Chapter 148: Greetings, Master!

When Damian emerged from the Permanent Realm Passage inside his cultivation chamber in Shengyuan, he was fully prepared to discover that everything had gone to hell during his absence.

Considering the ultimatum issued by the Nightmare Corpse Sect, he wouldn’t have been particularly surprised to find the building burning, corpses littering the streets, or some apocalyptic battle unfolding outside his window.

Instead, he found a perfectly peaceful cultivation chamber, with sunlight filtering through the windows and the surrounding Spiritual Energy circulating undisturbed.

The familiar atmosphere was so ordinary that Damian almost felt disappointed, having spent the past several days imagining increasingly unpleasant scenarios involving the two allied sects.

"Well, this is anticlimactic," Damian muttered, examining his surroundings before releasing a quiet breath of relief.

His arrival had apparently gone unnoticed by the room’s other occupant, who was seated cross-legged some distance away with his eyes closed.

Jian Rui was quietly cultivating, his breathing steady as he guided the surrounding Spiritual Energy through his meridians with the concentration expected of a talented Evergreen Sect disciple.

Damian watched him for a moment, appreciating that the youngster had found time to cultivate despite his administrative responsibilities.

However, the subtle disturbance caused by Damian’s appearance soon attracted Jian Rui’s attention, and the young cultivator opened his eyes before freezing in astonishment.

"Lord Damian?! You’re back! We weren’t expecting you for several more days, especially since you mentioned having important business to attend to!" Jian Rui exclaimed, immediately scrambling to his feet.

Damian raised a hand, signaling for him to relax before the youngster could begin making unnecessary formalities.

"Easy there, Jian Rui, I’m not the Sect Master coming to inspect your work, so there’s no need to jump around like you’ve been caught sleeping on duty."

Jian Rui smiled awkwardly, although his relief remained obvious as Damian settled into a nearby chair and invited him to sit.

The young cultivator had evidently been holding considerable responsibility during Damian’s absence, and the return of the man who had transformed the sect’s fortunes was undoubtedly welcome.

Naturally, Damian wasted little time getting to the important matter.

"Alright, bring me up to speed on the war, starting from the day I left. I want to know what happened, where our people are stationed, and whether the Nightmare Corpse Sect has tried anything particularly stupid," Damian instructed, his expression becoming more serious.

Jian Rui nodded before organizing his thoughts, evidently relieved that Damian had asked for a proper account rather than immediately demanding to visit the battlefield.

Fortunately, the situation had developed in ways that were both encouraging and somewhat unexpected.

The Nightmare Corpse Sect had become considerably more aggressive following Ning Ruomei’s capture!

According to Jian Rui, the enemy’s offensive intensity increased almost immediately after her disappearance, with several previously cautious units launching increasingly reckless assaults.

Their commanders appeared determined to inflict as much damage as possible, driving their disciples forward with such desperation that the allied forces initially suspected the enemy had received some extraordinary medicinal enhancement.

"They fought as though someone had fed them powerful stimulants, Lord Damian. Several units continued attacking even after suffering severe casualties, and some commanders refused to retreat until their formations had practically collapsed," Jian Rui explained grimly, recalling the reports arriving from the different battlefronts.

Damian frowned thoughtfully, immediately considering the possible explanations.

Ning Ruomei was the daughter of Xie Man, the Nightmare Corpse Sect’s Ancestor, so her capture was hardly something the enemy could ignore, but he doubted that every suicidal assault had been motivated by paternal affection.

More likely, the Nightmare Corpse Sect’s leadership had become desperate to reverse its deteriorating position before the allied forces could fully exploit their new advantages.

Unfortunately for them, desperation didn’t automatically translate into military effectiveness.

"And how did Evergreen and Azure Water handle the increased pressure? I left them with a considerable supply of Holy Water and medicinal resources, but those things aren’t much use if the commanders start making stupid decisions," Damian asked, gesturing for Jian Rui to continue.

Fortunately, Jian Rui’s answer was extremely encouraging.

The two allied sects had weathered the initial offensive far better than anyone anticipated, largely because the traditional advantages enjoyed by the Nightmare Corpse Sect were no longer functioning as effectively.

Before Damian’s intervention, Corpse Qi contamination, persistent injuries and the difficulty of treating corrupted cultivators had steadily weakened their fighting strength.

Now, those advantages had been substantially neutralized.

