Eternal Life: My Lifespan Increases Daily

"You five are all excellent candidates for the position of Grand Marshal. Now I ask you, who wishes to take on the position of Commander of the First Army?" Song Changming asked directly.

"I am willing!" Hu Fanyi stared directly at Song Changming, being the first to speak.

An aura of a king faintly emanated from him, not quite on par with Prince Cui, but it was a quality not possessed by ordinary people.

This was something he had acquired from following his father since childhood, influenced by his presence and teachings.

Under this kingly aura, few dared to oppose him.

But today, these five contenders were all extraordinary!

"I am willing!" Tang Le Mountain stepped forward, also facing Song Changming, and said calmly.

"This..."

The Little Flag Masters and officials observing exchanged glances, surprised that Tang Le Mountain would step forward at this moment.

Hu Fanyi taking the position of Commander of the First Army was almost a done deal.

Tang Le Mountain inserting himself like this seemed somewhat unwise.

"I am originally a soldier of the First Army, and I have been appreciated and promoted by Grand Marshal Hu Donghuo, so I have come for the position of Commander!" Tang Le Mountain said respectfully, his voice resonating and strong.

He stated his reasons for getting involved, leaving everyone silent.

Song Changming raised an eyebrow. He originally thought someone unconventional would be Xu Yuan, but didn’t expect Tang Le Mountain to make such a choice.

In his eyes, Tang Le Mountain didn’t have much chance against Hu Fanyi.

"Both of you want the position of Commander of the First Army. It’s simple, just have another duel," Song Changming said with a faint smile, not intending to deter Tang Le Mountain.

In the army, it’s ultimately the might that speaks. If Hu Fanyi truly loses, he won’t protect this Young Prince.

Just in case, he had previously sought understanding from Prince Cui.

Actually, the decision to take on the position at the Military Department was Hu Fanyi’s own decision, unrelated to Prince Cui.

Prince Cui also explicitly stated that Song Changming need not consider his face, and should handle matters officially. If Hu Fanyi could gain more opportunities to train in the Military Department, that would be best.

With Prince Cui’s instruction, Song Changming had no worries.

"Alright." Hu Fanyi agreed directly.

In his view, it’s best if someone challenges. He wished to take the position of Commander honorably, not because of his status as the Young Prince.

Then fight!

Thus, the two strongest among the candidates clashed.

Tang Le Mountain was indeed powerful, backed by the top-tier Noble Family, the Tang Family, and was a promising candidate for breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm.

He had easily won the prior rounds.

Only in this duel against Hu Fanyi did he have the opportunity to fully showcase his abilities.

Just with Innate Perfection Realm’s cultivation, he was far ahead of the other Little Flag Masters, leaving them shaking their heads as they watched.

Even if they lasted a few more rounds, facing an opponent of Tang Le Mountain’s level, they had no chance at all.

They had to accept the reality that they were completely running alongside this time.

In the arena, after fifty rounds, the two remained evenly matched.

But after a hundred rounds, Hu Fanyi began to gain the upper hand, leaving Tang Le Mountain only room to defend.

Though both in Innate Perfection, Hu Fanyi was evidently stronger by a margin.

Finally, after three hundred rounds of fierce battle, Tang Le Mountain was stabbed and vomited blood, retreating in defeat.

"I have lost." Tang Le Mountain took a deep breath, looking at Hu Fanyi standing proudly in the clouds, and shook his head.

"Your strength is formidable, well fought." Hu Fanyi acknowledged, sheathing his longsword, and looked towards Song Changming.

"From today on, you are the Commander of the First Army," Song Changming said without hesitation, directly finalizing the first position.

Hu Fanyi was absolutely deserving, and the powerful prowess he demonstrated left everyone with no further whispers of a predetermined outcome.

As for Tang Le Mountain, even though he lost again in the final contest for the Commander, his mindset was now much more resilient than before, and he quickly accepted the result.

"Who wishes to take the position of Commander of the Thirteenth Army?" With the position of the First Army settled, Song Changming looked once more at the remaining four.

