The Nine Martial Cohorts

Merit missions triggered by random events like this were monitored by cultivators at all times. Li Fan accepted the mission directly to avoid having it snatched away. Soon, a friend request arrived via his Wan-inscribed communication talisman. *Martial Practice Hall, Jiang Zhengji.* Li Fan accepted the request, and a message from Jiang Zhengji came through: "Fellow Daoist Li Fan, I have already reviewed your basic information. "With late Foundation Establishment cultivation, complemented by formation mastery, following behind our squad to complete this mission should pose no real danger. "I'll send you the details regarding our trip to Wanlai Island shortly, so you can prepare in advance. "We depart tomorrow morning. We'll rendezvous at Dharma Transmission Plaza." Li Fan was in no rush to look at the dossier Jiang Zhengji sent over; instead, he first checked Jiang Zhengji's personal profile. Touching the star representing Jiang Zhengji in the sea of stars with his divine sense, a brief summary instantly surfaced in Li Fan's mind. Jiang Zhengji, a member of the Tianbian Squad of the Wanxian Island Martial Practice Hall. Mid Golden Core cultivation. Li Fan also knew a little about this Tianbian Squad. It was one of the nine martial cohorts of the Martial Practice Hall. Within the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals, the Protector Hall only stepped in when matters involved cultivation techniques. In all other circumstances requiring the deployment of force, the Martial Practice Hall was responsible. The nine martial cohorts were Tianjun, Tiancang, Tianbian, Tianxuan, Tianyou, Tianhao, Tianzhu, Tianyan, and Tianyang. Apart from Tianjun, which oversaw overall coordination and held a slightly higher status, the other cohorts were all equal in rank to one another. *I wonder how many members the Tianbian Squad will send on this mission,* Li Fan mused as he opened the mission dossier for purging the abnormal beasts on Wanlai Island. Wanlai Island was situated in the southwestern waters of the Congyun Sea. Inhabiting the island was a type of humanoid, headless abnormal beast. They had short lower limbs and thick, muscular arms. Though they crawled along the ground, they moved with remarkable speed. The beasts possessed no heads, only a gaping, bloody maw in the center of their chests. They fed on sound; whenever they grew hungry, making any casual noise was enough to fill their bellies. Endowed with coarse hides and thick flesh, even if they occasionally suffered injuries, they could swiftly heal by consuming sound. Their combat prowess was formidable, and they could harm foes using sound waves. Coupled with their rapid reproduction and sheer numbers, they had virtually no rivals on the island. Thus, they had easily taken over the entirety of Wanlai Island. "Feeding on sound... interesting." Having gained a rough understanding of the mission details, Li Fan purchased several formation-crafting materials in the Heavenly Profound Mirror. For this mission, if he could complete it without exposing his true strength and simply slack off using formations, that would be ideal. The minor preparations naturally required no elaboration. Early the next morning, Li Fan arrived at Dharma Transmission Plaza to wait ahead of time. Before long, he saw Jiang Zhengji leading six people over at an unhurried pace. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Jiang!" Li Fan said, cupping his hands in salute. "Pardon me for keeping you waiting, Fellow Daoist Li," Jiang Zhengji replied politely, then introduced the six people behind him. Among the six, one was also at the mid Golden Core stage, while the other five, like Li Fan, were at late Foundation Establishment. After exchanging pleasantries, the group used a teleportation array to travel to Guishou Island, the closest island to Wanlai Island. After flying for most of a day from there, a lush, verdant island came into view in the distance. "Those beasts are extremely sensitive to sound. To avoid startling them, do not speak once we enter the area ahead. "Conceal your presence and communicate only with divine sense," Jiang Zhengji instructed as the squad leader. Everyone signaled their understanding. Upon entering the vicinity of Wanlai Island, the surroundings instantly fell deathly silent. The sound of the waves and the wind vanished entirely. Flying silently over Wanlai Island, Li Fan took in the scene below, feeling a slight chill creep over him. Every inch of the massive island was crammed with headless beasts. Most lay lazily on the ground, doing nothing at all. Where space ran out, they did not fight; instead, they piled atop one another layer upon layer, sprawling over each other to form numerous small mounds. The beasts were covered in red fur. At first glance, it looked as though the entire surface of Wanlai Island was carpeted in writhing red hair. Just looking at it gave one the creeps. Occasionally, one or two headless beasts grew hungry, yet they refused to even stand up. They merely patted their bellies; before the thumps could travel far, the gaping maws on their torsos snapped open and shut, devouring the sound completely. Several beasts nearby would crowd over as well, opening their broad maws to share the feast. Aside from eating, there was reproduction. The intense activity often drew many of their kind to gather and watch. Forming a circle around the participants, they looked on with mouths agape, drool spilling forth. This grotesque spectacle on Wanlai Island unsettled more than just Li Fan. The five Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Tianbian Squad were clearly carrying out this mission for the first time as well, and their faces looked rather pale. Only Jiang Zhengji and the other Golden Core cultivator, a man named Du Xingchang, maintained composed expressions, seemingly long accustomed to the sight. "Prepare to strike!" Jiang Zhengji tossed a purple formation diagram upward into the air. The purple light expanded rapidly upon meeting the wind, soon spreading to envelop the entire island. Yet the headless beasts below remained completely oblivious. Brilliant light radiated from Jiang Zhengji's body, accompanied by what seemed to be drifting ice and snow. Then wind and snow swept outward, blanketing the entire island in an instant. *A Golden Core dharma manifestation...* Li Fan's eyes flickered slightly as he watched. Having already exchanged for knowledge related to the Golden Core stage beforehand, Li Fan was naturally no stranger to this. Upon reaching the Golden Core realm, one could condense the laws within the Golden Core to forge a dharma manifestation. Uniting body and manifestation, one could wield the laws to influence and manipulate a vast surrounding area. At this moment, wind and snow raged together. The temperature on Wanlai Island plummeted rapidly. Some of the headless beasts gradually sensed something was wrong and looked about. However, Li Fan and the others suspended high in the sky made not the slightest sound, leaving the beasts completely unable to trace them. At the same time, Du Xingchang made his move. Amidst the howling blizzard, stalks of red plum blossoms burst through the frozen ground, blooming in proud defiance. In an instant, Wanlai Island was carpeted in white snow and red plums. "Xingchang and I will watch from above. The rest of you, strike on your own!" Jiang Zhengji commanded. The five Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Tianbian Squad nodded one after another. Without a shred of hesitation, they dove toward the headless beasts below to slaughter them. *Looks like the veterans are guiding the novices; it's a bit like training troops.* Seeing this, Li Fan couldn't openly slack off either. He quickly followed, casually laying down a Spirit-Sensing Birth and Death Formation that encompassed the five Foundation Establishment cultivators ahead. This Spirit-Sensing Birth and Death Formation was precisely one of the tactical arrays Zhang Zhiliang had deployed during Li Fan's twelfth life when the assembly of immortals slew Crimson Flame. It possessed the effect of amplifying attacks and enhancing coordination among allies. However, the formation Li Fan laid out this time had its power reduced by more than several dozen times. Yet for five Foundation Establishment cultivators, the boost was still nothing short of immediate and palpable. Afterward, Li Fan set up several more formations in one breath, including the Five Directions Spirit Gathering Formation, Viscous Thread Retardation Formation, and Heavenly Spirit Fire Dragon Formation.