Past life sage: This life a dual cultivator

"Ling'er, do you know why so many Xuantian sect's elders have come to support Zhan Chen?", Zheng Ying looked towards Zhou Ling.

"Master, have you learned something? For me, it is incomprehensible that so many peak experts have come to support Zhan Chen, a youngster who is seven years younger than me", Zhou Ling spoke. A curious expression appeared on her pretty face as she looked towards her master.

"I have indeed learned many things after talking with the Xuantian sect's elders. According to them, Zhan Chen is supremely talented but it is not the reason why they choose to follow him", Zheng Ying replied.

"What else might be the reason?", Zhou Ling felt more curious.

"It is his battle prowess that caught the attention of the elders. I have heard that he is unrivalled in his realm. I don't know whether it is true or not but he must be really a skillful fighter.

Beside his battle prowess, he is skillful in leading troops. He can come with impressive war strategies during most crucial times. In the battle of the Yellow stone city, general Chao has always listened to his opinion", Zheng Ying described.

"He can even come with war strategies!", Zhou Ling murmured with a surprised expression on her face. She was about to ask another question to her master when Zheng Ying turned her head. Several other Heavenly tribulation realm experts sensed the arrival of Zhan Chen and looked towards the alleyway that led towards the Lu clan's base.

After a season of intense cultivation, Zhan Chen was feeling completely invigorated and relaxed. An aura of profound calm and vigor radiated from his body as he walked towards the crowd.

There was a huge gathering of cultivators infront of the Lu clan's base. All of their eyes turned towards Zhan Chen as he approached them with a calm expression on his face.

"Everyone, assemble. Captains, please organize your troops," Zhan Chen announced after arriving infront of the crowd. His voice was commanding which was laced with authority and a tranquil confidence at the moment. 

He Yu, the first captain and one of the most respected elder from the Sword Peak was the first one to respond to Zhan Chen's words. "Commander, we will listen to your instruction," he replied with a booming voice. His tone was neither servile, neither overbearing as he expressed his allegiance to Zhan Chen.

Following He Yu's lead, the other captains - Lu Cheng, Zheng Ying, Qian Shanni, and Hu Wei - expressed their stance. All of them were quick to acknowledge their allegiance towards Zhan Chen. They were peak Heavenly Tribulation realm experts, yet their voices carried a trace of respect as they replied to Zhan Chen's words.

Among the crowd, Zhou Ling who was harbouring prejudice against Zhan Chen, watched with disbelief in her eyes. Even her master, Zheng Ying, acknowledged her allegiance towards Zhan Chen without hesitation.

"He indeed has some leadership ability. Now, I want to see whether his battle prowess is up to par or not," she thought to herself silently.

As a squard leader, she had to gather her squard members after Zheng Ying gave her command. Other captains also swiftly assembled their troops after receiving Zhan Chen's order.

It took few minutes before the army under Zhan Chen was completely organized. All the five captains were standing at the forefront of their respective groups as they waited for further instructions from Zhan Chen. It was unbelievable how a boisterous crowd turned into an organized battle unit after Zhan Chen's arrival.

Zhan Chen examined the army under him with tranquil eyes. His gaze swept past every gathered cultivators as he looked for their strength and weakness. A small smile appeared on his face when his eyes fell upon the troops under Qian Shanni's command.

"Senior sister Lingyi, have you made your decision?", he sent a voice transmission to Jia Lingyi. He had given her option to stay independent but she chose to follow Qian Shanni's command instead. She had also brought all the Xuantian sect cultivators who were personally lead by Zhan Chen in the battle of the Yellow stone city. Zhan Chen found all of his women amongst the troops under Qian Shanni. Sima Chunhua, Yin Ran, Hui Ling and Xue Yi were standing alongwith other disciples from the Xuantian sect.

A look of bewilderment appeared on Jia Lingyi's face after she heard Zhan Chen's words inside her mind. She was extremely surprised because what Zhan Chen had done was not an ordinary mental communication. 

Generally, in a mental communication both parties involved could talk to eachother. Moreover, their was a limit how far they could be while having a mental communication. Martial ascension realm cultivators needed to be at a arms distance when they were having a mental communication. But Zhan Chen was atleast twenty feet away from her. So, it was very surprising for her when she heard Zhan Chen's words inside her mind.

Zhan Chen only gave her a smile after seeing the startled expression on her face. He skipped past her and continued to examine other cultivators.

-----------------

"I can't beleive this brat! I thought he may need our help", Yang Yukong muttered. He was sitting along with Shui Liying and Ying Chao in the Xuantian sect's base.

"I knew he could do it. But his efficiency in organising the troops surprised me slightly", Shui Liying commented with a soft smile on her face. When it came to Zhan Chen's abilities and acheivements, her heart was filled with pride and joy.

"Both seniors, can I ask a question? Are you two talking about Zhan Chen?", Ying Chao inquired. From Yang Yukong and Shui Liying's conversation, he could guess that they were talking about Zhan Chen.

"Yes, we are speaking about him. I have no doubt in his abilities but I was concerned whether he could command Heavenly tribulation realm experts or not", Yang Yukong spoke.

"But now it seems like we are being worried for nothing. This brat is more capable than what we have thought", he further added.

"All the commanders have already assembled their troops. The special tokens of the Sky dragon alliance have already arrived. So, we shouldn't delay any further", Shui Liying spoke.

"It is time indeed. Ying Chao, you can distribute the missions now", Yang Yukong spoke.

"Senior, I will handle it", Ying Chao spoke. He bowed towards both Yang Yukong and Shui Liying before taking his leave.

An elder from the Xuantian sect approached Zhan Chen after he waited for a while. "Commander Chen, general Chao has summoned all the four commanders. Please visit the city lord's mansion immediately", he spoke after giving a courtesy bow to Zhan Chen.