"Brother Tang, aren’t you going to try again?" Xu Yuan suddenly smiled at Tang Le Mountain.

Tang Le Mountain stood silently aside. Although he failed in the competition for the First Army’s command, he could still compete for the remaining three positions.

However, having just fought a great battle with Hu Fanyi, consuming much and even sustaining some injuries, continuing to compete for command would certainly see a decline in his full strength.

Having lost the original target of the First Army’s position, Tang Le Mountain learned to be wise this time, choosing to calm himself and recover from the exhaustion of the recent battle.

In his view, aside from the First Army’s command, the other three positions were of no difference to him, and he only needed to secure any of them, so there was no need to rush.

Xu Yuan sighed a bit regretfully at this and then stepped forward, bowing to Song Changming, "I am willing."

Though privately close friends, he needed to maintain the proper courtesy openly to avoid gossip.

Song Changming nodded. There was no contention for the position of the Thirteenth Army’s command, and Xu Yuan easily secured it.

Song Changming continued to ask, "Who wishes to take the position of Commander of the Nineteenth Army?"

The Nineteenth Army was the large army previously led by Song Changming.

Now, as Song Changming became the Grand Marshal, the position for the command of the Nineteenth Army became vacant as well.

Being a newly formed army, it had no deep roots, and naturally no suitable replacement candidates within the army.

The most promising Xiao Peibai, whether in cultivation, achievements, or seniority, fell far short, not even making it onto the list of commander candidates, let alone others.

"I am willing."

"I am willing."

Yang Zhen and Dou Xuan spoke almost at the same time, while Tang Le Mountain remained seated silently in the clouds, recovering from consumption, seemingly not intending to intervene in this contest for command.

Thus, the competitors were clear at a glance.

Yang Zhen took a deep breath, calming his fluctuating emotions.

This time, he was only one step away from the Grand Marshal position he had dreamed of!

He just needed to defeat Dou Xuan, and the command of the Nineteenth Army would be his!

At the same time, Dou Xuan felt exactly the same, tightly gripping his heavy iron sword, its cold iron grip growing hot from his hold.

A host of Little Flag Masters, who wouldn’t want to advance, sitting in the command chair, leading the entire army, and becoming a cornerstone of the Human Race?

The gap between a Little Flag Master and a Grand Marshal may seem close, but the disparity in status and power was significant.

The simplest and clearest comparison was that in an army, there was only one Grand Marshal, while there could be several Little Flag Masters.

"Brother Yang, I apologize for today’s battle!" Dou Xuan was the first to speak to Yang Zhen, his tone filled with determination.

Apologizing first, it was because he would fight with his all in this battle, even if it meant seriously injuring Yang Zhen, it would be worth it!

He knew how rare this opportunity was in front of him, and if he didn’t give it his all, he would regret it in the future!

"Brother Dou, I feel the same, no offense!" Yang Zhen’s expression was solemn, raising his long spear, he said slowly.

"Once you are ready, let’s begin." Song Changming stepped aside and said.

Yang Zhen and Dou Xuan’s strengths were incredibly close. No matter who won, it wouldn’t be surprising.

Yang Zhen first fought Yu Rui, then faced Dou Xuan. Ultimately, if he ascended the command position by overcoming these two, no one would doubt Yang Zhen’s strength.

"Please!"

"Please!"

As soon as they spoke, they paused briefly, then suddenly unleashed Gang Qi, with spear light and sword Qi crashing against each other, erupting into battle.

As expected by everyone, the two were evenly matched, entangled in over a hundred rounds with no clear winner.

"Brother Yang’s strength has increased so rapidly, truly not to be underestimated..." Xu Yuan, who had already secured a commander position, watched the duel, feeling his blood boil, drawing electric arcs around him.

Over two hundred rounds passed, both were wounded, their injuries weren’t light, yet neither’s offensive diminished, and the clash of Gang Qi remained intense, with no intention to halt.

Song Changming, watching, found it inappropriate to interrupt them.

He merely prepared himself to act at any moment, to prevent any unexpected incidents under his watch.

...