Holy Water could purify the hostile Corpse Qi responsible for many of their difficulties, while Healing and Restoration Potions allowed injured disciples to recover far more efficiently than their opponents expected.

The two sects also possessed superior combined manpower, wealth and institutional foundations, meaning that once the Nightmare Corpse Sect lost its greatest advantage, the difference in their underlying strength became increasingly obvious.

Damian listened with growing satisfaction, although he was careful not to mistake the effectiveness of his products for some miraculous guarantee of victory.

Medicines could prevent unnecessary deaths and return injured cultivators to battle, but competent leadership and disciplined soldiers were still required to exploit those benefits.

Apparently, the allied sects had provided both!

On the first day, the Nightmare Corpse Sect launched several powerful offensives across the contested fronts, attempting to overwhelm the defenders through relentless pressure.

However, the Evergreen and Azure Water cultivators held their positions, absorbing the assaults before counterattacking whenever their opponents became overextended.

The fighting continued throughout the second day, with both sides repeatedly contesting important crossings, resource sites and defensive positions.

Although the allied sects suffered casualties, their wounded returned to fighting condition considerably faster than before, while the Nightmare Corpse Sect’s losses accumulated without comparable recovery.

By the third day, the consequences had become impossible to ignore.

"Their casualties were so severe that several enemy commanders no longer possessed enough disciples to maintain their assigned positions. They attempted to reinforce those locations, but transferring cultivators from other battlefields merely created additional weaknesses elsewhere," Jian Rui reported, his tone carrying an unmistakable measure of disbelief.

Damian nodded slowly, recognizing the familiar pattern of an army whose offensive ambitions had begun exceeding its available resources.

Once an organization lost the ability to replace its casualties, even relatively successful attacks could become strategically disastrous.

"And I assume they finally came to their senses after that? Or did they continue throwing people into the meat grinder because somebody was too proud to admit the situation had changed?" Damian asked, studying Jian Rui’s expression.

Jian Rui gave a rueful smile before explaining that the Nightmare Corpse Sect finally reduced its offensive activity on the fourth day.

Its remaining forces began withdrawing toward more defensible positions, apparently hoping to stabilize the front and prevent further losses while their leadership reconsidered the situation.

Unfortunately for them, the allied sects had absolutely no intention of allowing such a convenient recovery.

After spending so long struggling beneath the Nightmare Corpse Sect’s pressure, the Evergreen and Azure Water cultivators had become extraordinarily enthusiastic about finally gaining the upper hand.

Their commanders recognized the enemy’s sudden weakness and ordered coordinated counteroffensives, driving forward with renewed confidence while their opponents struggled to establish fresh defensive lines.

The result was a complete reversal of the previous situation!

"By the fifth day, which was yesterday, our forces had broken through several important defensive positions and forced the Nightmare Corpse Sect into repeated retreats. The latest estimates suggest that approximately seventy percent of their committed fighting forces have been killed, incapacitated or otherwise rendered ineffective since the offensive began!" Jian Rui continued, his expression brightening as he reached the most encouraging part of the report.

Damian’s eyebrows rose considerably.

Seventy percent?!

That was an absolutely catastrophic loss for any military organization, especially one operating in a world where powerful individual cultivators represented strategic assets that couldn’t simply be replaced through ordinary recruitment!

Even allowing for inaccuracies in battlefield estimates, such a figure suggested that the Nightmare Corpse Sect had suffered far more severely than he anticipated.

"Good grief, seventy percent in less than a week? I was hoping they’d suffer enough losses to reconsider their ultimatum, but apparently those fellows decided to conduct a practical demonstration of how to lose an entire war!" Damian remarked, leaning back as he considered the implications.

Nevertheless, his amusement gradually faded as a more troubling possibility occurred to him.

An army suffering that level of devastation was dangerous in an entirely different way, since its remaining leadership might conclude that conventional warfare could no longer produce a favorable outcome.

The Nightmare Corpse Sect was hardly renowned for its moral restraint, and Damian didn’t particularly like imagining what desperate demonic cultivators might attempt when faced with complete destruction.

"What about Xie Man and the other senior cultivators? An army can lose seventy percent of its ordinary disciples and still cause enormous trouble if the strongest fellows remain capable of taking action," Damian asked, his expression sharpening.

Jian Rui acknowledged the concern immediately, explaining that the senior leadership had been monitoring the situation closely.

Although the allied sects enjoyed a considerable advantage, nobody was foolish enough to assume the enemy had exhausted every available method simply because its conventional forces were collapsing.

