Chapter 821: Chapter 821

Calling Mu Zi, Ding Fan naturally wanted to strengthen his troop's weaponry and equipment.

Now that the gold mine affair had been exposed, it was naturally impossible to go on without a powerful armed force.

At the moment, Mu Zi was taking care of Cheng Bufan and Bian Zixuan in the hospital, and once contacted by Ding Fan, she immediately arranged her itinerary.

Actually, Mu Zi was most willing to follow Ding Fan, as following him always meant rewards, which had been proven many times.

After the phone call, Ding Fan felt at ease and started to study the iron piece he had bought from Dai Qiliao on Serpent Island.

Although the iron piece seemed very ordinary and unremarkable, Ding Fan felt that there must be a secret to it, as its profound aura felt similar to that of his Ancient Cauldron and the nine-colored Sky-changing Pearl.

If he wasn't mistaken, this was likely also an extraordinary treasure.

Ding Fan locked himself inside the villa, specially instructing others not to disturb him during this time.

Huang Can then arranged a squad to guard the vicinity of the villa.

Once left on his own, Ding Fan then took out the iron piece.

After probing the iron piece with his Divine Sense, Ding Fan could tell there seemed to be a very powerful force within it. When he tried to understand it with his Divine Sense, he could feel a protective membrane around that power. Although Ding Fan could sense it, he couldn't further investigate.

Even though Ding Fan couldn't confirm what kind of power was contained within the iron piece, he could affirm that the power would be overwhelmingly strong.

However, after studying it for a whole day, Ding Fan still couldn't figure out how to probe deeper.

Ding Fan couldn't help feeling somewhat discouraged; he had wasted a day that he could have spent refining pills.

Then, he took out the Ancient Cauldron.

Just as Ding Fan was thinking about refining some pills, the Ancient Cauldron suddenly emitted bursts of faint green light.

Ding Fan was taken aback, knowing that this had never happened before with the Ancient Cauldron.

After careful observation, Ding Fan understood what was happening—it was because of the iron piece.

The closer the iron piece was to the Ancient Cauldron, the brighter the faint green light became, and as soon as it was moved away, the light would dim immediately.

Could it be that these two treasures were resonating with each other?

Immediately, Ding Fan placed the iron piece into the Ancient Cauldron.

The moment the iron piece was placed inside the Ancient Cauldron, the light intensified, and a dazzling green beam shot straight up into the sky.

Afterward, in the midst of the green screen of light, a figure appeared there.

However, the figure appeared very blurry and somewhat unreal.

"Predestined one, I am the remnant soul of Wen Yizhou, the sect master of the Ling Sect. I was harmed by the Ghost Sect in the past, and only with my supreme cultivation was I barely able to preserve this wisp of remnant soul. I hope the predestined one can find the disciples of the Ling Sect to avenge me. Additionally, I have the Ling Sect Technique here; help me pass it on to the disciples of the Ling Sect... Predestined one, please do not fail me..."

Boom... After the figure finished speaking, the entire green light suddenly transformed into a green thread, and then poured directly into Ding Fan's head from above.

Ding Fan was shocked,

but it was already too late to dodge, and he felt a powerful force suddenly rush into his body.

The force was so domineering that Ding Fan felt he could explode at any moment.

Ding Fan tried to control it, but at that moment, he simply couldn't; the power was too strong.

Then a deluge of information, like floodwaters breaching a dam, poured directly into Ding Fan's mind. His head felt as if it was swelling terribly, about to explode.

Now, Ding Fan somewhat regretted that he had been too careless; the iron piece did not seem ordinary at all, and his own probing was indeed a bit presumptuous.

Just then, another intense force blasted into Ding Fan's body.

At this moment, Ding Fan's body went limp, and then he passed out.

The Inner Strength was simply too overbearing.

He didn't know how long had passed before Ding Fan faintly regained consciousness. By the time he awoke again, it was already broad daylight outside.

Unconsciously, a day had passed just like that.

Recalling last night's events, Ding Fan quickly used his Divine Sense to check the condition inside his body.

As Ding Fan examined his internal state with his Divine Sense, he almost doubted whether he was dreaming.

Now, the meridians inside his body had been widened several times over, and his dantian had actually condensed into a Golden Core...

The Golden Core Stage?

Ding Fan's eyes widened. Even the well-informed him couldn't help shaking violently.

In the Cultivation world's leveling system, Qi Cultivation progresses from Grade One to Nine, followed by the Foundation Energy, with Early, Middle, and Late Stages, then advancing to the Enlightenment Phase.

Like Foundation Establishment, the Enlightenment Phase also has three ranks. Afterward comes the Golden Core Stage...

Overnight, Ding Fan had soared from the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment directly to the Middle Stage of the Golden Core...

Leaping up two major ranks and five minor ranks...

This was simply too hard to believe...

Ding Fan then walked over to the Pill Furnace, only to see the iron piece had completely disappeared within the Pill Furnace; it seemed to have turned into nothingness.

Thinking back to the figure within the faint green light last night, Ding Fan started to understand what had happened.

