Xiao Fei personally slew the peak-breaking One-Eared, greatly boosting his subordinates' morale. Their worship for Lord Xiao flowed like a ceaseless river.
To the torrent of compliments and admiration from his憨憨 (hān hān) subordinates, Xiao Fei remained nonchalant.
"A mere peak cultivator, I dispatched him with ease, hardly worth mentioning!"
Xiao Fei had now mastered the art of showing off, almost convincing himself.
After Xiao Fei tossed the remnants of One-Eared's men into the canyon, the remaining One-Eared bandits lost all will to fight. They dropped their weapons and surrendered on the spot.
Xiao Fei did not slaughter these surrendering bandits. They were ready fighting forces, capable of being incorporated and reformed.
Within the canyon, a vast amount of wealth was indeed hidden, all plundered by the One-Eared bandits over the years.
There were numerous Origin Crystal Stones, various rare materials, and the largest quantity was food, enough to sustain One-Eared's hundred men for several years.
Xiao Fei instructed Han Yi to immediately reorganize the remaining dozens of "One-Eared bandits" and then carry the canyon's wealth back.
With this batch of food, coupled with the future harvest from the grains he planted in his spatial dimension, he would not have to worry about sustenance for a considerable time.
For the next period, Xiao Fei focused on training his more than 500 giant soldiers.
Six months later, this giant army was formally trained and formed.
On a grand training ground, a contingent of 200 giants stood ready.
At the forefront of the formation was the spirited Han Yi, flanked by the lanky Da Zhuang and a one-eyed giant.
This one-eyed giant was recruited by Xiao Fei from the bandits. He was a veteran bandit, intimately familiar with the terrain of the entire giant world and the conditions of each city.
Behind the three was a neatly arranged phalanx, fully armored and armed, totaling 100 men, the main force for this expedition.
Following the phalanx were 100 support troops, responsible for carrying supplies during peacetime and capable of joining the fray when manpower was insufficient.
"General Han Yi, receive your orders!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
Han Yi cupped his fists in a salute, his movements exaggerated, deliberately shaking his armor to make a clattering sound.
"I now appoint you to lead this army. From this place, advance in the direction where the sun rises.
Wherever the army goes, it shall henceforth be the land of my Xiao clan.
The arduous task of conquering the giant world begins with you!"
Xiao Fei said, solemnly handing a great axe, symbolizing authority, into Han Yi's hand.
"Your command is my honor!"
Han Yi received the great axe, turned, and raised it high.
"Lord Xiao is invincible!"
"May Lord Xiao live as long as heaven and earth!"
...
Another string of uninspired flattery. Xiao Fei felt a bit bored but maintained a smile, waving to everyone.
After a thunderous roar of acclamation, Han Yi led the 200 men to depart.
From then on, his army would advance, conquering cities and territories, expanding Xiao Fei's domain.
Xiao Fei, meanwhile, arranged for people to receive the captured cities and their populations.
Han Yi, leading the well-equipped 200, was almost invincible as he conquered cities and territories.
His progress was rapid and triumphant.
Conversely, Xiao Fei's pace in receiving the captured territories lagged behind.
Conquering was easy, but his reception process was no longer the previous crude management style.
Instead, he had to allocate land to the city's residents, perform divine acts, deceive them, and brainwash them.
This was equivalent to providing comprehensive services, from material civilization to spiritual civilization.
Xiao Fei was currently plagued by a severe shortage of capable subordinates. The giant world was filled with physically strong individuals who lacked intellect.
They were capable of fighting and killing, but when it came to deceiving people and brainwashing them, it was absolutely impossible.
Furthermore, such matters could only be entrusted to those he absolutely trusted.
Xiao Fei thought of Huang Feifei and Zhu Yu at this moment. While they were intelligent and trustworthy, their human identities might not work in this giant world.
Firstly, in terms of physique, humans from the Tianyuan Realm were like tiny ants compared to giants, lacking any sense of authority.
After much deliberation, Xiao Fei felt that the only one capable of this task at present was Fei Yu.
The next time he encountered that dog from the Tianyuan Realm, he could also call him over.
He had seen the true form of Ancestor Xiao Yue before, and it was not small compared to a giant.
Fei Yu had been in the spatial dimension during this time, enjoying its 100-fold growth rate and abundant heavenly treasures.
He ate, slept, and grew daily. His strength had already reached the Integration stage earlier.
Fei Yu's current true form was not small compared to an adult giant, and many giants had seen Fei Yu and knew he was Xiao Fei's mount, making it easier to gain the giants' trust.
Fei Yu, upon receiving Xiao Fei's command, transformed into a giant humanoid form, though his appearance still bore a strong resemblance to Zhu Yu.
He entered a group of stout giants with this appearance and was well-received by them.
Daily, he preached Xiao Fei's divine miracles to the giants, engaging in deception and brainwashing.
This allowed Xiao Fei's radiance to shine into every newly conquered city, making everyone aware of Xiao Fei's divine deeds.
...
The Earth Immortal Black Dog, worn down by Xiao Fei, had his divine soul escape. After drifting and experiencing much misfortune, it finally returned to the Upper Realm.
"Woof woof woof..."
"Master, I'm back!"
After enduring endless grievances, Little Black finally returned home. His divine soul flew to his master's feet, finally feeling a sense of peace.
"Little Black, how did you, a dignified Earth Immortal, end up like this? Who injured you?"
The Heavenly Demon Guard, with a face full of coarse flesh, saw his beloved dog reduced to a mere wisp of a soul and felt shock and anger.
Although it was just his watchdog, one had to consider the owner when beating a dog. Moreover, Little Black possessed Earth Immortal cultivation and should have been invincible in the lower realm.
So, Little Black recounted his entire unlucky history since descending to the lower realm to his master.
He also reported in detail how he finally found the Jade of Creation but still failed, being worn down to death by a group of giants.
"Good! Good!"
"A great merit!"
Hearing that Little Black had successfully found the Jade of Creation, the Heavenly Demon Guard's face lit up with joy. He no longer dwelled on Little Black's string of misfortunes and left with Little Black's divine soul.
The Heavenly Demon Guard walked directly towards a mountain peak shrouded in ethereal mist, atop which stood a majestic and imposing grand hall.
Within the hall, a noble and resplendent woman sat at the head, her demeanor so dignified that no one dared to harbor any disrespectful thoughts.
"My Lord, the whereabouts of the Jade of Creation have been found!"
"Really! Where?"
The resplendent woman, upon hearing this, was overjoyed and leaped from her throne.
"This entire matter was accomplished by my little black dog..."
The Heavenly Demon Guard said, releasing Little Black's divine soul and having Little Black recount the events in detail.
Upon hearing of Little Black's tragic experience, the noble woman could not help but chuckle.
"Hehehe..."
"The Jade of Creation is an innate supreme treasure, formed before the world's existence. It possesses its own senses, turning misfortune into fortune and avoiding disaster.
Anyone who attempts to covet this treasure will be targeted by the laws of heaven."