For that reason, the latest developments had been handled rather carefully.

Earlier that very day, the Evergreen Sect and Azure Water Sect had advanced into the deeper portions of Nightmare Corpse Sect territory, establishing a joint forward camp after securing several important approaches.

The operation was being coordinated by senior leadership from both sects, with their Foundation Establishment cultivators personally overseeing the consolidated forces.

Damian found that particularly interesting.

The allied sects were no longer merely defending their territories or pushing the enemy away from contested positions.

They had begun establishing a permanent presence within the Nightmare Corpse Sect’s own sphere of influence, fundamentally changing the strategic situation.

"So they’ve established a forward operating base under the supervision of their Foundation Establishment leaders. That’s sensible, especially since the enemy’s remaining strongholds could still contain dangerous surprises," Damian summarized, studying the development with considerable interest.

Jian Rui nodded, explaining that the joint camp was intended to coordinate supplies, reinforce the advancing formations and prevent the allied forces from becoming dangerously scattered.

The leadership evidently understood that enthusiasm could easily transform a successful offensive into an embarrassing disaster if their disciples pursued retreating enemies without adequate support.

Damian appreciated that caution, particularly because he had encountered enough demonic cultivators to know how unpleasant their hidden arrangements could become.

Even a weakened enemy might possess defensive Arrays, concealed Corpse Puppets and numerous other methods capable of inflicting severe casualties upon careless attackers.

However, the overall situation was undeniably favorable.

He had returned expecting to discover the Evergreen and Azure Water sects desperately struggling against another Nightmare Corpse offensive.

Instead, he found that the enemy had practically destroyed its own fighting strength through reckless aggression, allowing the allied sects to seize the initiative and advance into its territory!

"Well, that certainly improves my mood. But don’t let anyone become complacent, because an enemy that’s lost nearly everything might decide it has nothing left to lose," Damian cautioned, regarding Jian Rui with genuine approval.

The youngster nodded seriously, evidently appreciating the reminder despite his excitement over the recent victories.

Damian questioned him further about casualties, supplies and the condition of the local administration, satisfying himself that the Willowbank personnel had continued performing their responsibilities during his absence.

Only after completing that discussion did he turn toward another matter.

His four attendants!

"Speaking of which, summon Bo Wen, Lin Meiyu and Shen Lian for me. It’s about time I checked on how you four have been progressing instead of treating you like an administrative department that occasionally remembers how to cultivate," Damian instructed, giving Jian Rui a meaningful look.

Jian Rui immediately obeyed, sending word to the other three before returning to his seat.

Damian used the intervening time to consider the youngsters’ circumstances, recalling how they had originally been assigned to assist him since he first arrived here two weeks ago.

All four were considered reasonably talented disciples, possessing respectable cultivation foundations and promising futures within their sect.

However, their increasing responsibilities had also forced them to balance personal development against the considerable demands of military administration.

When the others finally arrived, Damian greeted them warmly before beginning his inspection.

Jian Rui remained at Body Tempering Level 8, making him the strongest of the four, while Bo Wen was still at Level 6. Lin Meiyu and Shen Lian had likewise remained at Level 5, although all four possessed small amounts of accumulated progress from their recent cultivation sessions.

Ordinarily, Damian wouldn’t have found that particularly disappointing.

Although Body Tempering cultivation was considerably less demanding than Qi Condensation, breakthroughs still required time, sufficient Spiritual Energy and consistent practice.

Only a relatively short period had passed since Damian first encountered the youngsters, and expecting them to advance through multiple levels while simultaneously managing his businesses would have been thoroughly unreasonable.

Especially without his ridiculous collection of cultivation accelerators!

"Don’t look so embarrassed, the four of you. I know perfectly well that ordinary cultivators don’t advance several realms every time they disappear into a room for a few days, so there’s no need to act as though you’ve disappointed me," Damian remarked, noticing their expressions as he finished reviewing their circumstances.

Bo Wen looked visibly relieved, while Lin Meiyu lowered her head with a grateful smile.

Shen Lian maintained his usual seriousness, although Damian noticed that the youngster appeared rather frustrated by her lack of recent advancement.

That reaction was understandable.

After witnessing Damian’s extraordinary combat abilities and the ridiculous medicines he could produce, it was hardly surprising that the four youngsters had begun developing considerably greater ambitions.

The problem was that ambition alone didn’t magically fill their meridians with Spiritual Energy.

