Lion Tiger Mountain was also a well known power in the northwest region of the Great Heavenlaw Domain. Its mountain master Liu Shi was a genuine Third-Grade Sovereign, considered a strong expert just below the various King level forces.
Although Fang Lei had joined the Nine Nether Palace, this did not mean that Lion Tiger Mountain would necessarily be willing to join the Nine Nether Palace as well. Liu Bai's personal visit this time was precisely for this reason.
"Hahaha, welcome Commander Liu Bai to Lion Tiger Mountain. Please come in."
Liu Shi was a burly middle aged man, his build somewhat similar to Fang Lei's.
With a gentle smile on his face, Liu Bai followed Liu Shi and the upper echelon of Lion Tiger Mountain into a black grand hall located at the mountain peak.
Although the people of Lion Tiger Mountain were very enthusiastic toward Liu Bai, he could still sense a faint trace of disdain hidden deep within their gazes. Some individuals even carried a hint of hostility.
This was not difficult to understand. A young looking face like Liu Bai's made it hard for these powerful figures to truly trust him. As for the hostility, Fang Lei held a very high status within Lion Tiger Mountain and was a key figure personally nurtured by Liu Shi. Yet after participating in the Greatlaw GoldPond once, he had been taken away by the Nine Nether Palace. Anyone would feel unhappy about that.
As for what had happened in between, they naturally knew. Even so, displeasure was displeasure. The result was already set in stone and could not be changed.
"I wonder what important matter has brought Commander Liu Bai to my Lion Tiger Mountain this time. Fang Lei has been busy these past few days training the one thousand soldiers under his command. I heard that he plans to join the Nine Nether Guards. As the mountain master, I should thank the Nine Nether Palace for its generosity."
Liu Bai raised his eyebrows slightly. It seemed that Mountain Master Liu had quite a lot of dissatisfaction regarding Fang Lei coming to Lion Tiger Mountain to recruit people.
If he were to learn Liu Bai's true purpose for this visit, one could only imagine how these people would react.
"Commander Fang Lei's matters were personally arranged by the Nine Nether King. I believe he will certainly not disappoint the Nine Nether King."
Liu Bai replied calmly at first, then changed the subject and said bluntly, "As for my visit this time, I am actually here to invite Mountain Master Liu and Lion Tiger Mountain to join our Nine Nether Palace."
The moment these words were spoken, the expressions of everyone from Lion Tiger Mountain changed.
As the mountain master, Liu Shi's spiritual energy erupted violently, his aura pressing straight toward Liu Bai.
"I did not hear clearly. Commander Liu Bai, could you say that again?"
These words were almost squeezed out through clenched teeth. The suppressed fury was enough to burn this grand hall to ashes.
Unfortunately, Liu Bai remained as calm and composed as ever. The terrifying pressure around him felt like a gentle breeze brushing past.
This scene caused everyone present to feel a chill in their hearts. Recalling the rumors about this man circulating outside, combined with Fang Lei's descriptions after his return, they immediately discarded the contempt born from Liu Bai's youthful appearance.
Liu Bai lightly tapped the armrest of his chair with his fingers and looked at Liu Shi, who was like a volcano on the verge of eruption, before speaking.
"Mountain Master Liu, there is no need to be angry. I believe this is a good thing for both our sides."
"Oh? Then I would like to hear Commander Liu Bai's wise opinion." Liu Shi sneered.
"Mountain Master Liu is powerful, but there is still a great distance between you and the King level. Lion Tiger Mountain has joined the Great Heavenlaw Domain for decades, yet it has always remained on the fringes. I believe you yourselves understand the reason."
Before coming here, Liu Bai had done his homework. He had gathered considerable information about Lion Tiger Mountain.
"I believe you also understand that although the protection of the Great Heavenlaw Domain exists, it does not mean true safety. Lion Tiger Mountain is located on the border, and over the years you have clashed many times with those from the Hundred Battles Domain. Although both sides have had victories and defeats, overall your losses have been greater. Is that not correct?"
Liu Shi's expression was gloomy, but he could only nod in response to Liu Bai's words.
"Moreover, the Hundred Battles Domain has been constantly provoking conflicts recently. A conquest war could break out at any moment. When the two great domains clash head on, Mountain Master Liu, how confident are you that Lion Tiger Mountain can survive such a conquest war?"
These words struck directly at Liu Shi's greatest weakness, instantly plunging the grand hall into silence.
Lion Tiger Mountain had participated in three conquest wars in the past. Each time, the casualties had been severe. Although their territory expanded, they lost too many experts. The seized resources were just enough to cultivate new blood. By the time they recovered a bit, the next great war would arrive.
