lian seemed a bit surprised. In his opinion, Wan Lei was someone who was obsessed with wealth, so how could he possibly leave such a large sum of spirit stones unclaimed?
"My million spirit stones!!!"
Young Master Lei leaped to his feet, letting out a long roar towards the sky.
"Where do I go to claim it?"
"The rewards were funded by the nine major forces. You are currently in the Yin Yang Sect. The Sect Master of the Yin Yang Sect was also a member of the Grand Competition organizing committee back then. It's likely your spirit stones have already been sent to the Yin Yang Sect. Go ask the Sect Master."
"I'm going now!"
Young Master Lei strode towards the outside, and Hong Lian quickly followed.
"Um, Brother Lei, my task is done, so I'm heading back. If you need anything in the future, just send me a message; I'll be there whenever you call."
Hong Lian was quite sensible and knew when to advance and retreat. This time, he hadn't embezzled the spirit stones, intending to befriend Wan Lei.
Now, it seemed the effect had doubled.
At this point, it was time to leave; clinging on would only cause annoyance.
"Alright, I won't keep you. You can go back first."
"Okay."
Opening the great door, Hong Lian flew away directly. Young Master Lei, with a furious momentum, soared towards the main peak.
"Where is he going in such a hurry?"
From behind him, Qian Duoduo's voice rang out.