When in the Cultivation World, Ding Fan had heard that when some martially powerful individuals were severely injured, their souls would leave their bodies and then wrap their cultivation with the power of their souls.

Should anyone obtain the power wrapped by that soul, their cultivation speed could be described as advancing a thousand miles in a single day.

Yet Ding Fan had not expected such an incredible stroke of good fortune to fall upon himself.

Ding Fan now gently clenched his fists, feeling the formidable power surging through his body, giving him the urge to unleash a full-force blow.

However, Ding Fan could not act on this urge now. If he did, not only would the entire villa collapse, but the soldiers protecting him might also be killed by the shockwaves...

As he exited the room, soldiers had already hurried over to him.

"General, Deputy Commander Huang asks for your presence at the factory after you awake. A friend of yours has arrived."

Although the soldiers did not specify who the visitor was, Ding Fan could guess it was likely Mu Zi, who had come with equipment.

Without delay, Ding Fan proceeded to the factory, escorted by two soldiers.

The factory was a ten-minute distance from the villa where Ding Fan resided.

By the time Ding Fan and his men arrived, there were already many soldiers guarding the perimeter of the factory.

This factory, during Haji's reign, was mainly used for processing narcotics. After Ding Fan took over Haji's territory, the drug business was discontinued, and the place became a storage facility.

Ding Fan immediately entered the factory.

"Brother Fan..." The source of thɪs content is novel•fire.net

As soon as Ding Fan walked into the factory, Mu Zi rushed over and tightly hugged his arm.

This little fairy was always fond of fooling around, which Ding Fan didn't mind too much.

"Have you brought the equipment?" Ding Fan asked.

Upon hearing Ding Fan's words, Mu Zi's lips puckered, showing some displeasure. "Brother Fan, you see me and you don't first ask if my journey was safe, if I was tired or anything, but immediately inquire about the equipment. Brother Fan, you don't care about me at all."

Ding Fan then gently patted Mu Zi's head. "Your safety is nothing to worry about. If any bad guys encountered you, they're the ones who'd be out of luck."

Mu Zi was amused by Ding Fan's remark.

Then she directly took out two storage rings and handed them to Ding Fan. "I've brought everything."

Ding Fan received the two storage rings, which indeed contained a significant amount of weapons and equipment.

"Brother Fan, are you planning to build a kingdom here?" Mu Zi excitedly inquired from the side.

At this moment, he wasn't quite sure how to explain to Mu Zi. Between building an army and expanding territory, who would believe it wasn't the formation of a kingdom?

"Brother Fan, I've been here for a day. I saw that you were in closed cultivation, so I had Huang Can take me around. Brother Fan, I think I can be a great help with setting up the army," Mu Zi said with a smile.

Ding Fan had no doubt about Mu Zi's capabilities.

Although she seemed crazy and foolish every day, those who knew her were aware of her strong ability to handle affairs.

Moreover, Mu Zi's grandfather, Elder Mu, had been in the military for a lifetime, and Mu Zi, coming from a military family, was well acquainted with these matters. She could indeed be of great help in constructing an army.

"Then you'll have to help Huang Can more in the future," Ding Fan said with a smile.

Huang Can hurriedly stepped forward. "Miss Mu Zi is a doer; some of the theories I genuinely admire, and I am willing to be her assistant."

Ding Fan glanced at Huang Can.

He wondered how this little fairy had bullied Huang Can into willingly being an assistant.

"It's up to you two to discuss… I don't really understand military affairs," Ding Fan said.

From the side, Mu Zi added, "Brother Fan, I took the initiative to transfer a platoon from Huaxia Country's special forces to help with the training. Besides that, I think the uniforms of your troops are too varied and look uncomfortable. I've designed a pattern for the military uniform and have the domestic clothing factory produce them. The unified military uniforms will all be in place within a month."

Ding Fan couldn't help but think highly of Mu Zi.

This little fairy was indeed efficient; before he could speak, she had already completed all the tasks at hand.

Just at this moment, a soldier ran in, flustered.

"General, something's wrong. We've had a conflict with Hauge's troops in Xinzhuang; we've lost more than a dozen men."

Although Ding Fan had not looked at a map, he could roughly recall the place.

He remembered that Xinzhuang was territory ceded to him by Wali and should belong to him.

Moreover, Tedun, the commander of Hauge's troops, had been intimidated by him; how could he dare to lay hands on Ding Fan's territory now?

"What's the situation now?" Huang Can asked from the side.

"The troops have already occupied Xinzhuang. According to those who retreated, they seemed to want to see our Wizard... They said if the Wizard was capable, he should come to their command post tonight, otherwise, they will flatten us by tomorrow morning," the soldier reported.

"This is outrageous!" Huang Can frowned deeply. "General, I'll go gather the troops now."

Ding Fan shook his head slightly. "Since they've specifically asked to see me, of course, I need to meet with them."

Huang Can furrowed his brow. "General, you want to go by yourself?"

Ding Fan nodded. "Going by myself will be sufficient..."