There was no helping it. Lion Tiger Mountain was not a King level force. In truly large scale wars, the danger was immense, and due to insufficient strength, the gains were minimal. This was the root of the problem.
In Liu Bai's memory, during the original conquest war arc, Lion Tiger Mountain was almost wiped out. In the end, it was only because the protagonist Mu Chen arrived in time with the Nine Nether Guards that they were saved.
In fact, this situation was not unique to Lion Tiger Mountain. For the directly affiliated forces of the Great Heavenlaw Domain, it was nothing unusual.
Every conquest war brought resources and prestige to the Great Heavenlaw Domain, but after each war, countless forces vanished, only to be replaced by new ones.
Everyone was already accustomed to such things. After all, this was the nature of the entire Northern Region. Before the last Great Hunt, the Northern Region had ten major forces. Afterward, only six remained. Even hegemonic powers could be destroyed and swallowed up, let alone these lower level forces.
"Even so, why must I rely on your Nine Nether Palace? Just because Fang Lei joined you? I admit that I value that boy highly, but he alone cannot influence my decision."
Fang Lei's father, Fang Hu, had once been Liu Shi's sworn brother. Lion Tiger Mountain had been built by the two of them together.
However, during a battle against Fire Earth City of the Hundred Battles Domain, Fang Hu died while saving Liu Shi. From that moment on, Lion Tiger Mountain was left with only one mountain master.
Although Liu Shi claimed he would not be influenced by Fang Lei, over the years he had raised him as if he were his own son. Fang Lei was talented and hardworking, and by now he was practically regarded as the successor of Lion Tiger Mountain.
It was precisely for this reason that Liu Shi and the others were so furious when Fang Lei was taken away and forced to join a King level force.
"Mountain Master Liu can of course choose other Kings, even ones like the Asura King or the Mountain Splitting King. They are indeed stronger than our Nine Nether Palace. But if you join them, who can say whether the Asura King and the others would be willing to give you a chance for revenge?"
"What did you say?"
The moment Liu Bai finished speaking, Liu Shi stood up abruptly. A domineering aura like that of a ferocious lion burst forth, crushing the stone seat beneath him into fragments.
"What do you mean by that? Could it be that your Nine Nether Palace actually dares to send troops beyond the domain?"
Liu Bai smiled faintly. "Why would we not dare?"
"You should have heard some things about the Nine Nether Palace's recent movements. The Nine Nether King did not hesitate to give up twelve cities to open a passage connecting the Nine Nether Palace's territory with Lion Tiger Mountain. You do not seriously believe that this was done just for your mere Lion Tiger Mountain, do you?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Shi's expression froze. He could not help but exchange glances with the others in the hall.
Clearly, when they first received this news, that was exactly the conclusion they had reached. This was also a major reason why they harbored hostility toward Liu Bai's visit today.
Liu Bai swept a glance over them, a trace of contempt flashing through his eyes, making the senior members of Lion Tiger Mountain instantly feel as if they had been insulted.
Unfortunately, Liu Bai did not care. In fact, this was precisely his intention.
"The Nine Nether Palace wants to grow and expand, and we have the strength to do so. But the development we seek is not child's play within the Great Heavenlaw Domain where you take one city and I seize one mountain. Our goal lies beyond the domain, in the vast and boundless lands of the Outer Regions."
"Lion Tiger Mountain, as a top tier power on the border, is the forward base for the Nine Nether Palace's external wars. Whether you are willing or not, the final outcome has already been decided. My visit today is merely to honor the relationship between our two sides, using courtesy before force."
"Moreover, I can promise that if Mountain Master Liu agrees to join, I can personally ensure that your great grudge from back then is avenged. As for the decision, I ask Mountain Master Liu to make it as soon as possible."
"That will be all. The Nine Nether Palace is currently burdened with many affairs, and I still need time to make preparations, so I will take my leave."
"I hope to hear good news from Mountain Master Liu at the Nine Nether Palace soon."
With that, Liu Bai turned around directly. He did not even inquire about how far Fang Lei's one thousand Nine Nether Guards had progressed in their training. Instead, he boarded the teleportation array and returned straight to the Nine Nether Palace.
After Liu Bai departed, the entirety of Lion Tiger Mountain fell into silence.
Regarding the conditions proposed by the Nine Nether Palace, Liu Shi and the upper echelon of Lion Tiger Mountain began to discuss them carefully.