Fortunately, Damian happened to possess something capable of helping with that particular difficulty!

He had been considering this matter for some time, especially after seeing how effectively Valorian resources could accelerate cultivation when properly utilized.

Although he had already provided the youngsters with medicines and various forms of assistance, he hadn’t yet introduced them to one of the most convenient cultivation resources available through his cross-realm activities.

Mana Crystals!

"Alright, since you’ve all been working hard, I think it’s time I gave you something more useful than another lecture about patience. Come over here and sit down, because I want you to try cultivating with these," Damian announced, reaching into his Exchange Storage as the four disciples watched curiously.

Four crystalline objects appeared in his hand, each containing a concentrated reservoir of shimmering Mana.

The youngsters immediately recognized that the objects possessed considerable energy, although their unfamiliar spiritual signatures prevented them from identifying the materials.

Damian distributed one Mana Crystal to each of them before instructing the four to assume their usual cultivation postures.

He carefully explained that the energy contained within the crystals was compatible with their cultivation methods, although they should begin by drawing upon it gradually rather than recklessly attempting to absorb everything at once.

"Keep your circulation steady and guide the energy through your normal meridians. Don’t compete with one another, and if anything feels wrong, stop immediately and tell me," Damian instructed, watching as they settled into position.

The four exchanged curious glances before closing their eyes and beginning to cultivate.

For several moments, nothing particularly dramatic happened.

Then the Mana Crystals began responding to their circulation, releasing concentrated energy that flowed toward their bodies and entered their meridians.

The youngsters’ expressions changed almost simultaneously as they realized that the amount of energy entering their systems was far greater than anything they ordinarily obtained from the surrounding environment.

Jian Rui’s eyes snapped open in astonishment, while Bo Wen nearly lost control of his breathing before hurriedly correcting his circulation.

Lin Meiyu trembled visibly as the unfamiliar energy surged through her meridians, and even Shen Lian’s usually composed expression collapsed into disbelief.

The difference was extraordinary!

Ordinary cultivation required them to slowly gather the sparse Spiritual Energy distributed throughout their surroundings, refine it through their respective methods and gradually accumulate the resulting power.

Yet the crystals provided a concentrated reservoir that could be accessed directly, allowing them to spend considerably less effort gathering energy and far more time refining it.

It was almost like comparing someone collecting rainwater in a bucket against another person standing beneath an open reservoir outlet!

Damian watched their reactions with quiet satisfaction, using his Divine Sense to monitor their circulation and ensure that nobody attempted anything foolish.

The youngsters were talented enough to handle the energy with proper guidance, but their excitement made caution particularly important.

After several more circulations, Jian Rui finally opened his eyes and stared at the crystal in his trembling hand.

His expression contained such profound disbelief that Damian couldn’t help wondering whether the youngster was about to accuse him of violating some sacred law of cultivation.

"Master Damian, t-this...!" Jian Rui stammered, struggling to find the words necessary to describe what he had just experienced.

The others were hardly in better condition, all three staring at their crystals as though Damian had casually handed them priceless treasures.

Considering how much cultivators valued resources capable of accelerating their progress, their reaction was perfectly understandable.

Damian regarded the four youngsters thoughtfully, realizing that the moment had finally arrived to formalize something that had been developing for quite some time.

They had served him faithfully, trusted his judgment and repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to follow him through dangerous circumstances.

More importantly, Damian had already begun treating their development as a personal responsibility rather than merely a convenient arrangement between himself and the Evergreen Sect.

Perhaps it was time to stop pretending otherwise.

"Still calling me Master Damian? Drop the Damian at the end," Damian asked, folding his arms as a faint smile appeared on his face.

For a moment, the four youngsters merely stared at him.

Then the meaning of his words finally registered, and their expressions transformed from astonishment into something considerably more profound.

In Shengyuan, addressing someone as ’Master’ in that particular context wasn’t merely an expression of respect, but a formal acknowledgment of the relationship between a teacher and their personal disciples.

Damian was accepting them!

The realization struck all four simultaneously, leaving them trembling with an excitement that surpassed even their astonishment at the Mana Crystals.

They had admired and followed him for some time, but none had dared assume that such an extraordinary cultivator would personally acknowledge them as his disciples.

Slowly, Jian Rui lowered himself to his knees, followed almost immediately by Bo Wen, Lin Meiyu and Shen Lian.

The four bowed together, their foreheads touching the floor as their voices rose in perfect unison.

"Your disciples pay their respects... Master!"