God of Pets

"Live a stable life, and after your second awakening, why not join the regular army? Why make so much trouble?" Bu Changning muttered quietly.

"Shut up and stop talking nonsense." Shi Zhimen heard Bu Changning's mumbling, glared at him fiercely, and scolded him.

"That's exactly it, if he wants to be restless, let him be. Why drag us into this? We don't want to risk our lives to gild someone else." Bu Changning remarked with a pout.

"Anyone unwilling to build the regiment with me can go back. I've never liked forcing people to do things they dislike; you can leave at any time." Up front, Chen Guan stopped and looked at everyone as he spoke.

Everyone glanced at each other but dared not speak.

Bu Changning's face was gloomy. He gritted his teeth, wanting to say something, but Shi Zhimen gave him a smack on the head, nearly causing him to stumble off the horse.

"What nonsense are you spouting? He's our captain. Whatever the captain says, you listen to it." Shi Zhimen gave Bu Changning a way out, then rode up beside Chen Guan and said with a smile, "Captain Chen, don't take it out on him. A soldier's Celestial Duty is to obey orders. Whatever you say, he should do. It's not his turn to speak."

"We aren't truly soldiers yet. There's no need to consider so much. Those willing to follow me, come along. Those who aren't, I won't force. If you want to leave, you can turn around now and do what you want. I assure you I won't trouble anyone. But let me make it clear, once you leave the team, you can't share hardships with your brothers, and the reward for completing the mission isn't yours to take. It should be given to your brothers instead, and from now on, everyone goes their separate ways." Chen Guan said calmly.

"Fine, if you're capable of completing the task, that's your ability. I won't take any mission reward from you. I'll transfer out tomorrow. Captain Chen, if you want to play, you play. I'm out." Bu Changning turned his horse and left, no longer giving Chen Guan any face.

Bu Changning had the temper and confidence, but the others didn't dare follow his lead.

Seeing the situation reach this point, Shi Zhimen stepped in to mediate, "Captain Chen, don't take it seriously with that brat. He's notoriously foul-tempered and offended many. That's how he got transferred to our team."

"Choosing his own path isn't a bad thing; everyone needs to be responsible for themselves as long as they don't regret it." Chen Guan's gaze swept over the group: "Anyone else want to leave? If so, leave now because once we enter the Secret Realm, there'll be no more turning back; leaving during combat is desertion, and you'll be dealt with as such."

"Since there's no opposition, it means you acknowledge my words. Let's keep moving." Seeing no one speak, Chen Guan instructed Shi Zhimen to lead the team toward the Beimang Mountain Blessed Land.

The team members were unwilling at heart but dared not offend Chen Guan. They only hoped that once Chen Guan saw the might of the Yellow Springs Shadow Soldier Corps, he would change his mind and retreat early.

Some even secretly smirked, waiting to see Chen Guan make a fool of himself.

No matter how resolute his words are now, his retreat will only be more humiliated later.

Even Shi Zhimen thought the young master was a bit too naive, unaware of the Yellow Springs Shadow Soldier Corps' power. With just ten people, facing hundreds of shadow soldiers could easily lead to trouble. How could they complete the task?

"Once he sees the Yellow Springs Shadow Soldier Corps, I'll give him an out, and we can retreat." Shi Zhimen calculated in his mind.

The group teleported into the Beimang Mountain Blessed Land and headed toward a military base in the South Mountain. There lay the region of Yellow Springs Shadow Soldiers they needed to clear out.

The Beimang Mountain Blessed Land was half steep mountains and half relatively flat lands, and the Yellow Springs Shadow Soldiers usually wandered out from the mountains, impossible to eliminate completely.

The military base built in the flat area frequently suffered harassment from the shadow soldiers.

Though not threatening, they damaged buildings and facilities, necessitating regular clearings.

When they arrived, Shi Zhimen volunteered to scout the area.

With Chen Guan's permission, Shi Zhimen galloped away and returned shortly, out of breath, reporting, "Captain, there are at least a thousand Yellow Springs Shadow Soldiers ahead. With our current manpower, it's tough to handle. Perhaps we should retreat and plan again?"

"Let's take a look first." Chen Guan ignored him, urging his horse forward.

Shi Zhimen had no choice but to have everyone follow, leading the way himself. Stopping on a slope, he blocked Chen Guan and the team behind him, "Captain, look."

Chen Guan looked down the slope and saw many ghost-like shadow soldiers wandering. Yet, each was clad in armor, armed, and some even rode shadow horses, far from ordinary ghostly apparitions.

Below lay a vast, grey expanse, with Shi Zhimen's thousand-count perhaps even understated.

Seeing the situation, the team members all felt anxious, wanting to retreat quickly. If surrounded by the Yellow Springs Shadow Soldier Corps, breaking through would be tough.

"Captain, let's retreat?" Shi Zhimen once more advised.

"Vice Captain, you grew up in the pet arena, right?" Chen Guan watched the Yellow Springs Shadow Soldier Corps below, discussing Shi Zhimen's past rather than retreating.

"That's correct." Shi Zhimen wondered why Chen Guan brought up this topic now.

"After learning your riding skills for a day, I believe no one in the Reserve Team matches your riding prowess. Your talents and understanding of cavalry tactics would be unmatched, not even in the regular army." Chen Guan secretly activated the Spirit of the Cheerleaders talent.

"Captain Chen, you are…" Shi Zhimen wore a peculiar look, wanting to speak but was cut off.

"With your riding skills and talents, you should have a place in the Reserve Team, but because of your background, you couldn't even become a squad leader. Isn't that sad?" Chen Guan looked at him and said.

Shi Zhimen was momentarily stunned, face expressionless, "Being your vice captain is enough for me."

"No, it's not enough. You shouldn't be satisfied. You shouldn't hide your talents; you should let them shine, proving your excellence to everyone instead of pretending to be mediocre." Chen Guan's gaze, sharp as a blade, locked onto Shi Zhimen's eyes, his voice firm and resonating, "Do you know? A peacock spreads its feathers to attract admiration; a lion with its powerful physique conquers adversaries, earning respect; a phoenix's call reverberates the sky, inviting companionship upon trees."

Chen Guan turned his gaze toward the Netherworld Ghosts below, speaking slowly and clearly, "Only with overwhelming power can one prove their worth; being a coward won't cut it."

Finished speaking, Chen Guan raised his spear and spurred his horse, charging towards the Yellow Springs Shadow Soldier Corps below, shouting as he charged, "If you're truly yourself, these ten riders can roam the world unconquered."