Setting aside Lion Tiger Mountain for the moment, after Liu Bai returned to the Nine Nether Palace and met Jiu You again, her beautiful eyes swept over him before she spoke. "Judging by your expression, it seems the discussion went quite well?"
"Heh, as long as Liu Shi is not foolish, he should make the correct choice. However, it will probably take a few days before he reaches a decision. How are things on your side? Has everything been settled?"
Jiu You leaned slightly against her throne, one hand resting on the armrest while the other supported her fragrant cheek, as she replied calmly, "The negotiations have been finalized. The handover of those ten cities will be completed soon. However, I just received a message from the Sky Vulture Emperor. It seems he intends to inquire about the purpose of our Nine Nether Palace."
Liu Bai pondered briefly, then said, "It is fine. Just tell him directly. This kind of matter cannot be concealed anyway. Besides, has the Great Heavenlaw Domain not always encouraged the Kings to expand their territories? It is just that no one dared to do it. In that case, let our Nine Nether Palace be the first."
"Exactly. Since none of them dare to take the lead, then let my Nine Nether Palace do it." At this moment, Jiu You's smooth jade like face was filled with confidence.
"I heard from Little Bing that the recruitment of new Nine Nether Guard members has been completed, a total of three thousand people. She has already handed them over to Qiu Shan and the other two to lead separately. However, how do you plan to arrange the original one thousand Nine Nether Guards? Should they be dispersed to lead the newcomers?"
"No, absolutely not." Liu Bai immediately stopped her.
Although using veterans to lead recruits could quickly form a respectable combat force, it would not allow the new Nine Nether Guards to reach that same high spirited battle intent in a short time. This would bring no benefit to the expansion war they were about to begin.
"These one thousand are the trump card of our Nine Nether Palace, and they will be the sharpest blade we possess. We must not dull that blade's edge."
"As for the newcomers, are there not still several hundred people who were previously eliminated from the Nine Nether Guards? Let them take on the role of instructors. Moreover, three thousand is not enough. I plan to recruit five thousand directly. In the coming battles, I will send these five thousand onto the battlefield. Only those who survive will truly be qualified to become members of the Nine Nether Guards under my Nine Nether Palace."
Upon hearing this, Jiu You nodded slightly. She understood that Liu Bai intended to train them through actual combat. Although this method could produce a truly elite force in the shortest time possible, the casualties would undoubtedly be heavy.
Five thousand people, with only three thousand needed in the end, meant an elimination rate of forty percent.
However, Jiu You was not a soft hearted or indecisive person. She quickly nodded in agreement with Liu Bai's proposal.
"In that case, adding Fang Lei's one thousand men and the manpower Lion Tiger Mountain might dispatch, that is only around ten thousand in total. Is that enough?" Jiu You frowned slightly as she asked.
It was not that the Nine Nether Palace only had this small number of troops under its command. After all, with fifty cities under its rule, even the smallest city could mobilize tens of thousands of soldiers. Large cities could easily gather armies numbering in the millions. There was no shortage of manpower at all.
However, among the forces under a King level power, those that could truly be called elite numbered only this ten thousand.
"It is enough. In my view, if after this great battle half of them can be left to me, I will already be satisfied."
Liu Bai knew very well that the true elite force of the Great Heavenlaw Domain was actually the Great Heavenlaw Army.
It was said that even the weakest among them possessed Sovereign level cultivation, and the commanders within were no weaker than the Kings themselves.
"By the way, Tang Bing and Qiu Shan and the others have all completed the condensation of their Celestial Bodies, right?"
With the great battle about to begin, Liu Bai placed great importance on these few individuals who could barely shoulder responsibilities on their own within the Nine Nether Palace.
"They have all finished refining their Celebration Bodies. I have to say, the Profound Ice Celestial Body and the Azure Wood Celestial Body you provided are quite powerful. All four of them have improved significantly, especially Little Bing. Even if she cannot compare to the four great commanders like you, she should already be stronger than the others." As she said this, the smile on Jiu You's face could no longer be concealed.
This was the advantage brought by a powerful Celestial Body. Even someone who had just broken through could potentially be stronger than a First Grade Sovereign who had been at that level for many years.
"Since we have chosen to march beyond the domain, which location do you plan to choose as our target?" Jiu You raised her hand and released a vast spiritual map as she looked at Liu Bai and asked.
At present, nearly all affairs of the Nine Nether Palace were decided by the two of them. Tang Bing was constantly busy recruiting and training new soldiers, so everything could only be discussed between the two.
"Our first target is naturally the Thunderflame Plain." Liu Bai raised his hand and pointed at a vast region on the spiritual map, saying with absolute certainty.
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