CHAPTER 598: CHAPTER 367: PUSHING ONE’S LIMITS

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Although he had just gained some additional energy, this energy came from his own limits. If he continued what he was doing and expended a lot of effort, it was very likely to have adverse effects, rather than positive ones.

After finishing his routine, Yan Xiaobao did not stop training. Following the exercise for his legs, as soon as he managed to hold his breath, he shifted focus to other parts of his body. The young man embarked on a series of movements, training every muscle from his fingers to his toes.

Each time Yan Xiaobao trained a specific muscle, he continued until this external energy manifested, proving he had broken through yet another limit for that muscle. Wan Qiao had taught him this limit training method, which had already bestowed immense strength and greater endurance upon him. Strengthening his body greatly bolstered his cultivation path.

After finishing his training, Yan Xiaobao picked up a towel to wipe the sweat flowing down his forehead. Only then did he notice that his training had attracted quite a large audience. The spectators were a mixture of the Forest King and High-level Emperors. Initially startled by the presence of all these experts, Yan Xiaobao quickly observed that every Lord in front of him was someone he selected to participate in the upcoming war. The Emperors stood as experts most likely to serve as low-level military Commanders.

Faced with this sight, Yan Xiaobao could not help but smile. He stood before the most esteemed experts in the Divine Domain; all waiting for him—the one who had recently ascended to King-level. After spending most of the day training rigorously, he was drenched in sweat. He had been so focused on his training that he hadn’t noticed many experts gathering around him.

"Apologies," he spoke in a clear voice. "I am sorry to have kept you all waiting," he continued. Though his tone didn’t convey genuine remorse, many experts still accepted his words gracefully. Some had waited hours for Yan Xiaobao to finish his training. Truth be told, while all these experts were familiar with limit training, only a few truly persisted in pushing their limits. Seeing someone capable of breaching one limit after another left everyone present—experts included—with a fresh impression of this young man.

"I regret to ask, but I would like all of you to form a line. The Lords should follow behind their respective Emperors. I don’t mind your status; I only need to see all of you clearly." He spoke aloud, with a voice imbued with a certain degree of authority. Even though the figures before him were far more powerful, not to mention revered in the forest, Yan Xiaobao held his ground and issued simple commands to everyone present.

Initially, the Emperors anticipated resistance from the Lords against the orders of this meager King. They thought they could easily crush him. But when they saw the Lords nodding and immediately complying with his instructions, everyone was taken aback.

Facing the multitude of experts before him, Yan Xiaobao showed no signs of intimidation. He knew he was indispensable, and he was well-aware that the Lords valued him for his ability to mobilize war. Standing before him were the cornerstones of his army. Watching the men standing in a long line, Yan Xiaobao finally understood that his task was to build an army. His eyes turned solemn as he took several steps back, clenching his fists.

"Lord Pan, please step forward," Yan Xiaobao called out. His voice resonated as the man—whom Yan Xiaobao had the fortune to meet a few times—walked forward, followed by four other experts. The elderly figure with pure white hair held his head high with a faint smile. His demeanor betrayed no emotion, as though everything was kept beneath the surface. Even Yan Xiaobao felt a chill the moment he sensed the man’s power standing before him. Closing his eyes briefly, Yan Xiaobao quickly opened them to reveal no trace of fear. All that could be seen in his deep, icy-blue eyes was determination and authority—the authority to decide the fate of the many experts before him. Yan Xiaobao was building an army, and all Lords were bound to comply with his every command.

The number of Saints within Divine Origin was unclear. While there were sixty-four Forest Kings, this did not imply only sixty-four Saints existed. Roughly once every century, a challenge would arise to claim the seat of a Forest King. In the vast jungles of the Divine Domain, numerous hidden experts dwelled, preferring a life of isolation.

The only Saints who had been invited were Wan Qiao and the sixty-four Lords. However, neither Yan Xiaobao nor Wan Qiao were aware that many hidden experts had sensed shifts within Divine Origin and thus surfaced in the Capital. They were gathering to acquire all the information they could. As for their opinions on the impending war with humans, that was something no one knew.

Currently, forty of the sixty-four Lords stood in the training grounds. Aside from the Lords, everyone else lined up and awaited Hui Hui’s plans.

"Greetings, Lord Pan," Yan Xiaobao said as he bowed deeply to the esteemed expert. "I see you’ve brought four other experts. Please introduce them to me."

Without a moment’s hesitation, Lord Pan began to respond to the young man, "This is Hu Min," he said, signaling for one of the experts to step forward. The mentioned expert immediately moved ahead and gave Yan Xiaobao a deep bow. Though he wasn’t entirely certain who this young man was, he witnessed the immense respect the Forest Kings were showing him. For a minor Emperor like Hu Min, opposing such figures was unthinkable.